PACK UP THE MOON (Anna McPartlin)

This is one of those novels that I picked up while cleaning off the NEW shelf in the library to make room for new acquisitions.  The premise is nothing new: a young woman loses the love of her life suddenly and tragically and has to work her way through her grief to find a new purpose in life and, perhaps, new love.  McPartlin takes an ordinary plot and makes it special by balancing very real, gritty drama with humor and friendship.  One of the professional reviewers commented that it was difficult for the reader to decide whether to pity or envy Emma, the heroine of this novel, but I disagree.  Emma obviously is to be cheered on and encouraged.  Are we surprised by an unexpected ending.  Not really.  Are we appalled at how badly a life can be upset by one bad decision or stupid misstep?  No, we are not.  What we are is carried along on this journey of Emma's, knowing full well that it could just as easily be one of us, that life is, after all, just the luck of the draw and that caring friends can make all the difference.  You'll laugh and you'll cry.  You may not remember this as the another Anna Karenina, but you will remember that you liked it and you'll be glad that you read it!  I'm going to check and see what else she has written!