I’ve loved and admired this series for a while. So thoughtful, so erudite, and so much more philosophical (of course) than most books that this was a joy and wonder to read. That being said, for some reason, I was vaguely disappointed with this book. I hate saying this, since I feel I should have a better handle on my feelings and thoughts and should be better able to express myself, but for some reason, I can’t seem to be able to clearly define why I am disappointed by this book at this time.

Isabel is well off enough to not have to work for a living and is living with younger man that was the former boyfriend of her niece, Kate. Though Kate was the one that broke off with Jamie, she can’t seem to get over/accept the fact that he and her aunt have subsequently moved on to a meaningful relationship, with now includes a young child, no less.

I think my discomfort and vague disapproval of this book seems to hover around Isabel’s independent financial status. I am truly envious of her financial position in life. I wish I was in a similar position. She seems to be unfocused in this book, neglecting her self-assumed duties as an editor/publisher of a literary publication, and more distracted, focused and caught up in her personal life, which seems to have no detrimental effect on her professional life/career. God, I wish I had the resources and wealth to focus on my personal life. In my eyes, this book seems to make Isabel a bit of dilettante, though that is too simple a characterization of her, when you consider the past (if you have read any of the previous books).

She just seems too frivolous, impetuous, unfocused and not on track in this book. That’s okay to some extent, but Isabel has seemed to be better abled to balance her personal and professional life in the past to be so off track in this book. Even though her relationship with Jamie progresses in this book, I don’t feel that is enough of a consolation to make up for her scattered priorities in this book.