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You Me Everything
Set in the French countryside on an idyllic summer vacation, a delicious, tender novel about finding joy and love even in the most unexpected places.
Jess and her ten-year-old son William set off to spend the summer at Château de Roussignol, deep in the rich, sunlit hills of the Dordogne. There, Jess’s ex-boyfriend—and William’s father—Adam, runs a beautiful hotel in a restored castle. Lush gardens, a gorgeous pool, delectable French food, and a seemingly never-ending wine list—what’s not to like? Jess is bowled over by what Adam has accomplished, but she’s in France for a much more urgent reason: to make Adam fall in love with his own son.
But Adam has other ideas, and another girlfriend—and he doesn’t seem inclined to change the habits of a lifetime just because Jess and William have appeared on the scene. Jess isn’t surprised, but William—who has quickly come to idolize his father—wants nothing more than to spend time with him. But Jess can’t allow Adam to let their son down—because she is tormented by a secret of her own, one that nobody—especially William—must discover.
By turns heartwrenching and hopeful, You Me Everything is a novel about one woman's fierce determination to grab hold of the family she has and never let go, and a romantic story as heady as a crisp Sancerre on a summer day.
Jess and her ten-year-old son William set off to spend the summer at Château de Roussignol, deep in the rich, sunlit hills of the Dordogne. There, Jess’s ex-boyfriend—and William’s father—Adam, runs a beautiful hotel in a restored castle. Lush gardens, a gorgeous pool, delectable French food, and a seemingly never-ending wine list—what’s not to like? Jess is bowled over by what Adam has accomplished, but she’s in France for a much more urgent reason: to make Adam fall in love with his own son.
But Adam has other ideas, and another girlfriend—and he doesn’t seem inclined to change the habits of a lifetime just because Jess and William have appeared on the scene. Jess isn’t surprised, but William—who has quickly come to idolize his father—wants nothing more than to spend time with him. But Jess can’t allow Adam to let their son down—because she is tormented by a secret of her own, one that nobody—especially William—must discover.
By turns heartwrenching and hopeful, You Me Everything is a novel about one woman's fierce determination to grab hold of the family she has and never let go, and a romantic story as heady as a crisp Sancerre on a summer day.
353 pages, Hardcover
First published April 19, 2018
569 people are currently reading
20824 people want to read
About the author
Catherine Isaac
17 books541 followersI’m the internationally bestselling author of 15 novels, ten of which have been published under the name ‘Jane Costello'’. My novels have been translated into 26 languages, selected by the Richard & Judy Book Club and I’ve been honoured to win a Romantic Novelists’ Award - twice! I was born in Liverpool, where I still live with my husband and three sons. When I’m not writing, you’ll usually find me on the tennis court, wishing I’d started to play about 25 years before I did.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,408 reviews
July 18, 2018
4.5 stars for this one.
What is it about books with pronouns in the title?
Me Before You, Everything I Never Told You, The Geography of You and Me , and now, Catherine Isaac's You Me Everything , all turned me into an emotional wreck when I was reading them. (I know there are countless other books which fit this bill, but these come to mind first.)
"Everyone's future is uncertain. Most of us don't think about the fact that we could be run over by a bus tomorrow. We plod through life, taking everything for granted."
Ever since he showed up late for the birth of their son, smelling of booze and with lipstick on his collar, Jess knew Adam wasn't for her. She should have listened to him when he told her he wasn't ready to be a father, but he had told her he loved her, so she thought that would triumph over everything. But it didn't, and she was fine letting him go, even though the burden of being a single mother wasn't the easiest."
Adam has tried to be a good father to William, but it's never seemed to be his number one priority. And again, that hasn't really upset Jess too much—she, along with her parents, have raised a handsome, well-adjusted boy. But now that William is 10, she's realized that he needs to get to know his father better. Bowing to pressure from her mother, Jess and William are heading to the French countryside to spend the summer with Adam at the hotel he operates in a restored castle.
It doesn't take long for William to become utterly enamored with his father. Adam enjoys having William there with him, but he's still not ready to give up the rest of his life for his son. He has a new, beautiful, younger girlfriend, and he doesn't quite understand that when you make a promise to a 10-year-old, he expects you to keep it—you can't just reschedule in order to spend time with your girlfriend.
Even though Jess still bears some old hurts from her relationship with Adam, she is bound and determined for him and William to grow closer, but she isn't willing to tell anyone why this is so important to her. Jess has a fear she has been hiding from nearly everyone, and she can't tell the truth, for fear she might lose everyone she loves. And as her feelings for Adam grow more jumbled the more time they spend together, she knows she has to keep him at long distance, for everyone's sake.
"When life is tough, as it will be for all of us, you have a duty to yourself. To live without regrets."
You Me Everything is one of those poignant, heartwarming tearjerkers that might not break new ground, but it's tremendously compelling. I read 90 percent of the book yesterday in just a few hours, and woke up early this morning so I could finish. Even though the plot is familiar, I found all of the characters really engaging, so I was very invested in seeing their stories through.
Isaac makes her American debut with this book, and her storytelling is tremendously assured. She does a great job with imagery—you can almost picture the French countryside where the book takes place and experience the adventures that Jess, Adam, and William go on. I was hooked from start to finish.
You won't want this one to end. This will be one of those books you need to grab quickly for the beach, the plane, the hammock, or wherever you want to devour it.
See all of my reviews at itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com, or check out my list of the best books I read in 2017 at https://itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com/2018/01/the-best-books-i-read-in-2017.html.
What is it about books with pronouns in the title?
Me Before You, Everything I Never Told You, The Geography of You and Me , and now, Catherine Isaac's You Me Everything , all turned me into an emotional wreck when I was reading them. (I know there are countless other books which fit this bill, but these come to mind first.)
"Everyone's future is uncertain. Most of us don't think about the fact that we could be run over by a bus tomorrow. We plod through life, taking everything for granted."
Ever since he showed up late for the birth of their son, smelling of booze and with lipstick on his collar, Jess knew Adam wasn't for her. She should have listened to him when he told her he wasn't ready to be a father, but he had told her he loved her, so she thought that would triumph over everything. But it didn't, and she was fine letting him go, even though the burden of being a single mother wasn't the easiest."
Adam has tried to be a good father to William, but it's never seemed to be his number one priority. And again, that hasn't really upset Jess too much—she, along with her parents, have raised a handsome, well-adjusted boy. But now that William is 10, she's realized that he needs to get to know his father better. Bowing to pressure from her mother, Jess and William are heading to the French countryside to spend the summer with Adam at the hotel he operates in a restored castle.
It doesn't take long for William to become utterly enamored with his father. Adam enjoys having William there with him, but he's still not ready to give up the rest of his life for his son. He has a new, beautiful, younger girlfriend, and he doesn't quite understand that when you make a promise to a 10-year-old, he expects you to keep it—you can't just reschedule in order to spend time with your girlfriend.
