Review: Bird in Hand by Christina Baker Kline

Bird in Hand

by Christina Baker Kline

Publisher: William Morrow

Pages: 288

Format: book

Buy the Book: Amazon

Goodreads:  The accident was just that -- an accident. It was dark, it was raining, ALISON had two drinks in her, and the other car ran the stop sign. She just didn't get out of the way fast enough. But now a little boy -- not her own -- is dead, and Alison finds herself trapped under the twin burdens of grief and guilt, and feeling increasingly estranged from her husband . . .

CHARLIE, who has his own burdens. He's in a job he doesn't love so that Alison can stay home with the kids (and why isn't she more grateful for that?); he has a house in the suburbs and a long commute to and from the city each day. And the only thing can focus on these days is his secret, sudden affair with . . .

CLAIRE, Alison's best friend. Bold where Alison is reserved; vibrant where Alison is demure, Claire has just had her first novel published, a thinly-veiled retelling of her childhood in South Carolina (which is also Alison's, in a sense). But even in the whirlwind of publication, Claire can't stop wondering if she should leave her husband . . .

BEN, an architect who is thoughtful, kind, and patient. And who wants nothing more than a baby, or two -- in fact, exactly the kind of life that Charlie and Alison have . . .

Four people, two marriages, one lifelong friendship: everything is about to change.

Kritters Thoughts:  Alison is driving home from an event and although didn't cause an accident was involved and a child dies, this accident sets off a series of events that will forever change her life.  The concept of small incidents changing a person's path is very interesting to me and this aspect of the book completely kept me reading.

One thing that I loved about this book was the ability to read from everyone's perspective, although it was hurtful to read from those who were living beyond their marriages it was interesting to read their viewpoints.  

Still considering myself a newlywed and wedded bliss and all that, it was hard to read about lying spouses and cheating and deception.  I knew going in this was the topic, but I couldn't shy away from this book because I am such a fan of the author.  Because I have loved her other books I did want to read how she would tackle this subject and the characters that she would create in this setting and in all I did cringe a few moments but it was probably at the moments that she wanted me to cringe.  After reading this book, I am still a HUGE fan of this author and will still pick up each and every book she has written and will write in the future.


Rating: enjoyable, but didn't leave me wanting more

Disclosure of Material Connection:  I received one copy of this book free of charge from TLC Book Tours.  I was not required to write a positive review in exchange for receipt of the book; rather, the opinions expressed in this review are my own.