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Keep Me Posted
Two sisters share the surprising highs and cringe-worthy lows of social media fame, when their most private thoughts become incredibly public in this fresh and funny debut novel.
Sisters Cassie and Sid Sunday have not done a bang-up job of keeping in touch. In their defense, it hasn’t been life veered in sharply different directions for the once-close sisters. Today, beautiful and big-hearted Sid lives an expat’s life of leisure in far-off Singapore, while harried, iPhone-clutching Cassie can’t seem to make it work as a wife and a mom to twin toddlers in Manhattan.
It doesn't help that Sid spurns all social media while Cassie is addicted to Facebook. So when Sid issues a challenge to reconnect the old-fashioned way—through real, handwritten letters—Cassie figures, why not?
The experiment exceeds both of their expectations, and the letters become a kind of mutual confessional that have real and soul-satisfying effects. And they just might have the power to help Cassie save her marriage, and give Sid the strength to get her life back on track.
But first, one of Cassie’s infamous lapses in judgment comes back to bite her, and all of the letters wind up the one place you’d never, ever want to see the Internet...
Sisters Cassie and Sid Sunday have not done a bang-up job of keeping in touch. In their defense, it hasn’t been life veered in sharply different directions for the once-close sisters. Today, beautiful and big-hearted Sid lives an expat’s life of leisure in far-off Singapore, while harried, iPhone-clutching Cassie can’t seem to make it work as a wife and a mom to twin toddlers in Manhattan.
It doesn't help that Sid spurns all social media while Cassie is addicted to Facebook. So when Sid issues a challenge to reconnect the old-fashioned way—through real, handwritten letters—Cassie figures, why not?
The experiment exceeds both of their expectations, and the letters become a kind of mutual confessional that have real and soul-satisfying effects. And they just might have the power to help Cassie save her marriage, and give Sid the strength to get her life back on track.
But first, one of Cassie’s infamous lapses in judgment comes back to bite her, and all of the letters wind up the one place you’d never, ever want to see the Internet...
320 pages, Hardcover
First published April 5, 2016
About the author
Lisa Beazley
3 books154 followersLisa traded her corporate communications career for fiction writing when she moved from New York to Singapore with her husband and children. Born and raised in Toledo, Ohio, Lisa has a journalism degree from Ohio University and has lived and worked in Cleveland, Honolulu, and New York City. When she’s not reading or writing, Lisa is sharpening her toad-catching, Lego-building, and deep-breathing skills as the mother of three young boys. Keep Me Posted is her first novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 519 reviews
October 15, 2016
Beazley has written a light-hearted and humorous but meaningful story around a modern day catastrophe and how it helped reunite a family and draw people closer together.
Cass is an ordinary mum with an ordinary life that doesn’t always go as planned as she struggles with who she is. I feel all mothers will relate to Cass on some level.
After the birth of her twin sons Cass decides children will not change the life she loves. So she struggles on with two boisterous growing boys in her tiny NYC flat feeling like a complete failure which in turn affects her relationship with her husband.
Cassie pours out her frustrations and misdemeanours in letters to her sister, Sid, who lives in Singapore.
I loved the close relationship the sisters had and the notion that they could tell each other everything.
Through Cassie’s thoughts, letters and mishaps Beazley touches on contemporary issues of love, marriage, infidelity, family and friendship.
I liked that Cass and Sid were supported via social media and not shamed as so readily happens in real life.
I always love a humorous family/life drama and Keep Me Posted didn’t disappoint. Sometimes it’s good to read something where you can have a laugh at yourself, have a laugh at motherhood and just not take life too seriously.
Highly recommended for a light, fun easy read.
With thanks to Text Publishing via Netgalley for my copy to read and review.
Cass is an ordinary mum with an ordinary life that doesn’t always go as planned as she struggles with who she is. I feel all mothers will relate to Cass on some level.
After the birth of her twin sons Cass decides children will not change the life she loves. So she struggles on with two boisterous growing boys in her tiny NYC flat feeling like a complete failure which in turn affects her relationship with her husband.
Cassie pours out her frustrations and misdemeanours in letters to her sister, Sid, who lives in Singapore.
I loved the close relationship the sisters had and the notion that they could tell each other everything.
Through Cassie’s thoughts, letters and mishaps Beazley touches on contemporary issues of love, marriage, infidelity, family and friendship.
I liked that Cass and Sid were supported via social media and not shamed as so readily happens in real life.
I always love a humorous family/life drama and Keep Me Posted didn’t disappoint. Sometimes it’s good to read something where you can have a laugh at yourself, have a laugh at motherhood and just not take life too seriously.
Highly recommended for a light, fun easy read.
With thanks to Text Publishing via Netgalley for my copy to read and review.
December 2, 2015
Ok, so here's the official description of the book:
Cassie and Sid Sunday, once as close as sisters could be, have drifted apart. Cassie’s struggling as a stay-at-home mother to twin toddlers in Manhattan, while Sid lives an expat’s life of leisure in far-off Singapore. It doesn’t help that Sid spurns social media while Cassie is addicted to her iPhone.
So when Sid suggests they reconnect the old-fashioned way—through real, handwritten letters—Cassie is on board. Intimate and honest, their correspondence becomes a kind of mutual confessional and renews their bond. But Cassie’s made a big mistake—one that their relationship, not to mention their marriages, might not survive.
Keep Me Posted is a fresh and funny debut about the struggles of keeping in touch, keeping it real and keeping it together.
OMG, this book is awsome!
The first thing that actually hit me is the lack of sibling rivalry. Yes, one of the sisters is more beautiful, popular and easygoing. But the other one doesn't hide in a corner, brooding and plotting revenge. No. She also sees her for what she is and accepts and loves her. And vice versa. It is so refreshing and inspiring to see two women (sisters or not) genuinely love each other, just as it is rare. I aspire to that. I believe women can be friends (not frenemies). I believe a woman can be truly happy for her friend/sister without envy or ulterior motives.
This alone should make you want to read Keep Me Posted.
Moving on, I love, love, love how motherhood is presented!
Most people think motherhood looks like this:
But it's actually more like this:
Lisa Beazley doesn't shy away from showing us that motherhood isn't all that glamorous. It's not all giggles and laughs. Being a mother can be very hard, especially for Cassie, who is a stay-at-home mom of twin boys. She feels lost among all the pooping, vomiting and all that stuff. And she's human: she allows her kids to watch TV, gives them pizza etc. We're not all perfect women, and Cassie reminds us that it's ok, that things can improve and that they eventually do improve.
