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I Like You Just Fine When You're Not Around
Everything is falling apart in Tig Monahan's life. Her mother's memory is going (dementia), her boyfriend is gone (Hawaii), her absent sister shows up long enough to have a baby (and then leaves again, without the baby) and her job as a therapist has disappeared after a contentious couples' therapy session goes horribly and honestly sideways. Oh, and then there's the whole thing about the family secret that nobody saw coming.
But Tig is a survivor (she hopes) who manages to stumble and step her way to a new job, new truths, new outlooks and a new lease on life.
But Tig is a survivor (she hopes) who manages to stumble and step her way to a new job, new truths, new outlooks and a new lease on life.
288 pages, Paperback
First published June 4, 2016
566 people are currently reading
3991 people want to read
About the author
Ann Garvin
11 books287 followersAnn Garvin Ph.D. is a nurse, a professor, and USA Today Bestselling Author. She thinks everything is funny and a little bit sad. Ann Writes stories about women with a good sense of humor who do too much in a world that asks too much from them.
Ann teaches creative writing at Drexel University in their Low- Residence Masters of Fine Arts program and lives in Wisconsin with her anxious and overly protective dog Peanut.
She is the founder of the multiple award-winning Tall Poppy Writers and is dedicated to helping authors find readers and vice versa. Learn more about Ann Garvin at: anngarvin.com
Ann teaches creative writing at Drexel University in their Low- Residence Masters of Fine Arts program and lives in Wisconsin with her anxious and overly protective dog Peanut.
She is the founder of the multiple award-winning Tall Poppy Writers and is dedicated to helping authors find readers and vice versa. Learn more about Ann Garvin at: anngarvin.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 372 reviews
March 17, 2016
Reading a book by Ann Garvin is like having a long, long lunch with a funny, big-hearted friend who knows a lot of amusing, crippled people. It’s time well-spent, and life feels warmer and larger and more worthwhile when you finally get up from the table. In I Like You Just Fine When You’re Not Around, the heroine, Tig, repeatedly trips over her own misguided good intentions, face-palming at regular intervals as she struggles through the mess of her life: her equivocal boyfriend, her self-absorbed sister, her Alzheimer’s afflicted mother, and her career as the counselor who supposedly knows how life works. Garvin skips along the knife edge of tragicomedy like nobody’s business; it’s not an easy feat. Her affection for her all-too-real characters is unbounded, and contagious. This story made me laugh out aloud, but what I will remember most is how it made me care.
July 30, 2016
Disappointing. I struggled with whether to give this two or three stars, whether to say it was closer to 2-1/2, or just leave it at 2. In the end, I settled for genuine over generosity. It doesn't deserve another half star.
The synopsis is a little misleading. Protagonist in crisis stumbles upon a "family secret" and it causes her to reassess her life. Problem is, the so-called secret isn't revealed until the last 10 or 15 pages of the book, and by that time you can tell that even the characters don't care.
This book seemed not to know what it wanted to be. Is it a love story? Is it a family drama? Is it a saga? Is it a mystery? Is it sad? Is it funny, with flashes of serious truths? The indecision left the entire thing feeling flat and unfulfilling.
Also -- Note To Author: Cliffhanger endings on a mediocre book is probably not the best decision. Only attempt that when the book is so good, so engaging, that the reader cares enough to wonder what happened when it's all said and done, and not just when it will be done.
The synopsis is a little misleading. Protagonist in crisis stumbles upon a "family secret" and it causes her to reassess her life. Problem is, the so-called secret isn't revealed until the last 10 or 15 pages of the book, and by that time you can tell that even the characters don't care.
This book seemed not to know what it wanted to be. Is it a love story? Is it a family drama? Is it a saga? Is it a mystery? Is it sad? Is it funny, with flashes of serious truths? The indecision left the entire thing feeling flat and unfulfilling.
Also -- Note To Author: Cliffhanger endings on a mediocre book is probably not the best decision. Only attempt that when the book is so good, so engaging, that the reader cares enough to wonder what happened when it's all said and done, and not just when it will be done.
July 18, 2016
This book! It's one I wanted to hug a few times! I read an interview where the author described the book as funny, even if it includes some of life's more difficult aspects (sibling relationships, caring for an aging mother with dementia, job issues); and she was spot-on. This is a heartwarming read about life and its challenges that I highly recommend.
Please note - I won a copy of this book in a giveaway. All opinions expressed are my own.
Please note - I won a copy of this book in a giveaway. All opinions expressed are my own.
June 10, 2016
What drew me in to Garvin’s book was the great title; what kept me reading was the likeable protagonist, Tig, and the deft, subtle ways that that Garvin writes about the complexities of relationships—between family members, boyfriends, spouses, and oneself.
Tig is having a difficult time: After taking care of her mother, who is battling dementia, at home, Tig moves her into an assisted living facility, but Tig still is over there whenever she’s not working as a therapist. Her sister won’t return her calls; Tig is on her own. The struggle is making her ignore her boyfriend and quickly get annoyed with her clients’ petty complaints.
Along the way, Tig uncovers some family secrets—she hopes solving them might help explain why she likes the men in her life better when they’re not around. Though the subject matter could be dark and depressing, the humor and subtle growth of Tig and other characters ensure that this is a fun, enjoyable read.
Tig is having a difficult time: After taking care of her mother, who is battling dementia, at home, Tig moves her into an assisted living facility, but Tig still is over there whenever she’s not working as a therapist. Her sister won’t return her calls; Tig is on her own. The struggle is making her ignore her boyfriend and quickly get annoyed with her clients’ petty complaints.
Along the way, Tig uncovers some family secrets—she hopes solving them might help explain why she likes the men in her life better when they’re not around. Though the subject matter could be dark and depressing, the humor and subtle growth of Tig and other characters ensure that this is a fun, enjoyable read.
June 3, 2016
Every time I see this title I laugh. "I Like You Just Fine When You're NOT Around," by Ann Wertz Garvin. I can just see a wife/girlfriend thinking this, or muttering it, about her boyfriend/husband. "When he's out the door and GONE, and I can't hear him or see him I like him a lot better!" Plus, I'm biased. This book has one of the best, "I'm going to tell you off, and you're never going to forget it," scenes that I've ever read. And yes, the man who was told off deserved it.
June 3, 2016
I loved this funny, sweet, slightly melancholy story. Ann has a gift with sad comedy: her characters are intensely flawed, make terrible decisions, are surrounded by tragedy and yet I find myself laughing out loud. Everything feels SO REAL and "I LIKE YOU" was no exception. The plot was unpredictable, I adored Tig and her mad-gab style. I can totally see this being a TV show! LOVED.
May 22, 2016
Tig Monahan is a psychologist doing her best to help her clients while her own life is in turmoil. The scene early on with her clients, the Harmeyers, is priceless! Tig's mother has dementia and though Tig has been trying to keep her at her home, she is forced to place her in a nursing home, because working full time and keeping track of Mom is wearing her down,. Tig's sister, Wendy, is MIA again just when she could use some major help with Mom. Tig's boyfriend Pete is heading off on sabbatical to Hawaii and Tig was planning to follow him, but now with so much going on, she's got second thoughts. There is such a lovely, funny voice resonating through this book. I felt like Tig was someone I knew or someone I could easily find myself friends with. There's a little romance, though I gotta say, I was no fan of Pete, but that's part of what spurs you to read on, especially after Tig meets Alec. Wendy turns up with a surprise and dumps more heartache on Tig, though she redeems herself. Plus there's a thread of mystery. Tig's father died before she was born and when she finds a cedar box full of letters and some mementos in her mom's stuff she starts to question everything she ever knew about her dad and mom, sadly mom's illness makes asking questions impossible. Would be a fun book club pick. Thank you to author Ann Garvin for the ARC and chance to read another book by a talented lady.
October 1, 2016
The title says it all, and we've all known people like this. People we love, but once they leave, we like them oh-so-much better. It is true for Tig, too.
Laugh out loud moments combined with moments of poignancy...people we'd like to meet in real life AS LONG AS they don't outstay their welcome.
For Tig, it is Pete, her love, but also her mother and sister Wendy. Each one drives Tig a bit crazy, but maybe it is just Tig that needs to let some things go. But can she?
Will she figure it out before she loses everything she holds dear? Especially the people in her life? What (or who) to keep?
Quotes to remember: That is the definition of magic--making something real out of something fantastic. (p. 244)
The definition of life should be long periods of monotony and body maintenance punctuated by occasional moments of glory and despondency. (p. 240)
Laugh out loud moments combined with moments of poignancy...people we'd like to meet in real life AS LONG AS they don't outstay their welcome.
For Tig, it is Pete, her love, but also her mother and sister Wendy. Each one drives Tig a bit crazy, but maybe it is just Tig that needs to let some things go. But can she?
Will she figure it out before she loses everything she holds dear? Especially the people in her life? What (or who) to keep?
Quotes to remember: That is the definition of magic--making something real out of something fantastic. (p. 244)
The definition of life should be long periods of monotony and body maintenance punctuated by occasional moments of glory and despondency. (p. 240)
September 14, 2016
I liked this book, but I don't think my impression of it aligns with most of the other readers on Goodreads. I was surprised at how many 4 and 5 star reviews this received. Maybe it's because I'm a younger reader that I wasn't entranced with this story?
The story focuses on Tig, a therapist who is about to go to Hawaii with her boyfriend for his sabbatical.
It bothered me that we didn't know how old anyone was. When Dr. Jensen was introduced, I couldn't tell if he was in his early 50's or older. I also thought Tig was older at first (40's) but then I think the book mentioned that her older sister was having a baby at 36, so I was wrong. (Or maybe she just came off as a fuddy-duddy?) Also the name Tig doesn't seem like the right abbreviation for Tiger Lily - wouldn't Lil make more sense? Or is it pronounced like Tyg?
Some of my favorite parts were the radio show scenes.
The story focuses on Tig, a therapist who is about to go to Hawaii with her boyfriend for his sabbatical.
It bothered me that we didn't know how old anyone was. When Dr. Jensen was introduced, I couldn't tell if he was in his early 50's or older. I also thought Tig was older at first (40's) but then I think the book mentioned that her older sister was having a baby at 36, so I was wrong. (Or maybe she just came off as a fuddy-duddy?) Also the name Tig doesn't seem like the right abbreviation for Tiger Lily - wouldn't Lil make more sense? Or is it pronounced like Tyg?
Some of my favorite parts were the radio show scenes.
May 26, 2016
I absolutely loved I Like You Just Fine When You’re Not Around. As usual Ann Garvin fails to disappoint! Her tell it like it is humor, sprinkled with her deep levels of compassion, and her talents for story telling always make for a great read.
Tig Monahan, radio therapist, finds herself taking care of her mother with dementia, being left behind by her boyfriend who goes on sabbatical to Hawaii, and caring for her sister’s newborn baby. As if Tig’s plate isn’t full enough; her life unravels even more when she finds out a shocking family secret.
Ann Garvin manages to capture the fullness of her characters once again. They never feel fictional or flat, but like people we can relate to. Tig is messy, flawed, and beautifully reminiscent of someone we know. She is the kind of woman you want to take for coffee. In I Like You Just Fine When You’re Not Around there is depth, substance, and laughter. Elements that can only be found in one of Garvin’s stories.
Tig Monahan, radio therapist, finds herself taking care of her mother with dementia, being left behind by her boyfriend who goes on sabbatical to Hawaii, and caring for her sister’s newborn baby. As if Tig’s plate isn’t full enough; her life unravels even more when she finds out a shocking family secret.
Ann Garvin manages to capture the fullness of her characters once again. They never feel fictional or flat, but like people we can relate to. Tig is messy, flawed, and beautifully reminiscent of someone we know. She is the kind of woman you want to take for coffee. In I Like You Just Fine When You’re Not Around there is depth, substance, and laughter. Elements that can only be found in one of Garvin’s stories.
May 20, 2018
There was something off about this book. The main character, Tig, didn't ring true. She has two sides: a person going through life-changing growth who sounds like an adolescent, and a clinical therapist who sounds really mature and wise. The boyfriend is either a complete doofus or a solid romantic possibility waiting for Tig to settle down. The sister does a heinous thing and is forgiven, but Tig's "big blowup," much more forgivable, upends her whole life. The big reveal at the end didn't touch me emotionally because I didn't care about the character it involved. On the other hand, secondary characters depicted at the memory care unit were solid and interesting, and Tig's reminiscence of adopting her dog from the shelter was so compelling I about cried, thinking what if my granddog were in that situation. Bottom line, I think Garvin is a good writer but she needs to make her characters more consistent and relatable.
September 26, 2016
On the surface, this is another novel about the challenges of Alzheimer’s, but it’s also a heart-warming, funny, and gritty story with one kick-ass heroine. I’m part of the sandwich generation, and I was cheering for quirky psychologist, Tig Monahan, from page one. Nothing in her life is on track as she tries—and fails—to juggle career, boyfriend, wayward sister, colicky niece, a lawsuit, and being her mother’s caregiver. Even when she appears to give up, none of it breaks her. You go, sista.
July 9, 2016
Man oh man!! What a great book! Garvin has a knack for writing characters that feel so real. You are instantly feel what they feel and want to take care of them. Life is a messy thing and Garvin captures the lows and high of life brilliantly. She has mastered the art of storytelling and this book is quite a treat! 5 stars
March 29, 2020
It's not often that a book set (in large part) in a nursing home can be both poignant and lighthearted, but Garvin struck exactly the right not. With themes of family, sisters, love, and careers, this was an entertaining story that makes me want to read more from this author.
November 5, 2018
“Stop making happiness some kind of concrete goal. It’s a side effect. It’s a secondary happening, but not the main event. Happiness is what you feel when you’ve been kind, fair, or loving in the face of hardness. It is the feeling of light that comes after behaving in the way you ultimately want.”
May 19, 2016
The title of this new book by Ann Garvin, is the first indication that this is going to be a book worth reading and I can tell you right now that is absolutely correct! I loved this book. The characters are so wonderful and real - they make mistakes and agonize over their decisions and power on with their lives. Because you get so involved with the characters, this is a difficult book to put down once you've started it because you want to see what happens with everyone and if their issues will be resolved.
Tig Monahan's life is a mess. She is taking care of her Mom who has Alzheimers and has just moved into a nursing home, her boyfriend has just broken up with her and she has lost her job as a psychologist after telling a patient what she really thinks of him. To top it off, her sister who she hasn't heard from in two years and who has been no help with their mother, shows up at her door and is 9 months pregnant. Tig tries to do what she has always done - she takes care of everyone else and forgets to take care of herself. Tig tries to learn to take care of her own needs and even though its a real struggle at time, there are also times that the reader can laugh out loud.
I especially enjoyed this novel because I identify with it - I am part of the generation that is caught between taking care of aging parents, family members and children and who often forget that they need taken care of too. Tig is a fantastic real character and someone who I won't soon forget.
Tig Monahan's life is a mess. She is taking care of her Mom who has Alzheimers and has just moved into a nursing home, her boyfriend has just broken up with her and she has lost her job as a psychologist after telling a patient what she really thinks of him. To top it off, her sister who she hasn't heard from in two years and who has been no help with their mother, shows up at her door and is 9 months pregnant. Tig tries to do what she has always done - she takes care of everyone else and forgets to take care of herself. Tig tries to learn to take care of her own needs and even though its a real struggle at time, there are also times that the reader can laugh out loud.
I especially enjoyed this novel because I identify with it - I am part of the generation that is caught between taking care of aging parents, family members and children and who often forget that they need taken care of too. Tig is a fantastic real character and someone who I won't soon forget.
February 20, 2016
I really enjoyed reading this book and I wish I knew Tig, Wendy and their family. Such an emotional roller coaster for both these sisters as they deal with life. Tig may be the younger sister but she has the responsibility of their Mother, Hailey, now in a nursing home because of dementia. She loses her job as a counselor when she tells a patient he's a pain and her boyfriend dis-invites her to go with him to Hawaii for a year. That's all before her sister shows up, has a baby and leaves town without her. Tig becomes well known with the staff of her mother's home and her doctor, also the son of another patient. Beautifully written and very realistic, it's a story of life, love and hope. I intend to look for Ann Garvin's other two books, can only hope they are as good as this one.
July 13, 2017
DNF. I have to bow out just shy of 100 pages. I'm bored and I don't care about any of the characters. The dialogue is weird and not funny. I realized about 20 pages ago that I was only reading to find out about the family secret was but closer inspection of some reviews reveals that it doesn't show up until the book is basically over and then goes unresolved. No thanks, I'm out.
December 10, 2016
This book went around in circles far too many times, and was missing a good editor - typos and words mashed together than are not meant to be compound words - very distracting. The best part about it, by far, was the chapter titles. I expected more from a book with such a funny title.
August 22, 2020
Even though this is a work of fiction, I want to shout a great big YAY! for the solid advice offered—and received—by Dr. Monahan, the heroine in this story regarding relationship dynamics: parent/child, sibling/sibling, and romantic partners. A great read for people who enjoy healthy connections.
July 17, 2016
Another great read from Ann Garvin with realistic characters, plotline & colorful language! What's not to love?!!
July 15, 2016
Really enjoyable read. Of course the title is catching, but the book had more depth to the characters than I expected.
February 3, 2017
I haven't read a book this witty in a long time. Didn't want to put it down and didn't want it to end! Great (mostly female) characters and well written. I enjoyed the ride!
February 5, 2022
3.5 stars. This was solidly in the 2.5-3 star range for most of the book but then I did end up really enjoying the ending. For most of the book it felt like there wasn't a cohesive plot, which I didn't love, but the ending did tie together some things which made it a much better read overall.
November 2, 2023
Whine whine whine, grow up Tiger Lily.
April 14, 2025
This book really shows how complicated our relationships can be, and how there's often a gap between what we think we’re supposed to give and what we actually need within those relationships.
July 4, 2016
Review
Tig Monahan is in a life transition. Her mom just moved into a nursing home to better take care of her Alzheimer's, Her boyfriend walked out on her, her sister, who is never around, shows up and is pregnant and she has left her job with no new prospects ahead. We watch as Tig tries to figure out her life and everyone else's along the way.
This book was such a pleasant surprise for me. I really wasn't expecting much here. Then the beginning was a bit all over the place and a little slow so I wasn't feeling great about it. Then all of sudden it clicked all together for me and I totally enjoyed this little story that got me all emotional and teary by the end (and hell along the way too!)
Tig was such a mess and she totally avoided that by trying to help everyone else and fix their problems. She was a counselor so it totally made sense that is how she reacted to all the things going on in her life. While she was frustrating at times, I was happy to see her grow and be more self-aware by the end.
The storyline with her mother in the nursing home was really sad. Alzheimer's seems like such an awful thing to have to experience as not only the patient but the family who surrounds them. A lot of the story takes place in the nursing home and that introduced one my favorite secondary characters - Fern. She was a patient down the hall and was that kind of old, cranky realist lady that helped Tig see things clearer.
On top of the Alzheimer's storyline there was dealing with her sister and her baby, her ex-boyfriend, finding a new job and what seemed like a million other things. Still I don't think it was over the top. It all really worked for me. There were humorous times as well which was a good way to balance some of the heavier stuff.
