I really enjoyed this book by Phoebe Fox. I have a soft spot for grumpy old men (Flint) who are actually big softies. I found it easy to relate to the main character (Marcie) as she finds her inner strength and resourcefulness to wipe her slate clean. I also loved the side characters, their neighbor, the bar tender (and "regulars") and Flint's daughter. Characters were well formed and the setting was well crafted. I'd love to read a sequel so I know what happens to this cast of characters.

Here’s the thing. I apologize for accepting this. I was a baby bookstagrammer who got into the Berkley Besties program. I was so excited that I downloaded everything! But the thing is, I don’t really like “women’s fiction.” Or sleepy beach towns. And I don’t know why I thought I would.

This book has great characters, and I was totally invested in what was going to happen. It felt real and honest.

Phoebe Fox’s “The Way We Weren’t” (Berkley), is the poignant story of Marcie and Flint and the relationship that developed. No, it’s not a romance.
Marcie and her husband Will married straight out of high school. Their marriage seems perfect, and they thought so too — until it wasn’t. Discovering they now want different things in life, the past 25 years seem wasted.
Marcie decides one day not to go to work and just heads for Florida, where she ends up unconscious on the beach and is rescued by Flint, an old man with a reputation of curmudgeonly behavior. Each benefits from their new friendship.

I admit that I fell in love with the book at first glance when I saw that it had sea turtles featured on the cover!

THE WAY WE WEREN’T tells the story of Will and Marcie who have been married for 25 years, but seem to be lacking the romance they once had.

It was a character driven story and I loved it so much! I laughed and reflected on my own life and marriage, and it drew me in right away, making this a great read for Summer or anywhere in between.

*many thanks to Berkley and Netgalley for the gifted copy for review

Marcie needs a break from her work, her husband, and well her life. So she decides to drive. She ends up in Florida on the beach. Flint comes across her on his morning walk. Flint lets her stay with him until she can sort her life out and get her car back...it's currently in the impound lot along with her purse and everything else. These two don't really have a lot in common but they form a friendship. 

This book could be a Hallmark movie. The Florida coast with storms and an unlikely friendship, I can just picture it now on tv. I liked how the story was told in Marcie's and Flint's POV. It was interesting to see how different and similar they both are. I liked knowing what was going on in their brains. I think it helped round the story out. Flint was my favorite! I thought he was funny. I love grumpy old men. While I thought the story was interesting, it didn't hook me. I'm not sure if it was because I haven't gone through the things Marcie went through, but it was hard to get attached to the story.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Besties for the book.

Marcie Malone thought she was living a picture-perfect life with her husband, Will, until a heartbreaking loss has her abandoning her life in Atlanta. She winds up in Florida and finds her way into the heart of a crotchety old man, Flint, and a wonderful friendship forms.

This story was a bit slow for me at times but I loved the relationship between Flint and Marcie! If you’re looking for a romance novel - this is probably not the best choice but I definitely recommend for those looking for a story about a woman finding her voice and identity.

Thank you Berkley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this story. I can understand the need to escape your life from time to time. There were struggles that she had to get through but she made it work. In the process she found support and new friends to help her through. One of the friends she was able to bring him back out of his shell and reconnect with society and his loved ones. She also worked on rekindling with her spouse and old life. Enjoyable read!! Thanks to NetGalley and Berkley for the ARC to review.!

4.5 rounded up!
I am a total sucker for grumpy old men, unlikely friendships, small beach towns, and people helping people through rough times, so The Way We Weren't was a complete hit for me. Also, sea turtles are one of my all time favourite animals, so this definitely was a win for me.

The characters are written in such a way that I truly grew to care for them. The author did a great job showing how one major life event can change the trajectory of one's life, and that life is about so much more than just existing. This book made me laugh, it made me cry, and it made me think. I have nothing but love for this story!

I love multi-generational titles and this one did not disappoint. Seeing the friendship develop and the shared experiences was delightful. Everyone needs someone and this was simply a wonderful read.

