If you were here

By Jen Lancaster

Subjects: Remodelling, Women authors, Marriage, nyt:hardcover-fiction=2011-05-22, Fiction, family life, general, Dwellings, Remodeling, Marriage, fiction, New York Times bestseller, Authors, fiction, Fiction, Chicago (ill.), fiction, Suburbs

Description: "If You Were Here follows Amish-zombie-teen- romance author Mia and her husband Mac (and their pets) through the alternately frustrating, exciting, terrifying-but always funny-process of buying and renovating their first home in the Chicago suburbs that John Hughes's movies made famous. Along their harrowing renovation journey, Mia and Mac get caught up in various wars with the homeowners' association, meet some less-than-friendly neighbors, and are joined by a hilarious cast of supporting characters, including a celebutard ex- landlady. As they struggle to adapt to their new surroundings- with Mac taking on the renovations himself- Mia and Mac will discover if their marriage is strong enough to survive months of DIY renovations"--Amazon.com.