Even though Jess still bears some old hurts from her relationship with Adam, she is bound and determined for him and William to grow closer, but she isn't willing to tell anyone why this is so important to her. Jess has a fear she has been hiding from nearly everyone, and she can't tell the truth, for fear she might lose everyone she loves. And as her feelings for Adam grow more jumbled the more time they spend together, she knows she has to keep him at long distance, for everyone's sake.
"When life is tough, as it will be for all of us, you have a duty to yourself. To live without regrets."
You Me Everything is one of those poignant, heartwarming tearjerkers that might not break new ground, but it's tremendously compelling. I read 90 percent of the book yesterday in just a few hours, and woke up early this morning so I could finish. Even though the plot is familiar, I found all of the characters really engaging, so I was very invested in seeing their stories through.
Isaac makes her American debut with this book, and her storytelling is tremendously assured. She does a great job with imagery—you can almost picture the French countryside where the book takes place and experience the adventures that Jess, Adam, and William go on. I was hooked from start to finish.
You won't want this one to end. This will be one of those books you need to grab quickly for the beach, the plane, the hammock, or wherever you want to devour it.
See all of my reviews at itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com, or check out my list of the best books I read in 2017 at https://itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com/2018/01/the-best-books-i-read-in-2017.html.
January 18, 2021
I read You, Me, Everything when it first came out with aim to review it.
But life happened and I postponed and postponed my review writing until I realized I didn't feel comfortable to give it proper review, because the book wasn't fresh in my mind anymore.
But I loved it so much.
Then I decided to reread this masterpiece and even though I rated it 5 stars the first time I read it, I can say I appreciate it so much more the second time around.
What changed is I became a parent and I understand now the things I didn't before, and I can say that I read You, Me, Everything with a new perspective.
This is the book where the characters make the readers appreciate their own lives.
Maybe it sounds dramatic, but once you give this book a chance, you'll understand where I'm coming from.
The writing style was amazing, like it always is when it comes to Jane Costello (Catherine Isaac is pseudonym).
The story is written in first person.
I know there was movie production for this story, but I don't know where it stands right now.
However, I hope we'll get a chance to see You, Me, Everything on big screen.
I definitely recommend this one!
Read this and more reviews on my blog https://bookdustmagic.com
But life happened and I postponed and postponed my review writing until I realized I didn't feel comfortable to give it proper review, because the book wasn't fresh in my mind anymore.
But I loved it so much.
Then I decided to reread this masterpiece and even though I rated it 5 stars the first time I read it, I can say I appreciate it so much more the second time around.
What changed is I became a parent and I understand now the things I didn't before, and I can say that I read You, Me, Everything with a new perspective.
This is the book where the characters make the readers appreciate their own lives.
Maybe it sounds dramatic, but once you give this book a chance, you'll understand where I'm coming from.
The writing style was amazing, like it always is when it comes to Jane Costello (Catherine Isaac is pseudonym).
The story is written in first person.
I know there was movie production for this story, but I don't know where it stands right now.
However, I hope we'll get a chance to see You, Me, Everything on big screen.
I definitely recommend this one!
Read this and more reviews on my blog https://bookdustmagic.com
March 22, 2018
Set in the French Countryside Sick of his lies, cheating ways and complete lack of interest in fatherhood, Jess left her boyfriend, Adam, only months after she gave birth to their son. Adam moved to France to follow his dream, unencumbered by a series relationship and a child he never wanted. Ten years later, Susan, Jess's mother, lies in a nursing home, battling a debilitating disease. Susan forces Jess to recognise that William needs his father in his life.
Jess and William spend the summer at Chateau de Roussignol where Adam runs a beautiful hotel. She hopes that when Adam meets William, he will fall in love with his son. I did like this book, there was just something missing for me. I could not connect with the main characters. The devastating descriptions of the effects of Huntingtons Disease are very well written. Adams behaviour is a bit immature. I'm sure lots of readers will disagree with me and will really enjoy this book.
I would like to thank NetGalley, Simon & Schuster UK and the author Catherine Isaac for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Jess and William spend the summer at Chateau de Roussignol where Adam runs a beautiful hotel. She hopes that when Adam meets William, he will fall in love with his son. I did like this book, there was just something missing for me. I could not connect with the main characters. The devastating descriptions of the effects of Huntingtons Disease are very well written. Adams behaviour is a bit immature. I'm sure lots of readers will disagree with me and will really enjoy this book.
I would like to thank NetGalley, Simon & Schuster UK and the author Catherine Isaac for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
January 29, 2018
You, Me, Everything by Catherine Isaac is a story about family and relationships. Jess is trying to cope with being a single mum to her ten year old son. She is also trying to cope with the fact that her mother is suffering from Huntington disease. Jess takes her son on holiday to France so that he can spend some time getting to know his father. This trip will be a learning curve for everyone. I would like to thank NetGalley and Simon and Schuster UK for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.
March 4, 2020
In an effort to try and reconnect her son William to his father, Jess takes her 10 year old to spend the summer at Adam's hotel resort of Chateau de Roussignd in France.
While Adam has never shyed away from his commitments with financial support, he had always been a tad unreliable. There were warning signs when he even missed the birth!
Admittedly this isn't a genre that I tend to read, but having found it in my TRP - I must have brought it at somepoint...
It really helped that I liked the characters and was hopeful for a happy conclusion. It was quite brave of Jess to want to spend a trip in a foreign country with an ex, but once you full understand the reasoning behind putting her sons future first it makes her motivations even more vital that they get along.
Adam initial seemed like such an arse! Especially as he still appered so unreliable and opting to spend his time with other women, rather than activities he'd planned with William.
With Jess and Adam finally opening up to each other during the visit, both of their explanations made for a fitting conclusion.
While Adam has never shyed away from his commitments with financial support, he had always been a tad unreliable. There were warning signs when he even missed the birth!
Admittedly this isn't a genre that I tend to read, but having found it in my TRP - I must have brought it at somepoint...
It really helped that I liked the characters and was hopeful for a happy conclusion. It was quite brave of Jess to want to spend a trip in a foreign country with an ex, but once you full understand the reasoning behind putting her sons future first it makes her motivations even more vital that they get along.
Adam initial seemed like such an arse! Especially as he still appered so unreliable and opting to spend his time with other women, rather than activities he'd planned with William.
With Jess and Adam finally opening up to each other during the visit, both of their explanations made for a fitting conclusion.
December 12, 2024
Catching Up...
This is a story about family and relationships.
It's a book about lost love, paternal love, the love between mother and daughter, and the love that runs through the veins of a family.
It is a love story on so many different levels.
This book is just so incredibly gorgeous. It made me laugh, it made me cry, and I couldn’t help but fall in love with all of the characters.
I couldn't focus on anything else while I read this book.
And...That is not typical for me!
This is such a delightful read. The writing is beautiful, lyrical and so very down to earth. You probably can guess that I highly recommend it.
This is a story about family and relationships.
