The Sweet Spot is the latest release from Amy Poeppel. With an anticipated release date of January 31, The Sweet Spot introduces readers to an eclectic group in Greenwich Village that was brought together by a series of unfortunate situations.
I want to thank Atria Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of The Sweet Spot. All opinions presented here are solely mine.
Synopsis from Goodreads
In the heart of Greenwich Village, three women form an accidental sorority when a baby—belonging to exactly none of them—lands on their collective doorstep.
Lauren and her family—lucky bastards—have been granted the use of a spectacular brownstone, teeming with history and dizzyingly unattractive 70s wallpaper. Adding to the home’s bohemian, grungy splendor is the bar occupying the basement, a (mostly) beloved dive called The Sweet Spot. Within days of moving in, Lauren discovers that she has already made an enemy in the neighborhood by inadvertently sparking the divorce of a couple she has never actually met.
Melinda’s husband of thirty years has dumped her for a young celebrity entrepreneur named Felicity, and, to Melinda’s horror, the lovebirds are soon to become parents. In her incandescent rage, Melinda wreaks havoc wherever she can, including in Felicity’s Soho boutique, where she has a fit of epic proportions, which happens to be caught on film.
Olivia—the industrious twenty-something behind the counter with big dreams and bigger debt—gets caught in the crossfire. In an effort to diffuse Melinda’s temper, Olivia has a tantrum of her own and gets unceremoniously canned, thanks to TikTok.
When Melinda’s ex follows his lover across the country, leaving their squalling baby behind, the three women rise to the occasion to forgive, forget, Ferberize, and track down the wayward parents. But can their little village find a way toward the happily ever afters they all desire? Welcome to The Sweet Spot.
Positives
A colorful cast of characters!
The almost manic energy in the brownstone.
Negatives
The ease with which the characters embrace Melinda.
My Opinions
Overall, I enjoyed reading The Sweet Spot. There is a wild, almost manic energy around the brownstone, and it just leaps off the page. Some moments you feel bad for Elaine, who had a quiet life in the Boston area. Other times you find yourself empathizing with Leo, not understanding what is happening around him but how he rolls with it all.
I’m not sure how I would feel in Melinda’s situation. After 30 years of marriage, finding out that your husband is having an affair and got her pregnant would shock anyone’s system. I think a certain amount of revenge would motivate one’s actions. I’m not sure they would be to the same extent as Melinda’s.
As for Russell, he needs to grow up! He is an older “gentleman” who was swayed by the attention of a beautiful young lady. As for that beautiful young lady, she is not one I found myself caring for one bit!
The Sweet Spot is a story about revenge and redemption, finding where you belong, and creating your own family.
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I don’t know how I would feel if I found out my husband had cheated either.
Well. My first husband cheated, but to the best of my knowledge he never got anyone pregnant while he was cheating on me with them. I do know that when I found out I wanted nothing to do with him or anything related to him, and as such I would not feel at all charitable toward the baby if he had… Still, books like this that make you think twice about your own life or reactions can be a ton of fun.