Member Reviews

Thank you for providing me with this book.

I really enjoyed this story. From the moment I started reading I thought this would become a very interesting and thoughtful story. I was right. There is so much love and life written into the story.
Besides, the story is funny, romantic but also tragic and sad. The author did a very well job by putting those elemens correctly into the story. My heart aches for Adam and Laura. The ending was perfect. Although I do quite wonder what would happen if Laura develops the disease and how their lives are turning out.

There are some life perspectives written in the story which are beautifully. The whole story fits altogether.

Was this review helpful?

A nice idea with likeable characters, but far, far too much exposition.

Was this review helpful?

Absolutely loved this book and was hooked from the start. It has real depth whilst also being a nice change from all those psych thrillers. It is a bit of an emotional rollercoaster but the characters are so relatable and there is a lovely humour throughout. Highly recommended and can't wait to see what's next from Catherine Isaac!

Was this review helpful?

A great book, a very emotional plot with strong characters. It had me hooked from the first page. Really enjoyed it. Highly recommended.

Many thanks to Netgalley and Catherine Issac for the copy of this book. I agreed to give my unbiased opinion voluntarily.

Was this review helpful?

This book reminded me in some ways of Me Before You with a dash of One Day and a twist of early Cold Feet. Unlike these books and tv series, I didn't experience the same emotional connection to the main characters Jess and Adam.
The pace of the book is good and the descriptions of the devastating effects of Huntington's Disease are well written, but I found the characters and their actions a little bit stereotypical of the genre. Adam in particular lived such a charmed life with no repercussions for his immature behaviour, and all of a sudden he is a reformed man. I just didn't buy it. Similarly the miscommunication that escalated Jess and Adam's split felt weak.
That being said, it is a nice book to cosy up with on holiday, or on a wet weekend at home.
Thanks to the publishers and net galley for the copy in return for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

I was a little sceptical at first that this would be another 'chick lit' type novel but was really pleasantly surprised by its depth. It was a very emotional book and I thought the style of writing really hooked you in. It definitely wasn't predictable and I thought it was very original writing!

Was this review helpful?

Despite one of the central issues of this book being a terrible, incurable genetic disorder, this is a surprisingly enjoyable read, essentially a romance with complications. My only issue is that the fall-out of Adam and Jess initially is based on presumption and surely they would have been able to discuss things, even if Adam needed to be discreet. However, that aside, it was a delightful read with funny bits, sad bits and romance. Not with a "happy ever after" ending but with a life-affirming, heart-warming ending.

Was this review helpful?

I’m confused why Jane Costello used a different name as the author of this book, especially when the first page shows her real name as the author under the copyright. On researching the two names, Jane then has a blog page explaining the reason behind the name change. I understand the logic of this, but if it was kept a secret then that would make sense. To openly explain, so that everyone knows it’s the same person, surely defeats the objective of the new name?
However, I did enjoy the book and the rekindling of an old romance was quite lovely, but I found the descriptive nature of the mother’s illness quite upsetting (hence the 4 stars instead of 5).

Was this review helpful?

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.

Was this review helpful?

An amazing read! I loved this book from beginning to end. The characters come alive on the page and you forget that you are reading a novel. Isaac transports you to a luxury hotel in rural France that would be right at home on the web pages of Mr & Mrs Smith.

As the story unfolds you follow Jess on a rollercoaster of emotions as she carries through the promise she has made to her ill Mum that she will try to rebuild the relationship between her distant ex Adam for the sake of their 10 year old son William.

This book is beautifully written and the story tackles some tough issues which make you question exactly what you would do if you were in Jess's shoes. I enjoyed this book so much and will be recommending it to everyone once it is published!! Congratulations Catherine Isaac on an absolutely superb book!!

Was this review helpful?

This book is at times very funny and at other times very sad and moving. There is no easy way to live with a disease that is incurable and that is terminal.. When the disease can be passed on from the mother to the daughter and possibly her son, it is overwhelmingly sad.
How do you live your life as a single parent having been tested and now know that you have inherited the Huntington gene and that your young son could also carry that gene but he can’t find out until he is 18.
Her mother suggests that Jess should contact Adam, William’s father who now lives in France and the summer is then time for them all to spend time together, with Jess’s two female friends joining them throughout the summer holidays.
I would highly recommend this book.

Was this review helpful?

After so many, brilliant but disturbing thrillers, it was an absolute breath of fresh air to read something lighter. This book is anything but dull though and definitely not your average love story. Each character radiates with charm, and the affection between daughter and parents and mother and son shines through despite being faced with a number of traumatic times. A fantastic read offering both fuzzy heart and watery eye moments.

Was this review helpful?

The books focus is on Jess, a single mother who has raised her son, William singlehandedly with some support from her mum & dad. William has had little contact with his father over the years but Jess is pushed into spending the summer with Adam, Williams’ father at his holiday chateau complex in France by her mother.

The book has humour as well as a deeply moving and important storyline, which portrays things very well. I must praise the author on such a good book, that also raises awareness.

I will admit that I wasn’t gripped by the book where I felt that I couldn’t stop reading as I needed to find out what happened, but it was well written in such a way that I found myself sitting down and reading several chapters very quickly whilst still taking in the story, in what felt like no time at all.

It has a good storyline and it was nice to read a well written ‘chick flick’ novel as I call them, with a great balance of sadness, happiness & humour.

Was this review helpful?

Absolutely Loved this book. Loved the story and characters. Made you think about life and how things can change. Live life to the full is how I feel after reading this book. You never know what can happen. Thank u so much for letting me review this book through Netgalley.

Was this review helpful?

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.

Was this review helpful?

A very emotional read, but also funny sections which lightened the mood.
The story of single parent Jess is spending the summer in France with her ex, so that her son gets the chance to spend time with him. As the story unfolds she realises there is more to her ex than meets the eye, but is it too late for them?

Was this review helpful?

Just couldnt see thr facsination with this book after hearing so much about it i expected.my socks to be blown off. Just a generic run of the mill story.

Was this review helpful?

I loved this book, intelligent, emotional, well researched and a total page turner. I really understood and believed in the characters. Highly recommended.

Was this review helpful?

A lovely book which tells a heart breaking story about family life. Very easy to read, takes it's time to unfold the details of the story and therefore keeps you gripped. Would definitely recommend!!

Was this review helpful?

I loved this book, it made me laugh out loud, but also moved me to tears. It is beautifully written and the characters are so well drawn, I would highly recommend this book.

Was this review helpful?