What We Found Instead

by Heidi Reimer

A moving and compulsively readable novel about two very different women and the unlikely bond they forge in the wreckage of one man’s betrayal.

Maggie feels behind for thirty-five—still unsure about her career path, still living with roommates and struggling through a never-ending PhD—but at least she’s certain about her relationship with her boyfriend, Karl. That is until she hears the voicemail on Karl's phone from some woman named Eve, who’s using words Maggie can’t process—like “baby,” “love,” and “tonight.” In an instant, Maggie’s trust in Karl unravels, but she doesn’t know the whole truth—and only one person can help her find Eve.

Eve didn’t flee New York and the stress of running her hand-crafted furniture business just to be dragged into someone else’s drama. She likes the quiet rhythm of her Northern Ontario lake her dog, her cozy home, her dependable routines—and Karl, at least on the weekends when he’s not working in Toronto. So when a stranger presses for a meeting, Eve is wary. She doesn’t like her earnestness, her probing questions, her expectation of solidarity. And she certainly doesn’t like the news Maggie Karl is her boyfriend, too.

Maggie and Eve’s tense encounter upends both of their lives. They expect to never see each other again, but instead they’re thrown back together—forced to face their resentments and insecurities head-on, pushed into vulnerability with the one person whose very existence caused their heartbreak.

What We Found Instead is a captivating and insightful look at complex relationships and a love letter to female friendship, asking us to consider questions about love, loyalty, and what we owe to ourselves and to others.

Genres: Fiction, Contemporary, Friendship, Canada

Audible Audio

First published July 28, 2026

About the author

Heidi Reimer is a novelist and writing coach. Her debut novel, The Mother Act, received a starred review in Publishers Weekly, praise in the New York Times Book Review, and attention from CBC Radio’s The Next Chapter, Chatelaine, and People. Her second novel, What We Found Instead, arrives July 28, 2026—a story of two women who meet as romantic rivals and end up choosing each other. Early readers have called it “the rom-com I didn’t know I needed” and “an inspiring take on the true meaning of partnership.” Heidi’s writing interrogates the lives of women, usually those bent on breaking free of what they’re given in order to create what they yearn for. She loves smart, propulsive stories with complicated characters and deep exploration of the female experience.


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Reviews

[Shelley's Book Nook · Rating 3 out of 5]

My Reviews Can Also Be Found On:
The Book Review Crew Blog


⭐⭐⭐
What We Found Instead
Heidi Reimer
Publication Date: July 28th, 2026
Lake Union Publishing
368 Pages
Amazon | Bookshop.org
Genre: General Fiction | Women's Fiction

This book is about Maggie and Eve; they're both going out with the same guy and end up becoming friends. They head up to northern Ontario—what we here in Ontario call cottage country—to sort through their feelings and bond over their shared situation.

I really liked how the story focused on female friendship, healing, and how we handle the unexpected. There are plenty of heartwarming and even joyous moments, alongside a lot of genuine character growth.

What didn't quite work for me were the subplotlines; they fell a bit flat and didn't have the impact I was hoping for. This is a very character-driven story with plenty of reflection, so if that's your style, you'll likely enjoy it.

The writing itself was well done and flowed nicely, but at the end of the day, something about the book just didn't fully click for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

[Caz (Underlined) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️ What We Found by Heidi Reimer is a contemporary domestic drama centred around secrets, betrayal, and the fallout of discovering the truth.

We meet Eve, who thinks she’s in a happy relationship with her boyfriend, Karl. One day, as he’s leaving the house, his phone lights up with a message from a woman named Maggie. Curiosity gets the better of her, and after looking through his messages, Eve discovers he’s been seeing someone else. Determined to confront the other woman, she tracks down Maggie’s address—only to discover that Eve is actually the other woman. Maggie has been with Karl much longer than she has, and that’s only the beginning of the drama.

This was definitely a messy read, with plenty of relationship drama, secrets, and unexpected revelations. I really enjoyed the premise and found myself wanting to know how everything was going to play out. Some of the twists kept me turning the pages, and there were moments I genuinely loved.

I didn’t fully connect with the characters, though. I wanted to spend more time inside their heads and understand what they were really thinking and feeling. Because of that, I found it difficult to become emotionally invested in them. There were also parts that dragged a little and felt like they could have been tightened up.

Heidi Reimer’s writing was easy to read, and I really enjoyed parts of the story. While I felt some scenes were drawn out and I wanted more emotional depth from the characters, the drama and unfolding secrets kept me interested enough to keep turning the pages.

Thank you to NetGalley, Lake Union Press, and author Heidi Reimer for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Publishing date: July 28th 2026

[Srivalli Rekha · Rating 1 out of 5]

1.5 Stars

One Liner: A trainwreck of bad decisions

At thirty-five, Maggie feels left behind, unsure about her career, living with roommates, and struggling through her PhD. She is at least certain about her boyfriend Karl, until she hears a voice message on his phone from someone named Eve.

