What do you think?
Rate this book
The Woman I Was Before
Big Little Lies meets Little Fires Everywhere in this intense, emotionally gripping novel about a woman trying to escape her past and start a new life with her daughter -- until an accident unleashes all of her secrets.
Of all the emotions single mother Kate Jones expects to feel as she walks into her brand-new house on Parkview Road, hope is the most surprising. She has changed her and her daughter's names and moved across the country to escape the single mistake that destroyed their lives.
But Kate isn't the only woman on the street starting afresh. Warm, whirlwind Gisela, with her busy life and confident children, and sharp, composed Sally, with her spontaneous marriage and high-flying career, are the first new friends Kate has allowed herself in years. While part of her envies their seemingly perfect lives, their friendship helps Kate to leave her guilt behind.
Until one day, everything changes. Kate is called to the scene of a devastating car accident, the consequences of which will test everything the women thought they knew about each other and themselves.
Of all the emotions single mother Kate Jones expects to feel as she walks into her brand-new house on Parkview Road, hope is the most surprising. She has changed her and her daughter's names and moved across the country to escape the single mistake that destroyed their lives.
But Kate isn't the only woman on the street starting afresh. Warm, whirlwind Gisela, with her busy life and confident children, and sharp, composed Sally, with her spontaneous marriage and high-flying career, are the first new friends Kate has allowed herself in years. While part of her envies their seemingly perfect lives, their friendship helps Kate to leave her guilt behind.
Until one day, everything changes. Kate is called to the scene of a devastating car accident, the consequences of which will test everything the women thought they knew about each other and themselves.
336 pages, Paperback
First published March 22, 2019
11294 people are currently reading
6217 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 749 reviews
April 28, 2019
EXCERPT: The shouting, the people crowding around my door, the cameras in my face, pushed into Daisy's pram, grabbing at me as I walked out to the car, calling my name, Oskar's name, the headlines - always Polish immigrant/Eastern European/immigrant family - even though I was born here and had never been to Poland, our family's history, her family's history, comments from 'friends' and 'neighbors', photographs of me buying a bottle of wine in Tesco (as if that was at all relevant) and, of course, the worst thing of all: her side of the story, vicious and raw as though our friendship had been nothing. When to me it had been everything, a mainstay of my whole life, since we met in primary school. I still missed her. Still felt that Becky-shaped gap in my life, where I took for granted that ability to bounce from one topic to the next without the need to fill in what went before. Still occasionally caught myself smiling at a memory much further back than 2000.
And now I'd had sex with someone who could, with a few keystrokes, a quick Google, and the tiniest amount of luck, find out stuff about me that he'd never want to know.
That I'd never want him to know.
ABOUT THIS BOOK: A new home can be a happy ending. Or a fresh start. Or a hiding place...
Kate Jones is running away. She has left her old life behind, changing both her own name and her daughter’s. No-one must ever connect Kate with the mistake that destroyed her life.
Starting afresh on Parkview Road – a brand new street full of newly built houses – Kate looks at the other women on the street with envy. They seem to have it all: Gisela with her busy life, full house and successful children, Sally with her exciting spontaneous marriage, her glamorous holidays, her high-flying career. The pictures that Kate's new friends post online confirm their seemingly perfect existence, whilst Kate hides from the world at all costs.
Until one day, everything changes. Kate is called to the scene of a devastating accident, which is about to test everything the women thought they knew about each other, and themselves.
MY THOUGHTS: What is it with us humans that feel the need to lie to ourselves and to others in an effort to convince ourselves that we have the perfect life, a life to be aspired to and envied, while all the time we are papering over the cracks and bunging up the holes. We devour other people's lives on Facebook and Twitter and Instagram, never for one moment doubting that what we see is the truth, while frantically posing pictures of our wonderful family lives, fabulous food, perfect homes, and exotic holidays to perpetuate the myth, to keep up.
Kerry Fisher uses this need to portray the perfect life, along with our capacity for guilt and the desire for secrecy (no one must ever know. . .) to great advantage in this engaging novel of secrets and unravelling lives. Duplicity, betrayal, secrets and lies abound. As does perseverance, loyalty and forgiveness.
Fisher's characters are your neighbors, people you know; complex and reserved, outgoing and friendly, and every mix in between. But can Kate trust any of them?
If this book doesn't make you reassess your priorities, I don't know what will! An excellent read.
😍😍😍😍
THE AUTHOR: Kerry Fisher is an internationally bestselling author of six novels, including The Woman I Was Before, The Silent Wife and The Secret Child. She was born in Peterborough, studied French and Italian at the University of Bath and spent several years living in Spain, Italy and Corsica.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Bookouture via Netgalley for providing a digital ARC of The Woman I Was Before by Kerry Fisher for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
Please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com for an explanation of my rating system. This review and others are also published on my webpage https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
For a preview of The Woman I Was Before go to https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
And now I'd had sex with someone who could, with a few keystrokes, a quick Google, and the tiniest amount of luck, find out stuff about me that he'd never want to know.
That I'd never want him to know.
ABOUT THIS BOOK: A new home can be a happy ending. Or a fresh start. Or a hiding place...
Kate Jones is running away. She has left her old life behind, changing both her own name and her daughter’s. No-one must ever connect Kate with the mistake that destroyed her life.
Starting afresh on Parkview Road – a brand new street full of newly built houses – Kate looks at the other women on the street with envy. They seem to have it all: Gisela with her busy life, full house and successful children, Sally with her exciting spontaneous marriage, her glamorous holidays, her high-flying career. The pictures that Kate's new friends post online confirm their seemingly perfect existence, whilst Kate hides from the world at all costs.
Until one day, everything changes. Kate is called to the scene of a devastating accident, which is about to test everything the women thought they knew about each other, and themselves.
MY THOUGHTS: What is it with us humans that feel the need to lie to ourselves and to others in an effort to convince ourselves that we have the perfect life, a life to be aspired to and envied, while all the time we are papering over the cracks and bunging up the holes. We devour other people's lives on Facebook and Twitter and Instagram, never for one moment doubting that what we see is the truth, while frantically posing pictures of our wonderful family lives, fabulous food, perfect homes, and exotic holidays to perpetuate the myth, to keep up.
Kerry Fisher uses this need to portray the perfect life, along with our capacity for guilt and the desire for secrecy (no one must ever know. . .) to great advantage in this engaging novel of secrets and unravelling lives. Duplicity, betrayal, secrets and lies abound. As does perseverance, loyalty and forgiveness.
Fisher's characters are your neighbors, people you know; complex and reserved, outgoing and friendly, and every mix in between. But can Kate trust any of them?
If this book doesn't make you reassess your priorities, I don't know what will! An excellent read.
😍😍😍😍
THE AUTHOR: Kerry Fisher is an internationally bestselling author of six novels, including The Woman I Was Before, The Silent Wife and The Secret Child. She was born in Peterborough, studied French and Italian at the University of Bath and spent several years living in Spain, Italy and Corsica.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Bookouture via Netgalley for providing a digital ARC of The Woman I Was Before by Kerry Fisher for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
Please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com for an explanation of my rating system. This review and others are also published on my webpage https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
For a preview of The Woman I Was Before go to https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
March 24, 2019
A delicious domestic drama pact with fascinating characters and plenty of secrets!
