"Inside Out Girl" Tish Cohen

I just finished reading Tish Cohen’s newest novel, “Inside Out Girl”. I mean I literally just finished reading it. Five minutes ago. This was my first time reading something by Cohen, although I’ve heard great things about “Town House” and have heard that it’s being made into a movie.

“Inside Out Girl” follows the stories of two families both dealing with whatever life throws their way. Olivia is the “inside out girl”. She’s sweet and unassuming and dealing with a non-verbal learning disorder that causes her to make odd clothing choices and hasn’t won her any friends. She’s well-versed on the habits of rats, and incredibly attached to her naked Birthday Wishes Barbie. Len is her father, a hard-working lawyer struggling to raise his special-needs daughter on his own since his wife died in a freak accident several years ago. Rachel is the owner of “Perfect Parent” magazine, struggling to raise her two children on her own since her divorce while trying to buoy her rapidly sinking magazine. Janie, Rachel’s daughter, is 14 and struggling with her sexuality and her brother Dustin hates any man that his mother dares to bring home. Reluctantly these two families get to know each other when Len and Rachel begin dating, and must come together to muddle their way through life’s various challenges.

I have to say that I thoroughly enjoyed Cohen’s writing style. I loved her colourful characters, and even though I had to make several starts and stops (it’s hard to read with three little boys in the house!), I devoured the novel in a couple of days. If I have to be honest (and I do!) I can say that I found the novel a little far-fetched at times. Problem after problem strikes these two families, one after another, and although it comes out alright in the end, it’s hard to believe that so many things could go wrong in such a short period of time for these five people. The storyline was a little predictable at times, but if you’re willing to suspend your disbelief for a while, the novel is a very enjoyable read with a few good lessons imbedded in the story line. I’ve already picked up a copy of Cohen‘s novel “Town House” and plan to read that one shortly.

Thanks to Harper-Collins for this copy! For more on this book, check it out here.