Eve (43) left New York and settled in Northern Ontario to avoid drama and run her handcrafted furniture business. She likes her routine with her work, dog, and Karl. Until someone calls her, saying Karl is her boyfriend too.

After this incident, neither of them expects to see the other, but life throws Maggie and Eve together again, forcing them to face the past hurt and resentments to finally and truly move on.

The story comes in Maggie and Eve’s POVs.

My Thoughts

Well, this was supposed to be a poignant story about women who were cheated by the same man they loved and how they come to terms with it and afterward. The beginning was rather good. The story starts right away with the reveal, while providing us with the backstories and the descriptions of the countryside setting.

However, I soon started to wonder what the heck was happening. For women who are 35 and 43, they seem to be stuck in their teenage ways. Maggie, especially, made such dramatic and crazy decisions that I didn’t know what to think. She clearly stopped using her brain.

Eve’s characterization felt more consistent initially, but that consistency meant she would make the same stupid decisions as Maggie. Their actions come across as someone in their early twenties posting on AITA Reddit. And god forbid if they try to communicate for once!

How much mess can you make of your lives? If you ask these characters, they’ll say infinity. Not even a full year, and the shit that happens is insane. I alternated between wanting to knock sense into their heads and wanting to bang my head against the wall. The first isn’t possible, and I’m not stupid enough for the second.

Then came the final chapter, an epilogue with an eight-year leap. Why such a huge leap? Makes no sense when you see that they didn’t actually change or grow up. Except this time, it is working because they are co-dependent on each other and the kid, instead of worthless men.

And for the millionth time, doing some yoga asanas DOES NOT make you a yogi or a yogini. Stop appropriating my culture and insulting my ancestors. What’s taught in yoga studios is not even real yoga!

To summarize, What We Found Instead ended up being a disappointment. I can see its appeal to certain readers, but I couldn’t empathize with the characters or their decisions.

Thank you, NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.

#NetGalley #WhatWeFoundInstead

[My.bookish.diaries · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25⭐️

I want to start this by saying this is a Karl hate review... 😂

Right from the beginning we're introduced to Maggie, Eve, and Karl, who find themselves in a situation that Karl was the mastermind behind. That one event ends up bringing Maggie and Eve together and sparks the beginning of their friendship.

At first, the story was a little slow for me, but it was definitely worth sticking with. The more I read, the more invested I became in these characters. I was annotating as I went, and I think that really helped me become immersed in the story.

Maggie and Eve have such a complicated friendship. There were so many moments where I felt they were incredibly harsh with each other, especially Eve. The way she handled her own situation, along with how the Daniel situation was handled, was frustrating. I didn't always agree with the choices she made, but I also understood where they came from. Her childhood clearly shaped so much of who she became.

I absolutely loved Daniel's storyline and where it ended up going at the start. It was written so beautifully, and some of the things he said were genuinely swoon worthy. The author has such a lovely way of writing romance, making even the smallest moments feel meaningful. I just was sad how it ended up.

Both Maggie and Eve are flawed, complex women, and I appreciated that about them. They clashed often, but friendships can begin in the most unexpected ways, and I really enjoyed seeing their connection grow. As the story progressed, I found myself feeling sad because I wanted everything to work out especially when it came to Daniel. But I also understood why things unfolded the way they did. Life isn't always simple, and this book captured that really well.

My only complaint? Karl deserved way more accountability. 😂 I kept waiting for him to get absolutely called out because... he seriously sucks

One line from the author's note really stood out to me: "Her writing explores the lives of women, usually those bent on breaking free of what they are given to create what they yearn for." After finishing this book, that description feels so fitting. I'll definitely be picking up more of this author's work in the future.


✧･ﾟ: ✧･ﾟ: 𝘱𝘳𝘦-𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝘯𝘰𝘵𝘦𝘴 :･ﾟ✧:･ﾟ✧

📚 Gifted copy received ✨

Thank you to the Random House Canada for the complimentary copy! 🤍

Can't wait to dive into this one…see you after the final page. ☁️📖💫

[Cecily - MillennialBookGal · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you Heidi Reimer and NetGalley for the advanced audiobook of this novel.

This is a triangle I would never want to be a part of. I mean relationships can be complicated but these characters were a bit of a mess, especially in the decision making department.

The writing was okay the story had an interesting way of unfolding but I just a hard time getting into it because the characters were just unlikable.

The narration of the audiobook was great overall.

Okay read.

[Jamie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wasn't quite sure what to expect from this after reading the blurb. After finding out they've both been betrayed by the same man, Maggie and Eve suddenly find themselves questioning everything they thought they knew about the man they loved.

