If You Lived Here, You'd Be Home Now by Claire LaZebnik

Last week I read If You Lived Here, You'd Be Home Now, by Claire LaZebnik, for Crazy Book Tours. It will be released on September 27th 2010. Now, down to the real business... I. LOVED. THIS. BOOK! As always, elaboration of this is in the "My Thoughts" section. :)

Summary: Smart-ass, single, tattooed, 25 year old Rickie never thought she'd still be living at home with her parents, in her old bedroom, but she is. She doesn't have a job or a college degree, her mom still drives her nuts, and now, she has a first grade son, Noah, with a whole slew of problems, both medically and emotionally. She loves him to death, but he is a handful to deal with, as is her controlling mother, who Rickie rarely feels a connection with. Throw in a heartbroken sister, a cheating brother in law, and you have dysfunctional family to a T. When Noah comes home from his fancy, snobby school one day crying about his gym teacher, Andrew Fulton, Rickie fully anticipates stomping into the school and encountering a big bad jock who indeed picks on her needy son. What she finds instead is a kindhearted man who may just change all of her perceptions on family, love, and life.

My Thoughts: This book reminded me of why I love reading so much! Seriously! All of last week, I would rush home from work so that I could delve back into the story, after thinking about it during my whole shift. It was just one of "those" books for me, and you book people know what I'm talking about! One of "those" books that you stay up late reading (I know I did!), that you think about, and read for hours on end. I was just SO drawn into this story and felt so involved in it. The characters were so realistically drawn out and I was SAD to see their stories end. Rickie was really funny and a total wise-ass. She was negative, sarcastic, and snarky, but I could totally understand why. Despite her many flaws, I liked her a lot, and found myself rooting for her and her son, Noah.

This book also had a lot of heart and spoke volumes on family and familial relationships, especially dysfunctional, or "unique" ones. Noah was a very needy child, and though the family often grew frustrated with him, their love was unwavering. Rickie's sister was also dealing with a separation and had also moved in with Rickie and their parents for a time. It was heartrending to see her sadness over being away from her children and feeling betrayed by her husband. At the same time, the family grew stronger and was supportive of her needs. Rickie and her mother had a very dysfunctional relationship throughout as well, and it was painful to watch, but at the same time, we were able to hang onto some hope.

Gahhh! I could go on... but I won't. I'll just say, I think you ought to read this book. I already ordered, and received, one of Claire LaZebnik's other novels, Knitting Under the Influence, and I am really looking forward to reading it (B&N - $1.99!). This book just spoke volumes to me. It was so realistic and full of compassion and truth.

The Bottom Line: Seriously? Just read it. One of my favorites of the year.

My Rating: 5/5 - "An Amazing book"