The Husband Hour by Jamie Brenner
Hardcover, 360 pages
Published April 24th 2018 by Little, Brown and Company
Review Copy Provided by Raincoast Books
When a young widow’s reclusive life in a charming beach town is interrupted by a surprise visitor, she is forced to reckon with dark secrets about her family, her late husband, and the past she tried to leave behind.
Lauren Adelman and her high school sweetheart, Rory Kincaid, are a golden couple. They marry just out of college as Rory, a star hockey player, earns a spot in the NHL. Their future could not look brighter when Rory shocks everyone-Lauren most of all-by enlisting in the U.S. Army. When Rory dies in combat, Lauren is left devastated, alone, and under unbearable public scrutiny.
Seeking peace and solitude, Lauren retreats to her family’s old beach house on the Jersey Shore. But this summer she’s forced to share the house with her overbearing mother and competitive sister. Worse, a stranger making a documentary about Rory tracks her down and persuades her to give him just an hour of her time.
One hour with filmmaker Matt Brio turns into a summer of revelations, surprises, and upheaval. As the days grow shorter and her grief changes shape, Lauren begins to understand the past-and to welcome the future.
At first glance, I wasn’t sure how relatable this novel would be after reading the synopsis that describes the main characters as a power couple with an NHL husband. I quickly learned that The Husband Hour was about much more.
Rory, the husband, decides to leave he NHL, enlist in the Army, and is later killed in combat. Lauren is devastated and lives completely hidden away in her family’s beach house. That is, until a stranger approaches her about filming a documentary on Rory.
What an emotional ride. This was a complex tale of the various stages of love and heartache, the secrets families keep, and a messy beginning at forgiveness and redemption. There is so much to love about this story.
There were so many twists and turns I didn’t anticipate, and I LOVE LOVE LOVE that everything wasn’t tied up in a neat little package by the end. The story is messy and uncomfortable, but the writing is crisp and poetic as we are left with a glimmer of hope and a feeling of endurance. Highly recommended to those looking for a novel that warms and aches the heart in equal dose
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About Maison Moonchild
A Canadian gal that firmly believes words can change the world. An avid reader, writer and Halloween enthusiast. She has a special interest in communications and writes for pleasure and profession. She moonlights as a metaphysical maven with a knack for creating magical crystal jewelry and holiday accessories.
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