“Jointly, the narrators reveal people struggling to make room for present and future dreams while boxed in by their irrevocable histories. Hite voices this contradiction with aplomb as hitman-with-a-conscience Cooper Franklin. Tamara, a scientist questioning whether she ever truly knew her late husband and haunted by an earlier family tragedy, is voiced with credible intelligence by Ojo. Finally, as Cindy, whose past is the key to one of Cooper's kills, Tusing evokes sympathy for someone who just wants to put her imperfections behind her but can't. An entertaining drama that benefits from the use of multiple narrators, rendering separate plotlines distinct.”—Library Journal

“C. J. Washington’s Imperfect Lives is an absorbing, cleverly plotted literary thriller that reveals a shocking connection between two strangers after an artist-cum-hit man’s deathbed confession. Washington keeps masterful control of the psychological tension throughout the novel, twisting the narratives into a taut and unforgettable ending.”—Chris Cander, author of A Gracious Neighbor

“A quiet study in how long of a shadow the unfinished business of the past can throw. Methodically, we see the lengths people go to maintain the appearance of a normal existence despite the truth being entirely different. The dialogue and step by step revelations of each character’s backstory drew me in. An engaging, provocative read.”—Colleen van Niekerk, author of A Conspiracy of Mothers