Book Share
Out of Play (2021) by Joy Norstrom
“So, Gillian, I’m hearing you say you aren’t happy. Correct?”
Dr. Celeste Torres, my therapist for all of forty-five minutes, looked at me over the top of her purple reading glasses. The designer frames balanced on the tip of her nose, and I had an urge to reach over and push them up. I held myself back.
Surely the crossroads I found myself at were more complex than simply not being happy, but I nodded anyway. “Correct.”
‘ It’s been fifteen years of marriage and the threads holding Gillian and Ralph together are wearing thin. So thin, Gillian isn’t sure it’s worth holding on.
She’s a professional musician and yoga enthusiast who enjoys a good latte. He’s a larper. Larp stands for Live Action Role Play and involves spending weekends chasing imaginary foes in costume.
Gillian seeks support from a therapist and is surprised when she’s encouraged to give Ralph’s hobby a try. “Who knows? It may make you smile. It may make you laugh. It may even improve your sex life. How terrible could it be?”
Gillian’s about to find out.
If larp doesn’t work a marital miracle, Gillian will be able to walk away knowing she tried absolutely everything before giving up. Will going on a role-play adventure heal Gillian’s marriage, or will the game shed light on everything that is wrong? ’
JOY NORSTROM is a Canadian coffee addict residing in Treaty 7 territory. She also happens to be the author of contemporary fiction novels that are long on humour and short on romance. She enjoys hiking with family, wine with friends, and reading late into the wee hours when she should be asleep.
A social worker by trade, Joy writes stories about lives in transition. Whether she is championing inclusion, parenting her kidlets, or popping into her local coffee shop, she can generally be found engaged in conversation. Why? She believes human connection and laughter keep her grounded in a muddled world.
You can connect with Joy at joynorstrom.ca
This charming contemporary novel was more emotionally complex than I expected it to be, given the book’s synopsis. I assumed it would be a lighthearted romantic comedy, full of fluff and hope and a happily-ever-after. Out of Play has moments of humour and fun, especially when Gillian—the MC—signs up to larp, but after reading it I put this story squarely in the drama category. The central conflict is quite serious.
Sadly, I can’t reveal the central conflict because I’d ruin the book. But I will tell you about Norstrom’s writing style, which is pleasantly readable, intelligent, and honest.
