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You, Me, and Everything In Between
Can you ever rewrite the past?
Lydia and Theo face the unthinkable when a knock at the door changes everything.
As Theo lies unconscious, Lydia begins to pick up the pieces, but not every part of the puzzle fits together as neatly as it did before. And when Lydia begins to move on, what happens when Theo wakes up and realises she didn’t wait for him?
Theo and Lydia have a history together, but do they still have a future? Or has too much happened to be able to forgive and forget?
An emotional and absorbing story, perfect for fans of Jojo Moyes and Amanda Prowse
Lydia and Theo face the unthinkable when a knock at the door changes everything.
As Theo lies unconscious, Lydia begins to pick up the pieces, but not every part of the puzzle fits together as neatly as it did before. And when Lydia begins to move on, what happens when Theo wakes up and realises she didn’t wait for him?
Theo and Lydia have a history together, but do they still have a future? Or has too much happened to be able to forgive and forget?
An emotional and absorbing story, perfect for fans of Jojo Moyes and Amanda Prowse
362 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 21, 2017
28 people are currently reading
146 people want to read
About the author
Helen J. Rolfe
26 books166 followersHelen J. Rolfe writes romantic fiction and contemporary women's fiction and enjoys weaving stories about family, friendship, secrets, and community.
Never miss a release date! Sign up for the newsletter to get new book alerts: www.helenjrolfe.com/newsletter
Location is a big part of the adventure in Helen's books, and she enjoys setting stories in different cities and countries where she thinks her readers might like to escape to.
Helen J. Rolfe also writes for Orion Books under the name Helen Rolfe.
Born and raised in the UK, Helen graduated from University with a business degree and began working in I.T. This job took her over to Australia and it was there that she finally turned to what she loved and studied writing and journalism. She spent a while freelancing for women's health and fitness magazines, volunteered with the PR department of a children's hospital where she wrote articles and media releases, and eventually began writing fiction in 2011. And now, she thinks she may just have found her dream job.
Helen currently lives in Hertfordshire, UK, with her husband and their children.
Helen loves to hear from readers so please don't hesitate to get in touch. She can be found at:
www.helenjrolfe.com
https://www.facebook.com/helenjrolfew...
https://twitter.com/hjrolfe
www.instagram.com/helen_j_rolfe
Never miss a release date! Sign up for the newsletter to get new book alerts: www.helenjrolfe.com/newsletter
Location is a big part of the adventure in Helen's books, and she enjoys setting stories in different cities and countries where she thinks her readers might like to escape to.
Helen J. Rolfe also writes for Orion Books under the name Helen Rolfe.
Born and raised in the UK, Helen graduated from University with a business degree and began working in I.T. This job took her over to Australia and it was there that she finally turned to what she loved and studied writing and journalism. She spent a while freelancing for women's health and fitness magazines, volunteered with the PR department of a children's hospital where she wrote articles and media releases, and eventually began writing fiction in 2011. And now, she thinks she may just have found her dream job.
Helen currently lives in Hertfordshire, UK, with her husband and their children.
Helen loves to hear from readers so please don't hesitate to get in touch. She can be found at:
www.helenjrolfe.com
https://www.facebook.com/helenjrolfew...
https://twitter.com/hjrolfe
www.instagram.com/helen_j_rolfe
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
August 17, 2017
All reviews can be found on my blog at https://thewritinggarnet.wordpress.com
As I’m sure you’re aware by now, I am a huge fan of Helen Rolfe’s novels – having read nearly all of her published novels bar a measly two, I think I could easily class myself as a super fan! Compared to the author’s previous novels; ‘You, Me, and Everything In Between’ is considerably different. Don’t get me wrong, it still has the authors trademark writing style, but the overall concept of the novel is certainly something I wasn’t expecting.
In a good way? I would say so, yes.
Did I start off with that train of thought? No, I didn’t.
Helen Rolfe’s new novel switches between different times and characters, rather frequently, sometimes going back in time, whilst other times going forward. I do find those style of books somewhat confusing, however, this novel wouldn’t have worked if it was written in any other way. And, seeing as the different points in time were pretty self-explanatory (I mean, the chapter even told you!), the switching was pretty much something I had to either like it, or lump it. Obviously I chose the first one…duuh.
I need to be extremely cautious whilst writing my review as there is so much that could be considered as a spoiler, and let’s be honest, one spoiler in a review ruins the entire book. I don’t fancy ruining anyone’s experience of ‘You, Me and Everything In Between’, I must admit!