I found this to be a grumpy x sunshine story of two women who are polar opposites yet find themselves drawn to each other. I really enjoyed Heidi Reimer's storytelling as Maggie and Eve felt so real to me. Maggie is a romantic soul and Eve is very self-protective. This is a messy, human story and it was told in such a careful way. If you want a fresh take on how complicated female friendship can be, I would definitely recommend this!

Thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for providing this advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review!

[Michelle Herzing · Rating 4 out of 5]

I, to be honest, requested an ARC of What We Found Instead because the author shares my maiden name (I have no idea if there is a distant familial connection). After I read the synopsis, I thought it sounded like a good summer read. I have to admit that this novel took me completely by surprise with its depth, themes of female friendship and strength, and the beauty and power of women's bodies. I even set aside a novel that I am loving to read this one cover to cover in two days.

Maggie and Eve are two very different women who find out that they have one critical thing in common--the boyfriend that each woman believes they love. I expected a story of revenge, or of two women fighting it our for the man they love, but this novel takes readers in an entirely different direction, and not in a cheesy, predictable way. The friendship forged is not an easy one, and the obstacles faced by the women draw them together and drive them apart at the same time. I loved the depiction of what female friendships are at the best and worst of times.

The men in the story are definitely not perfect, though I believe they are perfect examples of decent men who sometimes behave very imperfectly and sometimes do not necessarily deserve the women who love them. I especially enjoyed the way the story ended, and the epilogue was the perfect icing on the cake.

If you love strong female characters who learn to stand on their own feet and follow their own dreams, give What We Found Instead a try.

Thank you to Netgalley and Lake Union Press for the digital ARC of What We Found Instead by Heidi Reimer. The opinions in this review are my own.

[Lindsey Reeder · Rating 4 out of 5]

while it took a few odd turns 3/4 way through, still very much worth reading.

[thebookybird · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really disliked this, two woman making terrible decisions over a very mediocre man, continue to display immature behaviour oh and did I mention they are mid thirties and early forties not young enough to justify some of this questionable decision making? Unbelievable and disappointing.

[Amy Living Well Read]

A more developed review to come, but this women’s fiction is excellent. Highly reccomend! Releases Tuesday, Juky 28, so preorder it now!

[Emma Davies · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for this ARC.

I was looking forward to reading this book and I think I may have gone in with expectations that were a bit too high. I also love the cover of this book, which immediately drew me in. I can see why this story has resonated with other readers, especially those who enjoy books centred on female friendships and platonic soulmates. There was a compelling bond between the two characters as the main focus of the story and I appreciated the attempt to portray a raw and unfiltered side to relationships. The writing style also felt fairly fast-paced, which I liked.

However, it fell a bit flat for me. The difficult and emotional situations seem intended to feel realistic, but I found it difficult to view the friendships and relationships in this book as realistic. The repeated cycle of falling out and reconciling between the characters, along with the heavier themes throughout, made the reading experience a little draining for me, although I can see how this added to the emotional weight of the story. Overall, this book wasn’t the best fit for me but I think readers who love intense, character-driven narratives, messy relationships and complex friendships would connect with this more than I did.

[Tori Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and Heidi Reimer for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

What We Found Instead was an absolute joy to read and a wonderfully satisfying surprise. From the opening pages, I was completely engaged, and that never faded. It is one of those rare books that balances plot and character so well that you keep turning the pages for both reasons equally.
The cover first drew me in, two women in the lake surrounded by greenery, and it made me curious enough to read the description. I am glad I did.

This was my first time reading Heidi Reimer, but I am already looking at her other work. I read this across two sittings only because life got in the way. Had it been up to me, I would have happily devoured it in one.

What begins with betrayal and upheaval grows into something far richer: a thoughtful, emotionally intelligent story about grief, friendship, healing, family, and the ways women can rebuild themselves after being hurt. Maggie and Eve were both so vividly drawn. They are very different women, shaped by different wounds and family histories, yet both felt deeply human, flawed, sympathetic, and real. Watching their relationship evolve was one of the most rewarding parts of the novel for me. I was worried it might be one-note or too simplistic in its themes, but it was anything but. The novel consistently chose nuance over easy conflict.

The greatest strength of this book for me was the character work. Maggie and Eve felt wonderfully real: flawed, sympathetic, frustrating at times, but always understandable. Their growth across the novel was beautifully handled, and I became deeply invested in both women and in the life they were trying to build after disappointment and hurt.

I also appreciated that the book was woman-centred without reducing the men to caricatures. Even when characters behaved badly, they were still treated as people rather than simple villains. That gave the story far more depth and honesty. The novel consistently chose emotional complexity over easy drama, which I admired.

The writing style was accessible while still often beautiful. There were scenes around Still Lake and the lodge that felt vivid and painterly. I could see the weather, the water, the landscape. We were deeply embedded in Maggie and Eve’s perspectives, which made their emotions feel immediate, but the side characters were also given enough care to feel fully alive.

