Elizabeth Topp

3.5 stars (rating shown may vary depending on whether site allows half star ratings)

This was one of my 2 Amazon First Reads picks for October 2020.

Anna (the main character) works part time as a personal assistant for the wealthy Von Bismarcks, where her job is to anticipate, fulfill every whim, and keep on top of quite a few things. Anna is also an aspiring artist and in a relationship with Adrian.

Given the sheer volume of work discussed in this book, I'm not quite sure how Anna does it only part-time. She and Julie must be really in sync to be able to both handle the same job with little overlap in their time together (which I believe is supposed to be one day a week but seems like more during the course of this novel).

Anna creates art with personal meaning to her--apparently doing a multimedia art. I forget how many years it's been since she finished her degree, but apparently she's not ever hooked up with a gallery to have a showing of her work. I'm not sure if that's for lack of trying or if she's just totally hooked on having Miranda Chung as her gallery and won't try elsewhere.

I'm not sure Anna and Adrian have what it takes to have a real relationship. It seems they both started out as idealists. Adrian was supposed to create apps that changed the world while Anna created art that did the same. When Adrian's discouraged that his app that was supposed to help those in need connect with food sources gets used by those who aren't needy and is ready for a change, he doesn't seem to discuss this change with Anna before he makes it. He just goes and interviews for the job and announces it to her. For her part, Anna doesn't seem to take too kindly to the change. His point that she hasn't asked him about his new job (apart from asking him if his coworkers would come to her private showing) is valid. Yet, he seems to walk out on her. Then, she walks out on him. It doesn't inspire confidence in me that they will make it through the hard times of a marriage.… (altro)