The part of the mail becoming public is somehow not that important. At least it isn't to me. Reading about Cassie and Sid and their everyday life is enough for me. Although it is funny how it all turns out.
The reason I give this book 4 stars and not 5 is that Cassie goes online and shops for clothes in the amount of over 3000$ in one session. I'm not sure how many families with only one income can afford that.
Anyway, this book is amazing, positive and deserves to be read. I highly recommend it!
*I thank Lisa Beazley, Text Publishing, and Netgalley for this copy in exchange for an honest review.
November 27, 2015
A plan to be pen-pals with your sister seems pretty harmless, right? In Lisa Beazley's new novel KEEP ME POSTED, that's exactly what Cassie and Sid thought too before the most personal secrets that they had disclosed to one another found their way onto the internet.
Better yet, they've gained an entire audience that is on the edge of their seats waiting to see what happens next.
Now, forced to figure out how to handle not only the sudden spotlight on their very personal lives, they've got to also figure out how to make sure their lives don't fall apart around them because of the mistake. Both with families to take care of, Cassie and Sid show that not knowing all the answers can actually be as much of a blessing as it is a curse.
I can't say I've ever had a pen pal myself, but as someone who is active on the internet the idea of my personal details that are meant to be secret finding their way onto the internet is utterly terrifying. Not because I have any juicy secrets that need to be kept to myself, but because that breech of privacy brings along with it a large level of anxiety.
And I am not one to welcome in any extra anxiety with open arms.
So even though I can't relate to what these sisters were doing myself, I still found this book to be incredibly relatable. The characters are all very real feeling, and I almost felt like I was just another friend taking part in the story myself. This is a true testament to how fun this book is to read and how well it is pieced together to keep you on the edge of your seat.
Of course, the descriptions of beautiful stationary doesn't hurt for an office supply nerd like me either!
If you enjoy stories that make you laugh on one page but cringe on the next, this one will not leave you disappointed.
WEBSITE | TWITTER | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM
Better yet, they've gained an entire audience that is on the edge of their seats waiting to see what happens next.
Now, forced to figure out how to handle not only the sudden spotlight on their very personal lives, they've got to also figure out how to make sure their lives don't fall apart around them because of the mistake. Both with families to take care of, Cassie and Sid show that not knowing all the answers can actually be as much of a blessing as it is a curse.
I can't say I've ever had a pen pal myself, but as someone who is active on the internet the idea of my personal details that are meant to be secret finding their way onto the internet is utterly terrifying. Not because I have any juicy secrets that need to be kept to myself, but because that breech of privacy brings along with it a large level of anxiety.
And I am not one to welcome in any extra anxiety with open arms.
So even though I can't relate to what these sisters were doing myself, I still found this book to be incredibly relatable. The characters are all very real feeling, and I almost felt like I was just another friend taking part in the story myself. This is a true testament to how fun this book is to read and how well it is pieced together to keep you on the edge of your seat.
Of course, the descriptions of beautiful stationary doesn't hurt for an office supply nerd like me either!
If you enjoy stories that make you laugh on one page but cringe on the next, this one will not leave you disappointed.
WEBSITE | TWITTER | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM
February 4, 2016
This review can also be found at Carole's Random Life.
I really enjoyed this story of two sisters reconnecting with each other through letters. I found myself relating to this book a lot more than I expected. I remember the joy of getting a hand written letter even though it has been years if not decades since I received one. I am from a family of girls so the focus on the sisters really appealed to me. I was completely entertained by this story and once I really started reading it, I didn't want to put it down.
Cassie and Sid are sisters who are separated by a lot of miles. Sid is living in Singapore with her family while Cassie is in New York. At their family Christmas gathering, their grandfather reads them some letters that their grandmother sent to him when they were young. This sparks an idea between the pair and they decide to reconnect through letters. In the process, they both end up learning a lot about themselves.
The book is told from Cassie's point of view. Cassie is the mother of 3 year old twin boys. She was a working mother before losing her job but now she spends her time taking care of the household and her family. She isn't really at her best mentally. She is really struggling and looking for something more in life. I can completely relate to Cassie. I wouldn't do some of the things that she does in this story but I can understand what she would have been feeling. I know how easy it is to lose yourself in the needs of your kids and family and how important it is to take care of your own needs.
Sid is dealing with her own set of problems but we learn about them from the letters that she writes to Cassie. I loved reading the letters that they wrote to each other. It was such a nice way to tell a story and it really gave Sid a wonderful voice in the story. After reading all of their letters to each other, I kind of want to write a few myself. I liked watching both of these women grow and come together when things start to fall apart.
I thought the writing style was wonderful. Cassie had such a authentic voice and even when she did things that made me cringe, I still wanted to root for her. The letters helped tell the story at just the right moments and really worked to help control the pace of the story. I loved how the story was really about real problems that people I know have gone through.
I would recommend this book to women's fiction or chick lit fans. I actually haven't read anything in that genre for a long time but this book has me wondering why that is. I am very impressed by Lisa Beazley's debut novel and look forward to her future works.
I received an advance reader edition of this book from Penguin Publishing Group - NAL via First to Read for the purpose of providing an honest review.
I really enjoyed this story of two sisters reconnecting with each other through letters. I found myself relating to this book a lot more than I expected. I remember the joy of getting a hand written letter even though it has been years if not decades since I received one. I am from a family of girls so the focus on the sisters really appealed to me. I was completely entertained by this story and once I really started reading it, I didn't want to put it down.
Cassie and Sid are sisters who are separated by a lot of miles. Sid is living in Singapore with her family while Cassie is in New York. At their family Christmas gathering, their grandfather reads them some letters that their grandmother sent to him when they were young. This sparks an idea between the pair and they decide to reconnect through letters. In the process, they both end up learning a lot about themselves.
The book is told from Cassie's point of view. Cassie is the mother of 3 year old twin boys. She was a working mother before losing her job but now she spends her time taking care of the household and her family. She isn't really at her best mentally. She is really struggling and looking for something more in life. I can completely relate to Cassie. I wouldn't do some of the things that she does in this story but I can understand what she would have been feeling. I know how easy it is to lose yourself in the needs of your kids and family and how important it is to take care of your own needs.
