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How We Came to Be: A Novel
Fifty-year-old Karen Anders, a high school English teacher and the adoptive mother of Tiffany, comes to terms with being a single-parent and a clumsy drunk in the multicultural melting pot of Houston, Texas, as she forges an unlikely friendship with Leona Supak, a WWII Hungarian refugee, who inspires Karen to change her views on motherhood, drinking, and men.
Karen’s teaching job provides an ongoing challenge with low scoring students and a lack of support from school administrators. Meanwhile, Tiffany moves to Austin to attend the University of Texas, but soon neglects her academic life when she meets a gamer boyfriend and begins a job at the Ink & Juice, a tattoo parlor-juicing bar. Tiffany hides the truth of her new life from Karen through a text-only relationship. Feeling rejected, Karen explores the paradox of romance for the middle-aged. Despite the challenges, a family unit comes together inspired by strangers and second chances in How We Came to Be.
Karen’s teaching job provides an ongoing challenge with low scoring students and a lack of support from school administrators. Meanwhile, Tiffany moves to Austin to attend the University of Texas, but soon neglects her academic life when she meets a gamer boyfriend and begins a job at the Ink & Juice, a tattoo parlor-juicing bar. Tiffany hides the truth of her new life from Karen through a text-only relationship. Feeling rejected, Karen explores the paradox of romance for the middle-aged. Despite the challenges, a family unit comes together inspired by strangers and second chances in How We Came to Be.
184 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2018
2 people are currently reading
614 people want to read
About the author
Johnnie Bernhard
4 books46 followersA former English teacher and journalist, Johnnie Bernhard is passionate about reading and writing. Her work(s) have appeared in publications, both nationally and internationally, such as The Mississippi Press, Word Among Us, Southern Writers Magazine, The Texas Review, Southern Literary Review, and the Cowbird-NPR production on small town America. Her entry, “The Last Mayberry,” received over 7,500 views, nationally and internationally.
A Good Girl was short listed in the 2015 William Faulkner-William Wisdom International Creative Writing Competition, as well as featured novel for panel discussion at the 2017 Mississippi and Louisiana Book Festivals. It was represented by Texas Review Press at the 2017 Texas Book Festival. A Good Girl is a finalist in the 2017 national Kindle Book Award for literary fiction, a nominee for the 2018 PEN/Robert W. Bingham Prize, and a Mississippi Institute of Arts and Letters nominee for 2017 Fiction.
Johnnie’s second novel, How We Came to Be is a finalist in the International Faulkner-Wisdom Competition. It has been chosen for panel discussion at the 2018 Louisiana Center for the Book, Louisiana Book Festival and the 2018 Mississippi Book Festival. It has been named a "Must Read" by Southern Writers Magazine and a 2018 Summer Reading List by Deep South Magazine.
Her third novel, Sisters of the Undertow was chosen for discussion at the 2020 national AWP Conference, the Pat Conroy Literary Center of South Carolina, the Southern Book Festival/Humanities Tennessee, and Words and Music Literary Feast of New Orleans. Named “Best of the University Presses, 100 Books” by the Association of University Presses, Sisters of the Undertow was placed in the Texas Center for the Book, State Library Collection and received First Place in the Press Women of Texas Communications Contest.
Her fourth novel, Hannah & Ariela (TCU Press) will launch nationally on August 1, 2022.
A Good Girl was short listed in the 2015 William Faulkner-William Wisdom International Creative Writing Competition, as well as featured novel for panel discussion at the 2017 Mississippi and Louisiana Book Festivals. It was represented by Texas Review Press at the 2017 Texas Book Festival. A Good Girl is a finalist in the 2017 national Kindle Book Award for literary fiction, a nominee for the 2018 PEN/Robert W. Bingham Prize, and a Mississippi Institute of Arts and Letters nominee for 2017 Fiction.
