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People Who Knew Me
Everything was fine fourteen years after she left New York.
Until suddenly, one day, it wasn’t.
Emily Morris got her happily-ever-after earlier than most. Married at a young age to a man she loved passionately, she was building the life she always wanted. But when enormous stress threatened her marriage, Emily made some rash decisions. That’s when she fell in love with someone else. That’s when she got pregnant.
Resolved to tell her husband of the affair and to leave him for the father of her child, Emily’s plans are thwarted when the world is suddenly split open on 9/11. It’s amid terrible tragedy that she finds her freedom, as she leaves New York City to start a new life. It’s not easy, but Emily---now Connie Prynne—forges a new happily-ever-after in California. But when a life-threatening diagnosis upends her life, she is forced to rethink her life for the good of her thirteen-year-old daughter.
A riveting debut in which a woman must confront her own past in order to secure the future of her daughter, Kim Hooper's People Who Knew Me asks: “What would you do?”
Until suddenly, one day, it wasn’t.
Emily Morris got her happily-ever-after earlier than most. Married at a young age to a man she loved passionately, she was building the life she always wanted. But when enormous stress threatened her marriage, Emily made some rash decisions. That’s when she fell in love with someone else. That’s when she got pregnant.
Resolved to tell her husband of the affair and to leave him for the father of her child, Emily’s plans are thwarted when the world is suddenly split open on 9/11. It’s amid terrible tragedy that she finds her freedom, as she leaves New York City to start a new life. It’s not easy, but Emily---now Connie Prynne—forges a new happily-ever-after in California. But when a life-threatening diagnosis upends her life, she is forced to rethink her life for the good of her thirteen-year-old daughter.
A riveting debut in which a woman must confront her own past in order to secure the future of her daughter, Kim Hooper's People Who Knew Me asks: “What would you do?”
304 pages, Hardcover
First published May 24, 2016
54 people are currently reading
5566 people want to read
About the author
Kim Hooper
10 books402 followersKim Hooper's latest novel, Woman on the Verge, will be released on June 17. Her previous novels are: People Who Knew Me (2016), Cherry Blossoms (2018), Tiny (2019), All the Acorns on the Forest Floor (2020), No Hiding in Boise (2021), and Ways the World Could End (2022). She is also co-author of All the Love: Healing Your Heart and Finding Meaning After Pregnancy Loss (2021). Kim lives in Southern California with her daughter and way too many pets.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 379 reviews
July 21, 2016
People Who Knew Me gets 4 stars from me because I couldn't put it down, and because I had tears streaming down my cheeks by the end. But, oh man, did I ever -- mostly -- dislike the main character and narrator Connie aka Emily. Emily leaves New York immediately after 9/11 and becomes Connie in California. The book is divided into two timelines -- one focused on Emily's life in New York and the other focused on Connie's life in California. Slowly we learn what led Emily to leave New York and reinvent herself as Connie in California. And we also are drawn into Connie's life and troubles in California. It's not in my nature to be very judgmental. I usually try to understand why people do the things they do. And that's something I really like about fiction -- there's so much room for exploring emotions and motivations -- for getting you to a place where you understand people who have different lives from your own. But in this case I couldn't get to a place where I understood Emily/Connie's choices. I would give away too many spoilers if I explain too much. But I'll say that I understood Connie's emotional reaction to the situation she was in in New York, but I couldn't understand the inertia that led her to the web of deceit and self-deception she created. And I never got to a place where she made sense to me or where I felt much sympathy for her -- except maybe at the very end. I will be very curious to see how others react to this book. Kudos to Kim Hooper for stirring things up with this interesting story. Again, 4 stars for readability and engagement -- sometimes a book can be good because it tests you -- leaving you angry and riled up. Thanks you to Netgalley and the publisher for an opportunity to read an advance copy.
May 16, 2016
Good thing I like New York, because I can't seem to get out of there. I’ve just read four other (good) books set in New York. Seriously, I didn’t pick them because of the locale—I just happily found myself there. Anyway, I’m glad to have had the chance to roam the streets of the city once again.
Oh, this book is a good one. It starts with a bang. About a week after 9/11, a pregnant woman named Em hops a cab to the airport so she can fly to California and start a new life with a new name. I needed to know, immediately, what was going on, so I hopped in the cab with her. The story sped right along and I couldn’t put the book down. It’s told in flashbacks, so we gradually get to see what made her leave so mysteriously.
The transitions between past and present are seamless. It totally works. You know how with some stories, you’re antsy to get back to the past or the present because the author can’t make one story as good as the other? That doesn’t happen here. I never thought, “Shut up, take me back to the good part!” Kudos to this new author for her skill in keeping the two stories equally interesting!
I liked and sympathized with Em, though I'm not sure others will—at least based on some reviews I've read. She makes a couple of choices that will piss people off royally. Morality comes into the picture bigtime. For me, I really felt sorry for the things that happened to her, so I could understand all but one of her choices. Her decisions really got me thinking about what I would have done in her situation.
You know how you have to fill out a questionnaire when you go get your annual physical? There’s a checklist to see if you’ve had any big life events—like a birth, an illness, a death, a breakup, a change in job, a new city, a national disaster—because even just one of those events is likely to make you go cuckoo for a while. Well, the doctor would have a field day with Em! She would have checkmarks all over the place! Even though the writer piles on the problems, the story never felt over the top or made Em seem victim-y. Her dilemmas just made me feel sorry for her.
Which brings me to say, the 9/11 scene is really a knockout and might even be one of the best I’ve read of that horrific event. It’s maybe a chapter or two long, but it was so well-written and poignant, it gave me the shivers.
Another powerful thing about the book is how it portrays the caretaker scene. The author zooms in on the role of caretaker and points out how it messes with everyone’s head, how it can trigger guilt, frustration, regret, depression, martyrdom. Other than Can't We Talk about Something More Pleasant?, no other book I’ve read tackles the caretaker issue so well; no other book takes such a revealing and brave approach.
It’s pretty bizarre, but this book has a lot in common with another book published this year, What Was Mine. Both books are set in New York and California, both are about a mother with a teenage daughter, both are about a huge momma secret that has huge consequences, both have the heroine making questionable choices, both have an abrupt ending that can be annoying. I liked both books, though What Was Mine really pissed me off and this one did not.
“People who know me” know I love it when the language sings, when it’s lyrical or a ticklish stream-of-consciousness, and I didn’t find that here. BUT. There are so many great things about this book! There is tension and heartache in spades. The writing is straightforward and clean and careful. There isn’t fluff or extra characters or red herrings or grammatical problems. And the morality issues definitely push this book out of the confining chick-lit category.
