Once, in Lourdes by Sharon Solwitz- Book Review

I don't remember how I received this one for review, but I was glad I did receive it. It came in my email as a suggested like from NetGalley and it hit pretty well. This was a quick read in a world where there is so much mess.

In Lourdes, MI in the summer of 1968, 4 friends- Kay, CJ, Saint, and Vera make a pact to end their lives by the end of the summer. They want to escape their lives because each in their own way live lives filled with mess.

CJ is Jewish, yet gets turned on by Holocaust footage. He is struggling with his sexuality too.

Vera has had several sexual partners and none are right for her. She seeks love in sex because she thinks no one will love her because of her deformed hand.

Saint is the newest in the group and bounces from partner to partner within the group.

Kay's mother committed suicide when she was 11 and has essentially replaced her mother in her father's life. It is not a positive connection.

As the 4 journey through the summer, their lives will change as they face their reality and the reality of their decision of having a pact. They will also sleep and romance one another like crazy. All this takes place while Vietnam is happening in the background.

I thought this was a good book, but not a great book. By the end, I was really glad I read it through to the end as I almost quit the book. When one of Vera's partners is revealed, it was a bit messed up, it was why I wanted to quit, but also why I continued because it showed how messy their lives are.

Each chapter switches the focus to each one of the characters with unnamed chapters focused on Kay. Their lives are dark, so don't expect an uplifting one for this one. I keep using the word mess and that is what it is. They are teens, in the midst of a country at war, and at the end of HS. Their old lives are ending and they are growing up.

I wound up giving this one 3 stars. It wasn't bad and I wound up enjoying the read, but there are rough parts to this book.

I wish to thank NetGalley for the review copy. I read it in exchange for an honest review.

Here is your Amazon link- Once, in Lourdes by Sharon Solwitz