After a slow start, this book really got me thinking. It’s such a vivid portrayal of how people behave when they’re living with wounds from the past. This makes it both a great read AND really hard to get deeply involved with. The story is built around two characters, one of whom is flat-out unlikeable, while the other is so wish-washy it’s hard to know who she is. I wish the author had done more showing rather than telling about the ways each character’s pasts hurts determine their reactions to other people in the story. There’s a bit too much repetition of the same inner dialogue over and over again as we switch POVs. But as the story went on I realized that this is sometimes what it’s like to live with emotional/relational pain - the same thoughts playing over and over in your head in every situation. So perhaps that was realism, rather than a writing flaw.

The plot of this book was really fantastic and I appreciated the secondary characters and the way small details are woven throughout, adding texture and depth. By the end of the story, I was fully immersed.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book.

I had to DNF this book as I was not enjoying it! I wish I had of liked it more!

I think this book had great potential, maybe I'll pick it back up in the future, but for now I had to DNF.

DNF- Personally I just was not able to get into this story, maybe another time I will be able to finish!

Dnf at 10%.

Feels like a good book but my reading slump doesn’t help the situation. Gonna pick up later on.

I wanted to love this book but a few of the concepts were personally triggering to me so it’s difficult to give a review. I suspect others may enjoy this more than I was able to at the time.

I really enjoyed this book. The antagonist and how everything pans out in the end are plotted really well within the story, nothing too over the top and a relaxing book.
I’ve read other books by the author in the past and I think she’s quickly becoming one of my must read authors because her stories like this one, are always full of mismatched characters that somehow work together for a better self.

Very grateful to the publisher for my review copy through NetGalley

I absolutely adore this author. The evolution of her writing has been wonderful. I have truly loved each and every book that she has written and this book is no exception. The storyline is compelling. Do we ever really let people all the way into our lives. Share our deepest darkest inner selves or do we just let them see what we want them to see? Are we even honest with ourselves? We all see what we want and no matter how many are involved, everyone will have their own version of “the truth”. Can we trust who people say they are and can we believe their intentions are good or should we trust, but verify? In this story, the author explores relationships, friendships, mental health issues, neighbors, secrets, embarrassment, second chances, forgiveness, family, vulnerability, children, secrets, half truths, honor and what it means to be a good friend. Toss in a little steamy romance and humor tossed all written in a way that had me at page one and anxiously trying to get to the next, but not wanting to miss a single word. Beautifully developed characters and situations that clearly show how much time, effort and research the author put into the story before sharing it with the world.

I always enjoy Jamie's books, and this one is no exception. This story is about friendship, breaking molds, and moving forward in one's life.

Wendy is out of sorts because her good friend and neighbor has moved away, her son has gone off to college, and something is going on with her husband. All of these can be stressors in our lives, and it is a double-edged sword for Wendy because she also has an impulse control issue - kleptomania. I don't know much about this disorder personally, but the author does a good job explaining it and sharing how it is a mental health issue. Mental Health issues run rampant in our world today, so bringing one to light helped me understand a little bit more about it so I would be prepared if I encountered it in my world.

Harper is a writer that had a successful debut novel, but her second novel was a flop. She moves to this small town for inspiration for her new novel, and she finds it in spades. But at what cost? Harper is a very jaded woman, and while I understand where she is coming from, she tends to push her ideas and thoughts onto others without considering, listening to, or understanding their position. 

This story is told from both points of view, and it was interesting to see how each viewed certain situations. Both are right and wrong at different times, and as the story progresses, we see them slowly start to change and adapt to their new lives or at least be more open to different viewpoints. It is an unlikely friendship, but it works.

It did take me a little while to get into the story, perhaps about 15-20%, but then I felt the story really moved along, and I became more invested in the characters. I enjoyed watching them realize their flaws and foibles and move past them, or at least acknowledge them.

We give this book 4 paws up.

This book seemed so different from other books the author has written. I liked that the two main characters were so different from each other but became friends because they were neighbors. I also liked that the book delved into an aspect of mental illness that I never really thought about and it was interesting to see how that affected the character and the story.

I really enjoyed Wendy and Harper and how their characters grew from their mistakes. It was interesting that Harper was a writer struggling to write her next book. She learned so much about herself from being neighbors with Wendy.

