MixedThe Washington Independent Review of BooksThe most fundamental flaws of this novel are, unfortunately, also its most fundamental plot points: the relationship between Henry and Costanza, and Costanza’s fertility treatments. Neither is particularly fun to read about ... The pair’s coupling seems slapdash; I didn’t understand what they saw in one another. And the constant bombardment of information about how in-vitro fertilization works rivals reading a medical textbook in terms of entertainment value ... Unfortunately, these two subjects take up around 75 percent of the book’s latter half ... But author Frank’s novel isn’t devoid of an interesting story. It’s just that the most fascinating parts of the plot are buried under significantly less-fascinating parts ... Frank also introduces a large cast of colorful characters that could have been excellent distractions from Henry and Costanza’s relationship, but who are, instead, relegated to the sidelines ... Generally, the author fails to give his female characters their due...Yes, even Costanza. Her leading-lady status does nothing to save her from being defined by her relationships with men ... Frank’s prose ranges from weak to stellar. I found some sections difficult to read. But others hinted at a much greater potential ... has many of the right ingredients, but they are terribly proportioned, like cookies made with two cups of salt and a pinch of flour, rather than the inverse ... There is substance to this novel, but some things — quite a few things — are still missing.
