The Unbreakables

April 15, 2019
Barr (Fugitive Colors) skillfully portrays powerful connections among women in this gripping and honest tale of betrayal and transformation. Midwest sculptor Sophie Bloom is devastated when a hack of Ashley Madison, a dating site for cheaters, reveals—on Sophie’s 42nd birthday—that her husband has been unfaithful. Even worse, she finds out that her best friends knew of at least one indiscretion. Her daughter, Ava, is spending a semester in Paris, has a pregnancy scare, and begs Sophie to come support her; seizing the chance to leave her old life behind, Sophie rushes to Europe. Once there, Ava’s married lover introduces her to dying sculptor Nathalie Senard, who needs help finishing her final pieces. As Sophie carries out Nathalie’s wishes, she finds the art brings her back to herself, and she rediscovers her zest for life in spectacularly satisfying and libertine fashion. This exquisitely wrought novel will appeal to readers who believe in the redemption of new beginnings, and in the necessity of facing the past while making a deliberate effort to move forward. Agent: Stéphanie Abou, Massie & McQuilkin.

June 1, 2019

At her 42nd birthday celebration, Sophie Bloom, a wealthy suburbanite, discovers that her marriage to her high school sweetheart Gabe is not what it seems. Gabe has been leading a double life and has cheated on her numerous times. To make matters worse, Sophie's best friends were aware of Gabe's dalliances and kept the information from her. When she finds out her daughter, Ava, is having a crisis of her own a world away in Paris, Sophie jumps on the first flight out of the country to be with her and get some distance from her shattered life. With time to reflect, Sophie realizes she's not blameless in the demise of her marriage and that although her relationship seemed perfect, she has given up a lot of herself as part of the bargain. Is it too late for Sophie to regain the parts of herself she abandoned so long ago? VERDICT Barr's latest (after Fugitive Colors) is full of vivid details that transport readers from a Chicago suburb to the art world in France. For fans of women's fiction in the style of Kristin Hannah. [See Prepub Alert, 11/26/18.]--Karen Core, Detroit P.L.

Copyright 2019 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Narrator Erin Bennett channels all the right emotions as she depicts a woman who is on a journey of self-discovery after her marriage shatters. When the popular cheating website Ashley Madison is hacked, Sophie Bloom is shocked to discover that her husband has not only been an active participant--but he is listed as the top cheater in town. Bennett portrays Sophie's reactions to this discovery with believability and vigor. When Sophie decides to escape to France, she starts to focus on her own passions and sexuality. This is where Bennett's narration shines, expressing Sophie's growth and convincing listeners that she is indeed unbreakable and can let go of the past. Bennett charmingly embraces Sophie's example of overcoming heartbreak. D.Z. � AudioFile 2019, Portland, Maine

May 15, 2019
Sophie Bloom thought her life was impenetrable: her marriage was long-lasting and her friend group so solid they called themselves The Unbreakables. But on the night of Sophie's birthday, a terrible secret is revealed and the heartbreaking truth of her relationships leaves her at a loss. When a family crisis brings Sophie to France, she decides to stay and rebuild her most fragile relationship: the one with herself. Amidst her heartbreak and rage Sophie is given the opportunity to embrace passion in more ways than one. From a steamy fling to rediscovering her talent for sculpting, Sophie learns that there is beauty in the breakdown, and develops a lust for life previously unknown. The Unbreakables is a well-crafted novel about heartbreak, passion, and reclaiming one's life. The strength of this novel lies in the way Sophie's emotions almost radiate from the page. Fans of Barr's historical fiction debut (Fugitive Colors, 2012) will appreciate her foray into contemporary fiction.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2019, American Library Association.)