An interesting story that delves into marriage, art, and the stories we conjure to become the person we want to be. The pacing dragged for me in some areas and I felt that the professors transformation could have had more depth. Overall, I found the novel to be thought provoking.
Many thanks to Simon & Schuster and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

There are lot of helpful reviews for this already so I'll just recommend it.

I really appreciate the free copy for review!!

i understand that the point of this is to be depressing and to hate the main character, but it was depressing and i hated the main character

I love books about writers and writing so I was excited for this, but unfortunately it didn't do much for me. The writing is fine but the main character is a selfish jerk and truthfully his wife and girlfriend aren't really prizes either. However, the books the characters wrote sounded really good. I wish I could read their books.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC.
It was not what I expected unfortunately. But still it’s a good read.

DNF at 15%. While I think the author has talent and can write, this story just did not draw me in. I could not root for or support any character, especially the protagonist. The summary of this book enticed me, but unfortunately this one is not for me.

The promise of a wry and moving novel pushed me through this read, but my expectations were simply not met. I didn't think any of it was funny – a story about a privileged white male acting out because life didn't turn out the way he feels that he deserves, to the point that his risky behavior blows up his life and he can finally take advantage of his own story to write a book. It was obnoxious, I didn't care about any of the characters (least of all the main character), and the laissez-faire attitude made any attempt to convince me to weep for the main character even amongst all his privilege dead on arrival. I won't be posting my review to social or Goodreads, but I do appreciate the opportunity from NetGalley and the publisher to read this ARC.

How weird is it that I didn't even notice that the name of the protagonist was never mentioned, until I read another review? Told in first person, from the point of view of the unnamed college professor, who returns from a summer writing retreat in Bordeaux by way of Brooklyn where he meets grad schools friends John and Sophie. Both John and Sophie have abandoned fiction writing for more lucrative careers. The professor and Sophie end up sleeping together before he returns to the small upstate NY town where he lives with his wife, Debra, a rising star in the English department with a successful writing career. Meanwhile, the professor is dodging the department chair, who wants updates on the novel he's ostensibly writing, while sneaking off to Manhattan whenever possible to rendezvous with Sophie.

Unsurprisingly, professor's career collapses along with his marriage when he leaves Debra for Sophie. Drinking way too much, he manages to threaten his relationship with Sophie as well.

This novel was often difficult to read, mainly because I at first actively disliked the protagonist, then felt sorry for him, and finally started to like him near the end. But for some reason, the book is sticking with me more than most of what I read and immediately forget. #SetforLife #NetGalley

Set for Life is a scandalous, titillating novel that discusses careers, marriage, infidelity and the life of a writer. This book felt like something that could be a Hulu limited series. I was heavily invested in this story (as if the parties involved were my friends or colleagues) that started out with a lot of twists, turns and unexpected/irrational decisions on the part of the main character. However, the ending left me looking for more; I had questions about what happens to the characters, what did they learn, and what was the point? Overall, a provocative book that kept my attention.

I enjoyed this story about a failed writer, turned uninspired writing professor, who blows up his disappointing but comfortable life with a series of stupid choices. He’s not very likable, nor are several other characters, but the pacing was good, the plot points were entertaining, and it was just the right length.
Thanks to #netgalley and #simonandschuster for this #arc of #setforlife in exchange for an honest review.

Well, I don’t know what I just put myself thru. The writing was good, but this book is like being in constant alcoholic fog. There are no likeable characters. There’s just nothing to really grab or keep your attention. This took me a bit to read. And I’m a little upset that I wasn’t so much time on it. For this author’s first debut book it was a “out of left field” read. So I hope you have better luck with enjoying this then I did.

And as always Happy Reading!

I liked reading this novel, but feel that it lacked emotion and originality. The premise of watching a narcissist destroy his life and that of his friends was interesting, but many of the significant parts of the novel were told very dryly. This writing style is fine, but it made it difficult to get invested in the characters.

While this was well written, the MC was pretty unlikeable. You don’t really feel bad for him, he’s got a negative attitude, makes bad choices, and doesn’t really feel like there should be consequences for his actions. And then he’s all alone and he’s like how could this happen to me? I mean, sir, really? And he’s always acting like he’s better than everyone else.

None of the other characters were that great either, so again, while the novel is written well, it wasn’t that enjoyable to read. It’s like one of those indie films where they play sad music and everyone is sad.

Thankfully it was short, a very quick read once I got myself to sit down and finish.

Thank you @netgalley and @simonbooks for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

SPOILER ALERT/also the toxicity is maddening. With purpose for story…

Review: To preface, the talk of the town is a co-worker, judged by the community for his affair with an established writer who rose to fame for writing about said affair. Her “star” is a mix of controversy and accepted writing material of substance and experience. And now we move on to our lead guy…

After setting up the story with the community buzz, reading this book was definitely taking a plunge … getting pulled into the dizzying whirl of a college professor in pursuit of engaging an affair with his wife’s best friend… who’s married to his friend. Crossing paths frequently during double dates… Setting up “work trips” to spend time away together, etc… At less than 300 pages, normally a quick read for me, I couldn’t bring myself to power through this one as I unwillingly maintained a personal mindset of what pain his wife would experience should she find out. I sympathize with his excitement in experiencing life with someone new and exploring… the butterflies, looking forward to spending time with one who makes you feel alive, makes your world feel new, makes you smile… Even through shocking events concerning his wife’s health, he maintains said affair with her best friend. What drives him from his wife is the intimidation of her rising star: she both released a novel and became an established, esteemed author before he could release his own book first. Feeling unintelligent, insignificant, and inferior, he becomes bored in his support of her speaking events, loathes her increasing confidence and loses motivation in his own desire of famed author.

