Not Exactly What I Had in Mind: A Novel

This entertaining and readable book reminds us that families come in all shapes and sizes; even friendship groups can have the staying power and bonds of familial relationships. The beginning of the story starts with three roommates. While one remains practically invisible in the story, the other two fall into bed with each other and cannot seem to sort out the depth of their feelings for each other.

Most of the book has them dancing around circumstances and off-shoot relationships while hiding their feelings for each other. They both play it safe, which proves the most dangerous thing that they can do. Other family members and friends are pivotal to the story.

Luckily, the author of this debut novel does not sum it all up tidily for us but allows the reader the respect to sort it all out for themselves. Kate Brook, the author, has academic credentials that are stellar and this first book is a good show of her skill in weaving characters and stories into a very readable book.