Blank is Zibby Owens first fiction book, although she already has a few non-fiction and even a picture book under her belt. I've read several fantasy books lately and was feeling like a change; this book is a fun commentary on the publishing industry. It does have sexual references and deals with adultery as well as a child going into a school lockdown.
We get to follow Pippa, an author whose last book was a best seller. It was even made into a movie and won an Academy Award! She was optioned by a big publishing house for another novel and had an idea she was really excited about, just to have that exact idea published by another author when she was only half done. Since then she's had writer's block. Her professional life is a disaster and her personal life isn't much better, with a husband she doesn't like any more. When her publisher giver her an ultimatum, she has to come up with an idea fast. Will her next book sink her career altogether?
This was a fast paced book that took me only a few days to read. The beginning didn't really do it for me, the only authentic relationship was the one between Pippa and her husband, who is absent much of the time. I liked the middle a lot more, I felt like the story really started to pick up speed, but the ending was incredibly unsatisfying. To be fair, the end wrapped up all the loose ends and presented a clear resolution like a beautifully wrapped gift, but it was not realistic. This book manages to take place, for the most part, in six days and Pippa manages to leave her bad marriage and find a new boyfriend, get rid of a toxic friend, gain a new wonderful friend, get some closure on what happened with the book that was taken from her, have her kids really start to appreciate her, and completely reorganize the publishing industry. I've never had a week that productive, not even close.
I'm giving Blank by Zibby Owens 2.5 stars out of 5. It wasn't terrible, especially for a first attempt by the author, but the tidy ending really bothered me. If Zibby Owens releases another novel, I'd give it a try and hope for the best.
Check out all of her work at https://www.zibbyowens.com/
Pairs well with a childhood memory and french toast on a Saturday morning.
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