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Between You and Us
When a grieving woman unexpectedly steps into a different outcome of her life, she must choose between the husband she loves and the daughter she lost in this brave, gripping novel.
Three lives. Two outcomes. One impossible choice.
Leona hopes enjoying a rare upscale meal with her husband David will help them begin learning how to live again after their shared tragedy. But when she crosses the threshold of the ridiculously romantic restaurant, she quickly realizes she doesn’t belong. It’s not only her thrifted dress or the menu printed in French, it’s all the clues pointing to the fact she’s in a different version of her life—the one where she and David accepted all the strings attached to his parent’s wealth and power. Instead of struggling to pay rent, she lives in a lavish home with working faucets. She’s no longer teaching English to high schoolers, but attending brunch with a bunch of high society busybodies (a.k.a. her mother-in-law).
Leona would put more effort into figuring out how to get home, but there’s one thing stealing all her a precious little girl with her green eyes and David’s curly hair. In this outcome of her life, her daughter Vera lived. Now, Leona must weigh the bitter and sweet of each world, choosing between the chance to be with Vera under the impossible expectations of her in-laws and distant husband, or the life altered by grief with the man she loves.
Three lives. Two outcomes. One impossible choice.
Leona hopes enjoying a rare upscale meal with her husband David will help them begin learning how to live again after their shared tragedy. But when she crosses the threshold of the ridiculously romantic restaurant, she quickly realizes she doesn’t belong. It’s not only her thrifted dress or the menu printed in French, it’s all the clues pointing to the fact she’s in a different version of her life—the one where she and David accepted all the strings attached to his parent’s wealth and power. Instead of struggling to pay rent, she lives in a lavish home with working faucets. She’s no longer teaching English to high schoolers, but attending brunch with a bunch of high society busybodies (a.k.a. her mother-in-law).
Leona would put more effort into figuring out how to get home, but there’s one thing stealing all her a precious little girl with her green eyes and David’s curly hair. In this outcome of her life, her daughter Vera lived. Now, Leona must weigh the bitter and sweet of each world, choosing between the chance to be with Vera under the impossible expectations of her in-laws and distant husband, or the life altered by grief with the man she loves.
320 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 12, 2024
About the author
Kendra Broekhuis
3 books119 followersKendra Broekhuis writes witty, emotional dramedies perfect for mood readers. As part of her day job, she drives four kids from one place to another in her minivan. She and her family live in Milwaukee. To get her latest writing updates, subscribe to her newsletter at http://www.kendrabroekhuis.com/newsle....
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 180 reviews
November 29, 2023
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The Storygraph and The Book Review Crew Blog
I’m stuck between you and us. You, my baby. Us, my love.
Wow! Okay, where do I even begin with this one, I loved it so much! What would you do if you were torn between two worlds? Who would you choose? Your husband or your daughter? This book was gut-wrenching and so beautiful at the same time. It's about love, class, friendship, sisterhood and motherhood. Kendra Broekhuis packs a punch between these pages and I inhaled every single one. What I loved most was the fact that it isn't sickly sweet or romantic at all but it is about love.
The quandary Leona finds herself in is not of her own making yet she is forced to make a choice between staying where she is in a shitty marriage and stuck up in-laws but her baby girl is still alive, or does she go back to her real world of a penny-pinching life with a happy marriage where she and her husband are each others leaning post after the death of their daughter where they are both living the life they really wanted.
As Leona tries to figure out how to get back home she learns a lot about herself, her family and her marriage. This book was also very personal for the author as she lost a baby of her own. I am shocked that this is a debut novel as it was perfection and the ending was *chef's kiss*. Don't be fooled this is not science fiction at all, very little time is spent on that, just when Leona learns how to maybe go back. This is a book about feelings, choices and relationships that gave me all the feels and deserves all the stars!
The Storygraph and The Book Review Crew Blog
I’m stuck between you and us. You, my baby. Us, my love.
Wow! Okay, where do I even begin with this one, I loved it so much! What would you do if you were torn between two worlds? Who would you choose? Your husband or your daughter? This book was gut-wrenching and so beautiful at the same time. It's about love, class, friendship, sisterhood and motherhood. Kendra Broekhuis packs a punch between these pages and I inhaled every single one. What I loved most was the fact that it isn't sickly sweet or romantic at all but it is about love.
The quandary Leona finds herself in is not of her own making yet she is forced to make a choice between staying where she is in a shitty marriage and stuck up in-laws but her baby girl is still alive, or does she go back to her real world of a penny-pinching life with a happy marriage where she and her husband are each others leaning post after the death of their daughter where they are both living the life they really wanted.
As Leona tries to figure out how to get back home she learns a lot about herself, her family and her marriage. This book was also very personal for the author as she lost a baby of her own. I am shocked that this is a debut novel as it was perfection and the ending was *chef's kiss*. Don't be fooled this is not science fiction at all, very little time is spent on that, just when Leona learns how to maybe go back. This is a book about feelings, choices and relationships that gave me all the feels and deserves all the stars!
April 8, 2024
In a Nutshell: A good story about the choices confronting the main character when she steps into another version of her life. Raises some good points about decisions and regrets, but the protagonist and some writing choices left me a tad dissatisfied. Still, a nice option for readers of family-oriented drama with a partial sliding-door theme.
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Plot Preview:
Bookish Yays:
😍 David: the only realistic main character. I like his depiction in both timelines, even when his flaws are highlighted. Leona’s friend Edna would have been in this section had she had a greater role.
😍 I always like books that make me wonder what I would do if I were in the character’s place. Leona’s situation offers a lot of such opportunities, as does David’s.
😍 The frustration of wanting to conceive and the grief over the death of a child both are written in a way so raw and touching! The author’s bio on Goodreads reveals why this depiction feels so heartfelt. Much strength to her!
😍 This isn’t a debut book but it is a debut fictional work. The author’s non-fiction roots show up at times when the content focusses on facts, but I'm not complaining as these aren't obtrusive to the flow. The stats add to the impact of certain key events.
😍 One of the characters suffers from panic attacks, and as someone who has been through the same, I found its portrayal very realistic. Even the strategies of handling the attack are authentic.
