There is a reason that this book is on the top of all of the Best of 2017 lists - it's well worth all the hype. I loved Ng's first book and this was another amazing read - I couldn't put it down. That being said, it's not a fast-paced action story. It's reminiscent of Jodi Picoult's earlier books - really exploring issues from all sides and making you think and feel the issue from each of those sides.
Life in Shaker Heights, OH, is ordered, with rules for everything, including the expectations put on those who live there. Elana Richardson grew up in Shaker and was a true believer that there was a right and a wrong side and if you followed the rules, things would all work out. She is happily married to her attorney husband and they have 4 teenagers - Lexie, Trip, Moody and Izzy. Izzy is the only child that didn't follow the rules and so that relationship is fraught with issues.
Mia and her daughter, Pearl, rent an upstairs apartment in a house owned by the Richardson's. Soon their lives become entwined, even though Mia is the complete opposite of Mrs. Richardson.
Add to all these characters comes the story of a little Chinese baby, left abandoned at a fire station by a mother who was unable at the time to take care of it. Friends of the Richardson's take in the baby and are ready to adopt it when the mother comes back into the picture. Sides are drawn around town - should the mother have rights to the baby or should she remain with the foster parents who are awaiting the adoption to go through?
This is an amazing book with so many layers and things to think about and sides to decide on, if that's even possible. Add to my enjoyment is the fact that Shaker Heights is real (the author grew up there) and I lived in NE Ohio for many years, so it was fun to read about the landmarks and the way things were in the 1990s in Cleveland.
Highly, highly recommended!
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