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Seven Year Switch

by Claire Cook (Goodreads Author)

3.29 · rating details · 995 ratings · 211 reviews

Just when she's finally figured out how to manage on her own, Jill Murray's ex-husband, Seth, is back crashing into the man-free existence Jill and her ten-year-old daughter, Anastasia, have built so carefully. Jill's life just hasn't turned out quite the way she'd planned. By now, she'd hoped to be jetting around the world as a high-end cultural coach. Instead, she's ans

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Hardcover, 256 pages

Published June 1st 2010 by Hyperion Books (first published May 25th 2010)

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Community Reviews

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May 05, 2011

Megan Gray rated it

It was so so so good! The cultural information is fascinating without being boring, the characters are lovable and Jill has an abundance of depth. After her husband leaves her and their baby daughter seven years ago, Jill and the baby are homeless, sleeping in their car with no one to turn to. Jill builds an entire life from that point on. Now, seven years later, she owns a nice little home in an up and coming neighborhood and her daughter is ten. Jill works as a phone guide for Great Girlfriend...more

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Apr 30, 2011

Louise rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: women-s-fiction

Jill Murray is a single Mom of a 10-year-old daughter, Anastasia. Jill teaches cooking classes and helps her students, young and old, to make dishes from around the world. Just as Jill is wiping down the counters from her Chinese cooking class, she notices a man with dark wavy hair standing outside the classroom door. It was her ex-husband, Seth, who had abandoned Jill and Anastasia seven years ago.

Jill’s second job is working for GGG (Great Girlfriend Getaways), a travel agency t...more

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Feb 08, 2011

Shannan/GirlsInTheStacks.com rated it

First of all, Claire Cook is adorable! We just have to be friends. I laughed so hard through certain parts of this book that I just knew the Cook and I would be gabbing and giggling all day if we met.
Besides humor, Cook also writes honest, believable characters that you can literally see being your next door neighbor or even yourself.
From the cover: Just when Jill Murray's finally figured out how to manage on her own, her ex-husband proves that he can't even run away reliably. Aft...moreFirst of all, Claire Cook is adorable! We just have to be friends. I laughed so hard through certain parts of this book that I just knew the Cook and I would be gabbing and giggling all day if we met.
Besides humor, Cook also writes honest, believable characters that you can literally see being your next door neighbor or even yourself.
From the cover: Just when Jill Murray's finally figured out how to manage on her own, her ex-husband proves that he can't even run away reliably. After seven long years missing in action, he's back--crashing into the man-free existence Jill and her ten-year-old daughter have built so carefully. And what's a good mother to do? To a child, even a deadbeat dad is better than no dad at all.
Jill's life just hasn't turned out quite the way she planned. By now, she'd hoped to be jetting around the world as a high-end cultural coach. Instead, she's answering phones for a local travel agency and teaching cooking classes at the community center.
Enter free-spirited entrepreneur Billy, who hires Jill as a consultant for an upcoming business trip. Is their relationship veering off in a new direction? And what about her ex? Jill couldn't possibly still have feelings for him . . . could she? Suddenly, her no-boys-allowed life is anything but.
They say that every seven years you become a completely new person, but Jill isn't sure she's ready for the big change. It takes a Costa Rican getaway to help her make a choice--not so much between the two men in her life, but between the woman she is and the one she wants to be.
While I didn’t always want to be friends with Jill, I respected her and her decisions that she had to make. I just loved that she was normal. I thought she was terribly hard on Cynthia. She was a trip and I would have liked to see deeper into her mind, although a couple less “girlfriends” would have made my day. I loved the Spanx breakthrough! Billy is so supportive and I adore his easy, no drama way of life. Seth is something else and I like how Cook lets the daughter-dad relationship work itself out. It seems real and could be a guide to others of how to make the transition for the children less traumatic. I don’t have a 10 year-old yet, but it pains me to see how she talks to Jill. And yes, I am all about reading diaries. Shhhh….
You may ask, what was my favorite part of the book? It is the community center cooking class. I just adore every chapter that included her teaching the class. *heart*
The Seven Year Switch is a witty, laugh out loud, honest, and heartwarming story.
I give The Seven Year Switch 4 STACKS.

