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The Treehouse
Camilla Thompson, a Humanities college professor who never did write that Great American Novel, hasn't seen her son Nico for two years.
One morning she drives to the house where her ex, Allison, is still raising Nico. Knowing that they are away for a week's vacation, Camilla begins to build a treehouse as a surprise for the son she's not allowed to see.
But Camilla's regrets, grief, and lack of construction skills aren't the only challenges she'll face. Old friends and unexpected visitors show up to help-and complicate matters. Free-spirited Taylor, Camilla's best friend, arrives with her lover, Audrey, whom Camilla finds herself falling for. Then Wallace, Camilla's Department Chair, disrupts everything with startling news that threatens to end Camilla's career.
The Treehouse is a deeply moving story about love, loss, motherhood, and how one woman rebuilds a new life from what remains of the old one.
One morning she drives to the house where her ex, Allison, is still raising Nico. Knowing that they are away for a week's vacation, Camilla begins to build a treehouse as a surprise for the son she's not allowed to see.
But Camilla's regrets, grief, and lack of construction skills aren't the only challenges she'll face. Old friends and unexpected visitors show up to help-and complicate matters. Free-spirited Taylor, Camilla's best friend, arrives with her lover, Audrey, whom Camilla finds herself falling for. Then Wallace, Camilla's Department Chair, disrupts everything with startling news that threatens to end Camilla's career.
The Treehouse is a deeply moving story about love, loss, motherhood, and how one woman rebuilds a new life from what remains of the old one.
394 pages, Paperback
Published March 15, 2018
4 people are currently reading
39 people want to read
About the author
Randi Triant
4 books37 followersRandi Triant’s debut novel, The Treehouse, was selected as an ultimate summer read by AfterEllen in 2018. Her short fiction and nonfiction have appeared in literary journals and magazines, including an anthology of writing about HIV/AIDS, Art & Understanding: Literature from the First Twenty Years of A & U and the anthology Fingernails Across the Blackboard: Poetry and Prose on HIV/AIDS from the Black Diaspora. She received her MFA in writing and literature from Bennington College. She has taught writing at Emerson College and Boston College.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
March 19, 2018
I had high hopes for this book. I thought the description sounded really interesting. I’m disappointed to say I thought the book was only okay. It is a decent debut try, but I just didn’t enjoy it as I hoped. I would put this book squarely in the drama category.
After dealing with verbal and mild physical abuse for years, Camilla leaves her longtime girlfriend Allison and their son. After splitting, Allison refuses to let Camilla visit their son, unless she comes back into the relationship. Camilla knows she can never go back, but she wants to do something that might help her see her son again. She decides to build him a treehouse in the week Allison is gone on vacation. The week turns into something Camilla never expected, and she’s not so sure she will make it in one piece.
I wouldn’t call this a romance at all. It really is a pure drama book. Parts are really well written, you can tell Triant has some talent. But there was a major issue for me that really was too big to overcome. I did not like the characters. Camilla, Allison and Taylor (Camilla best friend) were all pretty awful in my opinion. Allison is an abusive manipulator. Taylor is selfish and unlikeable. And the main character Camilla, who I so desperately wanted to like, was a huge mess. I don’t connect to such week willed characters. I wanted to see Camilla grow, but there was no movement with her character. And considering she was a professor, she had almost no communication skills at all. It was almost comical how she could never speak up. I like strong female characters, or characters that at least show some growth. Camilla almost got worse as the book went on. The only characters I remotely liked were Audrey and Peter, but they will a bit undeveloped for me, especially Audrey.
I have to admit I was not a big fan of the ending either. Actually the more I think about it the crappier it was. I really felt like nothing was resolved and I wanted at least one thing to be.
I did just complain a lot here. I do want to make clear Triant absolutely has talent. But I’m a character driven reader who needs to connect with at least one character to enjoy a story. If you are not, you might like this more than I did. While I can’t recommend this one, I won’t say stay away either. I could see some people liking this book. It just is not any better than okay for me. I am willing to give Triant another chance in the future because of her writing talent.
An ARC was given to me by Sapphire, for a honest review.
