Book Review: Spinstered (the Novel) by Sharyn Kopf

Three friends. Three stories. Three women trying to figure out how they ended up over 40 and still single.

Committed to her job and pushing fifty, Catie Delaney has almost given up on her dream of love and marriage. Maybe, she tells herself, she’d be happier just embracing her singleness. Maybe that’s been God’s will all along.

Catie’s friends, Jolene and Uli, have their own struggles with men, careers, and family.

Then into this mix of feminine angst walks Brian Kemper—the latest GWP (Guy With Potential) to join their church’s singles group. But just as something seems about to happen between him and Catie, her world falls apart.

With their hearts on the line, these three friends search for hope … and find it in unexpected places.

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This was a frustrating book to read – not because it was badly written, but because I think the author has a firm grasp on the struggles of Christian singles and it’s a somewhat depressing state. Spinstered looks at the lives of three singles – Catie (46), Uli (39), and Jolene (I don’t remember her exact age, but she’s mid- to late-30s). Each woman has her own hang-ups as she struggles to justify her faith with her later-in-life singleness.

I struggled to read this book because it broke my heart to know that there are women (and probably men) out there who have the same misunderstanding of God, marriage, and what it means to be happy. I couldn’t put this book down, though, because their stories really grabbed my attention. As a fan of the HEA (happily-ever-after) I would have enjoyed a slightly different ending, but I was also able to rejoice with some of the characters as they finally heard from God. (I’m trying to be very careful about what I say so I don’t spoil the ending!)

Overall, I liked this book. Though it deals with romantic relationships, it’s really not a romance novel – it’s more of a mid-life coming-of-age story. If you’re looking for a Hallmark movie, this isn’t for you. If you’re looking for a more realistic look at the heart of a single Christian female, I would encourage you to pick this up.

*I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.