Review: A Window Opens by Liz Egan

A Window Opens

by Liz Egan

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Pages: 384

Format: ARC

Buy the Book: Amazon

Goodreads:  Alice Pearse, a compulsively honest, longing-to-have-it-all, sandwich generation heroine for our social-media-obsessed, lean in (or opt out) age. 

Like her fictional forebears Kate Reddy and Bridget Jones, Alice plays many roles (which she never refers to as “wearing many hats” and wishes you wouldn’t, either). She is a mostly-happily married mother of three, an attentive daughter, an ambivalent dog-owner, a part-time editor, a loyal neighbor and a Zen commuter. She is not: a cook, a craftswoman, a decorator, an active PTA member, a natural caretaker or the breadwinner. But when her husband makes a radical career change, Alice is ready to lean in—and she knows exactly how lucky she is to land a job at Scroll, a hip young start-up which promises to be the future of reading, with its chain of chic literary lounges and dedication to beloved classics. The Holy Grail of working mothers―an intellectually satisfying job and a happy personal life―seems suddenly within reach.

Despite the disapproval of her best friend, who owns the local bookstore, Alice is proud of her new “balancing act” (which is more like a three-ring circus) until her dad gets sick, her marriage flounders, her babysitter gets fed up, her kids start to grow up and her work takes an unexpected turn. Readers will cheer as Alice realizes the question is not whether it’s possible to have it all, but what does she―Alice Pearse―really want?


Kritters Thoughts:  Alice has been a part time employee and a full time wife and mom of three for a long time but as her husband's employment makes a change, her life will change.  She goes back into the workforce to a company that is not quite fit for a woman with a family and outside commitments and she must decide where priorities lie for her.

I am not a mom of children, but we have three dogs and I have a full time job and a husband and a home all of which need my time.  And having to juggle it all is a constant job and this book reminded me that everyone has things they juggle and have to make priorities.  I loved that even though what Alice was juggling may not be what I juggle I could still find commonalities with her.  

I completely adored this book and as a debut it hit home for me.  I can't wait to see what is next for this author and am hoping for a long career.  Elisabeth Egan knows what to write that feels real, honest and authentic and I loved it!


Rating: absolutely loved it and want a sequel

Disclosure of Material Connection:  I received one copy of this book free of charge from BookSparks PR.  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.