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    The Intermission: A Novel
    Unavailable
    The Intermission: A Novel
    Unavailable
    The Intermission: A Novel
    Audiobook13 hours

    The Intermission: A Novel

    Written by Elyssa Friedland

    Narrated by Chelsea Morgan

    3/5

    ()

    Currently unavailable

    Currently unavailable

    About this audiobook

    Told in the alternating perspectives of a husband and wife in their thirties, an incisive new novel that explores what happens when a happily married couple decides to take an "intermission" from their relationship.

    The unshakeable confidence Cass Coyne felt on her wedding day is gone, and, as a child of divorce, she's terrified of beginning a family with the wrong partner. Jonathan Coyne, on the other hand, is still smitten with Cass. It's true that the personality quirks he once found charming in his wife—her high standards, her unwavering self-possession—are beginning to grate. But these are merely minor challenges in an otherwise healthy relationship.

    So it comes as a shock to Jonathan when Cass suddenly suggests a marital intermission: a six-month separation during which they'll figure out if they truly are well matched and if the comfortable life they've built together is really the one they want.

    As they agree to meet up once a month to exchange custody of their beloved dog, Cass and Jonathan's hope is that during their time apart they will work out their issues as a couple. But they will soon discover those very issues are likely rooted in the things they don't talk about and the little secrets each of them has been working so hard to hide.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherPenguin Random House Audio
    Release dateJul 3, 2018
    ISBN9780525596165
    Unavailable
    The Intermission: A Novel
    Author

    Elyssa Friedland

    Elyssa Friedland attended Yale University, where she served as managing editor of the Yale Daily News. She is a graduate of Columbia Law School and subsequently worked as an associate at a major firm. Prior to law school, Elyssa wrote for several publications, including Modern Bride, New York magazine, Columbia Journalism Review, CBS MarketWatch.com, Yale Alumni Magazine, and Your Prom. She grew up in New Jersey and currently lives in New York City with her husband and three young children.

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    Reviews for The Intermission

    3/5

    36 ratings6 reviews

    What did you think?

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    Review must be at least 10 words

    • 3/5
      I read "The Arrangement" by Sarah Dunn last year, and the concept behind "The Intermission" is nearly identical. However, in "The Arrangement," there is more depth to the characters, more understanding of why they need a separation and why they do the things they do. In "The Intermission," neither Cass nor Jonathan are very likable, in my opinion, and if they were both honest with little things, they wouldn't be having the problems they are having.

      They like to pretend they are a golden couple, with an enviable marriage, but that's far from the case. There are secondary characters that are introduced and then forgotten about. Those relationships could have been developed more in order to add to the story.

      Overall, it was a light, easy read.

      Thank you to the First to Read program for letting me read an advanced copy in exchange for an unbiased review.
    • 3/5
      I like the idea of this book. The idea that marriage can get hum-drum boring is not a new idea. I am happily married and there are times that we have to shake it up some. That is what Cass wants to do. She needs to make sure that she is happy with her life before starting a family and committing to the rest of her life with Jonathan. Do I agree with her way? Nope, not even a little but I respect that she doesn’t want to start a family and then tear it apart if she is that unhappy that she cannot stay with her husband. The book is divided into three parts with alternating chapters between Cass and Jonathan. There were quite a bit of repetitive thoughts, a lot of talking about what might happen, what could happen, what should happen but yet not much happen. I struggle to connect with anyone in the story. Cass seemed to want the separation but then didn’t want Jonathan to find any happiness without her. Jonathan was a pushover. He couldn’t make Cass stay but yet gave in to every request she made without pushing for what he wanted. The premise of the story was interesting and the ending was predictable. I couldn’t not finish the book once I started reading because I had to know if Cass and Jonathan actually ended up together but it was slow reading for me.
    • 4/5
      My Review of “The Intermission” by Elyssa Friedland Berkley Publishing July 3, 2018Elyssa Friedland , Author of “The Intermission” has written a unique, honest, emotional, and intriguing novel about marriage. Is it any wonder that deep secrets can cause trouble in relationships, and become something much bigger than they originally were? I appreciate that Elyssa Friedland has explored secrets, problems of communication, and questions of marriage. The Genres for this story are Fiction and Women’s Fiction. The timeline for this story is in the present and goes to the past when it pertains to the characters and events in the story. The story is told in alternating points of view from the two main characters.The author describes her characters as complex and complicated. After being married six years, Cass and Jonathan Coyne are about to start having a family. Both characters come very different backgrounds, and dysfunctional families. Jonathan seems relatively happy with Cass and his dog, and is in shock when Cass tells Jonathan that she needs time out or an”intermission” from their marriage. Cass questions if they really know each other. Both have deep secrets that they have not told one another.The couple take this “intermission” with little contact, except for the custodial arrangements of their dog. During this sixth month period, both characters taste their freedom, and try to adapt.I love that the author discusses the importance of communication, honest and loyalty. Is anything perfect.? Shouldn’t one face the problems of their past so they can move forward? I highly recommend this thought-provoking novel to those readers of Fiction and Women’s Fiction. I received an ARC from NetGalley for my honest review.
    • 3/5
      Cass and Jonathan may have come from different backgrounds but fate brought them together-twice. Blissfully married and writing down bets how long they think the newlyweds will last at weddings, things are going well. Or so it seemed. Secrets build into the shape of an elephant in the room and Cass demands a six-month intermission from their marriage. Can they work through the secrets or has their marriage crumbled?The Intermission is told in alternating narratives flipping from Cass to Jonathan by chapter. This created two timelines which helped with the pace of the book, however, made the supporting characters' identities (and significance) confusing. Furthermore, neither Cass nor Jonathan are characters of integrity. They are both equally entitled, immature, manipulative, and narcissistic. Their characters do not develop throughout the book and the ending was irritating to me because it felt like their behaviors were excused without consequence. Additionally, the book seems to gloss over the importance of communication and mental health. On the other hand, the book is very well paced and it was easy to read quickly. The environments of Los Angeles and New York City helped distinguish the plotlines and the (albeit grandiose) "Puddles exchanges" helped with direction. I also did appreciate the several surprises sprinkled throughout the story.For those who may be triggered or offended, there were graphic sexual scenarios, foul language, divorce, miscarriage, graphic violence, cancer, and infidelity.Please note: an electronic copy of this book was generously provided through the Penguin Random House First To Read Program in exchange for an honest review.
    • 3/5
      I was very interested in this story line but it actually kind of fell flat. Cass is a very unlikable person and Jonathan has no backbone. The secrets they both held were really not that interesting. It was an alright read but seemed to miss that something to really keep me hooked.

      I received a copy of this arc in exchange for my honest review.
    • 3/5
      3 1/5 stars for this quick read. After 5 years of marriage Cass asks for an ‘Intermission’ from Her marriage to Jonathan. Marriage is hard, but these 2 seem so not ready for it. Secrets before going in and secrets in the marriage. I really could not relate to either and couldn’t root for either. But, it’s a fast paced read, great for beach, or snowy winter day.

      I received an ARC from Greats Thoughts Reading Ninja Team. All opinions are my own.