This is a sweet, lovely and engaging story about Esme Nash, who moves to New York City seven years after she had planned to move there with her college boyfriend, Liam. Before graduating college, Esme and Liam had found an apartment and landed jobs in New York City. Just a day or two before Esme graduated college, a family tragedy derails her plans. Esme moves home to Rochester, NY to care for her injured father, and sends Liam on to the city without her. Now, seven years have passed, and Esme has the freedom to leave Northwestern New York. She accepts a one-month job taking care of Elvis, a small white pup, while Elvis’ owner, Lauren, is in rehab.
Esme loves designer shoes, and she discovers a hidden closet in Lauren’s Greenwich Village apartment. This closet is filled with every kind of designer shoe, and serendipitously, Esme and Lauren have the same shoe size. When Lauren calls to check in on Elvis, there is a tiny misunderstanding in which Esme believes that Lauren gives her full permission to wear any of the coveted, high-fashion shoes. Each chapter in the book is named after a pair of shoes, and the chapter details what Esme is up to while wearing those shoes.
Esme makes the most of her month in New York City, making new friends and reconnecting with Liam, her college boyfriend, who is still living in New York City. Esme is determined to make things right with Liam; she has felt guilty about the hurtful way she ended their relationship after graduation. Esme struggles in many ways with trying to put her past behind her, while also seeking answers and closure to some painful memories. Esme’s friendship with elderly Sy, whom she meets at a dog park, is utterly charming and delightful.
I read this book after one of my favorite authors recommended it, and I enjoyed it. It is not amazing, but the author does a good job of taking us through Esme’s journey of healing and growth after tragedy. I am only slightly interested in designer heels, but I do love high-end sneakers, so I could relate to Esme’s joy in discovering the shoe closet and choosing the right shoes to fit her moods and daily schedule. The friendships that Esme makes are the best part of the book, and Sy teaching Esme some Yiddish expressions is endearing. I recommend this book as a sweet but deeper-than-expected summer read.