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The Odds of You and Me
In the vein of Meg Donohue and Sarah Jio, Cecilia Galante’s second novel delivers the powerful story of one young woman who’s faced with an impossible choice—one that could have her making the biggest mistake of her life.
Thirteen days. That’s all Bernadette, “Bird,” Sincavage has left to go until she’s done with her probation and can be free again. Free from making payments to the supermarket she wrote bad checks to. Free from living at home with her overzealous mother who’s constantly nagging her about attending church again. Free to give her four-year-old son, Angus, the normal life he deserves. Her impending freedom and move to Moon Lake, where she’s plunked down a deposit on a brand new apartment, is so close she can almost taste it. What trouble could she possibly get into in just 13 days?
But trouble does follow in the form of James Rittenhouse—someone she worked with a few years ago. At first, Bird is stunned to see James make the evening news when he’s arrested for assaulting someone in a local bar. But that’s nothing compared to the shock she gets when she discovers James hiding out in an abandoned church choir loft. Somehow he escaped police custody, broke his leg, and got his hand on a gun, which he’s now pointing at her.
Although Bird doesn’t tell anyone she saw James, there’s no way she’s helping him. She can’t screw up her probation or her second chance for a new future. And she has her son’s welfare to think about. Still. If only she could stop thinking about the terrified look in James’ eyes and the fact that he’s hurt. If only she could forget that once, long ago, James helped her out, and she owes him a debt like no other.
Will Bird jeopardize her future for someone who helped her out in the past? A past that holds secrets she’s not quite sure she’s ready to face? Or will she turn a blind eye and learn to live with the consequences?
Thirteen days. That’s all Bernadette, “Bird,” Sincavage has left to go until she’s done with her probation and can be free again. Free from making payments to the supermarket she wrote bad checks to. Free from living at home with her overzealous mother who’s constantly nagging her about attending church again. Free to give her four-year-old son, Angus, the normal life he deserves. Her impending freedom and move to Moon Lake, where she’s plunked down a deposit on a brand new apartment, is so close she can almost taste it. What trouble could she possibly get into in just 13 days?
But trouble does follow in the form of James Rittenhouse—someone she worked with a few years ago. At first, Bird is stunned to see James make the evening news when he’s arrested for assaulting someone in a local bar. But that’s nothing compared to the shock she gets when she discovers James hiding out in an abandoned church choir loft. Somehow he escaped police custody, broke his leg, and got his hand on a gun, which he’s now pointing at her.
Although Bird doesn’t tell anyone she saw James, there’s no way she’s helping him. She can’t screw up her probation or her second chance for a new future. And she has her son’s welfare to think about. Still. If only she could stop thinking about the terrified look in James’ eyes and the fact that he’s hurt. If only she could forget that once, long ago, James helped her out, and she owes him a debt like no other.
Will Bird jeopardize her future for someone who helped her out in the past? A past that holds secrets she’s not quite sure she’s ready to face? Or will she turn a blind eye and learn to live with the consequences?
370 pages, Paperback
First published January 31, 2017
10 people are currently reading
971 people want to read
About the author
Cecilia Galante
23 books170 followersCecilia Galante is the author of several middle grade, young adult and adult novels. She also teaches 8th grade English at Wyoming Seminary Prep School, and teaches creative writing in the MFA program at Wilkes University.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
March 14, 2017
It's a bit unbelievable to me still, how books can sometimes completely blindside you. You'll be going about your daily life, a book will fall into your lap, and suddenly it's the exact story that you need to read at that exact moment. It's like the author knew just who you were, and what was missing, and came along to fill that void. The Odds of You and Me was exactly that. I wasn't expecting this book, it simply showed up for review. I'm honestly so glad that it did. I can't believe I almost missed the opportunity to fall in love with this book.
Bird's story is one of so many layers that it's almost impossible to really touch on them all in this short review. What I can say is that Cecilia Galante isn't afraid to peel back each one of those layers, down to the deepest part of the soul. She allows the reader not even just to crawl into Bird's head, but almost to become her. I felt her pain, her love, her elation, her hate, her confusion, and each bit of it filled in a part of my own soul. I was able to pick her apart, to the point that I was so invested in this story that I sobbed while reading it. My life might not be a mirror to Bird's, lord knows she has it much harder than I do, but just seeing someone else at a place where they still don't feel like they have their footing yet made me whole somehow.
See, Galante doesn't shy away from the parts of life that we all hide from the outside world. Bird has made mistakes, she's grown from them, but she also shows us that there is always growing to do. Her character is one that questions things, examines her feelings, and shuts things away. She's basically any one of us at any given moment. I've never seen such pure emotion laid out on a page, to be honest. As an example, Bird's love for her son Angus is so bright that it's blinding. Yet at the same time she admits that most of the time she struggles to even feel like she mildly knows what she's doing as a parent. Learning, growing, fighting, it's all there in vivid color as Bird simply tries to exist in a world that doesn't always feel hospitable. Nothing here is black and white, everything is up for debate, and I loved that more than I can say.
There are discussions of love here, and the tense relationships that we might have with others. So delicate that they can crack at any moment. There are insights about caring for others, despite their past decisions, and possibly stepping over the boundaries set by society to do good for someone else. As I mentioned above, there is even a discussion on being a parent and feeling like you're constantly floundering. Bird's raw commentary on raising her son, as a single mother, and feeling utterly helpless at times will speak to a lot of readers out there. Or, if you're like me, her battle with religion as an upbringing versus religion as an adult will hit home too. Like I said, there's so much wrapped up here that I can't touch on it all fairly. It simply exists together, in this beautiful web of a story, that will catch you up and likely evoke feelings that you weren't even expecting.
To sum it all up, The Odds of You and Me is absolutely beautiful. It's a raw, emotional, story that isn't afraid to dig deep into the emotions of a woman who is simply trying to navigate life. I recommend you have a box of tissues handy for this book. I really do.