It's a book about lost love, paternal love, the love between mother and daughter, and the love that runs through the veins of a family.
It is a love story on so many different levels.
This book is just so incredibly gorgeous. It made me laugh, it made me cry, and I couldn’t help but fall in love with all of the characters.
I couldn't focus on anything else while I read this book.
And...That is not typical for me!
This is such a delightful read. The writing is beautiful, lyrical and so very down to earth. You probably can guess that I highly recommend it.
May 15, 2018
A French charcuterie of cheese ball and idealism.
September 11, 2019
What a beautiful book!
Reminiscent of Jojo Moyes' writing, this book celebrates everything there is about love, family, grief, acceptance, and taking the leap when you can't see the future clearly. It's such a great story of hope when you feel like things seem completely bleak.
I loved the characters, the humor, and the touching moments.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
Reminiscent of Jojo Moyes' writing, this book celebrates everything there is about love, family, grief, acceptance, and taking the leap when you can't see the future clearly. It's such a great story of hope when you feel like things seem completely bleak.
I loved the characters, the humor, and the touching moments.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
January 8, 2018
Underwhelming
This book fell a little short for me. Just, underwhelming considering I thought it might be like Jojo Moyes' Me Before You or just Moyes' writing. The only comparison? It's a love story. And, one I didn't enjoy very much. Nor, did I like the way the book was written- it was unnatural. The reader was told too much too soon. There was no anticipation, until near the end but everything else was immediately put out there. I had no curiosity for the story being told and so, it wasn't nearly as gripping as it could have been. This was also because the reader wasn't really given an opportunity to warm up to any of the characters, or connect with them.
This is a story about a love surviving against the odds. Jessica is a new mother, her boyfriend Adam failed to witness their first child's birth. He wasn't there when she needed him. Their relationship falls apart shortly after. Jessica's mother was there, Jess has come to rely on her, appreciate her more. Shortly after, her mother is diagnosed with Huntington's Disease. Ten Years Later: Jessica thinks she ought to reignite the relationship between her son and his father, for practical reasons. They're going to spend a holiday together. Things have changed: Adam has a girlfriend and his life is in France. In short: he's unavailable. But for how long?
This is a heart warming story, I sympathised completely with the family but where the author was striving to be funny, or make light of situations it didn't work. This story was much too serious for my taste. I also didn't like the choice Jess ultimately made, it didn't feel fully justified and it seemed like it was based on their intimacy. But begrudgingly, I could understand her desire to reunite her son with his father. It suggested responsibility but doing what she ultimately did felt out of character. It was unexplained, but the author knows the characters better.
Also disagree with the sentiment 'When you are surrounded by love, you have nothing to fear.' The book itself disagrees, you are fearful of heartbreak, loss, fate. The sentiment almost tempts fate, something I fiercely despise. I found a lot of the dialogue was guilty of the same crime. Telling someone it will all be okay, that they will have a good life- when life is by nature uncertain- is high on my list of pet-peeves.
Side note: the cover is rather genius.
I received this book through NetGalley.
This book fell a little short for me. Just, underwhelming considering I thought it might be like Jojo Moyes' Me Before You or just Moyes' writing. The only comparison? It's a love story. And, one I didn't enjoy very much. Nor, did I like the way the book was written- it was unnatural. The reader was told too much too soon. There was no anticipation, until near the end but everything else was immediately put out there. I had no curiosity for the story being told and so, it wasn't nearly as gripping as it could have been. This was also because the reader wasn't really given an opportunity to warm up to any of the characters, or connect with them.
This is a story about a love surviving against the odds. Jessica is a new mother, her boyfriend Adam failed to witness their first child's birth. He wasn't there when she needed him. Their relationship falls apart shortly after. Jessica's mother was there, Jess has come to rely on her, appreciate her more. Shortly after, her mother is diagnosed with Huntington's Disease. Ten Years Later: Jessica thinks she ought to reignite the relationship between her son and his father, for practical reasons. They're going to spend a holiday together. Things have changed: Adam has a girlfriend and his life is in France. In short: he's unavailable. But for how long?
This is a heart warming story, I sympathised completely with the family but where the author was striving to be funny, or make light of situations it didn't work. This story was much too serious for my taste. I also didn't like the choice Jess ultimately made, it didn't feel fully justified and it seemed like it was based on their intimacy. But begrudgingly, I could understand her desire to reunite her son with his father. It suggested responsibility but doing what she ultimately did felt out of character. It was unexplained, but the author knows the characters better.
Also disagree with the sentiment 'When you are surrounded by love, you have nothing to fear.' The book itself disagrees, you are fearful of heartbreak, loss, fate. The sentiment almost tempts fate, something I fiercely despise. I found a lot of the dialogue was guilty of the same crime. Telling someone it will all be okay, that they will have a good life- when life is by nature uncertain- is high on my list of pet-peeves.
Side note: the cover is rather genius.
I received this book through NetGalley.
April 1, 2018
Wow! What a brilliantly written, lovely book. Everyone: you HAVE to read this if it's the only one you read this year. Just make sure you have the tissues handy though as it WILL make you laugh and cry throughout its pages.
February 15, 2019
En nydelig bok. Det blei en del tårer underveis, og en generelt god leseopplevelse.
May 15, 2018
Book reviews on www.snazzybooks.com
Ohh, what a wonderfully written and emotional book - I didn't want to stop reading, despite the tears (I do cry easily but even so, this was a heartwrencher!).
Catherine Isaac's writing feels so like real life - in many ways but, at its heart, just in the way she portrays dialogue and actions - it all feels natural and so convincing. The situation - Jess trying to get her ex (and father of her child) to bond at last, whilst dealing with her own problems and those of her family too - I don't want to give too much away so will leave it at that - is one that no doubt many people have experienced, and it's all portrayed so realistically.
I also love the characters in this novel. Jess is lovely, strong and the kind of person who deals with things so well considering what she has to worry about - definitely an inspirational main character! In fact, the other characters are also so interesting to read about. I really like them all... even Adam, despite his MANY faults. You can see why Jess fell for him; I think everyone reading the novel might feel the same just a bit. However what I like most of all about this novel is that people and circumstances are never simple. There isn't an easy switch to solve everyone's problems, because that isn't real life. People don't always behave so well but that doesn't preclude them as bad people, just as other people might end up having to deal with more than their fair share of trouble, but unfortunately life is like that sometimes - not always fair.
You, Me, Everything conveys all of this without being overly depressing - there's certainly times when I felt upset and shed a tear (or two...or a hundred) but there were other times where I smiled. It addresses some really important issues and I loved Catherine Isaac's writing.
You, Me, Everything is a bit of a rollercoaster of emotions at times, but it's a brilliant read and I loved being along with them for the journey.
Many thanks to Simon & Schuster and Catherine Isaac for providing a copy of this book, on which I chose to write an honest and unbiased review.
Ohh, what a wonderfully written and emotional book - I didn't want to stop reading, despite the tears (I do cry easily but even so, this was a heartwrencher!).
