Somewhere, Something Incredible

by Susan Meissner

When her elderly mother starts making impulsive choices, Gwen panics – but her mother insists everyone, regardless of age, has the right to choose their own happiness in this new novel by beloved author, Susan Meissner.

San Diego, 1969. As Apollo astronauts prepare to take the first steps on the moon, Gwen is simply trying to hold her world together. A devoted daughter, wife, and mother, she has honored a promise to her deceased father to care for her well-off but fragile and dependent mother, Lucille.

But when a head injury transforms eighty-year-old Lucille into a bold, impulsive woman who brazenly invites a younger, ponytailed opportunist to live with her, Gwen’s grip begins to falter. She can’t believe what her mother is doing, but can she stop her? Meanwhile, her eighteen-year-old daughter, Natalie—reeling from a friend’s death in Vietnam—has gone quiet. Too quiet.

As the moon landing draws near, Gwen must confront the limits of control, the weight of promises, and the terrifying beauty of letting go.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Historical

Kindle Edition

Expected publication February 9, 2027

About the author

Susan Meissner is a USA Today bestselling novelist with more than a million books in the hands of readers, and in eighteen languages. Her critically acclaimed works of historical fiction have been named to numerous lists including Publishers Weekly’s annual roster of 100 best books, Library Reads Top Picks, Real Simple annual tally of best books, Goodreads Readers’ Choice awards, Booklist’s Top Ten, and Book of the Month.

She attended Point Loma Nazarene University in San Diego and is a former managing editor of a weekly newspaper. Susan’s expertise as a storyteller and her thoroughly researched topics make her a favorite author of book clubs everywhere. Her engaging and warm speaking style appeal to all manner of women’s groups, literary organizations, libraries and learning institutions, and service clubs.

When she is not working on a new novel, she enjoys teaching workshops on writing, spending time with her family, music, reading great books, and traveling.

Reviews

[Hailey Melamut · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review of advance copy received from NetGalley

I was drawn to this book because I’ve been enjoying reading about the late 60s. A family drama set in that time seemed like my vibe, and it delivered. Though I got a little bored by the main character’s concerns for her mother, which felt repetitive, I loved the side explorations about the liminal space between life and death, the existence of aliens and the Vietnam war - albeit all being somewhat under explored. Still, an interesting family drama with very interesting snippets of history lightly sprinkled throughout.

[Teresa Graber · Rating 5 out of 5]

I started this book and immediately launched into 1969. The story abducted me and stole me away in time. It was a hard book to put down and I finished it in just a day and a half. As you launch into getting to know the characters, the plot takes you through the many different aspects and roles we experience in life. Some are led by fear, worry and control, but are always rooted in concern and love. The characters spanned three generations, yet their lives were seamlessly woven together in a way that was effortless to follow. The Culture of 1969 and the historical events like the up coming moon landing and the Vietnam War were beautifully placed in the background of their lives.
Thank you to NetGally and Berkley Publishing Group for the opportunity to read an early release copy of this wonderful story in exchange for my honest review.

[Sarah- The Bookish Barista · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really loved this story as a whole. It felt different from what I’m used to from Susan Meissner, so I wasn’t always sure where it was going, but I absolutely loved where it ultimately took me.

Set in the late 1960s during the space race and the country’s fascination with UFOs, this explored a setting I wouldn’t normally gravitate toward. At its heart is Gwen, navigating grief, caring for her aging mother, her need for control, and a daughter who is pulling away while carrying grief and a secret of her own.

I especially loved how the story went beyond this family and reflected the larger need for hope in our country at the time. The space race and the moon landing gave people something to look toward—something bigger than their current circumstances. It gave people a reason to look up after so much of the world had been defined by war and turmoil. As a Christian, I also appreciated the subtle Christian worldview woven throughout the story. It’s not overt or preachy and I don’t think it would stand out to a non-Christian reader, but I noticed the underlying theme of hope in a Creator and the idea that there is more than just this life we can see.

The middle dragged a little for me, which kept this from being five stars, but I loved the story as a whole and especially loved the ending. I’m so glad I stuck with it because everything came together beautifully in the end.

[Christine M in Texas (stamperlady50) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love books sets in the 60’s. This one involves three generations. The exploration of topics with the moon landing, Vietnam, aliens, and family drama kept me engaged in the unique novel. Meissner attention to details with so many topics kept me engaged.