Bird's story is one of so many layers that it's almost impossible to really touch on them all in this short review. What I can say is that Cecilia Galante isn't afraid to peel back each one of those layers, down to the deepest part of the soul. She allows the reader not even just to crawl into Bird's head, but almost to become her. I felt her pain, her love, her elation, her hate, her confusion, and each bit of it filled in a part of my own soul. I was able to pick her apart, to the point that I was so invested in this story that I sobbed while reading it. My life might not be a mirror to Bird's, lord knows she has it much harder than I do, but just seeing someone else at a place where they still don't feel like they have their footing yet made me whole somehow.
See, Galante doesn't shy away from the parts of life that we all hide from the outside world. Bird has made mistakes, she's grown from them, but she also shows us that there is always growing to do. Her character is one that questions things, examines her feelings, and shuts things away. She's basically any one of us at any given moment. I've never seen such pure emotion laid out on a page, to be honest. As an example, Bird's love for her son Angus is so bright that it's blinding. Yet at the same time she admits that most of the time she struggles to even feel like she mildly knows what she's doing as a parent. Learning, growing, fighting, it's all there in vivid color as Bird simply tries to exist in a world that doesn't always feel hospitable. Nothing here is black and white, everything is up for debate, and I loved that more than I can say.
There are discussions of love here, and the tense relationships that we might have with others. So delicate that they can crack at any moment. There are insights about caring for others, despite their past decisions, and possibly stepping over the boundaries set by society to do good for someone else. As I mentioned above, there is even a discussion on being a parent and feeling like you're constantly floundering. Bird's raw commentary on raising her son, as a single mother, and feeling utterly helpless at times will speak to a lot of readers out there. Or, if you're like me, her battle with religion as an upbringing versus religion as an adult will hit home too. Like I said, there's so much wrapped up here that I can't touch on it all fairly. It simply exists together, in this beautiful web of a story, that will catch you up and likely evoke feelings that you weren't even expecting.
To sum it all up, The Odds of You and Me is absolutely beautiful. It's a raw, emotional, story that isn't afraid to dig deep into the emotions of a woman who is simply trying to navigate life. I recommend you have a box of tissues handy for this book. I really do.
February 8, 2017
Favorite Quotes:
He was two and a half years old by then and just starting to make the transition to big-boy underpants. I was twenty-two and just starting to figure out that maybe I hadn’t ever learned how to make the transition to big-girl underpants.
He had small teeth, and too many of them, the ones in front crowded and overlapped like kids pushing in line.
When I was little, I used to stare at the cross during Mass and wait for Jesus to come down off it. I pictured Him shaking his arms – which would be stiff from being out straight for so long – maybe massaging the wounds in His hands, and doing a few deep knee bends.
When I was younger, I used to imagine my soul as a little white butterfly that lived beneath my rib cage. It slept when I slept, flittered around when I was awake, and smelled like me in the summertime – a combination of warm grass, peonies, and Dial soap. When the time came for me to die, I pictured it drifting out of my mouth and floating around the world, trailing my scent behind it. That scent would be my mark. My stamp on the world.
We laughed at the same time and I realized as he opened his mouth and tipped his head back that it was the first time I had heard him do such a thing. Laugh I mean. It was a beautiful sound, flush with feeling, and I carried it around with me for the rest of the day like a tiny stone in my pocket.
My Review:
The Odds of You and Me read and felt like a memoir, although it was far too honest and well-written to be one. I was fascinated and captivated by the oddly appealing and complicated characters, as well as the depth and observational details that were employed in their descriptions, struggles, and interactions. The writing was of superior caliber and Ms. Galante’s words pulled at me as if they were magnetic; my attention and my heart were commanded, sustained, and thoroughly squeezed throughout. I ached for poor James, an intelligent and thoughtful man with a gentle and wounded soul; he never seemed to catch a break in the totality of his miserable life. I felt I knew and understood Bird a bit too well and even had a thought that we could be related as I am sure our mothers were twins. The storyline was ingeniously well-crafted, intriguing, engaging, and emotive. My emotions were thoroughly mined by an evocative narrative that took me from wry and clever humor to devastating despair. But the gem of this story was to be found in the characters who were as enthralling as the plot, they were multi-layered and at once repellent yet intriguing, nasty at times and surprisingly generous and empathetic in subsequent chapters, and most were observant with sparks of unexpected insight and concern, as well as being so fully inhabited I felt I could identify each one in a line-up. Cranky old Mr. Herron was the one to break me; the old codger had me sobbing.
He was two and a half years old by then and just starting to make the transition to big-boy underpants. I was twenty-two and just starting to figure out that maybe I hadn’t ever learned how to make the transition to big-girl underpants.
He had small teeth, and too many of them, the ones in front crowded and overlapped like kids pushing in line.
When I was little, I used to stare at the cross during Mass and wait for Jesus to come down off it. I pictured Him shaking his arms – which would be stiff from being out straight for so long – maybe massaging the wounds in His hands, and doing a few deep knee bends.
When I was younger, I used to imagine my soul as a little white butterfly that lived beneath my rib cage. It slept when I slept, flittered around when I was awake, and smelled like me in the summertime – a combination of warm grass, peonies, and Dial soap. When the time came for me to die, I pictured it drifting out of my mouth and floating around the world, trailing my scent behind it. That scent would be my mark. My stamp on the world.
We laughed at the same time and I realized as he opened his mouth and tipped his head back that it was the first time I had heard him do such a thing. Laugh I mean. It was a beautiful sound, flush with feeling, and I carried it around with me for the rest of the day like a tiny stone in my pocket.
