Anna, Cami and Amy were classmates in Haven, Michigan. Before they graduated Amy photocopied a magazine clipping meant to inspire and gave a copy to her two friends: “Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you’ve imagined.” More than fifteen years later the three find themselves thrown together again and life is definitely not what they’d imagined.
Anna is staying with her mother Maeve while on bereavement leave from her Chicago law firm. Cami has returned to her father’s home after a breakup caused by her secret addiction. Amy never left Haven and is looking forward to her wedding day. All three have serious issues that need to be faced before they can move forward. The young women become almost unwitting accomplices in helping each other gain the confidence necessary to make positive changes in their lives. Another character needing to move forward is Maeve. She was abandoned by her husband twenty years earlier and still holds on to the hope of his return. Life is changing for her too. Her lease has been cancelled leaving her without a job and a place to live. At fifty-two she has to figure out a new future.
Each chapter is from a different perspective rotating between the four main characters. I liked that because it gave me a better understanding of each woman and allowed the author to fully unfold their history. The voices are distinctive and move the story forward at a good pace. When I finished reading the book I felt satisfied with how the author wrapped things up.
I enjoy novels about small towns and the people who live there. The Life You’ve Imagined did not disappoint. I look forward to reading more from Kristina Riggle.
Review copy from HarperCollins
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