Kerry Fisher as woven together a compelling tale with threads of secrets and lies. This book gives you a front row seat as the drama begins to unfold on Parkview Road. Beautiful new homes, bright shiny people, but what is really going on behind closed doors? In today’s world where so much is shared on social media, is anyone’s life as good as it appears to be on Instagram or Facebook?
Three women who appeared to be quite different on the outside, have all recently moved to Parkview Road. Kate and her daughter Daisy, are running from something a horrible mistake, but what is it? Gisela is living quite the glamorous life, but are things as glitzy as they appear? Sally has the ultimate marriage a love like no other, but how thick is that line between love and hate? Everyone has secrets, things they don’t want to share with the world, but what happens when these secrets are revealed?
The story is told from the perspectives of all three women, Kate, Gisele, and Sally. I felt as though all three of these women’s characters were extremely well drawn, and I think everyone will find one of these ladies relatable. I saw a little of myself in each of them. I had so much sympathy for these women as I watched their lives unravel as the secrets and lies were revealed. The story behind Kate and her daughter’s running kept me guessing the entire book... and I never got that right! I wouldn’t classify this as a thriller, but it sure was an addictive read! Recommend!
*** many thanks to Bookouture for my copy of this book ***
Kerry Fisher as woven together a compelling tale with threads of secrets and lies. This book gives you a front row seat as the drama begins to unfold on Parkview Road. Beautiful new homes, bright shiny people, but what is really going on behind closed doors? In today’s world where so much is shared on social media, is anyone’s life as good as it appears to be on Instagram or Facebook?
Three women who appeared to be quite different on the outside, have all recently moved to Parkview Road. Kate and her daughter Daisy, are running from something a horrible mistake, but what is it? Gisela is living quite the glamorous life, but are things as glitzy as they appear? Sally has the ultimate marriage a love like no other, but how thick is that line between love and hate? Everyone has secrets, things they don’t want to share with the world, but what happens when these secrets are revealed?
The story is told from the perspectives of all three women, Kate, Gisele, and Sally. I felt as though all three of these women’s characters were extremely well drawn, and I think everyone will find one of these ladies relatable. I saw a little of myself in each of them. I had so much sympathy for these women as I watched their lives unravel as the secrets and lies were revealed. The story behind Kate and her daughter’s running kept me guessing the entire book... and I never got that right! I wouldn’t classify this as a thriller, but it sure was an addictive read! Recommend!
*** many thanks to Bookouture for my copy of this book ***
March 7, 2019
I’ve read a couple of other books by Kerry Fisher before and while both were really different from one another I really enjoyed them so I was looking forward to picking up another. The Woman I Was Before by Kerry Fisher is being called a gripping emotional page turner with a twist but personally I don’t know if I agree and think of this one as a domestic drama which I call one of my popcorn reads where you sit back and watch the drama unfold.
This one has several different points of view coming from the new residents of Parkview Road. Kate, Gisela and Sally are a few of the newcomers to the neighborhood who of course have all their own issues despite the image they portray one the outside. One has a past that has kept them running and hiding, one marriage is far from the perfect and then a family is falling apart.
I’m always a fan of those juicy drama filled domestic dramas when secrets that hide behind closed doors get revealed and Parkview Road in The Woman I Was Before by Kerry Fisher was definitely addicting to follow. While I don’t believe there was anything overall that made this incredibly unique and original I do think fans of the genre would find this one a compelling read and completely enjoy it.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
This one has several different points of view coming from the new residents of Parkview Road. Kate, Gisela and Sally are a few of the newcomers to the neighborhood who of course have all their own issues despite the image they portray one the outside. One has a past that has kept them running and hiding, one marriage is far from the perfect and then a family is falling apart.
I’m always a fan of those juicy drama filled domestic dramas when secrets that hide behind closed doors get revealed and Parkview Road in The Woman I Was Before by Kerry Fisher was definitely addicting to follow. While I don’t believe there was anything overall that made this incredibly unique and original I do think fans of the genre would find this one a compelling read and completely enjoy it.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
September 17, 2020
Twitter |
Goodreads |
Blog |
Instagram |
This is such a good book. Such a great accomplished author.
Having read Kerry Fisher before I just new I’d be in for a treat. She take every day kind of people and turns them in on themselves. Also with a bit of complication thrown in.
I was thinking when reading this book. I’ve been a bit fed up on social media at times.
Other people’s perfect photos with perfect lives.
I’m not saying everyone, but we do like to portray ourselves as having fun, going out, doing that and that. Having friends and family. You know what I mean I’m sure?
But what we see isn’t all what we get.
Are they’re lives perfect?
Are they hiding things?
Is all so “picture perfect” unblemished as it seems.
This explores lies and what we hid from each other.
Loved it
Goodreads |
Blog |
Instagram |
This is such a good book. Such a great accomplished author.
Having read Kerry Fisher before I just new I’d be in for a treat. She take every day kind of people and turns them in on themselves. Also with a bit of complication thrown in.
I was thinking when reading this book. I’ve been a bit fed up on social media at times.
Other people’s perfect photos with perfect lives.
I’m not saying everyone, but we do like to portray ourselves as having fun, going out, doing that and that. Having friends and family. You know what I mean I’m sure?
But what we see isn’t all what we get.
Are they’re lives perfect?
Are they hiding things?
Is all so “picture perfect” unblemished as it seems.
This explores lies and what we hid from each other.
Loved it
March 14, 2019
Kate Jones is running away. She's left her old life behind. She's changed her own name and her daughters. Starting afresh on Parkview Road, a brand new street full of newly built houses. Her new neighbours seem to have it all: Gisela with her busy life, Sally with her exciting spontaneous marriage. The pictures her new friends post online confirm their seemingly perfect existence, while Kate hides from the world at all costs. Until one day, everything changes.
The story is told for the three women's point of view, Kate, Gisela and Sally. As the story unfolds, we learn more of their backgrounds. You can't help but feel empathy for the women. The characters in this book are true to life and I'm sure most of us will know somebody that is similar to at least one of them. I couldn't wait to find out what Kate and her daughter Daisy's secret was. I kept guessing, but I never got it right. Once you pick this book up you won't won't to put it back down. I do recommend this book.
I would like to thank NetGalley, Bookouture and the author Kerry Fisher for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The story is told for the three women's point of view, Kate, Gisela and Sally. As the story unfolds, we learn more of their backgrounds. You can't help but feel empathy for the women. The characters in this book are true to life and I'm sure most of us will know somebody that is similar to at least one of them. I couldn't wait to find out what Kate and her daughter Daisy's secret was. I kept guessing, but I never got it right. Once you pick this book up you won't won't to put it back down. I do recommend this book.
I would like to thank NetGalley, Bookouture and the author Kerry Fisher for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
April 6, 2019
Gripping, emotional, and heart-warming!!!