My Review:
The Odds of You and Me read and felt like a memoir, although it was far too honest and well-written to be one. I was fascinated and captivated by the oddly appealing and complicated characters, as well as the depth and observational details that were employed in their descriptions, struggles, and interactions. The writing was of superior caliber and Ms. Galante’s words pulled at me as if they were magnetic; my attention and my heart were commanded, sustained, and thoroughly squeezed throughout. I ached for poor James, an intelligent and thoughtful man with a gentle and wounded soul; he never seemed to catch a break in the totality of his miserable life. I felt I knew and understood Bird a bit too well and even had a thought that we could be related as I am sure our mothers were twins. The storyline was ingeniously well-crafted, intriguing, engaging, and emotive. My emotions were thoroughly mined by an evocative narrative that took me from wry and clever humor to devastating despair. But the gem of this story was to be found in the characters who were as enthralling as the plot, they were multi-layered and at once repellent yet intriguing, nasty at times and surprisingly generous and empathetic in subsequent chapters, and most were observant with sparks of unexpected insight and concern, as well as being so fully inhabited I felt I could identify each one in a line-up. Cranky old Mr. Herron was the one to break me; the old codger had me sobbing.
March 15, 2017
I recently took a break from reviewing so this is my first review in a while. I chose this book because it looked significantly different from what I usually read. I wanted an author that I had never read before and a topic that wasn’t a “safe bet” for me. So I picked up The Odds of You and Me, not really knowing how it would go but embracing this brand new experience and luckily, my gamble paid off.
I was initially hesitant about this book because after reading the blurb, I had some doubts about the characters. I thought I might have a hard time relating to them. Well, I was very wrong about this hunch. Not only did I find them totally relatable, I was rooting for them with everything I had. Both Bird and James were just normal people who made mistakes due to difficult circumstances in their lives. The truth is, you never really know what other people are going through or where they’re coming from. Everyone has their demons. I enjoyed getting to know them and I also liked the author’s writing style.
The only reason why I’m not giving it 5 stars is because I was heartbroken for a little while. I don’t want to give anything away, but it took me a bit to recover from this and get back on track. In my opinion, that was the only down side to the book because everything else was spot on.
*I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*
I was initially hesitant about this book because after reading the blurb, I had some doubts about the characters. I thought I might have a hard time relating to them. Well, I was very wrong about this hunch. Not only did I find them totally relatable, I was rooting for them with everything I had. Both Bird and James were just normal people who made mistakes due to difficult circumstances in their lives. The truth is, you never really know what other people are going through or where they’re coming from. Everyone has their demons. I enjoyed getting to know them and I also liked the author’s writing style.
The only reason why I’m not giving it 5 stars is because I was heartbroken for a little while. I don’t want to give anything away, but it took me a bit to recover from this and get back on track. In my opinion, that was the only down side to the book because everything else was spot on.
*I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*
July 11, 2020
Achingly beautiful.
This book gripped me and wouldn't let go. I read the whole thing in a day. Galante's care for the people that often get overlooked at best, more frequently condemned, is touching. So many characters in this novel have made choices that send their lives spinning down the wrong paths, but Galante doesn't judge them, nor does she make excuses for them, she just *sees* them and then portrays them with such humanity that we get to see them too. This novel was tender, heartbreaking, hopeful, and raw, and I loved every word of it.
This book gripped me and wouldn't let go. I read the whole thing in a day. Galante's care for the people that often get overlooked at best, more frequently condemned, is touching. So many characters in this novel have made choices that send their lives spinning down the wrong paths, but Galante doesn't judge them, nor does she make excuses for them, she just *sees* them and then portrays them with such humanity that we get to see them too. This novel was tender, heartbreaking, hopeful, and raw, and I loved every word of it.
March 6, 2017
I absolutely loved young-adult author, Cecilia Galante’s first novel for adults, THE INVISIBLES (HarperCollins)! And to write I was excited when I heard she’d written another one for adults is at best, an understatement. I WAS THRILLED! Having read THE ODDS OF YOU AND ME (WilliamMorrow), it seems excitement was the appropriate reaction, because “between you and me,” THE ODDS OF YOU AND ME is fabulous, as well.
In THE ODDS OF YOU AND ME, Bernadette “Bird” Sincavage is faced with an impossible choice—one where she could possibly make the biggest mistake of her life.
Thirteen days. That’s all “Bird” has left to go until she’s finished with her probation for writing bad checks to the local supermarket and then, she’s free. She’s so excited to give her four-year old son, Angus, the normal life he deserves, she can almost taste it. Soon they’ll move out of her annoying mother’s house to new apartment in a new town and start a fresh, new life together. But trouble soon appears, in the form of a guy she used to work with. “Bird” is shocked to see James Rittenhouse being arrested on the evening news for assault in a bar.
“My mouth falls open, listening. Critical care unit? Severe head injuries? James?”
“Bird” is even more shocked while searching for her mother’s sweater up in the church choir loft, she finds James hiding – after escaping police custody, with a broken leg and he’s pointing a gun at her.
She doesn’t tell anyone she’s seen him, but if only she could put away that sad, terrified look in his eyes and the fact he’s hurt. And more importantly, if she could only forget how he helped her out years ago, and she owes him. Will “Bird” jeopardize her, and her son’s future for someone out of the past? Is she ready to face a bunch of secrets she’s put behind her, ones she’d rather forget? Or will she turn a blind eye and learn to live with the consequences?
It’s amazing how love can make us behave in ways we’d never dream possible.
Cecilia Galante, received an M.F.A. in Creative Writing from Goddard College, Vermont, and is the author of eight young adult novels and a children’s chapter-book series. She has been the recipient of many awards, including an NAIBA Best Book of the Year, and an Oprah’s Teen Read Selection for her first novel, The Patron Saint of Butterflies. She lives in Kingston, Pennsylvania with her three children.
Find out more about Cecilia at her website, and connect with her on Facebook and Twitter.
