weekend read: The Cure for Modern Life

I have no idea where this book came from. I’m not even sure what made me buy it, there’s nothing compelling on the cover or dust-jacket summary. But I was feeling risky one summer evening so I took it off the shelf and settled in.

The Cure for Modern Life by Lise Tucker starts off weird. The main character is high on ecstasy a future client pressured him into it taking and is on his way home when he is stopped by a homeless kid trying to hustle him for some money. One thing leads to another and the kid, his sick younger sister, and his addict mom end up coming home with the man, Matthew, and he gives them a place to stay for the night.

From that split-second choice, Matthew, the kid, Danny, and a whole slew of other people are never the same. Their lives are intertwined in ways no one saw coming and even as Matthew tries to get rid of Danny and his sister (his mom happened to rob Matthew while he was sleeping and take off), he can’t seem to shake them. And then they become valuable to him as Matthew tries to one-up his ex-girlfriend.

At times I felt this book was a little ridiculous and far-fetched. It took me a long time to like any of the characters, I didn’t feel like any of them were worth rooting for which makes a book feel long and tedious at times. But I was also invested enough that I couldn’t stop half way through without it bothering me.

The Cure for Modern Life by Lisa Tucker is an odd book. I felt the real story was just getting started when it ended and unfortunately even then I didn’t care enough about the characters and their lives to look for a sequel. It wasn’t a waste of time, but it wasn’t really enjoyable either. Have you read this one before? I need other’s opinions…

 

DISCLOSURE: AFFILIATE LINKS USED.