This is not an “ordinary” love story per se in spite of what the title says. But then as one character, Gen, says near the end of the novel “nothing is ordinary.” Tackling a love story with intelligence and depth, this book contrasts two loves: Emily for Gen, her first love from high school, and Emily and Jack, the traditional man-woman love story. Both are fraught with problems but both offer Emily a chance to be her “real” self: one who’s loved and appreciated for who she intrinsically is not who she is expected to be.

In between the alternating love stories, we get a glimpse into how Emily’s parents view her and her love choices, how her friends do as well, and the impact of ending her marriage to Jack on her children. All along the way Emily is faced with grappling as to who she really is and how her choices affect others. Deciding to embrace a “second chance,” Emily commits to a love that can be ordinary for its commitment to truth but extraordinary for its honesty.

This book is beautifully written and very poignant. I was surprised how I kept being drawn to it each time I set it down because I had to know how it ended.