Love STACKGirl Shannan who is ready for a vacation. Anybody wanna come with me?
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Jul 31, 2010

Karen rated it

· review of another edition

Claire Cook never fails to come through. Since my first book review, which was for Claire’s book SUMMER BLOWOUT, she has never let me down when I pick up a new book of hers to read. She has a way of making even the toughest things in life bearable and her talented writing draws readers in through her marvelous stories, clever dialogue, and her captivating characters. In SEVEN YEAR SWITCH, readers meet Jill Murray who is one of those characters I just mentioned who captured my interest right off ...moreClaire Cook never fails to come through. Since my first book review, which was for Claire’s book SUMMER BLOWOUT, she has never let me down when I pick up a new book of hers to read. She has a way of making even the toughest things in life bearable and her talented writing draws readers in through her marvelous stories, clever dialogue, and her captivating characters. In SEVEN YEAR SWITCH, readers meet Jill Murray who is one of those characters I just mentioned who captured my interest right off and had me rooting for her all the way. I found Jill to be a witty, bright, compelling and caring mother and an independent woman who didn’t deserve the agony she felt when suddenly her ex-husband pops back into her and her daughter Anastasia’s lives. Although Anastasia is delighted to have her father there, Jill is dubious of his motives and commitment.

The idea from the title that every seven years our body’s skin rejuvenates thus making us into a “new” person, goes right along with the book’s concept of personal change and growth being a positive thing in our lives. Cook surrounds Jill with intriguing characters that move the story along and fit into that principal premise of the book that was based on transformation and progression. With Jill’s neighbor, Cynthia, being almost the opposite of Jill in most ways, she provided a strong character for Jill to play off of. She was entertaining and feisty, and quite a welcome addition in the story.

Of course, there was suddenly these men surrounding Jill, quite a change from the start of the story…a feast or famine situation. Besides her ex, Seth, there is the caring and amusing Billy who is a client of Jill’s and who is hard to resist. How Jill handles all of this is to take off on her own for a gal pal trip to Costa Rica and hope to find what she is looking for there…or at least some peace for her to be able to think and relax.

How Jill deals with everything and everyone is trademark Claire Cook as she takes a serious subject and deals with it gently, with warmth and fun, and creates an answer that educates, amuses, and involves the reader. The story of SEVEN YEAR SWITCH will entertain you while it also will endear itself to you as well. If like me, you start the book early enough, you will at least get a good night’s sleep as I read it in one sitting and was happy I hadn’t started it late in the day because I couldn’t put it down. Another delightful gift, and perfect for the summer read, but wouldn’t be bad by a cozy fire in winter as well, is SEVEN YEAR SWITCH from a favorite author, Claire Cook!

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Jul 28, 2010

Sherry D'ambrosio rated it

Seven Year Switch: Revision In Life

I'd never heard of Claire Cook before I read a blurb about her novel, Seven Year Switch. The blurb stated "every seven years you become a completely new person," and went on to say Seven Year Switch was a novel about "accepting who you are and growing into who you want to be" ( ). That grabbed my attention. While I don't know that I can agree with the seven year time frame, I do recognize that there are definitely moments whe...moreSeven Year Switch: Revision In Life

I'd never heard of Claire Cook before I read a blurb about her novel, Seven Year Switch. The blurb stated "every seven years you become a completely new person," and went on to say Seven Year Switch was a novel about "accepting who you are and growing into who you want to be" ( ). That grabbed my attention. While I don't know that I can agree with the seven year time frame, I do recognize that there are definitely moments when you stop to evaluate who and what you are and give thought to revision.

