CBR Bingo – Relation(ship)
I was looking for a book to dive into whole to lift my spirits post-layoff and a friend recommended this, saying she “recommends it for anyone who loves books and needs a warm hug.” In my opinion, she nailed the recommendation for my situation. This book is just sweet enough, but also just dark enough, to appeal to a troubled mind looking for distraction. Any book lover will be delighted to dive into this world. Jack Masterson, Willy Wonka-esque children’s author, is reclusive, wildly successful, and hasn’t published anything in years aside from his incredibly popular and imaginative children’s book series.
As if on a whim, Masterson announces that he is hosting a contest and invites to his home four adults who once, as children, ran away from their troubles and homes to his magical island. If anyone can best his riddles and trials, they will receive the single existing copy of his new book, nearly limitless in value. If no one wins, then his publishers will receive the book and everyone goes home empty-handed.
This book is all centered on relationships: first, we have the author and the handsome misanthropic young book illustrator who has lived in his home on his island for years. Then there is the bond between the charming young school teacher, desperate for the money to set up a permanent home for the little boy she is tutoring who is stuck in the foster system. There is also the estrangement between the school teacher and her sister, not to mention the troubles of the other key players.
Will romantic sparks fly? Have you seen a Hallmark movie? Yes, some of the book is a bit predictable, but I’m not mad about it, in fact, a little formulaic predictability was what I was going for. But don’t worry, Shaffer has some tricks up her sleeves. This heartwarming tale has some jarring threads of darkness and trauma, but it’s a book lovers’ book through and through. My only regret is that I wish that the Jack’s book series was real! I certainly would have read it as a child, and probably revisting it now as an adult.