My first experience reading Kerry Fisher made me so happy—I could barely put down her latest novel The Woman I was Before! I found this books to be a mix of thought-provoking, feel-good, and suspenseful. Basically, my perfect type of book to pick up and get lost in after a long day!
Kate, Sally, and Grisela all seem to have enviable lives from the outside, but this is truly a book about the contrast between the life we present to the world on social media or even through our stories, and the life we truly live. Each of these women have messy, imperfect lives, filled with ups and downs, smiles and heartaches.
But what they allow others to see is quite a different story! Kate seems strong and able to handle anything with ease. Grisela has a perfect family and is the ultimate hostess. And Sally lives a glamorous life, jet-setting around for work and coming home to her gorgeous husband.
But of course, the others don’t see the cracks. The worries that she’ll never have a baby. The difficulty accepting her son’s life choices. The dark secret that she ran away from…
I’d bill this as a domestic drama. I also sometimes call this type of book neighborhood noir because they make me think about how little we truly know about what goes on behind closed doors!
I loved the way Fisher wrote this novel. The stories of these women instantly drew me in, and I loved the juxtaposition of their real lives with the social media posts Fisher would punctuate each chapter with. It felt so timely and authentic. How much do we let ourselves be effected by the need to compete with others? Who can’t point to a friend on social media who seems to have the perfect life, captured through photos and witty captions?
I don’t want to spoil any of the stories, so I’ll say how surprising and powerful I found the conclusions of these three intertwined narratives to be. I wouldn’t have guessed many of the twists if you’d given me 100 guesses, but that’s life, right? We can’t always tell what will come our way. Suspenseful, emotional, and utterly addictive—I’m so excited for readers to experience this one!
My first experience reading Kerry Fisher made me so happy—I could barely put down her latest novel The Woman I was Before! I found this books to be a mix of thought-provoking, feel-good, and suspenseful. Basically, my perfect type of book to pick up and get lost in after a long day!
Kate, Sally, and Grisela all seem to have enviable lives from the outside, but this is truly a book about the contrast between the life we present to the world on social media or even through our stories, and the life we truly live. Each of these women have messy, imperfect lives, filled with ups and downs, smiles and heartaches.
But what they allow others to see is quite a different story! Kate seems strong and able to handle anything with ease. Grisela has a perfect family and is the ultimate hostess. And Sally lives a glamorous life, jet-setting around for work and coming home to her gorgeous husband.
But of course, the others don’t see the cracks. The worries that she’ll never have a baby. The difficulty accepting her son’s life choices. The dark secret that she ran away from…
I’d bill this as a domestic drama. I also sometimes call this type of book neighborhood noir because they make me think about how little we truly know about what goes on behind closed doors!
I loved the way Fisher wrote this novel. The stories of these women instantly drew me in, and I loved the juxtaposition of their real lives with the social media posts Fisher would punctuate each chapter with. It felt so timely and authentic. How much do we let ourselves be effected by the need to compete with others? Who can’t point to a friend on social media who seems to have the perfect life, captured through photos and witty captions?
I don’t want to spoil any of the stories, so I’ll say how surprising and powerful I found the conclusions of these three intertwined narratives to be. I wouldn’t have guessed many of the twists if you’d given me 100 guesses, but that’s life, right? We can’t always tell what will come our way. Suspenseful, emotional, and utterly addictive—I’m so excited for readers to experience this one!
February 8, 2019
This book offers us a look at three fictional families and the true dramas taking place behind the many social media posts they offer up daily. Gisele, Jack and their children appear to be the perfect family. With Gisele's constant posts depicting family events and new purchases, their lives seem perfect. Sally and Chris are the go-getting couple. Travelling the world for their jobs, their childfree lives seem exotic and stress free. Kate and her daughter Daisy are social media shy however, and the reason behind their reluctance to depict their lives for everyone to see becomes clear as the story progresses.
The characters were very well drawn, and I liked the way they came together to support each other. The use of social media posts to highlight the 'posed v reality' view of life was insightful and added a really good dimension to the story. A very enjoyable read!
*I received a copy of the book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
The characters were very well drawn, and I liked the way they came together to support each other. The use of social media posts to highlight the 'posed v reality' view of life was insightful and added a really good dimension to the story. A very enjoyable read!
*I received a copy of the book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
May 14, 2019
I'm going with a 2.5 star review here. The first half or more of this book really got under my skin. I could not feel any type of complimentary feeling for any character. Every single one of them were completely self-absorbed and wallowing in their own misery. And, instead of doing anything about it, they covered it up with their "perfect-life" Facebook posts.
Kate's big secret, Gisela's greed, Sally's selfishness...the others in their lives reacting to them with more of the same. It was all very discouraging. But I plugged along and there were some moments that redeemed the book - fleeting as they were.
I kept wondering about Kate's past but wasn't overly blown away when it was revealed - it was just another example of turning an event into something that was all about herself.
Maybe I'm expecting too much but I prefer books that lift my spirit and give me a sense of hope. Even a "happy ending" in this story felt like too little, too late.
Kate's big secret, Gisela's greed, Sally's selfishness...the others in their lives reacting to them with more of the same. It was all very discouraging. But I plugged along and there were some moments that redeemed the book - fleeting as they were.
I kept wondering about Kate's past but wasn't overly blown away when it was revealed - it was just another example of turning an event into something that was all about herself.
Maybe I'm expecting too much but I prefer books that lift my spirit and give me a sense of hope. Even a "happy ending" in this story felt like too little, too late.
June 25, 2020
In The Woman I Was Before, three families move into brand new houses in a brand new development. Kate, Gisele, and Sally soon become friends and narrate alternating chapters about what goes on behind closed doors in their homes.
I loved the way each chapter ended with a description of a photo that woman had posted on instagram with descriptive hashtags like #PerfectChristmas #HappyFamily #SoLucky; completely contradicting whatever scene of dysfunction and drama she had just described.
I enjoyed this, it was very much in the vein of Liane Moriarty. All the stories were interesting enough, but the story of the childless couple Sally and her husband Chris is the one that will stick with me; I probably won't remember much about the others.
I loved the way each chapter ended with a description of a photo that woman had posted on instagram with descriptive hashtags like #PerfectChristmas #HappyFamily #SoLucky; completely contradicting whatever scene of dysfunction and drama she had just described.
I enjoyed this, it was very much in the vein of Liane Moriarty. All the stories were interesting enough, but the story of the childless couple Sally and her husband Chris is the one that will stick with me; I probably won't remember much about the others.
April 9, 2020
The Woman I Was Before exemplifies the idea that things aren't always what they seem to be!
The story was a little slow at first and I had to keep track of the characters, but once their roles fell into place, the story really took off.
Kate Jones and her teenage daughter Daisy have just moved into a new home in a new neighborhood in a new town. It is clear that Kate is not telling the whole story. She is hiding something from her past, and she is terribly worried, even paranoid that her past will catch up to her.
Kate shuns social media as well fearing detection and forbids her teen daughter from using the ever-popular apps as well, much to Daisy's dismay.