I wouldn't say this book is a wow, but I liked it a whole lot. The writing reminds me of Liane Moriarty’s books, though the issues here seem heavier, and in a good way. Come to find out that the author is a Moriarty fan, too. I checked out Hooper’s blog and also found out that she read over 60 books last year, and I loved her book list! I'm always impressed when I find a writer who makes time to massively read.
The way this book ended leaves room for a sequel, and I’m definitely up for that. I also could see this story working well as a movie. Anyway, check this book out; it’s a keeper.
Thanks to NetGalley for the advance copy.
Oh, this book is a good one. It starts with a bang. About a week after 9/11, a pregnant woman named Em hops a cab to the airport so she can fly to California and start a new life with a new name. I needed to know, immediately, what was going on, so I hopped in the cab with her. The story sped right along and I couldn’t put the book down. It’s told in flashbacks, so we gradually get to see what made her leave so mysteriously.
The transitions between past and present are seamless. It totally works. You know how with some stories, you’re antsy to get back to the past or the present because the author can’t make one story as good as the other? That doesn’t happen here. I never thought, “Shut up, take me back to the good part!” Kudos to this new author for her skill in keeping the two stories equally interesting!
I liked and sympathized with Em, though I'm not sure others will—at least based on some reviews I've read. She makes a couple of choices that will piss people off royally. Morality comes into the picture bigtime. For me, I really felt sorry for the things that happened to her, so I could understand all but one of her choices. Her decisions really got me thinking about what I would have done in her situation.
You know how you have to fill out a questionnaire when you go get your annual physical? There’s a checklist to see if you’ve had any big life events—like a birth, an illness, a death, a breakup, a change in job, a new city, a national disaster—because even just one of those events is likely to make you go cuckoo for a while. Well, the doctor would have a field day with Em! She would have checkmarks all over the place! Even though the writer piles on the problems, the story never felt over the top or made Em seem victim-y. Her dilemmas just made me feel sorry for her.
Which brings me to say, the 9/11 scene is really a knockout and might even be one of the best I’ve read of that horrific event. It’s maybe a chapter or two long, but it was so well-written and poignant, it gave me the shivers.
Another powerful thing about the book is how it portrays the caretaker scene. The author zooms in on the role of caretaker and points out how it messes with everyone’s head, how it can trigger guilt, frustration, regret, depression, martyrdom. Other than Can't We Talk about Something More Pleasant?, no other book I’ve read tackles the caretaker issue so well; no other book takes such a revealing and brave approach.
It’s pretty bizarre, but this book has a lot in common with another book published this year, What Was Mine. Both books are set in New York and California, both are about a mother with a teenage daughter, both are about a huge momma secret that has huge consequences, both have the heroine making questionable choices, both have an abrupt ending that can be annoying. I liked both books, though What Was Mine really pissed me off and this one did not.
“People who know me” know I love it when the language sings, when it’s lyrical or a ticklish stream-of-consciousness, and I didn’t find that here. BUT. There are so many great things about this book! There is tension and heartache in spades. The writing is straightforward and clean and careful. There isn’t fluff or extra characters or red herrings or grammatical problems. And the morality issues definitely push this book out of the confining chick-lit category.
I wouldn't say this book is a wow, but I liked it a whole lot. The writing reminds me of Liane Moriarty’s books, though the issues here seem heavier, and in a good way. Come to find out that the author is a Moriarty fan, too. I checked out Hooper’s blog and also found out that she read over 60 books last year, and I loved her book list! I'm always impressed when I find a writer who makes time to massively read.
The way this book ended leaves room for a sequel, and I’m definitely up for that. I also could see this story working well as a movie. Anyway, check this book out; it’s a keeper.
Thanks to NetGalley for the advance copy.
March 14, 2022
A great debut novel! 💖
Everything was fine fourteen years after she left New York. Fourteen years after 9/11.
Until suddenly, one day, it wasn’t, and now our protagonist must confront her own past in order to secure the future of her daughter.
Many readers won't like Emily (Connie) because they will feel that she is selfish, but I found her to be refreshingly honest.
It is a thought provoking read which challenges you to ask-honestly-what you might have done…
Realistic characters, dialogue, and relationships drew me in from page one, and touched me emotionally in the end! 🤧😭
I am looking forward to reading more from this author!
Updated : March 14, 2022
I wasn’t writing much more than my thoughts back in 2016 when I read this, but this review was recently “discovered” and seems to be hitting some feeds now.
I, myself was surprised to see that this is the author of “No Hiding in Boise” which I listened to on Audible last year-and which made my favorites list!! 💖
Clearly, I need to get caught up with any of the author’s books which I might have missed between the two!! 📚
Everything was fine fourteen years after she left New York. Fourteen years after 9/11.
Until suddenly, one day, it wasn’t, and now our protagonist must confront her own past in order to secure the future of her daughter.
Many readers won't like Emily (Connie) because they will feel that she is selfish, but I found her to be refreshingly honest.
It is a thought provoking read which challenges you to ask-honestly-what you might have done…
Realistic characters, dialogue, and relationships drew me in from page one, and touched me emotionally in the end! 🤧😭
I am looking forward to reading more from this author!
Updated : March 14, 2022
I wasn’t writing much more than my thoughts back in 2016 when I read this, but this review was recently “discovered” and seems to be hitting some feeds now.
I, myself was surprised to see that this is the author of “No Hiding in Boise” which I listened to on Audible last year-and which made my favorites list!! 💖
Clearly, I need to get caught up with any of the author’s books which I might have missed between the two!! 📚
July 7, 2016
3.5 stars: As the book jacket claims, Emily Morris takes advantage of 9/11 and disappears from her life. I, and other of my friends, discussed the probability and ability of people to “disappear” from a troubled life and start all over again. So this premise of the novel excited me. I wanted to see what an author would creatively stage. Also, I was very interested to learn how one could do it: start all over with no ID.
Unfortunately, that piece wasn’t a big part of the novel. In fact, if I were to criticize author Kim Hooper, it would be in the way she glossed over how Emily was able to get a job, get paid, get insurance, etc.
Fortunately, the novel is far more than the logics of a do-over. This is a fabulous domestic fiction novel. Emily marries young to a great guy. He’s a “go with the flow” guy and she goes with him. He’s young and growing up as much as she is. When their idealistic vision of marrying and going to college together falls apart because, well, there’s no money (they didn’t think of that before they got married). They flipped a coin to see who would have the honor of college. Emily lost. She was shocked that her husband Drew wouldn’t have noticed her sadness and suggests they do a “best out of three”. So, Emily schleps and gets a job. She puts him through school. He becomes a chef and starts a restaurant that fails. Right after that, his Mom is diagnosed with a debilitating disease. He spends all his time care taking for him Mom. In fact, he starts paying her bills. Emily will never get to college; when she complains, he makes her feel like SHE’s the bad one. What I enjoy is that author Hooper did a gender change where it’s generally the wife who’s home and the man who complains about money. In addition, this opens questions to the reader as to: is Drew right? Or does Emily have rights? Who should take care of and pay for the Mom? The situation goes from bad to worse. While that happens, Emily unexpectedly comes across an old college crush. And, as the book jacket says, she gets pregnant. And then 9/11 occurs.