😍 There is a slight Christian undertone to some of the decisions and actions, especially in the second half. (I admit, this took me by surprise as I didn’t know that WaterBrook & Multnomah is a Christian publisher. Mea culpa!) I like how the religious aspect never overpowered the main theme and stayed subtle. Good for us believers as well as manageable for those who don’t.
Bookish Mixed Bags:
😐 Leona was tough for me to like. At times, she seemed narrow-minded and adamant about her wishes. I wish Leona had grown on me as the story progressed. That said, I did empathise with her feelings for her child – that was her most endearing feature.
😐 The two timelines are utilised to bring us up to par with the couple’s past and present. While I found Leona’s quandary in the current timeline interesting, the rest of it was somewhat repetitive and OTT. The past timeline was much more compelling in its emotions and events, which made returning to the contemporary timeline a chore.
😐 While the plot offers a good story thanks to Leona’s unusual situation, the proceedings are mostly standard. Not much novelty here. Even the final decision is easy to guess.
😐 The sliding-door aspect is interesting, yes. I love how Leona’s problem was not just how to get back but also to decide if she wanted to return to a life without her daughter, making the “you and us” in the title so potent. But the resolution of it was too smooth and too convenient to be believable. (Even taking into account the believability level of a multiverse timeslip.) It is a good fit for the genre and I do feel happy for the characters, but I wish the settlement of the problem had been more powerful and memorable. Also, unlike most sliding door stories, we get to see only one dimension actively.
Bookish Nays:
😕 The “All rich people are jerks” trope is much overused in this story. I wish some of the secondary characters, especially Leona’s mother-in-law, had been portrayed in more realistic shades.
😕 Some key moments and discussions happen off the page and we hear of them only retrospectively. For instance, when Leona decides to tell a character about belonging to another world, we don't see the continuity of that scene for several pages, and even after that, all we get is a brief reference to it, without much of the shock or disbelief or scepticism of the person who heard the outlandish revelation. Even when one such conversation with another character happens on page, the reaction of the listener is too cool and easily accepting. (I would have freaked out either in excitement or in panic had someone told me that they were from another dimension!) I wish the crucial scenes had been written in detail and more convincingly.
😕 There are several scenes involving armpit hair/sweat/poop, all of which felt crass than funny. They weren’t needed in such a genre at all, and brought down the appeal of a serious, emotional work.
All in all, this is a good read, but it wasn’t a memorable one for me. It was creative in some ways, and even offered a couple of surprises, but for the most way, the proceedings are easy to guess and a majority of the characters are unidimensional.
Recommended to general fiction readers looking for an emotional book about the choices and what-ifs of life. This book would also be a great option for book clubs, and it even comes with a set of amazing discussion questions.
3.25 stars.
My thanks to WaterBrook & Multnomah and NetGalley for the DRC of “Between You and Us”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Connect with me through:
My Blog || The StoryGraph || Instagram || X/Twitter || Facebook ||
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Plot Preview:
Leona has been battling grief since her little daughter Vera died a year ago. In a bid to repair their marriage and also to celebrate their tenth wedding anniversary, her husband David arranges for a romantic dinner at an upscale restaurant, even though they can barely afford it.
When Leona enters the restaurant, she takes some time to realise that she is the same but her life is different. This wealthy David opposite her isn’t the husband she has known all these years. The luxury car David drives and the lavish home they go to after the dinner apparently belong to them. But the biggest surprise is that little Vera is alive in this alternate life.
Now Leona faces the tough choice of ‘you’ vs ‘us’: life with her loving David or life with an aloof David but also with her dear Vera.
The story comes to us in Leona’s third person perspective over two timelines, with the past timeline updating us about Leona and David’s relationship, and the present one depicting her struggles in the alternate realm.
Bookish Yays:
😍 David: the only realistic main character. I like his depiction in both timelines, even when his flaws are highlighted. Leona’s friend Edna would have been in this section had she had a greater role.
😍 I always like books that make me wonder what I would do if I were in the character’s place. Leona’s situation offers a lot of such opportunities, as does David’s.
😍 The frustration of wanting to conceive and the grief over the death of a child both are written in a way so raw and touching! The author’s bio on Goodreads reveals why this depiction feels so heartfelt. Much strength to her!
😍 This isn’t a debut book but it is a debut fictional work. The author’s non-fiction roots show up at times when the content focusses on facts, but I'm not complaining as these aren't obtrusive to the flow. The stats add to the impact of certain key events.
😍 One of the characters suffers from panic attacks, and as someone who has been through the same, I found its portrayal very realistic. Even the strategies of handling the attack are authentic.
😍 There is a slight Christian undertone to some of the decisions and actions, especially in the second half. (I admit, this took me by surprise as I didn’t know that WaterBrook & Multnomah is a Christian publisher. Mea culpa!) I like how the religious aspect never overpowered the main theme and stayed subtle. Good for us believers as well as manageable for those who don’t.
Bookish Mixed Bags:
😐 Leona was tough for me to like. At times, she seemed narrow-minded and adamant about her wishes. I wish Leona had grown on me as the story progressed. That said, I did empathise with her feelings for her child – that was her most endearing feature.
😐 The two timelines are utilised to bring us up to par with the couple’s past and present. While I found Leona’s quandary in the current timeline interesting, the rest of it was somewhat repetitive and OTT. The past timeline was much more compelling in its emotions and events, which made returning to the contemporary timeline a chore.
😐 While the plot offers a good story thanks to Leona’s unusual situation, the proceedings are mostly standard. Not much novelty here. Even the final decision is easy to guess.
😐 The sliding-door aspect is interesting, yes. I love how Leona’s problem was not just how to get back but also to decide if she wanted to return to a life without her daughter, making the “you and us” in the title so potent. But the resolution of it was too smooth and too convenient to be believable. (Even taking into account the believability level of a multiverse timeslip.) It is a good fit for the genre and I do feel happy for the characters, but I wish the settlement of the problem had been more powerful and memorable. Also, unlike most sliding door stories, we get to see only one dimension actively.