Sid is dealing with her own set of problems but we learn about them from the letters that she writes to Cassie. I loved reading the letters that they wrote to each other. It was such a nice way to tell a story and it really gave Sid a wonderful voice in the story. After reading all of their letters to each other, I kind of want to write a few myself. I liked watching both of these women grow and come together when things start to fall apart.
I thought the writing style was wonderful. Cassie had such a authentic voice and even when she did things that made me cringe, I still wanted to root for her. The letters helped tell the story at just the right moments and really worked to help control the pace of the story. I loved how the story was really about real problems that people I know have gone through.
I would recommend this book to women's fiction or chick lit fans. I actually haven't read anything in that genre for a long time but this book has me wondering why that is. I am very impressed by Lisa Beazley's debut novel and look forward to her future works.
I received an advance reader edition of this book from Penguin Publishing Group - NAL via First to Read for the purpose of providing an honest review.
March 31, 2018
Keep Me Posted was a cute, quick, and easy read.
It's about two sisters, Cassie and Sydney, who write letters to each other. Now I haven't written an actual letter since last year.. because my (ex)boyfriend was in the Air Force. Trust me.. it was weird. I had to like jam pack a whole months worth of information into one little letter. It was rough and I had lots of wine to help me cope with this dramatic experience.
It was nice to write a letter every now and then.. but it got way too confusing because of the whole shipping and not shipping. Letters were lost.. and I just wouldn't do it ever again in my life.. Unless I'm like super old.
Okay, back to the sisters. Cassie was the snarky one but she did seem to grow throughout the book. Then there's Sydney who was an okay character to me. Overall, I really enjoyed their letters and the characters themselves. I laughed. I cringed. I kind of was all over the place while reading them. It was a good and fun book that I'm happy that I got a chance to read. Good looks Ashburn Library! Keep up the great work - provide me with more books!
It's about two sisters, Cassie and Sydney, who write letters to each other. Now I haven't written an actual letter since last year.. because my (ex)boyfriend was in the Air Force. Trust me.. it was weird. I had to like jam pack a whole months worth of information into one little letter. It was rough and I had lots of wine to help me cope with this dramatic experience.
It was nice to write a letter every now and then.. but it got way too confusing because of the whole shipping and not shipping. Letters were lost.. and I just wouldn't do it ever again in my life.. Unless I'm like super old.
Okay, back to the sisters. Cassie was the snarky one but she did seem to grow throughout the book. Then there's Sydney who was an okay character to me. Overall, I really enjoyed their letters and the characters themselves. I laughed. I cringed. I kind of was all over the place while reading them. It was a good and fun book that I'm happy that I got a chance to read. Good looks Ashburn Library! Keep up the great work - provide me with more books!
October 8, 2015
Received via Goodreads first reads!
Cassie and Sid, two sisters determined to stay connected begin writing letters to one another. Each letter offers something private and personal, but when Cass decides to scan each letter on to what she thought was a private blog, things take a turn.
Imagine writing a letter to your sister about your sister-in-laws nasty uni-brow and the next thing you know the whole town has read the letter, including your sister-in-law! That feeling of embarrassment, and wanting to climb into the deepest hole you can find. In some way this has happened to everyone of us. You know what I'm talking about... uncle Dave wasn't supposed to get that nude picture of you
I really enjoyed this book. It was relate-able in every way. Being a mother, being in a relationship, family, and of course that neighbor who thinks she is better than you. My kid eats broccoli.. BOOM I'm the better mom.
Without saying to much (because I really do want to spill it all) I was very pleased with the ending.
Would I read another book by this author: Yes!
(This is also a book I would really like to see turn into a movie)
Cassie and Sid, two sisters determined to stay connected begin writing letters to one another. Each letter offers something private and personal, but when Cass decides to scan each letter on to what she thought was a private blog, things take a turn.
Imagine writing a letter to your sister about your sister-in-laws nasty uni-brow and the next thing you know the whole town has read the letter, including your sister-in-law! That feeling of embarrassment, and wanting to climb into the deepest hole you can find. In some way this has happened to everyone of us. You know what I'm talking about... uncle Dave wasn't supposed to get that nude picture of you
I really enjoyed this book. It was relate-able in every way. Being a mother, being in a relationship, family, and of course that neighbor who thinks she is better than you. My kid eats broccoli.. BOOM I'm the better mom.
Without saying to much (because I really do want to spill it all) I was very pleased with the ending.
Would I read another book by this author: Yes!
(This is also a book I would really like to see turn into a movie)
December 20, 2015
Cassie is stuck. She's a thirty-something stay-at-home mom with twin three-year old boys. Her marriage is...fine. Her husband, Leo, is solid and dependable and a wonderful partner, overall, but the passion is gone. Probably because, let's face it, Cassie's passion FOR LIFE is gone. She's bored and unchallenged. And bored. So when her sister, Sid, suggests that the two of them start hand-writing good ol' fashioned letters to each other, Cassie begrudgingly agrees. Their letter experiment unexpectedly makes them both a little happier--until Cassie accidentally posts the extremely personal and revealing letters on the internet. Predictable--yet entertaining--fallout ensues.
I enjoyed this book, overall. It took me a few pages or so to really get into it. I was expecting more action more quickly. I guess I thought Cassie's "uh oh" moment (of accidentally posting the letters online) would happen sooner. It actually doesn't happen until well over halfway into the book. I came to appreciate the slower build up, though, since it allowed me to really get to know Cassie and her sister. When their embarrassing personal stories did finally go public, I genuinely felt for them.
I do have to agree with other reviewers that the book can be very "chick lit" at parts. Prepare yourself for some unrealistic scenarios and somewhat cliche and slightly underdeveloped characters. Still, there was enough depth, wit, and humor in these pages to keep me interested in the story from mostly-beginning to end. I felt for Cass and Sid (even if I didn't like them both all the time), and, even though I was pretty sure they were going to make out okay, I still kept flipping pages, curious to know exactly how.
In short, this ended up being a pleasant and enjoyable read. The story is fun and light. The characters are likable and complicated enough. Not a terrible way to spend an afternoon, in my opinion. And author Lisa Beazley is definitely on my radar now.