Emily recreates herself and has the baby in California. Life is going well until she gets cancer. Now, this is when the novel is in full bloom as it makes the reader realize all the stupid things well-intentioned people say to cancer sufferers. This is when the novel illuminates “what NOT to say or do to a cancer person.” Hooper writes the feelings of Emily (now Connie) so beautifully that one cannot feel the strains and pain of living with cancer and being the sole supporter of a teenage girl.
What’s a single mother on the lam to do? This would be a fascinating book club read. It’s filled with realistic life choices that have no easy solutions. The fodder for marriage stress solutions is great. Is it better to get a messy divorce or just disappear? Although this novel wasn’t what I thought it would be, it ended up being better than I expected for totally different assuming reasons. It’s a great read.
Unfortunately, that piece wasn’t a big part of the novel. In fact, if I were to criticize author Kim Hooper, it would be in the way she glossed over how Emily was able to get a job, get paid, get insurance, etc.
Fortunately, the novel is far more than the logics of a do-over. This is a fabulous domestic fiction novel. Emily marries young to a great guy. He’s a “go with the flow” guy and she goes with him. He’s young and growing up as much as she is. When their idealistic vision of marrying and going to college together falls apart because, well, there’s no money (they didn’t think of that before they got married). They flipped a coin to see who would have the honor of college. Emily lost. She was shocked that her husband Drew wouldn’t have noticed her sadness and suggests they do a “best out of three”. So, Emily schleps and gets a job. She puts him through school. He becomes a chef and starts a restaurant that fails. Right after that, his Mom is diagnosed with a debilitating disease. He spends all his time care taking for him Mom. In fact, he starts paying her bills. Emily will never get to college; when she complains, he makes her feel like SHE’s the bad one. What I enjoy is that author Hooper did a gender change where it’s generally the wife who’s home and the man who complains about money. In addition, this opens questions to the reader as to: is Drew right? Or does Emily have rights? Who should take care of and pay for the Mom? The situation goes from bad to worse. While that happens, Emily unexpectedly comes across an old college crush. And, as the book jacket says, she gets pregnant. And then 9/11 occurs.
Emily recreates herself and has the baby in California. Life is going well until she gets cancer. Now, this is when the novel is in full bloom as it makes the reader realize all the stupid things well-intentioned people say to cancer sufferers. This is when the novel illuminates “what NOT to say or do to a cancer person.” Hooper writes the feelings of Emily (now Connie) so beautifully that one cannot feel the strains and pain of living with cancer and being the sole supporter of a teenage girl.
What’s a single mother on the lam to do? This would be a fascinating book club read. It’s filled with realistic life choices that have no easy solutions. The fodder for marriage stress solutions is great. Is it better to get a messy divorce or just disappear? Although this novel wasn’t what I thought it would be, it ended up being better than I expected for totally different assuming reasons. It’s a great read.
March 1, 2016
Thank you Netgalley for my copy in exchange for a fair and honest review.
This one had SUCH promise. When I read the blurb I just had to get my hands on this. The plot was intriguing and seemed like it would be moving, as it deals in partial with 9/11. While this was a good story and it kept me intrigued, I had a hard time loving this as I couldn't stand the character of Emily/Connie. She was impossible to empathize with as she acted like a whiny child throughout the entire book. Nothing about this woman was adult or realistic to me. Unfortunately this was enough to hold me back from fully immersing myself in the story and really getting caught up. This author is clearly talented as her writing was excellent; maybe I just wasn't the right reader for this book.
This one had SUCH promise. When I read the blurb I just had to get my hands on this. The plot was intriguing and seemed like it would be moving, as it deals in partial with 9/11. While this was a good story and it kept me intrigued, I had a hard time loving this as I couldn't stand the character of Emily/Connie. She was impossible to empathize with as she acted like a whiny child throughout the entire book. Nothing about this woman was adult or realistic to me. Unfortunately this was enough to hold me back from fully immersing myself in the story and really getting caught up. This author is clearly talented as her writing was excellent; maybe I just wasn't the right reader for this book.
May 29, 2016
The first thing I noticed about this novel was the smooth writing and how amazingly fluid the story was unfolding. Didn't expect to like this one as much as I did though. The characters were so interesting, the situations they find themselves in are true to life predicaments, Emily, who becomes Connie, was a hard character to understand, though I did sympathize with some of the things she had to deal with. I felt many of these characters were between a rock and a hard place, no easy answers to be found. Still I don't think I would have done what she did, made the decision she did or at least not for that length of time anyway. That I found inexcusable, but I guess we never know how we will react to something until it happens to us. She pays a heavy price for it though. Fate is a cruel master.
This book is one of the reasons I love this site, friend's reviews, in this case Esils had me takimg a chance on a book I probably would have passed on. A good book, really hooks the reader, memories of 911 and the repercussions, a solidly told, heartfelt story.
ARC from Netgalley.
This book is one of the reasons I love this site, friend's reviews, in this case Esils had me takimg a chance on a book I probably would have passed on. A good book, really hooks the reader, memories of 911 and the repercussions, a solidly told, heartfelt story.
ARC from Netgalley.
May 16, 2016
What a great read! This one drew me in from the first page. The Twin Towers are falling, and a woman is making tough choices, BIG ones! While the novel goes back and forth between time periods, it is seamless. And, I found myself equally interested in both!
Kim Hooper explores many topics through this story. Each had meaning and depth. The one that really got me, and I felt drove the novel, was the role of a caretaker. Through personal experience, I can say the focus is always on the person who is sick. Hooper takes this on with gusto. She explores the sacrifices and emotions of those who are expected to care for loved ones. How much does one give up of their own life? How do we define boundaries in such situations? I was completely enthralled with how the main character handled questions such as these. Finding myself asking, what would I do?
Don't think for a minute this is all the novel explores. Holy moly, there is so much more. The choices we make, the consequences that follow. What's the "right" thing to do? It's really hard to believe this is the authors first book! I want more! (4.5 stars)
Thanks to NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Kim Hooper explores many topics through this story. Each had meaning and depth. The one that really got me, and I felt drove the novel, was the role of a caretaker. Through personal experience, I can say the focus is always on the person who is sick. Hooper takes this on with gusto. She explores the sacrifices and emotions of those who are expected to care for loved ones. How much does one give up of their own life? How do we define boundaries in such situations? I was completely enthralled with how the main character handled questions such as these. Finding myself asking, what would I do?