When I taught composition, it was important to make my students understand the difference between editing and revision. I'd write the word "revision" on the blackboard and ask them to tell me what it meant. Then I'd write "re -- about" and "vision -- sight" and explain that revision is the act of going back through what we've written and trying to see it again as if it was new. In revising, I told them. we would be asking ourselves if we had communicated what we intended and how we might improve upon what we had done.

It seems to me the same thing happens in life. You reach a time and place, perhaps triggered by a specific event, perhaps without any identifiable trigger, and you stop and ask yourself if you've become the person you wanted to be. You think about how you see yourself and wonder how others see you. You ask yourself whether you are living the life you planned, the life you want. You evaluate what you find, decide whether or not you are satisfied with what is. If you aren't happy with what you find, then you begin to ask what you're going to do about that.

Cook's main character, Jill Murray, once had a promising career teaching business executives how to communicate with other cultures, a loving husband, and an adorable three-year-old daughter. Then one day her dream life fell apart when her husband, bored with the safe domestic routine, abandoned her and their daughter to go in search of adventure. With no support of any kind from her husband, Seth, Jill had to forge ahead and create a new life for her and her daughter. The daughter, Anastasia, becomes the hub around which Jill's world revolves. Every decision Jill makes is based on her desire to do the best for her daughter.

JIll is a very believeable character one can identify with. She's a strong woman who refuses to let misfortune get her down, even if only because she knows Anastasia has no one but her to depend upon. She takes a job answering telephones for a travel agency called Great Girlfriends Getaways, a little ironic because she hasn't got time for girlfriends. The only "girlfriend" time she allows herself is that spent with the owner of the travel agency, Joni, and her next-door neighbor, Cynthia. Jill fills her time taking care of Anastasia and making ends meet. She is admirably innovative turning her interest in other cultures into a series of Lunch Around The World cooking classes she teaches at the community center, and some business consulting services. This is a woman who learned how to survive but she's just surviving, not living. There is no money to buy herself any of the cute outfits her neighbor wears, and no time to hang out with girlfriends or to date. Still, seven years after her husband's departure, Jill looks around at the modest home she managed to purchase and her darling daughter and makes peace with what is. Her life isn't what she planned but she can feel good that she has found her own way.

Then one day, at the community center, Jill looks up and finds Seth standing there and all the conflicting feelings towards him surface. Seth offers a pathetic excuse for his disappearance and announces he wants to come back into their lives; he wants to see their daughter. Jill is torn between wanting to tell him to disappear again for good and giving her daughter a chance to know her father. Finally, she does what she's been doing these past seven years, she puts Anastasia's needs first. Once Seth is reunited with his daughter, Jill knows he will be a part of their lives from then on in one way or another.

The question for Jill then becomes can she revert to being the woman she was before Seth left? Can she continue being who she became afterwards? or does she need to once again revise her life. Through her business consulting, Jill had just met an intriguing man named Billy Sanders who crafts designer bicycles and wants to develop a Japanese market for them. For the first time in seven years, she is tempted by the promise of more than a fleeting relationship. Billy, like Seth, isn't what you would call "main stream," but unlike Seth, he isn't self-centered. Billy is warm, level-headed, caring. Jill is amazed as he discusses the relationship he has with his ex-wife, her new husband, and her sons. And she is touched that he understands she needs to take things slowly.

Cook's depiction of Jill's struggle to move on and work towards the life she really wants is believable and touching. Revision is never an easy chore but can be a valuable experience. I enjoyed the way Cook worked in a metaphor about surfing and life as Jill and Billy look towards their future. Surfing, she says, like life is "fun, but harder than it looks. . . . The trick is to use the calm between the waves to position yourself for the next one" ( ) And to that end, Cook concludes her novel with a page entittled "PASSPORT To Your Next Chapter" where she shares seven tips for your own revision. You might not find any of these new or surprising but it's good to be reminded of each.

Cook crafts a fine novel filled with sympathetic, believeable characters, and has a wonderful comedic touch as well. There is an episode near the end of the novel where Jill borrows one of Cynthia's Spanx products that is not to be missed. I laughed until I cried.