A heartwarming story of two lost people who befriend each other under the most unusual of circumstances but end up helping one another heal. If you enjoy stories of intergenerational friendships, grumpy older characters (think Ove), and middle-aged women dealing with challenges of identity and marriage, this story will be right up your ally. Throw in some endangered turtles and a hurricane, plus a hot artist and this would make an excellent beach read. Much more of a women's fiction story than a romance though so heads up for anyone making that mistake. Much thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my advance review copy.

CW: miscarriage, teen pregnancy

The Way We Weren’t is a poignant novel about the compounding effect that one event or decision can have on the path of your life, as well as the inner strength that is necessary to step back and change your path.

Marcie and Will were teenage sweethearts, married just out of high school. Their friends envy their seemingly perfect marriage, and Marcie and Will agree, they have it pretty good. Until one day, when they find they want different things in life.

Marcie takes off on a mission to find herself, and makes friends along the way. The closest of these is Flint - a curmudgeonly old man. Flint finds Marcie in a bit of a predicament, and steps out of his comfort zone to help her. The banter between Marcie and Flint is entertaining, and I loved the rapport and understanding they developed for each other throughout the novel.

What is Flint’s purpose on Marcie’s journey?How will Marcie and Will reconcile their differences? Will Marcie find herself and happiness?

I really enjoyed The Way We Weren't by Phoebe Fox. The main character, Marcie, was really relatable to me. Being the same age and I too have often thought of just driving away, leaving it all behind. When elderly Herman Flint finds Marcie on the beach, he doesn't know what to expect. But they end up forming an unexpected friendship that really warmed my heart. Definitely a great story and I hope to read more from Ms. Fox in the future.

Thank you Netgalley for the e-ARC for my honest review.

The Way We Weren’t is the first book I’ve read from Phoebe Fox. This contemporary novel explores unexpected friendship, moving on, and finding yourself. The author touches upon heavy subjects of miscarriage, death of a child, grief, family member abandonment. When I initially read the summary of this book, it kind of reminded me of A Man Called Ove and The Brilliant Life of Eudora Honeysuckle (both wonderful books and highly recommend reading if you haven't done so already) so I was intrigued to read this. Overall, I had mixed feelings about is book. I’m not sure if it was because I didn't expect miscarriage to be in this book which I don't mind, but I think there should have been content/trigger warnings either in the summary or in beginning of the book. Also I felt that something was missing or maybe the book just wasn't my cup of tea. I kept switching from reading the physical book and listening to the audiobook from the library book. In terms of characters, I really liked Flint and his backstory. I really loved the male audio narration and he brought Flint’s perspective alive. I really tried to like Marcie and tried to be sympathetic to her situation, but I found her unlikable and could care less about what was going on with her. I'd recommend reading this only if it's on your TBR and keep in mind of the content warnings listed above.

When Marcie Malone discovers every one is running her life for their convenience she decides to skip work and keep driving. She ends up in Florida and wakes up in 70 year old Herman's home. Dehydrated and exhausted she stumbles into his yard and passes out. They form a unique friendship as she decides to stay and abandon her previous life. They help each other figure out what went wrong in their lives. A great story of friendship between different generations and unusual because it's a man and a woman. As an added touch you get to learn a little about sea turtles and the environment. I received a copy of this ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

I was so moved by this book, and felt the character development was real and moving. Marcie is in hotel management, married to her husband of 27 years, Will. After she suffers a miscarriage, Marcie is overwhelmed and instead of going into work, she keeps driving from Atlanta to Florida, where she locks her phone and handbag in her trunk and walks away. Flint is a crotchety older man who comes cross a dehydrated and unconscious Marcie, binging her into his home. And there starts the beginning of an unusual and meaningful relationship between two souls who have made choices in their lives that have led to where they are now. Beautifully written, with rich emotion, reminiscent of Tyler’s Ladder of Years, one of my favorite books. Please read this wonderful story. Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity.

A surprise pregnancy cemented the bond between high school sweethearts Will and Marcie. Now, 25 years later, it seems like the same event might break them apart for good. Shock and trauma send Marcie speeding past the freeway exit towards her job as a hotel event planner. Instead, she drives to the beach; a small town in Florida's panhandle where she has never been and where she knows no one. Exhausted, Marcie falls asleep on the sand, only to wake up in the home of a cantankerous older man who is the last person she ever expected may help her regroup and heal. Yet, a tenuous and unlikely friendship grows between the two that will change just about everything for them both.

Phoebe Fox's latest novel of discovery and rediscovery. A heartfelt glimpse into the life of a driven woman who will do just about anything for family and a reluctant family man driven to isolation by pride. Marcie's journey is an enduring one, and a story the likes of which we don't find many of on today's bookshelves.

Do you ever feel like you want to leave your life behind and drive away without looking back?

This is what Marcie Malone chooses to do. She recently had a loss in her life and the day that she has to return back to work, she decides to start driving. She gets on the interstate and leaves Georgia for sunny Florida.

Herman Flint is an old man. He is a loner and doesn't interact much with anyone else. To his discontent, he finds a woman passed out on the beach in front of his home. At first, he doesn't want to get involved thinking she is just another junkie but when the woman remains in the same spot, he decides to check on her and takes her inside his house to recuperate.

Marcie is confused at first to find herself in a house she doesn't recognize. Once she meets grumpy Herman, she decides to leave but then she changes her mind. She is not ready to go back to Georgia. She needs time to heal and think about what she wants for her future. Herman agrees for her to stay while she begins this new chapter in her life.

This was heartwarming!

I liked both of the main characters. Marcie was reinventing herself in a way. She was recognizing all the things she gave up through her adulthood and how she would like to move forward. On the other hand, Herman had closed himself to life and Marcie invading his space was the best thing that could happen to him. The addition of the turtles to the story was wonderful for someone who enjoys seeing turtle nests at the beach. Lastly, I loved the ending. It's full of hope.

Cliffhanger: No

4/5 Fangs

A complimentary copy was provided by Berkley Books via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

. . . ⭑ ⭑ ⭑ ⭑ ⭒
There’s something to be said about reading the right book at the right time - and this was one of those moments for me. While inspired purely by its expiry date on my NetGalley shelf, I chose this book to read, and for some reason it seems to have struck a chord with me.

I understood so much of what Marcie was feeling, closed in by the patterns and pressures of the everyday, and while I cope differently than she, I definitely felt a kinship to much of what she was experiencing. While I am so grateful for who and what I have in my life, I related heavily to that loss of identity - once you take on more roles in your life, whether it’s as a partner, parent, or professional, it can be easy to lose sight of who you are amongst it all, and whether that growth and change in accumulating those titles alters or adds to your identity.

Pulling out of your life isn’t a plausible reality ( or desire ) for many, myself included, but I would be lying if I didn’t acknowledge that desire for an escape every once in a while - which, for me at least, is moreso about getting in touch with myself versus getting away from things, although in many ways, these go hand in hand.

I also really liked the dynamic of the intergenerational friendship ( no surprise there ), but this one also offered the perspective of looking back on one’s life and deciding where those landmarks of change had the most impact, good or bad.

‘The Way We Weren’t’ is now available for purchase, and it’s definitely worthy of a read. Thanks to NetGalley & Berkley Pub for a digital advanced readers copy.

~👩🏻‍🦰

This was a sadly sweet book that I had a hard time putting down. I loved the side story with the sea turtle egg. I also enjoyed the characters for the most part and even when I didn’t like them they still felt real to me. Marcie didn’t know how close to the edge she was until one day instead of going to work she ends up passed out on the beach. A grumpy old man, Flint, found her and despite knowing better brought her inside. Flint is by far I think the best part of the story. Marcie comes to realize that she has some work to do to figure herself out before she can return to her life and her husband. Marcie meets new people and learns about herself as she works to solve her own problems for the first time in a very long time.