Catherine Isaac's writing feels so like real life - in many ways but, at its heart, just in the way she portrays dialogue and actions - it all feels natural and so convincing. The situation - Jess trying to get her ex (and father of her child) to bond at last, whilst dealing with her own problems and those of her family too - I don't want to give too much away so will leave it at that - is one that no doubt many people have experienced, and it's all portrayed so realistically.
I also love the characters in this novel. Jess is lovely, strong and the kind of person who deals with things so well considering what she has to worry about - definitely an inspirational main character! In fact, the other characters are also so interesting to read about. I really like them all... even Adam, despite his MANY faults. You can see why Jess fell for him; I think everyone reading the novel might feel the same just a bit. However what I like most of all about this novel is that people and circumstances are never simple. There isn't an easy switch to solve everyone's problems, because that isn't real life. People don't always behave so well but that doesn't preclude them as bad people, just as other people might end up having to deal with more than their fair share of trouble, but unfortunately life is like that sometimes - not always fair.
You, Me, Everything conveys all of this without being overly depressing - there's certainly times when I felt upset and shed a tear (or two...or a hundred) but there were other times where I smiled. It addresses some really important issues and I loved Catherine Isaac's writing.
You, Me, Everything is a bit of a rollercoaster of emotions at times, but it's a brilliant read and I loved being along with them for the journey.
Many thanks to Simon & Schuster and Catherine Isaac for providing a copy of this book, on which I chose to write an honest and unbiased review.
November 30, 2017
Thank you NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for generously sharing the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review
I chose to read this book because in the Advance praise section I had read,
Oh wow. Just wow. If you liked Me Before You, you'll love You, Me, Everything. Heartbreakingly beautiful’
Claire Mackintosh
And I am a sucker for heartbreak !! But, I was left disappointed after this book. When the story began, I instantly liked it. I was looking forward to read all about the heartbreak and pain ! I liked that Jess raised William single handedly. I loved Jess's family. Her ailing mother and her resilient father ! Their bond with William was so touching. It was heart-breaking to read about her mother's illness and how her father puts up a brave face in front of her ! In the beginning of the book, when Jess calls her mother during her labor and Adam is absent, and her mother says
"I've been in the car park since midnight. I didn't want to get stuck in the traffic ."
I fell in love with her !! And then we have Jess's dad, who is an accountant, who has taught the love of numbers to William and is more of a father to William than his biological father. Adorable !
So far it's been good. The scenery now changes to France where Adam currently renovates and manages some chateau. Jess and William have come to visit Adam on request of her ailing mother. Cue, Adam !! Adam is like 30 going 17. He is annoying, self-centered and at times even uncaring, which pissed me off specially when he put his girl friend's wishes before his son's wishes. We also get to meet Jess's friends. We have Natasha, who is hot-bigshot-single-ready-to-mingle kinda woman and we have Becky who is married to her childhood sweetheart and has 3 children who drive her insane. Things start getting a little slow here onward. We get glimpses of problems in Becky's marriage and how Natasha is falling for a man younger than her, who BTW also has to compete with another self-obsessed man.Too much drama ! And not relevant to the plot at that !
So, we get to see Adam taking some effort to spend more time with William. We have a jealous Simone (Adam's gf) who is trying to snag Adam's attention. Scenes where Adam lets down William and Jess has to make up lies to keep him from getting hurt are heart-breaking. Adam is still way to self-centered till this point. Enter, Charlie ! A very rich man who is living in the chateau and has eyes on Jess. She flirts with him and enjoys the attention. And then suddenly we have scenes where Adam is apparently disturbed with how close Jess is with Charlie ! Really ?? And to add to my woes, Jess is also reminiscing her golden days with Adam and her feelings for Adam are growing despite knowing his history. Seriously ? My mind cannot just accept that Adam now is willing to get together with Jess, so easily, after immediately dumping his current gf.. Everything feels so rushed !!
All in all, I think Jess's mom and dad had more chemistry and heart breaking love than Jess-Adam! I just did not feel the pain or heart break when it came to Adam. Yah, he has agreed to keep up his marriage in sickness and in health, but it seems he has got it too easily. I agree that Adam and Jess's misunderstanding from the labor night, showed a sweet side to Adam. But, that simply did not negate his other problems and actions. And though he realized in the end that he could have fought and stayed to make their relationship work, the fact of the matter is he took the easy way out then !!! Why is he having it so easy now ??
I wish Jess would have tried a relationship first with Adam, and not just jumped into marriage. I wish Adam could have overcome his insecurities and been a deserving father to William before they married. I wish Adam could have been included in the scenes of Jess's mom's final moments, something to assure us that he knows what he has signed up for.. It feels so incomplete !
I chose to read this book because in the Advance praise section I had read,
Oh wow. Just wow. If you liked Me Before You, you'll love You, Me, Everything. Heartbreakingly beautiful’
Claire Mackintosh
And I am a sucker for heartbreak !! But, I was left disappointed after this book. When the story began, I instantly liked it. I was looking forward to read all about the heartbreak and pain ! I liked that Jess raised William single handedly. I loved Jess's family. Her ailing mother and her resilient father ! Their bond with William was so touching. It was heart-breaking to read about her mother's illness and how her father puts up a brave face in front of her ! In the beginning of the book, when Jess calls her mother during her labor and Adam is absent, and her mother says
"I've been in the car park since midnight. I didn't want to get stuck in the traffic ."
I fell in love with her !! And then we have Jess's dad, who is an accountant, who has taught the love of numbers to William and is more of a father to William than his biological father. Adorable !
So far it's been good. The scenery now changes to France where Adam currently renovates and manages some chateau. Jess and William have come to visit Adam on request of her ailing mother. Cue, Adam !! Adam is like 30 going 17. He is annoying, self-centered and at times even uncaring, which pissed me off specially when he put his girl friend's wishes before his son's wishes. We also get to meet Jess's friends. We have Natasha, who is hot-bigshot-single-ready-to-mingle kinda woman and we have Becky who is married to her childhood sweetheart and has 3 children who drive her insane. Things start getting a little slow here onward. We get glimpses of problems in Becky's marriage and how Natasha is falling for a man younger than her, who BTW also has to compete with another self-obsessed man.Too much drama ! And not relevant to the plot at that !
So, we get to see Adam taking some effort to spend more time with William. We have a jealous Simone (Adam's gf) who is trying to snag Adam's attention. Scenes where Adam lets down William and Jess has to make up lies to keep him from getting hurt are heart-breaking. Adam is still way to self-centered till this point. Enter, Charlie ! A very rich man who is living in the chateau and has eyes on Jess. She flirts with him and enjoys the attention. And then suddenly we have scenes where Adam is apparently disturbed with how close Jess is with Charlie ! Really ?? And to add to my woes, Jess is also reminiscing her golden days with Adam and her feelings for Adam are growing despite knowing his history. Seriously ? My mind cannot just accept that Adam now is willing to get together with Jess, so easily, after immediately dumping his current gf.. Everything feels so rushed !!
All in all, I think Jess's mom and dad had more chemistry and heart breaking love than Jess-Adam! I just did not feel the pain or heart break when it came to Adam. Yah, he has agreed to keep up his marriage in sickness and in health, but it seems he has got it too easily. I agree that Adam and Jess's misunderstanding from the labor night, showed a sweet side to Adam. But, that simply did not negate his other problems and actions. And though he realized in the end that he could have fought and stayed to make their relationship work, the fact of the matter is he took the easy way out then !!! Why is he having it so easy now ??
I wish Jess would have tried a relationship first with Adam, and not just jumped into marriage. I wish Adam could have overcome his insecurities and been a deserving father to William before they married. I wish Adam could have been included in the scenes of Jess's mom's final moments, something to assure us that he knows what he has signed up for.. It feels so incomplete !
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 3, 2020
The one thing that definitely deserves to be mentioned first is how there are so many hard topics tackled in this novel. From illness to alcoholism to being a single parent to the pressure kids can have on a relationship - it's all there!
And all those topics made this book that more amazing to read because they are incorporated in a real, genuine way that made my skin crawl at times. You can feel the hardships all characters are dealing with - purposely not mentioning names because spoilers, doh!
I'm not even going to go further into the content of this story because I don't want to spoil a thing for you guys - except for this:
One thing I had to laugh about but, more like a stupid laugh, was William - Jess' son - who's absolutely addicted to his mom's iPad. I feel like this is something a lot of parents struggle with. Trying to keep the kids away from constantly staring at a screen one way or another and that was shown pretty brilliantly in You, Me, Everything.
I also really loved the short chapters - or at least they felt really short to me. I even jotted down that I was at chapter 37 when I was 33% in and that felt, to me, like I didn't even read that much but seeing the chapter number was... enlightening?
And maybe I should mention how I totally did not know this novel is quite lengthy but I didn't even notice that at all while reading. I only found out about that afterwards!
One thing that kind of annoyed me a bit, was Jess' naivety. She's a single parent, she brought William up all on her own - well, together with her parents - and yet she can still be so naive when it comes to certain things.. It did my head in at times. That's totally me and someone else reading You, Me, Everything might not be bothered by it at all though!
4 / 5!
Kathy
And all those topics made this book that more amazing to read because they are incorporated in a real, genuine way that made my skin crawl at times. You can feel the hardships all characters are dealing with - purposely not mentioning names because spoilers, doh!
I'm not even going to go further into the content of this story because I don't want to spoil a thing for you guys - except for this:
One thing I had to laugh about but, more like a stupid laugh, was William - Jess' son - who's absolutely addicted to his mom's iPad. I feel like this is something a lot of parents struggle with. Trying to keep the kids away from constantly staring at a screen one way or another and that was shown pretty brilliantly in You, Me, Everything.
I also really loved the short chapters - or at least they felt really short to me. I even jotted down that I was at chapter 37 when I was 33% in and that felt, to me, like I didn't even read that much but seeing the chapter number was... enlightening?
And maybe I should mention how I totally did not know this novel is quite lengthy but I didn't even notice that at all while reading. I only found out about that afterwards!
One thing that kind of annoyed me a bit, was Jess' naivety. She's a single parent, she brought William up all on her own - well, together with her parents - and yet she can still be so naive when it comes to certain things.. It did my head in at times. That's totally me and someone else reading You, Me, Everything might not be bothered by it at all though!
4 / 5!
Kathy
October 10, 2023
Entre 3,5 y 4⭐️
Una historia tranquila y agradable de leer, menos sencilla de lo que en un principio parece.
Jess y su hijo William de diez años viven en Manchester. Adam, el padre del niño, regenta su propio hotel en la Dordoña. Su relación con William es escasa, apenas se ven. Jess ha criado a su hijo con la ayuda de sus padres. En la actualidad su madre, internada en una residencia aquejada de una grave enfermedad neurodegenerativa, le pide a Jess que intente recomponer la relación entre padre e hijo. Con ese objetivo Jess y William viajan a Francia. Ella no espera que Adam se implique, pero tiene buenos motivos para intentarlo.
Con esta trama aparentemente simple, Catherine Issac construye una historia entrañable con toques de humor. La parte dura, los motivos de Jess, está narrada con mucha delicadeza sin que agreda al lector.
Me ha gustado la filosofía que emana, la de vivir y disfrutar del ahora, lo único real que tenemos.
Los personajes bien. Entre los protagonistas me quedo con Jess y sobre todo William. A Adam me lo he creído un poco menos.
Los secundarios igualmente bien. Ponen una nota de humor y cotidianidad en la trama.
El final correcto y con su parte feliz.
En conclusión. Un drama bien llevado, menos sencillo de lo que parece y de lectura agradable. Recomendable.
Una historia tranquila y agradable de leer, menos sencilla de lo que en un principio parece.
Jess y su hijo William de diez años viven en Manchester. Adam, el padre del niño, regenta su propio hotel en la Dordoña. Su relación con William es escasa, apenas se ven. Jess ha criado a su hijo con la ayuda de sus padres. En la actualidad su madre, internada en una residencia aquejada de una grave enfermedad neurodegenerativa, le pide a Jess que intente recomponer la relación entre padre e hijo. Con ese objetivo Jess y William viajan a Francia. Ella no espera que Adam se implique, pero tiene buenos motivos para intentarlo.
Con esta trama aparentemente simple, Catherine Issac construye una historia entrañable con toques de humor. La parte dura, los motivos de Jess, está narrada con mucha delicadeza sin que agreda al lector.
Me ha gustado la filosofía que emana, la de vivir y disfrutar del ahora, lo único real que tenemos.
Los personajes bien. Entre los protagonistas me quedo con Jess y sobre todo William. A Adam me lo he creído un poco menos.
Los secundarios igualmente bien. Ponen una nota de humor y cotidianidad en la trama.
El final correcto y con su parte feliz.
En conclusión. Un drama bien llevado, menos sencillo de lo que parece y de lectura agradable. Recomendable.
July 2, 2018
Una historia aparentemente sencilla que nos demuestra de forma tierna y a veces divertida lo maravillosa y desgarradora que puede ser la vida. A partir de ese anhelo de una madre por seguir los deseos de su madre enferma, la novela nos permite acercarnos a una pareja que dejó de serlo hace 10 años, a sus desencuentros, a su niño y el amor esperanzado por su padre, a la verdad de la vida, y a cómo debemos seguir avanzando. Sin ser un texto demasiado intimista, la autora consigue que la historia penetre en ti.
Narrada desde el presente, en primera persona, ELLA nos va dando las pinceladas necesarias según acuden a su mente sobre lo que es, lo que fue y cómo han llegado hasta donde están.
