With You and Without You

by Deborah J. Wolf

One year after the tragic death of her husband, Allyson Houlihan and her daughters--emotionally distant Becca, and silent and secretive Lydia--must find a way to once again become a family with the help of her late husband's best friend Michael. Original.

Genres: Fiction

356 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 2003

Reviews

[Maureen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A typical marriage with ups and downs but essentially a good one. Until one day a bad tragic accident destroys everything for Allyson and her young daughters. Weove along to one year later and Allyson,Becca and the older daughter Lydia are still trying to get back into the groove of everyday life. Her husbands best friend Michael steps into the picture and helps the torn apart family come together moving forwards rather than backwards. Great novel. I always love reading books from Kensington Publishing. Five Stars. This book might be a backlist title now but it is a must read!

[Jacquie van Doleweerd · Rating 5 out of 5]

By far, the best book I've ever read!

[Stacy]

Lloyd recommneded.

[Tyra · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book. It would make a good choice for a book group (I was surprised that there wasn't a reading guide). I will look for more books by this author

[Georgine · Rating 4 out of 5]

an interesting story

[Tricia Cassavaugh · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 - 4

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Honestly, just an okay book. Not a huge or developed storyline and not even passing this book off to friends. Off to the donation pile you go, book.

[Blaire · Rating 4 out of 5]

I started to write this review by saying that it is a book about teen pregnancy. In fact, I think the author intended it to be a book about one woman's struggle to get over the loss of her husband and keep her family together at the same time. I found that theme to be less interesting than the author's treatment of the daughter's pregnancy and its affect on her extended family. That's partly because I don't think I would have much liked the husband/father who was killed, and I didn't think the protagonist and her plight was all that interesting. The author's depiction of the teenage daughter, on the other hand, is handled very perceptively. The mother-in-law/grandmother is also a vividly described, maddening character. So, all-in-all, I'd really rate this somewhere between 3 and 4 stars.

[Marlo · Rating 2 out of 5]

Although there were some thoughtful points, I found it to be less interesting than it could have been. As a wife and mother, the process of healing after the loss of a spouse and working through that with your children is a premise I find intriguing, but I though the characters fell flat and often were often unbelievable. The most interesting part of the story was the emotional struggle the older daughter had with her baby once it was born.

[Julia · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the definition of "chick lit," a term I hate. It was fine, entertaining, not totally horrible writing, but there just wasn't a ton of substance. Pretty cheesy/trashy. A good beach read, I guess. Too bad I wasn't on the beach.

[Mary Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although it wasn't an outstanding book, it was worth reading. It deals with a death in the family and the turmoil that evolves. There's also a teen pregnancy and what to do about it that makes the book worthwhile.

[Rachele · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've started this one a million times. I'm not sure if I'll finish it.. it hits a little close to home.

[Kathleen Hurley · Rating 2 out of 5]

An easy summer read if a little predictable.

[Kim Faires · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. The writer's style was relate-able. It was one of those books that I wanted to read whenever I had a free minute.

[Judy]

author is member of Alpha Omicron Pi

[Brianne Palmer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book...

[Denise Alcaraz · Rating 4 out of 5]

An old coworker of my husband's wrote this story. It's a good slice of life tale of loss and love.

[Moe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Entertaining quick read, but lacked depth in several characters. Everything seemed to have fallen into place for this family from the very beginning since Patrick's death, and I just found that too unbelievable. Some other things were left unanswered, or were mentioned and then not explained, like the whole incident with the insurance company at the hospital. She didn't seem to have any financial issues after Patrick's death, and she continued to be a stay at home mom. And Michael...hmm..how did he know from the very beginning that Lydia was right in her decision to give up the baby for adoption? What right did he have to discuss this with her? I found this very annoying.