Book Review: You Were There Too by Colleen Oakley

You Were There Too
By: Colleen Oakley 
Published: January 7, 2020
Publisher: Berkley
Source: Audible Purchase

Mia Graydon's life looks picket-fence perfect; she has the house, her loving husband, and dreams of starting a family. But she has other dreams too — unexplained, recurring ones starring the same man. Still, she doesn’t think much of them, until a relocation to small-town Pennsylvania brings her face to face with the stranger she has been dreaming about for years. And this man harbors a jaw-dropping secret of his own—he's been dreaming of her too. 

Determined to understand, Mia and this not-so-stranger search for answers. But when diving into their pasts begins to unravel her life in the present, Mia emerges with a single question—what if? 

Acclaimed author Colleen Oakley delivers a heart-wrenching and unforgettable love story about a woman who must choose between the man she loves and the man fate has chosen for her in a novel that reminds us that the best life is one led by the heart.

 

My Thoughts:

Mia and Harrison have a good marriage. They love each other, but like any couple they have their ups and downs. Mia wants a baby more than anything, but has known great pain after suffering two miscarriages. These two move from the big city to a small town where Harrison is a doctor, and Mia is trying be successful with her paintings.  Mia has had vivid and reoccurring dreams of a man she doesn't know. Imagine her shock, when she sees this man in real life.  His name is Oliver, and fate keeps bringing him into her life.  Mia can't believe it when Oliver confesses that he's been dreaming of her too.  What could be the reason for their mutual dreaming of one another?

You Were There Too was a novel with a unique and intriguing premise.  It started out a little slow, but took off once Oliver entered the picture.  I enjoyed the mystery behind the dreams, and trying to guess their purpose.  I loved the way the author kept me on my toes, and gave me a thoroughly unpredictable ending.  Things did not turn out the way I thought they would.  The ending broke my heart and had me in tears, but also offered an open-ended ray of hope.  I have never read a story like this, and really enjoy when an author can deliver something that I've never seen done before. I found it refreshing, creative, and original.

This story tugged on my emotions, and was done in an authentic, and very realistic manner.  This was my book club's pick for June, and I am so glad that I discovered and read this book through them.  If you are fascinated by dreams, and are looking for an original and unique storyline, that is unpredictable, I recommend you check out, You Were There Too; but fair warning, have tissues nearby!

Purchase At:

Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Google Play | IndieBound

About the Author:

Colleen Oakley’s novels have been named best books by People Magazine, Us Weekly, Library Journal, and Real Simple, and both were long-listed for the Pat Conroy Southern Book Prize. Formerly the editor-in-chief of Women’s Health & Fitness and senior editor of Marie Claire, her articles and essays have been featured in The New York Times, Ladies’ Home Journal, Women’s Health, Redbook, Parade, Marie Claire and Martha Stewart Weddings. She lives in Atlanta with her husband, four kids and the world's biggest lapdog, Bailey. Her fourth novel THE INVISIBLE HUSBAND OF FRICK ISLAND will be published by Berkley/Penguin in summer 2021.

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Book Review: Echoes Between Us by Katie McGarry

Echoes Between Us
By: Katie McGarry
Release Date: January 14, 2020
Publisher: Tor Teen
Add to Goodreads
Source: eARC from the publisher in exchange for a honest review

Book Synopsis:

Echoes Between Us is bestselling author Katie McGarry’s breakout teen contemporary novel about a girl with everything to lose and the boy who will do anything to save her. 

Veronica sees ghosts. More specifically, her mother's ghost. The afterimages of blinding migraines caused by the brain tumor that keeps her on the fringes and consumes her whole life haunt her, even as she wonders if it's something more... 

Golden boy Sawyer is handsome and popular, a state champion swimmer, but his adrenaline addiction draws him to Veronica. 

A girl with nothing to live for and a boy with everything to lose--can they conquer their demons together?

 

My Thoughts:

Echoes Between Us is a raw, riveting, and beautiful story.  It broke my heart and put it back together again by offering bright rays of hope. I went through a lot of tissues, as Veronica and Sawyer's journey felt authentic, was relatable, and extremely moving. Even as Katie McGarry is one of my favorite authors, this story exceeded my expectations.  

It was multilayered, and had so many elements that I enjoy in a favorite read.  Echoes Between Us had such a rich and colorful cast of characters, serious topics that kept me engaged, a plot that held my attention and kept me guessing how everything would end, and a story so rich in friendship and unconditional love.

Veronica was a character with a lot of heart.  She marched to the beat of her own drum, and was courageous when it came to being true to herself, even though it made her an outcast among her peers.  

She had a wonderful tribe of friends, and I loved how dedicated, loyal, and caring they were towards one another.  Even though this story is a standalone, I was excited to recognize beloved characters Jesse, Scarlett, and Glory from Only a Breath Apart.  I hope Nazareth gets his own story next, because he was one of my favorite characters.

From outside appearances Sawyer had an easy life.  He was popular, and an accomplished swimmer.  Both Veronica and Sawyer were hurting and going through their own private struggles.  We get the dual perspectives of Veronica and Sawyer, as well as snippets of a diary from a girl that had Tuberculosis in the 1900's; which tied in to an important life lesson. 

There were paranormal elements in the story that touched on ghosts and hauntings, which I loved.  There was an air of mystery throughout the story as I tried to figure out certain things, and I loved how the story kept me guessing.

The ending of the story was spectacular and really touched my heart.  In less you can't tell, I loved this story and highly recommend it.  If you are looking for a multi-layered story that is unique, has an amazing cast of characters, and will both break your heart, and mend it, check out Echoes Between Us!

Purchase At:

Amazon | Barnes and Noble 
 IndieBound | Google Play | Book Depository 

About the Author:

KATIE MCGARRY was a teenager during the age of grunge and boy bands and remembers those years as the best and worst of her life. She is a lover of music, happy endings, and reality television, and is a secret University of Kentucky basketball fan. 

Katie would love to hear from her readers. Contact her via her website, katielmcgarry.com, follow her on Twitter @KatieMcGarry, or become a fan on Facebook and Goodreads.

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