Review of "Wreck" by Katy Regnery
Isn’t it a marvelous surprise when a book resonates so deeply that it feels like the pages are echoing your life? That’s exactly what happened to me while diving into Katy Regnery’s newest release, Wreck. Having enjoyed her debut adult novel, We All Want Impossible Things, and now ready to explore the follow-up to Sandwich, my anticipation was sky-high—especially since I snagged two free copies for my Little Free Library from Good Morning America’s Book Club!
Wreck picks up a few years after the events of Sandwich, plunging us back into the chaotic life of Rocky, our main character. Even if you jump right into this sequel without reading its predecessor, you’ll find yourself entangled in this whirlwind of family drama and introspective challenges. I made sure to read Sandwich first, knowing it would enhance my understanding of Rocky and her journey.
Here’s where the concept of déjà vu struck hard for me. Rocky is faced with health issues that lead her into the world of medical tests and specialists, mirroring my own challenging year as I navigated health concerns that felt all too familiar. The anxiety, the uncertainty, and yes, that nagging tendency to self-diagnose via the internet made Wreck an eerily relatable experience. I couldn’t help but chuckle at the line, “Yikes! I like to be special, but not in this exact way,” as my personal experience with a County Tumor Board had me feeling like everyone was just as fascinated with my ailments as they were with Rocky’s.
Regnery’s knack for capturing emotional upheaval shines as we get to know Rocky’s family—the whirlwind of her aging father, her adult children, and her husband, Nick. Each character grapples with Rocky’s health journey in their own way, leading to both chaotic and humorous interactions. I found myself laughing, groaning, and feeling a wave of empathy as their stories unfolded.
At just 210 pages, Wreck is a pretty quick read. The pacing is brisk, which, while sometimes leaving me yearning for more depth, also generated a sense of urgency that mirrored Rocky’s own emotional rollercoaster. Regnery’s conversational style is engaging; you can almost envision the characters sitting in your living room, bickering and bantering, capturing real family dynamics both irritating and endearing.
One line from Regnery stuck with me: “Wreck is about Rocky’s kind of compulsion to take care of everybody and the way she’s torn between having this robust life of her own and her really intense caregiving.” This speaks volumes to anyone who has ever found themselves in a position of caretaking, and I suspect that many readers will relate.
In conclusion, I’m thrilled to add Wreck to my collection and encourage others to pick it up—especially those who appreciate stories tinged with humor and authenticity amidst chaos. Whether you’ve faced similar health trials or just enjoy a good family drama, you’ll find warmth and wit in these pages. For anyone seeking a book that reflects the messy reality of caregiving and the complexities of familial bonds, I wholeheartedly recommend Wreck.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐½
If you’re curious about We All Want Impossible Things or Sandwich, you can check out my past reviews linked below. Happy reading!
We All Want Impossible Things Review
Sandwich Review
The Lost Art of Dying Review