Thank you, Claire Cook, for a fun read, for an insight into one (fictional but so real) woman's revision, and for reminding us of the value of friendship.(less)

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Jul 22, 2010

Jonita rated it

Jill Murray feels like she finally has it all together, seven years after her husband Seth left her and their three-year-old daughter Anastasia in the middle of the night, leaving only a note behind. Sure, she's working three jobs to make ends meet, and sure, their house isn't as nice as the others in the neighborhood, but she's managing it, and all that really matters to her anyways is Anastasia.

When Seth reappears out of the blue, apparently finished with his stint in the Peace Cor...moreJill Murray feels like she finally has it all together, seven years after her husband Seth left her and their three-year-old daughter Anastasia in the middle of the night, leaving only a note behind. Sure, she's working three jobs to make ends meet, and sure, their house isn't as nice as the others in the neighborhood, but she's managing it, and all that really matters to her anyways is Anastasia.

When Seth reappears out of the blue, apparently finished with his stint in the Peace Corps and ready to be a father again, Jill is terrified that he will disappoint them, and especially their daughter, again. Anastasia is thrilled to have her dad back in her life, but Jill can't help but have her reservations.

Meanwhile, things are getting even more complicated on the man front. Jill is finding it next to impossible to resist her sweet and charming client, Billy, but is afraid to introduce yet another thing into her already chaotic life. Unable to figure out what to do, Jill takes a giant leap and takes a solo trip to Costa Rica, hoping that she'll be able to find out some answers while she's there.

Jill Murray is the protaganist that you're rooting for from the very beginning. She's sweet and lovable, yet closed off. She's been hurt before- big-time- and she's not keen to let anyone into her carefully constructed bubble. As a reader, I rooted for her all the way through. I hoped that she would come out of her shell, live a little, and realize that although she had been hurt before, not all men would be like her husband. Jill's neighbor, Cynthia, who likes to appear vapid but is anything but, was a welcome addition to the cast of characters. The fact that she was Jill's complete opposite made for an interesting comparison, and an even more entertaining friendship.

I loved the underlying theme about change and growth. The title comes from the concept that every seven years our skin completely regenerates itself, making us essentially a whole new person. Throughout the book we are presented with the concept that change, and especially personal growth, can be a good thing, if only we open ourselves up to it.

I really enjoyed "Seven Year Switch" and read it in less than a day! Claire Cook takes a situation that is serious and all too real (abandonment) and turns it into something fun, heartwarming, and empowering for the people involved. I highly recommend that you slip this one into your bag the next time you're headed for the beach- you won't be disappointed!(less)

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Jul 13, 2010

April rated it

Like an ice cold drink on the hottest of summer days, Claire Cook satisfies with her latest release, Seven Year Switch.

After her husband suddenly abandoned her and their three-year-old daughter, Anastasia, seven years ago, Jill Murray has fought and worked to survive and make a loving home for her daughter. It is after those seven years that Seth decides to show back up and plead to be back into his daughter's life. There is nothing that Jill would love more than to tell Seth just wh...moreLike an ice cold drink on the hottest of summer days, Claire Cook satisfies with her latest release, Seven Year Switch.

After her husband suddenly abandoned her and their three-year-old daughter, Anastasia, seven years ago, Jill Murray has fought and worked to survive and make a loving home for her daughter. It is after those seven years that Seth decides to show back up and plead to be back into his daughter's life. There is nothing that Jill would love more than to tell Seth just where to go, but after catching a glimpse into her daughter's heart ache and yearning for a father, she swallows her pride and anger to let him back into their lives, for the sake of Anastasia.

