Synopsis
Sasha has had it. She cannot bring herself to respond to another inane, “urgent” (but obviously not at all urgent) email or participate in the corporate employee joyfulness program. She hasn’t seen her friends in months. Sex? Seems like a lot of effort. Even cooking dinner takes far too much planning. Sasha has hit a wall.
Armed with good intentions to drink kale smoothies, try yoga, and find peace, she heads to the seaside resort she loved as a child. But it’s the off season, the hotel is in a dilapidated shambles, and she has to share the beach with the only other a grumpy guy named Finn, who seems as stressed as Sasha. How can she commune with nature when he’s sitting on her favorite rock, watching her? Nor can they agree on how best to alleviate their burnout).
When curious messages, seemingly addressed to Sasha and Finn, begin to appear on the beach, the two are forced to talk—about everything. How did they get so burned out? Can either of them remember something they used to love? (Answer: surfing!) And the question they try and fail to ignore: what does the energy between them—flaring even in the face of their bone-deep exhaustion—signify?
Rating
★★★★
Thoughts
The Burnout is a light, feel-good book. I selected it through my Aardvark Book Club subscription, and I am so happy that I did. While my goal was to read as many black or witchy books as possible this month, a mood reader needs some variety, and this book fit the bill.
Sasha is an entertaining character whom I could relate to. What woman hasn’t been super frazzled or considered visiting the nearest nunnery to seek a solution for her lovelorn life? I really enjoyed Sasha’s sense of humor as she worked on regrouping after a stressful job situation. Her relationship with Finn was a fun, slow-burn one. And don’t get me started about the adorable hotel staff who truly rolled out the red carpet for Sasha with utter devotion. They were my favorite! There were even cozy mystery vibes thrown in, and it all worked together to provide a happy story with some depth.
Question
What do you do to de-stress?