2-3-4 Challenge Book Discussions #1 discussion
This topic is about
If You Only Knew
If You Only Knew
>
If You Only Knew by Kristan Higgins
date
newest »
newest »
Mod
Mod
I was extremely angry at Adam through pretty much the whole book. I never once bought his grovelling or apologies. I thought he was very slimy!!!
Mod
I hated how he became a wedge between Rachel and Jenny and lost some respect for her for allowing him to do that. But, this was pretty realistic as I've been a witness to it in real life.
Interestingly I also didn't love Leo. He just didn't do it for me. I didn't find him to be romance novel swoon worthy. I liked him as a person, felt bad for him but didn't care for him as a love interest.
Mod
Mod
I'm definitely on the fence about Leo. I was happy for Jenny in the end but still think she should keep her options open.
I really liked Jenny though. She seemed to care so much about everyone in her life but the same can't be said about those people and how they treated her.
Mod
Jonetta wrote: "It's when he became indignant that she'd think he was cheating that I became convinced that he was. That was a deflection. I hated how he became a wedge between Rachel and Jenny and lost some res..."
When Adam basically shamed Rachel for asking him about the picture it really felt icky. His reaction, regardless of whether or not he cheated, was pretty low and disrespectful I thought. Of course she would ask him about it and possibly have doubts. Look what she found?!? That would unsettle anyone.
I was very perturbed when Rachel allowed Adam to come between her and Jenny. Why would she take his word for things? He was a proven liar and her sister had bent over backwards to support her. Rachel lost a few popularity points with me here.
Mod
He's the type of man that makes you lose faith in people. He has this perfect, wonderful façade but underneath is a snake you can't easily see or detect. I know why it was hard for Rachel to let go. Part of it was saying goodbye to her lifestyle but the other took time to believe she really didn't know this man.
Jonetta wrote: "I think that was the point. Jenny never took the time to consider her own needs and identity. She became whomever the people around her thought she should be, never demanding anything for herself. ..."Great point! I hadn't considered that angle.
I thought her fascination with Owen and his new life was pretty sad really. Both Jenny and Rachel really had trouble putting themselves first.
Mod
Look at their mother and you get why.
Jonetta wrote: "Erin wrote: "When Adam basically shamed Rachel for asking him about the picture it really felt icky. His reaction, regardless of whether or not he cheated, was pretty low and disrespectful I though..."I struggled a bit with how many chances Rachel gave him. I really was fed up with him. And oh!!!! .... his response to why he cheated in their first therapy session?!?! Oh my! I was livid. I know he was supposed to be completely honest but come on!! That, to me, showed a complete disregard for his wife and her feelings. That would've done it for me right there.
Jonetta wrote: "Erin wrote: "Jonetta wrote: "I think that was the point. Jenny never took the time to consider her own needs and identity. She became whomever the people around her thought she should be, never dem..."Yes. I didn't see that connection while I was reading but I recognized it after I had finished and was thinking about the book.
What did you think about Jenny keeping her dads secret?
Mod
It did feel icky, and right then I knew he had cheated. Even if he had been innocent and that picture was sent to the wrong number, his reaction was almost that of an abusive partner. He turned it all around so that Rachel was somehow the guilty party. Why would an innocent person that truly loves their spouse make them feel like that? They wouldn't! Sure, they might get defensive, but not condescending and downright mean.
Mod
I thought this was realistic. I wonder if I would reveal that info or allow my family to live blissfully in their ignorance. I think it's a sacrifice I'd be willing to make, especially for my siblings. My mom? I'm not sure, I might reveal it. But then, what would that accomplish?
Mod
Same for me!!! There were times I thought the therapist was making Rachel responsible for Adam's straying.
Mod
Mod
I'm of two minds about that. On one hand, why put that in her sibling's mind for life? But, on the other hand, Rachel built her ideals about marriage on her perceptions about her parent's relationship. It could only help her.
Mod
Well said!
Mod
Oh man, I just wanted to shake her! Professionally, he might be perfect (or close to), but personally, the guy was a mess. I'm glad she finally moved on. But now I feel sorry for Ana-Sofia. This guy does not have all his stuff together. He gave his toy away and now that someone else is having fun with it, he want it back. Ass.
Mod
That's true. I'm glad Jenny didn't tell her before she was married though. I think Rachel was too easily influenced for too long that it may have had a negative influence. She would have never married the jerk, yeah, but then she'd never have those beautiful girls. So now that reality has set in, I think Jenny could tell Rachel what she knew.
Mod
Owen is an enigma. He liked Jenny's fixation on him but became bored by her lack of personal identity. Ana-Sofia intrigued him but after the baby was born, couldn't give him the idolatry he sorely needs in a relationship.
He doesn't need to be married. I feel sorry for the kid. Unfortunately, I've met men like Owen. They need to be married to have someone take care of them. Unfortunately, only doormats can meet those expectations but can't keep them mentally stimulated. They need never leave their mothers:)
Mod
Those are important distinctions, Monica. Rachel certainly was malleable. And there's the rub...without her marriage to Adam, those babies don't exist. Maybe she needed to learn this lesson the hard way?
Mod
I think that's where I left them, too. They'll figure each other out honestly and openly for the first time.
Mod
Personally? I'd never tell anyone and that's my nature. Don't know if it's right or wrong.
Wedding-dress designer Jenny Tate understands the happily-ever-after business, yet somehow she's still involved in her ex-husband's life. In fact, Owen's new wife may—inexplicably—be Jenny's new best friend. Sensing this, well, relationship isn't helping her move on, Jenny trades the Manhattan skyline for her hometown up the Hudson, where she'll be able to bask in her sister Rachel's picture-perfect family life…and hopefully make one of her own.
Her timing couldn't be more perfect, since Rachel will need her younger sister. Her idyllic marriage has just fallen to pieces in spectacular fashion after she discovers her husband sexting with one of his colleagues. Second chances aren't in Rachel's nature, but the desire for an intact family has her rethinking her stance on adultery, much to Jenny's surprise. Rachel points to their parents' "perfect" marriage as a shining example, but to protect her sister Jenny may have to tarnish that memory—and their relationship—and reveal a secret about their family she's been keeping since childhood.
During this summer of secrets and lies, temptation and revelation, Jenny and Rachel will rely on each other to find the humor in their personal catastrophes, the joy in their triumphs…and the strength to keep hanging on.
Character List
(view spoiler)[Jenny Tate: Wedding dress designer, now divorced. Rachel's sister. She's 36-years old and has black hair and dark brown eyes.
Leo Killian: Jenny's new building super. He's a piano teacher, 6'3" and has curly brown hair and blue gray eyes.
Rachel Carver: Jenny's older sister, a former graphic designer. She's the stay-at-home mother of triplet daughters Grace, Charlotte and Rose and is married to Adam. She's 39-years old and has blond hair and blue eyes.
Adam Carver: Rachel's husband, the father of their triplet daughters. He's a corporate attorney and has black hair and light brown eyes.
Grace Carver: Rachel and Adam's oldest daughter of their triplets. They are 3 1/2-years old.
Charlotte Carver: Rachel and Adam's middle daughter of their triplets. They are 3 1/2-years old.
Rose Carver: Rachel and Adam's youngest daughter of their triplets. They are 3 1/2-years old.
Owen Takahashi: Jenny's ex-husband. He's a plastic surgeon now married to Ana-Sofia.
Ana-Sofia Takahashi: Married to Owen.
Natasha Takahashi: Owen and Ana-Sofia's infant daughter.
Andreas Calderi: Jenny's assistant.
Lenore Tate: Jenny and Rachel's mother.
Rob Tate: Jenny and Rachel's father who's deceased.
Loki: Leo's dog.
Jared Brewster: Rachel's best friend and Adam's co-worker.
Kimber Allegretti: Jared's fiancée.
Kathleen Rhodes: One of the mothers whom Rachel has as a friend. She has two sets of twins.
Donna Ignaciato: Rachel's babysitter.
Emmanuelle St. Pierre: Adam's co-worker.
Lydia: Adam's receptionist.
Eleanor Hale Brewster: Jared's mother.
Evander James: Leo's student.
Laney Shields: Marriage counselor.
Jimmy Grant: Divorced friend of Rachel's.
Lena: Rob Tate's hygienist in his practice.
Gus Fletcher: Rachel's former co-worker.
Dorothy Puchalski: Dental hygienist who worked for Rob Tate while Lena was on maternity leave.
Dan Wallace: Dentist who joined Rob Tate's practice.
Lizzie: Rob Tate's receptionist.
(hide spoiler)]