Don't fool yourself into expecting something that this is not. I think that's the biggest problem showing up in reviews for this book. It is Chick Lit. Think Nicholas Sparks. It's not bubble gum, but it's not Shakespeare. It's just a nice easy read that I enjoyed. For the full review: http://erraticprojectjunkie.blogspot.com/2012/09/the-pilots-wife-by-anita-shreve.html