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In Common: A Novel of Love and Sacrifice
In Common, a first novel from award-winning memoirist Norma Watkins (The Last Resort, That Woman from Mississippi), is a story of the sacrifices women make for the love of an inaccessible man.
Lillian Creekmore grows up at her family's popular rural spa. She successfully runs an entire hotel, yet longs for a husband. Then she meets Will Hughes.
Velma Vernon accepts life on a small, struggling farm until a boy she barely tolerates proposes marriage. To accept means duplicating her parents' hard life. Alone, she leaves for the city and triumphs, not as a wife, but by being the best at her job. Velma is content until the most beautiful man she has ever seen walks into her office.
This moving and darkly humorous novel follows the intertwined lives of women willing to surrender everything to a man more in love with success than any female.
Lillian Creekmore grows up at her family's popular rural spa. She successfully runs an entire hotel, yet longs for a husband. Then she meets Will Hughes.
Velma Vernon accepts life on a small, struggling farm until a boy she barely tolerates proposes marriage. To accept means duplicating her parents' hard life. Alone, she leaves for the city and triumphs, not as a wife, but by being the best at her job. Velma is content until the most beautiful man she has ever seen walks into her office.
This moving and darkly humorous novel follows the intertwined lives of women willing to surrender everything to a man more in love with success than any female.
- GenresFiction
593 pages, Paperback
Published April 14, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
March 13, 2022
Overall Rating = 4.33
Storyline & Concept = 4
Writing & Delivery = 4.5
Editorial = 4.5
In Common is a literary fiction novel about the lives of two women and the sacrifices they make for a man who
does not return their devotion. The story begins in 1933 and is set in Mississippi where we are introduced to two
young women: Lillian, a hotel owner and operator outside of Jackson, and Velma, a young girl living on a farm in
small-town Picayune. As the story progresses, Lillian falls head over heels for a handsome suitor she meets in
Jackson and dreams about her idyllic future with a husband to call her own. Velma, wishing for more than a
loveless marriage with someone in her hometown, moves to Jackson to excel as a secretary for a prestigious law
firm. Both women have different upbringings and lives, but their paths are intricately connected.
Norma Watkins pens an excellent portrayal of both romantic and familial relationships and highlights the choices
two women must make during a challenging era. It is difficult to not become emotional while reading about the
hardships the characters encounter and the frustration of unrequited love. Watkins’ words pull the reader in and
build empathy towards the narrators. Although it is a lengthy book, it is true to its time and place as it covers the
life span of these women. Taking place in the American south throughout the mid-1900’s, this story references
the civil rights struggles and uneven power dynamics that dominated the period. The representation of
discriminative southern ideals is reflected by the ‘unattainable man’ in this story. I would recommend this book to
any woman who has experienced the woes of an unrequited love or someone in the mood for a well-written novel
about relationships.
Sublime Line: “In a beautifully-written literary fiction novel set throughout the mid-1900’s, Watkins takes the
reader on an emotional journey through the lives of two women who sacrifice everything for love.”
Storyline & Concept = 4
Writing & Delivery = 4.5
Editorial = 4.5
In Common is a literary fiction novel about the lives of two women and the sacrifices they make for a man who
does not return their devotion. The story begins in 1933 and is set in Mississippi where we are introduced to two
young women: Lillian, a hotel owner and operator outside of Jackson, and Velma, a young girl living on a farm in
small-town Picayune. As the story progresses, Lillian falls head over heels for a handsome suitor she meets in
Jackson and dreams about her idyllic future with a husband to call her own. Velma, wishing for more than a
loveless marriage with someone in her hometown, moves to Jackson to excel as a secretary for a prestigious law
firm. Both women have different upbringings and lives, but their paths are intricately connected.
Norma Watkins pens an excellent portrayal of both romantic and familial relationships and highlights the choices
two women must make during a challenging era. It is difficult to not become emotional while reading about the
hardships the characters encounter and the frustration of unrequited love. Watkins’ words pull the reader in and
build empathy towards the narrators. Although it is a lengthy book, it is true to its time and place as it covers the
life span of these women. Taking place in the American south throughout the mid-1900’s, this story references
the civil rights struggles and uneven power dynamics that dominated the period. The representation of
discriminative southern ideals is reflected by the ‘unattainable man’ in this story. I would recommend this book to
any woman who has experienced the woes of an unrequited love or someone in the mood for a well-written novel
about relationships.
Sublime Line: “In a beautifully-written literary fiction novel set throughout the mid-1900’s, Watkins takes the
reader on an emotional journey through the lives of two women who sacrifice everything for love.”
April 18, 2022
I'm reading this now and LOVING it!
May 4, 2022
I would join a book club just to have a group discussion of this book. In Common convincingly takes you to 20th century Mississippi, where three women turn themselves inside out for the love of the same man. He couldn’t care less. It’s a deep dive into all that’s wrong with our patriarchal society while at the same time being a delightful story about these Southern women just trying to get by. I loved each of them despite their ignorance of their own worth and their intrinsic racism. There’s no doubt about the authenticity of the characters and the South. If we don’t face our history, we’re doomed to repeat it.
May 9, 2022
I loved this book so much that I couldn’t wait to wake up in the morning and go downstairs to make my cup of coffee, get into my chair under a blanket and be swept away into this amazing story.
May 5, 2022
As with all of Norma’s writings, I love this book and couldn’t put it down. The richness of her characters and settings transported me to a bygone era of the Deep South. Norma is a master at illustrating the disparity in gender roles and what was considered acceptable racism at that time. Her writing is flawless which makes this book a pleasure to read. Buy it today.
May 2, 2022
Love the witty inner monologues and these smart and capable women's points of view - from wooing to mothering to sistering to caretaking, the women of In Common are distinctly unique, yet touchingly universal for their generation (our mothers/grandmothers). This book would make a great Netflix series - what rich casting opportunities for women actors ! (and a rogue of a man), plus perfect for filming at luscious locations (richly described) in Mississippi. Until Reese Witherspoon's company options it, you can sink into this world in your own home - which woman will you root for the most ?
August 23, 2026
Norma Watkins’ gorgeous writing brings vivid characters, historical references, and the cultural mores of mid-20th-century Mississippi to life in her novel, In Common. The narrative explores themes of love, longing, and identity as the lives of Will Hughes, Lillian Creekmore, and Velma Vernan intersect and intertwine in an epic family saga spanning decades.
Will Hughes is a charming lawyer who loves women—as long as they give him what he craves: a spotlight that focuses attention squarely on him. And, fortunately for Will, there are women willing to grab that light and aim it, exclusively, in his direction.
When Lillian Creekmore meets Will at a dance, she thinks she’s found her man. Except, he’s rich and she’s poor. So, she decides to morph herself to fit his mold in order to win his love. Her efforts succeed, and they marry. But when she fails to produce a male heir, Will’s affections wane, leaving Lillian to wrestle with the heartbreaking question of what to do when the man she loves no longer returns her feelings.
“I don’t think so,” Velma Vernon says to Chalmers Root when he proposes. She doesn’t love Chalmers, and besides, she has other plans—to move to the city and become a secretary. Velma thrives at Baldwin Business School and after graduating, she lands a job at Hughes & Blair Attorneys at Law. When Will Hughes returns from the war and walks into the firm, Velma blushes—he’s the most handsome man she’s ever seen. But Will is married, so Velma hides her feelings and demonstrates her devotion through her secretarial skills. Later, when Will expresses interest in a romantic relationship, Velma must choose between giving in to her emotions or staying true to her morals.
The plot continues to twist and turn as these two engaging women sacrifice their own dreams as they attempt to secure the man they love.
Brilliantly written with an expertly executed plot and compelling characters, In Common will leave you longing to settle into a comfy blue armchair in Velma’s lake room and gaze out the floor-to-ceiling windows while wondering what Lillian and Velma would think about Will now.
Will Hughes is a charming lawyer who loves women—as long as they give him what he craves: a spotlight that focuses attention squarely on him. And, fortunately for Will, there are women willing to grab that light and aim it, exclusively, in his direction.
When Lillian Creekmore meets Will at a dance, she thinks she’s found her man. Except, he’s rich and she’s poor. So, she decides to morph herself to fit his mold in order to win his love. Her efforts succeed, and they marry. But when she fails to produce a male heir, Will’s affections wane, leaving Lillian to wrestle with the heartbreaking question of what to do when the man she loves no longer returns her feelings.
“I don’t think so,” Velma Vernon says to Chalmers Root when he proposes. She doesn’t love Chalmers, and besides, she has other plans—to move to the city and become a secretary. Velma thrives at Baldwin Business School and after graduating, she lands a job at Hughes & Blair Attorneys at Law. When Will Hughes returns from the war and walks into the firm, Velma blushes—he’s the most handsome man she’s ever seen. But Will is married, so Velma hides her feelings and demonstrates her devotion through her secretarial skills. Later, when Will expresses interest in a romantic relationship, Velma must choose between giving in to her emotions or staying true to her morals.
The plot continues to twist and turn as these two engaging women sacrifice their own dreams as they attempt to secure the man they love.
Brilliantly written with an expertly executed plot and compelling characters, In Common will leave you longing to settle into a comfy blue armchair in Velma’s lake room and gaze out the floor-to-ceiling windows while wondering what Lillian and Velma would think about Will now.
February 22, 2023
The Review
This was a rich and character-driven narrative. The author did an incredible job of layering the description with rich history and culture that lent a heavy amount of background for the powerful themes presented in this narrative. The story honed in on the themes of love, family, independence, and identity throughout this novel, as the characters struggled to find that balance and what meant the most to them in their lives. The outside influences of the society they lived in and the historical events that impacted the world as a whole (WWII, JFK Assassination, etc) made these themes come to life in a natural yet powerful way.
The character dynamics in this book really defined the narrative as a whole. Both Velma and Lillian proved to be connected by one man in their lives. Yet, their lives continuously mirrored one another as they sought their own identity but could not conquer the expectations that society had for them, nor the emotional impact of the love they shared with the man in their lives. The sacrifices and struggles so many women endured and went through during the twentieth century in the United States were weighty and heartfelt, and yet the strength it took to face these struggles, along with bouts of unrequited love or hard-fought love, made the stories of these women soar and feel relatable to so many others out there who continue to live their lives in this manner.
The Verdict
Heartfelt, impactful, and engaging, author Norma Watkins’s “In Common” is a must-read family and women’s fiction novel you won’t be able to put down. The lengthy read feels both epic yet nuanced in its delivery, and the emotional impact of both women’s journey through the most important historical and culturally relevant events of the American 20th century serve as the perfect backdrop of the character’s internal struggles and emotions, making this a heartening and passionate read.
This was a rich and character-driven narrative. The author did an incredible job of layering the description with rich history and culture that lent a heavy amount of background for the powerful themes presented in this narrative. The story honed in on the themes of love, family, independence, and identity throughout this novel, as the characters struggled to find that balance and what meant the most to them in their lives. The outside influences of the society they lived in and the historical events that impacted the world as a whole (WWII, JFK Assassination, etc) made these themes come to life in a natural yet powerful way.
The character dynamics in this book really defined the narrative as a whole. Both Velma and Lillian proved to be connected by one man in their lives. Yet, their lives continuously mirrored one another as they sought their own identity but could not conquer the expectations that society had for them, nor the emotional impact of the love they shared with the man in their lives. The sacrifices and struggles so many women endured and went through during the twentieth century in the United States were weighty and heartfelt, and yet the strength it took to face these struggles, along with bouts of unrequited love or hard-fought love, made the stories of these women soar and feel relatable to so many others out there who continue to live their lives in this manner.
The Verdict
Heartfelt, impactful, and engaging, author Norma Watkins’s “In Common” is a must-read family and women’s fiction novel you won’t be able to put down. The lengthy read feels both epic yet nuanced in its delivery, and the emotional impact of both women’s journey through the most important historical and culturally relevant events of the American 20th century serve as the perfect backdrop of the character’s internal struggles and emotions, making this a heartening and passionate read.
January 15, 2026
In Common by Norma Watkins is a sharp, emotionally layered novel about the quiet and not-so-quiet sacrifices women make in the pursuit of love, belonging, and meaning. Through the intertwined stories of Lillian Creekmore and Velma Vernon, the book explores how ambition, longing, and romance intersect, often forcing women to choose between their own wholeness and devotion to someone who may never fully choose them back.
What makes this novel especially compelling is its emotional intelligence. Lillian and Velma are not written as victims or heroines, but as complex women shaped by time, place, desire, and social expectation. Their choices are understandable, sometimes frustrating, sometimes brave, and always deeply human. The men they love are not villains either, but embodiments of a culture that prizes success over intimacy, making the women’s sacrifices feel both personal and systemic.
For readers who appreciate literary fiction that examines gender, ambition, love, and the cost of emotional compromise, In Common offers a thoughtful, honest, and quietly unsettling portrait of what it means to give too much of oneself in the name of love.
What makes this novel especially compelling is its emotional intelligence. Lillian and Velma are not written as victims or heroines, but as complex women shaped by time, place, desire, and social expectation. Their choices are understandable, sometimes frustrating, sometimes brave, and always deeply human. The men they love are not villains either, but embodiments of a culture that prizes success over intimacy, making the women’s sacrifices feel both personal and systemic.
For readers who appreciate literary fiction that examines gender, ambition, love, and the cost of emotional compromise, In Common offers a thoughtful, honest, and quietly unsettling portrait of what it means to give too much of oneself in the name of love.
April 7, 2023
Although I shy away from books this long, I won this in a giveaway and am very glad I did. It was an easy read and I flew through the book in just a few days. I became intrigued by the characters and wanted to know how their stories would end.
In today's world, I don't know too many women who would sacrifice their lives to the whims and preferences of one man, but I'm sure there are some. In the time period of this novel, however, it's totally believable.
The women surrounding Will Hughes cow-towed to his every wish, or, like some of his daughters, simply moved far enough away that they didn't have to deal with his prejudices.
I did wish I could have seen a little of what life was like for Maude after he died, but I guess the author decided to leave that part of the story to each reader's imagination.
In today's world, I don't know too many women who would sacrifice their lives to the whims and preferences of one man, but I'm sure there are some. In the time period of this novel, however, it's totally believable.
The women surrounding Will Hughes cow-towed to his every wish, or, like some of his daughters, simply moved far enough away that they didn't have to deal with his prejudices.
I did wish I could have seen a little of what life was like for Maude after he died, but I guess the author decided to leave that part of the story to each reader's imagination.
May 2, 2022
Difficult to put down, Watkins’ new novel draws the reader into the lives of two very different women who love the same man. This exquisitely written modern day Gone with the Wind is set against the home front of WWII, and into the decades that follow. Both women, with dreams of a fulfilling life, are confined and defined by societal parameters of the 1950s and early ‘60s, more so by the norms and values of the deep South. Lillian’s goal is to find a man and raise a family, but that requires hiding her true self. Velma makes a bold move to escape that marital trap only to find herself in love with a married man. Watkins creates characters so real and fleshed out, the reader may feel they have known them all their lives.
March 30, 2023
To read In Common is to inhabit the interior lives of two women who not only loved the same man, but loved in a time of repression and turbulence in the mid-century South. With meticulous attention to detail, Watkins paints a picture of a time and place that may seem idealistic to those who believe that era of segregation and “women’s place” was a golden time. But experienced through the eyes of the two women, Lillian and Velma, we share their struggles and empathize with their contradictions as they surrender all for the love of a man. Will is a contradiction himself: a loving, yet domineering man of his time who fails to see the women in his life as equals. Encompassing generations, In Common imbues their stories with a richness of depth and understanding.
June 17, 2022
Interesting soap opera
In some ways it was a difficult read as the wives strived to mold themselves to win their husband's love and approval. Then their daughters rebel to catch the attention of their father.
In some ways it was a difficult read as the wives strived to mold themselves to win their husband's love and approval. Then their daughters rebel to catch the attention of their father.
June 20, 2022
Review
Wow, this was such a great read! I'm so glad that I grew up in the 70's!
What two women gave up for one man! Never once did he ever give up or sacrifice anything!
Great story. I highly recommend it!
Wow, this was such a great read! I'm so glad that I grew up in the 70's!
What two women gave up for one man! Never once did he ever give up or sacrifice anything!
Great story. I highly recommend it!
June 7, 2022
Loved this book so much I reread parts of it several times. A story of a famous lawyer and the women who loved him.
June 14, 2022
Excellent book!
I loved this story! Read it every spare moment I had. I’ll definitely be reading more by this author. Highly recommend.
I loved this story! Read it every spare moment I had. I’ll definitely be reading more by this author. Highly recommend.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews