“The ordinariness is the reward you earned when you chose each other: When you chose a lifetime of being rooted in place by habit and time, by the imprints your bodies made in your own side of the mattress.”
Emma, I look forward to your book. I am a frequenter of Brooke’s webinar series and love that you are connected with her.
I actually thought of Rob several times in the piece I just published - in the last section. He’s such a giver. And what I know of you - you are too. 😊
I finished reading your book, No One You Know, and it was absolutely amazing! I love, love, love it! Reading from the viewpoint of mom and daughter, dual antagonists, was just right for this story. Each one fed off the other so that the reader can empathize with both of them going through each moment at the same time. I felt as if I KNEW the characters personally. They felt like real people! The whole book felt so real. I wanted Kate to be my best friend so I could comfort her and listen to her because it felt like she was screaming for help all the time. I wanted so much for Indie- to be able to deal with the death of her friend, to realize how very much her parents loved her and only wanted the best for her, to open up to someone- anyone, and for her to lose that scary internet guru. Watching Ethan and Kate’s marriage fall apart over the tragedy therein was heartbreaking. There was a lot of turmoil that hit close to home. Your life experience in working with people who have troubled relationships showed up to make this dissolution realistic.
There was so much in this book! All kinds of relationships, tragedies,memories, grief, wonder, small town life, and even humor (those corny dad jokes!). It was one of those books that when it ends you just aren’t ready! Even though the last word was “Ready”, I was not. I wanted more!
Can you write a sequel? Do Kate and Evan get back together? It felt like they were headed that way at the end. Does Indie find another bestie in Asher? How does Indie grow up? What happens to Maddy’s family? Do the people of the town ever stop being so full of themselves? Oh, gee, I could go on and on but then I remind myself…this was only a book. Darn! It was only a book.
Oh wow, Kathy, this is such a lovely response. First of all, thank you for seeing the humor in this sad book. I do love a good dad joke! And thank you most of all for seeing these characters in all their messy fullness. I'm working on a different novel right now (set in the same universe, sort of) but I never say never when it comes to a sequel! Time will tell...
Thanks so much, Brigitte! I love the cover, too. The painting is by Asher Brown Durand, one of the original Hudson River School painters. (And then the designer made it look like it's dissolving.)
So lovely Emma.
“The ordinariness is the reward you earned when you chose each other: When you chose a lifetime of being rooted in place by habit and time, by the imprints your bodies made in your own side of the mattress.”
Please say hello to Rob for me.
Thanks so much, James! I always love your comments on Rob' pieces -- lovely to see you here, too.
Emma, I look forward to your book. I am a frequenter of Brooke’s webinar series and love that you are connected with her.
I actually thought of Rob several times in the piece I just published - in the last section. He’s such a giver. And what I know of you - you are too. 😊
Brooke's amazing. I was completey sold on She Writes Press after I watched her "green-light yourself" TED Talk.
This excerpt could not ring truer for me! Writing about marriage is SO HARD but you make it look easy. (I would be the toothpaste splatterer, ha!)
In my defense (or in Rob's?!), our bluestone countertops made the splatter really stand out!
As the messy female in my house and knowing you guys I was betting you were the culprit but now I'm wondering!
You guessed right!
I finished reading your book, No One You Know, and it was absolutely amazing! I love, love, love it! Reading from the viewpoint of mom and daughter, dual antagonists, was just right for this story. Each one fed off the other so that the reader can empathize with both of them going through each moment at the same time. I felt as if I KNEW the characters personally. They felt like real people! The whole book felt so real. I wanted Kate to be my best friend so I could comfort her and listen to her because it felt like she was screaming for help all the time. I wanted so much for Indie- to be able to deal with the death of her friend, to realize how very much her parents loved her and only wanted the best for her, to open up to someone- anyone, and for her to lose that scary internet guru. Watching Ethan and Kate’s marriage fall apart over the tragedy therein was heartbreaking. There was a lot of turmoil that hit close to home. Your life experience in working with people who have troubled relationships showed up to make this dissolution realistic.
There was so much in this book! All kinds of relationships, tragedies,memories, grief, wonder, small town life, and even humor (those corny dad jokes!). It was one of those books that when it ends you just aren’t ready! Even though the last word was “Ready”, I was not. I wanted more!
Can you write a sequel? Do Kate and Evan get back together? It felt like they were headed that way at the end. Does Indie find another bestie in Asher? How does Indie grow up? What happens to Maddy’s family? Do the people of the town ever stop being so full of themselves? Oh, gee, I could go on and on but then I remind myself…this was only a book. Darn! It was only a book.
Oh wow, Kathy, this is such a lovely response. First of all, thank you for seeing the humor in this sad book. I do love a good dad joke! And thank you most of all for seeing these characters in all their messy fullness. I'm working on a different novel right now (set in the same universe, sort of) but I never say never when it comes to a sequel! Time will tell...
Congratulations!
Thanks so much, Anna!
Loved this and love you! Happy pub day, Emma!
Thank you! Love you too. xo
Congratulations, and now I want to buy this book for this excerpt…and its magical cover!
Thanks so much, Brigitte! I love the cover, too. The painting is by Asher Brown Durand, one of the original Hudson River School painters. (And then the designer made it look like it's dissolving.)
It‘s absolutely stunning!