Kate slowly begins to know the other families on her street. The chapters that focus on one of the others usually open or close with a social media post of the happy family or couple enjoying themselves. However, the chapters reveal far more than these social media posts ever will, and the lives of Kate and Daisy, Gisela and Jack, and Sally and Chris are far from perfect.
By the end of the novel, the truth is revealed for all of these families, and they are all happier for it in the long run.
The story was a little slow at first and I had to keep track of the characters, but once their roles fell into place, the story really took off.
Kate Jones and her teenage daughter Daisy have just moved into a new home in a new neighborhood in a new town. It is clear that Kate is not telling the whole story. She is hiding something from her past, and she is terribly worried, even paranoid that her past will catch up to her.
Kate shuns social media as well fearing detection and forbids her teen daughter from using the ever-popular apps as well, much to Daisy's dismay.
Kate slowly begins to know the other families on her street. The chapters that focus on one of the others usually open or close with a social media post of the happy family or couple enjoying themselves. However, the chapters reveal far more than these social media posts ever will, and the lives of Kate and Daisy, Gisela and Jack, and Sally and Chris are far from perfect.
By the end of the novel, the truth is revealed for all of these families, and they are all happier for it in the long run.
September 12, 2020
Three woman, neighbors in English suburbia, hide the truth of their lives. Kate is a single parent who moves to the neighborhood after a terrible past event. Sally, a childless married career woman, and Gisela, a stay-at-home mother, both present perfect lives on social media.
A neighborhood party brings them together, and over time, cracks occur in marriages and families, finally imploding when a car crash impacts them all.
The pace slowed so much at 50% that I had to skim through to finish, learning the truth about Kate’s past and the secrets Sally and Gisela finally reveal.
I’d suggest trimming 50 pages to keep the narrative tauter and the reader more engaged.
3 out of 5 Stars
Pub Date 06 Oct 2020
Thanks to the author, Forever (Grand Central Publishing), and NetGalley for the review copy. Opinions are mine.
#TheWomanIWasBefore #NetGalley
A neighborhood party brings them together, and over time, cracks occur in marriages and families, finally imploding when a car crash impacts them all.
The pace slowed so much at 50% that I had to skim through to finish, learning the truth about Kate’s past and the secrets Sally and Gisela finally reveal.
I’d suggest trimming 50 pages to keep the narrative tauter and the reader more engaged.
3 out of 5 Stars
Pub Date 06 Oct 2020
Thanks to the author, Forever (Grand Central Publishing), and NetGalley for the review copy. Opinions are mine.
#TheWomanIWasBefore #NetGalley
May 11, 2020
کتابی بی نظیر در مورد زندگیهای اسلایسی و واقعیتهای پشت اسلایسها
March 5, 2019
Posed VS Reality
Facebook VS Real life
3 houses and 3 families in a gated community on Parkview Road, this is their story, this is their life, this is the story of their lives. 3 women all different, Giselle with 2 kids and husband, with parties and takeaways galore, portraying the happy family Facebook life, Sally and husband with no kids portraying the high flying Facebook life, and Kate with daughter Daisy with no social footprint due to a secretive past, portraying the real life.
An accident changes this equation and life for these women is exposed. Will they become real or continue to pose on Facebook with a lot of hashtags?
Kerry Fisher has driven home this fact in every chapter showing us what really happens and what is posed. The three women though different are connected too, they are well etched, and each has layers which are exciting to read. I felt as if I was peeping into their window and then comparing it with their Facebook page photos. I felt like a proper nosy-parker, and that part was fun. Who doesn't like a bit of gossip?!!
Of all the three, Kate was most genuine and I could connect more with her since I too do not post personal life on social media. Then came my niggles, this was no thriller, even the accident just added to the drama not a twist to the plot. The Facebook and the hashtag and the comments on pics, the viciousness of strangers was all too deja-vu for me. I am a stranger on Facebook due to racist, nasty comments. The secrets too are not very intriguing.
Overall the realities of families and social media and the drama kept my interest going and I had fun reading this book.
Facebook VS Real life
3 houses and 3 families in a gated community on Parkview Road, this is their story, this is their life, this is the story of their lives. 3 women all different, Giselle with 2 kids and husband, with parties and takeaways galore, portraying the happy family Facebook life, Sally and husband with no kids portraying the high flying Facebook life, and Kate with daughter Daisy with no social footprint due to a secretive past, portraying the real life.
An accident changes this equation and life for these women is exposed. Will they become real or continue to pose on Facebook with a lot of hashtags?
Kerry Fisher has driven home this fact in every chapter showing us what really happens and what is posed. The three women though different are connected too, they are well etched, and each has layers which are exciting to read. I felt as if I was peeping into their window and then comparing it with their Facebook page photos. I felt like a proper nosy-parker, and that part was fun. Who doesn't like a bit of gossip?!!
Of all the three, Kate was most genuine and I could connect more with her since I too do not post personal life on social media. Then came my niggles, this was no thriller, even the accident just added to the drama not a twist to the plot. The Facebook and the hashtag and the comments on pics, the viciousness of strangers was all too deja-vu for me. I am a stranger on Facebook due to racist, nasty comments. The secrets too are not very intriguing.
Overall the realities of families and social media and the drama kept my interest going and I had fun reading this book.
February 3, 2019
Weirdly, this is my second book in a row featuring a gated community (after Jo Spain’s Dirty Little Secrets). The two stories don’t have much in common though, aside from the fact that I thoroughly enjoyed reading both. I’ve read several Kerry Fisher novels now so was expecting an engrossing and sometimes emotional read, and wasn’t disappointed.
The story focuses on three women who have just moved to the newly built estate: paramedic Kate, with her teenage daughter Daisy; stay at home mother Gisela; and Sally, who has a successful globetrotting career and child-free lifestyle with husband Chris. None of their lives, though, are quite how they appear from the outside. Kate is clearly hiding from something or someone. Gisela’s husband and children all have less than welcome surprises in store. And Sally’s glamorous lifestyle belies her real feelings.
I’ll admit my heart sank a bit when all the Facebook stuff started, as I feel the whole “gulf between what people post on social media about their lives versus the actual reality of them” business has been a bit done to death by now. I’m not very interested in social media and am baffled by the desire to constantly post show-offy photos with irritating hashtags. That said, it’s handled effectively here and with a light touch.
Kerry Fisher really draws you into and makes you care about the lives of her characters, with some genuinely emotional moments. Kate’s secret, when revealed, is gut-wrenching, and I liked her the best of the three women. An excellent read.
The story focuses on three women who have just moved to the newly built estate: paramedic Kate, with her teenage daughter Daisy; stay at home mother Gisela; and Sally, who has a successful globetrotting career and child-free lifestyle with husband Chris. None of their lives, though, are quite how they appear from the outside. Kate is clearly hiding from something or someone. Gisela’s husband and children all have less than welcome surprises in store. And Sally’s glamorous lifestyle belies her real feelings.