After dealing with verbal and mild physical abuse for years, Camilla leaves her longtime girlfriend Allison and their son. After splitting, Allison refuses to let Camilla visit their son, unless she comes back into the relationship. Camilla knows she can never go back, but she wants to do something that might help her see her son again. She decides to build him a treehouse in the week Allison is gone on vacation. The week turns into something Camilla never expected, and she’s not so sure she will make it in one piece.
I wouldn’t call this a romance at all. It really is a pure drama book. Parts are really well written, you can tell Triant has some talent. But there was a major issue for me that really was too big to overcome. I did not like the characters. Camilla, Allison and Taylor (Camilla best friend) were all pretty awful in my opinion. Allison is an abusive manipulator. Taylor is selfish and unlikeable. And the main character Camilla, who I so desperately wanted to like, was a huge mess. I don’t connect to such week willed characters. I wanted to see Camilla grow, but there was no movement with her character. And considering she was a professor, she had almost no communication skills at all. It was almost comical how she could never speak up. I like strong female characters, or characters that at least show some growth. Camilla almost got worse as the book went on. The only characters I remotely liked were Audrey and Peter, but they will a bit undeveloped for me, especially Audrey.
I have to admit I was not a big fan of the ending either. Actually the more I think about it the crappier it was. I really felt like nothing was resolved and I wanted at least one thing to be.
I did just complain a lot here. I do want to make clear Triant absolutely has talent. But I’m a character driven reader who needs to connect with at least one character to enjoy a story. If you are not, you might like this more than I did. While I can’t recommend this one, I won’t say stay away either. I could see some people liking this book. It just is not any better than okay for me. I am willing to give Triant another chance in the future because of her writing talent.
An ARC was given to me by Sapphire, for a honest review.
March 12, 2018
The Treehouse is a deeply moving story about love, loss, motherhood, and how one woman rebuilds a new life from what remains of the old one.
I can’t sum up what this book meant to me better than the final line of the book blurb for The Treehouse. If lesbian fiction hopes to be recognized by mainstream readers we need more dramatic, character driven novels like this.
On the surface the premise appears simple. Camilla Thompson is a humanities professor at a local college and a survivor of a long term relationship with a controlling, manipulative woman. Two years after her partner Allison gives birth to their son Nico, Camilla chooses to walk away from the son she adores thinking to spare him witnessing the emotional abuse she has suffered for years at the hands of Allison. No longer able to control every moment of Camilla’s life, Allison forbids Camilla from spending any time with their son.
During a week when she knows Allison and Nico will be away on vacation, Camilla takes it upon herself to build Nico a treehouse in his backyard. She has researched the construction techniques required but the task is challenging, made more so by her constant memories of her life with her ex-partner and son. Help with the project comes in unexpected ways but her damaged psyche and poor decision making skills work against her. I liked the idea of the treehouse construction as a metaphor for the stability and security Camilla hoped to provide for her son. In the process she finds people she can trust while discovering others she thought she could trust to be as controlling and manipulative as her ex.
This novel can be heavy going at times. Camilla spends a lot of time in her head, pondering the ways she has been used and abused by others. Abuse is not always physical. The author goes to great lengths to show the toll emotional abuse can take on an individual. There were moments when the time Camilla spends pondering her past stopped the flow of the story as others in a scene waited for Camilla to come back to the present, still indecisive but present. Camilla is a damaged soul trying to survive when her inner demons tell her she is not worth salvaging.
Back to treehouse construction as metaphor, it takes a strong support system to regain some sense of security and safety. Help comes from professionals, new friends and lovers and sometimes from estranged family members. How Camilla chooses to carry on with her life is left up to the reader to contemplate. I love it when a book pulls me out of my comfort zone and makes me question what I would do in Camilla’s shoes.
Well done and an author I will follow in the future.
ARC received with thanks from publisher for review.
I can’t sum up what this book meant to me better than the final line of the book blurb for The Treehouse. If lesbian fiction hopes to be recognized by mainstream readers we need more dramatic, character driven novels like this.
On the surface the premise appears simple. Camilla Thompson is a humanities professor at a local college and a survivor of a long term relationship with a controlling, manipulative woman. Two years after her partner Allison gives birth to their son Nico, Camilla chooses to walk away from the son she adores thinking to spare him witnessing the emotional abuse she has suffered for years at the hands of Allison. No longer able to control every moment of Camilla’s life, Allison forbids Camilla from spending any time with their son.
