Nine Perfect Strangers by Liane Moriarty

Nine people gather at a remote health resort. Some are here to lose weight, some are here to get a reboot on life, some are here for reasons they can’t even admit to themselves. Amidst all of the luxury and pampering, the mindfulness and meditation, they know these ten days might involve some real work. But none of them could imagine just how challenging the next ten days are going to be.

Frances Welty, the formerly best-selling romantic novelist, arrives at Tranquillum House nursing a bad back, a broken heart, and an exquisitely painful paper cut. She’s immediately intrigued by her fellow guests. Most of them don’t look to be in need of a health resort at all. But the person that intrigues her most is the strange and charismatic owner/director of Tranquillum House. Could this person really have the answers Frances didn’t even know she was seeking? Should Frances put aside her doubts and immerse herself in everything Tranquillum House has to offer – or should she run while she still can?

It’s not long before every guest at Tranquillum House is asking exactly the same question.

REVIEW:
Nine Perfect Strangers was an interesting read. Learning more about why each of these nine characters found themselves at this spa/resort engaging in a wellness program was a lovely microcosm of society. The way these stories slowly unfolded was masterfully handled, and each seemed perfectly realistic despite the somewhat overdrawn nature of the problems they faced. This isn't really a thriller, it's more a coming of age story despite the fact that the majority of the characters are already adults. Oddly intriguing, this at times trenchant look at the self-help industry nevertheless delivers a series of happy endings that satisfy the reader. 4 stars.