I enjoyed this book, overall. It took me a few pages or so to really get into it. I was expecting more action more quickly. I guess I thought Cassie's "uh oh" moment (of accidentally posting the letters online) would happen sooner. It actually doesn't happen until well over halfway into the book. I came to appreciate the slower build up, though, since it allowed me to really get to know Cassie and her sister. When their embarrassing personal stories did finally go public, I genuinely felt for them.
I do have to agree with other reviewers that the book can be very "chick lit" at parts. Prepare yourself for some unrealistic scenarios and somewhat cliche and slightly underdeveloped characters. Still, there was enough depth, wit, and humor in these pages to keep me interested in the story from mostly-beginning to end. I felt for Cass and Sid (even if I didn't like them both all the time), and, even though I was pretty sure they were going to make out okay, I still kept flipping pages, curious to know exactly how.
In short, this ended up being a pleasant and enjoyable read. The story is fun and light. The characters are likable and complicated enough. Not a terrible way to spend an afternoon, in my opinion. And author Lisa Beazley is definitely on my radar now.
March 19, 2016
Every woman struggles with feelings of insecurity and being able to reach out to your sister and just have that tight connection is very empowering and supportive. Something that we all wish for and the author did a great job in creating and building these two sisters with love and forgiveness that is full of hope for family.
I had a tough time getting through the beginning in the middle of this, due to the privacy issue, but the ending really made a difference for me and how I looked at this book as a whole. I think the author also did a great job in changing the way I view family and maybe that I need to lighten up and embrace let go some stuff and share more!
This story is light-hearted and humorous in many spots and also very reflective of a woman’s marriage and the things that we go through on a regular basis. I think the author did a great job getting in touch with a woman’s feelings and things that we go through. Worth the read!
I had a tough time getting through the beginning in the middle of this, due to the privacy issue, but the ending really made a difference for me and how I looked at this book as a whole. I think the author also did a great job in changing the way I view family and maybe that I need to lighten up and embrace let go some stuff and share more!
This story is light-hearted and humorous in many spots and also very reflective of a woman’s marriage and the things that we go through on a regular basis. I think the author did a great job getting in touch with a woman’s feelings and things that we go through. Worth the read!
July 9, 2016
I received an advanced reader's copy of Keep Me Posted by Lisa Beazley a few months ago and finally got around to reading it. This book is a fun chick-lit about two sisters in their late thirties who live on opposite sides of the world and decided to stay in touch the old fashion way by writing letters. I was very surprised to find that i really enjoyed it! I had low expectations for the book because the Goodreads rating for it was 3.65. I'm rating it a 4.3 out of 5 stars!
Plot
I feel like there wasn't really much happening plot-wise, but at the same time i feel like a lot did happen. Reading this book was basically like reading Cassie's journal with all the details. When she doesn't write to her sister about the more interesting things happening in her life, she talks about her daily routine with her children and her husband and her other mommy friends. I've been reading way too many Young Adult books and so reading about motherhood and living in an apartment in New York and facing marital problems in a realistic contemporary setting was oddly refreshing and thrilling. I did feel kind of excited at times wondering if i'd have to go through the same things Cassie did if i have children someday.
The second half of the book was more fast-paced than the first half, particularly when Cassie finds out that her and Sid's personal letters had gone public and that they were basically trending on the internet. It's not often that i read books that describes the latest social media as on-point as in Keep Me Posted, so sometimes i couldn't help but wonder if it might have been based off a true story.
The only criticism I have for the plot is that i thought it was a little far-fetched that Cassie's blog had gone viral so quickly, and that it was such a huge hit in the first place. I didn't think their letters were THAT special. They were interesting and fun, yes, but it didn't have the charm that would make it worthy of going viral. But I understand that it's a story and that these things don't really matter, so with all that aside it was still great.
We get to read most of what happens at Sid's end from her letters to Cassie. I really enjoyed the way her story gets tied in nicely with Cassie's at the end. Her experiences in Singapore did sound accurately Asian at some point, especially regarding the maids/helpers thing. I was quite excited to get a bit of modern Asian culture described.
Keep Me Posted had a very heartwarming ending, and I loved that in the end it became more than just about Cassie and Sid's relationship.
Writing
The writing was super easy to follow and had a bright vibe to it. Most things were described in great detail that at some point I felt like i was watching a romantic comedy movie. However, sometimes there was too much unnecessary detail that the book could have been better without. These were mostly some paragraphs about the background stories of the minor characters(specifically Cassie's friends and Leo's family). It just felt like the author wanted to make the story longer and it seemed to run away from the focus of Cassie's story at times. This didn't really happen in the second half though, which is why i enjoyed that half a lot more.
I was surprised to find out that i didn't mind some of the adult characters swearing and cursing. The book could have been cleaner and still great without it, but i found it hilarious and it gave a great vibe to the story.
Characters
I think my favourite thing about this book would have to be the characters. I liked most of them, particularly the Sunday sisters Cassie and Sid. I think a huge reason for this would have to be because their relationship reminds me so much of the one i have with my own sister, and i can't help but wonder if we would have a similar relationship later in life when we reach our thirties.
I thought that Cassie was a very honest character. She went through a sort of midlife crisis without realising it, and although I cringed and disapproved when she started taking her marriage for granted, I appreciated that she was honest to herself and to her sister. I loved seeing her character develop throughout the book as she handled the consequences of her mistakes. I love how great of a mother she is to her twin boys! I absolutely love Joey and Quinn and how such adorable kids they are.
I only have two criticisms for the characters; Firstly, i found the twin boys to be a little too smart for their age to be realistic. They were supposed to be 3-4 years old but their perfect grammar and how understanding they get seems to be a little bit mature for typical boys their age. Or maybe toddlers these days are just a lot smarter, i don't know. Secondly, I think too many new names were introduced especially from Leo's family and some of Cassie's friends. It was a little tricky for me to keep track of who was who, and some of the new names didn't really play a huge role.
--
All in all, i think this was worth my time and would highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys reading chick lits. Perhaps I'll give letter writing with my sister a chance someday.
