Degrees of Love

Slabach crafts a relatable, heartbreakingly real story that will no doubt resonate with those at a similar station in life: women who love their families yet yearn for just a little more—to feel wanted rather than needed, to feel passion rather than complacency. In engaging prose and through skillful storytelling, Slabach captivates with an all-too-familiar story that raises questions with no easy answers.

Kirkus Reviews (Starred Review)

Degrees of Love will take readers on an emotional journey as we watch Susan explore the different roles in her life, working to discover what it is she truly wants most.

RT Review

4.5 Stars Top Pick, and Reviewers' Choice Award 2017 Nominee

 

This is an extraordinarily well-written book that will leave readers turning the pages as fast as they can to see how it will all turn out. The ending is surprising and satisfying all at the same time. 

This book would make an excellent choice for book discussion groups or even a group of girlfriends who want to get together and talk books.

Very highly recommended.

Sarah Perry

San Francisco Book Review, 5 Stars

Degrees of Love is spellbinding”

– Arya Fomonyuy for Reader’s Favorite

 

In this powerful debut novel, a successful businesswoman embarks on a journey of self-discovery that will shake her to the core.

Like the shiny new BMW parked in the driveway of the Silicon Valley home she shares with her husband, Matt, and their two boys, Susan Sinclair exudes confidence and style. Newly promoted to a prestigious Senior Vice President position at her firm, Susan is the picture of personal and professional success.

Yet appearances are deceiving. With each advance in Susan’s career, Matt has grown more distant. But he refuses to admit there is a problem, and Susan, determined to give her boys the close-knit family life she never had, forces herself to play along.

Then she meets her new boss, Reese Kirkpatrick. She and Reese become a crackerjack team, but little by little, pleasure mixes with business. For the first time in a long time, Susan feels seen and appreciated for who she is.

In a moment of weakness, friendship becomes something more. Now, unable to stomach the façade her marriage has become yet unwilling to decimate her family by moving forward with Reese, Susan faces a choice that could cost her everything—including her children . . . but possibly bring her more than she can dream.

“An engaging story that shines an honest light on what it means to be truly happy.”

– Kirkus Reviews (Starred Review)

At thirty-six, Susan Sinclair has it all. She’s just been promoted to Senior Vice President of Mobile Banking at her firm, a prestigious position bringing fresh creative challenges and a hefty salary increase. Like the shiny new BMW in the driveway of the Silicon Valley home she shares with her husband, Matt, and their two beautiful boys, Susan exudes confidence and style.

Yet despite her success in juggling the roles of wife, mother, and businesswoman, Susan struggles with a secret dissatisfaction. Matt’s work in cutting-edge computer research pays less than her job, and with each advance in her career, he has grown more distant. But Matt refuses to admit there is a problem, and Susan forces herself to play along, determined to give her boys the close-knit family life she never had.

Profound, heart wrenching and very emotional, it is hard to believe that Degrees of Love is a debut novel by Lisa Slabach. This is one of the best novels I have read this year.
Rabia Tanveer

Readers' Favorite

What happens when a seemingly happy family woman and “soccer mum” in suburban California receives a promotion and finds herself inexorably drawn to her new boss in New York, where she is now required to travel for business on a regular basis? Fireworks happen!
Grant Leishman

Readers' Favorite

Then she meets her new boss, Reese Kirkpatrick. Working and traveling together, she and Reese become a crackerjack team, but little by little, pleasure mixes with business. For the first time in a long time—maybe ever—Susan feels seen and appreciated for who she is. Certain she would never allow their friendship to cross the line, Susan lets herself stray dangerously close to the edge.

A moment of weakness changes everything. Now, unable to stomach the façade her marriage has become yet unwilling to decimate her family by moving forward with Reese, Susan faces a choice that could cost her everything—including her children . . . but possibly bring her more than she can dream.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Degrees of Love is Lisa Slabach’s debut novel. She is currently working on her third full-length manuscript and a collection of short stories inspired by her experiences growing up in a small farm community in Washington’s Yakima Valley. In addition to writing, Lisa works for a Fortune 500 Company, leading a sales team in the financial industry. She currently resides in Davis, California with her husband and has two daughters, who are both pursuing careers in film. In her free time, she enjoys drinking wine with friends and cooking in her pink kitchen.

More Praise

Readers are calling Degrees of Love “spellbinding” and “superbly-crafted.” One of the best novels of the year.

 

The ending made me sit back and think. I couldn’t just move on to the next book. This is a novel that had me talking to my girlfriends about it, going through the scenarios of the main character’s life, asking each other what we would do.

Degrees of Love by Lisa Slabach is going to be quite the ‘buzzed about’ novel going into 2018, I can feel it.

Samantha March

Readers' Favorite

A novel that is sure to stick with you and have you talking about it to anyone who will listen.

Truly Trendy

Degrees of Love is an astounding depiction of love, marriage, family and what life could be if different choices were made. Captivating, engaging and passionate.
Chick Lit Cafe

I recommend this book to romance loves looking for a new take on the genre as this is a book that you do not want to miss.

The Book Enigma

I found this contemporary fiction novel very engaging and was eagerly turning the pages to try to find out how the main character, Susan, resolves her dilemma.
Gisela Dixon

Readers' Favorite

This is an author to watch out for and I will eagerly be waiting for her next novel. Degrees of Love will be added to my best of 2018 list!

Library of Clean Reads

I think as a reader our job is to give each book a chance to tell the story it is meant to and then we decide if the author makes us fall or not. I know I fell for this book hard and I hope others do too.

Bookish Lifestyle

Degrees of Love is an incredible read from start to finish. It is real, raw and full of emotion. You are drawn into Susan’s life from the start and are constantly left guessing as to what she will do. The ending was not what I was expecting but fit the book well. This is a definite must read novel.

Working Mommy Journal

This does not read like a debut author’s book. Slabach shows herself to be adept at portraying the complex emotions of the human condition. Her characters live and breathe on the page in a way that every author strives for, but few actually manage. Susan’s struggles ring true, and the way she handles everything makes her a very likable and relatable character.
Sarah Perry

San Francisco Book Review, 5 Stars

This is a novel written in a universal language, one that explores the contours of the heart and the anatomy of desire.
Arya Fomonyuy

Readers' Favorite

This book would make an excellent choice for book discussion groups or even a group of girlfriends who want to get together and talk books.

Sarah Perry, San Francisco Book Review

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