The pacing was excellent throughout. There was always something drawing me onward, but the emotional moments were given space to breathe. I was invested the entire time and genuinely cared about where each character would end up.

Perhaps what I loved most was that the book resisted simplistic endings. It allowed growth to be messy, relationships to be complicated, and healing to come in unexpected forms. By the final pages, I felt deeply moved and completely satisfied.

Most of all, this book made me feel warm, comforted, and hopeful. By the end, I felt genuinely emotional because the real love stories underneath it all had been so tenderly built. It felt like a warm hug on a cold winter’s day.

For me personally, this was the perfect balance of heart, character development, and momentum. I truly hope many readers discover it because I would love more people to talk to about it.

[Ciara Hartman · Rating 4 out of 5]

🎧 Audio Review: Having had friends from Canada and northern NY, I felt like the narration was pretty good! Kept reminding me of how my Canadian friend speaks. I will say that I would’ve preferred if it had dual narration for when the MC (freaking Karl) was speaking, but I would’ve hated him either way. 🤷🏼‍♀️😂

📝 Story Review: There was so much to unpack in this story. It made me feel a wide range of emotions and I was definitely invested. I didn’t really like Eve, but I also understood that childhood traumas can harden people and I tried to give her some grace for that. I liked Maggie, but wished she would’ve learned to be her own person a lot sooner. She craved love and wanted to be needed so badly that she tried to fit herself in molds to please other people instead of doing what she needed for herself. It was frustrating. But I appreciated how everything came together in the end, despite bad choices and broken friendships. Just shows you that even when you think all is lost, you don’t have to give up yet, because sometimes it isn’t the end of the world even if it feels like it.

This story is about two women in a relationship with the same man (freaking Karl!) and neither knows, until Maggie happens to find out about Eve and decides to let Eve know that he’s playing them… but it’s not a simple relationship breakup because they both love him and aren’t the best at communicating the full truth and then when something unexpected occurs, Karl is nowhere to be found… leading to drastic events and an unexpected friendship that later grows more tumultuous. And then freaking Karl shows back up…. 😡

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4/5
Spice Level: 🌶️ 1/5

Tropes 👇

- 🇨🇦 Canada to NY
- Relationship Drama/Trauma
- Unexpected Pregnancy
- Tumultuous Friendship
- Renovating a lodge
- Business deals gone awry
- Heartbreak & Mistakes
- Canine sidekick
- Learning to be independent
- Twin Sibling Drama


CW’s 👇

- Traumatic Miscarriage
- Ectopic Pregnancy
- “Geriatric” pregnancy
- Home birth
- Cheating bf
- Loss of a spouse
- Short lived marriage
- An MC that finds the pregnant body gross
- Injury to a pet (brief scene)
- Mention of broken family separating twin children
- Mention of parent with depression

Audio Release Date: July 28, 2026
Audio Run Time: 12 hrs, 43 mins
Narrated By: Heidi Reimer (author)
Genre: Women’s Fiction
POV: Third Person; Dual

Thank you to NetGalley and Brilliance Publishing for this ALC in return for my honest review.

[MKAC · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️
Two very different women who find themselves entangled in a sticky situation. I really enjoyed the premise of this book. The relationships that grew out of grief and brokenness was amazing. Then things went off the rails a little, for me. I understand some conflict is needed to bring about the story’s conclusion, but it didn’t really feel completely organic, for anyone. Except maybe Karl, I bought into that.

I, almost, wish I’d skipped that part and I’d have imagined a different way to get to the ending, which did work well. I wish these two strong and capable women grew a little more, in ways that were more of themselves and less reactionary. Maybe that sounds counterintuitive.

I did enjoy this story and I think it will be loved by many. We each carry within us different histories that may connect with the characters, bringing about very different reactions.

This is a review of the audiobook, which was narrated by the author. The narration was well done, though maybe not as polished as some. The author’s voice definitely came through, bringing focus where a non-author may not. Two very different women who find themselves entangled in a sticky situation. I really enjoyed the premise of this book. The relationships that grew out of grief and brokenness was amazing. Then things went off the rails a little, for me. I understand some conflict is needed to bring about the story’s conclusion, but it didn’t really feel completely organic, for anyone. Except maybe Karl, I bought into that.

I, almost, wish I’d skipped that part and I’d have imagined a different way to get to the ending, which did work well. I wish these two strong and capable women grew a little more, in ways that were more of themselves and less reactionary. Maybe that sounds counterintuitive.

I did enjoy this story and I think it will be loved by many. We each carry within us different histories that may connect with the characters, bringing about very different reactions.

This is a review of the audiobook, which was narrated by the author. The narration was well done, though maybe not as polished as some. The author’s voice definitely came through, bringing focus where a non-author may not.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

I started this story, got a few chapters in and put it down to deal with life… but once I picked it back up, I could not put it down.