Bookish Nays:
😕 The “All rich people are jerks” trope is much overused in this story. I wish some of the secondary characters, especially Leona’s mother-in-law, had been portrayed in more realistic shades.
😕 Some key moments and discussions happen off the page and we hear of them only retrospectively. For instance, when Leona decides to tell a character about belonging to another world, we don't see the continuity of that scene for several pages, and even after that, all we get is a brief reference to it, without much of the shock or disbelief or scepticism of the person who heard the outlandish revelation. Even when one such conversation with another character happens on page, the reaction of the listener is too cool and easily accepting. (I would have freaked out either in excitement or in panic had someone told me that they were from another dimension!) I wish the crucial scenes had been written in detail and more convincingly.
😕 There are several scenes involving armpit hair/sweat/poop, all of which felt crass than funny. They weren’t needed in such a genre at all, and brought down the appeal of a serious, emotional work.
All in all, this is a good read, but it wasn’t a memorable one for me. It was creative in some ways, and even offered a couple of surprises, but for the most way, the proceedings are easy to guess and a majority of the characters are unidimensional.
Recommended to general fiction readers looking for an emotional book about the choices and what-ifs of life. This book would also be a great option for book clubs, and it even comes with a set of amazing discussion questions.
3.25 stars.
My thanks to WaterBrook & Multnomah and NetGalley for the DRC of “Between You and Us”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Connect with me through:
My Blog || The StoryGraph || Instagram || X/Twitter || Facebook ||
March 11, 2024
'Irrational things are happening. But, that does not mean I'm irrational'.
When Leona and David experience the worst possible tragedy a parent can, their vows of 'for better or for worse' are put to the test. Cloaking herself in guilt, Leona shuts out the world and incrementally removes herself from her once close relationship with David. Anxiety plagues her. It would be impossible to refrain from entertaining a myriad of 'what ifs'. Really, what if?
Thinking she is experiencing yet another debilitating anxiety attack, Leona finds herself instead experiencing an alternate life; a life she might have had, had she made a different decision at a pivotal moment in her past - before David and her were married. As she explores the life, hope, and dreams of her variegated self, she discovers that love is the only way to move on from grieving her daughter Vera and start living again, 'I want to honor her life by living ours'.
This is a 'sliding doors' journey of self-discovery. I enjoyed learning about her past, interspersed with her new present. The author's personal loss in real life comes through in the cathartic epiphanies, which shine through the pain and bring a sense of peace. Overall, a good and rewarding read.
Three word summary: contemplative, moving and hopeful.
When Leona and David experience the worst possible tragedy a parent can, their vows of 'for better or for worse' are put to the test. Cloaking herself in guilt, Leona shuts out the world and incrementally removes herself from her once close relationship with David. Anxiety plagues her. It would be impossible to refrain from entertaining a myriad of 'what ifs'. Really, what if?
Thinking she is experiencing yet another debilitating anxiety attack, Leona finds herself instead experiencing an alternate life; a life she might have had, had she made a different decision at a pivotal moment in her past - before David and her were married. As she explores the life, hope, and dreams of her variegated self, she discovers that love is the only way to move on from grieving her daughter Vera and start living again, 'I want to honor her life by living ours'.
This is a 'sliding doors' journey of self-discovery. I enjoyed learning about her past, interspersed with her new present. The author's personal loss in real life comes through in the cathartic epiphanies, which shine through the pain and bring a sense of peace. Overall, a good and rewarding read.
Three word summary: contemplative, moving and hopeful.
November 8, 2024
Really really enjoyable!
Magical realism is sometimes hard for me to connect with because “reality” is overly suspended. This one worked for me because it felt like a sliding doors moment and not really like a parallel dimension. The grief was definitely palpable and emotional.
If you liked Sophie Cousens The Good Part, I think you’ll like this one too.
Magical realism is sometimes hard for me to connect with because “reality” is overly suspended. This one worked for me because it felt like a sliding doors moment and not really like a parallel dimension. The grief was definitely palpable and emotional.
If you liked Sophie Cousens The Good Part, I think you’ll like this one too.
March 13, 2024
Engaging Debut!
Between You and Us is part Women's Fiction and part Magical Realism.
After the loss of her infant daughter, Leona struggles to breathe, struggles to carry on. In an effort to re calibrate their marriage, Leona and husband David plan to celebrate their 10th wedding anniversary at an expensive restaurant.
When Leona arrives at the restaurant, she discovers she has landed in a different version of her life. She and her husband are different people and not ones she likes very much. However, the daughter she lost is not lost, but a toddler.
The novel plays out with two threads..current day in the alternate future and the second thread which starts back when David and Leona began dating in college.
Pages were turning. This novel is recommended for fans of Women's Fiction. Unique story and unique cover.
My gratitude to publisher Waterbrook for a complimentary NetGalley copy of the novel. I was not required to post a review and all opinions expressed are my own.
Between You and Us is part Women's Fiction and part Magical Realism.
After the loss of her infant daughter, Leona struggles to breathe, struggles to carry on. In an effort to re calibrate their marriage, Leona and husband David plan to celebrate their 10th wedding anniversary at an expensive restaurant.
When Leona arrives at the restaurant, she discovers she has landed in a different version of her life. She and her husband are different people and not ones she likes very much. However, the daughter she lost is not lost, but a toddler.
The novel plays out with two threads..current day in the alternate future and the second thread which starts back when David and Leona began dating in college.
Pages were turning. This novel is recommended for fans of Women's Fiction. Unique story and unique cover.
My gratitude to publisher Waterbrook for a complimentary NetGalley copy of the novel. I was not required to post a review and all opinions expressed are my own.
September 24, 2024
When I read the blurb for this book it immediately captured my interest, and the story quickly did the same. Following the main character through figuring out what exactly had happened to her (why is her husband acting so weird, where is the home they've lived in for years, how is their daughter alive?) to the understanding of how and then exploring the choice of which reality to stay in and why was a reader's ride I highly recommend. I read this book in two days and kept coming back to it. It's a great story for anyone who wonders "What if." You won't be disappointed!
February 26, 2024
When Leona Warlon unexpectedly steps into a different version of her life, she must choose between the husband she loves and the daughter she lost.
