Seven Year Switch

Author: Claire Cook
Publisher: Hyperion (June 2010)

Struggling and sassy single mom Jill—left to raise three-year-old Anastasia when husband Seth runs away to join the Peace Corp—is just about over the devastating loss when Seth reappears seven years later ready to pick up where they left off. Jill wrestles with her still-raw anger and her precocious daughter's heart-breaking need for her daddy back in her life. Honey, if you don't forgive him, it'll eat you alive, counsels Jill's boss and best friend, Joni. For his part, It wasn't the life we planned, Seth explains. But Anastasia helps him remember it's the life he needs while Jill discovers letting go teaches you how to hold onto new possibilities.


Seven Year Switch was just issued in paperback this year, so when I saw the audio available on my library's website, I decided to give it a shot. This was a quick "read". I only gave it 2.5 stars on Goodreads and I think that was being generous. I'm not sure I totally liked the choices Jill makes. I think she took her ex-husband back into her life a little too easily. I was amazed it never occurred to her to ask what he was doing for a living currently and had been doing for the past 7 years. But then, I guess that would have ruined the "twist".

The only character I really liked was Billy. I didn't really care enough about the rest of them. I thought the neighbor was annoying. I didn't see enough of the relationship between the 2 women to understand why they would be friends. For me, Jill's "ah-ha" moment came a little too easily for someone whose life was supposed to be so messy.

I also got tired of the cultural history lessons that the author kept throwing into the book. For example, I really didn't need that much detail about plantains. It started to feel like filler to make the book longer. I know others seemed to have loved this book, but I couldn't give it more than 2.5 stars.

--Kari