In THE ODDS OF YOU AND ME, Bernadette “Bird” Sincavage is faced with an impossible choice—one where she could possibly make the biggest mistake of her life.
Thirteen days. That’s all “Bird” has left to go until she’s finished with her probation for writing bad checks to the local supermarket and then, she’s free. She’s so excited to give her four-year old son, Angus, the normal life he deserves, she can almost taste it. Soon they’ll move out of her annoying mother’s house to new apartment in a new town and start a fresh, new life together. But trouble soon appears, in the form of a guy she used to work with. “Bird” is shocked to see James Rittenhouse being arrested on the evening news for assault in a bar.
“My mouth falls open, listening. Critical care unit? Severe head injuries? James?”
“Bird” is even more shocked while searching for her mother’s sweater up in the church choir loft, she finds James hiding – after escaping police custody, with a broken leg and he’s pointing a gun at her.
She doesn’t tell anyone she’s seen him, but if only she could put away that sad, terrified look in his eyes and the fact he’s hurt. And more importantly, if she could only forget how he helped her out years ago, and she owes him. Will “Bird” jeopardize her, and her son’s future for someone out of the past? Is she ready to face a bunch of secrets she’s put behind her, ones she’d rather forget? Or will she turn a blind eye and learn to live with the consequences?
It’s amazing how love can make us behave in ways we’d never dream possible.
Cecilia Galante, received an M.F.A. in Creative Writing from Goddard College, Vermont, and is the author of eight young adult novels and a children’s chapter-book series. She has been the recipient of many awards, including an NAIBA Best Book of the Year, and an Oprah’s Teen Read Selection for her first novel, The Patron Saint of Butterflies. She lives in Kingston, Pennsylvania with her three children.
Find out more about Cecilia at her website, and connect with her on Facebook and Twitter.
February 22, 2017
I couldn't find a reason not to give this book five stars.The cover art on this book is adorable and the book has a lifetime movie plot.
A young mother named Bernadette is on parole for writing bad checks and she ends up moving back into her mother's house with her young son Angus to pay off the bad checks and also to start saving money and getting her life on track. She visits her parole officer Mrs.Ross in the beginning of the book and we find out she only has thirteen days left on parole. She leaves her house one day to get her mother's sweater from church only to discover James who is upstairs and injured due to being on the run from the cops and she has to make the choice of helping him or not after he helped her in the past.
I was not the biggest fan of Bernadette's mother but there are people out there in the world who are like her. I loved the back story of Bernadette and James. James always seems like he is trying to do the right thing and even if you feel like he is doing the right thing and you think he should believe he is doing the right thing he doesn't feel like he is.I just fell in love with the character James. It was a really sweet book and I'm happy I got a chance to read it. I could see so much of myself in this book and I hope other readers can to.
A young mother named Bernadette is on parole for writing bad checks and she ends up moving back into her mother's house with her young son Angus to pay off the bad checks and also to start saving money and getting her life on track. She visits her parole officer Mrs.Ross in the beginning of the book and we find out she only has thirteen days left on parole. She leaves her house one day to get her mother's sweater from church only to discover James who is upstairs and injured due to being on the run from the cops and she has to make the choice of helping him or not after he helped her in the past.
I was not the biggest fan of Bernadette's mother but there are people out there in the world who are like her. I loved the back story of Bernadette and James. James always seems like he is trying to do the right thing and even if you feel like he is doing the right thing and you think he should believe he is doing the right thing he doesn't feel like he is.I just fell in love with the character James. It was a really sweet book and I'm happy I got a chance to read it. I could see so much of myself in this book and I hope other readers can to.
February 7, 2017
The Odds of You and Me by Cecilia Galante is a compelling novel about a woman caught between doing what is best for herself and her young son and her loyalty to someone from her past.
Bernadette "Bird" Connolly has finally made her final restitution payment and she is making plans for her and her son Angus's future. Staying out of trouble should not be any problem until her probation ends in two weeks, but when she agrees to run an errand for her mom, she makes a startling discovery that could jeopardize all of her plans. Bird is stunned to find her former co-worker, James Rittenhouse, hiding in the church choir's loft. James has recently been arrested for a bar fight that left his victim in critical condition and while he en route to jail, he somehow managed to escape. Why would Bird jeopardize everything she has worked for to help someone she has not seen in over five years?
After her beloved father's death when she was a teenager, Bird lost her faith, hooked up with the wrong crowd and barely graduated from high school. Moving out as soon she graduated, she began working at a local restaurant and entered into an ill-advised relationship with her manager. Her unexpected friendship with James during this tumultuous time is a bright spot that gives Bird reason to hope for a better future. But an unplanned pregnancy turns her world upside down and after Bird is arrested for writing bad checks, she has no choice but to move back in with her mother and work with her cleaning houses. Their relationship remains tense as Bird tries to put her life back together.
Although their time in each other's life was brief, Bird's friendship with James was quite meaningful. She knows that she is taking a huge risk by helping him after he escapes from police custody but she is unable to report him to the authorities nor can she turn her back on him. As the two friends become reacquainted, Bird is stunned by James' revelations about the bar fight that landed him in so much trouble and after learning the truth, she becomes more determined than before to help him. Bird devises an ill-conceived plan to provide James with a safe place to hide while he decides what to do next, but time is not on their side. Is Bird prepared for the consequences if she caught aiding and abetting a fugitive?
The Odds of You and Me by Cecilia Galante is a captivating story of healing for Bird as she is finally comes to terms with her heartbreaking past. Although her decision to help James is initially unfathomable, her reasons become clear as she reflects on their friendship and the events leading up to their final encounter years earlier. Bird's life is forever altered by the few short, yet meaningful days she spends with James following his escape.
I highly recommend this touching novel to readers of women's fiction.
