The Courage to Try

This sophomore effort from Popovich (Edge of Awareness) brings to mind a collection of interesting ideas jotted on index cards and then shuffled repeatedly. Veterinarian Jaylin Meyers has just joined a practice in Novi, Mich., and is assigned Kristen Eckert as her vet tech. Jaylin is a product of the foster system and is recovering from an ugly breakup with an abusive lover; Kristen is immersed in the downward spiral of her father’s dementia. Neither woman wants a relationship, but inevitably, they are drawn into one. They repeatedly bond over sick animals, reject each other over minor incidents, make peace at horse shows, and agree to be friends over restaurant meals. Backstory is kicked up in the process, but there’s no plot as such. Though the setup is appealing, the women remain little more than therapists’ case notes on intimacy issues. (Oct.)