I’ll admit my heart sank a bit when all the Facebook stuff started, as I feel the whole “gulf between what people post on social media about their lives versus the actual reality of them” business has been a bit done to death by now. I’m not very interested in social media and am baffled by the desire to constantly post show-offy photos with irritating hashtags. That said, it’s handled effectively here and with a light touch.
Kerry Fisher really draws you into and makes you care about the lives of her characters, with some genuinely emotional moments. Kate’s secret, when revealed, is gut-wrenching, and I liked her the best of the three women. An excellent read.
October 10, 2020
Sally, Gisela, and Kate are all moving into the same neighborhood. As they look out their windows or at their Facebook/Insta feeds they make assumptions about the others. While moments in time are captured in photographs and posts, the minutiae of life is filling in the gaps that are unseen. Kerry Fisher does a great job in showing us the importance of living life alongside our friends with love and loyalty. It is also clear that neglecting marital vows leads to pain and heartache that cannot be erased. There are some secrets in this cul de sac that ratchet up the tension. Who is Sophie -- the house sitter who does not get to tell her own story? What is Kate hiding? Wives, mothers, and daughters will find these characters relatable and the book group discussion questions are excellent.
Thank you to Forever by Hachette and Edelweiss+ for a DRC in exchange for an honest review. Now available in paperback!
Thank you to Forever by Hachette and Edelweiss+ for a DRC in exchange for an honest review. Now available in paperback!
September 28, 2021
Psychological Fiction, contemporary
Publication date : March 22, 2019
The Woman I Was Before is a story about three women who live on Parkview Road – a brand new street full of newly built houses. It is told from the perspectives of three neighbor women:
Kate - divorced, mother of one teenager daughter Daisy, has Polish roots she desperately try to hide. Kate avoid social media and she seem to be running away from something. What she's hiding?
Gisele -married to Jack, mother of 21-year-old son, Ollie and teenager daughter, Hannah. Gisela constantly post pictures of her family and new purchases that make it seem that she's living the glamorous life. Behind the scene we learn that her son is dating 34-year-old woman, her husband has financial troubles and their picture perfect life is about to unravel.
Sally (36) - married to Chris (36), no kids. Goes to glamorous holidays, and has a high-flying career. After 10-years of marriage Sally want to start a family but Chris is totally against it. Why?
It takes some time to get to know all the characters because there were a lot of them (we have 3 women but also their husbands, children, partners etc) but once I got hold of them it was easiy to follow the storyline. However, I would have enjoyed it better if the author hadn't used the 1st person narrative!
I enjoyed this story very much. Its about love, marriage, motherhood, friendship, giving up your dreams, regret, pretence, secrets, social media. They say that the more miserable you are, the happier your social media posts become. In this story it was too true - we followed the characters and saw what really happened "behind the scenes" but on Facebook there the pictures and hastags were only showing their happy front. How deceptive things can be!
Publication date : March 22, 2019
The Woman I Was Before is a story about three women who live on Parkview Road – a brand new street full of newly built houses. It is told from the perspectives of three neighbor women:
Kate - divorced, mother of one teenager daughter Daisy, has Polish roots she desperately try to hide. Kate avoid social media and she seem to be running away from something. What she's hiding?
Gisele -married to Jack, mother of 21-year-old son, Ollie and teenager daughter, Hannah. Gisela constantly post pictures of her family and new purchases that make it seem that she's living the glamorous life. Behind the scene we learn that her son is dating 34-year-old woman, her husband has financial troubles and their picture perfect life is about to unravel.
Sally (36) - married to Chris (36), no kids. Goes to glamorous holidays, and has a high-flying career. After 10-years of marriage Sally want to start a family but Chris is totally against it. Why?
It takes some time to get to know all the characters because there were a lot of them (we have 3 women but also their husbands, children, partners etc) but once I got hold of them it was easiy to follow the storyline. However, I would have enjoyed it better if the author hadn't used the 1st person narrative!
I enjoyed this story very much. Its about love, marriage, motherhood, friendship, giving up your dreams, regret, pretence, secrets, social media. They say that the more miserable you are, the happier your social media posts become. In this story it was too true - we followed the characters and saw what really happened "behind the scenes" but on Facebook there the pictures and hastags were only showing their happy front. How deceptive things can be!
March 21, 2019
Having read this author's previous books The Silent Wife and The Secret Child, both of which I loved. I just knew I had to read this, her new book. Plus the book cover was so appealing and that was all before I'd even read the book blurb.
Well I'm happy to report that it was a great read from start to finish, a really well thought out story that was real and dealt with real life day to day occurrences/events. I was truly captivated throughout and couldn't wait to see how the story would all play out and ultimately how it would end.
The characters were well written and I loved how the story was told from three very different characters as it gives a real perceptive upon the story.
I have to admit, that the story was a bit of a slow burner to begin with and it didn't turn out or end how I was expecting it too when I first started reading this book, but that is a good thing as it means that this book is definitely not predictable in any way.
I would highly recommend this book for those that are also fans of Diane Chamberlain, Rachel Hore or Susan Lewis books.
Well I'm happy to report that it was a great read from start to finish, a really well thought out story that was real and dealt with real life day to day occurrences/events. I was truly captivated throughout and couldn't wait to see how the story would all play out and ultimately how it would end.
The characters were well written and I loved how the story was told from three very different characters as it gives a real perceptive upon the story.
I have to admit, that the story was a bit of a slow burner to begin with and it didn't turn out or end how I was expecting it too when I first started reading this book, but that is a good thing as it means that this book is definitely not predictable in any way.
I would highly recommend this book for those that are also fans of Diane Chamberlain, Rachel Hore or Susan Lewis books.
September 12, 2020
Three woman, neighbors in English suburbia, hide the truth of their lives. Kate is a single parent who moves to the neighborhood after a terrible past event. Sally, a childless married career woman, and Gisela, a stay-at-home mother, both present perfect lives on social media.
A neighborhood party brings them together, and over time, cracks occur in marriages and families, finally imploding when a car crash impacts them all.
The pace slowed so much at 50% that I had to skim through to finish, learning the truth about Kate’s past and the secrets Sally and Gisela finally reveal.
I’d suggest trimming 50 pages to keep the narrative tauter and the reader more engaged.
3 out of 5 Stars
Pub Date 06 Oct 2020
Thanks to the author, Forever (Grand Central Publishing), and NetGalley for the review copy. Opinions are mine.
#TheWomanIWasBefore #NetGalley
A neighborhood party brings them together, and over time, cracks occur in marriages and families, finally imploding when a car crash impacts them all.
The pace slowed so much at 50% that I had to skim through to finish, learning the truth about Kate’s past and the secrets Sally and Gisela finally reveal.
I’d suggest trimming 50 pages to keep the narrative tauter and the reader more engaged.
3 out of 5 Stars
Pub Date 06 Oct 2020
Thanks to the author, Forever (Grand Central Publishing), and NetGalley for the review copy. Opinions are mine.
#TheWomanIWasBefore #NetGalley
March 2, 2019
“I lay in bed, scrolling through the Facebook feed on my phone. And immediately hated my life just slightly more.”
