Review: Pretty Little World by Elizabeth LaBan and Melissa DePino

Pretty Little World

by Elizabeth LaBan and Melissa DePino

Publisher: Lake Union Publishing

Pages: 307

Format: ARC

Buy the Book: Amazon

Goodreads:  On a cozy street in Philadelphia, three neighboring families have become the best of friends. They can’t imagine life without one another—until one family outgrows their tiny row house. In a bid to stay together, a crazy idea is born: What if they tear down the walls between their homes and live together under one roof? And so an experiment begins.

Celia and Mark now have the space they need. But is this really what Celia’s increasingly distant husband wants? Stephanie embraces the idea of one big, happy family, but has she considered how it may exacerbate the stark differences between her and her husband, Chris? While Hope always wanted a larger family with Leo, will caring for all the children really satisfy that need?

Behind closed doors, they strive to preserve the closeness they treasure. But when boundaries are blurred, they are forced to question their choices…and reimagine the true meaning of family.

Kritters Thoughts:  Three married couples living side by side in Philadelphia decide to take some walls down and combine forces to live in a commune like way.  Upon reading the synopsis, I was completely intrigued and excited to read and review the book.  I knew that I would enjoy seeing if the author could convince me that this could work between three married couples.  Let me say that yes, I was convinced that combining some part of a living situation and splitting adult responsibilities could be interesting and work, but there were other things I had difficulties with in this book.

The biggest thing that really frustrated me in this book was that I didn't feel like the adults were adulting very well.  They all had different issues they were dealing with and that was fine with me, but the way they handled themselves was just ridiculous and made me feel like they were young adults trying to be adults.  I kept getting frustrated with the things they were doing, the decisions they were making and how they were treating each other - grow up.  

Because of the above, it left a bad taste in my mouth and although I loved the whole concept of communal living and each adult taking on what their are passionate about in the home, the way they were out annoyed the enjoyment of the concept.  

I wouldn't be opposed to read another book by these authors, but I would be a little cautious.  


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

Disclosure of Material Connection:  I received one copy of this book free of charge from Little Bird Publicity.  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.