Love Like That is the perfect book for when you don’t have time to read an entire novel.
What’s Love Like That about?
Author Emma Duffy-Comparone’s collection of short stories is about imperfect women dealing with imperfect love in all its forms. The heroine of each story is flawed – humorously, pathetically, worryingly — but always relatable. You may not identify with every situation portrayed in Love Like That, but you’ll recognize parts of yourself or someone you know on these pages.
My favorite short stories in Love Like That
“The Zen Thing,” which kicks off Love Like That. I was cackling out loud every few seconds as I was reading it. So much wry, caustic wit; a great satire about watching other people.
“The Package Deal” was heart-rending but great. I love how the story doesn’t refer to the narrator by a name; you can just insert yourself into the scene, into the character’s footsteps. Of all the stories in Love Like That, this one seems to the most realistic; it’s the one that most of us have encountered or watched others encounter.
Yeah…it got to me.
An incredibly important NON-favorite story to note: If you like animals, skip “The Offering.” Trust me.
The rest of the stories in Love Like That are all worth a read. They’re snappy and can be read in spurts; they’re great for when you’re waiting somewhere and don’t want to scroll through your phone for the millionth time. (For example, I read them while sitting in my car, waiting for my turtle to get pneumonia shots at the vet. Yeah, that happened.)
What I didn’t like about Love Like That
My only complaint about Love Like That is that I felt like many of the stories ended too abruptly. Like the author actually wrote more to each tale, but the last few pages fluttered away when she was handing in her manuscript. Some of the stories in Love Like That feel unfinished, but, honestly, that could just be me not “getting” the point of the story.
Like, maybe everything’s not supposed to be all wrapped up at the end? Maybe you’re supposed to be left hanging, wondering, imagining? Very possible.
Not all of the stories end like that, though. “The Devil’s Triangle” ends beautifully; it closes the plot, and I was quite satisfied with the whole scene come full circle.
Should you read Love Like That?
Love Like That was an enjoyable and often comical break from my usual reads, which I think is exactly what a collection of short stories should be. Pick this one up if you’re short on reading time or if you want another literary palate cleanser.
What’s the book-inspired recipe for Love Like That?
Be sure to check back in for my book-inspired recipe: Amazing Carrot Cake.
