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A review by phoenixinthecity
This Time Is Different by Mae Wood
5.0
I loved this. I'm resolved to be more discerning about how I rate the books I read but this is the 3rd book in a row that I've given a 5 star rating to and here's why. It's refreshing because it feels real, and it's relevant because these characters are my contemporaries (well, Amy is in her late 30s while Thomas is 53) and it's different because these are GOOD people who love their grown children and because their children are grown, their issues aren't about having to find a babysitter to find time together, rather, they're about how to navigate this second act in their love life and possibly knit together their families.
Amy is Bert's ex (the foodie single dad from Plus One which was my last 5 star read) so these can be read as a duet because we get her perspective of their marriage and why/how it broke down and how she navigates dating with a 17yo son at home part-time while juggling her orthodontic practice.
Wood does a fantastic job building a world with rich characters, and it's not limited to the hero/ine. The children are integral to the story and we have such a clear sense of who they are - and perhaps it's because they are grown and do have distinct personalities. Much as I do enjoy the cute antics of kids in books, this is far more interesting.
Amy on Grady - "Even as a toddler, when he did wrong, he hid. He didn't hide under his bed or behind furniture anymore, but he hid with his eyes."
Thomas on his trio - "Each call reflected the chocolate-vanilla-strawberry contrast that was my kids. Miller asked pointed questions and demanded a copy of my chart, including X-rays. Cassie cried and chastised me for being an old man buy playing like a young one. Claire, my sweetness. Claire congratulated me. On playing softball. On getting "out there". Wherever "out there" was she didn't say and I didn't know."
This is a bit of a whirlwind romance but this, too, feels real because Amy and Thomas ARE mature adults. They know exactly who they are and what they are willing to put up with in life and I believe that given their life experience, it's true that "when you know, you know."
Amy is Bert's ex (the foodie single dad from Plus One which was my last 5 star read) so these can be read as a duet because we get her perspective of their marriage and why/how it broke down and how she navigates dating with a 17yo son at home part-time while juggling her orthodontic practice.
Wood does a fantastic job building a world with rich characters, and it's not limited to the hero/ine. The children are integral to the story and we have such a clear sense of who they are - and perhaps it's because they are grown and do have distinct personalities. Much as I do enjoy the cute antics of kids in books, this is far more interesting.
Amy on Grady - "Even as a toddler, when he did wrong, he hid. He didn't hide under his bed or behind furniture anymore, but he hid with his eyes."
Thomas on his trio - "Each call reflected the chocolate-vanilla-strawberry contrast that was my kids. Miller asked pointed questions and demanded a copy of my chart, including X-rays. Cassie cried and chastised me for being an old man buy playing like a young one. Claire, my sweetness. Claire congratulated me. On playing softball. On getting "out there". Wherever "out there" was she didn't say and I didn't know."
This is a bit of a whirlwind romance but this, too, feels real because Amy and Thomas ARE mature adults. They know exactly who they are and what they are willing to put up with in life and I believe that given their life experience, it's true that "when you know, you know."