Goodreads description:
A poignant, charming novel about a crime that never took place, a would-be bank robber who disappears into thin air, and eight extremely anxious strangers who find they have more in common than they ever imagined
Looking at real estate isn’t usually a life-or-death situation, but an apartment open house becomes just that when a failed bank robber bursts in and takes a group of strangers hostage. The captives include a recently retired couple who relentlessly hunt down fixer-uppers to avoid the painful truth that they can’t fix up their own marriage. There’s a wealthy banker who has been too busy making money to care about anyone else and a young couple who are about to have their first child but can’t seem to agree on anything, from where they want to live to how they met in the first place. Add to the mix an eighty-seven-year-old woman who has lived long enough not to be afraid of someone waving a gun in her face, a flustered but still-ready-to-make-a-deal real estate agent, and a mystery man who has locked himself in the apartment’s only bathroom, and you’ve got the worst group of hostages in the world.
Each of them carries a lifetime of grievances, hurts, secrets, and passions that are ready to boil over. None of them is entirely who they appear to be. And all of them—the bank robber included—desperately crave some sort of rescue. As the authorities and the media surround the premises, these reluctant allies will reveal surprising truths about themselves and set in a motion a chain of events so unexpected that even they can hardly explain what happens next.
Humorous, compassionate, and wise, Anxious People is an ingeniously constructed story about the enduring power of friendship, forgiveness, and hope—the things that save us, even in the most anxious of times.
Helen says: 🤓🤓🤓🤓
Dry funny and enjoyable – this book was hilarious. Anxious People had a lot of characters and took a few chapters to get into the meat of the story. Once I got past that, I was hooked. Readers note: whatever you do, DON’T download this book on audible! Listening to the shrill voice of the narrator is like being stuck in an existential hell- No exit! Will she ever shut up? Do READ it though!!
Holly says: 🤓🤓🤓🤓3/4
The feel good book of the year! I LOVED this book! A little slow to start, but what a great ride. Quirky, funny, surprising and full of wonderful characters. The ultimate “things are not what they seem” story, and full of wonderful life messages. I would love for Fredrik, his wife, the elk and the frog to come to our house to celebrate the holidays, joy and life in general. 2020 needs a read like this one – it will make you smile and chuckle out loud.
Helen and Holly Hit the Books 