Star Book Review: Emily and Einstein by Linda Francis Lee

            I felt so lucky when Goodreads announced the winners of one of their "first reads" contests for Linda Francis Lee's Emily and Einstein. She is one of the more prominent chick lit authors who I've never read but who I've always wanted to check out. Emily and Einstein came out March 1, 2011 and combines themes found in women's contemporary fiction as well as the elements of magical realism.

     After being struck by a car in an unfortunate and fatal accident one snowy evening in New York, Sandy Portman is approached by an old man who has come to discuss the hereafter. Not ready to leave his body behind, Sandy begs the old man to reconsider his fate. Despite his better judgment, the old man agrees to allow Sandy one more chance to make things right in his life….but there’s one catch. Sandy, a prominent business man and legacy to Althea Portman and Trust, is used to getting everything he wants, no matter what the price, and so he doesn’t even bother asking the old man to explain this circumstance; but the next thing he knows, Sandy Portman is waking up in a metal cage with paws and a silky coat of white fur. He tries to cry out for help but all he hears is a low growling or barking noise emanating from his own vocal chords.

            The old man returns to assure Sandy that despite his current predicament as Einstein, the dog, he is destined for greatness if…and there’s a big if…he succeeds at helping his wife, Emily, in her time of need. Mourning the loss of her husband, facing eviction from her apartment at the demands of Sandy’s mother and the Portman Estate, falling apart at work and now, uncovering awful secrets about her husband and their marriage that are devastating to her sense of self, Emily is in desperate need of support. However, as she was born the daughter of a prominent women’s activist, Emily doesn’t know the first thing about asking for help. In an ironic twist of fate, it appears that only her husband, as Einstein the dog, has the power to help her survive through all the turmoil that was built up by her husband, as Sandy the man….but will he do it? Will Einstein help pick Emily up and all the pieces that her life has become or will his selfish, arrogance stand in the way again?

            What would you do if you were given a second chance at life? A chance to right all your wrongs? Would you take it even if it meant having to humble yourself to a level you never imagined? Linda Francis Lee pairs magic with reality in her newest release, Emily and Einstein for a memorable story of love, sorrow, betrayal, forgiveness and second chances.

 3 Stars