‘You, Me and Everything In Between’ follows Lydia and Theo’s life through the good times, and the bad. As readers we get to ‘watch’ them both jump over hurdles which seemed to appear out of nowhere, ‘see’ them get in touch with emotions they had to learn about before they could show them, and stand by and watch them make life choices that could either break their whole family apart, or ruin their entire life. I usually want to be a character in a book, but honestly? I am so glad I am not in Lydia or Theo’s shoes.
Even though after reading several chapters I kind of had an inkling as to where the storyline was heading, it still managed to surprise me and stir up those godforsaken emotions once again. I mean really, I would like to keep my ice queen reputation intact through at least one of Helen Rolfe’s novels! Oh hell, who am I kidding. I know you shouldn’t pick sides in books (ahem), but there were many moments where one minute I was siding with Lydia, then the next I was siding with Theo. However, seemed to annoy me a heck of a lot. There was just something about his attitude that riled me. Circumstances aside, in my eyes he made his own bed and he should lie in it.
Of course, just like most people, I did have my hopes up for a certain conclusion to the book and I seemed to read the last chapter holding my breath, wondering how the novels loose ends were going to be tied up! It really was a close call!
Whilst I did enjoy ‘You, Me and Everything In Between’, it didn’t end up becoming one of my favourite books by Helen Rolfe. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed the unique storyline and how the characters stood out in their own individual ways. I also loved how the author still managed to incorporate fantastic humour in a storyline which screamed emotional, as opposed to hilarity. Personally, I think that the novel could have had less predictability and more mystery. I liked the fact that Helen Rolfe seemed to toddle out of her comfort zone with this book, but I still feel as though the author has a heck of a lot more to give us in terms of ‘wow’ moments and shocking situations.
As always, I cannot wait until Helen Rolfe’s new book!
As I’m sure you’re aware by now, I am a huge fan of Helen Rolfe’s novels – having read nearly all of her published novels bar a measly two, I think I could easily class myself as a super fan! Compared to the author’s previous novels; ‘You, Me, and Everything In Between’ is considerably different. Don’t get me wrong, it still has the authors trademark writing style, but the overall concept of the novel is certainly something I wasn’t expecting.
In a good way? I would say so, yes.
Did I start off with that train of thought? No, I didn’t.
Helen Rolfe’s new novel switches between different times and characters, rather frequently, sometimes going back in time, whilst other times going forward. I do find those style of books somewhat confusing, however, this novel wouldn’t have worked if it was written in any other way. And, seeing as the different points in time were pretty self-explanatory (I mean, the chapter even told you!), the switching was pretty much something I had to either like it, or lump it. Obviously I chose the first one…duuh.
I need to be extremely cautious whilst writing my review as there is so much that could be considered as a spoiler, and let’s be honest, one spoiler in a review ruins the entire book. I don’t fancy ruining anyone’s experience of ‘You, Me and Everything In Between’, I must admit!
‘You, Me and Everything In Between’ follows Lydia and Theo’s life through the good times, and the bad. As readers we get to ‘watch’ them both jump over hurdles which seemed to appear out of nowhere, ‘see’ them get in touch with emotions they had to learn about before they could show them, and stand by and watch them make life choices that could either break their whole family apart, or ruin their entire life. I usually want to be a character in a book, but honestly? I am so glad I am not in Lydia or Theo’s shoes.
Even though after reading several chapters I kind of had an inkling as to where the storyline was heading, it still managed to surprise me and stir up those godforsaken emotions once again. I mean really, I would like to keep my ice queen reputation intact through at least one of Helen Rolfe’s novels! Oh hell, who am I kidding. I know you shouldn’t pick sides in books (ahem), but there were many moments where one minute I was siding with Lydia, then the next I was siding with Theo. However, seemed to annoy me a heck of a lot. There was just something about his attitude that riled me. Circumstances aside, in my eyes he made his own bed and he should lie in it.
Of course, just like most people, I did have my hopes up for a certain conclusion to the book and I seemed to read the last chapter holding my breath, wondering how the novels loose ends were going to be tied up! It really was a close call!
