Best Intentions by Emily Listfield

As I mentioned in my previous post, I came across Best Intentions on many different blogs and had to get my hands on it. Since I am on a book buying strike (just trying to be thrifty), I stalked my library's catalog until they finally listed it. I was quite excited to begin reading it and finished it quickly. I end up grading Best Intentions with an A-.

Inside cover:
After tossing and turning all night, thirty-nine-year-old Lisa Barkley wakes up well before her alarm sounds. With two daughters about to start another year at their elite Upper East Side private school and her own career hitting a wall, the effort of trying to stay afloat in that privileged world of six-story twon houses and European jaunts has become increasingly difficult, especially as Manhattan descends into an economic freefall.
As Lisa looks over at her sleeping husband, Sam, she can't help but feel that their fifteen-year marriage is in a funk and that she isn't able to place. She tries to shake it off and tells herself that the strain must be due to their mounting financial pressures. But later that morning, as her family eats breakfast in the next room, Lisa finds herself checking Sam's voicemail and hears a whispered phone call from a woman he is to might that night. Is he having an affair?
When Lisa shares her suspicions with her best friend Deidre, at their weekly breakfast, Deidre claims it can't be true. But how can Lisa fully trust her opinion when Deirdre is still single and mired in an obsessive affair with a glamorous photographer even as it hovers near the edge of danger?
When Deirdre's former college flame, Jack, comes to town and the two couples meet to celebrate his fortieth birthday, the stage is set for an explosive series of discoveries with devasting consequences.

As I have mentioned several times, I love books set in New York City and enjoy those centered around the wealthly and famous even more. This was an interesting premise, where Lisa and Sam constantly feel the pressure to stay afloat and keep up with the extremely wealthy parents of their daughters' friends and sending them to a school that costs over $30,000 a year. I especially enjoyed how Ms. Listfield mixes in the recent economic downfall, especially since it is hit us here in the state of Michigan very hard. My "wonderful" state ranks first in unemployment along with leading in foreclosures, so it is always on my mind and on my local news. This story also had a bit of a mystery in it, which I always love, and I admit there was a good amount of suspense. I wasn't sure "whodunit" which is always a nice change.

I only have one complaint with this book... though it really isn't with the book but the author. When I started the book, I did some research on the author and wanted to read more about her other books and her life. While reading on her website, she gave away a bit of a spoiler in this book which somewhat disappointed me. I really hate spoilers so I was a bit mad about it. However, I was quite intrigued about some of her other books, especially Waiting to Surface, which is loosely based on her own life and the disappearance of her husband. I plan on looking at the library some time in the future for it.

Up next is my last library book that I have right now, though I do think there is one more waiting for me there. I really need to start reading some of my own books, especially for the RYOB challenge. I have Red Leaves by Thomas Cook which is another recommendation from a blog I read, so I plan on starting that tonight. I am very tired right now, but I would like to get a good jump on the boko. I hope everyone is enjoying what their reading and Happy Reading!