During a week when she knows Allison and Nico will be away on vacation, Camilla takes it upon herself to build Nico a treehouse in his backyard. She has researched the construction techniques required but the task is challenging, made more so by her constant memories of her life with her ex-partner and son. Help with the project comes in unexpected ways but her damaged psyche and poor decision making skills work against her. I liked the idea of the treehouse construction as a metaphor for the stability and security Camilla hoped to provide for her son. In the process she finds people she can trust while discovering others she thought she could trust to be as controlling and manipulative as her ex.
This novel can be heavy going at times. Camilla spends a lot of time in her head, pondering the ways she has been used and abused by others. Abuse is not always physical. The author goes to great lengths to show the toll emotional abuse can take on an individual. There were moments when the time Camilla spends pondering her past stopped the flow of the story as others in a scene waited for Camilla to come back to the present, still indecisive but present. Camilla is a damaged soul trying to survive when her inner demons tell her she is not worth salvaging.
Back to treehouse construction as metaphor, it takes a strong support system to regain some sense of security and safety. Help comes from professionals, new friends and lovers and sometimes from estranged family members. How Camilla chooses to carry on with her life is left up to the reader to contemplate. I love it when a book pulls me out of my comfort zone and makes me question what I would do in Camilla’s shoes.
Well done and an author I will follow in the future.
ARC received with thanks from publisher for review.
July 25, 2018
Life is messy. In our quest for love, happiness, and fulfillment, we face doubt, fear, and uncomfortable truths about ourselves. We make bad decisions. We miss opportunities. We hurt the people we love the most. And sometimes, despite all our mistakes, we find peace. In her debut novel, The Treehouse, Randi Triant explores these complexities through the eyes of her main character, Camilla.
Camilla and her ex, Allison, were in a wildly unhealthy long-term relationship. Having a child, Nico, only exacerbated their issues, and Camilla fled. After two years without contact with Nico, Camilla decides to build a treehouse – a sawdust-and-nails symbol of her love – while Nico and Allison are out of town.
The story unfolds over two weeks: each chapter is a day in the saga. This framework sends the plot thrumming along with tension and suspense. Will Camilla finish the treehouse? Will Allison and Nico come home early and discover her? And who are these people who arrive, one after the next, to slow her down, speed her up, and divert her attention from the task at hand?
Triant’s masterful character development and sharp dialogue make us love her parade of misfits despite their (sometimes infuriating) flaws. They are smart, sarcastic, hilarious, and heartbreaking. Their help is often a hindrance, but we root for them to succeed. We hope that, together, they will figure out that what Camilla seeks isn’t redemption, it’s forgiveness. And she what she needs most is to forgive herself.
Camilla and her ex, Allison, were in a wildly unhealthy long-term relationship. Having a child, Nico, only exacerbated their issues, and Camilla fled. After two years without contact with Nico, Camilla decides to build a treehouse – a sawdust-and-nails symbol of her love – while Nico and Allison are out of town.
The story unfolds over two weeks: each chapter is a day in the saga. This framework sends the plot thrumming along with tension and suspense. Will Camilla finish the treehouse? Will Allison and Nico come home early and discover her? And who are these people who arrive, one after the next, to slow her down, speed her up, and divert her attention from the task at hand?
Triant’s masterful character development and sharp dialogue make us love her parade of misfits despite their (sometimes infuriating) flaws. They are smart, sarcastic, hilarious, and heartbreaking. Their help is often a hindrance, but we root for them to succeed. We hope that, together, they will figure out that what Camilla seeks isn’t redemption, it’s forgiveness. And she what she needs most is to forgive herself.
April 4, 2018
Camilla Thompson hasn't seen her son Nico for two years since she left her ex, Allison. She decides to build a treehouse for her son while her son and Allison are on vacation. While she builds the treehouse, she gets visitors who are helpful or not. One of them happens to be Audrey, who is Camilla's best friend's lover.
I found it difficult to like any of the characters except for Audrey and Camilla's brother, but not enough was written about them.
