Lori L. Schafer

This story is exactly what its title suggests: a story about sex, beer, and middle age. The headline implies a light, fun, romantic and possibly humorous novel, and it's really what the novel is trying to be; but unfortunately it's a lot easier to describe as simply a story in which the main characters have lots of sex, drink lots of beer, and are approaching middle age.
There actually are cute and fun moments, but they are pretty rare among the endless chatter which is bothersome, iterative and far more telling than showing. The main relationship in the book, of Kate and Michael's, evolves over the span of six years and more, and despite its potential for depth, largely due to its length and many metamorphoses, remains talked-about, and not actually felt. The changes over the course of those years are sometimes superficial, such as changes in apartments and scenery, and only seldom in the essence of the relationship.
Nevertheless, there are good things to say in favor of this book. It's honest, it doesn't fear to face deep fears like getting old, and keeping young at spirit when getting old; its open, direct and no-nonsense attitude towards sex is both fun and refreshing; and here and there one can spot a nice touch such as reflections of first and last meetings, or interesting sides to generous, clever and all in all original characters.… (mehr)