Just where, however, is Seth going to fit into her heart and life as she discovers a new blossoming romance with a bicycling business client, her job working for a local travel agency, Great Girlfriend Getaways and teaching cooking classes for a feisty group of seniors in her Lunch Around the World class? Wait, does she even want him to fit in anywhere in her life, other than as a father to her daughter? Where does that leave Billy, who looks awfully cute in those bicycling shorts and has an amazing way to make her smile and think that men aren't quite such a pain in the rear? Jill's life was so much simpler when it was just her and her daughter, without any men around to complicate things - or was it?

Claire Cook has an amazing talent for bringing characters and stories to life, absorbing the reader within the pages and the tale being spun. Life isn't always easy and can get downright insane, Ms. Cook's ability to bring such moments to light and add several bits of fun will easily leave the reader smiling and feeling as though life isn't quite all that bad. Jill is an amazing character, whom I adored, and loved going on this life ride with. She is smart, strong, funny, a loving and devoted mother and could easily be a best friend. The torment she feels, as her ex-husband steps back into the picture of her starry-eyed daughter, is one that can easily be felt radiating from the pages. I also enjoyed Jill's sassy/Barbie doll neighbor Cynthia. Though one of those people whose lives look perfect and can get a bit annoying, there was just something about her that made me laugh. The two characters played off one another perfectly and added even more fun to the story. Then, of course, there is Seth, who brings mixed feelings and Billy, who brings a smile and a fluttery heart with his humor and caring. With a great cast of characters, a wonderful storyline and lively dialog, Seven Year Switch is a can't-go-wrong story that will sooth away even the most stubborn feelings of stress. Also rather interesting, is the way Ms. Cook adds in dashes of "seven year facts" throughout the story.

A fun, eye-opening and tender story, Seven Year Switch will leave you itching to call your girlfriends together for a bit of fun in the sun and relaxing - sans boys (other than a bit of oogling perhaps...).(less)

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Jul 06, 2010

Janie Hickok Siess rated it

Recommended to Janie Hickok by: Pump Up Your Book virtual blog tours

Jill Murray thought she was leading a perfectly happy life with her husband, Seth, and three-year-old daughter. Railing against the domesticity into which they have set tled, Seth can’t understand why Jill doesn’t see that he is suffocatingly unhappy. So Seth simply walks away, leaving Jill financially and emotionally destitute, and fully responsible for raising their daughter.

In response, Jill does what any mother in those circumstances would: She figures out how to survive . . . s...more

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Jun 18, 2010

Vanessa James-brooks rated it

Recommends it for: Anyone and Everyone

Recommended to Vanessa by: I review books and I wanted to read this so I bought it

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. This was my first time reading Seven Year Switch and I LOVED IT~!

Jill Murray had, or so she thought, a wonderful husband a wonderful marriage but her husband did notand picked up one day seven years ago and just disappeared leaving Jill with their two-year-old daughter, Anastasia.

Jill had to learn how to live on her own, with a job and caring for her young daughter Anastasia and being both a Mom and Dad for her daughter. One day out of the blue, her ex-husband suddenly ...more

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Jun 13, 2010

Tattered Cover Book Store added it

Shelves: jackie-recommends, staff-recommends, from-the-indienext-list

Jackie says:

One of the surest signs that winter is over is a review copy of Claire Cook's new novel on my desk, because I've truly come to think that summer would just not be summer without a new release from her. This one is coming out in June.

Seven Year Switch is another winner. Jill Murray had been living a man-free existence since her husband walked out on them when their daughter Anastasia was just a toddler. She cobbles together a living by doing telephone work for ...more

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Jun 12, 2010

Louise rated it

Shelves: literature-fiction

Once again Claire hasn't disappointed me. "The Seven Year Switch" was FANTASTIC!!!!

Jill Murray had, or so she thought, a wonderful husband a wonderful marriage but Seth unfortunately did not. He picked up one day seven years ago and just disappeared leaving Jill with their two-year-old daughter, Anastasia.

