The Oakdale Dinner Club by Kim Moritsugu

You know those TV shows that you find yourself addicted to, even though you find them trashy? Perhaps it was Devious Maids? Or a daytime soap? I know I watched the first season of DM even though it was kinda trashy, all those people sleeping with others' spouses...but it was entertaining and funny, a guilty pleasure.

Like this book.

It didn't make me LOL, didn't make me cry, didn't really do anything but entertain me. But I couldn't stop reading. Despite the somewhat dryness of the writing--it doesn't really let you get "intimate" with any one character--I found myself invested in the stories. Who's going to be Mary Ann's fling? Is Danielle ever going to get out of the kitchen? And I found myself relating to many of the characters' issues, from a stalled marriage, to wanting to be alone, to not wanting to cook anymore because it's become such a chore. There's a lot going on here.

I must applaud the author for a great skill she shows in this novel. Normally when I pick up a story and it gives me 15 different characters and their backstories and current issues, I'll be lost. I won't remember who is who unless I write it all down. And while there were some odd moments I got confused between Kate or Alice and wait a minute--who the heck was Sarah again?, once the story picked up momentum, I knew who was who and who had done what with who. Each of the characters had such different personalities and traits.

I really liked Mary Ann and was cheering her on as she used a dinner party to socialize and meet her affair man. Trust me when I say, Mary Ann has every reason to be doing this. It's not the least offensive.

I found her very humorous, actually. She was the best part of the story. Her character and the things she said.

Long review short, I was addicted to this and it made for a quick read. Lots of drama, scandal, and it's really cool how a dinner party leads to so many different relationships formed--and not just sexual, but business opportunities, friendships, etc.

I'm not quite sure how the telepathy fit into anything though. Seemed out of place.

I received this via Netgalley.