Landline by Rainbow Rowell
Description: I loved “Eleanor & Park” by Rainbow Rowell so when I heard she was writing an adult novel I knew I had to get my hands on it. Georgie McCool (yes that is her real last name) has always been preoccupied with her job as a TV writer. Her husband Neal takes care of their children and runs the household while Georgie is works long hours with her charming best friend and co-writer, Seth. Georgie misses the family Christmas vacation in Omaha to work on her new TV show. When Georgie plugs in her old landline phone to call Neal she discovers that she is able to contact Neal in the past. Georgie communicates with the younger version of her husband and tries to find a way to change the past in order to enhance their present and future.
Review: While I would call this a romance novel, I would not describe it as your typical overblown idealistic romance novel. Rowell accurately describes the ups and downs of life and adult relationships. She does not idealize love but instead is realistic about how it develops and thrives (or in some cases does not thrive) over the years. Rowell describes love and taking the leap into marriage as a beautiful hope. I’m usually not a big fan of realistic novels that throw in some unrealistic elements (such as a landline phone that can contact the past) but Rowell did it in a way that didn’t seem outlandish. I would recommend this book to readers who enjoy a romance novel without all of the “gag me” and ” woe is me, where is my prince charming” moments.
*I received an advanced copy of this book at Book Expo America.