📚 If anyone can paint a family in all its beautiful mess, it’s Jami Attenberg. AReason to See You Again unfolds like a bittersweet, decades-long film reel, highlighting the family rifts, silent pain, and glimmers of joy that define the lives of the Cohen family. Attenberg delivers another gut-punching story where everyone’s a bit broken but never boring.

The Cohens’ saga begins in 1970s Chicago with Rudy, a Holocaust survivor haunted by his own secrets, and Frieda, his anxious, overbearing wife. Their two daughters, Nancy and Shelly, are opposites in nature — Nancy is gentle and quiet, while Shelly is sharp and intense. But when Rudy passes away early on, fissures begin to emerge within the family.

Fast forward a few years, and Nancy is diving into young motherhood with a questionable husband while Shelly escapes to California, starting her career in tech with an emotionally unavailable partner. Meanwhile, Frieda, alone in her grief, leans heavily into alcohol and holding grudges. The years unfold in fragmented scenes, following each character’s attempts to find meaning through moves, messy relationships, and moments of quiet self-discovery.

The book’s sharp wit and raw realism captures the essence of family bonds — messy, enduring, and sometimes painful. This is a must-read for anyone who appreciates complex characters and the emotional push-and-pull of relationships that feel both real and relatable.

WHERE TO FIND IT- You can find A Reason to See You Again on Amazon.

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