I love novels that peak into the reality of the domestic realm.
Penelope is a working mom of two and married to the underemployed Sanjay. They used to be beautifully in love, now they are just kind of friends. An awful tragedy snaps Penny and Sanjay into marriage saving mode. They make each other lists of everything they want the other to change and take on a complete honesty policy. The thing is, honesty can hurt like a BITCH.
This book felt quite real in the portrayal of a woman’s role at home and the workplace and the insane expectations placed on females. I also loved the honesty in the discussion of marriage and commitment. I LOVED Sanjay. He was a sweet angel baby and a good man who just got lazy. My one complaint is how easily certain aspects seemed to resolve at the end. Overall, a great, emotional, and realistic read

I took a departure from my usual suspense novels to read this one that I had recently heard some buzz about. This novel is about a woman named Penelope who is in a rut in her marriage, career, and over-all life, having frequent fantasies of running away and being free. However, a tragedy close to home occurs and has her re-evaluating her life and how she can make the most of it to truly be happy and enjoy what she has. She and her husband, Sanjay, decide to make a list of 3 items they each want the other to change and then to totally commit to working on those items as well as being completely honest with each other. As the story unfolds, Penelope realizes that outside appearances aren't always what they seem to be and she is not the only one having a hard time while masking it on the surface.

     I enjoyed Penelope's wit and her amusing self-talk and I often related to her internal dialogue regarding what she was thinking vs. what she would actually decide to say out loud. A big theme that took center stage was that not everyone's life is as perfect as it appears on the outside. This is such an important reminder in our time of Instagram perfect pictures, where we only see the good times. It drives the point home that we truly don't know what's going on under the shiny surface of other people's lives, even those closest to us.

     Overall, I give this book 4 stars. I felt that it was a fun read that I zipped through pretty quickly, but I did sometimes feel that it was a little dramatic. While there were definitely some big issues touched on, some of the back and forth between Penelope and Sanjay seemed a little nit-picky and ultimately, unrealistic with how quickly and easily Sanjay was able to change his habits just because Penelope asked him to. That being said, I am glad I ventured off from my usual genre to see what else is out there!

​I received an ARC of this novel in exchange for my honest review.

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I wasn't a huge fan of the book at the begining, but it (and Penny) slowly grew on me. The tragic event to start off the book shocked me because I wasn't expecting it at all, but I liked seeing how Penny coped with it and how that extended to the rest of the book. This book is definitely "realistic fiction" as it deals with the opiod epidemic that is currently happening across America.

What can I add to the positive reviews this has justifiably received? It's a good read with good characters who will remind you that the grass is not always greener. Sadly, Penelope finds that out when her best friend Jenny dies. Penelope's journey with her husband Sanjay might resonate even if the specifics are different for you. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A good story well told.

This is a humorous, relatable and honest book about relationships and motherhood. I could put myself in Penelope's shoes throughout the book! She is an amalgamation of what so many women go through in today's world trying to juggle it all. I loved the writing style. I laughed and cried and most of all fell in love with the book!
Thanks to Camille Pagan, Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC of this book!

With the unfortunate accident of her friend Jenny, Penny finds herself at a crossroads in her life: her marriage isn’t feeling as strong as it used to, her boss keeps demanding more from her, and her best friend just left her. After Penny and her husband decide to be completely honest with each other in order to save their marriage, Penny starts to doubt herself if honesty was the best way to go about it. ⁣
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“Walking in her shoes” was exactly how I felt while reading this book. It gave me insight into what a working mother deals with on a daily basis. You “think” you get it, but really, it’s hard to completely understand when you haven’t experienced it, right? The author did a fantastic job of making the reader exhausted along with Penny. I was tired!! You have the financial pressures of being the bread winner, what happens when the kids get sick and you need to let her boss know in order to take care of them (and use vacation days), and the constant reminder of being the minority (a woman) in the corporate world.⁣
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As a stay at home mom, often times I have wondered what it would be like to be a full-time working mom. And some days, I feel resentful for this path that I have chosen. The loneliness of staying home with less than happy coworkers (toddlers) and the lack of personal space and time to do what You want to do. What I realized is every path you choose has its obstacles. And that’s okay. You will have highs and lows. But by working along side your spouse (if you have one) by being honest with each other, encouraging, and sometimes carrying the weight of it all, is necessary (and vital!) to stay strong together. ⁣
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I absolutely loved this book. This would be a great book club choice!⁣