No pensaba que iba a ser de esta manera; que me iba a gustar tanto a pesar de su sencillez y aparente simpleza, que iba a empatizar tanto con los personajes y su forma de enfrentarse a las dificultades, y que iba a ser una novela tan tierna, con su toque triste y su toque, en cierta manera, romántico.
Opinión completa en el blog
Narrada desde el presente, en primera persona, ELLA nos va dando las pinceladas necesarias según acuden a su mente sobre lo que es, lo que fue y cómo han llegado hasta donde están.
No pensaba que iba a ser de esta manera; que me iba a gustar tanto a pesar de su sencillez y aparente simpleza, que iba a empatizar tanto con los personajes y su forma de enfrentarse a las dificultades, y que iba a ser una novela tan tierna, con su toque triste y su toque, en cierta manera, romántico.
Opinión completa en el blog
December 4, 2017
The positive part of this book was learning about Huntington’s disease and how debilitating it is. The rest of the book was a Harlequin type story where boy meets girl, falls in love, baby boy arrives, father of baby leaves because of miscommunication, mom raises boy but later wants boy to bond with dad . During a summer vacation Dad bonds not only with his son but the woman he left many years ago.In between a lot of shallow characters with petty problems.
June 30, 2018
Dull pretty much sums it up. The story itself was ok but I just didn’t care about the main character. She was boring and one dimensional despite the sad back story. I could see where the story was going a mile off. I like a good love story as much as the next person but I need to care about the characters and this book didn’t do that for me. I listened to this book rather than read it so stuck with it to the end, not sure I would have bothered if I was reading it.
December 31, 2021
YOU ME EVERYTHING is the ninth book in my alphabetical author challenge. Jess has spent most of her life as a single mother. She and her son's father, Adam, split when William was just a baby. Adam did not seem up to the job of fatherhood and so Jess left, taking William with her. But, nonetheless, William adores his father. Now she and William are setting out for a summer in France at Château de Roussignol, a beautiful hotel that Adam runs. Jess' mother is ill and her wish is that Adam finally get to really know William. Jess has reluctantly agreed. But once there, it seems like Adam is too busy for them--running the Château, hanging out with his girlfriend... Jess is furious, especially since seeing Adam brings up so many memories. And even more so, because she has a hidden secret, and she really needs Adam and William to bond.
"We're not a family. We are two fragments of a broken couple superglued together by the most beautiful mistake we ever made."
This is a lyrical and lovely novel; Isaac truly has a way with words. There were certainly some plot points that bothered me (cheating, a child *must* have a father, some secrets that seemed very wrong to keep coupled with lies that truly affected people's lives) and that's why this was not a full 4+ star book for me. The descriptions of the French countryside, though, are absolutely gorgeous, and William is just so cute (though the constant pointing out that he liked his Mom's iPad a bit much for me).
EVERYTHING is a sad but hopeful book about family, parenthood, and what ifs. It has a wistful and poignant air to it, yet much of its plot is rooted quite securely in reality. I doubt I would have ever grabbed it off my shelves if it weren't for my author challenge, but I'm glad I did. 3.75 stars.
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"We're not a family. We are two fragments of a broken couple superglued together by the most beautiful mistake we ever made."
This is a lyrical and lovely novel; Isaac truly has a way with words. There were certainly some plot points that bothered me (cheating, a child *must* have a father, some secrets that seemed very wrong to keep coupled with lies that truly affected people's lives) and that's why this was not a full 4+ star book for me. The descriptions of the French countryside, though, are absolutely gorgeous, and William is just so cute (though the constant pointing out that he liked his Mom's iPad a bit much for me).
EVERYTHING is a sad but hopeful book about family, parenthood, and what ifs. It has a wistful and poignant air to it, yet much of its plot is rooted quite securely in reality. I doubt I would have ever grabbed it off my shelves if it weren't for my author challenge, but I'm glad I did. 3.75 stars.
Blog ~ Twitter ~ Facebook ~ Smashbomb ~ Instagram
February 10, 2023
Jautrus, šiltas ir informatyvus kūrinys apie ligą, kuriai tikrai skiriama mažai dėmėsio.
Autorė puikiai atskleidžia kovą, gyvenimą ir sysigyvenimą su liga per švelnią, nuoširdžią ir gyvenimišką istoriją.
Knyga ne tik, kad įtraukė bet graudindama suteikė vilties.
Tikrai dėmesio vertas kūrinys.
Autorė puikiai atskleidžia kovą, gyvenimą ir sysigyvenimą su liga per švelnią, nuoširdžią ir gyvenimišką istoriją.
Knyga ne tik, kad įtraukė bet graudindama suteikė vilties.
Tikrai dėmesio vertas kūrinys.
September 4, 2023
Patiko istorija, nes joje pasakojama apie šeimą, meilę vaikui, tėvams. Sunkią ligą...
Nepatiko tai, jog per daug aprašoma pašalinių veikėjų gyvenimai - draugų, draugių ir tt... visai buvo man neįdomu.
O šiaip... vidutiniška. Skaitau ją jau antrą kartą ir dabar suprantu kodėl. Jei būtų patikusi labai, antrą syk jos jau nebūtų reikėję skaityti kaip naujos nes neprisiminiau visiškai nieko :)
Nepatiko tai, jog per daug aprašoma pašalinių veikėjų gyvenimai - draugų, draugių ir tt... visai buvo man neįdomu.
O šiaip... vidutiniška. Skaitau ją jau antrą kartą ir dabar suprantu kodėl. Jei būtų patikusi labai, antrą syk jos jau nebūtų reikėję skaityti kaip naujos nes neprisiminiau visiškai nieko :)
September 26, 2018
Many glowing reviews here, but although this book dealt with some difficult issues, I had an unshakable impression that this author cut her teeth writing "romances." For me, the giveaway clues were the life-changing decisions made on a minor misunderstanding, the detailed descriptions of rippling muscles, glistening skin and throbbing hearts, the constant push/pull between Our Heroine and Our Hero and the introduction of a Diverting Male.
After I finished, I explored her bio and found she had indeed been a winner of Romance Novel competitions under an assumed name. A pleasant enough read with touching moments, but the easy-read romance-y ambiance dooms this attempt at a serious novel.
After I finished, I explored her bio and found she had indeed been a winner of Romance Novel competitions under an assumed name. A pleasant enough read with touching moments, but the easy-read romance-y ambiance dooms this attempt at a serious novel.
Read
June 18, 2018This was a DNF for me.
July 14, 2019
Perfectly sweet summertime read!
