Review: Nine Perfect Strangers

Summary: Nine people gather at a remote health resort. Some are here to lose weight, some are here to get a reboot on life, some are here for reasons they can’t even admit to themselves. Amidst all of the luxury and pampering, the mindfulness and meditation, they know these ten days might involve some real work. But none of them could imagine just how challenging the next ten days are going to be.

Frances Welty, the formerly best-selling romantic novelist, arrives at Tranquillum House nursing a bad back, a broken heart, and an exquisitely painful paper cut. She’s immediately intrigued by her fellow guests. Most of them don’t look to be in need of a health resort at all. But the person that intrigues her most is the strange and charismatic owner/director of Tranquillum House. Could this person really have the answers Frances didn’t even know she was seeking? Should Frances put aside her doubts and immerse herself in everything Tranquillum House has to offer – or should she run while she still can?

It’s not long before every guest at Tranquillum House is asking exactly the same question.

Combining all of the hallmarks that have made her writing a go-to for anyone looking for wickedly smart, page-turning fiction that will make you laugh and gasp, Liane Moriarty’s Nine Perfect Strangers once again shows why she is a master of her craft. -- Flatiron Books

I was so excited that Liane Moriarty had a new book out -- so excited that I reserved it at the library. It's called NINE PERFECT STRANGERS, and it tells the story of nine people who visit a health resort for ten days. Each of these individuals have their own reason for being there whether it be weight loss, marriage counseling, self-help, etc. However, they have no idea how difficult these ten days might be.

In theory, I figured I'd really enjoy NINE PERFECT STRANGERS. I usually love Ms. Moriarty's novels and especially her intriguing characters. However, for whatever reason (and I'm not entirely sure I know that reason), this novel didn't work for me. I didn't particularly like any of the characters and it wasn't a page turner. There were times I thought the story might be picking up, but unfortunately I just didn't "get" this book.

I think I see what Ms. Moriarty set out to do with this novel; and for many people, it probably was a great read. NINE PERFECT STRANGERS was a bestseller and chosen as an Amazon.com and Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year. So rather than delving into what I didn't like about this book, I'm just going to cut this review short. If you are interested in getting a more positive view, I suggest checking out other reviews!

While there were times when I appreciated the author's wit and satire as well as her smart social commentary, overall the book just didn't resonate with me.