I read the synopsis on the inside flap and wasn't sure if I was going to enjoy it, but I let the fact that it had a decent goodreads rating coupled with the fact that the author is well-known put it into my library bag.

The characters - oh, I loved the characters. I could have happily read a novel length book focused on any one of them. But the central premise felt SO contrived from the start, and every time the narrative returned to it I couldn't put that feeling aside.