Bernadette "Bird" Connolly has finally made her final restitution payment and she is making plans for her and her son Angus's future. Staying out of trouble should not be any problem until her probation ends in two weeks, but when she agrees to run an errand for her mom, she makes a startling discovery that could jeopardize all of her plans. Bird is stunned to find her former co-worker, James Rittenhouse, hiding in the church choir's loft. James has recently been arrested for a bar fight that left his victim in critical condition and while he en route to jail, he somehow managed to escape. Why would Bird jeopardize everything she has worked for to help someone she has not seen in over five years?
After her beloved father's death when she was a teenager, Bird lost her faith, hooked up with the wrong crowd and barely graduated from high school. Moving out as soon she graduated, she began working at a local restaurant and entered into an ill-advised relationship with her manager. Her unexpected friendship with James during this tumultuous time is a bright spot that gives Bird reason to hope for a better future. But an unplanned pregnancy turns her world upside down and after Bird is arrested for writing bad checks, she has no choice but to move back in with her mother and work with her cleaning houses. Their relationship remains tense as Bird tries to put her life back together.
Although their time in each other's life was brief, Bird's friendship with James was quite meaningful. She knows that she is taking a huge risk by helping him after he escapes from police custody but she is unable to report him to the authorities nor can she turn her back on him. As the two friends become reacquainted, Bird is stunned by James' revelations about the bar fight that landed him in so much trouble and after learning the truth, she becomes more determined than before to help him. Bird devises an ill-conceived plan to provide James with a safe place to hide while he decides what to do next, but time is not on their side. Is Bird prepared for the consequences if she caught aiding and abetting a fugitive?
The Odds of You and Me by Cecilia Galante is a captivating story of healing for Bird as she is finally comes to terms with her heartbreaking past. Although her decision to help James is initially unfathomable, her reasons become clear as she reflects on their friendship and the events leading up to their final encounter years earlier. Bird's life is forever altered by the few short, yet meaningful days she spends with James following his escape.
I highly recommend this touching novel to readers of women's fiction.
February 16, 2017
3.5 The Odds of You and Me is Cecilia Galante's latest novel.
It was the cover that first drew me to the book. I love those little sneakers protected by the bigger pair.
And that's the premise of the book....
Bird Connolly is a young single mom to four year old Angus. She loves him more than anything, but wishes their lives were different. Living with her mother cleaning houses was not what she imagined for herself. At one time, she wanted to be a nurse. But some bad choices have set her back. But her probation is almost up and she has plans. Until the past comes barreling into the present.
A young man she used to work with commits a serious crime. He escapes police custody, but is injured. Holed up in the local church, Bird inadvertently comes across him...
....and now new choices must be made. Help him? At what cost? Or walk away? When is the wrong choice the right choice?
I liked Bird as a lead character and her love for her son is well portrayed. The relationship between Bird and her Ma is quite fractious and in the first bit of the book, I could see both sides. But as the book progressed, their bickering grew tiresome and repetitive. Ma is quite religious, bordering on fanatical. When Bird reveals a horrific event from her past to her mother, Ma's reaction is downright shameful. And I ended up firmly in Bird's camp. But, there is much to be fixed in this relationship - on both sides.
Galante explores many relationships in The Odds of You and Me with both the main players and the supporting cast - parent and child being in the forefront.
There are a number of coincidences that drive the plot of this book, but who's to say serendipity doesn't exist? Or second chances? I was urging Bird on out loud many times - I wanted her to succeed. I had no idea where Galante was going to take the ending. I can't say it's the one I wanted, but it seems right.
It was the cover that first drew me to the book. I love those little sneakers protected by the bigger pair.
And that's the premise of the book....
Bird Connolly is a young single mom to four year old Angus. She loves him more than anything, but wishes their lives were different. Living with her mother cleaning houses was not what she imagined for herself. At one time, she wanted to be a nurse. But some bad choices have set her back. But her probation is almost up and she has plans. Until the past comes barreling into the present.
A young man she used to work with commits a serious crime. He escapes police custody, but is injured. Holed up in the local church, Bird inadvertently comes across him...
....and now new choices must be made. Help him? At what cost? Or walk away? When is the wrong choice the right choice?
I liked Bird as a lead character and her love for her son is well portrayed. The relationship between Bird and her Ma is quite fractious and in the first bit of the book, I could see both sides. But as the book progressed, their bickering grew tiresome and repetitive. Ma is quite religious, bordering on fanatical. When Bird reveals a horrific event from her past to her mother, Ma's reaction is downright shameful. And I ended up firmly in Bird's camp. But, there is much to be fixed in this relationship - on both sides.
Galante explores many relationships in The Odds of You and Me with both the main players and the supporting cast - parent and child being in the forefront.
There are a number of coincidences that drive the plot of this book, but who's to say serendipity doesn't exist? Or second chances? I was urging Bird on out loud many times - I wanted her to succeed. I had no idea where Galante was going to take the ending. I can't say it's the one I wanted, but it seems right.
April 26, 2017
Bernadette “Bird” Connolly is close to freedom. After a stint on probation, punishment for writing bad checks to get herself and her son, Angus, through a rough patch, Bird has just thirteen days left before she can bid her parole officer goodbye. Determined to turn over a new leaf, she is confident that nothing can go wrong. She spends her days navigating her son’s preschool friendships, planning a move to a lovely new apartment, and cleaning houses with her mother, who believes that what Bird needs is a good dose of church. It’s in a church, however, that Bird unexpectedly encounters James Rittenhouse, a fugitive who escaped from a police car after brutally assaulting a man at a bar. Bird’s history with James is scant, but the brief friendship they had five years ago spurs Bird to take action when she finds him, wounded and frightened, in the choir loft. She can’t turn her back--but helping James puts her freedom, and her entire future, at risk.
