A Window Opens by Elisabeth Egan | Rating: ★★★★☆ (4.5)

As a note, an e-galley of this novel was sent to me via NetGalley by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not effect my opinions in any way.

A Window Opens is one of the best fiction releases I’ve had the pleasure of reading in all of 2015. It’s warm, it’s got humor and is overall a thoughtful debut by Elisabeth Egan, who’s writing is easy to fall into and in it delivers us a vivid picture with rich descriptions, alive characters and varying opinions filled with plenty of tension and room for growth.

There’s something inspirational and real about this story and its ordinary backdrop. It reminds us that struggling through work and home is complicated and that it’s also okay to ask for help every now and again.

Its opinionated characters, with their struggles that are real and deep, it has its heartbreaking moments and all the while remains a fast read perfect for a day off in the sun. Elisabeth does a fantastic job at incorporating plenty into her plots without becoming overbearing or drawn out, balancing out everything in a way that will delight readers thoroughly.


Plenty of references towards other literary releases also spring up from time and nods at relatable issues and current/past events. We have an ordinary family who is about to face financial struggles when our narrator, Alice’s husband leaves behind his job and she must take on the role of the breadwinner in their family.

Egan manages gracefully to shed light on the thoughts of a fictional working woman who must balance motherhood, caring for her parents and husband, struggling tension her new job may take out on her friend and a career. A Window Opens is a tale of mundane, ordinary, everyday life and its moments but is a far cry from being boring.

In fact, it was an absolute delight to read and made me think about a lot of things upon finishing. It was just so good and I can see it striking the same chord for many others because it’s easy to escape into but it’s also so real, it feels as if it’s playing out for you; happening to you.

It’s impossible not to like Alice and the way she ticks; she is thoughtful and humorous and still learning how to live her life. She’s absolutely kickass in the motherly, supportive way that simply does not get the credit it deserves. I really, really enjoyed getting to know her.

And her kids, and her family.

There’s so much warmth and likeability to this book that I can’t properly express myself. You’ll know the second you pick it up and begin your journey; it’s definitely something I’d recommend to any woman out there. A Window Opens is the perfect summer read, it’s the perfect any time read. And how CUTE is this little babies cover art?

I have a feeling I will be giving away a copy or two in the near future…