5 out of 5 stars
Penelope Ruiz-Kar is tired. She's working 50 some hours a week, the sole bread-winner for her family while her husband pursues a freelance writing career that isn't taking off. She has two great kids she loves, but it sure would be nice if son Miles would stop wetting the bed each night, if only so Penny could sleep through the night. She's coping, but just, when her best friend, Jenny, dies. Jenny's death makes Penny start to question her life and she decides that things need to change. Instead of biting her tongue and avoiding conflict, it's time for honesty. But Penny quickly discovers that honesty can be pretty scary, both when you're the one giving it and when you're receiving it.
I loved this book. The characters were so real, and the situations they faced so true to life. There's plenty of humor and heart along the way too. A great read that left me beaming.

Being a woman is HARD. There's expectations upon expectations and your spirit can be crushed by the weight of keeping your home together, keeping your significant other happy, keeping your kids alive, keeping a job - the pressure can be paralyzing. But WHILE all those monkeys are jumping on your back, the hardest thing of all, is to pretend like you've got all of your sh*t together. Keep a smile on your face. Keep going.

Penny is desperately trying to keep it all together, and watching her picture perfect best friend Jenny sail though a Pinterest-perfect existence, is not helping. How on earth does she do it? Her home is immaculate, her daughter an angel, and a steamy relationship with her husband?!?! All the while Sanjay and Penny can barely sit down and have a conversation together.

But when an awful tragedy occurs and the cracks begin to show in Jenny's picture=perfect life .... Penny makes a proposal to Sanjay to get their lives back on track. They request from each other 3 things they'd like each other to change that have been affecting their relationship, and agree to work at them as hard and as honestly as they can.

The story is raw, and SO real, and it forces you to examine your life a bit as well. In this day in age, especially, it's so easy to portray a digital flawless life. And SO many people do. These fabrications spiral out of control to affect many who wish to aspire to unachievable standards. It's SO HARD to be a woman. It's even harder to be a woman you aren't.

It's an honest story that examines what you'd do to achieve the "perfect life". How honesty may not always be the best policy, and in the end sometimes something as simple as communication IS key.

I loved every minute of this book. The characters were flawed, yet relatable. The story was compelling and engaging - from friendship, love, and loss, to mystery and secrecy, while also tacking a prevalent issue that haunts our nation right now - I couldn't put it down, and I can't stop thinking about it.

Honestly this book resonated with me in so many areas, love, friendship, loss, addiction, parenting.. I'd laugh on 1 page and ugly cry at the end of the 2nd..
" the thoughts in your head as you are in the bathrolm"
What might have been and who does this
Cheers to Camille Pagan..
So grateful to have received a galley copy
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Camille Pagan has written the story of every woman who hides their real feelings and puts on a brave front. When asked, "how are you?", many of us always answer, "I'm fine" simply because we don't want others to know of our insecurities and weaknesses. As a woman, we all have our struggles balancing work, kids, relationships and life in general. I'm Fine and Neither Are You really drives home the meaning behind "the grass is always greener on the other side". I love Camille Pagan's writing and the way she always brings light to subjects that we sometimes hide.

I always feel a connection to Camille's characters and stories and this latest was no acceptation. What woman doesn't feel overwhelmed by life? We often feel we have to be everything to everyone and often the only one who suffers is US!! Penelope Ruiz-Kar is us, she's working full time, raising two kids, shuttling them to practice and play dates, cooking, cleaning and feeling angry and resentful toward her husband and coworker. When tragedy strikes and Penny's best friend Jenny is found dead, an apparent suicide, Penny is forced to take a different approach to life. Jenny's life seemed so perfect.In fact she was showing the world her life on her blog,but her life was not the shiny perfection that her blog portrayed. Penny and her husband Sanjay decide the time is now to reexamine what they want out of life, how they can improve and save their marriage. It won't be easy and it will take a lot honesty and soul searching. Will it be enough?Thank you to the author for the ARC. All opinions are completely my own. #ImFineandNeitherAreYou #NetGalley

Camille Pagan's novel I'm Fine and Neither Are You really hit the mark on how relationships between spouses, family, and friends are not always as they seem from the outside. Penelope Ruiz-Kar is juggling everything for the house, career, and motherhood and feeling like a failure. Her husband, Sanjay, is simultaneously "trying" to start a writing career and taking care of the household and kids during the day. Penelope's best friend, Jenny Sweet, appears to have it all: career, perfect child, amazing husband, and spotless home.