I was very happy with the ending and really enjoyed what turned out to be a really great, quick read.This review was originally posted on Rebel Mommy Book Blog
Tig Monahan is in a life transition. Her mom just moved into a nursing home to better take care of her Alzheimer's, Her boyfriend walked out on her, her sister, who is never around, shows up and is pregnant and she has left her job with no new prospects ahead. We watch as Tig tries to figure out her life and everyone else's along the way.
This book was such a pleasant surprise for me. I really wasn't expecting much here. Then the beginning was a bit all over the place and a little slow so I wasn't feeling great about it. Then all of sudden it clicked all together for me and I totally enjoyed this little story that got me all emotional and teary by the end (and hell along the way too!)
Tig was such a mess and she totally avoided that by trying to help everyone else and fix their problems. She was a counselor so it totally made sense that is how she reacted to all the things going on in her life. While she was frustrating at times, I was happy to see her grow and be more self-aware by the end.
The storyline with her mother in the nursing home was really sad. Alzheimer's seems like such an awful thing to have to experience as not only the patient but the family who surrounds them. A lot of the story takes place in the nursing home and that introduced one my favorite secondary characters - Fern. She was a patient down the hall and was that kind of old, cranky realist lady that helped Tig see things clearer.
On top of the Alzheimer's storyline there was dealing with her sister and her baby, her ex-boyfriend, finding a new job and what seemed like a million other things. Still I don't think it was over the top. It all really worked for me. There were humorous times as well which was a good way to balance some of the heavier stuff.
I was very happy with the ending and really enjoyed what turned out to be a really great, quick read.This review was originally posted on Rebel Mommy Book Blog
June 30, 2016
More people need to know and love Ann Garvin. Her books are the perfect combination of quirky, lovable, laughable characters and emotional, honest, feel-it-in my gut truths. I Like You Just Fine When You're Not Around is no exception, and is actually probably my favorite of Ann's three novels thus far.
When we meet our main character Tig, she has a mother who suffers from Alzheimers, a boyfriend who isn't exactly sure where he stands in her life, a sister who always seems to be MIA when needed, and a career that might suddenly be history. After playing the role of helper, therapist, caretaker, and second-in-line, for years, Tig must now learn how to cope with these sudden changes and, for once, think of what might be best for her. Mix all of this with a family secret and you've got a novel that you won't be able to put down.
Thank you Ann Garvin for writing novels that are so relatable, yet highly entertaining! I cannot wait for book number four!
When we meet our main character Tig, she has a mother who suffers from Alzheimers, a boyfriend who isn't exactly sure where he stands in her life, a sister who always seems to be MIA when needed, and a career that might suddenly be history. After playing the role of helper, therapist, caretaker, and second-in-line, for years, Tig must now learn how to cope with these sudden changes and, for once, think of what might be best for her. Mix all of this with a family secret and you've got a novel that you won't be able to put down.
Thank you Ann Garvin for writing novels that are so relatable, yet highly entertaining! I cannot wait for book number four!
July 8, 2016
I liked this book a lot. Tig is always an empathetic and enjoyable protagonist, even when she's messing up. The story kept moving from one calamity to the next, and didn't fully resolve itself until the end, which I appreciated here. The Tiger-Lily and Wendy theme was cute but not overtly in your face with it. The "mystery" with their mother I had figured out pretty much right away so that was a bit frustrating at times. A heartbreaking and funny and hopeful look at love, Alzheimer's, family, and getting your shit together.
September 14, 2016
I Like You Just Fine When You're Not Around is a humorous and poignant woman's journey to find her footing in the world as she tries to cope with her boyfriend leaving her, her sister abandoning her newborn, and her mother's slow decline from Alzheimers. Gavin examines the intricacies of family, relationships, and friendships and how the ties that often bind us can be a prison of our own making. An easy going conversational like narrative and appealingly broken heroine keeps you firmly engaged as Gavin leads her down a road filled with love, hope, forgiveness, and acceptance.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 372 reviews