Book Review: The Seven Month Itch

Reviewed by Kristine Eckart

A salacious rom-com that will have you on the edge of your seat for multiple reasons

Portraying the ups and downs of marriage and the importance of recognizing your own truths, Tanvier Peart’s romance novel, The Seven Month Itch, combines the steaminess of a Bridgerton novel with the love of a Hallmark movie.

Justice, newly and heartbreakingly separated from her husband, is coerced into attending a singles retreat with her best friend Emma in Colorado. Although Justice isn’t quite ready to get back on the dating scene, she goes along with the forced activities until she spots the last people she wants to see: her soon-to-be ex-husband Terrence and his philandering friend Miles.  

Terrence implores Justice to talk things out with him in hopes of fixing their marriage or at least ending it civilly. A few times during the retreat, it seems like they might. Then Madison, one of Terrence’s colleagues and clients, enters the scene, and all romantic mayhem ensues. Justice begins to explore a relationship with dreamy Preston while Terrence hangs out with Madison too. 

Will Justice and Terrence go through with the divorce? And if they get back together, will they be able to trust each other enough to get the life they’ve always dreamed of? And what roles will best friends Emma and Miles play in all this?

“You’re hurt. He’s hurt. You both lost so much, and you haven’t properly healed.”

The Seven Month Itch has lots of titillating talk and steamy sex scenes. The sex is not overly cheesy, uncomfortable, or trope-y but includes passion and tension and the excitement of gotta-have-it-now sexy moments in surprising locations.

As fun and sexy as all the scandalous scenes are, my favorite part is the profusion of pop culture references. From Law & Order to Hallmark movies like Jodie Sweetin’s Merry & Bright, to The Real Housewives and the music of Mariah Carey and Sara McLachlan, this book alludes to so many major movies and TV shows that it would make the famous pop culture queens, the Gilmore Girls, proud. Little details that only devoted fans would know, like the trendiness of shiplap on HGTV, show up in inner dialogue moments that are often unexpected and made me chuckle out loud. 

“Holy shiplap! I died and went to HGTV heaven.”

If you’re looking for something to spice up your love life or your everyday life, look no further than this entertaining trip through what makes a marriage last.

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