The Unbreakables: A Novel

It’s Sophie’s forty-second birthday and she’s expecting more of the usual: dinner with her husband and best friends, and a call from her daughter coming later, as she’s doing an arts course in Paris. But, with one salacious topic and an excel list that points out the details of the men in the area who had used “Ashley Madison” (the site for cheaters). Unfortunately, Gabe, Sophie’s husband is not only on the list, but he is the top “user’ of the service in their little Chicago suburb. Thrown into the recriminations, the why me, anger, sorrow, and a betrayal from her two best friends and Sophie is truly adrift. When her daughter calls, having been cheated on by her boyfriend, with other bombshells yet to be delivered, Sophie books the first flight out to Paris – what better way to gather herself and help her daughter through a difficult time? Paris and France offer Sophie a certain je ne sais quoi, that opportunity to revel (or retreat) into herself, her what now, find the little joys in a place she loves, and the ability to reconnect to a piece of herself she pushed aside long ago: her own need to create with sculpture. Sophie had tucked that part away after diagnosis of carpal tunnel threatened her health, but the need, that all-consuming passion had to go elsewhere. For her: it went into her daughter and her family: clearing the paths, smoothing the waters, making everything seamless. For her husband, it meant that Sophie was always focused elsewhere, with little time after all the accessory bits were sorted for him. And, to be honest, he was pretty much what one would expect in this situation – blaming others, angry, attacking – unwilling to see that his failures would (and do) effect those around him. What emerges is a new path for Sophie, both in the re-ignition of her sculpting and in her own responsibility and take-charge of her own life. From sexual situations to making herself (and others in her life) face their failings, deal with them, move on and move forward. Truly, while I worried that this book would circle Sophie’s tendency to ‘absorb” the blame for the affairs, she was, fortunately, moved to take other steps and didn’t allow herself to wallow for too long. With the unexpected bonus of help in her healing from both a valet at her hotel, his significant other and an artist, instructor, and inappropriate person in her daughter’s life, she is brought back into the art world, rediscovering her own passions, talents and a new start in life. I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via Edelweiss for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.

very deep! wonderful description. really felt Sophie!

loved this book