When something tragic occurs, Penelope re-evaluates her life's purpose and relationships. She begins transforming herself slowly throughout the book but realizes that it is much harder than anticipated. Penelope plugs along with Sanjay on being on honest to better their marriage but hit many roadblocks and question the new practice.

There were many times that your own relationships will pop up and cause you to re-evaluate too. The characters felt real and relatable, which is one of my favorite parts of a book.

I received an Advance Review Copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

Once again Camille Pagán does it again. She has brought to us a story that I think will resonant with so many women, moms, wives, daughters and employees. This was a quick read for me but not an easy read for me. If I could I would give this book 20 stars because I think it brings to light so many issues that women today are having but so many of us are unwilling to talk about it. Life can be hard. Marriage can be hard. Motherhood can be hard. Friendship can be hard.

In our world of social media, blogs, influencers etc., it is so easy for us to just see the side that is published. The side that is glossy, clean, pretty, polished, neat and public-ready. We only see what is contained within the photos and not the mess that is just on the periphery of this picture. Yes, the picture and the images within the picture might be put together but often the periphery is messy, dirty, cluttered etc.

One of my all-time favorite quotes: "it is unfair that we compare the intimate knowledge of ou

Jenny and Penny are two young moms who are best friends despite their differing personalities: Jenny is organized, calm, meticulous and always has inspiring words for her blog readers, while Penny struggles with two active children, a husband with little motivation to be gainfully employed, housekeeping issues, and a growing discontent with her life. When tragedy strikes, Jenny is forced to choose between continuing to live with her unhappiness, or dig in her heels and confront the sources of her discomfort and make drastic changes. Surprisingly, Sanjay agreed to her experiment, with both funny and heart wrenching results, begging the question: is honesty ALWAYS the best policy?
I would recommend this book to everyone, but especially young moms who struggle daily to balance schedules, juggle careers and live in a world where everyone else seems to have it all. Camille Pagán captured the perfect blend with this story!

This was the first book I’ve read by Camille Pagán. Her writing style really hooked me! I loved the characters and could feel their emotions during their struggles. What a great read! I will definitely be reading more of her books.

Great book.
Quirky style, awesomely honest.
I love it because it a picture of a marriage whose two partners are trying to make it better.

Most books deal with divorce, or trouble in the marriage, and usually there’s one bad guy and they split up. Seems like it, anyway. This marriage starts off not in the best place, but the crisis is not the marriage. An external crisis makes the couple look at their marriage and try to do better. THAT’S what makes this an amazingly unique story.

I loved that it took place in MI – my home state! I love that the character is doing everything she pretty much needs to survive, but it all feels impossible, even though it’s normal life. I love that the characters decide to get real – no matter the consequences. And I love that there’s a book out there showing two people who love each other WORK on their relationship.

Of course, there are lovely funny thoughts that fly through our protagonist’s mind. There is so much to relate to if you’ve had a job, a kid, a husband, a family, a friend. Something for every woman to relate to.

And the story is interesting! It doesn’t even sag in the middle like most. Pick this up, read it through, sit back and reevaluate your own life. Can you do better? Can you help someone else achieve their dreams? Is there a way for you to achieve yours?

I can't say enough good things about this book. It is open and honest, it makes you root for Penny and Sanjay. It breaks your heart and still manages to make you feel good.

Penny's epiphany that she can change her life may have been the best thing that ever happened to her. I love how supportive Sanjay was when it came to working on them. Jenny's death may have been that catalist for setting it all in to motion but I love that Penny found her way.

I feel that so much of this book is important. It talks about addiction, family, honesty, love, doing the right thing. Camille Pagán was able to write about so much and do it well in what I feel wasn't really that long of a book. Maybe that was just because I couldn't put it down.