What We Found Instead begins with a striking premise: Maggie discovers she’s “the other woman” in her boyfriend Karl’s long-term relationship with Eve. But instead of confronting him, she reaches out to Eve—and what follows is a deeply messy, sincere, and unexpectedly moving story about betrayal, grief, healing, and connection.

This isn’t a neat and tidy “women versus the world” story. It’s character-driven, nuanced, and filled with people making frustrating, deeply human choices. I found myself angry at these characters one moment and full of compassion for them the next. Heidi Reimer has a real talent for uncovering the fractures inside people and showing how those wounds shape the decisions they make, even when those decisions are messy or painful.

Eve and Maggie are both compelling in completely different ways. Maggie’s immaturity often clashed with Eve’s guarded self-possession, and I constantly shifted between wanting to shake them and wanting to hug them. Their growth throughout the novel felt incredibly rewarding, especially because Reimer never forces them into being universally likeable to earn the reader’s investment.

What makes this book stand out most is its balance: it’s deeply woman-centred without flattening the male characters into caricatures (though wow, did I hate Karl). Even when I was frustrated, I was completely hooked. In the end, this felt like a beautiful love letter to friendship, womanhood, healing, and northern Ontario—and I reached the final page genuinely sad to leave these characters behind.

Content warnings: unwanted pregnancy, traumatic loss of a pregnancy, infidelity, depression.

Thanks to Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for access to this eARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Mal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the advanced reader copy.

When Maggie picks up her boyfriend, Karl's, phone to bring it to him as he rushes out of the house she doesn't expect to hear a voicemail from another woman--Eve--calling him baby and saying that she loves him. Determined to connect with this woman who has also clearly been wronged by Karl, Maggie reaches out to meet with Eve, but the female-empowered connection she'd hoped for doesn't materialize. Instead Eve is prickly and suspicious of Maggie. The meeting between the two women sets off a series of events that impacts everyone's lives in ways expected and unexpected. WHAT WE FOUND INSTEAD explores the questions of friendship, love, and what it means to be a family.

This book wrecked me in all the best ways. It was the kind of story that got me so wrapped up in it that I was talking back to the pages (usually yelling at characters to stop doing such self-destructive things!) and staying up later to finish "one more chapter." Eve and Maggie are as compelling as they are flawed and from the outside you can't help but wonder why either of these women fell for the ridiculousness that is Karl. But finding that kernel of fracture inside someone and revealing how it determines so many of the choices they make seems to be Reimer's writing super power. Even as I was angry at characters, wanting them to stop making such foolish decisions, I was also filled with great empathy for them. There are content warnings to be sure, in this story (*spoiler ahead): unwanted pregnancy, traumatic loss of a pregnancy, infidelity, depression, harm to an animal (but the animal lives!!), etc. But there is also beautiful writing and such depth of heart. This is a story that's going to stick with me for a while.

What We Found Instead is out July 28, 2026

[Shannon (The Book Club Mom) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heidi Reimer’s debut, THE MOTHER ACT completely knocked my socks off when I read it a few years ago, so when she reached out to me and asked if I was interested in reading her forthcoming novel, WHAT WE FOUND INSTEAD, I couldn’t say yes fast enough. I also couldn’t start reading it fast enough. It doesn’t come out until the end of July, but I had to read it NOW! Check out this quick synopsis:

𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘞𝘦 𝘍𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥 𝘐𝘯𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝘪𝘴 𝘢 𝘤𝘢𝘱𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘪𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘧𝘶𝘭 𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘢𝘵 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘱𝘭𝘦𝘹 𝘳𝘦𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘱𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘢 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘭𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘰 𝘧𝘦𝘮𝘢𝘭𝘦 𝘧𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘱, 𝘢𝘴𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘶𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘳 𝘲𝘶𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦, 𝘭𝘰𝘺𝘢𝘭𝘵𝘺, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘸𝘦 𝘰𝘸𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘷𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘴.

If you love messy and complicated female friendship stories, then this book is definitely for you. Maggie and Eve both get burned by the same man, and actually make much more sense as mortal enemies, yet they form a connection from their shared experience.

It took absolutely no time at all for me to get swept up in the lives of these women. Their individual storylines were equally engaging and entertaining, yet the plot got even better once their paths intertwined. The drama got even juicer, the overall situation intensified, and the little twists and surprises just kept coming.

READ THIS IF YOU ENJOY:

- Canadian setting (northern ON)
- Lake and lodge life
- Female friendship
- Complicated relationships
- Unlikely/strange bonds
- Pregnancy and new motherhood
- Dual POVs
- Character-driven novels
- Drama, drama, drama
- Shocking twists and surprises

It’s official. I’ll read absolutely anything Heidi Reimer writes. I like her style, I like that she writes about the lives of women, and doesn’t shy away from the messiness of it all. Her characters are relatable and flawed, which in turn makes them realistic, and I find this very refreshing.

Fans of women’s fiction will eat this book up. 4/5 stars for WHAT WE FOUND INSTEAD! It releases on July 28th!