Whilst I did enjoy ‘You, Me and Everything In Between’, it didn’t end up becoming one of my favourite books by Helen Rolfe. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed the unique storyline and how the characters stood out in their own individual ways. I also loved how the author still managed to incorporate fantastic humour in a storyline which screamed emotional, as opposed to hilarity. Personally, I think that the novel could have had less predictability and more mystery. I liked the fact that Helen Rolfe seemed to toddle out of her comfort zone with this book, but I still feel as though the author has a heck of a lot more to give us in terms of ‘wow’ moments and shocking situations.
As always, I cannot wait until Helen Rolfe’s new book!
May 8, 2020
Please read other reviews on this, as I'm unsure whether I need a new genre. Quite a few books recently are boring me, I'm struggling to stay focused and finding myself skimming. If authors are going to write about infidelity, why skimp on the angst and rob me of feeling the emotion. This could have been good, but again I wasn't invested in the the relationship between the H/h, in fact I'd go so far as to say I really didn't like the H. I put all this down to having skimmed through the book.
December 15, 2019
So different than others I've read by this author, but so incredibly wonderful. Difficult, heartbreaking, loving, kind, hurtful, love, betrayal. Well worth the listen,
January 26, 2020
Regret this so much...
I am so bloody pissed off and gutted. What a colossal waste of time. This book was utterly pointless. I hated it. I hated being tricked into anticipating where I thought this was going to go. I hated the stupid 'twist' - total cop-out, btw. But because of the context I felt things were salvageable. And I'm sure many will be perfectly fine with how it ultimately ended.
But I'm not and to me there was no point in any of it just for it all to turn out like it did.
It was too hard to read what Lydia did in the last pages, so I skimmed them. As far as I'm concerned, a better ending would have been for her to step before a speeding bus. I truly despised her.
Honestly, I don't even know why someone would write something like this. I'm still kicking myself for being fooled into seeing it through to the end.
It wasn't even like it was easy to read with all the inane detail and page upon page of telling rather than showing. But I pushed forward because I was sure it would be worth it. That's what I get for thinking. I need certain things from the books I read and this one failed to deliver on every level.
But that isn't the reason I won't recommend it, because I know for that other readers will likely feel differently.
No, the reason I won't recommend it is because it was inexpertly written. It's long-winded, dry and has very little dialogue. There were literal chapters of minutiae and endless internal dialogue that had nothing to do with moving the story forward. When characters were talking or recounting events there were no dialogue tags, just 'so-and-so told her/him about such-and-such.'
I had no sense of being part of the story or connection to Lydia or her feelings. In truth, I shouldn't have been so surprised with how it ended because nowhere in all of Lydia's endless navel-gazing did I feel like she was truly invested.
So, yeah. Could have been a brilliant story. The cover and all the back history pulls you in and deceives you into thinking this is a love story, but it's actually pretty pedestrian women's fiction with a disappointing resolution. There is 'everything in between,' but no 'you & me.'
Not interested in exploring this writer any further.
I am so bloody pissed off and gutted. What a colossal waste of time. This book was utterly pointless. I hated it. I hated being tricked into anticipating where I thought this was going to go. I hated the stupid 'twist' - total cop-out, btw. But because of the context I felt things were salvageable. And I'm sure many will be perfectly fine with how it ultimately ended.
But I'm not and to me there was no point in any of it just for it all to turn out like it did.
It was too hard to read what Lydia did in the last pages, so I skimmed them. As far as I'm concerned, a better ending would have been for her to step before a speeding bus. I truly despised her.
Honestly, I don't even know why someone would write something like this. I'm still kicking myself for being fooled into seeing it through to the end.
It wasn't even like it was easy to read with all the inane detail and page upon page of telling rather than showing. But I pushed forward because I was sure it would be worth it. That's what I get for thinking. I need certain things from the books I read and this one failed to deliver on every level.
But that isn't the reason I won't recommend it, because I know for that other readers will likely feel differently.
No, the reason I won't recommend it is because it was inexpertly written. It's long-winded, dry and has very little dialogue. There were literal chapters of minutiae and endless internal dialogue that had nothing to do with moving the story forward. When characters were talking or recounting events there were no dialogue tags, just 'so-and-so told her/him about such-and-such.'
I had no sense of being part of the story or connection to Lydia or her feelings. In truth, I shouldn't have been so surprised with how it ended because nowhere in all of Lydia's endless navel-gazing did I feel like she was truly invested.
So, yeah. Could have been a brilliant story. The cover and all the back history pulls you in and deceives you into thinking this is a love story, but it's actually pretty pedestrian women's fiction with a disappointing resolution. There is 'everything in between,' but no 'you & me.'