Don't think for a minute this is all the novel explores. Holy moly, there is so much more. The choices we make, the consequences that follow. What's the "right" thing to do? It's really hard to believe this is the authors first book! I want more! (4.5 stars)
Thanks to NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
May 18, 2021
I shed 5 bucket loads of tears when this book ended.
5 Buckets of Tears = 5 Stars (Please check my math!)
Yes, this book was a riviting and well-written tear-jerker about an unlikeable female protagonist's life choices. Told in flashbacks from past to present, this debut novel by author Kim Hooper was fast-paced and sizzled with humor, despair, wisdom, and many OMG moments.
I wish the author would have used a straightforward chronological sequence instead of flashbacks.
Fortunately, the author's decision to use flashbacks did not detract from the book's super-compelling storyline.
The original 2016 audiobook was just re-released with two new narrators, Hillary Huber and Rachel L. Jacobs. I always love it when audiobooks have multiple narrators and both narrators did an outstanding job.
I was surprised to learn that this was Kim Hooper's debut novel and I will be looking forward to reading more titles by this author.
5 Buckets of Tears = 5 Stars (Please check my math!)
Yes, this book was a riviting and well-written tear-jerker about an unlikeable female protagonist's life choices. Told in flashbacks from past to present, this debut novel by author Kim Hooper was fast-paced and sizzled with humor, despair, wisdom, and many OMG moments.
I wish the author would have used a straightforward chronological sequence instead of flashbacks.
Fortunately, the author's decision to use flashbacks did not detract from the book's super-compelling storyline.
The original 2016 audiobook was just re-released with two new narrators, Hillary Huber and Rachel L. Jacobs. I always love it when audiobooks have multiple narrators and both narrators did an outstanding job.
I was surprised to learn that this was Kim Hooper's debut novel and I will be looking forward to reading more titles by this author.
January 2, 2022
This was fine as a palate cleanser. The premise is certainly catchy- a woman creates a new identity/life in LA. after 9/11. I kept waiting for it to make sense but it never did. Too many holes.
April 18, 2016
5 Stars....
Let me explain why...( not like "East of Eden", John Steinbeck - classic 5 stars)....
But...
Absolutely a 5 star guilty-pleasure - page turning - fully engaging - easy to imagine -so much to contemplate - woman's - fiction book!
In fact...Kim Hooper's debut novel..."People Who Knew Me", gives me a whole new appreciation for woman's fiction. I could have a field day chatting about issues addressed in this book with my friends. ....with 'men' too!
Emily is a faulty character...( she runs away and changes her identity leaving her husband to think she died in 911. Did she run because she felt her entire life had been a lie ....and by living a REAL LIE, she felt as if she was living a more TRUTHFUL LIE?
Or...was she just so broken, so lost, deeply hurting in ways that even she didn't fully
understand -- that her choices (readers will be reactivated), were driven in the same way a disease takes over a person- splits them in half?
Issues to look at:
.....Young marriage... how much can even a 'in love' couple handle? work, (major loss), school, finances, ( major loss), planning a family?, sex, old friends, annoying habits, communication, stress, depression, chronic illness, chronic 'any' long term issue, cheating, lies.
.....In-laws - struggles which grow and dominate a marriage.
......*****When many characters in a story ( such as this one), are flawed, make undesirable choices -- disturbing choices --( Emily was not the only character in this
book who made some less-than-desirable choices. Her husband Drew was't exactly
putting his marriage first. His problem solving skills were one sided - for 'too' long.
I thought ALL the characters were fully developed ...( minor ones too).
[Claire... the young teenager is a doll]... a very likable character! A daughter to be proud of!!!
The storytelling flowed ... ( loved the crafting style)
GREAT DISCUSSION BOOK....
I 'dig' this Southern California author. ( if she is coming to the Bay Area in June - hint hint- for the Bay Area Book Festival .. I'd love to hear her speak on this book)
Thank You St. Martin's Press, Netgalley, and Kim Hooper....( I'm ready for your next novel)
Let me explain why...( not like "East of Eden", John Steinbeck - classic 5 stars)....
But...
Absolutely a 5 star guilty-pleasure - page turning - fully engaging - easy to imagine -so much to contemplate - woman's - fiction book!
In fact...Kim Hooper's debut novel..."People Who Knew Me", gives me a whole new appreciation for woman's fiction. I could have a field day chatting about issues addressed in this book with my friends. ....with 'men' too!
Emily is a faulty character...( she runs away and changes her identity leaving her husband to think she died in 911. Did she run because she felt her entire life had been a lie ....and by living a REAL LIE, she felt as if she was living a more TRUTHFUL LIE?
Or...was she just so broken, so lost, deeply hurting in ways that even she didn't fully
understand -- that her choices (readers will be reactivated), were driven in the same way a disease takes over a person- splits them in half?
Issues to look at:
.....Young marriage... how much can even a 'in love' couple handle? work, (major loss), school, finances, ( major loss), planning a family?, sex, old friends, annoying habits, communication, stress, depression, chronic illness, chronic 'any' long term issue, cheating, lies.
.....In-laws - struggles which grow and dominate a marriage.
......*****When many characters in a story ( such as this one), are flawed, make undesirable choices -- disturbing choices --( Emily was not the only character in this
book who made some less-than-desirable choices. Her husband Drew was't exactly
putting his marriage first. His problem solving skills were one sided - for 'too' long.
I thought ALL the characters were fully developed ...( minor ones too).
[Claire... the young teenager is a doll]... a very likable character! A daughter to be proud of!!!
The storytelling flowed ... ( loved the crafting style)
GREAT DISCUSSION BOOK....
I 'dig' this Southern California author. ( if she is coming to the Bay Area in June - hint hint- for the Bay Area Book Festival .. I'd love to hear her speak on this book)
Thank You St. Martin's Press, Netgalley, and Kim Hooper....( I'm ready for your next novel)
August 19, 2016
Well written, thought provoking and story telling that balanced the past and present stories with equal import and substance. This is quite a feat to maintain two story lines with equal weight, especially in a debut from such a young author, but Ms. Hooper does it remarkably well.
And yet? I didn’t find it riveting. The main character is unsympathetic to a degree that I just couldn’t ever dig deep and care for her. And I couldn’t get past the idea of running away from your life, I’ve just never had that fantasy, and especially taking something as horrifically painful as the events of 9/11 and using them to disappear. The blurb asks what would you do? I believe I would face the music and deal with the choices that led me there.