A special thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Penelope Ruiz-Kai is doing it all—with little to no help from her husband—working, mothering, housekeeping and cooking. Her best friend, Jenny, is one of those women that seems to do it all and makes it look easy. From an outside perspective, it would appear that Jenny is incredibly well-put-together will her Instagram worthy home, adoring husband, well-behaved child, and popular lifestyle blog, whereas Penny's house is always upside-down, her husband is barely working, her children are unruly, and her career is unfulfilling.

When a shocking tragedy pulls back the curtain on Jenny's life and all is not as it appears, Penelope is rocked to the core. She decides that she can no longer keep quiet about the issues that are plaguing her marriage. She and her husband, Sanjay, decide to make a list of changes they want the other person to make and above all, commit to being totally honest with one another.

At first the idea seems to be a good one as it forces the couple to actually talk to one another. But then things take a turn for the worst when secrets are revealed and tensions flare. As Penny struggles with the very real possibility that this could actually end her marriage versus save it, she questions if honesty really is the best policy...

Pagán's novel is an exploration into the intricacies of marriage, and how fragile relationships are. It is a comment on commitment, and how easy it is for women to lose themselves when they become a wife/mother. Balancing a career, family, and marriage is a difficult feat in itself and Penny also has the added stress of an ailing parent and dealing with a monumental tragedy. The story also examines how destructive the lies are that we tell each other and ourselves in order to keep up the facade of happiness, and how facing the truth is never easy, but necessary to save one's self.

The writing was absolutely captivating with Pagán striking the right balance of humour and emotion. There are times when the story is so raw and heartbreaking and I found the novel completely real and relatable.

Penny was such an interesting character—she is flawed, yet the most enlightened because her perception was challenged as a result of a monumental loss. Jenny was also incredibly relevant because of the digital age we are living in. Many women use social media as the lens to view their lives through which is incredibly damaging to their self worth. It is hard enough being a woman, you don't need to compare yourself with another woman's best versions of themselves—these versions are filtered, edited, and fractured reality.

Thank you @netgalley and Lake House Publishing for sending me an ARC of “I’m fine and neither are you” by @camille_pagan
This was a difficult book to read, just because it was so honest. This is my third book about marriage, this year and I think this one hit me the most. The author goes deep down to the core of how relationships work and how much effort goes into making a marriage work. The sacrifices you have to make and how communication is the most important key.This was my first Camille Pagan novel and I loved how close to reality her story was. I gave it 4 ✨

Do you ever just say, “I’m fine” when someone asks how you doing? I know I do it all the time. It’s the automatic response for a lot of us.
This book showcases a relatable, sometimes funny, sometimes heartbreaking reality of what happens when we constantly say we are fine when In fact, we are not.
Even though my life doesn’t mirror Penny’s 100%, I saw a lot of my inner feeling on the pages of this book.
For me, this was a quick read that I really enjoyed and I recommend it for anyone tired of pretending everything is fine

I just loved this story!!! I think every women can relate to all the ups nd down on their feelings!! I just love Camilles books

Camile Pagan's portrayal of being a mom.,a wife, and a woman was spot on for me. Funny, sad, serious and heartwarming So many times , we say we are fine and want to be seen as having it all ... We want the perfect clean home , the well behaved children, a loving happy marriage, and a successful career . This novel really hit home with being honest about your happiness , what matters most to you in life , and having those awkward conversations with your spouse .. This novel also hit home for me because I recently lost my best friend (as did the main character ) and I could relate to a lot of what she going through … Overall, this women's contempary fiction was a great palate cleanser from all the suspense thrillers I read

I heard someone say this was a book for target audience. I am not in that group but I truly enjoyed this story. Well written and easily readable, I wish all young couples would read it.