I wouldn't call this book a romance, although Camilla does have a love interest. It was hard to understand how Camilla could put up with Allison's behavior time and time again and also blaming herself in the process, even though I know this happens in real life as well.
It was hard to like Taylor as most of the time she didn't act like a good friend to Camilla and she couldn't be depended upon.
I felt like nothing was resolved in the end.
This book had the potential of being great but fell short of that.
Review also posted here: https://wp.me/p4Pp9O-Kx
I found it difficult to like any of the characters except for Audrey and Camilla's brother, but not enough was written about them.
I wouldn't call this book a romance, although Camilla does have a love interest. It was hard to understand how Camilla could put up with Allison's behavior time and time again and also blaming herself in the process, even though I know this happens in real life as well.
It was hard to like Taylor as most of the time she didn't act like a good friend to Camilla and she couldn't be depended upon.
I felt like nothing was resolved in the end.
This book had the potential of being great but fell short of that.
Review also posted here: https://wp.me/p4Pp9O-Kx
August 7, 2018
Camilla is a single college professor. She used to be part of a family, but her abusive ex Allison made it impossible for Camilla to stay. She dearly misses their son Nico. Allison doesn't allow Camilla to see him any longer. To deal with the emptiness inside, Camilla decides to surprise Nico with a treehouse. While Allison has taken him on a vacation, Camilla starts the work. Will she be able to finish the job on time?
Camilla expects to build the treehouse by herself, but solitude isn't on the agenda. The constant stream of visitors makes her job a lot more complex. Some of them help, but others aren't there to lend a hand. Camilla's best friend Taylor is the first one to arrive. Taylor has a new woman in her life. They usually don't stay long and in this case that might be good for Camilla. She immediately likes Audrey and if Taylor doesn't love her, there's a chance they can get to know each other better. An unwelcome visitor is the head of Camilla's department. He brings her news that shocks her to her core. Suddenly Camilla's job is on the line. When family she hasn't seen in a while visits her as well, Camilla's posse is complete. Will they be able to finish the tree house and what will happen once they're done?
The Treehouse is a great fascinating story. Camilla is a kindhearted woman. She's been through a lot and missing her beloved son breaks her heart. Allison has sole custody and Camilla is at her mercy, which is the exact situation she tried to escape. Randi Triant describes Allison's character in a fantastic honest manner. Camilla still feels raw and sad because of what happened to her and dealing with her eccentric and erratic best friend Taylor doesn't always cheer her up. Taylor does her best, but she isn't the most sensitive person. Their friendship isn't entirely equal and Taylor has a natural confidence Camilla doesn't possess that gives her a certain power over people. Taylor often means well, but frequently messes up and spending time with her can be a lot of fun, but it also sometimes comes with a price. Randi Triant makes her main characters come to life in a marvelous detailed way. I was intrigued by every important person in Camilla's life. They all have their own role and they each make her heal a little bit, which makes the story incredibly interesting.
Randi Triant has a terrific way with words. I loved how every sentence seems to be well thought through and it's clear that her story has been written with plenty of care and attention. Everything she describes has some kind of effect. Even though Camilla is going through a difficult phase the story isn't dark and daunting, there's enough lightness not to make it too heavy. Camilla's idea to build a treehouse might make her seem crazy in the eyes of some people, but it's a cathartic project that unites and makes her feel alive again. I loved that symbolic purpose. Because of the many different emotions, amazing main characters and plenty of unexpected events and drama The Treehouse is a beautiful captivating story.
Camilla expects to build the treehouse by herself, but solitude isn't on the agenda. The constant stream of visitors makes her job a lot more complex. Some of them help, but others aren't there to lend a hand. Camilla's best friend Taylor is the first one to arrive. Taylor has a new woman in her life. They usually don't stay long and in this case that might be good for Camilla. She immediately likes Audrey and if Taylor doesn't love her, there's a chance they can get to know each other better. An unwelcome visitor is the head of Camilla's department. He brings her news that shocks her to her core. Suddenly Camilla's job is on the line. When family she hasn't seen in a while visits her as well, Camilla's posse is complete. Will they be able to finish the tree house and what will happen once they're done?