At about the halfway point I gave up on the book, I cared that little for the protagonist and her story. So I glanced at the acknowledgements and I found the author’s note charming and lovely and I felt I needed to give her book the chance to see the journey through to the end. My feelings about the story didn’t change, but that’s a subjective measure, objectively I can say that the premise is intriguing, the characters are well drawn and the writing is above reproach. I didn't love it, but it was still worth the effort and it's a 3.5 rounded up to 4 because I'm looking forward to what this author has up her sleeve.
And yet? I didn’t find it riveting. The main character is unsympathetic to a degree that I just couldn’t ever dig deep and care for her. And I couldn’t get past the idea of running away from your life, I’ve just never had that fantasy, and especially taking something as horrifically painful as the events of 9/11 and using them to disappear. The blurb asks what would you do? I believe I would face the music and deal with the choices that led me there.
At about the halfway point I gave up on the book, I cared that little for the protagonist and her story. So I glanced at the acknowledgements and I found the author’s note charming and lovely and I felt I needed to give her book the chance to see the journey through to the end. My feelings about the story didn’t change, but that’s a subjective measure, objectively I can say that the premise is intriguing, the characters are well drawn and the writing is above reproach. I didn't love it, but it was still worth the effort and it's a 3.5 rounded up to 4 because I'm looking forward to what this author has up her sleeve.
May 8, 2022
Looking at a list of people killed on 9/11, now I'll wonder if any of them actually did survive and decide last minute to split New York for another, anonymous, life elsewhere. Such was the case here with Emily Morris, turned Connie Prynne. I enjoyed going through her life decisions with her. Many were questionable, but she had her reasons, which are slowly revealed. A heartbreaking ending that I raced to. A very good audio rendition too.
August 1, 2016
3.5 stars but I'm rounding up because it's a debut novel and it's really impressive. It's not often I can say, "I've never read anything like this," but that's the case here. Kim Hooper bravely explores the story of a woman who makes some really bad choices before and after 9/11.
I'm not spoiling anything. That's the opening line. For reasons that are slowly revealed as the novel moves back and forth from present day California to the years leading up to 9/11 in New York, Connie/Emmy has started a brand new life. I'm guessing readers will disagree wildly about whether her choices are justified or whether they can like her, given what's she's done, but for me, those central questions are what makes this novel so interesting.
And the fact that Hooper sets this all up around a national tragedy that is still so raw in people's memories is a brave choice. Her retelling of that day hit me hard.
Hooper says in her dedication, "This book is for all those people -- cowardly and courageous -- who dare to imagine leaving it all behind."
Even after sleeping on it, I'm not sure if I see this protagonist as cowardly or as courageous, but I'm happy to ponder the question. It's a book that's left me thinking.
"People who knew me think I'm dead."
I'm not spoiling anything. That's the opening line. For reasons that are slowly revealed as the novel moves back and forth from present day California to the years leading up to 9/11 in New York, Connie/Emmy has started a brand new life. I'm guessing readers will disagree wildly about whether her choices are justified or whether they can like her, given what's she's done, but for me, those central questions are what makes this novel so interesting.
And the fact that Hooper sets this all up around a national tragedy that is still so raw in people's memories is a brave choice. Her retelling of that day hit me hard.
Hooper says in her dedication, "This book is for all those people -- cowardly and courageous -- who dare to imagine leaving it all behind."
Even after sleeping on it, I'm not sure if I see this protagonist as cowardly or as courageous, but I'm happy to ponder the question. It's a book that's left me thinking.
May 20, 2022
Three and a half stars.
Even if it did mean not continuing her education as originally planned, Emily Morris marries her young love Drew. She has a happy life with Drew. That is, until circumstances change drastically. Drew’s business fails and his mother becomes chronically ill. Emily throws herself into her work as pressures mount on this married couple. Emily can see no way out of the life and difficulties. And then a twist of fate, provides a way out.
She moves from New York to California, reinvents herself as Connie Prynne and concentrates all her attention on caring for her daughter Claire and keeping her job as a bartender. But life has another unpleasant surprise in store for her. What will it mean for Connie and Claire?
Told in two timelines the reader learns about circumstances that led to the drastic choice Emily made and about her current life as Connie. Her daughter Claire has no idea of the changes she has made in her life.
This story got me in from the outset, though I never warmed to Emily/Connie at any point. Despite not liking the main character I wanted to keep reading so that is a sign of good writing, especially when this is a debut novel. Interested to see what else this author writes.
My favourite character was the largely mature thirteen year old Claire. I did think the ending was abrupt and wondered if that was a sign of another book to come with these characters. A thought provoking read about choices and consequences as well things in life we sometimes have no control over.
.
Even if it did mean not continuing her education as originally planned, Emily Morris marries her young love Drew. She has a happy life with Drew. That is, until circumstances change drastically. Drew’s business fails and his mother becomes chronically ill. Emily throws herself into her work as pressures mount on this married couple. Emily can see no way out of the life and difficulties. And then a twist of fate, provides a way out.
She moves from New York to California, reinvents herself as Connie Prynne and concentrates all her attention on caring for her daughter Claire and keeping her job as a bartender. But life has another unpleasant surprise in store for her. What will it mean for Connie and Claire?
Told in two timelines the reader learns about circumstances that led to the drastic choice Emily made and about her current life as Connie. Her daughter Claire has no idea of the changes she has made in her life.
This story got me in from the outset, though I never warmed to Emily/Connie at any point. Despite not liking the main character I wanted to keep reading so that is a sign of good writing, especially when this is a debut novel. Interested to see what else this author writes.
My favourite character was the largely mature thirteen year old Claire. I did think the ending was abrupt and wondered if that was a sign of another book to come with these characters. A thought provoking read about choices and consequences as well things in life we sometimes have no control over.
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December 4, 2016
I'm amazed at the author's ability to make sympathetic what could be (and at times very much is) a highly unlikeable character. A woman uses 9/11 to fake her own death...I wondered how this could be explained in any legitimate fashion and ultimately on some level I "got it." Or, rather, I didn't finish the novel thinking she was the worst person ever. It's not that Emily/Connie made the right decision, and I personally could never do it, but as a reader you understand the series of small and big things that led her there. Though this is a lightning fast read (written in very accessible first person), this book touches on a number of weighty topics. The caretaker aspect and the strain in a marriage is not one I've seen in fiction previously. Very well done.
July 21, 2016
I have goodread friends who enjoyed this book but I'll be the outlier. I don't mind an unlikable character if I find the story itself well-written and compelling. But in this case the protagonist was so selfish I couldn't get past it, maybe because my husband and I are/have been caretakers of elderly parents. What she ultimately decided to do to her husband was unforgivable.
Also, being in a health profession, I couldn't buy into the situation with her husband's mother. There are so many services available that it didn't ring true to me. Medicaid, for one, exists for people who have illnesses of that magnitude whose financial situations are dire.