Jill finally figured out how to live on her own, with a job and caring for her young daughter Anastasia and being both a Mom and Dad to her. One day out of the...more

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Mar 27, 2010

Jackie rated it

Shelves: 5-star, books-by-friends, chick-lit, pleasure-reading, work-review-related-reading

One of the surest signs that winter is over is a review copy of Claire Cook's new novel on my desk, because I've truly come to think that summer would just not be summer without a new release from her. This one is coming out in June.

Seven Year Switch is another winner. Jill Murray had been living a man-free existence since her husband walked out on them when their daughter Anastasia was just a toddler. She cobbles together a living by doing telephone work for Great Girlfriend Geta...more

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Jul 08, 2010

Patty rated it

Oh me…oh my…I do love a great absorbing fascinating charming and cleverly written summer book. Did I mention uniquely funny, too? If I didn’t…I am mentioning that right now. This is the tale of Jill and her 10 year old daughter Anastasia who have been making their way through life on their own for the last seven years. They have been abandoned by husband/father Seth who just couldn’t take a normal domestic life any more…not one more minute…so he tucked a note under a pillow and ...more

Oh me…oh my…I do love a great absorbing fascinating charming and cleverly written summer book. Did I mention uniquely funny, too? If I didn’t…I am mentioning that right now. This is the tale of Jill and her 10 year old daughter Anastasia who have been making their way through life on their own for the last seven years. They have been abandoned by husband/father Seth who just couldn’t take a normal domestic life any more…not one more minute…so he tucked a note under a pillow and left and has not been seen or heard from in seven years. Life has been a struggle for Jill…she has worked and been the sole support of herself and her daughter. She has managed to buy a home and keep herself and Anastasia clothed and fed…but just barely. She has sacrificed her life and her dreams in order to care for her daughter. Jill and Seth began their life together as a carefree unworldly engaging couple. They were happy traveling the world stopping just long enough to pay their way to their next destination. However all of that changed when their daughter Anastasia was born.
One of the two became responsible…the other did not.
Jill works for a travel agency that books women only trips…girlfriend getaways. She also teaches a cooking class at a local community center to a group of senior citizens…funny, clever, quirky senior citizens. One day at the end of class she looks up to find her runaway husband Seth in the doorway. And of course he wants to see their daughter.
And now you know where this is going…
Mixed feelings, anger and resentment run rampant with Jill especially when she realizes that Anastasia is in desperate need of Seth. So…supervised visits with Seth and Anastasia, family dinners, wine and other tender gestures from Seth begin to confuse Jill into believing that perhaps there can be a future with Seth.
However…at just about the same time that Seth returns Jill meets Billy. He initially hires her to help him prep for a business venture in Japan and slowly chemistry between the two of them begins to grow. That is until
Jill sort of becomes overwhelmed by emotions toward both men and abruptly takes a girlfriend getaway to Costa Rica to sort through her life, her feelings, and her direction.
The trip and Jill’s fellow travelers help to clear her head and allow her to believe in herself again. There is a wonderful surprise visit from someone near the end of her trip that helps her to really know where she wants her life to go.

Seven Year Switch houses lots of really interesting characters who have tons of clever things to say. It was beautifully written with just the right amount of humor. Everyone sort of weighs in with a clever thought or two in this book. Next door neighbor Cynthia was one of my favorite characters…one of those characters you love to dislike but then find out she is uniquely likeable after all and capable of surprises, too.
I had no clue reading about Spanx could be so funny…that was Cynthia’s humor. It would not be summer for me without a Claire Cook book. I have been reading them for years and hope to always welcome summer with a new one.
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Jul 26, 2010

Molly rated it

Recommends it for: everyone

Recommended to Molly by: PUYB

Shelves: blog-tour-book

Full of humor, this quirky novel by Claire Cook was my first one by her. She writes with style that instantly draws you in, taking you on a whirlwind, witty ride through out and by the end, you've laughed out loud so much your cheeks hurt....or at least I did! But, I must warn you this: I went into this book knowing it wasn't a Christian book, so I wasn't displeased with the mild use of language, however, if you don't like even mild language then you may not want to give this book a try. BUT, th...more

