Canadian author Jennifer Lieberman earned her degree in Philosophy from York University, Toronto, Canada and in addition to writing she is an actress, appearing in stage productions in Los Angeles, New York, Toronto, Europe and Australia, a film producer, screenwriter and playwright. She has gained a large audience for her solo show – “Year of the Slut” – from which this novel YEAR OF THE WHAT? is adapted. She has also published self help books – MAKE YOUR OWN BREAK (2 volumes), and appears on a YouTube vlog ‘I Never Thought I Would…” interviewing authors about pushing boundaries.
This arousing novel celebrates feminine sexuality through one of the most original adventures of self-discovery written. The primary character – Dana – is surviving her first romantic breakup and the manner in which she not only survives but prospers and grows makes for one of the strongest Chick Lit novels to surface in quite a while. Jennifer simply writes very well, able to compose situations and characters that are so real they seem like yesterday’s chat sharing!
The manner in which she opens the door to meet Dana indicates the power of her pen: ‘It was 10:38 p.m. on a Tuesday night in early December. Curled up, naked on the bed, soggy and drained. Alone in a cramped, dimly lit, boutique hotel in Manhattan, I sobbed. My stomach tight in knots, throat closed and skin clammy. Mascara running down my face, staining the crumpled white linens as the painted tear drops fell. I was still covered with Russell and strangled by one thought, choking on it, nauseous and gasping…my insides at a crossroads between implosion and volcanic eruption. My body shook as my thoughts wailed…”Who the f**k is Candice?” And in that stagy moment we discover Dana’s breakup with her four-year-old affair with Russell and Dana’s roommate Kelly flushes out the direction of the story.
The synopsis is a fine roadmap: ‘Year of the WHAT? is a romantic comedy that follows heartbroken and lonely 25-year-old Dana, who is six months off her first break-up and living the single life in New York City. A virgin once removed, she’s insecure and on the hunt for the one. Dana has only been with one man and hasn’t given herself a chance to explore her own curiosity. She feels ashamed of her desires, and keeps trying to squash them in order to be a ‘good girl’. Her roommate, Kelly, on the other hand, has none of Dana’s hang-ups. Kelly is unabashedly promiscuous, with an off the charts IQ and a full ride to NYU. But Kelly can’t stand the monotony of school, so she drops out to become a dominatrix and pursue an alternative lifestyle where she makes ‘lawyer money’ working in a dungeon in Chelsea. After months of searching in vain for Mr. Right, Kelly’s lust for life and insatiable quest for adventure finally rub off...Dana embarks on an outrageous adventure of sexual discovery where she finds her inner power and confidence, all while taking charge of her erotic exploration. Through her exploits Dana realizes she will never find what she is looking for, until she finds herself.’
YEAR OF THE WHAT? manages at once to be hilarious, empathetic, wise, introspective, and vastly entertaining. This may be Chick Lit, but guys will love it equally as much. Terrific entertainment from a very talented author! Grady Harp, July 21