[Tahni · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars.

A cozy, engaging story of an unlikely friendship between two women who find out they're dating the same man, set in an idyllic lakeside town.

As with much of women's fiction, a lot of the plot felt contrived. There were moments where it was so convenient that I was taken out of the characters' perspectives and instead started evaluating the author's choices. That said, this was an overall enjoyable read. I enjoyed the contrast of Maggie's chaotic manic-pixie yogini to Eve's stifling rigidity and independence, and liked that the relationships with men weren't always predictable or straightforward.

The one other thing that I noticed was that all the feelings talks were so emotionally intelligent, vulnerable and in-tune, almost idealized as if they could process and articulate their emotions perfectly. Then the next scene those same characters would do or say something immature, feeling incongruous with the EI they had just established. Perhaps I was just disappointed that the characters were human like me haha.

The blurb doesn't mention the themes of family planning, motherhood, pregnancy and miscarriage but that is a big topic covered in this story. I've read quite a few books lately where this is a central theme so perhaps I'm burnt out and sensitive to the topic, but it's hard to avoid when it's not mentioned in the description.

The audiobook production was excellent and it was narrated by the author who did a great job. She didn't try to deepen her voice to speak for the male characters, which a few times made it hard to track a conversation but otherwise very well done.

I look forward to more from this author.

Thanks to Brilliance Publishing, Brilliance Audio, NetGalley, and author Heidi Reimer for this audiobook to honestly review.

[Ivy Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Women can bond over the most unexpected experiences, and this includes being cheated on by the same guy, too. This is the story of the grumpy tomboy Eve and the little ray of sunshine Maggie, becoming friends, and forming the strongest and deepest bond with each other after discovering that their boyfriend Karl had been two-timing them.

When I started reading this book, I certainly expected to find an extraordinary relationship between two women, but I never would have anticipated the emotional depth of that relationship and the way it completely enveloped me and pulled me in.

Eve and Maggie are total polar opposites of each other. Eve is harsh with her words while Maggie is soft-spoken, Eve is tough and resilient while Maggie is fragile, Eve is a pessimist (or a very harsh realist) while Maggie is the epitome of optimism and hope. It was delightful to see how their interactions blended their personalities nicely, helping Maggie grow stronger and more resilient, and teaching Eve to connect with her emotions.

At times, they both get overwhelmed with resentment and act childish and sulky, which may not be appreciated by every reader, but for me, given their history and personal backgrounds, it was understandable and justified in a way. These two women show that it is okay to not make the best of decisions at all times and that sometimes the worst decisions may lead to the best outcomes in the end.

I loved the story of these two women combining the ruins of their messy relationships and building something so unbreakable with the pieces. I really recommend this book to readers who enjoy women's fiction, women lifting each other up, and found family.

Bug thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and author Heidi Reimer for the ARC.

[Stephanie Dana · Rating 4 out of 5]

I went into this expecting a story about betrayal, but what stayed with me was the friendship that grew from the aftermath.

The premise immediately pulled me in: two women discover they’ve both been deceived by the same man, and instead of becoming lifelong enemies, they navigate an unlikely connection. While I appreciated the message about women supporting one another, I have to admit that Maggie and Eve’s platonic friendship didn’t always feel completely convincing to me. At times, I struggled to understand how quickly they moved past everything they’d been through together. Still, their relationship ultimately became the emotional heart of the story.

I also loved the remote Northern Ontario setting. The quiet lake backdrop added such a peaceful setting that contrasted beautifully with the emotional turmoil the characters were experiencing. It gave the novel an intimate, reflective atmosphere that really worked.

Both Maggie and Eve carry pieces of their childhood into adulthood, and I thought the author did a great job showing how those early experiences shaped the decisions they made, for better or worse. They’re imperfect women who make frustrating choices at times, and there were definitely moments where I wished they’d stop giving so much emotional energy to a man who simply wasn’t worth it. Some of the twists felt a little dramatic, but the emotional payoff made them easier to accept.

Where the book shines is in its exploration of healing, resilience, and finding unexpected support after heartbreak. The writing is accessible, the pacing kept me engaged, and I genuinely cared about where both women’s journeys would lead.

This wasn’t a perfect read, but it was an emotional and thoughtful one. If you enjoy character-driven women’s fiction with complicated relationships, beautiful settings, and stories about finding strength in unexpected friendships, I’d definitely recommend giving this one a try.

[Ali Sherbach · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading What We Found Instead: A Novel by Heidi Reimer. I'm generally more of a thriller/sci-fi girly, but the fast pacing, the messy characters, and the gorgeous setting had me locked in. It made me want to leave everything behind, move to a lake with no internet (and no men!), and live my best life.

It's about building relationships with other women and using that as a starting point to step into the life you always wanted for yourself, not the one you think you should be living. Men (specifically Karl, *insert eye roll*) are just a symbol for the things we settle for because the world tells us we should.