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May 30, 2010

Beth rated it

Shelves: arcs, read-in-2010

This is a great book to read to kick off the summer beach reading season! Jill Murray is a single mom raising her 10 year old daughter, Anastasia. Jill is "man-free" after her husband abandoned both her and her daughter 7 years ago. Jill is a strong woman who has worked hard at being a good parent. She works two jobs answering phones for Great Girls Getaways and also teaches a cultural cooking class. She meets Billy who hires her as a consultant around the same time Seth, the ex-husban...more

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Oct 23, 2010

Laurel-Rain rated it

Jill Murray has lived the last seven years since her husband Seth abandoned her trying to carve out an independent life for herself. It's been a struggle, raising her daughter alone and becoming somewhat financially solvent. She even has a cute little bungalow in an up and coming neighborhood. Her job for a travel agency is not what she had dreamed about, but she's hoping to eventually discover her dream life right around the corner.

She's even met a new and potentially interesting ma...more

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Nov 10, 2010

ICPL Staff Picks added it

Shelves: fiction, kara, staff-picks-blog

Must Love Dogs and Wildwater Walking Club author Claire Cook’s new chick-lit novel is about love, forgiveness, and self discovery. Jill is a single mother who dreams about traveling around the world. Instead she has been raising her daughter alone for seven years and helping other women plan dream vacations. When her husband reappears and wants to rejoin her family, Jill has to come to terms with her personal dreams and how she wants to live her life. All of Claire Cook’s novels deal with p...more

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Feb 25, 2011

Ruth rated it

One day Jill wakes up and finds a note telling her that her husband is gone. After seven years of struggling to make ends meet she receives a phone call from him saying that he would like to see his daughter. This occurs right at the time that Jill has added a client named Billy who wants her to help him make connections in Japan where they hope to expand their bicycle business. After several business meetings the attraction between the two in undeniable. Jill's daughter, Anastasia is so exc...more

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Aug 02, 2010

Julie rated it

I have never read anything by Claire Cook, and I am not sure that I will again. It wasn't that it was bad - the book itself was an easy fast read and I read it in one day - it's just that the characters were very one dimensional and the story very predictable.

Jill, a single mother of a 10-year-old, finds that her life hasn't turned out how she hoped and she is firmly stuck in a rut. Just as a potential new boyfriend comes along, so does her estranged husband who abandoned her and her...more

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Jun 01, 2010

Kimmie rated it

Recommends it for: definately

Recommended to Kimmie by: a friend

This is a great summer read. Jill Murray is a single mom raising her 10 year old daughter, Anastasia. Even though Jill's husband Seth, abandoned her and her daughter 7 years ago, he's decided to come back and turn her life upside down. She's had to take on two jobs to care of her daughter, answering phones for Great Girls Getaways and also teaches a cultural cooking class. Jill has decided to be a good mom and let Seth spend time with his daughter when she meets Billy, who hires her as a consult...more

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Jul 19, 2010

Maryanne/MA rated it

Shelves: 100-books-in-2010

Seven Year Switch is "chick-lit" perfect for the beach. It's short and sweet and filled with likable characters. And, yet, it offers a reminder to all of us to make sure we keep our sense of self, and that we don't let others control our destiny. Jill Sanders nas been treading water since her husband, Seth, left her seven years ago, surviving, but not really living her dreams. She has surrendered her sense of self to being the uber-mom to her only child, not really moving on from the h...more

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Jun 27, 2010

Eva rated it

Jill Murray's husband ran away from home seven years ago. In that time, she's supported their daughter by holding down several part-time jobs simultaneously, including one as a phone operator for Great Girlfriend Getaways. Jill traveled the world before she became a mom, and frequently longs to travel again, but her daughter's fear of losing her mother, as well as her father, keeps her home.