Plot
I feel like there wasn't really much happening plot-wise, but at the same time i feel like a lot did happen. Reading this book was basically like reading Cassie's journal with all the details. When she doesn't write to her sister about the more interesting things happening in her life, she talks about her daily routine with her children and her husband and her other mommy friends. I've been reading way too many Young Adult books and so reading about motherhood and living in an apartment in New York and facing marital problems in a realistic contemporary setting was oddly refreshing and thrilling. I did feel kind of excited at times wondering if i'd have to go through the same things Cassie did if i have children someday.
The second half of the book was more fast-paced than the first half, particularly when Cassie finds out that her and Sid's personal letters had gone public and that they were basically trending on the internet. It's not often that i read books that describes the latest social media as on-point as in Keep Me Posted, so sometimes i couldn't help but wonder if it might have been based off a true story.
The only criticism I have for the plot is that i thought it was a little far-fetched that Cassie's blog had gone viral so quickly, and that it was such a huge hit in the first place. I didn't think their letters were THAT special. They were interesting and fun, yes, but it didn't have the charm that would make it worthy of going viral. But I understand that it's a story and that these things don't really matter, so with all that aside it was still great.
We get to read most of what happens at Sid's end from her letters to Cassie. I really enjoyed the way her story gets tied in nicely with Cassie's at the end. Her experiences in Singapore did sound accurately Asian at some point, especially regarding the maids/helpers thing. I was quite excited to get a bit of modern Asian culture described.
Keep Me Posted had a very heartwarming ending, and I loved that in the end it became more than just about Cassie and Sid's relationship.
Writing
The writing was super easy to follow and had a bright vibe to it. Most things were described in great detail that at some point I felt like i was watching a romantic comedy movie. However, sometimes there was too much unnecessary detail that the book could have been better without. These were mostly some paragraphs about the background stories of the minor characters(specifically Cassie's friends and Leo's family). It just felt like the author wanted to make the story longer and it seemed to run away from the focus of Cassie's story at times. This didn't really happen in the second half though, which is why i enjoyed that half a lot more.
I was surprised to find out that i didn't mind some of the adult characters swearing and cursing. The book could have been cleaner and still great without it, but i found it hilarious and it gave a great vibe to the story.
Characters
I think my favourite thing about this book would have to be the characters. I liked most of them, particularly the Sunday sisters Cassie and Sid. I think a huge reason for this would have to be because their relationship reminds me so much of the one i have with my own sister, and i can't help but wonder if we would have a similar relationship later in life when we reach our thirties.
I thought that Cassie was a very honest character. She went through a sort of midlife crisis without realising it, and although I cringed and disapproved when she started taking her marriage for granted, I appreciated that she was honest to herself and to her sister. I loved seeing her character develop throughout the book as she handled the consequences of her mistakes. I love how great of a mother she is to her twin boys! I absolutely love Joey and Quinn and how such adorable kids they are.
I only have two criticisms for the characters; Firstly, i found the twin boys to be a little too smart for their age to be realistic. They were supposed to be 3-4 years old but their perfect grammar and how understanding they get seems to be a little bit mature for typical boys their age. Or maybe toddlers these days are just a lot smarter, i don't know. Secondly, I think too many new names were introduced especially from Leo's family and some of Cassie's friends. It was a little tricky for me to keep track of who was who, and some of the new names didn't really play a huge role.
--
All in all, i think this was worth my time and would highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys reading chick lits. Perhaps I'll give letter writing with my sister a chance someday.
January 7, 2016
I received this ARC in a giveaway from Goodreads in exchange for an honest review.
I unfortunately was disappointed with this novel. To be fair, this was probably not aimed at my demographic (early 20's) and was more intended for new moms or possibly women in their 30's? Either way I didn't connect with our main character Cassie - or really any of the characters. She has a rather cynical outlook that I found incredibly negative and off-putting.
Cassie continuously complains about every detail of her life (some of it justifiably) while living comfortably in Manhattan, made several $1,000+ purchases on her own luxuries, took yoga classes, had a part-time nanny and got pedicures regularly throughout the book, along with having two healthy boys and an assumably good husband. All of this and she still finds all the problems with her life more important and it made her sound whiny rather than having a real crises.
I expected the relationship with her sister, Sid, to come into play more than just a continuous reminder of how jealous she is of her. And an unrealistic wrap up between the two by the end. Cassie compared herself with Sid in personality and looks and often divulged in self-hate which I found cliche and overused in a 300 page novel.
In conclusion, I tried to love the idea of this over-worked young mom trying to reinvent herself and discover things about her and the relationship with her sister in the backdrop of the always charming NYC but it just didn't work for me. I recommend this if you enjoyed The Devil Wears Prada by Lauren Weisberger.
I unfortunately was disappointed with this novel. To be fair, this was probably not aimed at my demographic (early 20's) and was more intended for new moms or possibly women in their 30's? Either way I didn't connect with our main character Cassie - or really any of the characters. She has a rather cynical outlook that I found incredibly negative and off-putting.
Cassie continuously complains about every detail of her life (some of it justifiably) while living comfortably in Manhattan, made several $1,000+ purchases on her own luxuries, took yoga classes, had a part-time nanny and got pedicures regularly throughout the book, along with having two healthy boys and an assumably good husband. All of this and she still finds all the problems with her life more important and it made her sound whiny rather than having a real crises.
I expected the relationship with her sister, Sid, to come into play more than just a continuous reminder of how jealous she is of her. And an unrealistic wrap up between the two by the end. Cassie compared herself with Sid in personality and looks and often divulged in self-hate which I found cliche and overused in a 300 page novel.
In conclusion, I tried to love the idea of this over-worked young mom trying to reinvent herself and discover things about her and the relationship with her sister in the backdrop of the always charming NYC but it just didn't work for me. I recommend this if you enjoyed The Devil Wears Prada by Lauren Weisberger.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 13, 2015
What it's all about...
This book is about sisters who are living far apart but trying to reunite and be as close as they were when they were in high school. One sister...Sid...doesn't do email so they decide to write to each other...using real letters...real snail mail letters. Cassie...the other sister...wants a way to preserve the letters so she sets up a private blog and scans all of their correspondence. However...of course...there is a computer glitch and the blog and letters go public.
My thoughts after reading this book...
Both sisters have issues with their husbands but Cassie life seems to be really in shambles. She has twins, misses working, lives in a tiny apartment and is disenchanted with her husband Leo. This causes her to "accidentally" seek out the man she dated before she met her husband. She is always finding ways to be away from Leo...until Leo finds out about her letters and wants to be away from her. Hmmm.