It's also about building community while they literally rebuild a lodge (floorboards, roof, all the things). There's a painting of a naked woman hanging in the lodge, arms like a lumberjack, and the only man around keeps asking for it to be moved somewhere he doesn't have to look at her. I suddenly found myself wanting to buy a nude painting. Something I have never once considered before in my life!

To be clear, it's not a mystery; you know who's cheating on whom within the first page, but something about the pacing kept me reading, and I finished it in a few hours. I'd say this book is for women who like thrillers but don't necessarily think they'll enjoy literary fiction.

Total book club material.

(I received an ARC from the publisher through NetGalley in return for an honest review)

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I went into this one expecting a story about betrayal, but what stayed with me was the friendship that grew from it.

The premise grabbed me right away. Two women discover they're in relationships with the same man, and I really appreciated that the story became so much more than that. Watching Maggie and Eve slowly build an unlikely friendship ended up being my favorite part of the book.

I also loved the Northern Ontario setting. The quiet lakeside atmosphere added so much to the story and balanced the heavier emotional moments beautifully.

I listened to the audiobook, and Heidi Reimer did a wonderful job narrating it herself. Her voice felt warm and genuine, and it fit the tone of the story perfectly. It was an easy audiobook to settle into.

The only thing that kept this from being a higher rating for me was the last quarter of the book. I found myself getting frustrated with some of the characters' decisions, and a few plot twists felt a little more dramatic than I wanted. I kept wishing Maggie and Eve would fully embrace the growth they'd already worked so hard for instead of slipping back into old patterns.

Even with those frustrations, I was invested until the very end. This is ultimately a story about healing, resilience, and finding unexpected friendship after heartbreak. If you enjoy character-driven women's fiction with complicated relationships, beautiful settings, and a strong focus on female friendship, I think this one is worth picking up.

3.5 rounded to 4

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Lake Union Publishing for providing an advance reading copy through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

⭐️ 3.5

What We Found Instead is an engaging contemporary novel about betrayal, healing, and the unexpected friendships that can emerge from heartbreak.

One of the book’s greatest strengths is its sense of place. I really appreciated the Northern Ontario setting, which felt vivid and immersive, and it was refreshing to read a story set in Canada. The setting added a warmth and authenticity that grounded the novel.

I also enjoyed the overall story and the relationship that develops between Maggie and Eve. Watching two women navigate an incredibly painful situation and slowly build an unlikely connection made for a compelling read.

Where the novel didn’t quite work for me was in its emotional depth. I found myself wanting more introspection from the characters. While I understood what they were experiencing, I didn’t always feel as connected to their inner lives as I had hoped.

I was also frustrated by how many characters repeatedly made poor decisions. I don’t mind flawed characters but it reached a point where the many questionable choices became distracting and occasionally pulled me out of the story.

Overall, I enjoyed What We Found Instead. It explores love, trust, and friendship in an engaging way, and despite some frustrations, I found it to be a worthwhile read. This one just didn’t resonate with me as deeply as I had hoped

[Angela Kelman · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was the perfect rainy long weekend day to read the second half of this perfect summer read. Heidi Reimer is a truly beautiful writer. Once again, in the pages of What We Found Instead, she has given life to wholly complex and compelling women, shaped by emotion, family, and life experience. Her words also paint the scenery so exquisitely - transporting us to northern Ontario where we'd all happily visit at this time of year - and bring along an array of supporting characters, including one beloved canine. This story held more well-plotted twists than I was expecting. It made me laugh and it made me cry - highest praise! I would say that Heidi writes for women and that we can not help but feel connection in reading her books. But anyone who appreciates excellent writing and a wonderful story will love them.

THIS is the book that I want you to go to your local independent bookstore and buy. Buy it for your best friend. Buy it for your mother. Buy it for your sister. If you haven't read The Mother Act yet, buy it too. If you love to read, supporting a magnificently talented Canadian author will bring sunshine to any day.

Heidi, it may have taken you twenty years to put this story in our hands and minds, but it was worth the wait. Thank you for Eve and Maggie. Thank you for Still Lake. Thank you for Flora.

Bravo!

[Mandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading this book, I felt almost transported to a place I've never been. I did not grow up going to summer camp or spending much time in the woods or camping. My family just wasn't about that. And I've never been to the part of Canada where this book takes place, but as I read this story, I felt a longing to go and be there, myself.

There were some themes in this novel that resonated with me, including learning to de-center men, celebrating women in community and female-centered friendships, growing past old wounds, and learning what really matters to you. As a woman who grew up in a culture where it was almost explicit that a woman’s worth is determined by her relationship to men, I think it's so exciting to read literature that talks about a different way of centering yourself and female friends in your life. The male characters in this book are not villainized or flattened out. Everyone in this story is fully human, flawed and understandable. This was such a sweet read and I enjoyed it thoroughly!