Johnnie’s second novel, How We Came to Be is a finalist in the International Faulkner-Wisdom Competition. It has been chosen for panel discussion at the 2018 Louisiana Center for the Book, Louisiana Book Festival and the 2018 Mississippi Book Festival. It has been named a "Must Read" by Southern Writers Magazine and a 2018 Summer Reading List by Deep South Magazine.
Her third novel, Sisters of the Undertow was chosen for discussion at the 2020 national AWP Conference, the Pat Conroy Literary Center of South Carolina, the Southern Book Festival/Humanities Tennessee, and Words and Music Literary Feast of New Orleans. Named “Best of the University Presses, 100 Books” by the Association of University Presses, Sisters of the Undertow was placed in the Texas Center for the Book, State Library Collection and received First Place in the Press Women of Texas Communications Contest.
Her fourth novel, Hannah & Ariela (TCU Press) will launch nationally on August 1, 2022.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
February 21, 2019
This heartfelt, character-driven book is a remarkable look at a single mom, Karen, who is sarcastic, biting, and funny...but deep down she is lost and struggling. When her adoptive daughter heads to college, Karen is forced to reevaluate her life, her wishes and dreams. Although she’s looking for answers in the bottom of a wine glass, she finds them instead in an unlikely bond she forges with her neighbor, a WWII Hungarian refugee. This is such a poignant book, with parts that will make you laugh out loud, cringeworthy moments that will bring you to tears, but ultimately hopeful and filled with love.
December 22, 2018
This was my first time reading a Bernhard book, and it didn't disappoint. An honest story of life, with a sprinkle of Texas all around. How We Came to Be was unlike most books I've read, a fresh idea, yet about everyday life and the understanding of imperfect love.
May 21, 2019
Karen Anders is a divorced 50-year-old high school English teacher who adopted her brother’s daughter Tiffany. Karen has a tendency to overdrink when she is in pity mode – and that is often. She envisions that her tombstone will read “Average English teacher who drank daily”. She is at the point in her life where Tiffany is gaining her independence and Karen is overwhelmed with the “empty nest” syndrome.
Karen has never gotten along with her neighbor Leona Supak, a WWII Hungarian refugee. But then one morning Karen has an encounter with her cranky neighbor that leads to an unlikely friendship between the two women. Leona is tough and pulls no punches. She seems cold on the outside but has the same need that Karen does. They both need family. This book is the story of how they came to be family to each other.
It is through Leona that Karen finds the strength to deal with life’s problems – without drinking. Both Karen’s and Tiffany’s lives are improved when Leona takes them into her heart. Even Karen’s students benefit from the change in Karen.
Ms. Bernhard gives us a beautiful story of teenage angst, floundering adults, broken lives, love and heartbreak, second chances, and redemption. The characters are flawed and genuine, the situations real to life. Somewhere along their journey, I came to love her characters.
This book teaches us that sometimes your family is not the one you are born into. It is the one that forms when you open your heart to others and let them in. You may even find some romance along the way.
Karen has never gotten along with her neighbor Leona Supak, a WWII Hungarian refugee. But then one morning Karen has an encounter with her cranky neighbor that leads to an unlikely friendship between the two women. Leona is tough and pulls no punches. She seems cold on the outside but has the same need that Karen does. They both need family. This book is the story of how they came to be family to each other.
It is through Leona that Karen finds the strength to deal with life’s problems – without drinking. Both Karen’s and Tiffany’s lives are improved when Leona takes them into her heart. Even Karen’s students benefit from the change in Karen.
Ms. Bernhard gives us a beautiful story of teenage angst, floundering adults, broken lives, love and heartbreak, second chances, and redemption. The characters are flawed and genuine, the situations real to life. Somewhere along their journey, I came to love her characters.
This book teaches us that sometimes your family is not the one you are born into. It is the one that forms when you open your heart to others and let them in. You may even find some romance along the way.