In hindsight, he only ever expressed the curiosity of writing a novel but lacked the motivation and a story to tell - even with constant support and nagging from his wife, colleagues, and friends.

His wife releases another book, a familiar tale completely mirroring the details of his affair with her best friend, thus breaking up two marriages. He moves in with his girlfriend, and somehow manages to remain close with her now ex-husband who remains supportive during his depression. Alcoholism takes over. Discovering journals of his girlfriend’s painful past, he submits one of her notebooks to the publisher who had been reaching out for his book. Angry at his attempt to sell her personal story behind her back, she leaves him too. A year later he happens across an advertisement that she will be fielding Q & A at a book-reading event in support of her newly released novel. As she leaves, after selfies and autographs, she notices him hanging back afraid to approach her.

…And this is how the story ends. So much irony. I don’t recall even learning the main characters name…

Those who love voyeuring the drama of affairs might find this book hard to put down. To the opposites who only give time and care to loyal couples and faithful relationships, this could be a hard read for you. As an aspiring writer, I was pulled into the aspect of his world attending public speaking events and seminars, motivating and educating students, aspiring to write. Personally I had to push myself to finish this book as I was unable to feel anything for this selfish, entitled, spineless, impulsive, risk-taking, reckless “man”.

I think the best place to begin reviewing this novel is by saying that maybe I wasn't the intended audience for a book like this. The writing style came across as very pretentious. I consider myself to be an intelligent person who loves to learn, but I most certainly do not want to have to look up every other word while reading. It takes away from the story. There also wasn't a single character I wanted to even begin to try and relate to. There were no redeeming qualities about anyone in this story.

Thank you NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for this eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

A wryly funny and moving novel that captures the complexities of marriage, art, friendship, and the fictions we create in order to become the people we wish to be..

The blurb unfortunately offers more promise than the plot. This book had some of the right pieces, but it just never came together for me. I waited for a big moment where I could find someone in the story worth cheering for or an outcome to hope for, but nothing ever panned out.

Set for Life
By Andrew Ewell

This is a very odd book. It is the story of a man – who, in my recollection, is never named – and how his life devolves and what he learns along the way.

The book begins when he is returning from three months in Bordeaux, where he has supposedly written a novel. His wife Debra – a successful novelist in her own right and college professor – is waiting to read his book, which doesn't exist. In truth, he has been riding Debra's coattails for quite a while. His associate professorship is due to her success.

The couple have friends, John and Sophie, whom they have known since college. All four of them have wanted to be successful writers – but only Debra has succeeded. As the other three flounder and their lives spiral out of control, our protagonist has a ringside seat to his losing everything.

I liked this book, but admit that I was getting lost toward the end in trying to figure out what the point was. It wasn't until the sly trick the author plays on the reader is subtly revealed that it all made sense. So if you choose to read it, hang in there. The end justifies the rest.

I'm not a big fan of fiction books about middle aged white men making poor decisions. I decided to read it because the man is an English professor at a small college in upstate New York. I liked parts of the book, especially how it ended.

Set for Life is the story of an unnamed male character who just keeps making bad choices and he can't get out of his own way. I enjoyed the author's style of writing and while I was often frustrated with the lead character, the author did create a distinct character. The book is billed as humor or satire and I'm not sure I saw the humor and maybe the satire escaped me. Bottom line, not my favorite story BUT it is well written and may appeal more to others.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy of Set for Life in exchange for an honest review. Set for LIfe is available now.

Thank you Simon & Schuster for allowing me to read and review Set for Life on NetGalley.

Genre: General Fiction (Adult) | Humor & Satire

Published: 02/06/24

Hmmm. Several times I reminded myself the genre classification is Humor & Satire. I didn't find anything funny. Ewell has a storytelling writing style and I like this.

He also used the obligatory swearing, out of no where and inappropriately placed. The first time I paused reflecting on a television commercial from years ago. The ad was for pull-ups; undergarments for kids who had outgrown diapers. This immediately summed up the character "I'm a big boy now.".

Satire: I had to look, 30% in and I couldn't wait. Set for Life is written by a male. Okay I say male, do you say man? Did the author pattern the book off himself, someone he knows, or from observations of men.

I'm a fan of debut novels, and the review would be an easy four star review if I had liked just one of the main characters, the subject matter, the acceptance of cheating, portraying professional careers as games, or anything good -- I've got nothing.

I'm confused on the humor/satire: Divulging the plot spoils the book.

The storytelling began page one and I read this in two sittings. I will look for future work by the author. I'm going to write this as subject matter hits a sore spot with me. In 2024, Peter Pan and Little Man Syndromes should not be mocked.