Nine Perfect Strangers by Liane Moriarty

Everyone needs some way to relax and unwind, but not everyone knows exactly how to do it.

Introducing the Tranquillum House. People who are burnt out, dealing with marital problems, or need help with weight loss all attribute their success to Masha and the staff at the Tranquillum House. Curious to find a way to deal with her own issues, author Frances Welty finds herself at their closed gates screaming like a mad woman when she finds out that one of her books has just been rejected. She is one of nine other people who has come here looking for answers.

“Lie down and enjoy what I can assure you will be a truly transcendent experience.”

This is unlike any other health resort that Frances has been to. A full day of not being allowed to speak to someone or to make eye-contact with the other guests. Delicious smoothies and blood tests on a daily basis are other odd aspects of Frances’s stay. Lastly, are the group sessions where holding back personal information isn’t an option.

Frances isn’t alone with her thinking that something more is going on at the Tranquillum House. All will be revealed in good time, in Liane Moriarty’s new chick lit book, Nine Perfect Strangers.

My Thoughts

This book started off so slow! The backstory of the characters needed to be built up because (duh) there were nine of them. I felt that some of the back stories could have been explained in the daily activities they do throughout the book. But, the problem is that when they get to the resort they are asked to do one specific thing preventing their stories to be revealed that way.

I loved all of the descriptions and they are laid out perfectly throughout the book. The mix of beautiful with creepy is what makes it for a more intriguing read. I’m glad she spent so much time with the characters describing Masha. The way the others remark on her appearance not only shows you who Masha is but reveals more of each character’s own personality

Because it was so slow going, I was starting to think that it would become the kind of book where everything is wrapped up in a neat little bow. You know the books where everyone goes home happy and healthy. The plot twist that eventually comes completely rules out any assumptions you have about the characters. Including whether or not they will be transformed in any sort of way.

I enjoy reading Moriarty’s work and would recommend this one as well as the other’s I have read from her. This is the perfect book to get you through these next couple of cold months. We are on the downhill slope towards reading outside again!