Young married couple Claudia and Jeremy are on the cusp of "having it all"--she with her promising first film as screenwriter, and he with his band's album about to come out "any day now." And then-----it all falls apart, taking a toll on every aspect of their relationship. Their home, the return of his former lover (an artist), their finances, you name it. The relationship issues sound familiar, and true to life, and are made interesting by the setting of the rich and famous folks in Los Angeles and the film industry. References to a housing boom and financial crisis also sound familiar. Most of the main characters are pretty well developed, with some minor players thrown in. Claudia and Jeremy both make some bad decisions, but I identified with her. Things wrap up a little too neatly at the end. ( )

An excellent novel about our times. Claudia and Jeremy, caught up in the momentum of the "gimme, gimme" generation, buy a house they cannot afford only to realize once the interest rate adjusts, their nascent marriage begins to flounder. Jeremy, in possession of an original painting his now famous ex-lover Aoki gave to him, refuses to sell the half-million dollar masterpiece that could pay off their mortgage and sustain their lifestyle. Instead, Claudia takes a teaching job at a private school and allows Jeremy the freedom to continue producing music. Only the band members of Audiophone decide to go their separate ways, leaving Jeremy lost and confused. Claudia sacrifices both her job and her reputation as a director of artistic movies in a morally bankrupt attempt to salvage both her ideals and her marriage. Finally, in an act of rebellion and desperation, Jeremy abandons Claudia and returns to Aoki, who promises an unfettered life of sex, drugs and rock n' roll throughout the world.

Janelle Brown knows the depths of the human heart. THIS IS WHERE WE LIVE explores the morally challenging times of an interconnected world where easy-come, easy-goes leaves an entire generation searching for direction about who they are and what they value and the choices they must make to obtain their idealistic goals. A great novel about facing our fears, delaying gratification, embracing hard work, and the genuine price paid for true love, including the sacrifices needed to thrive.

Janelle Brown is the Dickens of our time. A must read for everyone! ( )

A modern day story about a young couple Claudia, an aspiring musician, and Jeremy a musician trying to put together a single with his band. But what happens when the first movie is not a commercial success, and commitments of work. marriage and family force the band to break up. The mortgage on the house cannot be paid and Claudia must take a teaching job to make ends meet.. To what levels with Claudia succumb when she discovers that a famous fim director has a daughter in her class. She wants this fim career so much. And for Jeremy the issue is an old flame who appears on the scene again, and tempts him with a much more exciting life. Not a bad read. Bored me in parts and didn't quite hang together for me but it dealt with relevant issues. Worth a read. ( )

Interesting intersection about life, comittment, growing up and older, morals, dreams and being an adult.

Jeremy - an aspiring musician in an indie band, and Claudia - an first time movie director--just bought a house in the LA suburbs. The house becomes a noose around their neck -- her first movie a flop,his band is breaking up -- and they need to figure out what to do to keep in from forclosure. ( )

Always nice when a second book tops the first novel. The people were so interesting and the choice/issues/situation so very much in keeping with today.
Will make my top 10 list for 2010