April 24, 2020
Deși am plecat fără mari așteptări, m-a prins povestea. Nu personajul principal. Aş putea s-o admir dacă nu aş invidia-o puțin pentru optimismul şi încrederea cu care priveşte viața chiar şi atunci când nu sună bine deloc. Dar m-a dezamăgit decizia ei finală. Am perceput-o ca pe un compromis făcut de frica singurătății. M-a zgâriat pe creier şi m-a obligat s-o consider superficială. În viață, dragostea nu e totul, astea-s poveşti de la Alma. Dar povestea a sunat bine inițial. Şi multe dintre nemulțumirile, frustrările şi anxietățile ei mi-au părut decente, fireşti, chiar de bun-simț. Unele chiar le-am experimentat personal de-a lungul vieții. Şi brusc, când mai aveam vreo 30 de pagini dintr-o carte, nu extraordinară, dar cu lecții bune de viață, din care poți trage concluzii pozitive, autoarea a simțit nevoia să-şi bată joc de neuronii mei. De ce simt unii nevoia stringentă de happy-end? Cu ce te poate gâdila melodrama ieftină? Ce avea, băi frate, un sfârşit ca-n viață? De ce trebuie să curgă lapte şi miere? De ce trebuie să găseşti întotdeauna scuze, ce nici măcar nu par veridice, personajelor? De ce simți nevoia să-l transformi pe nemernic în ăla care s-a sacrificat pentru alții, în martir, în victimă, când el de fapt e clar că-i imatur şi egoist? Ce avea un sfârşit real, uşor dureros, uşor trist, fără au trăit fericiți până la adânci bătrâneți şi tremurând de mână?
80% a fost o lectură agreabilă şi relaxantă. Mi-a plăcut pitorescul ambientului, chiar dacă am simțit greutatea carantinei parcă apăsând şi mai tare. Mi s-a făcut dor de o vacanță pe coclauri. În afara părinților lui Jess, care în ciuda tragediei mamei, au o relație deosebită, n-am simpatizat niciun personaj.
Jess are 33 de ani, un copil pe care-l creşte singură, o mamă ce suferă de boala Huntington şi multe temeri privind viitorul.
Boala Huntington afectează sistemul nervos central și duce la degenerarea deprinderilor motorii și a abilităților cognitive, precum și la dificultăți comportamentale. Cu alte cuvinte, în timp, transformă un adult într-un bebeluş. Este, de asemenea, şi ereditară şi se transmite cam în 50% dintre cazuri.
După ce-şi creşte singură copilul timp de 10 ani, se hotărăşte să petreacă cu acesta o vacanță în Franța, în resortul rustic administrat de tatăl copilului pe domeniul unui conac. Intenția ei este să-l convingă pe bărbat să se apropie de copil, să construiască o relație afectivă între tată şi fiu. Are mai multe motive, pe care le accept ca pertinente, să încerce lucrul acesta, dar mie mi-ar fi imposibil să fac ce-a făcut ea. Să trec peste frustrarea pe care am trăit-o atâția ani, care sunt sigură că există la orice femeie care-şi creşte singură copilul, chiar dacă o recunoaşte, chiar dacă nu o recunoaşte. Mi-e greu să înțeleg cum poți petrece o vară în apropierea unui om care n-a fost niciodată acolo, cum poți uita şi trece peste atâția ani de alegeri dificile, de lipsă de timp, de libertate, de sacrificii până la urmă. Da. Înțeleg dorința ei ca tatăl să participe şi să se implice în viața copilului, dar in viața ta n-are ce căuta. Autoarea a apelat la motivul dragostei nemuritoare, dar la mine nu ține genul ăsta de sirop. După 10 ani de pauză eu zic că nu mai e cazul, oricare ar fi motivele şi scuzele. Am rămas cu senzația că Jess s-a hazardat, a făcut un compromis prea mare, am văzut decizia ei prea optimistă, iar Adam, tatăl copilului, habar n-are în ce a intrat. Nu îmi pot imagina că lucrurile ar putea să meargă bine, relația lor îmi pare grăbită şi deplasată.
80% a fost o lectură agreabilă şi relaxantă. Mi-a plăcut pitorescul ambientului, chiar dacă am simțit greutatea carantinei parcă apăsând şi mai tare. Mi s-a făcut dor de o vacanță pe coclauri. În afara părinților lui Jess, care în ciuda tragediei mamei, au o relație deosebită, n-am simpatizat niciun personaj.
Jess are 33 de ani, un copil pe care-l creşte singură, o mamă ce suferă de boala Huntington şi multe temeri privind viitorul.
Boala Huntington afectează sistemul nervos central și duce la degenerarea deprinderilor motorii și a abilităților cognitive, precum și la dificultăți comportamentale. Cu alte cuvinte, în timp, transformă un adult într-un bebeluş. Este, de asemenea, şi ereditară şi se transmite cam în 50% dintre cazuri.
După ce-şi creşte singură copilul timp de 10 ani, se hotărăşte să petreacă cu acesta o vacanță în Franța, în resortul rustic administrat de tatăl copilului pe domeniul unui conac. Intenția ei este să-l convingă pe bărbat să se apropie de copil, să construiască o relație afectivă între tată şi fiu. Are mai multe motive, pe care le accept ca pertinente, să încerce lucrul acesta, dar mie mi-ar fi imposibil să fac ce-a făcut ea. Să trec peste frustrarea pe care am trăit-o atâția ani, care sunt sigură că există la orice femeie care-şi creşte singură copilul, chiar dacă o recunoaşte, chiar dacă nu o recunoaşte. Mi-e greu să înțeleg cum poți petrece o vară în apropierea unui om care n-a fost niciodată acolo, cum poți uita şi trece peste atâția ani de alegeri dificile, de lipsă de timp, de libertate, de sacrificii până la urmă. Da. Înțeleg dorința ei ca tatăl să participe şi să se implice în viața copilului, dar in viața ta n-are ce căuta. Autoarea a apelat la motivul dragostei nemuritoare, dar la mine nu ține genul ăsta de sirop. După 10 ani de pauză eu zic că nu mai e cazul, oricare ar fi motivele şi scuzele. Am rămas cu senzația că Jess s-a hazardat, a făcut un compromis prea mare, am văzut decizia ei prea optimistă, iar Adam, tatăl copilului, habar n-are în ce a intrat. Nu îmi pot imagina că lucrurile ar putea să meargă bine, relația lor îmi pare grăbită şi deplasată.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 25, 2018
I'm going to keep this one short and sweet. The setting of the book takes place in the French countryside and you can't help but want to be there with the characters. The story revolves around Jess and Adam and their son William. Adam has never been an ideal father, leaving shortly after his birth and only seeing him a few times a year since. Jess wants more for her son and is making one last attempt to make things right between everyone all while holding back a secret of her own. Overall, I enjoyed the premise and loved the setting, but never felt a strong connection to the characters which ultimately left me disappointed. It would make a good vacation read or a palate cleanser. 3/5🌟
July 3, 2019
A good summer read. Slow at first but got better. Not as light as the cover conveys. Had some serious issues but some funny and heartwarming ones too. 3.5★s!
August 28, 2018
الاضطراب الذي تعانيه الكاتبة اصابني بشلل نصفي، فهي حقا لاتعرف ماذا تريد.. فتارة تندب حظها العاثر مع طليقها وتارة تند المرض الذي ورثته. لن افسد عليك الكتاب طالعه بنفسك
F.F.
F.F.