May 16, 2019
I really enjoyed this novel! Karen is a fifty-year-old high school English teacher and single mother. She is smart, comical, deeply troubled and drinks way too much. When her daughter heads off to college Karen finds even more problems. Things change when she is befriended by a neighbor Leona, a WWII Hungarian refugee. And after being single for so long, here comes Matt. This was a fast read. I felt every bit of what of Karen was going through. This was lyrical and heart felt. Such a beautiful story that lingers long after. I highly recommend this for book clubs to add to their list. There is so much to this and so many topics to discuss.
Dawnny-BookGypsy
Novels N Latte Review
Novels N Latte Book Club
Hudson Valley NY
Dawnny-BookGypsy
Novels N Latte Review
Novels N Latte Book Club
Hudson Valley NY
May 22, 2018
Johnnie Bernhard has penned a gem of a book, and she shines her words on another of love's many facets with each page turned: love of avocation, love of country, mother-daughter love, romantic love, love of animal companions, and friendship. Yet nowhere does the author's writing shine more than on the redemptive power of love. Johnnie Bernhard crafts this tale with alternating heartfelt poignancy and biting wit. Her voice echoes the voices of most women, especially single mothers, trying to juggle it all today and dealing with the shadow side of love: loss.
Perhaps the only person protagonist Karen Anders doesn’t shower love and attention on is herself. Loss has left Karen with self-pity and confusion as companions. A teacher and divorced single mom who adopted and raised her brother's daughter, Karen finds herself lost in an empty nest...and so turns to another love of hers: wine. It takes an unlikely ally Leona, whom she's judged from afar, to turn Karen's life around. Leona comes brimming with advice and home cooking, telling Karen to lose her "American girl-woman" act (this reader's favorite phrase in the entire novel) so she can save her relationship with her daughter Tiffany. Tiffany has traded in college life to team with a loser both at work and at home, due to her own lack of self-esteem.
World War II refugee Leona knows what she's talking about, and she doesn't mince words. She might not meet Houston's fashion standards, but her heart is pure and golden. She's survived a childhood of war, family loss, hunger, flight from persecution, and has worked on adapting to a new life in a new country without complaint. She shows Karen how much she has to be grateful for and gives Karen the love she needs to heal herself and her family. Gradually, Leona teaches Karen to cease blaming others and to look within to rediscover happiness. Leona inspires Karen to live in the moment, gather up her full womanly power, and dig deep enough to find sobriety and the man of her dreams.
This novel isn't about the 1950s nuclear family. It's about today's family, full of drama and tribulation, but also ultimately full of abundant love to share. It's about looking beyond ourselves and finding community so we can flourish. It's about loving ourselves and trusting others. The author talks about today's South in an authentic, contemporary Southern voice. Her pacing and dialogue will keep the reader fully absorbed.
How We Came to Be is a book about accepting what is, including change, to meet not only who we've been but who we are becoming with eyes wide open. It's a book about the lessons of love and loss and standing up for our truth. It's about finding our lives again after we're knocked down a few times, and how the unlikeliest of people are usually our greatest teachers.
Perhaps the only person protagonist Karen Anders doesn’t shower love and attention on is herself. Loss has left Karen with self-pity and confusion as companions. A teacher and divorced single mom who adopted and raised her brother's daughter, Karen finds herself lost in an empty nest...and so turns to another love of hers: wine. It takes an unlikely ally Leona, whom she's judged from afar, to turn Karen's life around. Leona comes brimming with advice and home cooking, telling Karen to lose her "American girl-woman" act (this reader's favorite phrase in the entire novel) so she can save her relationship with her daughter Tiffany. Tiffany has traded in college life to team with a loser both at work and at home, due to her own lack of self-esteem.
World War II refugee Leona knows what she's talking about, and she doesn't mince words. She might not meet Houston's fashion standards, but her heart is pure and golden. She's survived a childhood of war, family loss, hunger, flight from persecution, and has worked on adapting to a new life in a new country without complaint. She shows Karen how much she has to be grateful for and gives Karen the love she needs to heal herself and her family. Gradually, Leona teaches Karen to cease blaming others and to look within to rediscover happiness. Leona inspires Karen to live in the moment, gather up her full womanly power, and dig deep enough to find sobriety and the man of her dreams.