There were also a few inconsistencies, such as mentioning Medicare payments but the mother was in her 50s. Plus physicians and hospitals who take assignment (and nearly all do) are not allowed by law to bill a patient for any amount larger than what Medicare allows. Mistakes like these prevent me from investing in the story.
Having said all that the writing itself was solid and there were moments of humor and quotable passages. It just wasn't enough to save this story for me. But, I'd probably give the author another chance with her next book.
*thanks to NetGalley for providing a free copy of the e-book in exchange for an honest review
Also, being in a health profession, I couldn't buy into the situation with her husband's mother. There are so many services available that it didn't ring true to me. Medicaid, for one, exists for people who have illnesses of that magnitude whose financial situations are dire.
There were also a few inconsistencies, such as mentioning Medicare payments but the mother was in her 50s. Plus physicians and hospitals who take assignment (and nearly all do) are not allowed by law to bill a patient for any amount larger than what Medicare allows. Mistakes like these prevent me from investing in the story.
Having said all that the writing itself was solid and there were moments of humor and quotable passages. It just wasn't enough to save this story for me. But, I'd probably give the author another chance with her next book.
*thanks to NetGalley for providing a free copy of the e-book in exchange for an honest review
July 27, 2016
People Who Knew Me opens with pregnant Emily Morris hopping a cab and speeding away from New York City, literally running away, five days after the Twin Towers fell on 9/11. Through alternating chapters on her old life in NYC and her new life in California as Connie Phrynne, with teenage daughter Claire, we learn about what caused her to flee and what awaited her in California. I was immediately drawn in, turning pages to find out what happened and what will happen to Emily/Connie and Claire. Hooper explores real life rather than idealized life, what drives people to the decisions they make, how the consequences of those decisions play out and how we feel at any given moment may not be how we feel in the future. The book is populated with believable characters and situations, and as one reviewer pointed out, it would make a really good movie. The ending easily sets up a sequel, but I would prefer to imagine these peoples' futures rather than read about them in another book. The sign of a good novel to me is that the people are memorable and their story gets the imagination going about what's next for the characters.
February 11, 2016
I received an advanced readers copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
This is the type of story that grabs you from the first page and doesn't let go. Emily meets Drew at a young age and they are instantly attracted to each other and fall in love. Although not financial stable, they are blissfully happy. Their world suddenly is turned around when Drew's mother becomes chronically ill and Drew takes on the role of primary caretaker while Emily supports them all financially. Their marriage suffers as Drew focuses all his time and devotion in taking care of his mother. Emily feels trapped and she also feels guilty for her resentment and she mourns the loss of her previous life. She feels she is being selfish but she cannot control her feelings. As the everyday stresses in Emily's life continue to build I could sympathize and totally understand her feelings. I did not judge her when she found Greg and fell deeply in love. I also felt bad for her husband who did not know about his wife's infidelity but at the same time I was glad that Emily found happiness.
And just as Emily felt she had come to a decision about choices to make and changing her life she is personally devastated by the events of 911. She has a secret that she did not get to share with Greg and in her grief she makes a decision to "escape" and start her life over. She creates a new identity and moves on. In her new environment she finally finds a level of contentment. Unfortunately years later she faces her own health crisis and realizes she must go back and face the life she ran away from.
I think what made this book so enjoyable is the fact that you can totally relate to the characters. The book was interesting throughout every chapter and I felt sad to have it come to an end.
This is the type of story that grabs you from the first page and doesn't let go. Emily meets Drew at a young age and they are instantly attracted to each other and fall in love. Although not financial stable, they are blissfully happy. Their world suddenly is turned around when Drew's mother becomes chronically ill and Drew takes on the role of primary caretaker while Emily supports them all financially. Their marriage suffers as Drew focuses all his time and devotion in taking care of his mother. Emily feels trapped and she also feels guilty for her resentment and she mourns the loss of her previous life. She feels she is being selfish but she cannot control her feelings. As the everyday stresses in Emily's life continue to build I could sympathize and totally understand her feelings. I did not judge her when she found Greg and fell deeply in love. I also felt bad for her husband who did not know about his wife's infidelity but at the same time I was glad that Emily found happiness.
And just as Emily felt she had come to a decision about choices to make and changing her life she is personally devastated by the events of 911. She has a secret that she did not get to share with Greg and in her grief she makes a decision to "escape" and start her life over. She creates a new identity and moves on. In her new environment she finally finds a level of contentment. Unfortunately years later she faces her own health crisis and realizes she must go back and face the life she ran away from.
I think what made this book so enjoyable is the fact that you can totally relate to the characters. The book was interesting throughout every chapter and I felt sad to have it come to an end.
June 20, 2016
This book had my attention the whole way, but I still found the ending less than satisfying. It was still an interesting story.
Emily Morris married her college sweetheart but the demands of adulthood soon became such an albatross on their marriage that Emily soon sought comfort in the arms of another. Emily found herself pregnant and caught up between two men when Sept. 11 happened. Emily used the event as a catalyst for a rebirth. She ran from New York City and reinvented herself in California as Connie Prynne.
But the past has a way of coming out. How will Connie's 13 year old daughter deal with her mother's choices? What will be the consequences Connie has to face?
The author did a great job setting up the characters. I also liked the shift in POV going from past to present as the protagonist reflected on the choices that brought her to the current quandary.
I never really connected with Corrine or Emily. While I am trying not to be judgemental, but I never really felt remorse from her. She was at a crossroads in her marriage, and she made a selfish choice. There were some wrongs that she never made amends for. She had a very astute child, and now her daughter is dealing with two major events at the same time. I like that Sept. 11 helped many people turn their lives around, but I don't like it being used as an excuse to avoid making hard decisions. I was waiting for Emily to be strong enough to face her past and cancer instead forced her to sort of take a step. Life is like that sometimes, so I don't mind that.
I guess I needed more information about what happened in NYC with those she left behind. The ending was a step in right direction, but I want more.
Emily Morris married her college sweetheart but the demands of adulthood soon became such an albatross on their marriage that Emily soon sought comfort in the arms of another. Emily found herself pregnant and caught up between two men when Sept. 11 happened. Emily used the event as a catalyst for a rebirth. She ran from New York City and reinvented herself in California as Connie Prynne.
But the past has a way of coming out. How will Connie's 13 year old daughter deal with her mother's choices? What will be the consequences Connie has to face?
The author did a great job setting up the characters. I also liked the shift in POV going from past to present as the protagonist reflected on the choices that brought her to the current quandary.
I never really connected with Corrine or Emily. While I am trying not to be judgemental, but I never really felt remorse from her. She was at a crossroads in her marriage, and she made a selfish choice. There were some wrongs that she never made amends for. She had a very astute child, and now her daughter is dealing with two major events at the same time. I like that Sept. 11 helped many people turn their lives around, but I don't like it being used as an excuse to avoid making hard decisions. I was waiting for Emily to be strong enough to face her past and cancer instead forced her to sort of take a step. Life is like that sometimes, so I don't mind that.
