Elizabeth Berg is one of those wonderful authors who just captures the essence of a time and situation brilliantly. “Open House” is my favorite of her novels and worth reading more than once.

If you’re a woman going through a divorce, or know one who is, “Open House” is a great book to get them. It’s poignant and funny and hopeful. Martha Stewart never appeared so wonderfully in a book!

Sam, the book’s heroine, is a bit of a ditz. You find yourself torn between sympathy and exasperation. Her husband, David, is a typical chick-lit jerk, divorcing his wife for seemingly no good reason. Sam ends up renting out rooms of her home so that she can afford the mortgage, which gives the book a delightful “Saving Grace” feel (“Saving Grace” is a GREAT movie).

Men would probably object (and with good reason) to the stereotypes of men portrayed in the book. Women will love it because it’s fun and sweet and sad.