What I loved best...
I loved messy Cassie. She let her twins watch TV, she didn't always cook "clean" foods for them, she was annoyed by perfect moms...especially her neighbor Jenna. She kept secrets from Leo, too, and was not always there for him.
What potential readers might want to know...
This book is filled with tons of snarky situations and humor. The twins are a huge part of this book and Cassie's feelings about them are truly funny. Actually...Cassie's thoughts about her life and friends in NYC are truly funny. This book is a cleverly written one and I really loved spending my time reading it!
Did Not Finish
November 6, 2015Lady drops $3,900 on clothes, complains about being a bored housewife, and just said that her husbands one short-coming is bad handwriting. BECAUSE THAT'S SUPER IMPORTANT.
But she married him because he's a nice eater.
I give up.
But she married him because he's a nice eater.
I give up.
November 9, 2021
dnf @1o%
February 23, 2016
2.5 stars
When I started this book I was looking for an escape, sorta beachy read. I guess this could be consider that genre, but I just felt unsatisfied when I finished this book. Cassie, the main character, is so whiny that I felt I couldn't relate to her in anyway (and I am a stay at home mom as well). Sid, the other main character, was too perfect in my opinion...she never let anything faze her and when things didn't go her way she was able to move past it without so much as an anger thought...maybe I am jealous of this fictional woman...who knows :) Overall, this book was just ok in my opinion...nothing to hate but nothing to love either.
Thanks to Penguin Random House for the ARC!
When I started this book I was looking for an escape, sorta beachy read. I guess this could be consider that genre, but I just felt unsatisfied when I finished this book. Cassie, the main character, is so whiny that I felt I couldn't relate to her in anyway (and I am a stay at home mom as well). Sid, the other main character, was too perfect in my opinion...she never let anything faze her and when things didn't go her way she was able to move past it without so much as an anger thought...maybe I am jealous of this fictional woman...who knows :) Overall, this book was just ok in my opinion...nothing to hate but nothing to love either.
Thanks to Penguin Random House for the ARC!
February 24, 2016
Keep Me Posted is the first novel by American author, Lisa Beazley. One Christmas, Cassie and Sid Sunday decide they need to re-establish the close connection they had when they were growing up. Rather than regular communication by more modern means, they opt to write each other letters: the kind that need paper, pen, envelopes, stamps and a trip to the post box. What could go wrong?
Cassie (Cassandra Marie) Sunday is married to Leo Costa and they have twin three-year-old boys, Joey and Quinn. Leo’s job as IT manager for a chain of gyms gets him out and about, but since Cassie gave up her work as a magazine editor, her horizons have narrowed considerably.
Sid (Sidney Sue) Sunday is married to Adrian, whose banking job has taken them to Singapore to live with Sid’s son, River and their baby daughter, Lulu. With Adrian often absent on business trips, Sid involves herself with trying to better the lives of the Filipina help that many ex-pats employ.
In the spirit of honesty and openness between the sisters, their letters are completely candid: Sid comments of life as an ex-pat in Asia and other, more serious concerns; Cassie shares her frustrations about their too-small Manhattan West Village apartment, her disillusionment with full-time motherhood, her irritation with her perfect-mommy neighbour, her dislike of her in-laws, her dissatisfaction with her sex life and her encounters with an attractive ex-boyfriend.
If her plot is perhaps somewhat predictable, the execution is so well done that Beazley’s first novel is a very enjoyable read. The characters are appealing and even those who attract Cassie’s criticism have redeeming qualities. The banter between the characters is entertaining and the relationship between the sisters, and with the extended family, their shared history and their obvious love and care for each other is heartwarming.
There’s plenty of humour in this tale, but Beazley also touches on some topical contemporary issues. Cassie’s poor-me attitude, while it is perhaps understandable, will see some readers considering the inevitable disaster that ensues as just deserts. Certainly, this novel realistically illustrates the potentially far reaching effects of mishaps with the world wide web. This is an impressive debut novel and readers will look forward to more from this talented author. 4.5★s
Cassie (Cassandra Marie) Sunday is married to Leo Costa and they have twin three-year-old boys, Joey and Quinn. Leo’s job as IT manager for a chain of gyms gets him out and about, but since Cassie gave up her work as a magazine editor, her horizons have narrowed considerably.
Sid (Sidney Sue) Sunday is married to Adrian, whose banking job has taken them to Singapore to live with Sid’s son, River and their baby daughter, Lulu. With Adrian often absent on business trips, Sid involves herself with trying to better the lives of the Filipina help that many ex-pats employ.
In the spirit of honesty and openness between the sisters, their letters are completely candid: Sid comments of life as an ex-pat in Asia and other, more serious concerns; Cassie shares her frustrations about their too-small Manhattan West Village apartment, her disillusionment with full-time motherhood, her irritation with her perfect-mommy neighbour, her dislike of her in-laws, her dissatisfaction with her sex life and her encounters with an attractive ex-boyfriend.
If her plot is perhaps somewhat predictable, the execution is so well done that Beazley’s first novel is a very enjoyable read. The characters are appealing and even those who attract Cassie’s criticism have redeeming qualities. The banter between the characters is entertaining and the relationship between the sisters, and with the extended family, their shared history and their obvious love and care for each other is heartwarming.
There’s plenty of humour in this tale, but Beazley also touches on some topical contemporary issues. Cassie’s poor-me attitude, while it is perhaps understandable, will see some readers considering the inevitable disaster that ensues as just deserts. Certainly, this novel realistically illustrates the potentially far reaching effects of mishaps with the world wide web. This is an impressive debut novel and readers will look forward to more from this talented author. 4.5★s
December 14, 2017
I was given a free copy of this book by PenguinRandomHouse Canada for an honest review. I really enjoyed this book. Overall a fun easy read. Cassie lives in NYC in a very tiny apartment with her husband and three year old twins. Her sister, Sid, lives in Singapore. Over Christmas, while chatting, they decide to start to write letters to each other (actual letters written on paper and mailed) so they can reconnect and be more involved in each other’s lives. They tell each other their secrets and their thoughts on their lives. Cassie decides to save all the letters in a private blog without telling Sid. Unfortunately there is a technical malfunction and the privacy setting is shut off and the letters hit the internet. Cassie has to come clean to her husband and sister about what happened. Sid is of course unhappy her privacy has been violated and Cassie’s husband Leo has to learn about her thoughts on their marriage, his family, and a transgression with an ex boyfriend that has now all been made public. I really enjoyed the book and the writing. It was interesting to hear Cassie tell of her struggles as a stay at home mom and to hear all the NYC references. The two things that I found a little off were that Leo seemingly had a middle class job and somewhat limited finances yet Cassie always seems to be spending a lot of money. My other issue was that Sid was a little too perfect for me. While I liked the character she just didn’t have any flaws. Overall a really good book though and I would recommend it.