Have you ever looked at your Facebook feed and thought: “Wow, my life is boring/I am a really sucky parent/my house is a mess/I will never be able to afford vacation like that/I really need to improve my cooking skills etc.”? Well, if you do, you are not alone… All those pictures of perfect families, beautiful houses, wonderful vacations in far away countries, and perfectly decorated homes for the holidays would make a lot of “ordinary” people feel inadequate and miserable. But this is what social media does to us: it makes us feel like failures most of the time.
Meet Kate, a single mother of one, who is trying to do everything in her power to keep her secrets secret and her family safe. She is not interested in social media and shies away from making her life public in any way possible, but with the insistence of her daughter, Daisy, she finally decides to open a FB account. And that is when her obsession with FB starts. She can’t help herself but follows the lives of her two neighbors/friends, Sally and Gisela. Sally and Gisela have flawless lives according to their FB profiles, but in reality their lives are less than perfect. In fact, their lives are falling apart more and more everyday. Will Kate be able to keep her secrets safe now that she became one of the FB addicts? Will Sally and Gisela be able to keep up the charade of having perfect and happy lives? Those are the answers that the reader will want answers to while reading this novel.
I really enjoyed “The Woman I Was Before”. The writing style and plot kept me interested and quite emotional. It was heart breaking at times, and I felt the desolation and loss of all the women in this story. The characters were well developed and I’ve connected with all of them on a personal level. This was my first book by this author, but it will definitely not be my last.
Thank you NetGalley, Bookouture, and the author, Kerry Fisher, for giving me an opportunity to read an ARC of this novel in exchange for my honest opinion.
Have you ever looked at your Facebook feed and thought: “Wow, my life is boring/I am a really sucky parent/my house is a mess/I will never be able to afford vacation like that/I really need to improve my cooking skills etc.”? Well, if you do, you are not alone… All those pictures of perfect families, beautiful houses, wonderful vacations in far away countries, and perfectly decorated homes for the holidays would make a lot of “ordinary” people feel inadequate and miserable. But this is what social media does to us: it makes us feel like failures most of the time.
Meet Kate, a single mother of one, who is trying to do everything in her power to keep her secrets secret and her family safe. She is not interested in social media and shies away from making her life public in any way possible, but with the insistence of her daughter, Daisy, she finally decides to open a FB account. And that is when her obsession with FB starts. She can’t help herself but follows the lives of her two neighbors/friends, Sally and Gisela. Sally and Gisela have flawless lives according to their FB profiles, but in reality their lives are less than perfect. In fact, their lives are falling apart more and more everyday. Will Kate be able to keep her secrets safe now that she became one of the FB addicts? Will Sally and Gisela be able to keep up the charade of having perfect and happy lives? Those are the answers that the reader will want answers to while reading this novel.
I really enjoyed “The Woman I Was Before”. The writing style and plot kept me interested and quite emotional. It was heart breaking at times, and I felt the desolation and loss of all the women in this story. The characters were well developed and I’ve connected with all of them on a personal level. This was my first book by this author, but it will definitely not be my last.
Thank you NetGalley, Bookouture, and the author, Kerry Fisher, for giving me an opportunity to read an ARC of this novel in exchange for my honest opinion.
February 20, 2019
This was a very good story about Sally, Kate and Gisela and their families. They all live in a new development and life seems good. After all, it always is on Facebook and Instagram, right? Kate is holding onto a long time secret, Gisela is struggling with her family dynamics and Sally and her husband, Chris can't agree on major decisions in life. You would never know it from their social media posts. Actually in Kate's situation, her LACK of social media presence raises flags and as the story progressed, the reader is shown that she is hiding from something.
The book was very creative in how it would describe Gisela's and Sally's photos on social media. It also shows how people try to show a happy perfect life online. It made me wonder is it because we feel we have to, or are we jealous of the other posts we see? Next time you may feel bad about someone's perfect looking life, just remember things aren't always as they seem. Everyone has issues.
I finished the book very quickly as I really wanted to know what was happening with each woman and how their respective situations would turn out. I thought the book was very well written and creative in the way it was told. However, I wish publishers would stop using the word "twist." I get excited thinking something is going to jump out at me - something I didn't expect. Did the women have secrets? Yep. Was it interesting? Absolutely. But, there was no "twist."
I have read one of the author's other books and I enjoyed that a lot as well. In my opinion , she writes in a very engaging manner. Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of this book! I enjoyed it!
The book was very creative in how it would describe Gisela's and Sally's photos on social media. It also shows how people try to show a happy perfect life online. It made me wonder is it because we feel we have to, or are we jealous of the other posts we see? Next time you may feel bad about someone's perfect looking life, just remember things aren't always as they seem. Everyone has issues.
I finished the book very quickly as I really wanted to know what was happening with each woman and how their respective situations would turn out. I thought the book was very well written and creative in the way it was told. However, I wish publishers would stop using the word "twist." I get excited thinking something is going to jump out at me - something I didn't expect. Did the women have secrets? Yep. Was it interesting? Absolutely. But, there was no "twist."
I have read one of the author's other books and I enjoyed that a lot as well. In my opinion , she writes in a very engaging manner. Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of this book! I enjoyed it!
March 22, 2019
My second book by this author. After reading the first one I was utterly charmed and a big fan. Now however … I am even a bigger fan. 🙂
Moving can be the result of different things. One family might simply be looking for a bigger house, another might want to leave memories behind, a third one might have an other reason. It’s fun and difficult at the same time. You have to say goodbye to a previous life but you can look forward to meeting new people.
Social media are perfect for keeping in touch but it’s sure can’t be true that everybody is always happy and cheerful, can it? It’s very often a smokescreen you can hide behind and be what you would like to be and do what you would like to do. Often it’s not even close to the truth. But when you live in the same street, friendships can be formed and when reality surfaces, you are happy to be able to lean on them.
I loved the story. It’s fluently written and very believable. I think when you would dive deeper into the life some people seem to have according to their social media, you would be in for a surprise.
Anyway, true love and friendship conquer all, no matter what life throws at you. 5 stars.
Thank you, Kerry Fisher, Bookouture and Netgalley.
https://bforbookreview.wordpress.com
Moving can be the result of different things. One family might simply be looking for a bigger house, another might want to leave memories behind, a third one might have an other reason. It’s fun and difficult at the same time. You have to say goodbye to a previous life but you can look forward to meeting new people.
Social media are perfect for keeping in touch but it’s sure can’t be true that everybody is always happy and cheerful, can it? It’s very often a smokescreen you can hide behind and be what you would like to be and do what you would like to do. Often it’s not even close to the truth. But when you live in the same street, friendships can be formed and when reality surfaces, you are happy to be able to lean on them.
I loved the story. It’s fluently written and very believable. I think when you would dive deeper into the life some people seem to have according to their social media, you would be in for a surprise.
Anyway, true love and friendship conquer all, no matter what life throws at you. 5 stars.
