What We Found Instead: A Novel

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 handcrafted 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

358 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication 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.


Sign up for her biweekly newslettert for honest grappling with the creative process, insight and angst moving from process to product on the road to publication, and deep dives into mother-daughter relationships, maternal ambivalence, and feminist awakening. But in a fun way!

Reviews

[My.bookish.diaries]

✧･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. ☁️📖💫

[ohohohjamiesreading · 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!

[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.

[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.

[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!

[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.

[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

[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.

[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)

[Sharlene N · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25⭐

I absolutely loved Heidi Reimer's first book The Mother Act, and 𝙒𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙒𝙚 𝙁𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙙 𝙄𝙣𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙖𝙙 has solidified her as a must-read author for me.

The story has a very interesting premise. When Maggie finds out that her boyfriend has a whole other life and girlfriend she knew nothing about, she decides to contact the other woman, Eve, to let her in on his lies. What follows is the two women forming a very unlikely and tumultuous bond that has many unexpected twists and turns. Some of the plot points are far-fetched, but Reimers develops her characters in such a way that it all makes sense.

What really shines is the character development and the themes of female friendship and empowerment. Eve and Maggie are flawed characters for sure - they stumble and make multiple mistakes but their struggles are some that most women can relate to on some level. They pick themselves up and find something beautiful in the wreckage.

The writing style was accessible while still having a literary feel and the pacing was spot on. I highly enjoyed this beautiful story.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for access to this eARC.

[V (working on thesis, still reading) · Rating 4 out of 5]

If there's one book I'd recommend about female friendship, it would be What We Found Instead.

This book starts with betrayal, but what comes after is something meaningful. Maggie and Eve are two women with completely different personalities. Maggie is more open, emotional, and hopeful, while Eve is quiet, guarded, and likes to keep people at arms length. The only thing they have in common is that they both fell in love with the same man, Karl, without knowing about each other.

After the truth comes out, both of them have to deal with heartbreak in their own ways. At first, they don't like each other, which is totally understandable. But as life keeps bringing them back together, they slowly learn to understand and accept each other. Their friendship didn't happen overnight, and that's what made it feel so realistic. It grew naturally through reluctant help, awkward moments, honest conversations, and supporting each other when they needed it.

I loved how this book shows that healing isn't always about finding another romance. And yes, this was such a warm and emotional read. I definitely recommend this one.

[jess · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book really gets the complicated relationship right between Maggie and Eve. They’re uniquely different from each other but betrayed by the same man, which is a difficult experience to navigate and portrayed wonderfully. I think the intricate nature of friendships between women is a topic that should be discussed more often and I found that explored within What We Found Instead.

At times I did find myself frustrated with the characters, wondering why would they make that choice, why did they act a certain way. I wanted more into their minds, to understand their thoughts better and exploration into their relationships (outside of the one just between Maggie and Eve) instead of that’s just the way things are and they happen. This happened with a few of the events as well, somehow adding onto this pile of wild instances within the book’s timeframe and left the ending a tad rushed.

Overall, I still found it a nice and easy read.

Thank you NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the ARC!

[Karen Axnick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two women who would likely never cross paths, are drawn together under unusual circumstances. Both have their hearts broken by a man who led one life in the city during the week and another life in the country on the weekends. Their first encounter is fraught with tension and the subsequent story of their relationship is a testimony to the strength of female friendships that transcends hurt and betrayal.

I enjoyed this novel for its character development and its evocative prose that describes the pain and the beauty in forging the bonds of friendship under trying circumstances. Both Maggie and Eve bring complex issues that add dimension and depth to the unfoldment of their relationship. The ending felt a bit rushed, but overall, the novel is a satisfying and engaging read.

My thanks to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for the privilege of reviewing this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This review will be posted on Amazon upon publication.

[Deborah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved Heidi Reimer’s What We Found Instead and cannot recommend it highly enough. This masterful novel perfectly balances an engaging plot with deep character development, taking readers on an unforgettable journey through love, heartbreak, friendship, and joy. Set against the vivid backdrops of Toronto and the serene country mountains, the story beautifully explores the messy realities of learning to say I'm sorry, standing up for oneself, and discovering true self-worth.
What makes this woman-centred novel truly stand out is its nuance; the characters don't need to be universally likable to be completely captivating, and watching their profound growth is incredibly rewarding. Furthermore, the narrative empowers its female leads without reducing the male characters to flat, secondary sidekicks. It is a deeply moving, five-star read about healing, resilience, and connection that will stay with you long after the final page.

Thank you, NetGalley, for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Farah G · Rating 3 out of 5]

Maggie is devastated when she discovers her boyfriend Karl might be cheating on her. She is already feeling stuck in a rut and this was one of the few things she felt confident about. Until now. Perhaps the only one who can give her the answers she craves is the woman that Karl is possibly involved with?