This was a book dealing with a woman who is grief-stricken after her little girl, Vera is killed by a car. Leona is depressed and having panic attacks.
I found this book hard to follow(in the beginning) because (for me) I felt that the periods in the future and periods in the past were confusing to me to follow. It didn’t make sense to my literal mind, but as Leona started to understand what was going on, she dared to speak with the version of David, her husband that she wanted to be with, it was then that everything started making sense to me. I realized that maybe the author was trying to portray the way the grief was jerking Leona around and how she needed to integrate her past into her present without Vera and, if that was the case, it was a brilliant move because grief is far from being predictable. The ending and my grasp of it at the ending definitely upped my enjoyment of this story!
My gratitude to NetGalley, WaterBrook, and Multnomah. All opinions expressed are mine and honest.
This was a book dealing with a woman who is grief-stricken after her little girl, Vera is killed by a car. Leona is depressed and having panic attacks.
I found this book hard to follow(in the beginning) because (for me) I felt that the periods in the future and periods in the past were confusing to me to follow. It didn’t make sense to my literal mind, but as Leona started to understand what was going on, she dared to speak with the version of David, her husband that she wanted to be with, it was then that everything started making sense to me. I realized that maybe the author was trying to portray the way the grief was jerking Leona around and how she needed to integrate her past into her present without Vera and, if that was the case, it was a brilliant move because grief is far from being predictable. The ending and my grasp of it at the ending definitely upped my enjoyment of this story!
My gratitude to NetGalley, WaterBrook, and Multnomah. All opinions expressed are mine and honest.
March 6, 2024
This is an extraordinary debut novel. Although, not my usual go-to genre, which I would call women's fiction, meets fantasy. This book held my interest and kept me turning the pages. The characters and the storyline were original and unique. This is a very creative and intriguing book. My heart and emotions wouldn't let me stop reading until I knew the outcome. The ending was happy and very satisfying. This author has a bright future, and I look forward to more stories from her.
*I was given a copy of this book by the publisher and this is my honest opinion.
*I was given a copy of this book by the publisher and this is my honest opinion.
March 2, 2024
2.5 stars rounded down
Interesting story about grief and motherhood, what would your life look like if you made different choices etc. But a little too many Jesus undertones for my taste, which is my fault because I didn’t realize this imprint was in fact, a religious one.
Interesting story about grief and motherhood, what would your life look like if you made different choices etc. But a little too many Jesus undertones for my taste, which is my fault because I didn’t realize this imprint was in fact, a religious one.
December 23, 2024
This was my first experience with Kendra Broekhuis as an author and I really appreciated her take on the "sliding doors" trope.
This follows Leona who, heading to a fancy restaurant to meet her husband for their tenth anniversary, finds him to be very distant and cold, unlike his usual self.
Things become even stranger when he takes them home in a yellow Camaro they don't own and their home is the Victorian House he proposed to her in front of, but they don't live in.
Perhaps most confusing of all..when they walk into "their" home, she releases that her daughter, Vera, is still alive.
Leona realizes that this isn't here life. That's not her David. That's not her daughter. But that doesn't make the urge to stay any less urgent, especially knowing in her timeline, her daughter is dead.
Told in two separate narrative styles, the first in the present day alternate timeline and then in the 10 years from when she met David to the moment her life changed, we follow Leona has she has to make an impossible decision.
I ultimately really enjoyed this story as we follow Leona grapple with her circumstances, very much missing the David she knows and loves vs the overwhelming desire to remain with the child she lost.
I also appreciated the way in which the story was told; although I wish there had been a more development within each timeline. Overall, however, I thought this was a solid take on "Sliding Doors" and I would be willing to read more from her in the future.
This follows Leona who, heading to a fancy restaurant to meet her husband for their tenth anniversary, finds him to be very distant and cold, unlike his usual self.
Things become even stranger when he takes them home in a yellow Camaro they don't own and their home is the Victorian House he proposed to her in front of, but they don't live in.
Perhaps most confusing of all..when they walk into "their" home, she releases that her daughter, Vera, is still alive.
Leona realizes that this isn't here life. That's not her David. That's not her daughter. But that doesn't make the urge to stay any less urgent, especially knowing in her timeline, her daughter is dead.
Told in two separate narrative styles, the first in the present day alternate timeline and then in the 10 years from when she met David to the moment her life changed, we follow Leona has she has to make an impossible decision.
I ultimately really enjoyed this story as we follow Leona grapple with her circumstances, very much missing the David she knows and loves vs the overwhelming desire to remain with the child she lost.
I also appreciated the way in which the story was told; although I wish there had been a more development within each timeline. Overall, however, I thought this was a solid take on "Sliding Doors" and I would be willing to read more from her in the future.
March 20, 2024
In this contemporary fiction novel, Leona accidentally steps into an alternate version of her life and marriage to David when she meets him at a fancy restaurant to celebrate their anniversary. They’ve been through a lot together, and they need this night as a chance to move forward together. But instead of the David she’s grown to appreciate and trust, she’s met with a cold and distant man who is more concerned about his work than anything between them.
But, as the night and the days ahead reveal, there is also a good side to this alternate reality (that I will not spoil for you here). What unfolds in the rest of the novel is an emotional journey of how each separate reality came to be through flashbacks and present day thoughts. In the end, Leona must figure out how to get back—and decide if she even wants to.
I loved this story! It reminded me a lot of The Good Part in thinking through marriage and grief, and The Midnight Library in that it addresses possible alternate realities. I really appreciated the portrayal of the work a marriage takes and how storms can either be weathered together or push a couple apart.
Content warnings apply; this is more somber in tone due to some subject matters.
Thank you to Netgalley, Kendra Broekhuis, and WaterBrook for the advanced review copy. All opinions are my own.
But, as the night and the days ahead reveal, there is also a good side to this alternate reality (that I will not spoil for you here). What unfolds in the rest of the novel is an emotional journey of how each separate reality came to be through flashbacks and present day thoughts. In the end, Leona must figure out how to get back—and decide if she even wants to.