I highly recommend this book to all women and mothers.

I received an ARc from NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing in exchange for an honest review.

With honesty and humor, Camille Pagán’s I’M FINE AND NEITHER ARE YOU explores the challenges of modern motherhood, of balancing work and family, marriage and friendship. Penelope Ruiz-Kar has lost herself and her dreams. Her children need her. Her family depends on her salary. Her marriage has grown stale. And her best friend’s carefully curated blog is a daily reminder of where she is failing. But an unexpected event inspires her to reconsider what the next chapter should look like and how to move forward with joy, with hope, and with courage. A witty, encouraging novel for any woman who struggles to define herself in the midst of a busy life.

Every once in a while I come across a book that resonates with me on a personal level. That I adore for more than the beautiful writing, characters, or setting. It happens when you read a book with themes that strike so close to home you wonder if the author has been writing about you. Penelope from I’m Fine and Neither Are You feels like someone that I would, could, or should know. And sometimes I found myself thinking, that’s me. I get it.

Penelope, as I see her, is an average, harried wife and mother. She has thrown herself into the role of breadwinner and primary child wrangler. Her husband Sanjay, a stay-at-home dad/writer combo, comes across as a mixture of roommate and third child rather than a spouse and father. Her two children are rambunctious and more enemies than siblings most days. Life is a race and more often than not, Penelope feels like she is losing ground. More importantly, she doesn’t feel like herself anymore. Her one outlet for the buildup of frustration is her best friend Jenny.

Jenny, from the outside looking in, has the picture-perfect life. A handsome and successful husband, a wonderful daughter, gorgeous house, a thriving blog, and she always looks pulled together. She is Penelope’s closest confidant and friend. When tragedy strikes, lives are upended and perceptions are shattered. Most of this book, we follow Penelope on her journey to pick up the pieces after losing her friend. Suddenly, she experiences a keen sense of urgency to repair the fractures she sees in her marriage starting with being honest with her husband and vice versa. As difficult subjects and truths come to the surface, Penelope begins to wonder if speaking her mind and sharing her truths are truly helping her relationship with Sanjay or driving them further apart.

This is a wonderful book that has landed on my top five reads of January and I suspect will also be on my list of favorite reads of 2019. I can’t recommend this book enough, and if I could give it more than five stars, I would. Camille Pagan has produced a truly wonderful, relatable story that reminds readers that other parents struggle with the balancing act of being a parent, spouse, and an individual. We are not alone in our struggles.

I’m Fine and Neither Are You is a novel that many would be able to relate to, in both the feelings and the characters. This is something that Camille Is very talented at!

Penny has realized that her life isn’t making her happy anymore. After the death of her best friend, she takes the opportunity to reasses her life and marriage and put forth the change needed to make herself happy once again.

With plenty of laugh out loud snarky moments, raw emotion and feeling like Penny is one of your real life friends, this is a novel that will stick with me for a long time.

Penelope is the primary breadwinner of her family; her husband, Sanjay, is under employed with little ambition to change. When tragedy strikes close to home, Penelope begins to question her own happiness, marriage and career.

I’m Fine and Neither Are You is the story of friendship, marriage, raising a family with all the stresses and messiness while also touching on a very timely issue in today’s society. I feel like most women will relate to Penelope in one way or another. Camille Pagan writes a humorous, yet heartbreaking while still hopeful story of real life.

I loved when Penelope started standing up for herself! “I would have sworn there was another woman looking back at me. And if I was honest—a practice I was starting to question—I was a little bit afraid of her.”

“It takes courage to be yourself when everyone expects you to be someone else. I’m just glad I still have the opportunity to make that decision.”

Thank you to the author and publisher for the advanced copy; all opinions are my own.

This is my first book by Camille Pagán, but certainly will not be the last. Camille’s writing style is very readable. Her characters are well developed and likable. You can’t help rooting for them. I don’t know how she does it, but she takes a very sad subject and treats it with respect, but somehow keeps it light and even humorous. I highly recommend this book and look forward to reading other books by Camille Pagán.