This novel isn't about the 1950s nuclear family. It's about today's family, full of drama and tribulation, but also ultimately full of abundant love to share. It's about looking beyond ourselves and finding community so we can flourish. It's about loving ourselves and trusting others. The author talks about today's South in an authentic, contemporary Southern voice. Her pacing and dialogue will keep the reader fully absorbed.
How We Came to Be is a book about accepting what is, including change, to meet not only who we've been but who we are becoming with eyes wide open. It's a book about the lessons of love and loss and standing up for our truth. It's about finding our lives again after we're knocked down a few times, and how the unlikeliest of people are usually our greatest teachers.
April 22, 2018
How We Came to Be is a triumph of order from chaos as told in the most accessible first-person voice I’ve had the good fortune to come across in ages. I was under narrator Karen Anders’ spell from the first because author Johnnie Bernhard came out swinging by gifting the reader with this engaging novel’s premise by the third page. Karen doesn’t look good on paper. She is a fifty-year-old, high school English teacher living in Houston; a divorced, single mother facing empty-nest syndrome, well aware of her dependency on alcohol, but nowhere near ready to quit. Why should she? Karen’s life is a mess. One would think this is a recipe for a down on its heels story, but the reader is captivated by Karen’s tell-it-as-it-is persona and—dare I say it, identifies when Karen summarizes her circumstances by confessing, “I’m hating every moment, but pretending I’m having the time of my life.” When I got to this line, I knew I was hooked.
We all have that sardonic friend who manages to smile through the egg on her face. This is Karen in a nutshell, and she keeps on keeping on, trying for the upper hand, while her adopted daughter, Tiffany’s first three months away at college become a study in bad choices, of which Karen has no say beyond putting out the fires. Karen’s dilemma is a common one and raises the question of how to be an effective single parent without chasing her daughter away.
In the meantime, back at the empty nest, Karen knows she must forge a life beyond the rat-wheel of predictable sameness centered on her Houston high school’s schedule. In an uncanny act of timing, Karen’s world is widened when she is befriended by WW11 Hungarian refugee, Leona Supak from across the street, and an unlikely alliance is formed that challenges Karen to grow. Having been single for decades and barely hanging on, it probably isn’t the best time for a man to come into Karen’s life, yet when Matt Broussard pursues the surprised Karen in an Austin bar, she thinks, maybe?
How We Came to Be is a brass-tacks, contemporary story without a moment of campy pretention. The events are cause and effect, but the story is what goes on in the likable Karen’s head. She is not so much a victim of circumstances as she is a neophyte at growing into her own. How We Came to Be is the story of a woman drowning in deep waters, who has the sense to learn how to swim.
I applaud author Johnnie Bernhard for her wizardry in crafting this perfectly paced story in a voice so unique and compelling. This is a book to read and return to. It is perfect for book clubs because there is so much in it to discuss!
We all have that sardonic friend who manages to smile through the egg on her face. This is Karen in a nutshell, and she keeps on keeping on, trying for the upper hand, while her adopted daughter, Tiffany’s first three months away at college become a study in bad choices, of which Karen has no say beyond putting out the fires. Karen’s dilemma is a common one and raises the question of how to be an effective single parent without chasing her daughter away.
In the meantime, back at the empty nest, Karen knows she must forge a life beyond the rat-wheel of predictable sameness centered on her Houston high school’s schedule. In an uncanny act of timing, Karen’s world is widened when she is befriended by WW11 Hungarian refugee, Leona Supak from across the street, and an unlikely alliance is formed that challenges Karen to grow. Having been single for decades and barely hanging on, it probably isn’t the best time for a man to come into Karen’s life, yet when Matt Broussard pursues the surprised Karen in an Austin bar, she thinks, maybe?
