Wednesday, December 2, 2015

"The Status of All Things" by Liz Fenton and Lisa Steinke

Kate is a 35-year-old who is obsessed with social media and with portraying the perfect version of herself online. When her fiance Max breaks up with her for her friend- on her wedding day, no less- she is devastated, but is it because she's losing Max or is it because she doesn't want to look less-than-perfect online?

When changing her Facebook status results in changing her life for real, Kate realizes that she has received an amazing gift. She gets a second chance to get things right with Max! But when her status updates begin to backfire on her and nothing goes as she plans Kate starts to wonder if she really does have the ability to change the future, or if it is up to fate in the end.

Liz Fenton and Lisa Steinke are definitely my favourite writing duo. The Status of All Things has a timely theme, because who among us doesn't think twice before posting that status update on Facebook, or who doesn't go through dozens of filters on Instagram before choosing one? The story drew me in from the beginning, and I found myself loving Kate from the very first page. Sure, she has some growing up to do, but don't we all?

You need to suspend your disbelief while reading this book, because being able to change your life just by updating your status is not reality, but I often read to escape, and that's what I did here. Every time I picked up the book to read I found myself transported into Kate's life as she desperately tries to make her second time around with Max more successful than the first.

What I enjoyed most about The Status of All Things (other than the very satisfying conclusion) was the underlying theme debating fate and the role that it plays in our lives. It raised many questions: what role does fate play in our destinies? Can we change things just by willing something to happen or will things happen in a certain way regardless?

Those who enjoyed Taylor Jenkins Reid's Maybe in Another Life or Kamy Wicoff's Wishful Thinking will definitely enjoy The Status of All Things. I appreciated the engaging writing and thoughtful themes throughout the book, and I enjoyed getting to know Kate and her friends as they came to some conclusions about their lives. I'm already looking forward to Liz and Lisa's next release, titled The Year We Turned Forty: A Novel which releases in April 2016!

6 comments:

  1. I think this is a book I will enjoy. I will have to add it to my TBR list.

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    1. It was great! You won't be disappointed with it! Have you read their previous books as well?

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  2. This sounds like such a fascinating book because it brings in the power of social media in our everyday lives - a very current and relatable issue. I've never read from either author before but it sounds like they're a powerful collaboration. Thanks so much for such an informative and well-written review—I'm looking forward to picking this one up now!

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    1. They are great authors- my favourite author team! Definitely check out their other relases as well.

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