This book definitely speaks to most every woman I know. So much I can say about this, but I would give away too many spoilers. Sometimes things happen in life to wake us up and force us to rethink our paths and choices in all of our relationships. Do we give it all up and start over or do we put forth the work needed to strengthen those relationships. Are the things we see from others how their lives really are or just what they want us all to believe; like the perfect lives posted on Facebook feeds. I enjoyed following these characters on their journey and was very pleased with the ending. Thanks to the author for the ARC for my honest review. I highly recommend it.

Reading Camille Pagan's I'm Fine and Neither Are You was like an intimate talk with an old friend. The main character, Penny, faces so many struggles that working mothers encounter, and as the story unravels it was I testing to see the choices she made with regards to love. Family, friends, and work. Overall, I loved this novel!

Grateful Reader Review: by Dorothy Schwab

You, out running errands, bump into a friend: “Hi, how are you?” Friend: “I’m fine! How are you?” You: “Fine!!” We’ve all said this 50 million times!

Liar, liar, pants on fire! Are any of us ever truthful in this situation? Rarely. When you see the title of Camille Pagan’s new book, maybe you’re thinking “another Self Help book?” This book is packed with tips on self realization and honesty about our true feelings; whether it’s a relationship in marriage, between parent-child, or best friends. The great thing is that all of this “self help” comes in the sweet package of a novel titled, “I’m Fine and Neither Are You.”

Sanjay and Penny Ruiz-Kar have created a life for themselves and their two children, Stevie and Miles, in a university town in the Midwest. After Sanjay drops out of medical school to pursue a music/writing career, putting even more pressure on Penny’s development position at the university, the marriage scene is a bit strained-on several levels. Penny loves her husband, loves her kids, and mostly likes her life. So why is she so tired and suddenly admitting to herself that maybe she does “want out?”

Penny’s best friend, Jenny Sweet, seems to have it all together; has even created a blog , Sweet Things, sharing stories and situations about her beautiful, perfect self and perfect life; and making lots of money in the process. Jenny has a successful husband, Matt, though he travels a lot, and a precious, perfectly behaved daughter, Cecily. Maybe it’s all a bit too perfect?

Amidst the typical concerns of keeping her family not only on an even financial keel, but also spreading herself between her demanding job & boss, a not too involved husband, and the children, Penny realizes that she is the “wife, mother, breadwinner, and chief of operations at chez Ruis-Kar!”

When the unthinkable, unbelievable, “this can’t be happening”- happens, the “pretend” lives of Jenny and Mark Sweet and Penny and Sanjay Ruiz-Kar- come to a very unfairy- tale like end. No fairy godmother appears, but lots of “relationship building” begins; enough that you’ll be “perfectly” satisfied by the end.

There are so many life lessons and self- help “realizations” to be shared in this novel. You might very well mimic Penny and Sanjay by taking notes and making a “to do” list. Considering substance abuse, opioid addiction, honesty in marriage and friendships, abandonment and recognizing self worth are ALL covered here; the quicker you begin “I’m Fine and Neither Are You,” the quicker you’ll be more aware and prepared to answer, “How are YOU?”

A wonderful 5-star read! I love a witty writer, so the title alone would have drawn me to this one. As I began reading, the author's wit and phrasing of Penelope’s thoughts on her life in the early chapters delighted me and made me laugh out loud. When tragedy strikes and she is faced with a reality which had been hidden from her by dishonesty, she decides to become painfully honest in her own life to address issues that have needed addressing for a long time, and I applaud that. I am a huge fan of a thought-provoking book, and Ms. Pagan's insightful storytelling made me think about those in my own life who never want you to believe anything is ever less than perfect, and what they might actually be dealing with that they don’t share. Penelope was so relatable and well-written, and I love that the book had no perfect ending all tied up in a bow, because that’s life. This is an intricate and touching story, filled with complex and likable characters, with an intriguing storyline that I couldn’t put down until I knew how it all ended. I could not have enjoyed it more!