How We Came to Be is a brass-tacks, contemporary story without a moment of campy pretention. The events are cause and effect, but the story is what goes on in the likable Karen’s head. She is not so much a victim of circumstances as she is a neophyte at growing into her own. How We Came to Be is the story of a woman drowning in deep waters, who has the sense to learn how to swim.
I applaud author Johnnie Bernhard for her wizardry in crafting this perfectly paced story in a voice so unique and compelling. This is a book to read and return to. It is perfect for book clubs because there is so much in it to discuss!
July 13, 2018
Johnnie Bernhard is at the top of her game in her second novel, How We Came To Be, a mid life coming of age tale narrated by a high school English teacher with a big heart, enough spunk and witty one-liners to keep readers turning the page. With her penchant for nightly glasses of wine, her worry over her adoptive college age daughter, Tiffany, and her new friendship with an elderly neighbor across the street, Karen Anders is the kind of narrator women over a certain age can relate to and root for.
We weep when Karen weeps and we laugh when she laughs. We curl up with her and her dog, Max, and her cat, Poncho, and long to find our place in the world. Well written, gorgeous, straight forward prose told in a conversational style that pulls you right in, this novel feels like sitting down with a friend. A novel for women who have a penchant for witty and wise characters and who aren't afraid to cheer for the downtrodden and the forgotten in life.
– Kathleen M. Rodgers, award-winning author of Seven Wings to Glory
We weep when Karen weeps and we laugh when she laughs. We curl up with her and her dog, Max, and her cat, Poncho, and long to find our place in the world. Well written, gorgeous, straight forward prose told in a conversational style that pulls you right in, this novel feels like sitting down with a friend. A novel for women who have a penchant for witty and wise characters and who aren't afraid to cheer for the downtrodden and the forgotten in life.
– Kathleen M. Rodgers, award-winning author of Seven Wings to Glory
January 18, 2022
Two voices to love here in the audiobook version. The first is that of the main character, Karen, a sharp-witted, fifty-year-old English teacher, who raises her niece on her own, drinks too much , and struggles to pull herself out of her mundane, unsatisfying life. Johnnie Bernhard has created a character that you can’t help cheer for, even during her most pathetic moments, as she transforms from a “girl-woman” to a woman fully deserving the love she finds along the way. The second voice to love is that of audiobook narrator Theresa Bakken, who gives Karen an underlying softness while delivering even the most sarcastic lines. Theresa also nails the snap of disgust in teenager Tiffany’s responses and presents my favorite character, Hungarian refugee Leona, with the strength and dignity she deserves. The pace of the novel lends itself to audiobook form and is a pleasure to listen to. I highly recommend How We Came to Be.
January 24, 2019
How We Came to Be by Johnnie Bernhard is a book to read, savor, and read again! There is not a reader I know who cannot identify with, be inspired by, and absorb the lessons of the American girl-woman Karen Anders. Get a copy, share a copy, and absorb the beauty of this story by this talented author!
June 16, 2019
Johnnie Bernhard has written, quite eloquently, a story of 3 women who thought life would be one way but changes happened to throw a curve in their plans. This is the story of which many of us can relate. Life has a way of changing our plans! I am certain you may find yourself in one of these women. And the guy is not so bad either! Way to go - great read. I highly recommend
March 19, 2022
If you like believable everyday characters, you'll love Johnnie Bernhard's novel, "How We Came to Be."
I had the good fortune to listen to Theresa Bakken's excellent narration.
You'll get to know the lives of single mom Karen, her grown daughter and newfound neighbor and friend Leona. Bernhard writes with great honesty and meticulous details. Great insights on parent-child relationships!
I had the good fortune to listen to Theresa Bakken's excellent narration.
You'll get to know the lives of single mom Karen, her grown daughter and newfound neighbor and friend Leona. Bernhard writes with great honesty and meticulous details. Great insights on parent-child relationships!
