Being Anti-Social by Leigh K. Cunningham

Being Anti-Social 
written by Leigh K. Cunningham          
published by Leigh K. Cunningham 

find it here: Barnes & Noble, Amazon, iBooks, Goodreads

Why did I pick this book:  I was asked by the author to review her book. (I received a copy of this book for review purposes.)

Did I enjoy this book: This book was okay. It was not a book that I had to read every free chance I had…in fact, I had a hard time finishing it.

This book took too long to get through. The pace was slow and there were way too many Oscar Wilde quotes for my taste. I would have like the quotes better if they were used as a title or introduction to each chapter. Then, the quote would be there for what was going on in the scene but also the reader could skip it if they wanted to do so. 

I could not connect with the main character, Mace. I just did not like her at all. I thought she was unhappy, cynical, and miserable to be around. I understand the title of the book…Mace is very anti-social. I could not figure out how she has friends at all given her attitude and disposition. Mace’s friends – Kimba, Amber, Sophie, and Erin – were all so different from one another. It is kind of neat that they all would be friends because of how different they all are. But they worked well together. I could see them all being friends and going through life together. Rudy was likeable despite his beginning with Mace.

Being Anti-Social is well-written and it could be a good story. Some parts were very moving and emotional. Many of these moments came at the end of the book. But I would not categorize this book as chick lit. It just did not have the lighthearted, feel good moments that I look for in chick lit. Maybe if I had approached it from a different expectation, I may have enjoyed it more. But thinking it was chick lit, I was disappointed. 

Would I recommend it: I would not.

Will I read it again: I will not read this book again. 

About the book – from Goodreads: Mace Evans is single at thirty-eight. When her much unloved older sister, Shannon, declares that Mace is anti-social, she embarks on a journey to understand her condition; whether she was born that way or if it is the accumulation of thirty-eight years of unfortunate encounters with other humans and dogs.

For reasons unbeknown to Mace, she has an affair with a work colleague, which brings an unexpected end to her perfect marriage. And as if the self-imposed torture and regret is not enough, Mace endures ongoing judgment from her older sister and mother, which further exacerbates already tenuous relationships.

With support from her four best friends, merlot and pizza, and with guidance from her life coach and mentor, Oscar Wilde, Mace recovers to a degree, but in her quest to understand her anti-social ways, she finds herself wondering about the quality of the fabric that keeps her network of friends intact.

When Mace’s mother is diagnosed with cancer, Mace searches for common ground on which to connect before it is too late.