I loved this story! It reminded me a lot of The Good Part in thinking through marriage and grief, and The Midnight Library in that it addresses possible alternate realities. I really appreciated the portrayal of the work a marriage takes and how storms can either be weathered together or push a couple apart.
Content warnings apply; this is more somber in tone due to some subject matters.
Thank you to Netgalley, Kendra Broekhuis, and WaterBrook for the advanced review copy. All opinions are my own.
August 3, 2024
I am not a huge fantasy reader but I do love Magical Realism. This book was amazing. Leona goes to another time with her same husband and her daughter who past away in the other time. Which place will she chose to live? I loved the story and I just loved David her husband. I want a David!! Full of love and forgiveness Leona journey will have you in tears. Which time period will she chose to live in? It will have you guessing until the end. The story is considered faith based but only has a few mention of faith but still worth the read!! Definitely worth the 5 star rating and this is Kendra Broekhuis first book. I am excited to read more from her in the future!!! I highly recommend this wonderful book!!! So worth the read!!!!
March 2, 2024
What a stunning debut with a curious time altering aspect.
This was a unique blend of heartache, humanity, humor and the unexpected.
Leona is thrust into an alternative life after she tragically loses her 4 month old daughter, Vera. The author provides an authentic picture of the grief over the death of a child and the yearning for what might have been. It took me back to my own experiences of birthing my children and my miscarriages.
I loved the scenes with toddler Vera, they were endearing. My favorite character was husband David who gave so much love in a distressing time. In both time periods he clearly loved Leona and wanted the best for them. The scenes of their courtship and early marriage was fulll of fun and easy banter, providing a relief from the angst. But it was the struggle that Leona went through that was so arresting. She was forced to confront her relationships with her friends and family members.
This was an exceptional story that was part women’s fiction, part romance and part speculative fiction. It had a faint faith thread and was a clean read.
* A complimentary copy of this book was provided by Multinomah through NetGalley. All opinions are mine alone.*
This was a unique blend of heartache, humanity, humor and the unexpected.
Leona is thrust into an alternative life after she tragically loses her 4 month old daughter, Vera. The author provides an authentic picture of the grief over the death of a child and the yearning for what might have been. It took me back to my own experiences of birthing my children and my miscarriages.
I loved the scenes with toddler Vera, they were endearing. My favorite character was husband David who gave so much love in a distressing time. In both time periods he clearly loved Leona and wanted the best for them. The scenes of their courtship and early marriage was fulll of fun and easy banter, providing a relief from the angst. But it was the struggle that Leona went through that was so arresting. She was forced to confront her relationships with her friends and family members.
This was an exceptional story that was part women’s fiction, part romance and part speculative fiction. It had a faint faith thread and was a clean read.
* A complimentary copy of this book was provided by Multinomah through NetGalley. All opinions are mine alone.*
May 26, 2024
Love that the main character is named Leona! Love books about alternate universes but this was just okay…
April 3, 2024
Five enthusiastic stars from me! I laughed (Rose’s shirt that said “Ew, people”). I cried (multiple times). I couldn’t put this book down and found myself picking it up any time I had even a few minutes to read. I loved the way the story unfolded. There were some big connections made at the end which I didn’t guess. I was rooting Leona. I adored David. I loved this heartbreakingly beautiful story.
November 8, 2023
I got an ARC of Between Us and You on Netgalley, and I just finished it. I LOVED IT! The characters....amazing! The plot...I loved all the twists and turns. I didn't read anything about it before I started, and this was completely different than I expected in the best possible way. I appreciated the setting and knowing what I know about the author, I can tell how writing about the city she calls home was important to her. And the writing on grief had me near tears for the last 20% of the book. Don't miss this one when it releases in March of next year.
November 26, 2023
While this was a well-written and intriguing concept for a book--a crucial choice that has to be made that will alter everything--I somehow got lost in the split-time format. The writing felt fresh and modern, and again, I know many readers will gobble this one up, which is why I gave a higher star rating. I just didn't really connect with the main character, so that threw me off as I tried to follow the dual timelines. Thank you to the publisher for an early review copy--all opinions are my own.
April 21, 2024
I thoroughly enjoyed this read. I enjoyed the concept of two possible lives to lead and hard choices to make based upon each world. Each chapter changed between present day and years ago with each chapter ending with me wanting more.
May 16, 2024
Easy read, curiosity kept me reading but it was kind of strange. I'm one who likes books that describe events that could actually happen. This was a little too "out there" for me.
November 10, 2023
Thanks so much to Waterbrook & Multnomah and NetGalley.
Leona heads into the city to meet with her husband, David, for a dinner date. Somehow the universe has done something and she finds herself in another world where her marriage is strained and her daughter is alive. She must decide if she wants to go back to her version of life and figure out how.
I love books that ask what if and explore that. This reminds me of another book that had a similar storyline. I still enjoyed this one, and I liked how it gave so much background into David and Leona.
Leona heads into the city to meet with her husband, David, for a dinner date. Somehow the universe has done something and she finds herself in another world where her marriage is strained and her daughter is alive. She must decide if she wants to go back to her version of life and figure out how.
I love books that ask what if and explore that. This reminds me of another book that had a similar storyline. I still enjoyed this one, and I liked how it gave so much background into David and Leona.
October 21, 2023
I am ABSOLUTELY blown away by this novel! I started reading it yesterday, but had to put it away halfway through because other things needed my attention. However, over the 16 hours that I was away from the story, I kept thinking about the main characters- David and Leona- and not only thinking about them, but worrying about them! That's how real the story felt for me, how well-drawn the characters were.
I felt completely riveted and couldn't stop reading even though I am supposed to be doing other things right now (I JUST finished it!). I love the whole concept of alternate universes and was practically holding my breath until the end. Was very relieved that the choice Leona ultimately made was one that I would have made, but I'm not sure I would have been clever enough to have figured out how to actually do it (LOL).
I will be eagerly looking forward to reading more from this author! Highly, highly recommend!
I felt completely riveted and couldn't stop reading even though I am supposed to be doing other things right now (I JUST finished it!). I love the whole concept of alternate universes and was practically holding my breath until the end. Was very relieved that the choice Leona ultimately made was one that I would have made, but I'm not sure I would have been clever enough to have figured out how to actually do it (LOL).
