CRUSH is a fun and interesting read that focuses on a married couple that opens up their marriage and how that affects their relationship, intimacy and communication, especially when feelings are caught elsewhere. It was interesting to see the point of view of someone in that situation and the tough questions one must ask oneself and then tough choices to make based on those answers. I really loved and appreciated when the main character asks herself: "What will help me love myself best?"

Thank you to Penguin Group Viking and NetGalley for the arc in exchange for my honest review.

I so enjoyed this warm, witty novel and can absolutely see it being a big hit. I love reading about the complexities of marriage and thought that this really nails that theme. Both points of view are given weigh in a way that feels extremely fair, and I appreciated that there was a good ending without a perfect “happily ever after,” because that’s what real life is like.

As someone who has been married for twenty years, this book's description was interesting to me. I thought the story of Crush was unique and well thought out. The book's structure worked for me. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. It was an enjoyable read to get a glimpse into other people's marriage.

While I enjoyed this book and found it to be well-written, it was quite pretentious and I'm not sure who this book is for, exactly. Maybe someone who studies the classics but wants a breezy-ish romantic read? Calhoun references Petrarch, hooks, Hildegard of Bingen, St. Teresa of Avila, Auden, Whitman, Marilynne Robinson, Jules Renard, and Stendahl but also Grey's Anatomy, Weird Science, Parks and Recreation, and Clueless. The book is overflowing with allusions that tend to overwhelm the narrative.

Calhoun's portrait of a woman who finds and falls in love with her intellectual equal, with whom she's addicted to talking and sharing every thought, was effective and well done. I just felt that she skipped over some important parts of the plot in service of showing off her considerable intellect (She never mentions David's relationship status--is he single? Divorced? I guess we just assume he's available. And after all that fretting over how Nate, her son, would take her divorce, there is no mention of how he reacts).

Never let it be said that this book wears its research lightly. There’s scarcely a page that doesn’t quote from one source or another,usually but not always high culture, to remind you that author has done her homework. A philosophical novel about love? Okay. But does it really have to be so top heavy? Having said that, there were moments of enjoyment and humor that leavened the density. But for me it was just a bit too much, the think-y emphasis and reference. Better luck integrating, next time.

I have read all of Calhoun's books and this one, her first novel, was a delight. It definitely feels like auto-fiction in interesting and intriguing ways too. The characters are sharply drawn, and I appreciate Calhoun's close look at family and family systems.