Not interested in exploring this writer any further.
May 18, 2020
.
Lydia's life is threw upside down when her boyfriend Theo is involved in a car accident and is now in a coma with nothing looking good for his future. Lydia tried to juggle home life, work, friends and visiting Theo every day at the hospital.
I found it very hard to like Lydia, I felt she was quite self absorbed and boring. Theo also, his comment about kilts saying 'no man should wear a skirt' unfortunately for him only the most handsome men wear kilts. Hey ho!
I was going to give up on this book many times but decided to download the audio to save me reading it.
Lydia and Theos story flash from past to present and it's good to see the story coming together.
However..
SPOILERS BELOW.
.
.
Theos adulry didn't really come as a surprise however this part could have been made really interesting I felt it was skimmed over and made okay, Lydia used it as her excuse to piss off from visiting Theo and start dating. Don't really blame her but overall the story did bore me. Theo and Lydia broke up and he was heartbroken but within a year engaged to be married etc.. Ok,
and the ending wasn't much fun either
Lydia's life is threw upside down when her boyfriend Theo is involved in a car accident and is now in a coma with nothing looking good for his future. Lydia tried to juggle home life, work, friends and visiting Theo every day at the hospital.
I found it very hard to like Lydia, I felt she was quite self absorbed and boring. Theo also, his comment about kilts saying 'no man should wear a skirt' unfortunately for him only the most handsome men wear kilts. Hey ho!
I was going to give up on this book many times but decided to download the audio to save me reading it.
Lydia and Theos story flash from past to present and it's good to see the story coming together.
However..
SPOILERS BELOW.
.
.
Theos adulry didn't really come as a surprise however this part could have been made really interesting I felt it was skimmed over and made okay, Lydia used it as her excuse to piss off from visiting Theo and start dating. Don't really blame her but overall the story did bore me. Theo and Lydia broke up and he was heartbroken but within a year engaged to be married etc.. Ok,
and the ending wasn't much fun either
January 31, 2020
Another fabulous book by Helen J Rolfe, an emotional rollercoaster of a ride as we follow Lydia dealing not only with the aftermath of her boyfriends terrible accident but things that preceded it that also caused their own surprises.
I liked how we went back to see their relationship pre accident and then were brought to date to compare their lives and how much had changed.
The start was brilliant, you instantly wanted to know what went on and it kept me enthralled throughout.
Although it was a very difficult and traumatic experience, it was dealt with in a very considerate way and you could really feel for both Lydia and Theo’s mother. Such an impossible situation they found themselves in.
Despite the storyline, I found it also very inspiring, watching Lydia rebuild her life, with thanks to the wonderful friends she had by her side. Making the most of life was definitely the theme of this beautiful book.
All the way through I was willing her to have a happy ending ❤️
Gorgeous book that was an absolute pleasure to read.
I liked how we went back to see their relationship pre accident and then were brought to date to compare their lives and how much had changed.
The start was brilliant, you instantly wanted to know what went on and it kept me enthralled throughout.
Although it was a very difficult and traumatic experience, it was dealt with in a very considerate way and you could really feel for both Lydia and Theo’s mother. Such an impossible situation they found themselves in.
Despite the storyline, I found it also very inspiring, watching Lydia rebuild her life, with thanks to the wonderful friends she had by her side. Making the most of life was definitely the theme of this beautiful book.
All the way through I was willing her to have a happy ending ❤️
Gorgeous book that was an absolute pleasure to read.
August 25, 2024
Heartbreaking story of sudden loss of what could haven been and going on.
I had predictions of what the ending was going to be and it lost a star because of the predictability.
It was a great story however, and do recommend!
4 stars
I had predictions of what the ending was going to be and it lost a star because of the predictability.
It was a great story however, and do recommend!
4 stars
January 26, 2019
A great read.
A brilliant book, difficult to put down! I love it when the book starts as part of the end story and reflects back on what has gone on.
A brilliant book, difficult to put down! I love it when the book starts as part of the end story and reflects back on what has gone on.
July 3, 2020
Read 2 of Helen J Rolfes books,absolutely loved them both.. this one is a MUST READ in my opinion
October 21, 2022
Brilliant story well written loved getting lost in Helens books.
May 29, 2023
I thought this was a little bit slow moving but it’s one that will stick with me. When I thought the ending was going a certain way I felt really disappointed but how it ended, I’m happy with.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews