I Know How This Ends

by Amy Impellizzeri

What if you finally stop running away from the story you were always meant to tell? I KNOW HOW THIS ENDS is a time-bending novel about a young reporter swept into a story about family secrets and twisted fate when time travelers collide. In the spring of 2020, an ambitious journalist, Rory Garcia, gets detoured on her way to a protest at New York City Hall, and stumbles upon the commencement ceremony of a very special class, composed completely of 37 students born to women who were pregnant on 9/11. They are, in fact, the very first graduating high school class of true 9/11 survivors. Valedictorian, Hope Campton, is scheduled to give the commencement speech for the class at Carnegie Hall, but delays and absences threaten to ruin the day. While Rory is waiting, a mysterious stranger tells her a time-bending tale about epic love, loss, and sacrifice, and suddenly the story Rory thinks she is covering becomes so much more.

306 pages, paperback

First published March 2, 2020

About the author

After 13 years in the cutthroat world of corporate law, including a decade at the top Manhattan law firm, Skadden Arps, Amy left in 2009 to advocate for working women, eventually landing at a VC-backed start-up company, Hybrid Her (named by Forbes Woman as a top website for women in 2010 and 2011), while writing her first novel, Lemongrass Hope (Wyatt-MacKenzie, 10/8/14), and her first non-fiction book, Lawyer Interrupted, published by the American Bar Association in 2015.

Today Amy is an award-winning author of fiction and non-fiction, a podcast host, and a frequently invited speaker in writing and transitioning lawyer circles. Her essays and articles have appeared in The Huffington Post, ABA’s Law Practice today, Writer's Digest, Scary Mommy, Grown & Flown, & Drunk Monkeys among more. She is a Tall Poppy Writer, a faculty member in Drexel University's MFA Program, and a past President of the Women's Fiction Writers Association.

For events and news, subscribe to www.amyimpellizzeri.com.

Reviews

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank goodness I ordered this book at the same time I ordered Lemongrass Hope. https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

And thank goodness I decided to read this book directly after I finished Lemongrass Hope, because I didn’t realize that this is “the time-bending parallel novel” that follows that one.

In fact the author refers to this novel as a “paraquel.” So, for the first time ever in any of my reviews, I will have to say, you cannot read this one as a stand-alone.

Even if she does provide summaries along the way as a catch up so-to-speak, it won’t feel right.

To fully get it, you have to start at the beginning, and the beginning is Lemongrass Hope.

And then, a new journey in to magical realism begins here in 'I know how it ends.’ Which to be honest, we really don’t, know how it will end…as easily as we might think.

Kind of a mystery, in a way. Because we are kept guessing…wondering…what is real, what isn’t, what happened, what didn’t, and really, how will this truly end? –

And then…we experience crossroads, second chances, overcoming regrets, and destiny opportunities –

And the question we keep asking is:

How does this end, really?

As readers, the best way to find out…just read these books.

Or not.

It’s up to you.

But honestly, I hope you read both.

[Camille Pagán · Rating 5 out of 5]

Worlds collide—quite literally—in Amy Impellizzeri’s latest, a well-wrought and hopeful novel about several people who may or may not be destined to be in each other’s lives. If you’ve ever wondered about life’s many what ifs, I Know How This Ends is for you.

[Marisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish there was a way to give more than 5 stars because this novel deserves way more!!

LEMONGRASS HOPE is one of my all time favorite novels and the characters of Kate Monroe and Ian Compton have a place in my heart. So when I heard the news that Amy Impellizzeri was bringing these characters back I couldn’t wait to get my hands on the book. I KNOW HOW THIS ENDS is now added to my favorite all time novels as well.

I KNOW HOW THIS ENDS is a book that at its heart shares a theme with one of its character’s names: HOPE. Hope of not disappointing your loved ones or yourself, hope of second chances and new beginnings , hope of your life turning out the way it was supposed to.

Told from the perspectives of Ian, Kate, Rory, Hope and Dee all at different points of their lives and caught between the past and the present.

I closed this novel and found myself smiling. Smiling for this visit with some of my favorite characters and smiling because this novel left me feeling HOPEFUL

ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT.

[Susan Peterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I Know How This Ends is a time-bending parallel novel, a paraquel, to the wonderful book Lemongrass Hope! This is a fascinating novel about destiny, time-travel, and the choices people make to ensure they are living their best life-the life they are destined to lead. This book is filled with so many twists and turns, as we catch up with beloved characters from the first book, and are introduced to intriguing new characters. Towards the end of the book, I was holding my breath, a bit in shock as the story came to its conclusion. Not only do I now know how it ends, but the ending was perfect!
I highly recommend reading Lemongrass Hope before reading this book! Although the author provides back story, I truly feel like you need to meet Kate and Ian from the beginning of their stories.
Sit back, enjoy, and lose yourself in this finely-crafted, clever and fantastic story!

[Rochelle Weinstein · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay, now I need to go back and read Lemongrass Hope. Amy, you hooked me, and not only do I know how this ends, I need to know how it all began. I love stories that ask the question: what if? Great read.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the author for the ARC of this book. All opinions are my own.

What the what?! I had read Lemongrass Hope, so I thought I had a handle on this whole time travel thing. This book had me twisted and turned through the whole thing.

The characters were at once familiar and yet brand now. We got to see parts of Kate and Ian that we didn’t know in the other book. We were also introduced to Rory, who ends up being important in a way I couldn’t have imagined.

Well written, even with the few typos left before a final edit, and hard to put down. I will read this one again, because I feel like I was in a hurry to read it to see “how it ends.”

[Camille Maio · Rating 5 out of 5]

With this compelling follow-up to her bestselling book Lemongrass Hope, Impellizzeri stretches the boundaries of time, love, and family with an imaginative premise that leaders the reader to think...what if? We all wonder how life might have turned out if we'd made different choices and I Know How This Ends explores this possibility for Kate, Ian, Rob, and Dee. It was a delight to return to these characters, but readers new to Impellizzeri can just as easily be captivated by this standalone story. Be prepared to tell yourself, "Just one more chapter..."

[Lainey Cameron · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m glad I set time aside to read this novel because it’s so timely; a perfect story for right now.

I KNOW HOW THIS ENDS is a tale of time travel, multiple realities, and learning to live and be at peace with our choices. I loved how it explores themes around is there only one right path for us in life? Or one true love; a soulmate? Or what if all paths have downfalls and you just have to make the best of them?

Rory is a journalist, with her own issues with love, when she ends up at the graduation for the class of 2020 in New York City—those born during the 9/11 tragedy. She meets Dee, who inspires her with the story of another couple, Kate and Ian, and the tribulations they have been through to be together (or not?). That’s one of the points of the novel, we make choices about who to be with and then we make the best of that path.

I knew before reading it that this novel related to LEMONGRASS HOPE, Amy Impellizzeri’s first novel. But let me assure you that if, like me, you haven’t read that one, you will not enjoy (or understand) I KNOW HOW THIS ENDS any less.

I’ve read some of Amy’s other books—The Truth About Thea sticks in my mind, but this one is special with its elements of time travel and magical realism. Anyway, now is exactly the time when I needed a bit of magic and escapism, and introspection about life’s choices.

Because even if we feel trapped at home right now with our kids, or captive to circumstances beyond our control, as my absolute favorite lines in this book remind us “Time is simply a series of choices strung together.” And I can tell you that as parents “we do, hand-on-heart, honest to God, every single day, the absolute best that we can.”

5 big star read!

[Charlotte Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Time traveling is an interesting topic that’s been written about many times. Amy Impellizzeri has written her own twist on time travel with some intriguing characters and interesting twists. She takes two people who seem to be meant to be together and puts them on unique paths. They are together, they love each other, and have a child together.

At the graduation ceremony for the 9/11 students, Rory who is a reporter meets a stranger that weaves an interesting tale. She tells the story of Ian and Kate. How their love developed, the trials that they went through, and the lengths they went to for each other. I was entirely enthralled hearing her tell their tale and the questions that Rory asked. Sometimes the questions were answered in riddles but other times the answers were so truthful that I had to take a second and think about what I had just learned about two people who I believe are true soul mates.

I did not read Lemongrass Hope and maybe I should have first. There were a few times that I felt a little confused, but I quickly put the story together and anxiously continued reading. I looked forward to my reading time as I was invested in the story and the characters. I enjoyed that Ian, Kate, Rory, Hope, and Dee all were able to share their perspectives as to their own stories. It was easy to follow and fun to learn about their present and past stories.

I would recommend picking up your own copy of I Know How This Ends.

[Lael Braday · Rating 4 out of 5]

Journalist Rory Garcia struggles in her relationship and her career, seeking stability in both. On her way to cover a protest, she is thwarted by roadblocks, yet she finds herself investing in a story that calls to her despite her skepticism of its veracity. Kate and Ian return in their friend Dee’s tale to Rory of their time-bending romance, as they make their way to their daughter Hope’s graduation, valedictorian of a special class, those born on or close to 9/11. Impellizzeri moves her characters in and out of time and dimensions and lives carefully and credibly, so that by the end, Dear Reader is fully satisfied by not only the romance at the crux of the tale, but by all the connections and possibilities. I received a digital copy of this wonderful story from the author for an honest review. Although I was a bit confused throughout the story, the ending pulled it all together beautifully and left me with a book hangover.

[Phyllis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks to author Amy Impellizzeri and Chick Lit Central's Giveaway Program for a copy of this book. All comments and opinions are my own.

Using the concept of time travel, the author explores the theme of destiny, and how your choices make a difference in your life as well as in the lives of those you love. I didn't find this an easy read. Unlike the title, I didn't know how this would end, and the conclusion was a surprise for me, but in a good way. The time travel aspects were at first confusing and always convoluted as the story twisted and turned. I admired the author for being able to keep it all straight. I kept telling myself that the more I read, the more the characters and the plot would make sense to me. That didn't really happen until the last few pages. The book is told from a few different characters' points of view, changing with each chapter. The novel is like a jigsaw puzzle that needs to be completed with all the pieces in place before it comes into focus.

[Kerry Croucier · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one is Wow! Time-bending and mind-bending, I KNOW HOW THIS ENDS by Amy Impellizzeri will keep you turning pages as quickly as possible to join the threads and find out how the novel ends. This is full of interesting characters, including Kate and Ian, who are central to the story, and Dee, who plays a pivotal role in the tale. We also have Rory, who seemingly stumbles into the story and listens to Dee with rapt attention. Impellizzeri uses alternating viewpoints to tell the story and keeps the threads moving until the immensely satisfying conclusion.
A beautiful and hopeful story that explores all the “what ifs” of life and how the choices we make lead us down different paths, this novel is one not to be missed. It is a paraquel to her novel LEMONGRASS HOPE, so it can be read as a stand-alone, as I did, but now I am anxious to read its predecessor!
Thanks to the publisher for the advanced copy, all opinions are my own.
#IKNOWHOWTHISENDS #WyattMcKenziePublishing #BloomReads #TallPoppyWriter #TallPoppyBlogger

[Janis Rich · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are looking for a fast read, this was not it - at least for me. I found myself getting totally mixed up at times. That being said, I found the story compelling enough that I had to finish. And I intend to also read the “parallel novel”, Lemongrass Hope.
I am not in fear of giving away spoilers on this book. The basic story is about Kate and Ian who find themselves in a romance that is controlled by time travel. So, even though I was a bit lost at times, the people and stories that come together at the end are so surprising, it was well worth the read.

[Barbara Conrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Before I started this book, I went back and re-read Lemongrass Hope. I suggest you do also. Even if you've already read it, it's such a beautiful story you will want to re-acquaint yourself with all its wonderful characters. And also, because I Know How This Ends answers so many Lemongrass Hope questions, it helps to have the story fresh in your mind.

Impellizzeri must have used a flow chart to keep track of her characters and who does what. I Know How This Ends is an ambitious, twisty, time travel tale flawlessly written.

I strongly suggest this page-turner!

[Michelle Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amy Impellizzeri weaves a beautiful tale that answers so many of the questions I had after reading Lemongrass Hope. A gifted author, Amy knows how to capture the readers' attention and keep them hooked. Once I started this book, I could not put it down. I needed to discover how all of the pieces would come together... and boy did they! Additionally, I love how Amy incorporates the concept of multiple dimensions and time travel into her story. It truly opens my mind to what could be.

[Jackie Trimble · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good book. What I like most is Impellizzeri and how much she loves being an author and all the ways she interacts with other authors and encourages book publicity. Indeed, I had won this book from her from her podcast series. She signed the book and I will forever keep it. She said, "Don't worry if you don't know how this ends...." But, I DID figure out that Kate was Rory's mom. I was a bit slow on the Ian part, however. Duh!

[Carol Engler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Parallel novel to Lemongrass Hope

To be honest this book is all over the place. Going places you’re not expecting to travel. Not necessarily in a bad way. Rory added into the mix adds to the strange adventure you will be traveling on. Time travel can be tricky business and it clearly was in this book.

[Susan Gromis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect side story to Lemongrass Hope!

Before embarking on this story, I reread Lemongrass Hope, and while this parallel story could stand alone, it is so much richer as the second read! The stories of Kate, Ian, Rob and Dee begged to be continued and Amy Impellezzeri has done it well. Suspend reality for a while and lose yourself in this highly recommended story!

[Vicki Carbone · Rating 4 out of 5]

What if you had to repeat the last day of the life of the person you most loved? Bad, huh? But what if, because you kept repeating it, you had the opportunity to save the love of your life? Bad and frustrating, but you always have that hope that you'll figure it out. Really good read, great writer's voice. I highly recommend.

[Melissa Spalding · Rating 5 out of 5]

Time-bending, twisty, and the perfectly satisfying conclusion to Kate and Ian’s story that began in Lemongrass Hope. I Know How This Ends had me entranced and kept my mind spinning trying to guess how it would end. I never expected the outcome of all the “what if’s” to be revealed the way they evolved. Amy Impellizzeri has perfected the paraquel. Excellent read that you won’t want to put down!

[Maria Hopkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. I read it in 2 days!

This sounds corny, but really couldn’t put the book down! I love time travel books. I got hooked on them when I read The Outlander. But this one was so different. Really loved it❣️🥰

[Christie Sitterly · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an amazing and unique book! This book had incredible characters with an unusual story line that kept me on the edge of my seat throughout! This one gave me all the feels!

[Rhonda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't realize this is a sequel until I started it. Time travel is a bit of a jigsaw puzzle to read.

[Andrea Christenson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this intriguing, twisty book. Ian and Kate's relationship goes beyond the boundaries of time. It was fun to meet them and Rory. Now I will have to go back and read Lemongrass Hope!

[Annette · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this was a well written book but I have to admit I felt confused and out of sorts. I’m not sure if it’s because I hadn’t read her other book or if it’s the time travel element.
Thanks to the author for the early copy

[Sheri · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very interesting book about choices you can make and how they impact your life. The story follows Kate and Ian as their choices lead them on different paths. The book is a bit confusing at times but it all comes together in the end. It has time travel, love, consequences, sacrifices - what more could you ask for?

[Nikki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again Amy Impellizzeri knocks me off my seat with another amazing novel! I was blown away by the prequel to her Lemongrass book and...WOW no words you guys! Loved every bit of it! I wish I could give more than 5 stars. I’ve been given this ARC for my honest review. I highly suggest as soon as this book hits the shelf grab it fast! 🎉🎉🎉

[Tif · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amy Impellizzeri's time-bending book I KNOW HOW THIS ENDS was unputdownable. I read this book without reading its companion book LEMONGRASS HOPE, but I didn't need to. The author did a magnificent job weaving past and preset, and for the record, I didn't know how it ended until the very end, though I kept guessing! Now I want more! I want more of this world!

[Tina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I Know How This Ends is described as the time-bending parallel novel to Lemongrass Hope. Because it is a parallel novel rather than sequel, I almost wish I had not read Lemongrass Hope first. I found Ian and Kate much more likeable in Ends and I felt like I was waiting for the time frames to add up. I loved the addition of Rory and her ultimate connection to the other cast of characters.

Rory summed up the story perfectly with this quote..."The story she was weaving may have been far-fetched and nonsensical, but it was also beautiful and hopeful."

I received an advanced copy from the author in a giveaway; all opinions are my own.

[Christine Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sometimes you read a book and you know that book and its characters will live in your heart forever. Lemongrass Hope is one of those books for me. Kate and Ian's love story is one that gives you all the feels. In I Know How This Ends, we re-connect with Kate, Ian, Dee, and Rob. This book was everything I could hope for and more. Always choose hope!!!