Thank you, Lolly Winston, for writing a book with an authentic take on a real issue with a realistic ending. Happiness Sold Separately should be read by anyone who has ever been in a relationship where they find themselves not quite as enamored with their significant other as they once did.

Elinor and Ted have only been married for five years but have spent two of those years fighting infertility. As El struggles with the hormonal changes of invitro, failed conception, and lost pregnancies, she retreats within to spare her husband because he doesn't see or feel the events the way she does. Ted, on the other hand, feeling helpless and left out, begins to feel alone and takes to the gym. With the help of exercise and nutrition guru Gina, Ted loses that 15 pounds his contented married life has packed on and falls for the trainer.

The twists and turns are subtle and slight in Happiness Sold Separately, but they are poignant. Through a separation when El learns about Ted and Gina, a trial reconciliation, and an unexpected pregnancy, the couple learns that happy ever after does not always mean with the person they thought.

The beauty of this book is that there is no overt fighting, no mean-spirited hate spewed when faults are discovered. While emotions run high and unkind thoughts do prevail at times, the maturity of the plot and the writing leave the reader with positive introspection and positive lessons - people do fall in and out of love, and just because it doesn't work out doesn't mean someone is awful, and it is okay to move on when a relationship is done.

In a world where everything feels so contentious and yet authors write about fairytale relationships that leave readers resenting their actual real-life relationships (because of their inherent fissures and fractures and wondering why their life doesn't look like the movies), Happiness Sold Separately is a refreshing, honest look at what real relationships can go through.

This book should be required reading for married couples who are struggling. It won't save your marriage, but you may find a better way to disagree and let go if that time comes. So well done. ( )

i am honestly not entirely sure why i liked this as much as i did. maybe just how true and real it felt and how she captured life and the everyday tragedies so well. there are some turns of phrase and some lines and their placements that are just gorgeous and perfect. i thought this was great. until the knifing scene at the end? like what was that? as well as she'd done the rest of this book, i'm sure she could have figured a way to get them to the soft ending they deserved without this weird nonsensical turn. ( )

This was chosen by my book club. Most of us agreed it was not what we expected. Good for discussion but by no means a "happy" book. ( )

This book has to have one of the most annoying child characters in the history of literature. As well as no likable characters. ( )

My last book for 2007. I am discussing this book at my book club. If you're interested, read my thoughts, and the thoughts of the other members, there:

http://readersanonymous.ning.com/ ( )