Love and Biology at the Center of the Universe
By Jennie Shortridge
Publisher: Penguin Group (USA)
Pub. Date: May 2008
ISBN-13: 9780451223883
400pp

Here’s the blurb from Barnes & Noble:

When she learns that her college sweetheart husband has been seeing another woman, Mira Serafino’s perfect world is shattered and she wants no one, least of all her big Italian family, to know. She heads north-with no destination and little money- stopping only when her car breaks down in Seattle. She takes a job at the offbeat Coffee Shop at the Center of the Universe, where she’ll experience a terrifying but invigorating freedom, and meet someone she’ll come to love: the new Mira.

The Short of It:

Shortridge paints a realistic picture of what happens when a marriage slows to a crawl, sputters and then comes to a complete stop. These are flawed characters at their best.

My Thoughts:

Marriage is tough. For those that are not married, don’t let anyone tell you that it’s not. A marriage, or any relationship for that matter takes a lot of work so imagine what happens when your perfect relationship is suddenly not so perfect. What would your initial reaction be? For Mira, it’s denial.

She doesn’t know what to think when Parker alludes to another woman. He tells her that he isn’t happy but Mira is so blinded by the pain of what she is hearing, that she isn’t ready to delve into the “whys.” Instead, she takes her little dog and a few personal possessions and flees town leaving her husband and twenty-something daughter behind.

While reading this book, I found myself identifying with several of the characters at different points of the story. Sure, they’re flawed and make mistakes but don’t we all? Shortridge does an excellent job of creating characters that are a bit rough around the edges yet still likable. The word “raw” comes to mind but along with all of their weaknesses we also see hope.

If you like a story with a lot of inner conflict, this would be a good one for you. Mira made some questionable choices (as did Parker) and their actions stayed with me for awhile. I finished the book a few days ago and I am still thinking about Mira and her growth within the story.

Thank you Jennie Shortridge for providing me with a signed copy for review! If you’d like to read more about Jennie, click here to visit her website.

Hint: If this book looks good to you, you might want to stop by for a visit tomorrow 🙂