FICTION

We Could Be Beautiful

by Swan Huntley
Doubleday. Jun. 2016. 352p. ISBN 9780385540599. $25.95; ebk. ISBN 9780385540605. F
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Catherine West lives the perfect life in Manhattan. She has plenty of money, left to her in a trust from her father, keeps a fabulous apartment, and basically does what she wants when she wants. But what Catherine doesn't have is the marriage and family she's always longed for. This fact puzzles her. After all, she's attractive and smart and has everything, so why hasn't she been able to make that connection? Enter William Stockton, the answer to her prayers. He's handsome and urbane and seems to fall as hard for her as she does him. Certainly, she has a few reservations, ones that are exacerbated by her Alzheimer's-afflicted mother, who appears to remember something very bad about William. Despite her misgivings, Catherine charges headlong into love and an engagement.
VERDICT In her meditative psychological debut, Huntley explores the effect of the lies we hear from others and the ones we tell ourselves. The buildup is nicely done, but the emotional payoff doesn't live up to expectations. [See Prepub Alert, 12/5/15.]
Reviewed by Jane Jorgenson, Madison P.L., WI , Apr 15, 2016
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