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Life Is Good and Other Lies
Finding 'the one' was the easy bit. The love story is how you keep it all together.
This is not a romance. This is what happens when life goes on, when people grow and fall out of sync. Not out of love; some people are just meant to be.
Thomas at least hopes that is the case, even though he sometimes feels like he’s clinging to his marriage by a brittle thread.
Frank clutches to the scraps that are left, knowing he’s the root cause of Thomas’ grey hairs, their kids being hormonal monsters and his own sanity being questionable at the best of times.
Gabriel needs to stop worrying and take control of his life, but with young kids and a body that refuses to do what it’s supposed to do—to sustain and nourish and build muscle to keep bones in place—his feels like a traitor, laughing in his face when he struggles to keep it together. He knows he is loved. His kids are everything. But his marriage feels like a distant memory, and he’s tumbling from one disaster into another. It’s just…life.
Bruno thought this holiday would bring them closer together as a family. Isn’t that what a trip abroad is supposed to do? Four weeks in the Swedish mosquito-infested countryside, sharing a farm with strangers. He should have known better.
Life is good. But the rest? Lies. All lies.
Life is Good and Other Lies is the story of one messy holiday, two crumbling marriages, five bored kids and a farm full of secrets. This is not a romance, instead this is a tale of those happily ever afters. The ups and downs, the good and the downright ugly. The pitfalls of parenting, the laughter and tears, and the joy of simply fighting for the people you love.
It’s also an ode to friendships, because sometimes the family you chose, is the one who will have your back when it truly matters.
Please read the trigger warnings. No cheating, polyamorous couplings, or age gaps.
The second book, Life is right here will be published in December 2022.
This is not a romance. This is what happens when life goes on, when people grow and fall out of sync. Not out of love; some people are just meant to be.
Thomas at least hopes that is the case, even though he sometimes feels like he’s clinging to his marriage by a brittle thread.
Frank clutches to the scraps that are left, knowing he’s the root cause of Thomas’ grey hairs, their kids being hormonal monsters and his own sanity being questionable at the best of times.
Gabriel needs to stop worrying and take control of his life, but with young kids and a body that refuses to do what it’s supposed to do—to sustain and nourish and build muscle to keep bones in place—his feels like a traitor, laughing in his face when he struggles to keep it together. He knows he is loved. His kids are everything. But his marriage feels like a distant memory, and he’s tumbling from one disaster into another. It’s just…life.
Bruno thought this holiday would bring them closer together as a family. Isn’t that what a trip abroad is supposed to do? Four weeks in the Swedish mosquito-infested countryside, sharing a farm with strangers. He should have known better.
Life is good. But the rest? Lies. All lies.
Life is Good and Other Lies is the story of one messy holiday, two crumbling marriages, five bored kids and a farm full of secrets. This is not a romance, instead this is a tale of those happily ever afters. The ups and downs, the good and the downright ugly. The pitfalls of parenting, the laughter and tears, and the joy of simply fighting for the people you love.
It’s also an ode to friendships, because sometimes the family you chose, is the one who will have your back when it truly matters.
Please read the trigger warnings. No cheating, polyamorous couplings, or age gaps.
The second book, Life is right here will be published in December 2022.
316 pages, ebook
First published October 15, 2022
17 people are currently reading
189 people want to read
About the author
Magdalena di Sotru
2 books10 followersMagdalena is an information security and data protection enthusiast from Norway, mother of two and wife of one, and a long established fanfic writer. Life is Good is her first novel.
(Source Amazon.com)
(Source Amazon.com)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
October 14, 2022
A unique and realistic tale!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Two couples, five kids. One mosquito-riddled farm. What can go wrong?
It’s been a few days since I finished reading the book and it’s been following me ever since. The pure realism of the ups and downs of a years-long marriage, the struggle with making growing children happy, and the wish for life to just stop being so crazy - hit deep.
Each of the four adults, as well as all the children, are well-developed characters, instantly making them real. The book lets the reader experience the ins and outs of marriage and how both couples try to re-ignite their love for one another during this fleeting holiday that starts to become a bubble they wish to remain hidden in.
We see new newfound friendships blooming between the adults as well as the teenagers as they explore the wild countryside, learning about themselves as much as each other, and forming bonds that may forever keep them together.
The authors say it’s not a romance. I disagree.
The story shows how love and romance can keep a marriage together, and how, without grand gestures, people can show each other the love that never disappeared but got buried under a pile of responsibilities. We get some heartwarming and original sexytimes too ;)
I thought I knew what to expect after reading Sophia’s books but this one, a collaboration with Magdalena di Sotru, surpassed all my (already high) expectations.
And at the end, we get teased with book 2! Is it December yet?
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Two couples, five kids. One mosquito-riddled farm. What can go wrong?
It’s been a few days since I finished reading the book and it’s been following me ever since. The pure realism of the ups and downs of a years-long marriage, the struggle with making growing children happy, and the wish for life to just stop being so crazy - hit deep.
Each of the four adults, as well as all the children, are well-developed characters, instantly making them real. The book lets the reader experience the ins and outs of marriage and how both couples try to re-ignite their love for one another during this fleeting holiday that starts to become a bubble they wish to remain hidden in.
We see new newfound friendships blooming between the adults as well as the teenagers as they explore the wild countryside, learning about themselves as much as each other, and forming bonds that may forever keep them together.
The authors say it’s not a romance. I disagree.
The story shows how love and romance can keep a marriage together, and how, without grand gestures, people can show each other the love that never disappeared but got buried under a pile of responsibilities. We get some heartwarming and original sexytimes too ;)
I thought I knew what to expect after reading Sophia’s books but this one, a collaboration with Magdalena di Sotru, surpassed all my (already high) expectations.
And at the end, we get teased with book 2! Is it December yet?
November 16, 2022
This is a story, not about finding new love, but about returning the romance to existing relationships under pressure. Four wonderfully imperfect but good-hearted men - two couples - and five children from 7 to 17 are on a holiday in a remote Swedish countryside location. One couple owns the property, the other is renting a guest house from them. Each of the couples is still in love, and they all adore their kids, but all the men are stressed, even overwhelmed, by the pressures of life and work and fatherhood. Each of them has, to different degrees, lost the romance element out of their love for their partner, in the process of meeting all their other responsibilities.
This is real life, especially real life with children. And these are believable kids, not plot muppets. Every day is hectic and unexpected, full of love and minor triumphs and frustration and minor disasters. Time and energy for parental sex is hard to come by, and romance becomes an afterthought. Two of the men also battle depression to different degrees, and that sucks their ability to cope out of them, which in turn stresses their partners even more.
This is an ode to marriage, as each couple shares enough love to keep them afloat. But also to friendship - this chance meeting, vacationing side by side, gives the men someone to talk to who isn't their spouse. And for each of them, a friendship strikes up that brings new light, new support, and an outlet that acts as a safety valve for some of the pressure they face.
The guys' mental health issues and the work stress they're escaping from could have made this a heavy read, but instead it's warm, sweet, often funny, and doesn't wallow, even in the angstiest moments. It's a long slow book, with growth and friendship and the breathing of new life into old love given time to unfold. The children are distinct personalities and their needs are real and not just played off for comic relief.
One MC is a trans guy, the birth father of 3 of the kids, and sometimes dysphoria plays a role in his stresses. I really appreciated the realistic but not over-emphasized addition of trans concerns to the mix.
If you love slice of life, and established relationships, check this one out.
This is real life, especially real life with children. And these are believable kids, not plot muppets. Every day is hectic and unexpected, full of love and minor triumphs and frustration and minor disasters. Time and energy for parental sex is hard to come by, and romance becomes an afterthought. Two of the men also battle depression to different degrees, and that sucks their ability to cope out of them, which in turn stresses their partners even more.
This is an ode to marriage, as each couple shares enough love to keep them afloat. But also to friendship - this chance meeting, vacationing side by side, gives the men someone to talk to who isn't their spouse. And for each of them, a friendship strikes up that brings new light, new support, and an outlet that acts as a safety valve for some of the pressure they face.
The guys' mental health issues and the work stress they're escaping from could have made this a heavy read, but instead it's warm, sweet, often funny, and doesn't wallow, even in the angstiest moments. It's a long slow book, with growth and friendship and the breathing of new life into old love given time to unfold. The children are distinct personalities and their needs are real and not just played off for comic relief.
One MC is a trans guy, the birth father of 3 of the kids, and sometimes dysphoria plays a role in his stresses. I really appreciated the realistic but not over-emphasized addition of trans concerns to the mix.
If you love slice of life, and established relationships, check this one out.
December 21, 2022
I initially didn't know how I'd feel about being dropped into a story that took place after all of the firsts, when the excitement and drama of new love was something reminisced about over a glass of wine rather than experienced on the page. I also didn't know if I'd enjoy a story about the mundanities of a life that I'm, in essence, living myself. I'm glad I ignored those hesitations because this story was so lovely and heartwarming and gave me the comfort of a warm cup of hot chocolate (extra marshmallows!) on a cold night. I truly loved it and am so happy that there's a second book.
The way I related to these characters. And it wasn't in any singular or specific way. Instead it was in the ruts they'd found themselves in and their fears for the future and the way they'd let being parents drench their identities until there was no room for themselves anymore. It was in watching their kids become adults and wondering what will be left of their lives when they eventually leave.
I've asked myself that question plenty of times and haven't gotten my answer yet, but I felt so much hope as Bruno, Gabriel, Frank and Thomas got theirs. Both couples had their share of struggles, but had settled so deeply into their routines and their jobs and the needs of their kids that they'd stopped communicating about them. This book was about stepping away from the daily grind and stumbling upon the gift of perspective. It was about reconnecting with something that had always been there, but was buried beneath a mountain of responsibilities and expectations and stress. It was about remembering who you used to be and deciding who you wanted to be going forward. It was about friendship and how cathartic it is when you find someone who not only sees and affirms you, but commiserates because they understand what you're going through. And, above all, it was about love. Love for a partner, a friend, a child, and a magical place buzzing with mosquitos where sometimes the ugliest shade of green is the perfect color.
I don't know if this book will resonate for people who haven't reached this stage in their lives yet. I'd like to think it will, but I can't help but wonder if they'd find it boring. I mean, nothing really happens. You won't find yourself waiting for the other shoe to drop. There's no drama, though there are some awkward interactions that will make you cringe. There's really no climax, no action. The best way to describe it is as a character study told through four alternating POV's. I loved getting to know these four men and learning their histories. I also loved their kids and the open and honest way they parented them. I cried a little, but I smiled a lot and I can't wait to see how they're all doing ten years later in the next book.
The way I related to these characters. And it wasn't in any singular or specific way. Instead it was in the ruts they'd found themselves in and their fears for the future and the way they'd let being parents drench their identities until there was no room for themselves anymore. It was in watching their kids become adults and wondering what will be left of their lives when they eventually leave.
When we no longer have the kids to keep us glued together, will there be enough left to make us stick?
I've asked myself that question plenty of times and haven't gotten my answer yet, but I felt so much hope as Bruno, Gabriel, Frank and Thomas got theirs. Both couples had their share of struggles, but had settled so deeply into their routines and their jobs and the needs of their kids that they'd stopped communicating about them. This book was about stepping away from the daily grind and stumbling upon the gift of perspective. It was about reconnecting with something that had always been there, but was buried beneath a mountain of responsibilities and expectations and stress. It was about remembering who you used to be and deciding who you wanted to be going forward. It was about friendship and how cathartic it is when you find someone who not only sees and affirms you, but commiserates because they understand what you're going through. And, above all, it was about love. Love for a partner, a friend, a child, and a magical place buzzing with mosquitos where sometimes the ugliest shade of green is the perfect color.
I don't know if this book will resonate for people who haven't reached this stage in their lives yet. I'd like to think it will, but I can't help but wonder if they'd find it boring. I mean, nothing really happens. You won't find yourself waiting for the other shoe to drop. There's no drama, though there are some awkward interactions that will make you cringe. There's really no climax, no action. The best way to describe it is as a character study told through four alternating POV's. I loved getting to know these four men and learning their histories. I also loved their kids and the open and honest way they parented them. I cried a little, but I smiled a lot and I can't wait to see how they're all doing ten years later in the next book.
October 14, 2022
Beautiful. So very honest and true and very sensitively done. Had my hand to my heart while I was reading. <3
October 18, 2022
This book has been provided for free by the author. The review below has also been published on Rainbow Book Reviews.
People—writers—who are capable of creating a book together, working on it in twos, threes, or even more… I don’t know how they do it (my own creative process is way too chaotic to allow me to involve anyone else), so I always feel the need to shout out, “Wow! Kudos!”, no matter what the outcome looks like. When I closed this novel, I was reduced to whispering it, however. Whispering it in awe because the story, the characters, the setting, the ins and outs, the twists and turns, they all blended together so perfectly and made this a real page-turner that prevented me, last weekend, to make any headway with my current favorite TV shows.
As the blurb states, this is not a romance. It’s quite difficult, in fact, to find the right boxes to tick, the right tropes to ascribe. As keywords go, I’d use mature love, family (families, even), marriage and married couples, queer dads with kids, holidays, Scandinavia, hurtful pasts, healing, trans issues, bonding, friendship, first love (which appears toward the end), and teenagers, to quote but a few.
The storyline looks simple. Thomas and Frank, a gay couple from Oslo in their forties, drive across the border to Sweden with their two kids, the sixteen-year-old twins Fredrik and Marie, for their month-long summer holidays. Once again, they’re heading for the old farmhouse lost in the middle of nowhere that Frank has inherited from his aunt Bella at her death, some years back. Not that anyone is looking forward to it; the remote lakeside house has never become a symbol for peace, tranquillity, a return to the roots, or enjoyable vacations for anyone. Where the teenagers are concerned, the reason for it is simple: there’s no WiFi, no Internet, no TV, not even the shoddiest network coverage. Nothing, nada, zilch. Only nature and their two daddies. And those two have issues. God yes, issues that sometimes feel higher than the Everest, larger than the Pacific ocean, bigger than the whole universe. Not issues with each other, but each for himself. What with their jobs, their daily stress, their worries about the kids, money, time, they never seem to be able to deal with them like adults are supposed to do.
This year, things might even be a bit more complicated than normally. As maintaining an old, half-crumbling summer house is expensive, Frank and Thomas have decided to put out an AirBnB ad for the smaller cabin next to the main house. And someone has rented it within minutes. As far as they know, it’s another gay couple from Germany, Bruno and Gabriel, who plan to join them together with their own three kids: Andreas, seventeen, and the seven-year-old twins Lilly and Lottie. Little do Frank and Thomas know that that encounter will change their lives. Because Bruno and Gabriel have their own issues, their own problems to solve. And yet… they turn out to be the perfect guys for the two Norwegians to become friends with. Through snippets, conversations, heartfelt exchanges, in twos, in threes, all four of them, they (re)discover some essential truths: that someone who knows how to listen and gives fresh, unexpected feedback is more precious than all the gold in the world; that sharing is the cement of all relationships, romantic or otherwise; and that each of the two couples contains more mutual love than there is water in the oceans.
I confess, in my current state of mind, this turned out to be the perfect read. Messy stories about messy characters (somewhat Sophia’s trademark, a penchant the co-writer Magdalena apparently shares) who risked to drown in their issues at almost every turn of page, but who somehow always managed to keep afloat, as if by a miracle. I found it a bit disconcerting at first to get four points of view (the four adult men) that alternated from chapter to chapter. Add the five kids, and it was hard to remember who was who. But as the story flowed on, it became easier to relate to each of the characters (all in all, it was a small cast of nine, after all, with the late Bella coming in as a “ghostly” presence toward the end) and to not mix them up (which I did at the beginning, pardon my old brain). And God, did I relate. I laughed with them, cried with them, hurt with them, got angry, was soothed, felt pain, angst, love… So much love, indeed. Come what may, Frank loves Thomas, Thomas loves Frank. Come what may, Bruno loves Gabriel, Gabriel loves Bruno. Come what may, they love their kids.
An emotional roller-coaster laid out in easy, but lush writing, everything painted in most vivid colors that made me really feel the stories, live them. Yes, each of the four adults, on whom the book mainly focuses, was a mess - their backstories were uncovered little by little, which made me turn the pages with an undisguised urgency to know more. A self-created and self-maintained mess, as is often the case. They all fought with their frailties, their fears, their insecurities, their questions, to which there were no answers (or at least, no easy ones). And yet, all thoses messes didn’t feel made up, didn’t strike me as plot twists invented by the two writers; they were simply expressions of that huge mess we all know and experience, that mess called life.
In turns heart-wrenching and heartwarming, playing with my emotions like a professional juggler plays with his/her juggling devices, the story took me in and made me swim effortlessly in its waves, up and down, down and up again. Beautiful descriptions of landscapes I’d love to explore (minus the “mozzies,” please), astute observations, discoveries, conversations with the touch of truth good writing always provides, three-dimensional and easily lovable characters with a healthy dose of hurt on one side, love on the other—that was what I found in this novel. A novel I highly recommend and the sequel of which I’m looking forward to with sincere joy.
People—writers—who are capable of creating a book together, working on it in twos, threes, or even more… I don’t know how they do it (my own creative process is way too chaotic to allow me to involve anyone else), so I always feel the need to shout out, “Wow! Kudos!”, no matter what the outcome looks like. When I closed this novel, I was reduced to whispering it, however. Whispering it in awe because the story, the characters, the setting, the ins and outs, the twists and turns, they all blended together so perfectly and made this a real page-turner that prevented me, last weekend, to make any headway with my current favorite TV shows.
As the blurb states, this is not a romance. It’s quite difficult, in fact, to find the right boxes to tick, the right tropes to ascribe. As keywords go, I’d use mature love, family (families, even), marriage and married couples, queer dads with kids, holidays, Scandinavia, hurtful pasts, healing, trans issues, bonding, friendship, first love (which appears toward the end), and teenagers, to quote but a few.
The storyline looks simple. Thomas and Frank, a gay couple from Oslo in their forties, drive across the border to Sweden with their two kids, the sixteen-year-old twins Fredrik and Marie, for their month-long summer holidays. Once again, they’re heading for the old farmhouse lost in the middle of nowhere that Frank has inherited from his aunt Bella at her death, some years back. Not that anyone is looking forward to it; the remote lakeside house has never become a symbol for peace, tranquillity, a return to the roots, or enjoyable vacations for anyone. Where the teenagers are concerned, the reason for it is simple: there’s no WiFi, no Internet, no TV, not even the shoddiest network coverage. Nothing, nada, zilch. Only nature and their two daddies. And those two have issues. God yes, issues that sometimes feel higher than the Everest, larger than the Pacific ocean, bigger than the whole universe. Not issues with each other, but each for himself. What with their jobs, their daily stress, their worries about the kids, money, time, they never seem to be able to deal with them like adults are supposed to do.
This year, things might even be a bit more complicated than normally. As maintaining an old, half-crumbling summer house is expensive, Frank and Thomas have decided to put out an AirBnB ad for the smaller cabin next to the main house. And someone has rented it within minutes. As far as they know, it’s another gay couple from Germany, Bruno and Gabriel, who plan to join them together with their own three kids: Andreas, seventeen, and the seven-year-old twins Lilly and Lottie. Little do Frank and Thomas know that that encounter will change their lives. Because Bruno and Gabriel have their own issues, their own problems to solve. And yet… they turn out to be the perfect guys for the two Norwegians to become friends with. Through snippets, conversations, heartfelt exchanges, in twos, in threes, all four of them, they (re)discover some essential truths: that someone who knows how to listen and gives fresh, unexpected feedback is more precious than all the gold in the world; that sharing is the cement of all relationships, romantic or otherwise; and that each of the two couples contains more mutual love than there is water in the oceans.
I confess, in my current state of mind, this turned out to be the perfect read. Messy stories about messy characters (somewhat Sophia’s trademark, a penchant the co-writer Magdalena apparently shares) who risked to drown in their issues at almost every turn of page, but who somehow always managed to keep afloat, as if by a miracle. I found it a bit disconcerting at first to get four points of view (the four adult men) that alternated from chapter to chapter. Add the five kids, and it was hard to remember who was who. But as the story flowed on, it became easier to relate to each of the characters (all in all, it was a small cast of nine, after all, with the late Bella coming in as a “ghostly” presence toward the end) and to not mix them up (which I did at the beginning, pardon my old brain). And God, did I relate. I laughed with them, cried with them, hurt with them, got angry, was soothed, felt pain, angst, love… So much love, indeed. Come what may, Frank loves Thomas, Thomas loves Frank. Come what may, Bruno loves Gabriel, Gabriel loves Bruno. Come what may, they love their kids.
An emotional roller-coaster laid out in easy, but lush writing, everything painted in most vivid colors that made me really feel the stories, live them. Yes, each of the four adults, on whom the book mainly focuses, was a mess - their backstories were uncovered little by little, which made me turn the pages with an undisguised urgency to know more. A self-created and self-maintained mess, as is often the case. They all fought with their frailties, their fears, their insecurities, their questions, to which there were no answers (or at least, no easy ones). And yet, all thoses messes didn’t feel made up, didn’t strike me as plot twists invented by the two writers; they were simply expressions of that huge mess we all know and experience, that mess called life.
In turns heart-wrenching and heartwarming, playing with my emotions like a professional juggler plays with his/her juggling devices, the story took me in and made me swim effortlessly in its waves, up and down, down and up again. Beautiful descriptions of landscapes I’d love to explore (minus the “mozzies,” please), astute observations, discoveries, conversations with the touch of truth good writing always provides, three-dimensional and easily lovable characters with a healthy dose of hurt on one side, love on the other—that was what I found in this novel. A novel I highly recommend and the sequel of which I’m looking forward to with sincere joy.
October 21, 2022
As much as I love escapist fiction, I also love books about realistic relationships between people with messy lives. Sophia Soames and her cowriter, Magdalena Di Sotru, for whom this book is her debut, have crafted a layered story peopled with three-dimensional characters who deal with real-life issues of established couples with children.
This wasn't an easy read for me because it is SO realistic, and because mental health is a major theme, but it was worth it. If you're looking for something that isn't the least bit fluffy, and that's beautifully written with a hard-won HEA, you should give this book a try.
This wasn't an easy read for me because it is SO realistic, and because mental health is a major theme, but it was worth it. If you're looking for something that isn't the least bit fluffy, and that's beautifully written with a hard-won HEA, you should give this book a try.
October 15, 2022
I absolutely have to rave about this book! It is, quite simply, amazing. Two couples and their assorted children head to the wilds of Sweden for a holiday — but they don’t know each other — yet.
They are chaotic and messy, and rather than have their ducks in a row, they’re fairly sure their ducks escaped and are having a rave without them. It’s raw, and real, and utterly gorgeous, and I recommend you drop everything and begin this right now.
Sophia and Magdalena haven’t labelled this a romance, and it’s not a typical one, but I think it deserves the title. It’s the true romance of fighting to make daily family life work when you’re full of self doubt and dreams and antidepressants, and the bloody teenagers have eaten the last of the bread — again. It’s the romance of finding “the one” and then realising that was the easy bit. The love story is how you hold it all together.
They are chaotic and messy, and rather than have their ducks in a row, they’re fairly sure their ducks escaped and are having a rave without them. It’s raw, and real, and utterly gorgeous, and I recommend you drop everything and begin this right now.
Sophia and Magdalena haven’t labelled this a romance, and it’s not a typical one, but I think it deserves the title. It’s the true romance of fighting to make daily family life work when you’re full of self doubt and dreams and antidepressants, and the bloody teenagers have eaten the last of the bread — again. It’s the romance of finding “the one” and then realising that was the easy bit. The love story is how you hold it all together.
October 15, 2022
Life is good and other lies
By Sophia Soames & Magdalena Di Sotru
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“A family can be something you’re born into, but you can also choose your own”
This is what this book is all about 💚 this is not a romance story, but a love story!
How does a family form Norway and family from Germany become one family?
They do because life is as mess, and sometimes you need other people to make your family happy
It’s easy to relate to this story, because this is what life is for most of us - we not alway happy, sometimes we fight, sometimes we’re depressed and sometimes we just need at hug and a vacation in the Swedish country side!
When I was finished with this book I wrote a message to one of the authors, it said
“I’m laughing, crying a bit and I’m so happy! this book is a masterpiece 🥺”
I can’t wait for all of you to read this book, you gonna love 🥰
And I’m eagerly awaiting the next book!
By Sophia Soames & Magdalena Di Sotru
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“A family can be something you’re born into, but you can also choose your own”
This is what this book is all about 💚 this is not a romance story, but a love story!
How does a family form Norway and family from Germany become one family?
They do because life is as mess, and sometimes you need other people to make your family happy
It’s easy to relate to this story, because this is what life is for most of us - we not alway happy, sometimes we fight, sometimes we’re depressed and sometimes we just need at hug and a vacation in the Swedish country side!
When I was finished with this book I wrote a message to one of the authors, it said
“I’m laughing, crying a bit and I’m so happy! this book is a masterpiece 🥺”
I can’t wait for all of you to read this book, you gonna love 🥰
And I’m eagerly awaiting the next book!
January 1, 2023
I'm so glad I didn't read this during the seasonal celebration period just passed because whilst it proved a great character-driven read, it was a hard-slog to keep up with the insecurities, emotional struggles, mid-life dilemmas and relational barriers of not one but four LGBTIQ characters (and don't get me started on the teenaged secondaries). Readers should keep a handy-notebook nearby when starting as the names/characters get a little overwhelming with the changing character POVs, and the multiple issues being thrown at your almost from the very beginning.
I'm sufficiently invested in this little 'found family' and have bought the sequel but will leave for the lead-up to the end of the year seasonal read.
I'm sufficiently invested in this little 'found family' and have bought the sequel but will leave for the lead-up to the end of the year seasonal read.
May 12, 2023
Life is Good and Other Lies.
I’d wish I could double the number of stars allowed for books for this one written by two women, living in different countries. Wow, for WiFi and Internet. It is Magdalene di Sotru’s first novel!!!!
As stated by authors this is not a Romance story and it probably won’t t appeal to those who prefer the excitement of young MM protagonists in love.
Two same sex couples with 5 children between them meet for the first time when one couple rent the other family a cottage on the farm they own in the Swedish countryside. One family, Thomas and husband Frank is from Oslo in Norway, Frank were left the farm by an Aunt, the other couple Bruno and Gabriel are from Berlin in Germany.
Both couple have been married for nearly 20 years and at times, both are sensing cracks in their relationships even though they still love each other. It’s the external pressures mostly that cause the foreboding. Plus one partner in each marriage has suffered from serious Mental Stress since late teens and the other had very strong identity crisis around the same age. Work and parenting stress doesn’t help either.
I just loved this book and huge kudos to the authors who managed to write it so beautifully, with characters that are so lovable and well developed.
It took me a while to read this one because I found it slow going for about the first third of it but I soon picked it up again and couldn’t put it down. It’s not angsty in any way, just very realistic about marriage and the ups and downs, but the couples were excellent are communicating about the issues, with a lot of encouragement and help from each other, especially in one to one conversations with either of the opposite couple.
It becomes a bIt lighter in atmosphere when photos and letters are discovered in boxes in the barn. There is excitement which may be beneficial in the long term.
The German couple have a son aged 17 and twin daughters aged 8 and the Norwegians have a son aged 17 and a daughter of 15.
I can’t recommend this one highly enough, it is brilliant and I’m so glad I bought it and can keep it in my library. I’m so looking forward to reading the second book about these families where they have remained friends since their first meeting on that Swedish farm 10 years ago.
How have their relationships thrived, what are they doing now, job-wise, what did the older children go on to study? Did the children remain friends like their parents did?
Treat yourself to the pleasure of this story, you won’t regret it, especially if you can relate to the couples age wise. Happy Reading.
I’d wish I could double the number of stars allowed for books for this one written by two women, living in different countries. Wow, for WiFi and Internet. It is Magdalene di Sotru’s first novel!!!!
As stated by authors this is not a Romance story and it probably won’t t appeal to those who prefer the excitement of young MM protagonists in love.
Two same sex couples with 5 children between them meet for the first time when one couple rent the other family a cottage on the farm they own in the Swedish countryside. One family, Thomas and husband Frank is from Oslo in Norway, Frank were left the farm by an Aunt, the other couple Bruno and Gabriel are from Berlin in Germany.
Both couple have been married for nearly 20 years and at times, both are sensing cracks in their relationships even though they still love each other. It’s the external pressures mostly that cause the foreboding. Plus one partner in each marriage has suffered from serious Mental Stress since late teens and the other had very strong identity crisis around the same age. Work and parenting stress doesn’t help either.
I just loved this book and huge kudos to the authors who managed to write it so beautifully, with characters that are so lovable and well developed.
It took me a while to read this one because I found it slow going for about the first third of it but I soon picked it up again and couldn’t put it down. It’s not angsty in any way, just very realistic about marriage and the ups and downs, but the couples were excellent are communicating about the issues, with a lot of encouragement and help from each other, especially in one to one conversations with either of the opposite couple.
It becomes a bIt lighter in atmosphere when photos and letters are discovered in boxes in the barn. There is excitement which may be beneficial in the long term.
The German couple have a son aged 17 and twin daughters aged 8 and the Norwegians have a son aged 17 and a daughter of 15.
I can’t recommend this one highly enough, it is brilliant and I’m so glad I bought it and can keep it in my library. I’m so looking forward to reading the second book about these families where they have remained friends since their first meeting on that Swedish farm 10 years ago.
How have their relationships thrived, what are they doing now, job-wise, what did the older children go on to study? Did the children remain friends like their parents did?
Treat yourself to the pleasure of this story, you won’t regret it, especially if you can relate to the couples age wise. Happy Reading.
October 27, 2022
4.5 stars
I love when stories take a typical plotline or approach and turn it on its head, and that is just what Life is Good and Other Lies does. As promised, this book is not a romance, or at least it's not what a reader might envision when they say "romance." It is an honest and, at times, raw look and reflection about life and love. The story also brings home the idea of found family, which is a personal favorite trope of mine.
Life is Good and Other Lies follows two established couples with kids on a summer vacation in the Swedish countryside. I loved how the authors painted such a beautiful setting and balanced this picturesque area with those typical family vacation experiences and weaving a beautiful story celebrating love, friendships, and all the in-between. I also really loved the myriad of characters and experiences. The varied relationships, struggles, and family dynamics made it easy to empathize with the characters in distinct ways, and I found myself increasingly invested in both families.
There's something special about romances that delve into the hard and less polished aspects of building and maintaining a life together. Life is Good and Other Lies does this in such a beautiful and memorable way, making this a lovely read and easy recommendation. I'm definitely excited to see what awaits these characters in the second book and am really hoping that this will be a writing duo I get to enjoy again and again.
*** Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie for my reading pleasure. A review wasn't a requirement. ***
I love when stories take a typical plotline or approach and turn it on its head, and that is just what Life is Good and Other Lies does. As promised, this book is not a romance, or at least it's not what a reader might envision when they say "romance." It is an honest and, at times, raw look and reflection about life and love. The story also brings home the idea of found family, which is a personal favorite trope of mine.
Life is Good and Other Lies follows two established couples with kids on a summer vacation in the Swedish countryside. I loved how the authors painted such a beautiful setting and balanced this picturesque area with those typical family vacation experiences and weaving a beautiful story celebrating love, friendships, and all the in-between. I also really loved the myriad of characters and experiences. The varied relationships, struggles, and family dynamics made it easy to empathize with the characters in distinct ways, and I found myself increasingly invested in both families.
There's something special about romances that delve into the hard and less polished aspects of building and maintaining a life together. Life is Good and Other Lies does this in such a beautiful and memorable way, making this a lovely read and easy recommendation. I'm definitely excited to see what awaits these characters in the second book and am really hoping that this will be a writing duo I get to enjoy again and again.
*** Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie for my reading pleasure. A review wasn't a requirement. ***
October 7, 2022
This was a rare treat of a story. As the blurb says, this is not a romance, as that usually indicates the start of a relationship, but rather it's a story about what happens to love after the intervention of time, kids and the stresses of life in general.
Thomas and Frank, who own a remote Swedish farmhouse as a holiday home, rent out a cottage to Bruno and Gabriel where they all spend a month-long summer holiday with their assorted children. Although both couples are devoted to each other, the usual struggles of practicality, work stress, finances, and dealing with their children can get in the way of (and can sometimes be a useful smokescreen for) true communication and intimacy.
I loved the realness of this story, as each main character is fully realised, complete with their own issues and vulnerabilities which made them so relatable and human. As the story progressed, rather than fictional characters, I felt like they were friends and my heart went out to their individual struggles and also their attempts to reconnect with their partners.
The Swedish countryside and the farmhouse are vividly described and the children are completely realistic but delightful, as friendships and bonds formed. This is a heartwarming story about people who try their hardest but don't always succeed because that is life. So no, this is not a romance, but a richly evocative and beautifully told story about lasting love.
Thomas and Frank, who own a remote Swedish farmhouse as a holiday home, rent out a cottage to Bruno and Gabriel where they all spend a month-long summer holiday with their assorted children. Although both couples are devoted to each other, the usual struggles of practicality, work stress, finances, and dealing with their children can get in the way of (and can sometimes be a useful smokescreen for) true communication and intimacy.
I loved the realness of this story, as each main character is fully realised, complete with their own issues and vulnerabilities which made them so relatable and human. As the story progressed, rather than fictional characters, I felt like they were friends and my heart went out to their individual struggles and also their attempts to reconnect with their partners.
The Swedish countryside and the farmhouse are vividly described and the children are completely realistic but delightful, as friendships and bonds formed. This is a heartwarming story about people who try their hardest but don't always succeed because that is life. So no, this is not a romance, but a richly evocative and beautifully told story about lasting love.
October 16, 2022
You have GOT to read this book! This is no fluff, all the stuff, rough and tough real life. I absolutely fell in love with Frank, Thomas, Bruno and especially Gabriel. This isn’t pretty Instagram “gay couples with perfect kids.” These folks have issues. Serious issues. Just for fun, let’s put these two couples with five kids between them (four of them teenagers) in two close houses in a Swedish defunct farm with no internet or WiFi. Add in adult stress, teen angst, ten million mosquitoes and fierce, fierce love despite everything life throws at them. For one perfectly imperfect month, hearts open, fights ensue, passion ignites and a journey of discovery evolves. I recognized so many places in this story that resonated with my own life.
The most amazing thing is that this impossibly beautiful novel is the product of a collaboration. I’ve read all of Sophia Soames’ books — she’s among my favorite writers of all time. Here, with first-time novelist Magdalena di Sotru, two gifted writers sing as one voice. As an editor, I can attest to the difficulty that presents.
Watch, laugh, maybe even cry as the guys figure out what we all finally do: none of us knows what the f**k we’re doing.
The most amazing thing is that this impossibly beautiful novel is the product of a collaboration. I’ve read all of Sophia Soames’ books — she’s among my favorite writers of all time. Here, with first-time novelist Magdalena di Sotru, two gifted writers sing as one voice. As an editor, I can attest to the difficulty that presents.
Watch, laugh, maybe even cry as the guys figure out what we all finally do: none of us knows what the f**k we’re doing.
October 28, 2022
Loved, loved, loved this book from Sophia Soames!! It was like reading the story of my own life, because a lot of it transfers so well to anyone who has been married with children for more than a couple of years and finds themselves a grown up not knowing how they got there!
From the outset I didn't know what emotion to employ as I swung from joy to sadness, empathy to anger, laughter to tears. The narrative follows two dysfunctional families on their summer holidays through a life changing journey of recovery from ongoing mental health issues, growing apart, growing up, getting older, losing their way, and generally getting back to being fully functioning families. Along the way though it's never going to be easy when children of all ages are involved.
With descriptions to whet the appetite of everyone for the sights of Sweden, this book is a veritable feast of words for the eyes. Set in the countryside, on a lake, SS excites the reader with details of flora and fauna, local wildlife and sheep (baa!)
This book is not an easy read, but it's a must read for me and I'm totally recommending it for your Kindle today; I can't wait for book 2 xx
I received a copy of this book from the author and provide my honest review voluntarily
From the outset I didn't know what emotion to employ as I swung from joy to sadness, empathy to anger, laughter to tears. The narrative follows two dysfunctional families on their summer holidays through a life changing journey of recovery from ongoing mental health issues, growing apart, growing up, getting older, losing their way, and generally getting back to being fully functioning families. Along the way though it's never going to be easy when children of all ages are involved.
With descriptions to whet the appetite of everyone for the sights of Sweden, this book is a veritable feast of words for the eyes. Set in the countryside, on a lake, SS excites the reader with details of flora and fauna, local wildlife and sheep (baa!)
This book is not an easy read, but it's a must read for me and I'm totally recommending it for your Kindle today; I can't wait for book 2 xx
I received a copy of this book from the author and provide my honest review voluntarily
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January 1, 2023DNF @ 35%. I just couldn't get into this. Nothing in particular. It's probably me and not the book.
February 13, 2023
Exceptional writing. Exceptional story and characters. Just wow. I need Andrea and Freddie’s story 🥺
October 15, 2022
This book is not a romance. This story was moving and touching in so many ways. You fall in love with the characters. You’re moved by the words on the pages. Realizing that this is how relationships go and what you do to work through them. Finding your “found” family and continuing on with life. Sophia and Magdalena did an amazing job
February 19, 2023
Life is Good and Other Lies is a contemporary slice-of-life novel about two queer families spending their vacation in a secluded farmhouse property for a few weeks to take a break from real life. It follows the two pairs of parents as they struggle with their own identities and metal health issues in the context of their marriage, kids, and profession.
Kind of like real life, this book was a bit messy and a bit confusing but ultimately fulfilling. I quite liked that the focus of the book was on four middle-age gay men who are married and with kids, living ordinary lives while having unique problems. The most prominent was likely the gender identity of one of the main characters who is a transgender man who actually carried and birthed his kids. I thought the discussion around him and his struggles with his body and identity was quite insightful and progressive. Depression was another heavily heavily discussed issue. I don’t think the book “solved” these things but it did give powerful talking points and approached it from a nuanced point of view.
I did think that the book started off just too dreary and depressing. Starting off with a prologue of happier idyllic times would probably have set a much happier tone and given us a background of the two couple’s romance and relationship. But despite that being absent, it was very apparent that these men still love each other and their family. It’s this knowledge that these are two loving families trying their best really carries you through to the end. And that in each other, they have expanded their family even more.
Life is Good and Other Lies is a challenging non-romance that is also still somehow a romance.
*I was provided an ebook copy of the book via Book Sirens in exchange for an honest review.
Kind of like real life, this book was a bit messy and a bit confusing but ultimately fulfilling. I quite liked that the focus of the book was on four middle-age gay men who are married and with kids, living ordinary lives while having unique problems. The most prominent was likely the gender identity of one of the main characters who is a transgender man who actually carried and birthed his kids. I thought the discussion around him and his struggles with his body and identity was quite insightful and progressive. Depression was another heavily heavily discussed issue. I don’t think the book “solved” these things but it did give powerful talking points and approached it from a nuanced point of view.
I did think that the book started off just too dreary and depressing. Starting off with a prologue of happier idyllic times would probably have set a much happier tone and given us a background of the two couple’s romance and relationship. But despite that being absent, it was very apparent that these men still love each other and their family. It’s this knowledge that these are two loving families trying their best really carries you through to the end. And that in each other, they have expanded their family even more.
Life is Good and Other Lies is a challenging non-romance that is also still somehow a romance.
*I was provided an ebook copy of the book via Book Sirens in exchange for an honest review.
October 29, 2022
Can I gush about this book for a moment? This modern-day Bergmaneqsue study of middle-aged love and life and family dynamics? I won’t say I couldn’t put it down. I read it carefully, ruminating on the richly-detailed tapestry woven by these two authors. They have a crackling synergy that makes this tale explode on a multitude of levels.
So many of us read books with a romantic arc and have narrow preconceived notions of what constitutes a happy ending. Frankly, I’m tired of this cliché. There are many ways to be happy. There are countless ways to end a novel on a note of hope, an uplifting promise of a better future, a rousing culmination of lessons learnt and valuable experiences gained throughout the pages in which we’ve joined the characters.
In “Life is Good” we join the four protagonists long after the point they’ve waltzed off into the sunset: two couples consisting of three gay men and one trans man. Why differentiate here? Well, said trans man has faced a whole set of challenges unique to his situation, and his scars—both physical and emotional—are still raw and inflamed. Yet, at the same time, the authors demonstrate that emotional journeys can also transcend discrete gender identities. In bold strokes, they remind us we’re all human and we have more in common than we sometimes realise.
Interwoven with these characters’ midlife crises are the coming-of-age trials and tribulations of their three combined teenagers—discovering their sexualities and testing the boundaries of their emerging adulthood. On top of this, there are seven-year-old twins making demands in the background. At all times, though, we are acutely aware that the two family units are unbreakable. And as these family units come together for the first time over a hot summer month, we can’t help hoping they amalgamate to one huge, loving clan.
This is a joyous outing. I thank the authors for bringing this magnificent story to us, and I’m pleased to see there is more of it to come, with a follow-up novel “Life is Right Here” due out this December.
(I feel compelled to add here that nobody forced me to read this book, nobody forced me to review it, and if I didn’t absolutely love it, I would have kept my trap shut.)
So many of us read books with a romantic arc and have narrow preconceived notions of what constitutes a happy ending. Frankly, I’m tired of this cliché. There are many ways to be happy. There are countless ways to end a novel on a note of hope, an uplifting promise of a better future, a rousing culmination of lessons learnt and valuable experiences gained throughout the pages in which we’ve joined the characters.
In “Life is Good” we join the four protagonists long after the point they’ve waltzed off into the sunset: two couples consisting of three gay men and one trans man. Why differentiate here? Well, said trans man has faced a whole set of challenges unique to his situation, and his scars—both physical and emotional—are still raw and inflamed. Yet, at the same time, the authors demonstrate that emotional journeys can also transcend discrete gender identities. In bold strokes, they remind us we’re all human and we have more in common than we sometimes realise.
Interwoven with these characters’ midlife crises are the coming-of-age trials and tribulations of their three combined teenagers—discovering their sexualities and testing the boundaries of their emerging adulthood. On top of this, there are seven-year-old twins making demands in the background. At all times, though, we are acutely aware that the two family units are unbreakable. And as these family units come together for the first time over a hot summer month, we can’t help hoping they amalgamate to one huge, loving clan.
This is a joyous outing. I thank the authors for bringing this magnificent story to us, and I’m pleased to see there is more of it to come, with a follow-up novel “Life is Right Here” due out this December.
(I feel compelled to add here that nobody forced me to read this book, nobody forced me to review it, and if I didn’t absolutely love it, I would have kept my trap shut.)
October 13, 2022
I absolutely adored this book and this hit for me on so many levels. There are so many books about couples falling, finding, realizing love for the first time. The epilogue chapters at the end of some romance books give a three months, five years later follow up (which I won't lie, I absolutely love in books). But so few books, if any, give the story of the reality of what happens 10 years or more down the line. What happens when the insta-attraction fades and the reality of kids, mortgages, bills, after school activities sets in? This book covers two different couples that face that reality and struggles and finding their way back to reconnecting. How do you maintain that love especially with someone you’ve invested so much time with-I think the authors did a great job with this.
The characters are so well developed and the storyline is great. I appreciate the idea of people coming into your life when you least expect it and becoming found family and being the sounding board you need which is what I felt these two couples are to each other. I love the dialogue between Frank and Gabriel and Bruno and Thomas. Those are such honest conversations between the two couples.
The children are great characters as well and cannot wait to read the next story.
The characters are so well developed and the storyline is great. I appreciate the idea of people coming into your life when you least expect it and becoming found family and being the sounding board you need which is what I felt these two couples are to each other. I love the dialogue between Frank and Gabriel and Bruno and Thomas. Those are such honest conversations between the two couples.
The children are great characters as well and cannot wait to read the next story.
November 4, 2022
‘A Toast. To Friends, Family and F ing Drama’
“But who am I? I sometimes feel like I don’t know. Sometimes I wonder if I just put on this mask of sanity and pretend to cope.”
I had two amazing author friends discuss Life is Good and Other Lies with me, and I can honestly share that it was everything they promised me it would be. First, and foremost, it is a book about family. It is important to note, that just like reality, Magdalena di Sotru and Sophia Soames’ book presents a family that is unique. Just like your own.
There are several other themes that involve sexuality and mental health. But ultimately this book is about love.
It is about partners who love each other and their kids. It is about committing to that love. It is about always working to find your way back to your person. And it is about learning to love yourself, and believe that you are enough.
This book allowed me to breathe deeply, after feeling so much emotion through the highs and lows, the happiness and the anger, and the comfort and isolation that each of the main characters shared.
It would be my hope that many, many, MANY readers would feel the power in this book’s heart messages.
“But who am I? I sometimes feel like I don’t know. Sometimes I wonder if I just put on this mask of sanity and pretend to cope.”
I had two amazing author friends discuss Life is Good and Other Lies with me, and I can honestly share that it was everything they promised me it would be. First, and foremost, it is a book about family. It is important to note, that just like reality, Magdalena di Sotru and Sophia Soames’ book presents a family that is unique. Just like your own.
There are several other themes that involve sexuality and mental health. But ultimately this book is about love.
It is about partners who love each other and their kids. It is about committing to that love. It is about always working to find your way back to your person. And it is about learning to love yourself, and believe that you are enough.
This book allowed me to breathe deeply, after feeling so much emotion through the highs and lows, the happiness and the anger, and the comfort and isolation that each of the main characters shared.
It would be my hope that many, many, MANY readers would feel the power in this book’s heart messages.
October 23, 2022
Wow. The authors are right. This is not a romance. This is life. With its ups and downs, with all the stress life can be, issues, problems and everything in between.
But Bruno and Gabe, and Frank and Thomas love each other fiercely. And even if love is not always the answer, in their lives it is. Love for the husband, love for the kids, love for their family. They also have what, imo, is the most important: they want to get better, to solve their problems, to have a happy marriage. They all WANT it. And if you want something, you work hard for it. And that's exactly what these marvelous, complicated, four man do.
Every single character of this book has its own personality, is well written, and is recognizable. You can tell which pov you're reading even if it wasn't written at the beginning. That's not an easy task to accomplish even when there are two MCs, let alone four.
Definitely worth the reading 😉
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
But Bruno and Gabe, and Frank and Thomas love each other fiercely. And even if love is not always the answer, in their lives it is. Love for the husband, love for the kids, love for their family. They also have what, imo, is the most important: they want to get better, to solve their problems, to have a happy marriage. They all WANT it. And if you want something, you work hard for it. And that's exactly what these marvelous, complicated, four man do.
Every single character of this book has its own personality, is well written, and is recognizable. You can tell which pov you're reading even if it wasn't written at the beginning. That's not an easy task to accomplish even when there are two MCs, let alone four.
Definitely worth the reading 😉
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
October 27, 2022
This book was so different to anything I have read before and I thought it was actually very brave of the authors to write this story as it isn't your typical romance/hea story but I'm so glad that they did write it. It was such a real story. The story is about a Norwegian and German family spending the summer in a Swedish cottage. They didn't know each other but it's clear that both sets of parents have their issues. But the children quickly becomes friends and the parents become close too and give each other support. The book deal with real issues as life with children and how you as parents lose yourself a lot. It deals with depression and transition too. It's about getting the spark back into your relationship and finding friends. I love following their journeys. I'm really pleased there's going to be another book.
October 21, 2022
“You are not alone.”
“Family. You said it yourself. If you choose us? We choose you right back.”
I have absolutely adored this story. I have loved the making of new friends, the meshing of families, the brokenly perfect characters, the authenticity of their stories and the delving into the past to give the story depth.
The characters are achingly real, the issues are so true to life that it’s hard to believe that these are not real people.
It is achingly raw, honest, authentic and BEAUTIFUL!!!
Cannot wait for book 2!!
“Family. You said it yourself. If you choose us? We choose you right back.”
I have absolutely adored this story. I have loved the making of new friends, the meshing of families, the brokenly perfect characters, the authenticity of their stories and the delving into the past to give the story depth.
The characters are achingly real, the issues are so true to life that it’s hard to believe that these are not real people.
It is achingly raw, honest, authentic and BEAUTIFUL!!!
Cannot wait for book 2!!
January 26, 2023
The fascinating, slow-burn story of two families on a shared vacation at a remote farm owned by one of them, who begin as strangers and gradually interlock, with the four main characters confronting their fears, shadows and the various things they keep unspoken as they do so. The characters are flawed, messy, at times selfish and irrational, full of doubts in themselves and (sometimes) their relationships and life choices but they all discover the carrying strength in the threads that bind them both within their lives and to each other. Alongside these often intense struggles, their kids are growing up, with three of them poised on the edge of adulthood and their futures, ‘experimenting’ even as feelings heighten and new and difficult realities emerge - whilst from the past, the subtle subplot of Bella & Erik gradually bleeds into the present. Rich in observational detail, this is a quiet, thoughtful sort of book with lots of layers and an underlying hopefulness that feels refreshingly realistic and human. A wonderful read - looking forward to the next one already!
October 27, 2022
This book is an endearing story. The story portrays people dealing with their everyday lives and the hardships of being in a relationship. Life is Good and Other Lies by Sophia Soames and Magdalena di Sotru do a great job building the plot. The families are on holiday in the book, yet the audience gets a window into their lives. The audience becomes invested when the audience read about the lives of the family. The characters of the story feel like close friends. I recommend this book; it is fantastic. I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
October 29, 2022
A realistic love story of the hardships, struggles, and disagreements endured by two separate married couples and their five kids between the two. Even though the author stated this was not a romance, I have to respectfully disagree. This was what true romance is made of, showing the realistic struggles but also proves that love always wins in the end.
December 11, 2022
Utterly wonderful family saga of two very different families who meet over the course of a summer, and eventually realise they’re not really so different at all. Beautiful characterisation, believable kids, and four adults who in turn made me laugh out loud, then catch my breath on a sob.
One of my top books of 2022. 100% recommended.
One of my top books of 2022. 100% recommended.
October 16, 2022
As someone without children, I wondered from the blurb if this one might be too child centric for me but it definitely wasn't. This is an amazing story that shows people getting through their lives and dealing with the realistic things you deal with in an relationship. Granted, these families are on holiday, but we see enough of their lives to know what's been going on before this immediate time period. We get to know these people just like they are our close friends and we hurt when they hurt, we rejoice with them when they have a really good day, we get frustrated with them for things they say or do or don't do. It's a truly amazing book that will make you think about the characters for a good long while and think about your own life as well.
November 1, 2022
It's been a long time since I read romantic fiction that captivated me and resonated with me quite this much. It's beautiful to see true love persist as it changes. These flawed and real people, this family, will be with me for a long time.
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