read for PopSugar Advanced Challenge: a book that was a bestseller the year you graduated high school

I'm a bit conflicted on this one. Rowling knows how to write super well, but the substance of this book was a little lacking. It kind of reminded me of a Liane Moriarty novel that had absolutely no suspense. I know this was supposed to be a study in characters and relationships, but honestly it read like she was trying desperately to set herself apart as just a YA/children's author. I think had I read this when it first came out, I would have been really shocked at the vulgarity (not that I'm a prude, but more that you wouldn't expect it from Rowling after Harry Potter). I don't know, this book just seemed to amble along and didn't have much a definitive statement about anything. I think the audiobook is the only reason I enjoyed it. Tom Hollander gave an excellent performance. Rowling has truly been blessed with great narrators for her audiobooks.

Over all, this is felt like a middle child as she tried to shed Harry Potter in her writing, and before she hit her stride with the Galbraith novels.