180 Days

By: Alfredo Botello

Narrated by: A.G. Smith

What happens when what was built to last forever will be demolished in just 180 days? Tomas Araeta and Naomi Curran are nearing their tenth year of marriage - and on the cusp of adopting a child - when Tomas, an aspiring architect, strays with a client. Discovering the infidelity, Naomi files for divorce, but California has a mandatory six-month waiting period before the divorce can be finalized. The clock is ticking: Tomas has 180 days to win Naomi back.

This kicks off a fraught, painful and at time humorous and absurd undertaking which will bring them in contact with a reclusive punk-rock star, aloof parents, architectural wonders, coworkers they thought they knew, friends with fragile secrets, and, most importantly, themselves. The infidelity is only the beginning of this journey. And - on Day 180 - Naomi and Tomas will have to answer the question facing every couple in a serious, wonderful, flawed relationship: what they each really want, and whether they still see a future together.

©2023 Alfredo Botello (P)2023 Alfredo Botello

Raw true to life struggle, bitingly funny

I loved the description of architecture, music and artistic generative drive.

Connected with a struggle to understand yourself, and stay connected with others.

The main characters honesty about his fragile, ego, and fear of being comfortable with himself, really resonated with me.

Can’t wait to see what happens in the next book about their lives with an adopted baby.

Love, Rock N Roll, Mies van der Rohe. Check it out

This is a story of love - not the clichéd fairy tale first love, but a love that's complicated, messy, and imbued with passion, understanding, the comfort of quiet Sundays, deceit, and hurt. From the early stages of the narrative, you become deeply invested in the characters, eager to discover what unfolds next. The story delves into the nuances between the big moments, exploring the evolution of the characters. And of course, EVO!!! Gotta love that guy!!!

It's evident that Botello possesses a thorough understanding of both the characters and the world they inhabit. The narrative serves as a heartfelt love letter to the Bay Area, punk rock, architecture, and the challenges that couples confront. I'm eagerly anticipating Botello's next creation!

Highly recommend

I read this book and liked it so much that I also listened to it on Audible, which has a great narrator. The story kept me engaged from the beginning with a well-written approach that takes you back and forth in time. I think the character development was just as interesting as the architecture and Bay Area references. The journey of Tomas and Naomi’s relationship is about more than one major mistake. There is a strong history that made me constantly question if the trials and insights over 180 days can recover what they had.

A fresh take on modern love.

I listened to this book almost in its entirety on a long drive. It really breezed by because the characters were so captivating. Botello manages the capture the essence of the hipster intellectual punk scene that belies the Bay Area but makes it relatable by exploring universal themes of change and growth, both by the individual and within a relationship. The premise is simple enough - a man cheats on his wife. But the vehicle in which the aftermath shakes out is a fresh take on the evolution of love. The book time skips around the 180 day mandatory “cooling off” period after filing divorce in California. Through this we get more of an honest and complete picture of growth, rather than traditional redemption arc and plenty of humor too. Would definitely recommend.