Exploring questions of moral clarity, the nature of love, and whether we can ever truly know another person, The Odds of You and Me suggests that risking great heartache is the only way to truly live.
***Review originally written for the City Book Review. I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.***
Exploring questions of moral clarity, the nature of love, and whether we can ever truly know another person, The Odds of You and Me suggests that risking great heartache is the only way to truly live.
***Review originally written for the City Book Review. I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.***
February 13, 2017
This is the second book from Cecilia Galante that I have reviewed (the first is The Invisibles--see review here) so I was excited to read The Odds of You and Me. What I like about Galante's writing is that she makes her characters real and no matter how prickly they are or how you may shake your head at their life choices or actions, you come to care about them--they feel like friends that you want the best for. Bird Sincavage is one of those great characters. At times I disliked her and desperately wanted to shake her for her decision making--both in the past and in the current story--but her love for her son Angus and her loyalty and wanting to do the right thing or at least do better for him, made me come to love her. I felt the same way about the supporting characters, especially Angus, four-going-on-five-going-on-forty. Sometimes young children are written as too smart or too much of a wise old soul but Angus rings true and is utterly charming. James is sympathetic and given his history with Bird and the secret they share, it makes it seem almost reasonable that she risks throwing away her second chance and everything she has worked for to help him. Her mother was frustrating and often made me angry, like Bird but her motives and love for her daughter and grandson are slowly uncovered throughout the story and even her parole officer Mrs. Ross, Father Delaney, and Bird's elderly client Mr. Herron, are flushed out and add much to the story. There is profanity throughout the story and a couple of short scenes recounting past sexual violence that could be a trigger for some, but it is appropriate for the storytelling and not overdone.
This book is about family, love, loyalty and second and third chances. Galante's writing made me angry, made me laugh and made me cry--I ran the gamut of all of the feels in this one. It sucked me in from the beginning and didn't let go until the ending--which left me satisfied--not something that always happens in a book lately. If you like women's fiction, contemporary fiction, and family drama, but you like it drawn a bit deeper than the norm, add The Odds of You and Me to your TBR pile--it's a book that will touch your heart.
You can see my review and a recipe for Peanut Butter and Banana Pancakes inspired by the book on my blog post: http://kahakaikitchen.blogspot.com/20...
Note: A review copy of the "The Odds of You and Me" was provided to me by the publisher, Harper Collins and TLC Book Tours. I was not compensated for this review and as always, my thoughts and opinions are my own.
This book is about family, love, loyalty and second and third chances. Galante's writing made me angry, made me laugh and made me cry--I ran the gamut of all of the feels in this one. It sucked me in from the beginning and didn't let go until the ending--which left me satisfied--not something that always happens in a book lately. If you like women's fiction, contemporary fiction, and family drama, but you like it drawn a bit deeper than the norm, add The Odds of You and Me to your TBR pile--it's a book that will touch your heart.
You can see my review and a recipe for Peanut Butter and Banana Pancakes inspired by the book on my blog post: http://kahakaikitchen.blogspot.com/20...
Note: A review copy of the "The Odds of You and Me" was provided to me by the publisher, Harper Collins and TLC Book Tours. I was not compensated for this review and as always, my thoughts and opinions are my own.
May 29, 2017
I went into this book blind, with no expectations of it. So I was stunned with how quickly this book got under my skin and didn't let go.
This is the story of Bird, a young mother, with two weeks of probation left. If she can get through this time with no incidents, she gets her life back, her sense of freedom and self-determination. She's made her mistakes, she's paid her debt, and she just wants to put it all behind her.
But then someone from her past returns, and she has to make a choice: does she show compassion and mercy to someone who once did the same for her, even though it could cost her everything?
Like all the toughest choices, and all the best literature, how Bird handles this speaks to who she is and who she wants to be. It's worth spending time with her to find out how she manages the challenge thrown in her path, and to contemplate how we would answer this call ourselves.
My thanks to the publisher and Library Thing for a copy of this book in return for an honest review.
This is the story of Bird, a young mother, with two weeks of probation left. If she can get through this time with no incidents, she gets her life back, her sense of freedom and self-determination. She's made her mistakes, she's paid her debt, and she just wants to put it all behind her.
But then someone from her past returns, and she has to make a choice: does she show compassion and mercy to someone who once did the same for her, even though it could cost her everything?
Like all the toughest choices, and all the best literature, how Bird handles this speaks to who she is and who she wants to be. It's worth spending time with her to find out how she manages the challenge thrown in her path, and to contemplate how we would answer this call ourselves.
My thanks to the publisher and Library Thing for a copy of this book in return for an honest review.
August 17, 2018
Told in alternating now and flashback chapters, this is a very moving and sad story. Bird is trying to do the right things and in thirteen days, she'll be off probation. Then the Fates intervene, putting someone from her painful past in her path. James was possibly the only bright spot in a very dreary and traumatic time in Bird's life. However, he's on the run and she knows any involvement with him is going to jeopardize her probation. Nevertheless, something inside her compels Bird to act. Is it rational? Certainly not, but most of the emotionally propelled things we do lack rationality. Read the book and you will be drawn along on a journey that is sad, sometimes dangerous, a bit tragic, but one that Leaves Bird a better, stronger woman.
June 11, 2018
I've thought hard about this review. While there are a lot of aspects I disliked, there were also aspects so well done that, for me, those flaws were overshadowed. Thus, the three-star rating. I liked this book. I almost liked it very much. But I did find it slow to read despite devouring previous Galante novels in very short times. In part, this is probably to do with having read it as an ebook, but it also was less interesting than I expected. Some minor faults I felt existed were predictability and a reliance on coincidence, but they were not enough to turn me away.
The main character of the novel is Bird, who is mother to a young son and living with her mother while she waits out her probation after writing false checks. However, just before her probation ends, she learns that someone she knows has been arrested and escaped, armed and dangerous, from the police. Slowly, she finds herself drawn into helping him.
