Out of the Clear Blue Sky

This was my first book by this author, and I am glad I decided to give her books a try. The writing is smooth and engaging, and the characters are richly developed and relatable. The book is heartbreaking and upsetting at times, but also quite funny and entertaining throughout.

Lillie Silva's world is turned on its head when her husband of 20 years, Brad Fairchild, leaves her to be with another woman, Melissa. Lillie struggles to figure out what her life will be now that she is no longer a wife and her son has left for college. Most of the chapters are told from Lillie's perspective, but several are told from the point of view of Melissa, who has use lies and manipulation to rise from poverty to wealth through advantageous marriages. Both are compelling characters with complex backgrounds and distinct voices. Readers will find themselves invested in their storylines.

Most of my thoughts on this book are positive. For instance, I enjoyed the myriad of emotions it invokes. Anger becomes laughter and then swiftly leads to sadness and heartbreak. I actually found myself laughing out loud a couple of times. My main complaint about the book is that it is too long for my liking. Some of the secondary plotlines seem unnecessary and draw the story out to almost 500 pages. They also distract from the main storyline.

Overall, this is an enjoyable book with strong character development and an emotional plot. I would definitely recommend it.