The Treehouse is a great fascinating story. Camilla is a kindhearted woman. She's been through a lot and missing her beloved son breaks her heart. Allison has sole custody and Camilla is at her mercy, which is the exact situation she tried to escape. Randi Triant describes Allison's character in a fantastic honest manner. Camilla still feels raw and sad because of what happened to her and dealing with her eccentric and erratic best friend Taylor doesn't always cheer her up. Taylor does her best, but she isn't the most sensitive person. Their friendship isn't entirely equal and Taylor has a natural confidence Camilla doesn't possess that gives her a certain power over people. Taylor often means well, but frequently messes up and spending time with her can be a lot of fun, but it also sometimes comes with a price. Randi Triant makes her main characters come to life in a marvelous detailed way. I was intrigued by every important person in Camilla's life. They all have their own role and they each make her heal a little bit, which makes the story incredibly interesting.
Randi Triant has a terrific way with words. I loved how every sentence seems to be well thought through and it's clear that her story has been written with plenty of care and attention. Everything she describes has some kind of effect. Even though Camilla is going through a difficult phase the story isn't dark and daunting, there's enough lightness not to make it too heavy. Camilla's idea to build a treehouse might make her seem crazy in the eyes of some people, but it's a cathartic project that unites and makes her feel alive again. I loved that symbolic purpose. Because of the many different emotions, amazing main characters and plenty of unexpected events and drama The Treehouse is a beautiful captivating story.
March 6, 2018
One of the most emotional books I have read so far.
The main character thinks A LOT! Be prepared for a ride. I hope there will be book #2 where she can find happiness and start new life.
The main character thinks A LOT! Be prepared for a ride. I hope there will be book #2 where she can find happiness and start new life.
March 4, 2018
I was really excited about this book. The synopsis got me intrigued enough to want to buy it. I was with it for the first 100 pages, understanding the backstory and what not...but...after a while i started to realise this book is about the main protagonist reliving the past even when we already know what happened. The author spent forever describing an abusive partner and how this woman endures it. I actually ended up hating both characters because one was too much and the other too docile. We get it, her relationship was miserable...we don't need 300pages telling us the same thing flipping heck!! Arrrggg i wish i can return it but i can't. I couldn't finish it.
If you want to support female writers buy this, if you don't want to get annoyed do not buy this book, no offence but this author needs to really work on plot and structure before she publishes her work.
If you want to support female writers buy this, if you don't want to get annoyed do not buy this book, no offence but this author needs to really work on plot and structure before she publishes her work.
April 19, 2018
I imagine that everyone at some point in their life has felt the struggle of self preservation. Some acts of self preservation are greater than others. So is the story of Camilla Thompson. The Treehouse begins with Camilla two years out of a very un-healthy relationship with her partner of 16 years, Allison. Her greatest loss however, is that she may no longer see her son Nico. With Allison and Nico away for two weeks, Camilla has planned on building Nico a treehouse in the backyard of the house they once all occupied.
During this “two week period” you will experience intrigue, humor, sincerity and love. The degree to which Triant details her characters, memories and environments allows you to be with Camilla, to slip into her fragile skin and “ride the tide” of her life for two weeks all while building the treehouse.
There are no bells and whistles. Nothing is tied up in a pretty package at the end. And this is why I loved it so. Triant’s characters and experiences mirror those of our own lives; the best friend of 20 some odd years who knows you better than yourself sometimes; the brother who brings familiarity and the sense of comfort; the work colleagues who bring a heightened sense of self awareness; the neighbors with background that you slowly piece together over brief encounters. And for Camilla, the love interest that allows fresh air and light to enter into her life. A life that is fragile and full of strength all at the same time. This novel covers two calendar weeks of Camilla’s life and I find that it is a parallel to our own lives. Life is messy and no matter our expectation for what we think could or may happen the outcome is always something we never imagined. I thoroughly enjoyed this novel and look forward to the next work by Randi Triant.
During this “two week period” you will experience intrigue, humor, sincerity and love. The degree to which Triant details her characters, memories and environments allows you to be with Camilla, to slip into her fragile skin and “ride the tide” of her life for two weeks all while building the treehouse.
