A Likely Story by Leigh McMullan Abramson

A Likely Story by Leigh McMullan Abramson

Yet another debut , A Likely Story is the first and only novel published by Leigh McMullan Abramson so far, back in 2023. It was chosen for the Belletrist Book Club and as a pick for the CBS New York Book Club with Mary Calvi. It's pretty tame when it comes to warnings, but it does deal with classism as well as the death of a parent and partner and the grief that accompanies it.

Isabelle Manning grew up knowing that she would be a great author like her famous father Ward. She could feel it in her bones, it's all she ever wanted to do. Life just isn't really panning out the way that she expected. The book that she wrote never got picked up for publication and she's having trouble coming up with anything new. Meanwhile, her father Ward is having his own writer's block following the death of his wife, Claire, Isabelle's mother. Watch as Isabelle goes through the remnants of her mother's life and finds something completely unexpected, something that could change her life and her relationship with her father forever.

I really enjoyed this book, Leigh McMullan Abramson knocked it out of the park. It was first read by my sister, who encouraged me to read it, so shout out for that! Leigh has a wonderful way of making her characters feel very realistic, with all of the positive and negative traits that you would expect, while also making you feel compassion for them and wanting them to succeed. Even at their worst moments, I sounded more like a disappointed parent than anything else. The writing was well done and the story is broken up in a very interesting way - the main story is broken up by flashbacks with Claire as well as by excerpts from the novel being written. The story didn't end the way that I would have preferred, but you can't have everything and I enjoyed it nonetheless.

I'm giving A Likely Story by Leigh McMullan Abramson 4.25 out of 5. Charming characters, well written story, and a lawyer with the physique of a Greek god, I don't know what else you could ask for. I look forward to any future work by the author.

For more information about Leigh McMullan Abramson, check out their website at https://www.leighmcmullanabramson.com/

Pairs well with a slice of baked alaska and changing your dreams when they don't fit anymore.