October 5, 2015
This book was a really great light ready. I really connected and liked both of the main characters sisters Cas and Sid. I found myself agreeing and saying "Cassie gets it" when reading the letters she would write to Sid. Her everyday life struggles of being a stay at home mom to 2 young boys and mundane routine every couple falls into when the romance and spark dies out is something almost every woman feels and can connect with. Watching Cassie grow and improve as a mother and wife through out the book kept me wanting to read just one more chapter each night. At the end of the book I was a little sad and wish that the "slow news sisters" really had a blog that I could read I didn't want it to end and enjoyed looking in from the outside. This book had not huge twist or unbelievable turning points but was a nice book to remind you that everyone questions how their life plays out but in the end you realize you truly wouldn't want anything other then the sweet little life you've built with the people who sometimes drive you nuts.
March 9, 2016
Enjoyed this book very much! I always love books with letters, memories and family tradition dialogue. This one also touches on something very important in my personal life. Losing family to technology and social media. Great story and definitely recommended.
Many thanks to #PenguinRandom #NAL and the #Goodreads First Reads Program
Product Details From Amazon.com
Hardcover: 320 pages
Publisher: NAL (April 5, 2016)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1101989866
ISBN-13: 978-1101989869
Product Dimensions: 6.3 x 0.9 x 9.3 inches
Amazon purchase link:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1101...
Amazon Kindle purchase link:
http://www.amazon.com/Keep-Me-Posted-...
Many thanks to #PenguinRandom #NAL and the #Goodreads First Reads Program
Product Details From Amazon.com
Hardcover: 320 pages
Publisher: NAL (April 5, 2016)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1101989866
ISBN-13: 978-1101989869
Product Dimensions: 6.3 x 0.9 x 9.3 inches
Amazon purchase link:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1101...
Amazon Kindle purchase link:
http://www.amazon.com/Keep-Me-Posted-...
May 16, 2016
I was quite taken by the cover and the description of the book , but a little less than half way through the book I had to stop because it just did not manage to hold my attention! While it claims to be a light read , it seems like the documentation of the random rambling of a struggling mother of toddler twins. . As much as I wished to connect to the character , they lacked depth and the aura to attract the reader..
September 10, 2019
I didn't think I was going to enjoy this book . As I read on the story got me in with the references of today's computerised world!
October 4, 2015
Keep Me Posted, by first time author Lisa Beazley, is a sweet, funny book with real characters and a problem in which no one wants to find themselves. It’s the story of sisters, Cassie and Sid Sunday who decide to communicate via letters for one year. Sid lives in Singapore with her banker husband, baby and teenage son from a previous relationship. Cassie lives in a tiny apartment in Manhattan and has recently left her job to become a stay at home mom to her three year-old twin boys. Due to a technical glitch and a good intention that goes awry, the letters end up on the internet for all the world to see.
Although we get to read the letters from both sisters, the story is mostly told through Cassie’s eyes. She is torn between wanting to stay home to take care of her boys and guilt ridden by wanting more when she is actually at home. We hear her thoughts on her life, her marriage and her relatives. She bares her soul in a way that any mother of active three year olds can relate to. Sid, on the other hand, lives in warm, tropical Singapore, with a husband who travels and house staff who are ready to do whatever she needs. The description of expat life is eye opening for someone who has never experienced it and realistic to someone who has.
The letters are poignant and thoughtful and the problem keeps one reading with the hope that the terrible nightmare that makes their private thoughts all too public will come to a satisfactory end. After all, how do you apologize to your loved ones for the truth? As someone who used to write letters and still occasionally types out a letter to a friend at Christmas, the book made me mourn the ease of communication via email and long for the days when I poured my thoughts and experiences to my sister while in a far away country in Peace Corps. This book will make you want to pick up a pen, some colorful stationary and an envelope and write a note to someone you love.
Although we get to read the letters from both sisters, the story is mostly told through Cassie’s eyes. She is torn between wanting to stay home to take care of her boys and guilt ridden by wanting more when she is actually at home. We hear her thoughts on her life, her marriage and her relatives. She bares her soul in a way that any mother of active three year olds can relate to. Sid, on the other hand, lives in warm, tropical Singapore, with a husband who travels and house staff who are ready to do whatever she needs. The description of expat life is eye opening for someone who has never experienced it and realistic to someone who has.
The letters are poignant and thoughtful and the problem keeps one reading with the hope that the terrible nightmare that makes their private thoughts all too public will come to a satisfactory end. After all, how do you apologize to your loved ones for the truth? As someone who used to write letters and still occasionally types out a letter to a friend at Christmas, the book made me mourn the ease of communication via email and long for the days when I poured my thoughts and experiences to my sister while in a far away country in Peace Corps. This book will make you want to pick up a pen, some colorful stationary and an envelope and write a note to someone you love.
December 23, 2015
The story in this book is told through a combination of the main character's first-person account of the happenings, and a series of letters between her and her sister, Sid.
It's definitely quick and fun, and has moments of pure hilarity, and goes off as you would expect. The letters going viral on the internet happens about two-thirds of the way through the book; kind of odd for the main "bad thing" to happen so late. (But it wouldn't have worked if it had happened earlier.) This also reads like a love letter to New York City. The author's descriptions are lovely, and made me feel like I was there.
In many ways, I enjoyed the book. Cassie states what pretty much every mom in the history of moms has thought: am I a bad mother? Wife? What am I doing with my life? Who am I now? On the one hand, it was refreshing to see it all laid out like that, instead of the picture-perfect life displayed on Facebook (as she pointed out), but on the other, I just wanted to shake her and say, "stop beating yourself up!"
