Landline by Rainbow Rowell (2014)

Rainbow Rowell is known primarily as an author of Young Adult books, particularly for her widely praised novel Eleanor and Park (which I reviewed in August, 2015). Landline, however, is designated for adults, with the protagonist being a woman in her late 30s. The problem here is that this book reads exactly like a second-tier YA novel and would not be as interesting to an adult as Rowell's YA books, mainly because of its unrealistic plot and conventionally cheery ending.

The unlikely story centers on Georgie McCool (adorable name, right?), who is the high powered writer of a network situation comedy. When the opportunity surfaces to create her own show, she decides to send her husband of fourteen years and their two daughters on a planned Christmas trip to his parents without her, so that she can stay back with her writing partner (a foxy guy who is perhaps in love with her) to write episodes for network review. Almost immediately after they leave, she begins to feel guilty that she has placed herself first once too often, particularly when her husband is never available to answer his cell phone and does not return her calls.

Now this stock situation of a couple who have drifted apart suddenly changes into a tale of magic. While visiting her mother, Georgie calls her husband on her old landline phone and she gets through, but soon realizes that she is talking to her husband when he was still just her boyfriend. That's right -- the landline calls back in time.

You can probably guess the way the rest of the story goes. Hint: have you seen the movie It's a Wonderful Life?

My granddaughter Rori gave me this book to read and when I asked her why she liked it, she said it made her feel good. I think it's natural for a teenager to be susceptible to "happily ever after," but I think an adult should expect more from a book.