Perfection is Julie Metz's reflection on what happens next, after her comfortable life is turned upside down when her husband Henry drops dead of a heart attack on their kitchen floor. As the days, weeks, and months after Henry's death unfold, Julie struggles to keep it together, for herself and her daughter, while finding her way through this new life.

Cassandra Campbell's narration of Julie's story is soothing and calm, giving the words an almost seductive feel. There are many characters in this book, and Campbell does a great job differentiating them with a slight accent or just a hardening of her voice. Her characterization of Julie's young daughter Liza is particularly compelling, really making her stand out from all the adults in the book. Campbell's performance is never overdone, and all the people from a variety of countries that Julie encounters are brought to life effortlessly.

Julie's first tentative steps down the path to recovery are shrouded in grief and self-doubt. An affair with Tomas, a close friend, distracts her momentarily from her loss, but her world comes crashing down once again when she learns of the late Henry's repeated infidelities, particularly with Kathy, one of her close friends.

Fueled by anger and hurt, Julie begins to unravel Henry's past, getting a picture of his relationship with Kathy and its curious similarities to her own marriage. Digging further, she discovers the kind of man Henry truly was both to her and his other women. In her quest to uncover Henry's true personality, Julie embarks on a journey of self-discovery, turning inward, wondering who she is now without her husband. Slowly, while she begins to rebuild her life with a new love, Julie rediscovers her sense of self and finally begins to heal.

While Julie Metz's story of lost love and infidelity is compelling and tragic with obvious emotion, her effort in sharing her experience is almost too much. The writing tends to wander all over the place with no detail, large or small, left out. Coupled with the large number of people involved in Julie's journey, the events can be difficult to follow as they unfold, but Campbell's narration makes the best of the material, providing an engaging listen. Lesley Grossman