#278 ~ The Life You’ve Imagined

The Life You’ve Imagined by Kristina Riggle

Published by: HarperCollins

Published on: August 17, 2010

Page Count: 352

Genre: General Fiction

My Reading Format: ARC sent for participating in Devourer of Books‘ online book club

Available Formats: Paperback and eBook

I love my home state of Michigan. One of my favorite t-shirts says “Smitten with the Mitten.” I’ve worn it so much that it’s starting to wear out. Suffice to say, a book written by a Michigander or one that takes place in Michigan will always peak my interest. If the author grew up in my home town, I’m beyond sold. Kristina Riggle apparently grew up in my own backyard. Score!  Hers new novel, The Life You’ve Imagined takes place in a Haven, an imaginary town along Lake Michigan. That isn’t why I thought it was a great read, though. I loved it because of the characters, their struggles, and their determination. Reading about Anna, Cami, Mauve, and Amy would have made me feel at home if the book was set in Alabama, Argentina, or Antartica. They spoke to me as a daughter, a friend, a wife, and a mother.

Anna was asked to take a leave of absence from her Chicago law firm after the tragic death of her mentor. She isn’t really comfortable without her work, but she has little choice after making a clumsy mistake on a case. She decides to spend the time visiting her mother, Mauve. Mauve has spent most of her adult life as the proprietor of a convenience store in Haven. It wasn’t what she dreamed of doing with her life, but when her husband left her alone with a young daughter, she didn’t have many options. Now, 20 years later, she thinks she may have found her way out. Cami doesn’t want to be back home. After “borrowing” too much money from her live-in boyfriend to fund her gambling addiction, she could no longer stay with him. Her father was distant and abusive, but staying with him was better than living on the street. Amy has never left Haven. Doing so would have required that she believe in herself. As someone who has always been overweight, she was far too insecure to do much of anything. Now that she’s slimmed down and has a good job, she still feels like the fat girl. Even planning for her wedding hasn’t changed how she feels about herself. All four of these women have very different opinions on what the ideal life is when they come together that fateful summer.

I read this novel while on vacation and it was perfect. I was interested in each of the characters and it read quickly. I enjoyed Riggle’s writing when I read her first novel, Real Life & Liars. The Life You’ve Imagined has some similar elements – the middle aged mother, children returning home, and a beautiful Michigan setting. Both novels were engaging and thought-provoking. When I finished it and set it down in my beach bag, I found that The Life You’ve Imagined was even better for me. This may be because I could strongly relate to the character of Amy, but it is just as likely because I could feel Riggle’s growth as an author and story teller. While she began this novel before Real Life & Liars, I believe it benefited (thus I benefited) from her writing and publishing experience.

I read The Life You’ve Imagined at the beach, but that doesn’t make this novel just a summer read. I recommend this to you any day, week, month, or season. I think you’ll become a Kristina Riggle fan just like me.

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