There are no bells and whistles. Nothing is tied up in a pretty package at the end. And this is why I loved it so. Triant’s characters and experiences mirror those of our own lives; the best friend of 20 some odd years who knows you better than yourself sometimes; the brother who brings familiarity and the sense of comfort; the work colleagues who bring a heightened sense of self awareness; the neighbors with background that you slowly piece together over brief encounters. And for Camilla, the love interest that allows fresh air and light to enter into her life. A life that is fragile and full of strength all at the same time. This novel covers two calendar weeks of Camilla’s life and I find that it is a parallel to our own lives. Life is messy and no matter our expectation for what we think could or may happen the outcome is always something we never imagined. I thoroughly enjoyed this novel and look forward to the next work by Randi Triant.
May 17, 2018
I thought this book was going to be something different and something good but unfortunately, while it was different, I just didn't connect with the numerous characters in this book.
The author spends about 3/4 of the book telling the reader about people who are really of no consequence and when a romance is introduced, the main character spend so much time talking to herself in her head that I felt confused but why anyone would be attracted to her.
The love interest in this book, Audrey, is actually quite endearing but I honestly did not detect any chemistry between Camilla and Audrey at all.
Unfortunately, I could have really done without reading this book but since I did I will give it three stars for originality.
The author spends about 3/4 of the book telling the reader about people who are really of no consequence and when a romance is introduced, the main character spend so much time talking to herself in her head that I felt confused but why anyone would be attracted to her.
The love interest in this book, Audrey, is actually quite endearing but I honestly did not detect any chemistry between Camilla and Audrey at all.
Unfortunately, I could have really done without reading this book but since I did I will give it three stars for originality.
March 14, 2018
A woman can only take so much. When Camilla reaches her limit, she makes a wrenching decision in a quest for self-preservation. Her no-win predicament leaves her heart-broken and second-guessing her own, as well as every else’s, motives. Camilla struggles to gain equilibrium as her life spins out of control, all the while never losing sight of her passion for truth.
This perfect emotional storm sets the stage for a pageant gone bad starring colorful characters who are laugh-out-loud funny and who left me weeping. Insightful, sad, hilarious, and touching, The Treehouse is a gutsy romp toward redemption. I couldn’t put it down.
This perfect emotional storm sets the stage for a pageant gone bad starring colorful characters who are laugh-out-loud funny and who left me weeping. Insightful, sad, hilarious, and touching, The Treehouse is a gutsy romp toward redemption. I couldn’t put it down.
May 20, 2018
Wow! This book took me on an emotional ride and wrung me out! Triant captures the emotions of struggling with loss and coming to terms with it amazingly. The treehouse it self, while real, was also a metaphor in my opinion. It is only what happens at the end that lets Camilla truely let go. Not a fuzzy beach read but a REALLY good book.
April 26, 2018
A touching gesture to her son she cannot see Camilla attempts to build a treehouse, and then everything else occurs, that could forever change the course of her life. This book was very well written, full of laughter, a little bit of crying, and a lot of good character development. I would absolutely recommend purchasing this book, and look forward to what the author puts forward next.
March 20, 2018
I don't know
This was not a bad book at all. This not like all the other books were the main is a strong female character. And everything seem like a dream where everything is what someone would want out of life. A couple of times I wanted to slap Camilla and Allison. Camilla for letting Allison treat her the way she did and Allison for how she acted. But the more I read I realized that the main characters and the others characters in their way all had some kind of problems in their lives. Thank you Randi Triant.
This was not a bad book at all. This not like all the other books were the main is a strong female character. And everything seem like a dream where everything is what someone would want out of life. A couple of times I wanted to slap Camilla and Allison. Camilla for letting Allison treat her the way she did and Allison for how she acted. But the more I read I realized that the main characters and the others characters in their way all had some kind of problems in their lives. Thank you Randi Triant.
March 12, 2018
a lot of potential here but still a long way to go. enjoyable read nonetheless.
September 20, 2018
Loved this book. Beautifully written and so unique. I felt like I was personally invested in building that treehouse. Highly recommend.
April 30, 2019
This is a book about a woman professor who finds the love she thinks she deserves, has a child, realizes her wife is obsessive beyond reason and finds herself along the way.
August 15, 2025
Super!
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews