the thread: [Featured Author Discussion] 'Both Can Be True' by Jessica Guerrieri – Sisterhood, Survival, and the Power of Connection > Likes and Comments
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Frankie and Mere feel so incredibly real to me. The contrast between the sister who uses humor and sharp edges to hide her past versus the sister who completely buries herself in caretaking is one of the most honest portrayals of family dynamics I’ve ever come across. I couldn't put it down!
The line about how two seemingly opposing truths can exist simultaneously absolutely blew me away. It completely redefines how we look at the struggles of everyday life, especially regarding parenthood and marriage. Brilliant writing.
The pacing of the mystery surrounding the local woman's disappearance was perfect, but what really captured my heart was the emotional mystery of how these two sisters drifted so far apart. That journey back to each other was so powerful.
Both Can Be True: A Novel
As a mother, the chapters from Mere's perspective hit so close to home. The isolation of trying to hold everything together for a neurodivergent child while feeling completely unseen in a marriage is written with such intense empathy and grace.
The atmosphere of that quiet Northern California mountain town felt like a character of its own. It perfectly mirrored the isolation and the hidden secrets that the characters were carrying around. Beautifully atmospheric!
It takes immense bravery to write about trauma, addiction, and shame with this level of raw, unfiltered honesty. There is absolutely no romanticizing here,
just pure, compassionate truth. I’m recommending this to everyone I know.
I am absolutely captivated by the emotional depth of this book! The themes of sisterhood and the quiet ways women disappear are sparking so many thoughts for me. I actually run a small local book club as well, and I know my group would have an incredible, deep discussion over this.
Jessica, do you happen to have a Reading Guide Companion available for Both Can Be True?
I loved how Frankie’s bookstore felt like her safe haven, even while she was trying to avoid her past. It’s such a cozy contrast to the heavy, emotional reckoning she and Mere have to face. I just wanted to wrap both sisters in a giant hug.
This story beautifully captures the idea of 'turning silence into conversation.' It makes you want to look at the women in your own life—your sisters, your mother, your friends—and make sure they really feel seen. Such a vital message.
Jessica, do you happen to have an official Reading Guide Companion available for Both Can Be True? Many us in the group would absolutely love to use it to dive even deeper into these vital conversations!
A wonderful biography that captures the true definition of a public servant. Reading this along with my fellow challenge members was an excellent experience. It really shows how much positive change can happen when a leader leads from the heart.
I’m signing off for now. Thank you so much for reading Both Can Be True.
If the book resonated with you, I would be incredibly grateful if you’d consider leaving a review on Goodreads—reader reviews truly make such a difference.
And if my writing spoke to you, I hope you’ll also check out my debut novel, Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea.
Thank you again for your time, your thoughtful questions, and for being part of this conversation.
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Frankie and Mere feel so incredibly real to me. The contrast between the sister who uses humor and sharp edges to hide her past versus the sister who completely buries herself in caretaking is one of the most honest portrayals of family dynamics I’ve ever come across. I couldn't put it down!
The line about how two seemingly opposing truths can exist simultaneously absolutely blew me away. It completely redefines how we look at the struggles of everyday life, especially regarding parenthood and marriage. Brilliant writing.
The pacing of the mystery surrounding the local woman's disappearance was perfect, but what really captured my heart was the emotional mystery of how these two sisters drifted so far apart. That journey back to each other was so powerful.Both Can Be True: A Novel
As a mother, the chapters from Mere's perspective hit so close to home. The isolation of trying to hold everything together for a neurodivergent child while feeling completely unseen in a marriage is written with such intense empathy and grace.
The atmosphere of that quiet Northern California mountain town felt like a character of its own. It perfectly mirrored the isolation and the hidden secrets that the characters were carrying around. Beautifully atmospheric!
It takes immense bravery to write about trauma, addiction, and shame with this level of raw, unfiltered honesty. There is absolutely no romanticizing here,
just pure, compassionate truth. I’m recommending this to everyone I know.
I am absolutely captivated by the emotional depth of this book! The themes of sisterhood and the quiet ways women disappear are sparking so many thoughts for me. I actually run a small local book club as well, and I know my group would have an incredible, deep discussion over this.Jessica, do you happen to have a Reading Guide Companion available for Both Can Be True?
I loved how Frankie’s bookstore felt like her safe haven, even while she was trying to avoid her past. It’s such a cozy contrast to the heavy, emotional reckoning she and Mere have to face. I just wanted to wrap both sisters in a giant hug.
This story beautifully captures the idea of 'turning silence into conversation.' It makes you want to look at the women in your own life—your sisters, your mother, your friends—and make sure they really feel seen. Such a vital message.Jessica, do you happen to have an official Reading Guide Companion available for Both Can Be True? Many us in the group would absolutely love to use it to dive even deeper into these vital conversations!
A wonderful biography that captures the true definition of a public servant. Reading this along with my fellow challenge members was an excellent experience. It really shows how much positive change can happen when a leader leads from the heart.
I’m signing off for now. Thank you so much for reading Both Can Be True.If the book resonated with you, I would be incredibly grateful if you’d consider leaving a review on Goodreads—reader reviews truly make such a difference.
And if my writing spoke to you, I hope you’ll also check out my debut novel, Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea.
Thank you again for your time, your thoughtful questions, and for being part of this conversation.
Thank you so much for the warm welcome and for choosing Both Can Be True for your reading community. I’m truly so happy to be here.
One of my favorite parts of being an author is getting to connect directly with readers—especially in spaces like this, where we can move beyond the polished book summary and talk about the messy, complicated, deeply human truths underneath a story.
I write about women holding impossible contradictions, because I believe most of us are carrying more than one truth at once.
I’m also pretty much an open book, so truly nothing is off-limits. I’d love to hear what resonated with you, what challenged you, what frustrated you, or what stayed with you long after you turned the last page.
Want to talk about:
• Frankie or Mere (and all their complicated choices)
• Motherhood, marriage, addiction, recovery, or sisterhood
• Specific scenes, lines, or endings
• My writing process and how these characters came to life
• Or even my debut novel, Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea
I’m here for all of it.
To get us started, I’d love to know:
What moment in Both Can Be True made you stop and think, “Oof… that felt a little too real”?
Can’t wait to talk with all of you. Thank you for having me. 🤍 ~Jessica Guerrieri