Book Review: Neurotically Yours

Neurotically Yours by Bonnie Trachtenberg
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Title: Neurotically Yours
By: Bonnie Trachtenberg
Review By: Engelia McCullough

I’ve been to California but have never ventured into the world of LA. I’ve seen off many a friend now working in the chic city as actors and watched numerous episodes of The Millionaire Matchmaker but never stepped foot on secret LA ground. Nonetheless, Bonnie Trachtenberg immediately brings the reader into the material and youth obsessed world of LA County and the one thing that drives many people to its shores, the entertainment business. Neurotically Yours is a work of fiction that contains some comic relief and along the way a glimpse into what the new thirty-something looks like in a place where appearances mean everything.

The story follows the daily activities of relationship expert Dara Harrison who after being fired from her prestigious job at an LA paper finds herself at a loss. No girl is complete without her man pal, or pals, and this is what Dara has in Reggie and her next door neighbor, Jesse. Backed by her friends, Dara opens a new business that puts her on the front pages of every magazine and lands her a top spot on a number one talk show. Just when it seems that her business is doing well, Dara is confronted with several issues that make her question not only her passion for making matches but her own ability to find and keep love.

I don’t want to give away the whole story which is why I’ve left out some key character names. Trachtenberg does an excellent job of making something happen on every page. Toward the end of the story there is a lull as Dara fights her inner demons that slow the book down a bit but the storyline rebounds. Romantic comedy reads are not my preference but I was intrigued by the matchmaker idea given the current real life success of people like Patti Stranger. I found the book to be more in line with romance than comedy. There’s some comedic relief provided by Jesse and Reggie in terms of their character descriptions and actions. However, I would have liked to see more touchable comedy in the dialogue.

Overall, Neurotically Yours is a well-written piece of fiction that is clear, engaging and entertaining. Despite my usual preferences, I found myself loving the book and looking forward to time in my day when I could pick up the book.



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