September 4, 2019
Johnnie Berhard's story look at complex life as a teacher, adoptive mom, and no romance in her life.
Good storytelling looks at at a story examining many emotional lawyers of relationships and life's emotions.
Good storytelling looks at at a story examining many emotional lawyers of relationships and life's emotions.
July 20, 2019
Ms. Bernhard's prose offers rare insight into a variety of characters -- her development of each flawless and entertaining. Write on!
August 19, 2019
I loved this. Karen is a mess, and sometimes I just wanted to knock the stupid glass out of her hand, but she builds a family. It's all about family.
February 4, 2020
Loved this sweet, poignant novel. ❤️🎂
July 9, 2018
Wit and humor in the grasp of despair before joy arrives
With vivid descriptions, colorful metaphors, and in-depth characters whose lives became beautifully intertwined, Johnnie Bernhard's tale of "How We Came to Be" is a read that will capture your heart. Bernhard writes wit and humor effortlessly, but also such profound statements like "Death, the great equalizer, takes us regardless of wealth, fame, or zip code." From the beginning sentences, you'll be rooting for this realistically flawed character, Karen Anders, the fifty-year-old English teacher and single mom that is not only struggling with the rejection of the child she has raised and poured her heart and soul into but also with the shortcomings of her own life. An American Girl-Woman, as nicknamed by her neighbor, Karen relies more and more on alcohol until her drinking gets out of hand. During her days while teaching, Karen sometimes exhibits a loss of passion amidst the apathetic behavior of the new generation, but then she is revived by a young male student who is moldable. The author examines every facet of the personality of Ms. Anders, who is dealing with grief, loneliness, aging, and loss of purpose in an unkempt empty nest. How We Came to Be is entirely about second chances. Things are darkest before dawn and then, joy comes in the morning. An excellent book and a great choice for book clubs.
With vivid descriptions, colorful metaphors, and in-depth characters whose lives became beautifully intertwined, Johnnie Bernhard's tale of "How We Came to Be" is a read that will capture your heart. Bernhard writes wit and humor effortlessly, but also such profound statements like "Death, the great equalizer, takes us regardless of wealth, fame, or zip code." From the beginning sentences, you'll be rooting for this realistically flawed character, Karen Anders, the fifty-year-old English teacher and single mom that is not only struggling with the rejection of the child she has raised and poured her heart and soul into but also with the shortcomings of her own life. An American Girl-Woman, as nicknamed by her neighbor, Karen relies more and more on alcohol until her drinking gets out of hand. During her days while teaching, Karen sometimes exhibits a loss of passion amidst the apathetic behavior of the new generation, but then she is revived by a young male student who is moldable. The author examines every facet of the personality of Ms. Anders, who is dealing with grief, loneliness, aging, and loss of purpose in an unkempt empty nest. How We Came to Be is entirely about second chances. Things are darkest before dawn and then, joy comes in the morning. An excellent book and a great choice for book clubs.
April 28, 2021
Wow!
How We Came to Be is a book of hope. Misfits of all ages can help each other and become a family and strengthen their faith. Life always has detours but with the help of others everyone can find their way. Johnnie Bernhard has a God given gift and I am glad she shares it with us! I'm looking forward to many more of her books!
How We Came to Be is a book of hope. Misfits of all ages can help each other and become a family and strengthen their faith. Life always has detours but with the help of others everyone can find their way. Johnnie Bernhard has a God given gift and I am glad she shares it with us! I'm looking forward to many more of her books!
July 12, 2019
Contemporary
This is definitely a contemporary novel. It was not a subject that I could identify with but really enjoyed reading. It was very well written.
This is definitely a contemporary novel. It was not a subject that I could identify with but really enjoyed reading. It was very well written.
July 23, 2019
An excellent read!
I loved this book from the beginning to the end. We all should reflect on how we came to be!!
I loved this book from the beginning to the end. We all should reflect on how we came to be!!
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews