The Book of Us

Uplifting and emotional. Andrea Michael has written a lovely story full of endless hope and heart. Cass and Loll were as close as friends could be. Inseparable in college they created “The Book of Us“ a list of all the things they were going to do together in their lifetime. Then something happened and their friendship fell apart and for seven years Cass and Loll did not see one another. When Cass discovers that she is sick she reaches out to repair the friendship. Can past trespasses be forgiven?<br /><br /> A touching story about the power of friendship, forgiveness, family, and love. Both Cass and Loll or hard to like and frustrated me at times. I still did enjoy the time I spent with them while they tried to piece their friendship back together. The star of this book for me really was Veronica, Cass’s Young daughter. She joined the ladies on their adventure and really was the absolute best. A sweet story with aN emotional ending. *have Kleenex handy*<br /><br />*** Big thank you to Harper Collins UK for my gifted copy of this book. All opinions are my own. ***

All my reviews can be found at: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow" href="http://jessicasreadingroom.com">http://jessicasreadingroom.com</a><br />~~~~<br />This review appeared on my site on June 13, 2020 as a part of the blog tour.<br />~~~~<br />The Book of Us is a story of friendship, love, betrayal, the healing power of forgiveness and much more. Cass and Loll met in college and became inseparable until something happened one night to throw the two apart. Years later Loll finally hears from Cass and the news is not good: Cass is dying from cancer. This news brings the two former friends back together for a final adventure. When they were younger they created a ‘book of life’ which consists of things that they MUST do together. Despite their issues and one big unexpected surprise we find out about early on which becomes a part of the journey, the two very differently flawed ladies come together to travel in several different countries working to finish their planned adventures in their shared ‘bucket list’. Yes, they clash some due to the past and their personalities. Will they be able to move on and enjoy the time that Cass has left? <br /><br />I enjoyed this novel. The Book of Us is all about Cass and Loll, whose personalities are extremely different, but somehow became the best of friends in college. Despite the fallout and years apart the two ladies come together for this last adventure. I also joined in on the journey with Cass and Loll and hoped they could mend broken fences before it was too late. I have always wanted to go to Australia and was envious that they went there (despite the extremely long flight!)<br /><br />You know where the ending of the novel is going to go, but it is not about the ending, it’s about the journey. <br /><br />Come join Cass and Loll on their adventure together and see what happens! <br /><br />

I've put 4 stars but more of a 3.5 for me.<br />Initially I really enjoyed the beginning. It drew me in and was really interested. But after a while i seemed to loose interest. Might just be the mood in was in. I will give it another go at some point. Dont be put off though as everyone is different

*dabs eyes*<br /><br />*hiccups*<br /><br />*blows out breath*<br /><br />I’m sure we’ve all had a good chuckle at some of the book memes that do the rounds. Let’s face it, they’re funny because they’re true *shrugs*. You know the one that captures the moment you finish a book then look around to see that life is still carrying on as normal (whatever passes for normal these days) as if you haven’t just experienced emotional trauma at the hands of a story? Well that is so me right now *sniffs*. <br /><br />Everything hurts. In fact, a hug wouldn’t go amiss *harrumphs*. I’m simultaneously sad and happy. *snorts* Yes, I know I have issues...<br /><br />Cass and Loll’s story is a complicated one. It’s a story of love, friendship, betrayal, hope, and pain. Now call me twisted, but there is beauty in that pain. It’s the kind that hurts so good.<br /><br />Don’t look at me like that! Read their story then we can talk.<br /><br /><i>“The way things begin doesn’t mean that’s the way they end up.”</i><br /><br />This book is full of ‘sharp intake of breath’ moments. I was starting to doubt which end was up with each new revelation. With hurt on both sides, can forgiveness ever be found before it’s too late?<br /><br />I lost my heart in this story. When you read it (because you have to!), you’ll know exactly which character I’m talking about when you meet them. <br /><br />I’ll admit to having the need to having a good old ugly cry during this book. Which may or may not have included sitting with tears streaming down my face with a hot cup of tea and a spoon in a jar of crunchy peanut butter. Now there’s an image for you! *blushes*<br /><br />Beautifully written, The Book of Us will take you on a gut-wrenching and life affirming journey that makes you think. Life can be fleeting, but those we love always leave their mark. The author certainly left hers on the pages of this story. <br /><br />Andrea Michael is a new-to-me-author who I’d happily recommend to my book friends who enjoy having their hearts eviscerated with a red-hot poker in their reads. Metaphorically speaking of course *snorts*.

When I read the description of this book I thought I was going to fall in love with it. Sadly I didn't. It was a good read overall but the characters didn't draw me in and love them. The ending was the best part for me. First for me from this author.

A character-driven story, we start with the story of Lauren (Loll) and Cassidy: best friends at one point, then life interfered. Now Cassidy is facing death and wants to reconnect with her former best friend, but there’s much to get through in the intervening years, some just time-related, others more betrayal-like and serious.<br /><br />Lauren was the more focused and driven of the two: her dreams of becoming a human-rights lawyer never came to pass, and she’s the friend we’ve all had who has a million reasons why something didn’t work out – unfortunately, she’s never quite figured her own behavior into the event. Cassidy was more the boho-bold one, a bit reckless, even thoughtless, relying on her charm and her quick wit to get her through sticky situations. But wit won’t battle cancer, and while the reuniting over a grave illness trope and trying to find the reason for the friendship in the first place isn’t new – it’s a trope that we all can relate to on one level or another. <br /><br />Key to these stories working is the secrets that are uncovered, how the characters relate to one another after, and just how compelling the characters are to the reader. While the basics of the story are intriguing, I didn’t even like Lauren much – her lack of self-awareness, her indistinct personality, pessimistic outlook and her tendency to be blind to her own faults were wearing, particularly when she didn’t find any insight into her own self even as it was smattered across the pages. Contrast her with Cassidy who displays her faults in an entirely different way: sometimes feeling very selfish and trying to ‘catch up’ with her need for baring it all before the end. There was a callousness in her revelations, some tied to Lauren’s ex and the relationships that BOTH had with him, others seemed to be fueled by anger (which is more than understandable in the circumstance) when perhaps reuniting and reconnecting would have been the smarter option? I’m not really sure which way I’m leaning on the ‘what was the right approach” angle, but I do know that as a ‘how not to do it” tome, this was a helpful, if not entirely engaging read because of those disconnects with the characters. <br /><br />I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility. <br /><br />Review first appeared at <a href="”" rel="nofollow noopener"> </a><a> I am, Indeed </a><br />

Snuggle in to your coziest sweatshirt, grab your favorite beverage and comfort snack, settle your dog or cat by your reading chair and savor this lush, lyrical, almost literary, emotional contemporary women’s fiction. Cass and Lindsay, “Loll” were best college friends.They planned to be friends forever, and so they created a “book of us” and filled it with their dreams and bucket lists- everything they would do together. Until they weren’t together or even friends. Seven years later, when Cass faces a crisis, and Loll still doesn’t respond, can the “book of us” bring then back together?<br /><br />As a young woman, I had a friend similar to Cass- the luminous woman everyone was attracted to and everyone loved. Like Loll, I worried more and was cautious, the “good girl”. The author has Loll tell their story, in the third person-I was glad this wasn’t an alternating chapters book. Loll never forgave Cass for making a terrible mistake, although Loll doesn’t know the whole story. The moment that ended their friendship is the backdrop to the story, and it still haunts both Cass and Loll. Can they learn the truth and forgive each other?<br /><br />Cass and Loll reunite on a New Year’s Day, 7 years after the unforgivable act. Cass has a young daughter. Due to Cass’s health, Loll agrees to go on a bucket list trip with them. As they travel to Finland, Spain and Australia, Loll and Cass tentatively reach out to each other. <br /><br />The truth is revealed to the reader at the end of the story, and it’s sad how much hurt came about because Cass and Loll could never really connect and learn the truth. But did it really matter- they still had the “book of us”. <br /><br />If you are a crier, you will sob through this story. The book is well-written and shows us the souls of both Cass and Loll. Cass’s young daughter is well-drawn, adorable, spunky and real. Perfect for beach read season. This book could easily have a sequel- that would be lovely. <br /><br />Thanks to NetGalley and One More Chapter, Harper Collins for an advance review copy. This is my honest review.

Cassidy and Lauren were best friends in college but a fight seperated them. When Lauren's husband leaves her, she receives a letter from Cassidy telling her that she is dying and if she's willing to come over to her house. Will they be able to restore their friendship?<br /><br />Well... I don't know where to start for this one. I didn't like it and it's not because of the story or the way its been written except that the story is extremely character driven. And that is absolutely fine too but when you don't like the characters in the book, that becomes a problem. That was the problem for me. I didn't like the main characters at all. Lauren was driving me mad with her negativity and her victim attitude. What happened to strong women who control their own destiny and don't blame others? I'm not going to go to far into this because it will turn into a massive rant if I do.<br /><br />Cassidy was equally irritating to me with her snide comments and her pretence of being perfect. Because I didn't like them, I didn't care about the story or what they were thinking, making it very hard for me to get through this book.<br /><br />This book's writing style was great but the story just wasn't for me. Doesn't mean the book isn't good, it just means the book wasn't for me.<br /><br />I received a review copy from the publisher through Netgalley.

Wow, what an emotional story this is, a real journey of friendship, betrayal, forgiveness and, most of all, love.<br /><br />Although opposites in many ways, Loll and Cass had an amazing friendship after they met at Uni. They helped each other in so many ways and even wrote all their lifelong plans in a book, the book of us. However, seven years ago events tore them apart. Now life changes for them both again. Loll’s husband leaves her for a younger woman on Christmas Eve and a few days later Loll receives a letter from Cass asking to meet. Cass is dying and wants to complete their dreams from The Book of Us. Can the two heal their broken relationship and move forward together?<br /><br />This is such a moving story and an enthralling read. There are plenty of surprises and shocking revelations as well as new opportunities, heartbreaking and heartwarming moments. The rekindling of their friendship involves betrayal, lies, manipulation and a special journey.<br /><br />If you’d looking for something different in a brilliant way to help distract you in these difficult times, look no further and grab yourself a copy of this amazing read. I requested and was gifted a copy of this book via NetGalley and this is my honest review after choosing to read it.

Thank you so much to author Andrea Michael for the ebook copy to read and review. <br /><br />Heart Wrenching and Beautifully Written. <br /><br />The story will grip you from the very start where we are introduced to Cass and Loll in a letter, from that letter you already get an idea what is to come in the story but honestly you don’t even know half of what will come. <br /><br />Its a whirlwind of pain, relief, anger, love and adventure. It was both incredibly fun and gut wrenching. Not one page goes by where you don’t know the inevitable is coming but it will still kick you, it will still cause you to cry hard. This whole beautiful story is a lesson, in life, in love, in things that could or should have been, in friendship and so much more. <br /><br />This book was phenomenal and I highly recommend it, it’s such a well made and well thought out story, you will connect so quickly and deeply to the characters and the story and feel everything as they do. The ending is also perfect and was much needed closure. <br /><br />Read my full detailed review on my blog: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow" href="https://apapergirlapapertown.wordpress.com/2020/05/11/the-book-of-us-book-review/">https://apapergirlapapertown.wordpres...</a>