Eve likes her life in the countryside the way it is, enjoying the weekends spent with Karl, even if he does spend the working week in the city. But now she has to contend with some stranger who wants to speak to her about something important.

This is an interesting premise, but I found the lead characters somewhat immature for women who are basically middle aged. Their decisions seemed questionable, especially under these problematic circumstances. Overall, a good enough read, if not particularly outstanding.

I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

[Marcie McPherson · Rating 3 out of 5]

𝗔 𝗯𝗲𝗮𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘂𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝗳𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗱𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗹𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗺𝗲 𝗮𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗮𝘆.

I loved the first half of What We Found Instead. Maggie and Eve are complex, flawed and completely different, and their unlikely friendship felt wonderfully natural. Watching them find strength, humour and support in each other had me convinced this was heading towards five stars.

Then they regressed, and so did my investment. After all that hard-earned growth and those newfound boundaries, I wanted their friendship to empower them. Instead, I found myself frustrated by their choices and especially by the lack of accountability for Karl. The sweet ending wasn't quite enough to win me back.

Heidi Reimer's narration was a highlight. Warm and intimate, it felt like having a friend with a beautiful voice reading me a bedtime story. I'd happily listen to her narrate again.

Thank you to Heidi Reimer, Brilliance Publishing and NetGalley for the advance listening copy. All opinions are my own.

[Lauren Koshak · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

What We Found Instead was such an unexpected read. Two women, Eve and Maggie discover they’re in a long term serious relationship with the same bro- related, Karl absolutely suuuucks, lol and I spent a good chunk of this book being frustrated with him. But what I loved most was watching these women navigate heartbreak, disappointment, and life’s curveballs while finding strength in the most unlikely place—each other.

Their relationship felt authentic and rewarding, and I loved seeing them grow into themselves through such an unexpected connection. The themes of friendship, resilience, and self-discovery really carried the story for me.

Trigger warning: miscarriage.

And, as always- Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this advanced copy in exchange for my honest review!

[Julia Tausch · Rating 4 out of 5]

My thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Reading this reminded me a little of watching The Bachelor (complimentary!), except the women get to talk in more than five second soundbites and actually get to have personalities and preferences, and the man gets to talk waaaay less than them (highly complimentary!). Also instead of a weird mansion in LA, it’s a crumbling fishing lodge in Ontario’s lake-studded near North. Maybe not like The Bachelor at all, but definitely a compulsive reading experience full of vivid beautiful scenery, unlikely friendship, and tenderness.

For fans of Reimer’s excellent The Mother Act, I did find this one quite different in tone, but similarly well-written and propulsively plotted. This would make a great gift for your best friend — and for yourself!

[Kourtney · Rating 2 out of 5]

There are so many things that prevented me from enjoying this story. Though the premise sounded intriguing, the execution did not live up to what I expected. There are at least five totally unbelievable plot points that make this story far fetched. The foundation being built off of lack of communication was an indicator of where this was going to take me. The author made the choice to exclude a big part so I do feel like this was a disappointment. I was waiting for an explanation or redemptive arc but it was not there. I loved The Mother Act by the author so much more… so hopefully we will see more of that in future novels.

Thank you to Netgalley and Lake Union Publishing for a galley in exchange for an honest review.

[Caitlin Underwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

ANOTHER five star ARC? You bet.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for my ARC of this book.

This story boils down to one thing: WOMEN.

The power, the strength, the resilience, the beauty of women.

I loved falling into Maggie and Eve’s worlds, watching them cross paths and drift apart over and over until they finally figured themselves out. Watching this story build was captivating and beautiful, and I thought the author did a great job of making the characters feel human and real. This is a good one to dive into without knowing much, if you can, and I think it should be on the TBR of anyone looking for a good read about strong, fierce women and the power of female friendship.

[Bethany Ely · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars - I really enjoyed this author's writing style and the story of female friendship it told. I finished it in 2 days and found it easy to read / quick. The reason I'd dock it a few stars is that I felt the story dragged at times... how many bad things can happen to 2 people in one year?? I also found myself wanting to smack the main characters at times - they couldn't seem to get out of their own ways.

That being said, reading this book made me want to read more by this author and I thought it was a fun, heartwarming read. Thank you Lake Union Publishing for the advanced copy of this book!

[Amanda Newby · Rating 3 out of 5]

*received arc from netgalley

What We Found Instead explores the complicated friendship and relationships between Eve and Maggie. After finding out they have the same partner Karl we follow them trying to rebuild their lives in the after effects of leaving him.

I had a lot of mixed feelings about this book, at times I loved it and other times I found myself hating decisions the decisions these characters made. Not sure if it is just because I don’t agree or because some of it seemed out of character for what we read but I didn’t fully enjoy myself because of this. I was happy with how it ended though!