Have you ever heard the theory that we are all separated from everyone else in the world by fewer then six steps or degrees? Well that's really the underlying theme in this story. We meet four different characters from 1970's Alaska- Ruth, Dora, Alyce and Hank. They each live different lives but as they are all struck by either tragedy, luck, love or salvation their stories and lives become intertwined. 

I have to admit when I first started reading this last night I put it down after the second chapter because I wasn't getting into it. I think it was probably just the mood I was in because when I picked it back up today I fell right into it. It's not a fast paced story though - it builds slowly with gradual reveals along the way which I think worked rather well.  I loved the Alaska backdrop and I think the author did a great job of portraying the characters and the small town way of life. It's not a light read though and it will tug on your heartstrings! 

Reasons why I read the book: Title + cover + setting + time period.

Reasons why I loved the book: Feels + characters + great relationships + diversity

The Smell of Other People’s Houses is actually not about some weird person that goes around sniffing other people's houses. It is a profound book about families, relationships and the interconnectedness of a community.

I don’t usually like multiple point of views and while I think some of the transitions between them could have been neater, I actually liked all of the characters and enjoyed being inside their minds. The characters don’t have much in common besides the community they are part of/will become a part of and don’t even really hang out with each other, but the way their stories interwine is amazing.

This may seem like a feel-good book but it really isn’t. It’s heartbreaking. 3 out of 4 of the main characters come from heartbreaking backgrounds and their journey to finding a place within this community isn’t easy.

Ruth has to deal with teen pregnancy and this constant feeling of not being loved. Dora is trying to escape from her awful home and although she has found a new, loving family, she cannot embrace them because she still thinks it’s too good to be true. Hank runs away from home with his brothers to give them a new beginning, but he loses one of his brothers. Alyce on the other hand is just trying to find a place in her own family. Her parents got divorced and summer is the only time she gets to see her father so she is torn between wanting to stay with him and following her dreams.

Things do wrap up a little too easily at the end of the book but it did not keep me from enjoying the nice warmness this book brings about when these characters find their place and begin to understand the world in a way they hadn’t before.

I would recommend this book to everyone that wants to cuddle up with a book on a cold winter night that will warm them up as much as any cup of hot cocoa.

Shout out to my Public Library for lending me this copy for review purposes!