The other thing that bugged me was.... the book is fully centered and set in the here and now. In a few years, Facebook and Twitter and Viper and all the other social media outlets that are big right now and that she mentions might not even be around. So the book feels almost like it's already dated.
Overall, tho, it's a very REAL voice, and I think moms especially (or ones thinking about being moms) will get the most out of this book.
3.5 stars
It's definitely quick and fun, and has moments of pure hilarity, and goes off as you would expect. The letters going viral on the internet happens about two-thirds of the way through the book; kind of odd for the main "bad thing" to happen so late. (But it wouldn't have worked if it had happened earlier.) This also reads like a love letter to New York City. The author's descriptions are lovely, and made me feel like I was there.
In many ways, I enjoyed the book. Cassie states what pretty much every mom in the history of moms has thought: am I a bad mother? Wife? What am I doing with my life? Who am I now? On the one hand, it was refreshing to see it all laid out like that, instead of the picture-perfect life displayed on Facebook (as she pointed out), but on the other, I just wanted to shake her and say, "stop beating yourself up!"
The other thing that bugged me was.... the book is fully centered and set in the here and now. In a few years, Facebook and Twitter and Viper and all the other social media outlets that are big right now and that she mentions might not even be around. So the book feels almost like it's already dated.
Overall, tho, it's a very REAL voice, and I think moms especially (or ones thinking about being moms) will get the most out of this book.
3.5 stars
October 1, 2015
I loved this book!! Not only is it an entertaining page-turner, but it is full of insights on being a parent, sister, partner and friend in our modern day world. It explores the range of experiences of being a young mom and wife--from the cringeworthy to the hilarious to the heartwarming -- with honesty and humor. And it will make you want to hug your sister (and your spouse, for that matter) if you're lucky enough to have one. It might make you want to start a letter-writing ritual too -- I know I do! There is so much about this book that I loved -- the relationship between the sisters, the idea of the letter-writing, the anecdotes of raising kids in NYC, the funny family dynamics, exploring the identity shifts mothers undergo, and on and on. Oh and it's funny -- did I mention it was funny? I will be looking for more books from Lisa Beazley!
October 8, 2015
I loved this story! It captured my attention from the start, and I couldn't put it down. Two sisters living across the world from each other decide to start letter writing. There are heartfelt moments in the story and funny adventures throughout. It's amazing to me how drawn into the sister's lives I got. They are dealing with things with their marriages and children, and trying to work it all out through their letters. It's great how close they are and how they tell all in the letters. But then it's horrifying when the letters end up on the internet....you can only imagine this happening to you. It's very good reading. I highly recommend this book, and can't wait to read more by Lisa Beazley. Thanks to the author and goodreads for providing the complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.
April 9, 2016
Two Ohio-native sisters decide to bridge the geographic gap, one lives in NYC and the other in Singapore, by deciding, one Christmas, to keep in touch via snail mail. They hope to become closer and re-learn what the sister is about.
Cassie, the New Yorker, decides to keep copies for her posterity by scanning the letters (both those she sends and those she receives) onto her computer.
Since the bulk of the book is told from Cassie's perspective the reader is presented with a microcosm of New Yorkers - the neighbor who knows how to fix any situation AND requires only the top of the line products, the uncle "who has a friend who can get it for you", the mothers at play dates, etc.
It was a quickly moving, humorous read that has been wondering, "How many secrets do I have?"
Cassie, the New Yorker, decides to keep copies for her posterity by scanning the letters (both those she sends and those she receives) onto her computer.
Since the bulk of the book is told from Cassie's perspective the reader is presented with a microcosm of New Yorkers - the neighbor who knows how to fix any situation AND requires only the top of the line products, the uncle "who has a friend who can get it for you", the mothers at play dates, etc.
It was a quickly moving, humorous read that has been wondering, "How many secrets do I have?"
February 4, 2016
NOTE: Received as an ARC from Netgalley.
I remember the fun of having pen pals as a kid and the excitement of getting letters in the mail. The author captured this feeling well, although I would have liked more about the pleasures of beautiful stationery, pens, and stationery stores (one of my weaknesses).
I love epistolary novels and enjoyed this one, but felt everything was wrapped up a bit too neatly, like a letter in a envelope.
I remember the fun of having pen pals as a kid and the excitement of getting letters in the mail. The author captured this feeling well, although I would have liked more about the pleasures of beautiful stationery, pens, and stationery stores (one of my weaknesses).
I love epistolary novels and enjoyed this one, but felt everything was wrapped up a bit too neatly, like a letter in a envelope.
October 21, 2015
I loved this book! The characters are relatable and the story line is unique. The author made the act of writing letters to keep in touch seem realistic and fun. I found myself always rooting for both sisters through their mistakes and struggles. I wish there was a sequel to see how the next chapter unfolds for them. I'm looking forward to reading more from this author.
February 4, 2018
After reading this book I still wonder about a lot of things. I do think there was an important thing that was not mentioned in the story and because of that a big part of it is not possible. Or am I wrong?
I also think that you do not discuss those issues in a letter to a sister who lives miles away from you and you have to wait a long time before you get an answer back. I would say you wanted to offload right away and get some feedback.
It was all a bit to fake to me. I do understand that Cassie maybe is a rahter common name but Sid is not. So why did nobody ask any questions?
I admit there were some beautiful parts but overall I did not really enjoy it.
Thank you, Netgalley.
I also think that you do not discuss those issues in a letter to a sister who lives miles away from you and you have to wait a long time before you get an answer back. I would say you wanted to offload right away and get some feedback.
It was all a bit to fake to me. I do understand that Cassie maybe is a rahter common name but Sid is not. So why did nobody ask any questions?
I admit there were some beautiful parts but overall I did not really enjoy it.
Thank you, Netgalley.
December 25, 2023
Let me preface by saying I began reading this book after “Reminders of Him” by Colleen Hoover and boy, they are just not the same. This book was a slow start, so much so that I almost quit it. Midway gears shifted and now I’m sitting here on Christmas morning with a stupid smirk on my face, excited about Cassie & Sid’s future, and feeling a little selfish that we don’t get to know about it. This is a super cute book about two sisters who reconnect and begin to truly know one another again by becoming pen pals, basically. An unexpected and sensational twist comes of it all and bolts them into their “now”. Great read!
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