I guess I needed more information about what happened in NYC with those she left behind. The ending was a step in right direction, but I want more.
June 2, 2016
This is the story about the most selfish person on the planet.
October 25, 2018
I got an early release of this book from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review. I don't often give 5 star ratings to a book, but this one deserves every one of those 5 stars. As I was reading it on my Kindle, I kept on looking how far I am into it, dreading when it will be over, because I knew I will miss the characters, once I am done. The story takes place in two different times, alternating back and forth between times. This is done seamlessly, it is not fragmented, like some other books I have read, where the timeline seems too broken up. When it feels, that Emily's situation is too intense and can't get much worse, the author switches to Connie's life and vice versa. In brief, (others have described the plot) the story is about Emily/Connie's life before and after 9/11. She was married to Drew as Emily before and she is a single mother, Connie to Clara after. Her marriage to Drew at a young age showed cracks before the stress of dealing with her mother-in law's illness. The character development is superb, even minor characters are developed very well. The issues Emily/Connie and others are dealing with are from real life , those that any family might find themselves in. Marriage, motherhood, world events, in- law issues, sickness, job disappointments, who hasn't dealt with these?
Without giving away the ending, it is not one of those books where everything at the end is neatly tied up in bows, but rather makes the reader think of what will happen to the characters in the future. I loved this book and strongly recommend it to anyone.
Thank you Net Galley, St. Martin Press and the author, Kim Hooper to be able to preview this wonderful book.
Without giving away the ending, it is not one of those books where everything at the end is neatly tied up in bows, but rather makes the reader think of what will happen to the characters in the future. I loved this book and strongly recommend it to anyone.
Thank you Net Galley, St. Martin Press and the author, Kim Hooper to be able to preview this wonderful book.
June 14, 2024
I loved this book!!! Now I am going to deep dive the back list.
June 14, 2016
*****Please stop by Darling & Co. for my full review.*****
Recently, a friend and I decided we wanted to start a book club to share our love of reading and to be able to get together with friends. After adding different people to the group, we picked out different books and voted to see which one we would read that month. The selection for the month was People Who Knew Me by Kim Hooper. It isn't my usual type of read, but it wasn't completely far from the realm of something I would choose either. I am so glad this was the book that was selected because it pulled me in from the very first sentence.
"The people who knew me think I'm dead." (p.1)
Emily's character bothers me. She blames her mother-in-laws failing health for the issues with her husband. She is not brave enough to tell her husband what she wants, what she needs from him.I can't fault her for it. I have no clue how I would feel if I were going through it, and it makes for an amazing story.
Connie's character makes me sad. Connie has spent the last 14 years raising and protecting Claire from her past, only inviting few people into her life so that she does not make connections she may have to break again one day, and doesn't want to disappoint more people. Connie just wants to be the best mother possible; give Claire everything she never had and more.
This whole book deals with karmic equilibrium and "what if" situations. Emily/Connie asks herself "what if" all of the time. All sorts of questions just start a whole other Sliding Door effect that sends you down the rabbit hole. But like she said, the karmic equilibrium had been off for too long. I do believe that everything equals out in the end, that everyone gets back what they put out, and this book shows you just that.
Recently, a friend and I decided we wanted to start a book club to share our love of reading and to be able to get together with friends. After adding different people to the group, we picked out different books and voted to see which one we would read that month. The selection for the month was People Who Knew Me by Kim Hooper. It isn't my usual type of read, but it wasn't completely far from the realm of something I would choose either. I am so glad this was the book that was selected because it pulled me in from the very first sentence.
"The people who knew me think I'm dead." (p.1)
Emily's character bothers me. She blames her mother-in-laws failing health for the issues with her husband. She is not brave enough to tell her husband what she wants, what she needs from him.I can't fault her for it. I have no clue how I would feel if I were going through it, and it makes for an amazing story.
Connie's character makes me sad. Connie has spent the last 14 years raising and protecting Claire from her past, only inviting few people into her life so that she does not make connections she may have to break again one day, and doesn't want to disappoint more people. Connie just wants to be the best mother possible; give Claire everything she never had and more.
This whole book deals with karmic equilibrium and "what if" situations. Emily/Connie asks herself "what if" all of the time. All sorts of questions just start a whole other Sliding Door effect that sends you down the rabbit hole. But like she said, the karmic equilibrium had been off for too long. I do believe that everything equals out in the end, that everyone gets back what they put out, and this book shows you just that.
January 17, 2016
This terrific book will be released in May, 2016. I was fortunate to win an advance copy in a Goodreads giveaway.
The narrator's story grabbed me immediately. The story is told from alternating time perspectives, starting with the events that caused the narrator to fake her death and then again starting her new life with her new identity.
The characters in this book are developed very well and are very realistic. The life issues that this book deals with are extremely relevant. The author's writing style is very thoughtful. She makes many random observations about people's traits and life in general that cause me, the reader, to pay attention to every sentence she writes.
I noticed in researching Kim Hooper, the author, that she had read something like 64 books in 2015. She lists them all on her blog. I noticed that they included all of Liane Moriarty's works. I compare Kim Hooper's writing to Moriarty's and that is high praise for this debut novelist.
The narrator's story grabbed me immediately. The story is told from alternating time perspectives, starting with the events that caused the narrator to fake her death and then again starting her new life with her new identity.
The characters in this book are developed very well and are very realistic. The life issues that this book deals with are extremely relevant. The author's writing style is very thoughtful. She makes many random observations about people's traits and life in general that cause me, the reader, to pay attention to every sentence she writes.
I noticed in researching Kim Hooper, the author, that she had read something like 64 books in 2015. She lists them all on her blog. I noticed that they included all of Liane Moriarty's works. I compare Kim Hooper's writing to Moriarty's and that is high praise for this debut novelist.
August 28, 2021
4.5/5 stars, my second Kim Hooper book and I’m totally hooked on her.
Her writing is phenomenal. This story is about Emily Morris/Connie Prynne. Emily is a New Yorker who married her college sweetheart, they struggle throughout their marriage. Emily is unhappy, does the unthinkable, then September 11th happens and she decides to run away. Enter Connie Prynne who now lives in California with her daughter Claire, she has a happy enough life, just the two of them. Suddenly she get hits with terrible life changing news that forces her to confront her past.
I thought I had some things figured out in the book but Kim twisted it on me. I feel like there were a lot of loose ends that were never resolved and the ending left me wanting way more and wondering what the hell is going to happen!