I will be eagerly looking forward to reading more from this author! Highly, highly recommend!
May 26, 2024
I was hoping that since the main character is a full-grown adult, she wouldn't have so many childish issues and show some sort of self-awareness for her abhorrent behavior. Here are the quick notes I took while reading.
selfish, irrational, and judgemental
Hides her feelings of inferiority
Even in the flash forward, she shows judgment towards everyone but herself. Like immediately thinking the worst of everyone. Everything has to be her way at her time when she wants it.
She needs therapy at college and as an adult.
Plays victim act- poor me.
It was a quick read, but not great.
Storyline and side characters were good. I liked the flashbacks to the past and to the present.
selfish, irrational, and judgemental
Hides her feelings of inferiority
Even in the flash forward, she shows judgment towards everyone but herself. Like immediately thinking the worst of everyone. Everything has to be her way at her time when she wants it.
She needs therapy at college and as an adult.
Plays victim act- poor me.
It was a quick read, but not great.
Storyline and side characters were good. I liked the flashbacks to the past and to the present.
March 18, 2024
3.75/5⭐️
RTC!
RTC!
March 14, 2024
Between You and Us by Kendra Broekhuis is an absolute masterpiece. This story is unlike any novel I have ever read. This is a story I will NEVER forget. It’s heartbreaking, yet hopeful. Everything about this story is good: the plot is HIGHLY engaging and unputdownable, the characters are so real and relatable, and the themes are timely and thought-provoking. Warning to all, this book deals with incredibly painful stuff — real-life stuff like poverty, family estrangement, self-centered parents, infertility, loss of a child, infidelity, anger, and more. The characters in this book suffer…hard. But it’s such an honest look at life. So, yeah, there is suffering, but there is also forgiveness and love and joy and hope and friendship and community.
Leona stole my heart from page one. I felt a total sense of sisterhood with her character. I related to her on many levels, but it is Leona’s bottled-up anger that I resonated with the most. Leona is the type of person who follows all the rules. She does all the right things. But Life beats her up. She works really hard to be a good wife and friend and daughter and sister, but it doesn’t matter. Life is relentless. One of Leona’s many battles in this story is with infertility. Leona and her husband have tried everything within their miniscule budget to get pregnant. Nothing works, and Leona is at her wits end. One day, in the midst of her fertility struggles, Leona’s sister surprises her with a visit. During this visit, Leona realizes that her totally unmarried, unattached sister is pregnant. Leona loses it. Not because her sister is pregnant, but because of the injustice of it all. It’s not her finest moment, but Leona absolutely melts down. She screams. She throws things. She sobs. Why?! Why is it so easy for some women to get pregnant, and so hard for others? Why do the people who follow all the rules and right steps often end up broken and empty-handed, while those who break rules and go down “bad” paths, more times than not, get everything they want? I relate to all of Leona’s struggles in these areas. I relate to her meltdown and her anger and her screaming and her questions. You see, every woman I know from my grandma, to my mother and aunt, to my sister, and to all of my girlfriends had easy pregnancies and easy births and so many beautiful babies. But my body — it just fails at the one thing women are supposed to do. I’ve been where Leona was. I’ve been so angry and hurt by the injustice of it all. When one of my friends or my sister told me they were pregnant yet again I was happy for them for sure, but I was also devastated and so deeply hurt. Why couldn’t my body work the way it was supposed to? I’m sure there are many women out there like Leona, like me, who will feel this topic deeply. What I love and appreciate the most is that Broekhuis respectfully deals with these topics of infertility and anger so well, so honestly, that I felt seen. When you read Leona’s story, you’re also reading my story and countless other women’s stories who have dealt with infertility or other pregnancy issues. It’s utterly amazing. I don’t think I’ve ever felt like this after reading a book before.
This book has deeply touched my heart and spirit. Between You and Us is, without a doubt, a must-read story for 2024. I know I’ve said a lot in this review, but I have BARELY covered the surface as there is SO much to talk about with this book. This is a book that must be experienced. Personally, I’m leaving this story so grateful for my husband and daughter and friends and puppies. I’m so thankful to God for the beautiful, messy, sometimes-painful, blessed life He has given me. I implore everyone on the planet to read this amazing story. This is a story not to be missed!
I received a review copy of this novel in eBook form from the publisher, Water Brook Press, via NetGalley. In no way has this influenced my review. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Leona stole my heart from page one. I felt a total sense of sisterhood with her character. I related to her on many levels, but it is Leona’s bottled-up anger that I resonated with the most. Leona is the type of person who follows all the rules. She does all the right things. But Life beats her up. She works really hard to be a good wife and friend and daughter and sister, but it doesn’t matter. Life is relentless. One of Leona’s many battles in this story is with infertility. Leona and her husband have tried everything within their miniscule budget to get pregnant. Nothing works, and Leona is at her wits end. One day, in the midst of her fertility struggles, Leona’s sister surprises her with a visit. During this visit, Leona realizes that her totally unmarried, unattached sister is pregnant. Leona loses it. Not because her sister is pregnant, but because of the injustice of it all. It’s not her finest moment, but Leona absolutely melts down. She screams. She throws things. She sobs. Why?! Why is it so easy for some women to get pregnant, and so hard for others? Why do the people who follow all the rules and right steps often end up broken and empty-handed, while those who break rules and go down “bad” paths, more times than not, get everything they want? I relate to all of Leona’s struggles in these areas. I relate to her meltdown and her anger and her screaming and her questions. You see, every woman I know from my grandma, to my mother and aunt, to my sister, and to all of my girlfriends had easy pregnancies and easy births and so many beautiful babies. But my body — it just fails at the one thing women are supposed to do. I’ve been where Leona was. I’ve been so angry and hurt by the injustice of it all. When one of my friends or my sister told me they were pregnant yet again I was happy for them for sure, but I was also devastated and so deeply hurt. Why couldn’t my body work the way it was supposed to? I’m sure there are many women out there like Leona, like me, who will feel this topic deeply. What I love and appreciate the most is that Broekhuis respectfully deals with these topics of infertility and anger so well, so honestly, that I felt seen. When you read Leona’s story, you’re also reading my story and countless other women’s stories who have dealt with infertility or other pregnancy issues. It’s utterly amazing. I don’t think I’ve ever felt like this after reading a book before.