The theme of Great Girlfriend Getaways is man-free travel, a time for girlfriends to reconne...more

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Jul 03, 2011

Lauren Fidler rated it

Shelves: books-i-can-read-in-under-3-hours, change-of-life-fiction, convoluted-love-triangle, informative, mindrot, sappy-tacky-sentimental-pap, secret-shame

this was not as bad as i feared it would be. so there's that.

jill's husband left her and her daughter seven years ago. then, he comes back just as she starts dating. hijinks ensue.

honestly, the premise bugged me the most - if my hubby left me high and dry for seven years (or, you know, 7 weeks), i would not be so keen to expose him to our daughter once he decided to remove his head from his sphincter and get his act together. i also wouldn't just leave him alone in the ho...more

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May 31, 2010

Allie Larkin rated it

SEVEN YEAR SWITCH is instantly absorbing, absolutely endearing, and has characters who feel like real people. Jill is smart, kind, creative, and has a dry sense of humor. I absolutely loved her. The conversations between Jill and her neighbor had me laughing out loud, and I identified with her moments of insecurity and doubt. I love the way Jill works to do what's best for Anastasia, even when it's hard for her, and I love the way she's honest about her struggles. Because Jill has such a st...more

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Jul 16, 2011

Ann rated it

This was a fun book to read. Just when Jill Murray has finally figured out how to manage on her own, her ex-husband returns after seven years missing. Leaving her to raise their 3 year old daughter, Anastasia, 10 years old now. Enter Billy, who hires Jill as a consultant for an upcoming business trip.

I read this book in bits and pieces, because my husband had knee surgery and that kept me busy. I think I would have enjoyed it much more if I could have read it with out so many interrupt...more

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Jul 05, 2010

Chicken Lit'er rated it

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Nov 02, 2010

Tonya rated it

Shelves: 2010-reads

This is why Claire Cook is a fantastic author! She writes about real life and real women!

Our lady of the day, Jill, is a single mother of a 10 year old girl. Her husband snuck out one night seven years ago and left them, with just a note.

So Jill makes her money by doing a class at the community center and answering phones for GGG, Great Girlfriend Getaways. Both she can do at home or during the day when her daughter is in school.

However, after one of her clas...more

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Aug 03, 2010

Melanie Young added it · review of another edition

Recommends it for: anyone who enjoys lighthearted reading

Jill Murray has to figure out how to raise her daughter, Anastasia, alone when her husband deserts them. She awkwardly stumbles through life, though to some degree she is successful in creating a life for herself and her daughter. When her ex-husband suddenly reappears seven years later, she has to make adjustments to the life she had built. Jill had finally met a handsome, charismatic man who she can imagine developing feeling for. What will she do now that her ex has made an untimely and u...more

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Jul 23, 2010

Cecilia rated it

Shelves: summer-2010-challenge, read-2010, mymap

This was a light summer read, but I was not overly impressed by it.

Jill finds herself a single mom of a precocious 10 year old girl who she has been raising on her own for 7 years, since her husband walked out on them. Jill basically martyred herself to the cause of single mom, and has not learned to be on her own or to fully use her talents to enrich both her and her daughters life.

But every seven years things switch up.

Ex-husband has come back into the...more

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Jul 04, 2011

Lesley rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: 2011, rhbc

This book can be happily enjoyed in a quiet afternoon. It has numerous amusing bits, after all who doesn't have a Cynthia in their life. The characters are decently fleshed out, you just got enough to give you some idea of who they are and probably can find a friend who sort of fits that description. While I enjoyed the book, it's certainly not a heavy read nor one you have to slog through. I thought the ending was more than a little abrupt and I guess much like life, there's no neat and nec...more

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About Claire Cook

I have eight novels, one husband, two kids, one dog, and seven brothers and sisters. I'm the bestselling author of Best Staged Plans, Seven Year Switch, The Wildwater Walking Club, Summer Blowout, Life's a Beach, Multiple Choice, Ready to Fall, and Must Love Dogs, which became a Warner Bros. movie starring Diane Lane and John Cusack.

After decades of procrastination, I wrote my first n...more

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