Thank you, Kerry Fisher, Bookouture and Netgalley.
https://bforbookreview.wordpress.com
March 9, 2019
The Woman I Was Before is the first book I read by Kerry Fisher and I enjoyed it a lot. Each page was engrossing and interesting. The story follows three women: Kate, Gisela, and Sally who move into a new gated community in Parkview. Kate is a single mother of Daisy and she carries a secret from her past. Sally desperately wants a child, but her self-absorbed husband Chris is against it. Gisela is married to Jack and they are the parents of two young adults, 18-year-old Hannah, and 21-year-old Ollie. Kate envies the other women who pretend to have perfect lives with all their Facebook posts pretending all is well in their world. Until the accident….after the accident, their friendship with each other evolves and secrets get shed.
Each chapter is written from the POV of one of the women which helps the reader get to know each of them well. I liked these women, especially Gisela who I felt more of kinship to. Overall this was an excellent read.
Thank you to Bookouture and Netgalley for providing me with an advanced copy.
Each chapter is written from the POV of one of the women which helps the reader get to know each of them well. I liked these women, especially Gisela who I felt more of kinship to. Overall this was an excellent read.
Thank you to Bookouture and Netgalley for providing me with an advanced copy.
March 23, 2019
Is the grass always greener on the other side? This is one of the questions that comes up quite often for me while reading The Woman I Was Before. Kate, Giselle, and Sally all move into the same subdivision on Parkview Road along with their families. Kate is aloof, but no one knows about the secrets she is carrying. Giselle seems to have the perfect family, hosts elaborate parties and seems to have it all together. Sally and her husband seem to not have a care in the world and are child free. While navigating their new found friendships, social media, and their families, nothing could have prepared them for the truth. Can their friendship survive through all the chaos especially after a devastating accident brings all of their secrets to light?
Kerry Fisher writes with such realism and brings forth an emotionally gripping story of three women who seem to have their lives put together, but when you look closely enough and really get into their lives you can slowly start to see what is really going on beneath the surface. Bonds form among the women as they face day to day challenges while putting on a brave face. With issues many women face, Fisher shows what true family life is like with all the harsh realities, doubts, victories, and emotional breakthroughs.
Told through the eyes of Kate, Giselle and Sally each alternating chapter brings us closer to each of these women. I felt myself bonding with each of them and found myself engrossed in each of their stories. Kate was a bit harder to figure out especially when it came to her secret. When the truth is finally revealed I was really shocked as I never would have thought of that. I could empathize with each of the women as they are all going through their own trials, but through it all I can see how each of the women grows as the story progresses.
The Woman I Was Before is such an easy read that grabs you right from the first page and I really had a hard time putting this down as I connected with Kate, Giselle and Sally pretty early on in the story. They are such well developed, three dimensional characters that I think anyone can and will sympathize with and maybe even find something relatable. Their stories really draw you right in and made me think of how we can judge someone, like a neighbor, based on what we see from the outside. Truly an eye opening read and one I can highly recommend.
Kerry Fisher writes with such realism and brings forth an emotionally gripping story of three women who seem to have their lives put together, but when you look closely enough and really get into their lives you can slowly start to see what is really going on beneath the surface. Bonds form among the women as they face day to day challenges while putting on a brave face. With issues many women face, Fisher shows what true family life is like with all the harsh realities, doubts, victories, and emotional breakthroughs.
Told through the eyes of Kate, Giselle and Sally each alternating chapter brings us closer to each of these women. I felt myself bonding with each of them and found myself engrossed in each of their stories. Kate was a bit harder to figure out especially when it came to her secret. When the truth is finally revealed I was really shocked as I never would have thought of that. I could empathize with each of the women as they are all going through their own trials, but through it all I can see how each of the women grows as the story progresses.
The Woman I Was Before is such an easy read that grabs you right from the first page and I really had a hard time putting this down as I connected with Kate, Giselle and Sally pretty early on in the story. They are such well developed, three dimensional characters that I think anyone can and will sympathize with and maybe even find something relatable. Their stories really draw you right in and made me think of how we can judge someone, like a neighbor, based on what we see from the outside. Truly an eye opening read and one I can highly recommend.
March 22, 2019
As with all of this author's books, this one too was a heart warming, addictive, absolutely brilliant read. A wonderful story of families and relationships, what we keep from others and what we share. The author expertly and gently delves into the real lives being led behind the perfect facades presented on social media and the often very wide gulf between the two. This book gives a glorious insight into what it means to be a family in today's world, how hard it is to live privately in a society that urges us to share, where almost nothing is sacred, Just brilliant. Highly recommended, A must read.
February 18, 2019
I loved this book - I lost my whole Sunday reading - just couldn't put it down! A fabulous story with fantastic characters. Following three very different women and secrets behind closed doors. I loved the chapters starting with FaceBook posts - those ones we all see that grind on your nerves - all the 'blessed's' and perfect lives. Then the real story following telling of not quite the life being show. Very relatable characters with a few exceptionally relatable teenagers! A lot of clever humour which I loved with a really gripping and slightly dark story. Five stars!
April 5, 2024
Knjiga, ki odstira novodobni stil življenja: to, kako druge vidimo kot popolne, medtem, ko imamo sami cel kup težav...
Zgodba govori o treh ženskah, ki se priselijo v sosesko Parkview. Gisele ima moža in dva otroka. V očeh Kate, ki se tja preseli s hčerko, no pravzaprav prebeži iz še enega mesta, v novo skrivališče, upajoč, da je preteklost ne bo dohitela. Zato Gisele vidi kot popolno. Ima vse, kar sama nima: moža, denar, prestiž, lahkotnost.
Tretja ženska pa je Sally. Ima moža, a ne otroka. Medtem ko ji Gisele in Sally prav to zavidata, pa se sama sooča s strahotno željo po otroku, ki pa ga njen mož noče...
Fotografije na facebooku, sicer pospremljene s ključniki, kaj je bolj navada za instagram, a vendarle: razkrivajo popolno življenje, pa čeprav se za temi fotografijami skrivajo popolnoma druge zgodbe, kot ji zapiše ključnik. A ljudje seveda verjamemo to, kar jim serviramo.
Življenja vseh treh žensk tako niso ne popolna, ne lepa in predvsem ne takšna, kot jih vidijo drugi. In točno to je bistvo te knjige: zavidamo drugim, namesto, da bi videli svoja življenja in jih cenili. Ne vidimo, da niti druga življenja niso popolna. Včasih še celo zelo ne....
Zgodba govori o treh ženskah, ki se priselijo v sosesko Parkview. Gisele ima moža in dva otroka. V očeh Kate, ki se tja preseli s hčerko, no pravzaprav prebeži iz še enega mesta, v novo skrivališče, upajoč, da je preteklost ne bo dohitela. Zato Gisele vidi kot popolno. Ima vse, kar sama nima: moža, denar, prestiž, lahkotnost.
Tretja ženska pa je Sally. Ima moža, a ne otroka. Medtem ko ji Gisele in Sally prav to zavidata, pa se sama sooča s strahotno željo po otroku, ki pa ga njen mož noče...