This book has deeply touched my heart and spirit. Between You and Us is, without a doubt, a must-read story for 2024. I know I’ve said a lot in this review, but I have BARELY covered the surface as there is SO much to talk about with this book. This is a book that must be experienced. Personally, I’m leaving this story so grateful for my husband and daughter and friends and puppies. I’m so thankful to God for the beautiful, messy, sometimes-painful, blessed life He has given me. I implore everyone on the planet to read this amazing story. This is a story not to be missed!
I received a review copy of this novel in eBook form from the publisher, Water Brook Press, via NetGalley. In no way has this influenced my review. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.
December 6, 2023
Thank you NetGalley and WaterBrook Multnomah for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Between You and Us is a touching novel which considers life as a series of interconnected decisions shooting off into alternate universes depending on one’s choices. Leona is the practical and empathetic protagonist of this novel who is thrust into one of these other universes where she is forced to reflect on her own personal tragedy in order to decide if she will stay in this alternate universe or return back to her own.
This story is told alternating between the past and present to tell a story of falling in love, figuring out one’s identity, and overcoming great tragedy. I really liked how I was immediately thrust into the alternate universe with Leona, trying to figure out how she arrived there alongside her. This made for a multi-layered story as I tried to figure out how Leona arrived in this different universe, as well as what had happened in her own universe to even have Leona contemplate staying in this alternate world.
My biggest gripe with this novel is the ending. I didn’t mind Leona’s final decision (to stay or not to stay), but I did feel that as opposed to earlier in the novel where the reader was firmly inside Leona’s head, when she was making her final decision the reader was blocked out. I would guess this was to have her final decision be a surprise, but I would have rather been able to easily guess what she was going to do if it meant I could have had more of an insight into her thought process.
Overall, this novel was thought-provoking and heartbreaking. Leona and David’s story is one full of personal tragedy turned to glimmering hope which made me reflect on my own choices, and the different universes that could’ve spawned from them.
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#BetweenYouandUs #NetGalley
Between You and Us is a touching novel which considers life as a series of interconnected decisions shooting off into alternate universes depending on one’s choices. Leona is the practical and empathetic protagonist of this novel who is thrust into one of these other universes where she is forced to reflect on her own personal tragedy in order to decide if she will stay in this alternate universe or return back to her own.
This story is told alternating between the past and present to tell a story of falling in love, figuring out one’s identity, and overcoming great tragedy. I really liked how I was immediately thrust into the alternate universe with Leona, trying to figure out how she arrived there alongside her. This made for a multi-layered story as I tried to figure out how Leona arrived in this different universe, as well as what had happened in her own universe to even have Leona contemplate staying in this alternate world.
My biggest gripe with this novel is the ending. I didn’t mind Leona’s final decision (to stay or not to stay), but I did feel that as opposed to earlier in the novel where the reader was firmly inside Leona’s head, when she was making her final decision the reader was blocked out. I would guess this was to have her final decision be a surprise, but I would have rather been able to easily guess what she was going to do if it meant I could have had more of an insight into her thought process.
Overall, this novel was thought-provoking and heartbreaking. Leona and David’s story is one full of personal tragedy turned to glimmering hope which made me reflect on my own choices, and the different universes that could’ve spawned from them.
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#BetweenYouandUs #NetGalley
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March 1, 2024Told in a past and present day timeline, this is the story of Leona and David who are madly in love and have a bright future ahead of them. All is well in their little family until it isn’t. Their precious baby daughter is taken from them in a terrible tragedy.
Leona is swimming in a haze of grief after the crippling loss but prays her wedding anniversary dinner can help her and David focus on something else for just a little while. This is when she realizes something is very wrong. Leona finds herself in a different version of her own life. Her baby daughter still alive.. but she is in a cold and crumbling marriage to David and living a lifestyle she would never choose otherwise.
Leona must examine which life she ultimately wants. One with her soulmate or one with her daughter. As she navigates old memories from her past and new experiences in her “alternate” world, Leona must come to terms with her heart.
This story explores grief and how it affects every aspect of our choices and who we are after it touches us. It examines love and the tender hold it has over us. Faith and hope are woven throughout.
If you enjoy magical realism, unique storylines and emotional reads- I think you will enjoy this. It was thought provoking, moving, and the characters’ introspection was very convincing.
The authors note is not to be missed as she has experienced her own personal loss. The grief portrayed in the story was very emotional and genuine, written only by someone who has experienced it firsthand.
Content: anxiety attacks, loss of an infant, closed door
Thank you to @netgalley, @waterbrookmultnomah and @kendrabroekhuis for an advanced readers copy of the book!
Leona is swimming in a haze of grief after the crippling loss but prays her wedding anniversary dinner can help her and David focus on something else for just a little while. This is when she realizes something is very wrong. Leona finds herself in a different version of her own life. Her baby daughter still alive.. but she is in a cold and crumbling marriage to David and living a lifestyle she would never choose otherwise.
Leona must examine which life she ultimately wants. One with her soulmate or one with her daughter. As she navigates old memories from her past and new experiences in her “alternate” world, Leona must come to terms with her heart.
This story explores grief and how it affects every aspect of our choices and who we are after it touches us. It examines love and the tender hold it has over us. Faith and hope are woven throughout.
If you enjoy magical realism, unique storylines and emotional reads- I think you will enjoy this. It was thought provoking, moving, and the characters’ introspection was very convincing.
The authors note is not to be missed as she has experienced her own personal loss. The grief portrayed in the story was very emotional and genuine, written only by someone who has experienced it firsthand.
Content: anxiety attacks, loss of an infant, closed door
Thank you to @netgalley, @waterbrookmultnomah and @kendrabroekhuis for an advanced readers copy of the book!
March 8, 2024
Between You and Us is a spectacular debut novel that makes you realize that just because things could have been different, that doesn't mean they would have been better. I read this book in one sitting because I could not put it down. It would create some great book club discussions!