The author keeps the tension up by making the characters make very poor choices, sometimes annoying choices. But by the last 3rd of the book I was racing through the pages to find out what was going to happen. Even though the ending didn't come out of nowhere, it also was also not predictable.

[Madison · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 - I read and really enjoyed Heidi Reimer’s debut novel The Mother Act a few years ago and was excited to see that she has a new book out! What We Found Instead is a completely different type of story, but I enjoyed it even more than her previous work.

The story follows Maggie and Eve, two women who discover they are in a relationship with the same man. When circumstances unexpectedly bring them together, they are forced to confront their feelings about the situation and about each other. Where do they go from here?

If you’re expecting a cozy rom com, keep looking because this isn’t it. Reimer kept me on my toes with the story’s unpredictability, even when I thought I knew where it was going. There were a few plot points I saw coming, but I was surprised by where things ended up.

What We Found Instead is friendship fiction at its best — full of love, heartbreak, and joy. Sometimes these stories can be saccharine or surface-level. That's not the case here. The characters feel authentic in their struggles, desires, and flaws.

If you’re craving something uplifting but also grounded, I highly recommend checking this one out. Oh, and the cover is gorgeous!

Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the advance copy.

[Hannah Dwyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the advance copy.

Told through the dual perspectives of Eva and Maggie - two women who discover they've been dating the same man - this book takes a familiar trope and gives it a fresher, more thoughtful treatment. While a cheating storyline isn't new, the author uses it as a starting point for something more interesting: an unlikely friendship between two women whose lives collide because of someone else's dishonesty.

The author does an amazing job of illustrating the strength of female friendship under pressure. Eva and Maggie are an unlikely pair, but I enjoyed watching their bond. The unpredictability of the storyline kept me reaching for just one more chapter each night which is always a good sign.

I struggled a tad with Maggie as she felt a tad immature for her age. Though, I suspect this was intentional on the author's part, even if it occasionally tested my patience with Maggie.

Ultimately, this book hits a sweet spot that's hard to pull off: it reads like the perfect summer book without feeling fluffy or surface-level. The themes are real, the women are complex, and the story lingers a little after you finish it.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐½

It's more than a story about a love triangle. Yes, it starts with two women discovering they're both involved in relationship with the same man, but that allows the author to touch on deeper themes including female friendship, healing, and self-discovery. The story started a little slow, and the characters definitely frustrated me. But humans are flawed, and the characters are dealing with difficult situations. Overall, I enjoyed following their evolving relationship and the personal journeys the main characters had to undergo. This book would be best for those who enjoy character-driven contemporary fiction.

I listened to the audiobook while physically reading the book in tandem. The audiobook is narrated by the author. It took a little while to get into the audiobook, as some of the character's voices (primarily the male POVs) pulled me out of the story. But as the story progressed, I felt like the voices became more fine-tuned (or maybe I just got used to them). While my feelings initially were a little shaky, overall, I enjoyed the audiobook once I got into it.


Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing an advance reader copy. All opinions are my own.

[Chyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review of an advance copy received from NetGalley.

This book brought out so many emotions in me at once. At first, I thought it would simply show how Maggie and Eve became best friends after learning the truth about their relationship with Karl, but it turned out to be so much more than that. The characters and their circumstances felt incredibly real, and it reminded me that the choices they made, the emotions they felt, and the actions they took are things that happen in real life. I especially loved Maggie and Eve’s friendship, no matter how imperfect and bumpy it was.

I also loved the writing style. This is definitely one of those books that I’ll find myself thinking about from time to time. The only reason I’m not giving it 5 stars is because of Karl. The audacity of him to show up and act that way until the end made me so angry. I honestly wanted to punch him in the face. if I were given the chance haha. I was also really rooting for Daniel and Maggie and wanted them to end up happy together.

Overall, this is a book I genuinely enjoyed reading and would definitely recommend to anyone looking for a story about friendship, healing, and love.

[Fieldpoppy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Are you a Maggie? And Eve? A Bernice? Or -- and admit it -- are you a Karl?

What We Found Instead is the perfect blend of compelling story, incredible emotional depth and deft, memorable writing. It's not a beach read, it's a cottage read -- meant for a hammock under a hemlock beside an Ontario lake.

Set mostly in Ontario, mostly in the north, it's the story of two women who find themselves in an unlikely orbit when they discover they are both in a relationship with the same man . There is plenty of plot, but really, it's about two women who want more than they have been allowing themselves, and who have to learn to trust themselves and each other to get it.

I loved this book. I loved the characters, and I loved how Heidi captures hard truths that puncture our souls in the simplest of phrases. What did he want? If only he'd talk to her and tell her, she would become it.

I left the book wanting more, and then realized that by pre-ordering the book, I could get a prequel sent to my email. It's worth it.

(I received an ARC from the publisher through NetGalley in return for an honest review)