[Robin Spiro · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for my advance copy. The story concerns Gwen, whose mother has a brain injury and then seems to have a personality change. She transitions from a gentle, dependent woman to someone with spunk and her own ideas. She also befriends a man she met on the side of the road. The story became repetitive for me, with Gwen's increasing suspicions, and eventual quick change. Gwen's daughter, Natalie, was a much more sympathetic character as a teenager dealing with the aftermath of a near death experience. For me the novel was a 3 star rating instead of 4 because I didn't find Gwen very appealing and because of the repetitive nature of the story.

[Anne T. · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of this book. All opinions are my own.

2.5 or 3 stars.
I really enjoyed Meissner’s storytelling in The Nature of Fragile Things so I was excited for this book. Somewhere Something Incredible follows Gwen’s family in 1969 following her mother coming out of a coma with a totally different personality, resulting in her taking in a man off the street named Roger who Gwen is convinced is out to rob her mother. Meanwhile, her daughter is navigating the aftermath of a near death experience and what lies beyond this world. Roger turns out to have an interest in the supernatural which becomes a bit of a family affair, to Gwen’s dismay.

There is a lot of repetition between Gwen and her mother regarding Roger and his intents, though I thought it did the job of adding fuel to the fire leading to the climax. What I wish this book had done differently is honestly to have been more weird. If you’re going to lean in to the alien conspiracy life and the liminal place between life and death have the novel’s title suggest this as the core message of the story then I really wanted more of that. I did find the book fun and easy to read and enjoyed it but the ending is saccharine sweet, like an ending to a Full House episode. Just a little too neat for my taste, but I’m sure satisfying for many.

Overall, this was enjoyable and I loved the premise of it but just wish I had a little more of the weird and a little less of the “I hate that stranger living with my mom” narrative.

[LezLibros · Rating 4 out of 5]

picked this book because it was in the LGBTQ ARC selections, but there is no queer anything in it. I did finish it, as I have read Susan Meissner before and enjoy her writing style. This is an interesting dual timeline book centered around the historic moon landing. It was easy to read, and for the most part engaging. I feel it did lose my interest in the middle, when there was so much repetitive focus on Gwen’s fear for her mother and her friendship with Roger. That was well established already and by the end of the book I was tired of being reminded of it.
The characters are easy to like; I think I liked Roger most of all. Natalie felt the least developed to me. I just didn’t understand how her story fit in with the rest of it.
The ending felt a bit rushed. Gwen has a few days of going crazy trying to get information about Roger, but upon hearing the tapes she’s no longer a neurotic mess? A bit far fetched to be plausible.
Overall, a fairly satisfying read but left a lot to be desired.

[Annie Silver · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to Net Galley for an early read.

I've been a Susan Meissner fan since "A Fall of Marigolds," so I was really excited to see this book listed on NetGalley, and even more excited to be chosen to do a pre-publishing read. I found the characters engaging and was happy to see their emotional growth, which is a main reason determining whether I'll like a novel or not. I wasn't sure at first if I liked Gwen because she seemed so conflicted, weak and overbearing. However, I stuck with it and was very satisfied towards the end to find out why - and it rang true. There are three generations of a family represented here: grandmother, mother and daughter. It was fascinating to watch how they interacted and how that impacted their daily lives. I wouldn't say this was my favorite Susan Meissner book, but I definitely enjoyed it and would recommend to anyone who's a fan of hers or who likes multi-generational reads.

[Laurie · Rating 4.75 out of 5]

This wonderful story sent me back to the sixties.
I was set down right inside the house relating to both Gwen and Lucille.
Although, times were different from today, the similarities are striking.
The Sandwich generation is what Gwen is in the midst of, as she tries to control, yet safely care for Lucille and her eighteen year old daughter Natalie.. Both are rebellious and independent in their own ways.
Can Gwen give up the need to control her Mom and daughter? Should she?

This is truly an interesting, well detailed book that I enjoyed. It made me think about today vs then and mothers and daughters of all times.

Thank you to @NetGalley and to @Berkley Publishing Company for this ARC and allowing me to provide my own review.
Well done!

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have to admit I had to force myself to finish this book and might not have if I hadn't had an ARC copy that I felt I needed to review. I usually really enjoy Ms. Meissner's books, this one was not a favorite. I got halfway through and felt like we were just stalled and not really getting anywhere. While, I did end up finding the ending more enjoyable, I probably wouldn't have lasted until then if not for the need for a review. Sadly, this one could have been a much shorter book in my opinion.

[Andrea]

reading for work, not currently rating