On her 10th wedding anniversary, Leona walks into a restaurant to meet her husband David. When she finds him, she realizes that while he is her husband, at the same time he is not her husband. She soon meets their fifteen month old daughter, who had died the previous year. Lucky for Leona, her husband David and her friend Eden are both scientists, so it was easy for them to accept the quantum multiverse theory. (As an Episcopalian, I'd like to give a shout out to the author for writing Christian scientists! Even though we are outnumbered, Christians who believe in science do exist!)
We learn about David #1 & Leona #1 and David #2 & Leona #2 through alternating chapters between present day and the past. We learn how one decision 10 years prior split their lives into the multiverse, where their lives took very different paths. As Leona navigates her "other" life, she learns things about her family, friends, and herself. Once she figures out "the door" to her original life, she must choose whether to stay in this alternate life where her daughter is alive and well, or whether to go back to David #1 where she came from.
I loved David and Leona's relationship, with their easy going banter and how deeply they loved one another. I absolutely fell in love with Vera #2. She is such a joy! She is the same age as my granddaughter is now, which made it easy to picture her toddling around her big world exploring all the new things she was discovering. I sobbed for several chapters when we read about the death of Vera #1, the funeral, the wretched grandmothers, and the subsequent grief. There was some pretty heavy stuff, but those topics were written with such great care.
This debut earned 5 stars and an easy spot on my favorites shelf.
Thanks to NetGalley and WaterBrook & Multnomah for the advanced copy of this book which will be released on March 12, 2024.
On her 10th wedding anniversary, Leona walks into a restaurant to meet her husband David. When she finds him, she realizes that while he is her husband, at the same time he is not her husband. She soon meets their fifteen month old daughter, who had died the previous year. Lucky for Leona, her husband David and her friend Eden are both scientists, so it was easy for them to accept the quantum multiverse theory. (As an Episcopalian, I'd like to give a shout out to the author for writing Christian scientists! Even though we are outnumbered, Christians who believe in science do exist!)
We learn about David #1 & Leona #1 and David #2 & Leona #2 through alternating chapters between present day and the past. We learn how one decision 10 years prior split their lives into the multiverse, where their lives took very different paths. As Leona navigates her "other" life, she learns things about her family, friends, and herself. Once she figures out "the door" to her original life, she must choose whether to stay in this alternate life where her daughter is alive and well, or whether to go back to David #1 where she came from.
I loved David and Leona's relationship, with their easy going banter and how deeply they loved one another. I absolutely fell in love with Vera #2. She is such a joy! She is the same age as my granddaughter is now, which made it easy to picture her toddling around her big world exploring all the new things she was discovering. I sobbed for several chapters when we read about the death of Vera #1, the funeral, the wretched grandmothers, and the subsequent grief. There was some pretty heavy stuff, but those topics were written with such great care.
This debut earned 5 stars and an easy spot on my favorites shelf.
Thanks to NetGalley and WaterBrook & Multnomah for the advanced copy of this book which will be released on March 12, 2024.
June 5, 2024
This genre-bending work of fiction asks, “What if every time a life-changing event occurs or a decision is made, a new universe is created with another version of yourself that reflects the outcome of that decision?” In Between You and Us, David and Leona have come through some hardships in their marriage. Still, they seem to be moving toward reconciliation and peace with their tenth-anniversary celebration.
But something wasn’t right the evening they met at a pricey restaurant, and where in the world had David come up with the expensive suit—and the bright yellow Camaro?
Soon, nothing felt certain, and Broekhuis’s storytelling had me turning pages well past my usual lights-out as she unraveled Leona’s mysterious and bewildering disorientation.
Without lessening the story’s impact or departing from the narrative flow, she addresses the weighty topics of anxiety, depression, and grief. Elements of quantum mechanics are equally at home with snatches of impromptu poetry.
A quirky cast of characters adds depth and realism to the story as Leona seeks answers and finds wisdom in unexpected places: “The trick is to call the bad bad, and to sift out and celebrate the good.” That sifting process clarifies Leona’s thinking as she finds the courage to make an impossible choice.
Many thanks to Waterbrook for providing a copy of this book to facilitate my review, which is, of course, offered freely and with honesty.
But something wasn’t right the evening they met at a pricey restaurant, and where in the world had David come up with the expensive suit—and the bright yellow Camaro?
Soon, nothing felt certain, and Broekhuis’s storytelling had me turning pages well past my usual lights-out as she unraveled Leona’s mysterious and bewildering disorientation.
Without lessening the story’s impact or departing from the narrative flow, she addresses the weighty topics of anxiety, depression, and grief. Elements of quantum mechanics are equally at home with snatches of impromptu poetry.
A quirky cast of characters adds depth and realism to the story as Leona seeks answers and finds wisdom in unexpected places: “The trick is to call the bad bad, and to sift out and celebrate the good.” That sifting process clarifies Leona’s thinking as she finds the courage to make an impossible choice.
Many thanks to Waterbrook for providing a copy of this book to facilitate my review, which is, of course, offered freely and with honesty.
March 6, 2024
This is an extraordinary debut novel. Although, not my usual go-to genre, which I would call women's fiction, meets fantasy. This book held my interest and kept me turning the pages. The characters and the storyline were original and unique. This is a very creative and intriguing book. My heart and emotions wouldn't let me stop reading until I knew the outcome. The ending was happy and very satisfying. This author has a bright future, and I look forward to more stories from her.
#waterbrookmultnomah
#christianfiction
#amreading
#bookstagram
#womensfiction
#fantasyfiction
#waterbrookmultnomah
#christianfiction
#amreading
#bookstagram
#womensfiction
#fantasyfiction
March 12, 2024
Between You and Us is a beautifully crafted tale of a woman coming to terms with the loss of her child, presented in a creative twist of an alternate reality. Like a blend of Freaky Friday and It's a Wonderful Life, the story captivates the what-ifs of decisions made.
The characters are both relatable and realistic, with elements of humor and words of wisdom delicately woven throughout to enrich the emotional depth.
The characters are both relatable and realistic, with elements of humor and words of wisdom delicately woven throughout to enrich the emotional depth.
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