Fotografije na facebooku, sicer pospremljene s ključniki, kaj je bolj navada za instagram, a vendarle: razkrivajo popolno življenje, pa čeprav se za temi fotografijami skrivajo popolnoma druge zgodbe, kot ji zapiše ključnik. A ljudje seveda verjamemo to, kar jim serviramo.
Življenja vseh treh žensk tako niso ne popolna, ne lepa in predvsem ne takšna, kot jih vidijo drugi. In točno to je bistvo te knjige: zavidamo drugim, namesto, da bi videli svoja življenja in jih cenili. Ne vidimo, da niti druga življenja niso popolna. Včasih še celo zelo ne....
March 24, 2019
I seem to be making a habit of reading new to me authors recently and so far not one has been a disappointment. In fact I loved this book so much, Kerry Fisher has gone straight onto my must read authors list.
The Woman I Was Before tells the story of three different women, who all move into a new housing developement around the same time. Kate is a single mother to teen Daisy, and running from her past. Sally has an extremely successful career , but feels something is missing in her marriage. Gisele seems to have the perfect life – a happy marriage, two teenagers with promising futures and enough money to fund her taste for luxurious shopping – but behind the perfect family image she portrays on social media things are unraveling.
What I absolutely loved about the this book was that despite the three women all being very different, from each other and myself, I found them so utterly relatable. This is a very honest depiction of family life from three different view points, referencing the image we portray on social media and the truth behind that image. I know I’m not alone to have felt jealousy and inadequacy when looking at posts on facebook – and I’m guilty myself of presenting the one photo where everyone is smiling between the arguments and general drudgery of daily life. Who hasn’t? Kerry Fisher expertly uses this obsession we have with perfection and self doubt created by social media to tell the story of these women.
Each has a secret they’re hiding, and all were fascinating, relevant and believable. I was drawn to Kate the most, whose secret remains a mystery for most of the book. I desperately wanted to know what she was running from, what she had done that was so bad. Her story is the most heartbreaking, yet hopeful and inspiring and I loved seeing how she developed throughout the book.
I also really enjoyed the fact that the woman where all a similar age to myself (between late thirties and early forties) meaning that their problems, feelings and insecurities where ones I also recognised. Again, the author captured this perfectly and by the end of the book I felt these characters where people I knew, could be living on my own street – even seeing myself once or twice.
There’s some heavy themes in this book, which Kerry Fisher deals with sensitively, but there’s also dashes of wit and humour at times which I really enjoyed. I had absolutely no expectations when I went into this book, but after spending a few hours in the company of her characters, I know I’ll be looking out for more from this author in the future. Written with empathy, warmth and searing honesty, The Woman I Read Before is a fantastic book which will make you cry and smile in equal measures. Perfect.
The Woman I Was Before tells the story of three different women, who all move into a new housing developement around the same time. Kate is a single mother to teen Daisy, and running from her past. Sally has an extremely successful career , but feels something is missing in her marriage. Gisele seems to have the perfect life – a happy marriage, two teenagers with promising futures and enough money to fund her taste for luxurious shopping – but behind the perfect family image she portrays on social media things are unraveling.
What I absolutely loved about the this book was that despite the three women all being very different, from each other and myself, I found them so utterly relatable. This is a very honest depiction of family life from three different view points, referencing the image we portray on social media and the truth behind that image. I know I’m not alone to have felt jealousy and inadequacy when looking at posts on facebook – and I’m guilty myself of presenting the one photo where everyone is smiling between the arguments and general drudgery of daily life. Who hasn’t? Kerry Fisher expertly uses this obsession we have with perfection and self doubt created by social media to tell the story of these women.
Each has a secret they’re hiding, and all were fascinating, relevant and believable. I was drawn to Kate the most, whose secret remains a mystery for most of the book. I desperately wanted to know what she was running from, what she had done that was so bad. Her story is the most heartbreaking, yet hopeful and inspiring and I loved seeing how she developed throughout the book.
I also really enjoyed the fact that the woman where all a similar age to myself (between late thirties and early forties) meaning that their problems, feelings and insecurities where ones I also recognised. Again, the author captured this perfectly and by the end of the book I felt these characters where people I knew, could be living on my own street – even seeing myself once or twice.
There’s some heavy themes in this book, which Kerry Fisher deals with sensitively, but there’s also dashes of wit and humour at times which I really enjoyed. I had absolutely no expectations when I went into this book, but after spending a few hours in the company of her characters, I know I’ll be looking out for more from this author in the future. Written with empathy, warmth and searing honesty, The Woman I Read Before is a fantastic book which will make you cry and smile in equal measures. Perfect.
February 5, 2019
Is the grass greener on the other side of the fence?
If you believe everything you read on Facebook posted by your ‘friends’, it is! Or so believe Kate, Gisele and Sally, three neighbors who meet in their gated community. Two post constantly, about their so-called perfect lives. The other is at the other end of the spectrum...closed, distant, keeping everyone at arms length. They build slow friendships, eventually confiding their darkest secrets in each other, and becoming the people they always were meant to be.
This is the first book I’ve read by Ms Fisher and I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it! It sucked me in from the beginning! Written in three voices, you come to know each of the women very well, but not immediately. The author unfolds their stories slowly, so we get to know them at all different points in the story and see the changes in them, their personal relationships and their friendship. All three women are relatable on some level. The trust that is developed between these three women, is beautiful and mature.
Thanks to the Ms. Fisher, Bookouture and Net Galley for this ARC. Opinions are my own!
#perfectmom #perfectlife #lie
If you believe everything you read on Facebook posted by your ‘friends’, it is! Or so believe Kate, Gisele and Sally, three neighbors who meet in their gated community. Two post constantly, about their so-called perfect lives. The other is at the other end of the spectrum...closed, distant, keeping everyone at arms length. They build slow friendships, eventually confiding their darkest secrets in each other, and becoming the people they always were meant to be.
This is the first book I’ve read by Ms Fisher and I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it! It sucked me in from the beginning! Written in three voices, you come to know each of the women very well, but not immediately. The author unfolds their stories slowly, so we get to know them at all different points in the story and see the changes in them, their personal relationships and their friendship. All three women are relatable on some level. The trust that is developed between these three women, is beautiful and mature.
Thanks to the Ms. Fisher, Bookouture and Net Galley for this ARC. Opinions are my own!
#perfectmom #perfectlife #lie
August 16, 2019
Eh. Facebook.
This isn’t a gripping emotional page turner. Story of three women who move into a brand new gated community. Two career women and one stay at home mom. The author uses Facebook to illustrate how we portray our lives. The catty ness of commenting and liking. I found it annoying.
This isn’t a gripping emotional page turner. Story of three women who move into a brand new gated community. Two career women and one stay at home mom. The author uses Facebook to illustrate how we portray our lives. The catty ness of commenting and liking. I found it annoying.
July 19, 2019
I found this book very bland and boring. It just sounded like a bunch of upper middle class women complaining about their lives. My book club read it and we all struggled to finish it because it was so slow.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 749 reviews