From the TBR Pile: Blog Tour: Love and Miss Communication by Elyssa Friedland

Author: Elyssa Friedland
Publisher: William Morrow
Date of publication: May 2015

This unforgettable debut novel asks us to look up from our screens and out at the world . . . and to imagine what life would be like with no searches, no status updates, no texts, no Tweets, no pins, and no posts

Evie Rosen has had enough. She’s tired of the partners at her law firm e-mailing her at all hours of the night. The thought of another online date makes her break out in a cold sweat. She’s over the clever hashtags and the endless selfies. So when her career hits a surprising roadblock and her heart is crushed by Facebook, Evie decides it’s time to put down her smartphone for good. (Beats stowing it in her underwear—she’s done that too!)

And that’s when she discovers a fresh start for real conversations, fewer distractions, and living in the moment, even if the moments are heartbreakingly difficult. Babies are born; marriages teeter; friendships are tested. Evie may find love and a new direction when she least expects it, but she also learns that just because you unplug your phone doesn’t mean you can also unplug from life.

Love and Miss Communication was for the most part an enjoyable read. I really wanted to love it because of the premise. Who hasn't been tempted to walk away from the internet at times? Having grown up with out it, I KNOW we all survived. But could anyone really do it these days given how much business and society relies on it? Definitely something to think about.

As I said I wanted to love the book, but there were a few things that bugged me about it. First, Evie's character drove me crazy. She is supposed to be 34 but for most of the book acted like she was in her early 20s. Who doesn't know not to use their work e-mail for personal use? Her reason for being fired from her law firm was just plain ridiculous and anyone over the past 15 years would know better. I also found her friends a bit hypocritical. They get on her for not being supportive about their issues, but they can't seem to remember her determination to give up the web.

I was happy to see some growth in Evie over the course of the year she stayed web free. Although I think it was probably more being fired from her job and having people keep telling her what a great interior designer she is that made her realize what she truly wanted to do for a living. It wouldn't be a chick-lit without a HEA and I have to admit I loved hers in the end.

About the author:

Elyssa Friedland attended Yale University, where she served as managing editor of the Yale Daily News. She is a graduate of Columbia Law School and subsequently worked as an associate at a major firm. Prior to law school, Elyssa wrote for several publications, including Modern Bride, New York magazine, Columbia Journalism Review, CBS MarketWatch.com, Yale Alumni Magazine, and Your Prom. She grew up in New Jersey and currently lives in New York City with her husband and three young children.

Find out more about Elyssa at her website, and connect with her onTwitter and Facebook.

Elyssa’s Tour Stops

Tuesday, May 12th: Svetlana’s Reads and Views

Wednesday, May 13th: West Metro Mommy

Thursday, May 14th: BookNAround

Friday, May 15th: Book Babe