So, I do think that Bird needed this story for her emotional growth. I thought that was well done. In the beginning of the novel, Bird is somewhat imnature. Something that bugged me was that she was kind of misogynistic. She was very much an 'I'm not like other girls' type. When she talks about female friendship, she relies on stereotypes, such as that women don't say what they mean. It actually persists to the end, when Bird says But her view on female friendship obviously changes somewhat because one of the most favourable parts of the novel was her budding friendship with one of her work clients. It touched me.
The romance in this novel was passable at best. But it was a romance with history, with pining and friendship; it was a romance that should have ticked all my boxes. It just didn't click for me. The romance felt flat and more like just friendship or even a sibling dynamic. And then for so many of Bird's decisions to hinder on it... hard to suspend my disbelief. Especially since her love for her son, which was much more evident, also needed to factor into her decision-making.
Speaking of, my absolute favourite part of this novel was its picture of motherhood. There are many types of mothers depicted from Bird and Angus to Bird and her mother to Bird's client, Jane, and her children. The way that Bird loved Angus jumped off the page. It felt real and unconditional and perfect, even when Bird was making mistakes. And despite Bird's complicated relationship with her mother, who is religious and disapproving of the way Bird lives and has lived her life, love and longing still shine through there. I think this bit was so important to me because it reminded me of my religipus upbringing and the time in which I questioned all I believed. And so this line here made my heart swell: "Then if you believe in love, you believe in God. They're the same thing." With that one line, every conflict between Bird and her mother seems to have a simple solution. Love is what's important.
The novel, similarly, has a simple conclusion. But I thought it was good enough, and probably right for the novel. I'm glad to have read this despite its [perceived] faults.
The main character of the novel is Bird, who is mother to a young son and living with her mother while she waits out her probation after writing false checks. However, just before her probation ends, she learns that someone she knows has been arrested and escaped, armed and dangerous, from the police. Slowly, she finds herself drawn into helping him.
So, I do think that Bird needed this story for her emotional growth. I thought that was well done. In the beginning of the novel, Bird is somewhat imnature. Something that bugged me was that she was kind of misogynistic. She was very much an 'I'm not like other girls' type. When she talks about female friendship, she relies on stereotypes, such as that women don't say what they mean. It actually persists to the end, when Bird says But her view on female friendship obviously changes somewhat because one of the most favourable parts of the novel was her budding friendship with one of her work clients. It touched me.
The romance in this novel was passable at best. But it was a romance with history, with pining and friendship; it was a romance that should have ticked all my boxes. It just didn't click for me. The romance felt flat and more like just friendship or even a sibling dynamic. And then for so many of Bird's decisions to hinder on it... hard to suspend my disbelief. Especially since her love for her son, which was much more evident, also needed to factor into her decision-making.
Speaking of, my absolute favourite part of this novel was its picture of motherhood. There are many types of mothers depicted from Bird and Angus to Bird and her mother to Bird's client, Jane, and her children. The way that Bird loved Angus jumped off the page. It felt real and unconditional and perfect, even when Bird was making mistakes. And despite Bird's complicated relationship with her mother, who is religious and disapproving of the way Bird lives and has lived her life, love and longing still shine through there. I think this bit was so important to me because it reminded me of my religipus upbringing and the time in which I questioned all I believed. And so this line here made my heart swell: "Then if you believe in love, you believe in God. They're the same thing." With that one line, every conflict between Bird and her mother seems to have a simple solution. Love is what's important.
The novel, similarly, has a simple conclusion. But I thought it was good enough, and probably right for the novel. I'm glad to have read this despite its [perceived] faults.
May 16, 2017
Bernadette (“Bird”) Connolly, 25, only has 13 days left until the end of her probation for having written some bad checks at the grocery store when she was desperate to provide for herself and her new toddler Angus. She already paid off the restitution fees, and is looking forward to moving with Angus to a nice new place, instead of living with her mother, with whom she argues constantly. Bird’s mother is deeply religious, and doesn’t approve of her daughter. The mom also repeatedly harps on Bird to go to the Catholic Church, but Bird doesn’t believe in God. Explaining about the difference between herself and her mother, she thinks:
“She took things on faith, simply because, long ago, she had decided to believe. That wasn’t enough for me. If I was going to believe in something, if I was going to stand in awe of a fact, I wanted to know that I was doing so for a logical, defined reason. That it deserved to be believed in; because it was not only worthy of, but merited, my awe.”
There was another reason she eschewed faith. Ever since Bird’s beloved father died in an auto accident and the priest told her it was okay because Jesus was there with him (as he died), Bird turned away from religion.
Before Angus was born, when Bird worked at a burger restaurant, she became friends with a kitchen worker, James Rittenhouse. She was dating the manager, Charlie, but that was mostly sex. Her relationship with James was something different. Unlike Charlie, James was shy and kind, and seemed to “get” Bird in a way no one else did. He saw her for what she was and it didn’t change how he felt toward her, and that meant everything to Bird.
The story goes back and forth in time, and it takes a while to find out what happened with Bird, Charlie, and James, and how it is that now, five years later, Bird is a single mom and James is on the run from police. But unfortunately what happened in the past suddenly becomes central to Bird’s life again, and could jeopardize the future for which she had worked so hard.
The ending is realistic, if not what readers may want. And Bird finally comes to understand that she could show the same compassion to, and forgiveness for, herself that she extends to others.
Evaluation: This story moved a little slowly for my tastes, but it’s good, and quite poignant and thought-provoking. It would make an excellent choice for book clubs.
Rating: 3.5/5
“She took things on faith, simply because, long ago, she had decided to believe. That wasn’t enough for me. If I was going to believe in something, if I was going to stand in awe of a fact, I wanted to know that I was doing so for a logical, defined reason. That it deserved to be believed in; because it was not only worthy of, but merited, my awe.”
