Nine Perfect Strangers

3/5 Stars

Nine strangers set out to a remote health and wellness resort searching for a 10-day transformative experience. Some are looking to lose weight, some are seeking relationship help, and others can't quite figure out what they're looking for...

The charismatic and peculiar owner/director of the resort, Masha's approach to healing and wellness is a bit....original to say the least, and leaves guests doubtful. However, Masha has this trance about her that seems to virtually brainwash not only her right and left-hand wingmen, but eventually the guests seem to take to it, too.

I felt as though this story should have left out the “nine” strangers and narrowed it down to the “six” that Moriarty focused on most. We have Frances Welty, romance novelist who arrives at Tranquillum House broken-hearted and a bit skeptical. Ben and Jessica Chandler are seeking marriage counseling after a lottery win sparks a plastic-surgery binge for Jessica, and a love for a new car on Ben's end. Then we have Heather, Napoleon and Zoe Marconi, the seemingly happy family that is still grieving the loss of their son.

As the reader, I had a solid grasp on the above characters' thoughts, backgrounds, and feelings. I felt as though I understood the characters and could successfully do that picturing-in-my-head thing of what the characters are like. The remaining characters, Lars Lee - a divorce attorney, Carmel Schneider - a woman with a major resentment of the new relationship her ex-husband has with a younger woman, and Tony Hogburn - a former professional athlete, seem as though they're supporting characters. I think it irks me that I didn't get to know these three as well simply because the whole basis of the book is surrounding nine strangers embarking on a wellness journey under the watch of Ms. Masha.

Additionally, I felt as though I was waiting for something that just never happened. When I finished the book I thought “that's it?”. I was quite honestly disappointed. I read so many great things about this book and when I saw it was an option for my Book of the Month I hopped at the chance to get this, but I was left wanting more and I hate feeling that way after finishing a book! I will say that one thing I appreciated is that Moriarty gave post-resort updates on all nine characters and I love knowing how life has played out for characters (in any book, TV show, movie, etc.) after-the-fact.

Did I dislike this book? No. Did I love this book? Also no. I would recommend other awesome books before this one.