Her writing is phenomenal. This story is about Emily Morris/Connie Prynne. Emily is a New Yorker who married her college sweetheart, they struggle throughout their marriage. Emily is unhappy, does the unthinkable, then September 11th happens and she decides to run away. Enter Connie Prynne who now lives in California with her daughter Claire, she has a happy enough life, just the two of them. Suddenly she get hits with terrible life changing news that forces her to confront her past.
I thought I had some things figured out in the book but Kim twisted it on me. I feel like there were a lot of loose ends that were never resolved and the ending left me wanting way more and wondering what the hell is going to happen!
February 24, 2016
I can't remember the last time I read a book this fast. Every page held my attention and it was hard to put down, right through to the end. I love how the author alternates between time periods, the story being sown together throughout with one layer being added to the layer presented before it. So beautifully written. The character development is great; so true-to-life. I was sad when I got to the last chapter.
February 16, 2016
In People Who Knew Me, we switch between the two lives of one woman: Emily Morris as a young married woman in New York during the decade leading up to September 11, and fifteen years later in her new identity as Connie Prynne. Though she was passionately in love when she married young, she slowly begins to question her obligations and loyalty to her husband and mother-in-law, who becomes very ill. When resentment builds, she find solace in someone from her past.
Then it's September 11 2001, and when fate plays a part in her absence from work in the World Trade Centre, Emily sees it as an opportunity to start her life fresh in California as Connie. Oh, and she's pregnant.
I really enjoyed this book (if enjoyment can be defined by how often I start considering ways to read when I really can't or shouldn't – like driving (don't worry, I didn't)).
It's hard to really hate a character when they're acting in very human ways, and I found myself agreeing and getting angry when Emily began to resent her mother-in-law's dependence on her and her husband as caregivers. But as she starts to use this anger to justify cruel words and actions, I liked her less.
Yet, as Connie, she's a mature woman, trying to ignore her past but learn from it, even if she's not quite regretful. Which is surely better than stewing over it (even if it's a big long run in the opposite direction of 'dealing with it').
Almost every character in this book seems hopeless at times, even if by the end some of them have moved past that. I felt immensely sad at times thinking about how Emily's decision to pack up and disappear after 9/11 would have affected other people's lives (yes, even a dog).
And though the end appears to be missing (what the heck, Kim Cooper?!) her (apparent) fate doesn't seem fair. Even if she was horrible to almost everyone she knew, I still can't dislike her that much because I see way too much of myself in her. And that's a scary thought.
Then it's September 11 2001, and when fate plays a part in her absence from work in the World Trade Centre, Emily sees it as an opportunity to start her life fresh in California as Connie. Oh, and she's pregnant.
I really enjoyed this book (if enjoyment can be defined by how often I start considering ways to read when I really can't or shouldn't – like driving (don't worry, I didn't)).
It's hard to really hate a character when they're acting in very human ways, and I found myself agreeing and getting angry when Emily began to resent her mother-in-law's dependence on her and her husband as caregivers. But as she starts to use this anger to justify cruel words and actions, I liked her less.
Yet, as Connie, she's a mature woman, trying to ignore her past but learn from it, even if she's not quite regretful. Which is surely better than stewing over it (even if it's a big long run in the opposite direction of 'dealing with it').
Almost every character in this book seems hopeless at times, even if by the end some of them have moved past that. I felt immensely sad at times thinking about how Emily's decision to pack up and disappear after 9/11 would have affected other people's lives (yes, even a dog).
And though the end appears to be missing (what the heck, Kim Cooper?!) her (apparent) fate doesn't seem fair. Even if she was horrible to almost everyone she knew, I still can't dislike her that much because I see way too much of myself in her. And that's a scary thought.
April 20, 2016
Fantastic book. Touching and frustrating and full of love and full of irritation.
The story is told by Emily, an admittedly flawed human who some readers may not like. But Emily has found herself in a tough life and really has no option but to live the life of a martyr, or live the life of a complete asshole. Enter 9/11. What would you have done? I don't think I would do as Emily did, but I don't dare judge the decision she made - no one should until you've walked in those particular shoes.
We go back and forth in time from the present back to the events in Emily's life that lead up to 9/11. Cancer is a co-star in this book, and it was dealt with so well that I dreamed every night that it was me who was going through chemo. Parkinson's is another co-star, and the characters' experience with that has me now fearing Parkinson's more than I ever have the C Word. This is not a fluffy story, there is a lot of pain involved, by many characters.
I think this book will end up being judged by readers according to whether they agree with Emily's decisions. I probably would have ended the deception much earlier myself, but I felt that Emily could simultaneously do what she did and also be a good person inside. I love the book and cannot believe this is another (like Burying the Honeysuckle Girls) by a first time novelist. You girls are KILLING IT in 2016!!
Thank you to NetGalley for providing an early copy in exchange for an honest review.
The story is told by Emily, an admittedly flawed human who some readers may not like. But Emily has found herself in a tough life and really has no option but to live the life of a martyr, or live the life of a complete asshole. Enter 9/11. What would you have done? I don't think I would do as Emily did, but I don't dare judge the decision she made - no one should until you've walked in those particular shoes.
We go back and forth in time from the present back to the events in Emily's life that lead up to 9/11. Cancer is a co-star in this book, and it was dealt with so well that I dreamed every night that it was me who was going through chemo. Parkinson's is another co-star, and the characters' experience with that has me now fearing Parkinson's more than I ever have the C Word. This is not a fluffy story, there is a lot of pain involved, by many characters.
I think this book will end up being judged by readers according to whether they agree with Emily's decisions. I probably would have ended the deception much earlier myself, but I felt that Emily could simultaneously do what she did and also be a good person inside. I love the book and cannot believe this is another (like Burying the Honeysuckle Girls) by a first time novelist. You girls are KILLING IT in 2016!!
Thank you to NetGalley for providing an early copy in exchange for an honest review.
June 15, 2016
I absolutely loved this book and was surprised. I found it randomly on the NEW shelf at the library. In this novel, we meet Connie who starts the novel as proclaiming herself dead. How can this be? We are treated to glimpses of the present as well as the past. Connie lives with her daughter Claire, who doesn't know the identity of her father. Connie is also dealing with a major health issue that she is struggling with. In the past, Connie was Emily, a happy go lucky girl who meets the man of her dreams, but he comes with far more baggage than she could ever realize. Every single character is so well written and memorable. I truly was gripped by the plot of this book as well as the characterization. I literally did not want this book to end. I truly look forward to whatever next book this new author writes! I highly recommend this if you like family dramas with well written characters.
February 13, 2016
Excellent read! I received this book via a Goodreads Giveaway. This book was AWESOME! The character development was excellent. The story held me from the first page to the last it was very well written. The story was very believable I related to the main character because we shared some of the same experiences. I will be recommending this book and look forward to more from this author.
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