June 1, 2018
Jess and Adam split up ten years ago; during which time Jess has been single-handedly raising their son William, whilst Adam has been busy making a new life for himself in France. Now Jess decides to take William to France to spend a summer at the hotel that Adam runs, in the hope of encouraging some father and son bonding; though both Adam and William are unaware of her true reasons for doing so.
This book is actually by Jane Costello writing under a pseudonym, and I can see why she chose to do so, as the subject matter is more sensitive and weighty than in her previous books. Though that being said, the book still had her trademark humour and light-hearted writing style. I have seen comparisons being made to Jojo Moyes' Me Before You, and again I can perhaps appreciate why; though in my own opinion despite the subject matter in this book, it didn't read as emotionally for me as the latter or strike such a resonance.
Still that is not to say that I didn't very much enjoy the story. I loved the setting in the south of France and thought that Isaac did a good job of capturing the atmosphere of the place. I also really liked the concept of the story. Without wanting to give too much way, Jess' mother is suffering from a degenerative disease, and coming from a medical background I thought that Isaac portrayed the depiction of the disease's impact on her mum really well, as well as the wider implications for the family. I particularly liked her portrayal of Jess' parent's relationship, and the devotion her father has as a carer. Given the subject material, the book could have been a hard read, but overall the story is an uplifting and heart-warming one, with a lot of lighter moments.
Jess and Adam's relationship is central to the book; and whilst at first Adam comes across as a very selfish character, that does change as the story goes on, and actually there were some revelations later that changed my perception of him. I enjoyed watching the two re-connect, as well as seeing Adam's growing relationship with his son. Again flashback chapters to the past helped to flesh out their relationship and capture the connection between them, adding a nostalgic flavour.
I wasn't so keen on the side plots concerning Jess' friends, as I think there was already enough going on in the story, and they read rather as filler. For me personally my main reason for not giving the book 5 stars, was that it didn't pack quite the punch I think it could have done, particularly towards the end of the book. Isaac didn't quite manage to convey the emotion that could have made it an outstanding read like Me Before You. As it was, whilst I still really enjoyed the book, and thought it a heart-warming story, I thought it fell just a little short of its full potential.
This book is actually by Jane Costello writing under a pseudonym, and I can see why she chose to do so, as the subject matter is more sensitive and weighty than in her previous books. Though that being said, the book still had her trademark humour and light-hearted writing style. I have seen comparisons being made to Jojo Moyes' Me Before You, and again I can perhaps appreciate why; though in my own opinion despite the subject matter in this book, it didn't read as emotionally for me as the latter or strike such a resonance.
Still that is not to say that I didn't very much enjoy the story. I loved the setting in the south of France and thought that Isaac did a good job of capturing the atmosphere of the place. I also really liked the concept of the story. Without wanting to give too much way, Jess' mother is suffering from a degenerative disease, and coming from a medical background I thought that Isaac portrayed the depiction of the disease's impact on her mum really well, as well as the wider implications for the family. I particularly liked her portrayal of Jess' parent's relationship, and the devotion her father has as a carer. Given the subject material, the book could have been a hard read, but overall the story is an uplifting and heart-warming one, with a lot of lighter moments.
Jess and Adam's relationship is central to the book; and whilst at first Adam comes across as a very selfish character, that does change as the story goes on, and actually there were some revelations later that changed my perception of him. I enjoyed watching the two re-connect, as well as seeing Adam's growing relationship with his son. Again flashback chapters to the past helped to flesh out their relationship and capture the connection between them, adding a nostalgic flavour.
I wasn't so keen on the side plots concerning Jess' friends, as I think there was already enough going on in the story, and they read rather as filler. For me personally my main reason for not giving the book 5 stars, was that it didn't pack quite the punch I think it could have done, particularly towards the end of the book. Isaac didn't quite manage to convey the emotion that could have made it an outstanding read like Me Before You. As it was, whilst I still really enjoyed the book, and thought it a heart-warming story, I thought it fell just a little short of its full potential.
March 14, 2018
Oh My Heart! I just need to take a little breath before I write this review, because this book is just so incredibly gorgeous. It is such a beautiful book. It made me laugh, it made me cry, and I fell in love with all of the characters. I couldn't focus on anything else while I read this book, set in the beautiful Chateau de Roussignol, in the French countryside. It waa all consuming.
It's a book about lost love, about paternal lov, about the love between mother and daughter, and the love that runs thriugh the veins of a family. It is a love story on so many different levels, and as you can probably tell, I loved it!
The novel begins with Jess giving birth to William. A baby that Adam was unprepared for, and whom he left behind not long after the birth. It was Jess's mother and father who supported her for the fhrst ten years of William's life. Then fast forward ten years and we have the situation that is now. Jess wants her son to form a relationship with his father, and so she makes the decision to holiday in France, where Adam now lives and works.
During Jess and William's summer vacation to reconnect with Adam, their lives will change forever. That is all I will say. I don't want to give anything away.
This is such a delightful read. The writing is beautiful, lyrical and so very down to earth. The characters are real on the page, and Jess in particular completely resonated with me. I understood completely her motives for wanting her son to have a proper family, and to bond with his father. I alao had a soft spot for William. As a mum to two boys, aged 11 and nearly 10, his mannerisms, language and emotions really touched me. I just wanted to put my arms around this little boy and tell him that everything would be OK.
I really did go through a whole range of emotions, while reading You Me Everything. This book is both heartbreaking, yet hopeful, romantic and practical. It's a book about the importance of family and how love evolves and is forever changing, but that it is always present. A beautiful story that I will read again and again. I highly recommend it. Enjoy!
With thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the Advanced Reader Copy.
It's a book about lost love, about paternal lov, about the love between mother and daughter, and the love that runs thriugh the veins of a family. It is a love story on so many different levels, and as you can probably tell, I loved it!
The novel begins with Jess giving birth to William. A baby that Adam was unprepared for, and whom he left behind not long after the birth. It was Jess's mother and father who supported her for the fhrst ten years of William's life. Then fast forward ten years and we have the situation that is now. Jess wants her son to form a relationship with his father, and so she makes the decision to holiday in France, where Adam now lives and works.
During Jess and William's summer vacation to reconnect with Adam, their lives will change forever. That is all I will say. I don't want to give anything away.
This is such a delightful read. The writing is beautiful, lyrical and so very down to earth. The characters are real on the page, and Jess in particular completely resonated with me. I understood completely her motives for wanting her son to have a proper family, and to bond with his father. I alao had a soft spot for William. As a mum to two boys, aged 11 and nearly 10, his mannerisms, language and emotions really touched me. I just wanted to put my arms around this little boy and tell him that everything would be OK.
I really did go through a whole range of emotions, while reading You Me Everything. This book is both heartbreaking, yet hopeful, romantic and practical. It's a book about the importance of family and how love evolves and is forever changing, but that it is always present. A beautiful story that I will read again and again. I highly recommend it. Enjoy!
With thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the Advanced Reader Copy.
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