The Actor and the Housewife

Mormon housewife Becky Jack is seven months pregnant with her fourth child when she meets celebrity heartthrob Felix Callahan. Twelve hours, one elevator ride, and one alcohol-free dinner later, something has happened…though nothing has happened. It isn’t sexual. It isn’t even quite love. But a month later Felix shows up in Salt Lake City to visit and before they know what’s hit them, Felix and Becky are best friends. Really. Becky’s husband is pretty cool about it. Her children roll their eyes. Her neighbors gossip endlessly. But Felix and Becky have something special…something unusual, something completely impossible to sustain. Or is it? A magical story, The Actor and the Housewife explores what could happen when your not-so-secret celebrity crush walks right into real life and changes everything

Okay now ignore that boring and uncomfortable description, because it's really WAY too funny for such a dreary description. Had it not been Shannon Hale I never would have looked farther than the jacket description. But, it IS Shannon Hale and I love her!

The wit of the dialogue in this book is side-stitchingly funny. The Character is so fantastic, and yet so real. When discussing her problem with her best friend being a man to my own husband, I finally blurted out, "Well you don't know Becky like I do." That's right folks, I referred to a fictional character as if we ourselves were bosom buddies, and let me tell you if she were real I would love to be so.

There are sad parts I warn you, and I became so emotionally attatched to the characters that a bawled through 2 whole chapters. Jaden curled up beside me wondering why I was sad. The second part I read while at work, let me tell you that was a bad idea! My eyes were red and puffy when people came in to pay rent. Makes them wonder what is so bad in my life that I can't keep composure at work. "Oh it's just this book." Great now they think I'm just crazy.

If you worry about sad endings and hate them like I do, don't worry, it does not end sadly. I was sucked into the last chapter after bedtime reading in bed while hubby snoozed next to me. I couldn't help it when something so unexpectedly funny happened I laughed right out loud. Ryan turned over and squinted at me. "what?"
"This book." I giggled.
"Why are you reading at 1 in the morning?"
I turned to the clock, "It's only 11!" but he had already gone back to sleep, likely wasn't truly awake at all & wouldn't remember in the morning. Which of course made me giggle more as I continued to read the perfect ending of a perfect book!

I love you Shannon Hale!
I love you Becky!
I love you Sara, because the wit in the book reminded me of the only person who knows how to be randomly witty with me.

I don't only recommend this book, I insist! Go! Read it! Now!