I received an advanced digital copy of this book from the author, Netgalley.com and Lake Union Publishing. Thanks to all for the opportunity to read and review.

The novel, while adequately written did not live up to the hype. None of the characters are overly likeable. The plot is predictable. At times I wished I could reach through the pages and smack sense into all of them.
The main character, Penny is the typical "overworked working mom" and infuriating to boot.

3 out of 5 stars.

This is a bit of a departure from the type of books I normally read. There was surprisingly a dead body but no murder or mystery. This was instead a snapshot into the lives of Penny and her husband, Sanjay. Told in first person, this could have been anyone’s story and I think that is why it will appeal to many readers.

I resonated with so many aspects of Penny’s life; although, I am not married nor have any children. The death of a best friend could knock anyone off the precarious balance of their fragile life. This book shows the impact of such a life challenge. I particularly liked when Sanjay told Penny she needed to stop making it seem like life was perfect. She wouldn’t tell anyone how hard or challenging things were since she didn’t believe that would matter or seem relevant to others. She wasn’t being honest with others because she didn’t want to rock the boat. That fact alone caused people to take advantage of her kindness. This made her life miserable even though she never realized it.

This book shows how the death of her best friend ended up saving her life. Was she going to die any time soon. Nope. But her life, and her family, was in jeopardy of imploding. Like they said, ‘if momma ain’t happy, nobody’s happy.’

I enjoyed the journey of how they pulled themselves out of the mire of their challenges. Great flow, engaging characters you can relate to. It is a life revealed.

I received this as an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) in return for an honest review. I thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read this title.

I’m Fine and Neither Are You was love at first read! I devoured this book in under 48 hours and am over the moon with Pagan’s writing and the relatable characters she’s created.

I couldn’t believe that the story was based in Ann Arbor and that Penny works for the University of Michigan - oddly enough I’m a fellow Michigander who also works at UM! Perhaps that was what initially hooked me, but ultimately Pagan’s ability to dive deep into the many layers of being a wife, mom, working professional and friend was what kept me turning each page as quickly as possible.

As a fellow female workaholic who’s about to embark on marriage and starting a family in the next few years, this book served as a fictional guide towards what to consider and ask myself as I go through these next steps in my life. I thank Pagan for painting a realistic picture of the many pressures women face and also being unafraid to display raw emotions from all character perspectives.

Thank you NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for this free ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I’m Fine and Neither Are You is a story about a woman named Penny, a wife and working mother of two, who has been furiously treading water while maintaining a false smile above the surface. A tragedy causes Penny to realize she’s not the only one faking a perfect life, and she embarks on a mission with her husband to reclaim her life, career, and marriage.

Camille Pagán is tackling some serious issues in this book, and I think the message she’s getting across is important. I think many readers will relate to Penny’s story and perhaps enjoy her journey more than I did. But for me, the entire book is quite depressing, and I found Penny’s character to be overwhelmingly whiney and hard to root for. Penny saw everything in her life through a negative light — her husband is too immature, her kids are too much of a handful, her house too old and plain, her coworkers too annoying — it just felt like I was listening to a friend complain and complain and complain and by the time she reaches her enlightenment I had simply had enough!

This is my first book by Camille Pagan, and I really enjoyed it.

The relatable story focused on married working mom Penelope, who over time has become exhausted by her job, child care and house duties, and is slowly beginning to honestly resent her mostly stay at home husband.
When her best friend dies, Penny realizes it may be time to make changes.

The book is less plot-driven and more a slice of life in a time of turmoil in a woman's life during her mid-30s. Every working mom trying to balance her career and home life will relate to the book, which is deftly written with wit and style.

I will definitely read more by Ms. Pagan.

Thanks to NetGalley.com, the author and publisher for my advanced copy.

Imagine- you are a busy mom, trying to survive the hamster wheel of life, struggling to keep your head afloat among work and home responsibilities, and merely coexisting with your husband. For most moms, they don’t need to imagine this because it’s their reality (including myself). Which makes I’m Fine and Neither Are You a completely relatable book that will be a breath of fresh air for many women. I’m Fine and Neither Are You is the realistic story of Penelope as she struggles to find balance between work and home, become a better mom, find her joy, and reconnect with her husband. It’s her journey to get her mojo back after a devastating loss that shakes her world to the core. I flew through this book, nodding my head in solidarity many times. For me, Im Fine and Neither Are You was a solid 4.5 stars. Thank you @amazonpublishing for this advance reader in exchange for my honest review.

I’m Fine and Neither Are You
By Camille Paga’n
Published April 1, 2019


‘“Mistakes were Made.” The first sentence in Ms, Paga’n’s book, I’m Fine and Neither are You. Yes, it drew me in, as we all make mistakes. I found that she was referring to Jenny and her best friend, Penelope. Their worlds were together. When things went well at home or at work, they messaged or called. When it all fell apart one of them reached out for help. Penny’s life was with her husband, Sanjay and two children, Stevie and Miles; Jenny with her husband, Matt and daughter, Cecily. They both knew well that children were a daily struggle to keep healthy and happy and occupied. Husbands worked too much as Matt but not so much Sanjay who was out of a job, but currently writing articles on demand. It all fell on Penny’s shoulders. Housework, meals, 8 plus hours of work and more at home. Jenny was alone much of the time due to Matt’s travel for work. She wrote a daily blog on family and home. She received many samples from advertisers and was able to write and still have time for playtime with Cecily. It was lonely but her friends helped and their was always Penny. It reminds many readers of our 40-something lifestyles. It is difficult as we all know, searching for ways to get through the really tough times. This storyline mimics what we know and then it didn’t. Life came to a stand still for all involved. I admit it through me, really made me think. I can’t tell you much more without a spoiler and wouldn’t want to. I can only say truthfully that I’m Fine and Neither are You is such a terrific read, it is not one to miss.
I had not read other works from Camille Paga’n. I heard good things about her novels but had yet to pick one up. This one I had read so many reviews and knew I couldn’t miss it. Reviews can be misleading however. I was let to believe this novel to be humorous at times and a fun tale of friendship - Wrong, it was real, too real. That is not to say it shouldn’t be read, it most certainly should. It is one of the best books I have read this year and I totally recommend it.
I’m Fine and Neither are You by Camille Paga’n was just published on April 1, 2019 by Lake Union publishing. It is truly a must read.

4.5 Stars(almost 5 except the protagonist was a tad bit "too" much at times and worked my nerves)

This is not a book that I would normally read, as I would have considered it "too realistic" for me; however, it was selected for our book club and I stepped out of my comfort zone. I normally don't read books about real life problems because I have my own, I read to escape reality. After reading this book, I have a better understanding of what I already knew. You can never possibly know everything that is going on in people's lives and minds. If you didn't already know there were problems in your relationships, reading this book will surely tell you there are many. I actually realized I do some of the same things as Penny and sabotage things because I think the are going too well. Or, I accept things the way they are because I am afraid of conflict or hurting someone. The core characters of this story experience the same things most of us have and it helps to see others struggle through it. I am not saying its good to see others struggle, it just shows you that you are not alone in the struggle.

This is a work of fiction but could easily be an entertaining self help book. I highly recommend this to anyone (male or female) that has ever been in a relationship (not just a romantic one), had a stressful job, experiences the struggle with the balance of life, experienced the loss of a loved one, or an absentee parent.

I had a digital copy as well as the audio version. The Audible narrator, Amy McFadden, was great!