A recently divorced Brooklyn mother navigates pandemic isolation, sexual reawakening, and the challenges of midlife by cycling through a series of lovers and creating an AI chatbot designed to be her perfect partner. Blending dark humor and candid introspection, the novel explores themes of female desire, self-discovery, the limits of technology in fulfilling human needs, and the complexities of modern womanhood.

Reader Review Summary

Set in Brooklyn during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic, the novel follows Rachel Bloomstein, a recently divorced mother of three, as she navigates the upheaval of her personal life amid global crisis. The story centers on Rachel’s journey of self-discovery, sexual reawakening, and attempts to find connection in a time of isolation. She explores online dating, engaging in a series of sexual encounters with both men and women, and ultimately creates an AI chatbot named Frankie, designed to embody the best qualities of her various lovers. The narrative weaves together themes of female desire, the burdens of motherhood, the challenges of co-parenting with a difficult ex-husband, and the search for meaning and intimacy during a period of societal uncertainty. The pandemic setting is integral, providing both a backdrop of anxiety and a catalyst for Rachel’s transformation, as she juggles remote work, parenting, and her own needs for pleasure and companionship.

Readers appreciated the novel’s candid exploration of midlife female sexuality, the complexities of divorce, and the emotional realities of motherhood during the pandemic. Many found Rachel’s internal monologue and struggles relatable, particularly her feelings of invisibility and the loss of identity that can accompany motherhood and marriage. The book’s depiction of female friendship, especially Rachel’s bond with her friend Lulu, resonated with several reviewers, as did its honest portrayal of the challenges and contradictions faced by women balancing multiple roles. Some readers highlighted the humor and sharp observations about gender roles, online dating, and the pressures placed on women, while others praised the writing style for its immersive, introspective quality and the way it captured the atmosphere of early pandemic life.

Criticisms focused on the execution of the AI and science fiction elements, with many readers finding the chatbot Frankie underdeveloped and the technological aspects unconvincing or unnecessary to the plot. Some felt the book’s marketing as science fiction was misleading, as the AI storyline played a minor role and lacked depth. Others noted that the narrative could be repetitive, with Rachel’s cycle of dating and self-reflection stalling the plot, and that secondary characters, including her children and friends, were not fully fleshed out. The ending was described by some as rushed or inauthentic, and a few readers found the explicit sexual content excessive or uncomfortable. There were also comments about the book feeling disjointed, as if it combined several different stories (divorce, sexual awakening, pandemic, AI) without fully integrating them.

The book has generated a wide range of responses, reflected in its average reader rating of 3.44 out of 5 from 154 ratings and 60 full reviews. It is categorized under genres such as contemporary fiction, literary fiction, LGBT, science fiction, and queer fiction, and is noted for its graphic sexual content and focus on female empowerment. The narrative is often described as introspective and process-driven, with some readers drawing comparisons to other works about midlife female transformation. The pandemic setting is both a point of connection and discomfort for readers, with some finding it too recent or heavy, while others appreciated its authenticity. The book’s approach to themes of desire, identity, and technology has sparked discussion about the representation of women’s experiences and the role of fantasy versus reality in personal growth.