There was another reason she eschewed faith. Ever since Bird’s beloved father died in an auto accident and the priest told her it was okay because Jesus was there with him (as he died), Bird turned away from religion.
Before Angus was born, when Bird worked at a burger restaurant, she became friends with a kitchen worker, James Rittenhouse. She was dating the manager, Charlie, but that was mostly sex. Her relationship with James was something different. Unlike Charlie, James was shy and kind, and seemed to “get” Bird in a way no one else did. He saw her for what she was and it didn’t change how he felt toward her, and that meant everything to Bird.
The story goes back and forth in time, and it takes a while to find out what happened with Bird, Charlie, and James, and how it is that now, five years later, Bird is a single mom and James is on the run from police. But unfortunately what happened in the past suddenly becomes central to Bird’s life again, and could jeopardize the future for which she had worked so hard.
The ending is realistic, if not what readers may want. And Bird finally comes to understand that she could show the same compassion to, and forgiveness for, herself that she extends to others.
Evaluation: This story moved a little slowly for my tastes, but it’s good, and quite poignant and thought-provoking. It would make an excellent choice for book clubs.
Rating: 3.5/5
November 30, 2017
Bernadette "Bird" has less than two weeks to complete her probation for writing bad checks to pay for diapers and food for her young son. A single mom with a complicated history with her mom, Bird is trying hard to make a new start when she discovers her former coworker James, a badly-injured fugitive with a stolen gun, hiding in her local church. Bird must grapple with the dilemma of whether to help him as he once helped her, while balancing her job, parenting, her grief about some events in her past, and her difficulties with her mother. This book contains a few inaccurate representations of what the Church actually teaches.
October 1, 2017
Have you ever finished a book and found yourself still thinking about the characters days later? This is one of those. I'm still wondering about Bird and her relationship with her mom. I'm still hoping that Bird made the right choices. I would like to meet Mrs. Ross and give her a hug for doing the right thing. I'd like to go hang out with Jane and Bird some evening, and see if their kids become friends. I would like to go to the attic and have Bird show me the box of her childhood items and share stories of her dad.
Sigh.
Wish it wasn't finished.
Sigh.
Wish it wasn't finished.
September 7, 2017
I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway.
There are plenty of other reviews with a story outline, so I won't.
This is the first book that I have read by Cecilia Galante and she is a very talented author. The writing style is very easy and I really felt the characters. The story is not a happy one, but it does have a HEA in its own way. If you think this sounds interesting, I totally recommend it.
There are plenty of other reviews with a story outline, so I won't.
This is the first book that I have read by Cecilia Galante and she is a very talented author. The writing style is very easy and I really felt the characters. The story is not a happy one, but it does have a HEA in its own way. If you think this sounds interesting, I totally recommend it.
March 4, 2021
This book was actually better than I thought I it would be I picked up on a bargain table months back and finally got to it and let me tell you I’m glad I did. A girl who got into some trouble was almost off probation and got wrapped up with a guy who was a fugitive and a friend from way back that helped her get out of a big bind and saved her from it , now she tries to help him as he is in the run and finds herself in more hot water than she bargained for ! Great read for sure !
June 27, 2017
I've been a big Cecilia Galante fan for awhile and THE ODDS OF YOU AND ME is so lovely. Galante lets us see into two people who it would be very easy to write off--a man accused of murder and a young, single mom--and imbues her characters with such nuance and compassion, that even when they're behaving badly, it's hard to not care for them.
August 31, 2018
I enjoyed this audio book as the characters were very real and complex and every character was important to the story. I felt pity, compassion and anger towards different characters throughout the book. The religious theme added depth and I enjoyed the local references to authors hometown. I am looking forward to reading her other books.
April 18, 2020
Sometimes, I choose books by the picture on the cover. A gamble, I know, but this book paid great dividends. I loved it! The characters, the storyline, the beautiful, descriptive writing, all of it. Was not ready for it to be over. Anytime I find myself wondering what the characters are doing, saying, or feeling long after I have finished, I know it was well loved!
May 5, 2017
At first I thought this was your average teenage book (cover looked teenage-y) but turns out it isn't. I was drawn to Bird's struggles and wayward relationship with her mom. The author's way of story-telling was so vivid that it made me feel like I was really poring through the character's mind.
August 18, 2017
I loved this book so much! It was an easy read, I finished it within two days. Fell in love with the characters and could totally relate to the circumstances and relations with one another. One of the best books I've read in quite a while.
November 7, 2019
Featuring a unique, compelling premise; flawed, but likable characters; and some poignant, hard-earned life lessons, THE ODDS OF YOU AND ME is an engrossing, touching novel that I ended up enjoying quite a lot. It's heartbreaking and depressing in a lot of ways, but also moving and hopeful.
December 26, 2019
I really enjoyed this book. I really didn’t know how it was going to end and there were many twists that I didn’t anticipate. The character of Bird is easy to root for even when she is making questionable decisions. She feels real and relatable and it was easy to get pulled into her life.
February 1, 2021
The relationship between Bird and James makes you believe in love. Parts of the book were a little unbelievable how things worked out but overall the author makes you really get to know and want to root for the characters.
August 8, 2022
I thought this was a light read, some sort of a romcom but its not. A bit of serious stuff about life. Author's prose is also entertaining and creatively written. It is easy to read but packs one hell of a punch to you gut as you read. Highly recommended!
May 4, 2017
Read this book in a couple of day....it was ok but I found it was kind of dragged out. Easy reading.
June 2, 2017
Lovely story and I really liked the writing.
April 8, 2021
ending was sad but happy at the same time. took me longer to get into it initially but it was worth the read. I really enjoyed the character growth throughout.
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