My ex-life, by Stephen McCauley

And ex-wife.  Although this novel does read a bit like it is soon to be made into a motion picture, as others by the author evidently have been, it is a clever and insightful.  David Hedge’s comfortable life in the Bay Area has run into several roadblocks lately – the departure of his long-time boyfriend and the possible sale of his remarkably affordable and spacious carriage house with a view are just two of his problems.  He was briefly married to Julie Fiske when young, and is surprised to hear from her after many years.  His job is counselling high school students applying to colleges and Julie’s daughter, Mandy, is in dire need of help.  So, for that matter, is Julie – her husband has not only left her for another woman, but is demanding she either buy him out or sell their rambling and ramshackle house, which she is using as an illegal Airbnb.  She’s a mess and so is the house.  David, actually glad to have a reason to at least temporarily run away from his problems in San Francisco, offers to fly out to the Boston area, drive up to the resort town where she lives, and lend a hand. Meanwhile, Mandy, a moody and solitary girl, has fallen into an unsavory relationship with a local character.   324 pages later, things are better for all concerned.