Like a House on Fire

By: Lauren McBrayer

Narrated by: Marin Ireland

Length: 9 hrs and 1 min

Publisher's summary

A JULY 2022 BELLETRIST BOOK CLUB PICK

What would you do if you found the spark that made you feel whole again?

After twelve years of marriage and two kids, Merit has begun to feel like a stranger in her own life. She loves her husband and sons, but she desperately needs something more than sippy cups and monthly sex. So, she returns to her career at Jager + Brandt, where a brilliant and beautiful Danish architect named Jane decides to overlook the “break” in Merit’s résumé and give her a shot.

Jane is a supernova—witty and dazzling and unapologetically herself—and as the two work closely together, their relationship becomes a true friendship. In Jane, Merit sees the possibility of what a woman could be. And Jane sees Merit exactly for who she is. Not the wife and mother dutifully performing the roles expected of her, but a whole person.

Their relationship quickly becomes a cornerstone in Merit’s life. And as Merit starts to open her mind to the idea of more—more of a partner, more of a match, more out of love—she begins to question: What if the love of her life isn’t the man she married. What if it’s Jane?

©2022 Lauren McBrayer (P)2022 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

One of:
The Washington Post’s 10 Noteworthy Books for April
Good Housekeeping’s 20 Books to Add to Your Summer 2022 Reading List
New York Post's Best New Books to Read

“This raw, emotional debut novel explores the disquiet of middle age, the nature of female friendships and the joy and burden of living authentically.” –The Washington Post

“Jane injects [Merit’s life] with a jolt of electricity that’s more than a work friendship, it’s a chance to imagine a different kind of life. This story of female relationships will spark your own imagination, too.” –Good Housekeeping

“With a zippy pace, punchy dialogue, and beautifully crafted sentences that manage to capture the tenderness of longing and self-discovery, Merit and Jane’s love story feels both realistic and escapist, a queer romance done right.” –Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

Been there

I really loved this book. It handled the coupling of the two women with grace, tenderness, and dignity. I believe it is the story of many women who have chosen an alternative lifestyle.

Slow but good

This story will not keep you on the edge of your seat but it’s a nice slow and romantic ride. I enjoyed it!

Loved

The epitome of a true love story. I very much enjoyed and would definitely recommend! I finished in one day!

What I’m always looking for but never find, in a story of attraction and love between two women

I am constantly looking for a contemporary love/attraction story between two women, mature, older, with complicated histories. Instead, most often I only find an abundance of young women’s stories, or lovely stories of young love, between teens or early adults. This was a rare gem, very well written, with an excellent reader. The children’s voices were a bit annoying, and the husband a dud, but the two women were very well acted and written. The ending was perfect. New ways of living, and loving. I listened three times, sad that once again, my search continues, and I’m doubtful I will find anything this good for a long time. I hope I am proven wrong!
Get this book.

Intelligent dialogue

I really loved this book. It felt very real and the emotions and dialog were also very clever and heart felt.
Good book, when a lot of lesbian fiction is not so good.

Dark Horse

I picked up this title in the bookstore randomly and loved it. Started it one night and stayed up until I finished it. It really hit me in all the feels and had me laughing and crying. I just LOVE Jane's humour and their relationship. Another book where I found the narration really elevated the story. Even though I knew the plot I enjoyed listening to it again so much and will definitely be a repeat offender.

So good..

The way this so subtly turns into an epic love story is incredible! Amazingly narrated.

I LOVED THIS BOOK!

Everything about this book is worth 5 stars... the writing, the reading, the story. Very original and made me want to be part of these characters' lives. Totally recommend!

Wonderful!

Artful and true. Complex relationships and compelling story arc. I also just LIKED them so much! Narration was pitch-perfect.

Loved this!

This was an incredible book…I loved the humor and the well-told story. Narration was spot on too! So good!