I also liked that there were many themes in the book to make the reader ponder about their own life and what they would do in that circumstance. Family and forgiveness were important too. I received an advance copy of this book and I willingly chose to write an honest r

Couldn’t help but love this latest novel by Jamie Beck! Set in my adopted home of New Canaan CT, I loved being able to visualize where this story was unfolding. From God’s Acre to Mead Park, to Elm Street Books! Neighbors Harper and Wendy were an unlikely match but little did they know how much they could learn from one another. They lived very different lives and had secrets a plenty. From following their dreams, making peace with family to coping with devastating revelations…this book has it all.

"Take It From Me" brings a story about an unlikely friendship between the main characters, Wendy and Harper. They both navigate their worlds at a crossroads, while keeping their individual secrets at bay. I found both women to be likeable, but really enjoyed Harper's story throughout the book. There were many takeaways from this story as both Wendy and Harper came alive on the page, as if I was right there walking alongside them. Each brought a dynamic to the story that is realistic! Jamie Beck had a captivating way with words that pulled me in from the start! Thank you Montlake and NetGalley for an advanced copy! All thoughts and opinions are my own!

Unlikely friendship that develops between neighbors. Wendy is an empty nester and a kleptomaniac when she meets her new neighbor, Harper. Harper is much younger, she is a published author with writer's block. Both with secrets that may ruin their friendship.

I so enjoyed this book of two opposites but find enjoyment when they are together. So many emotions through out this story. Great insight on mental illness and how it affects so many people. I highly recommend this story of true friendships.

Initially, I was unsure about this book. I didn’t really take to either main character. Harper had a chip on her shoulder and was harsh. Wendy was twitchy and desperate. However, as I kept reading the character development was good.
The novel really hit its stride when the varnish came off and the truth was let loose. Painful, sobering, and embarrassing, both women realized, in their own ways, facing the truth is better than hiding behind the lies.
Overlaying themes of being honest, asking for help, and finding what works for you create a good read.

Take It from Me, a book about women’s friendship by Jamie Beck. This is the kind of friendship that forms from being in close proximity to another. In other words, neighbors. I am not sure that Wendy and Harper would have ever been friends if Harper had not moved nearby. Harper came across strong in her views so it was Wendy I could relate to more. Not because of her kleptomania but because of her being an empty nester. I may not have sent as many care packages as her but I wanted to do so.

Secrets come out and the friendship is in danger with is always a concern among women, getting too close has it ability to cause judgement or resentment. The author hit the Nail on the head with this book. Perhaps our flaws are very different from Harper’s and Wendy’s but we fear letting others know them just the same. This book gives hope to us all.

An ARC of the book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley which I voluntarily chose to read and reviewed. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This turned out to be a good read. I say that because for some reason I had trouble connecting with the two main characters. I just wanted to yell at them. That said despite that, overall I did enjoy the book. Thank you Jamie Beck and Net Galley for allowing me to read this in advance.

Take It From Me is a slow burning story in the women's fiction genre. This is not my normal type of book and I did quite struggle with it. I found it difficult to relate to the characters and it just didn't work for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my ARC.

I absolutely loved this book! It was such a fun read. I was curious about the story and enjoyed it way more than I thought. It had well developed characters with good dialogue and a steady pace. All characters had depth and character arc was believable and done well. Overall, a great book that I would recommend everyone check out.
5 stars.

Thanks to NetGalley and the Publisher for the ARC.

This is about two women who are both struggling. Gwen is a helicopter mother now struggling with an empty nest and a mental illness issue That's been triggered again by the stress. Harper, Gwen's new neighbor, is an author looking for inspiration among suburbia after a second book that bombed. The well put together Gwen and the sometimes slovenly Harper may seem like an unlikely match for friendship, but they sense something in each other that bridges the differences and fills an emptiness in each.

Friendships built on lies never last and when the women's secrets are outed, all they can do is evaluate the broken pieces and try to appreciate what they learned as they try to move on.

This book had a bit of a slow start, but the lessons in friendship, family, love and forgiveness are valuable gifts given to the reader. Don't give up on it. It's so rewarding in the end.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts are my own.

Two women, two secrets. Wendy is dealing with empty nest syndrome, which brings other issues to a forefront. Harper, a millennial writer, is dealing with issues of her own. Harper moves next door to Wendy and an unlikely friendship forms.

Ms. Beck did a wonderful job on character development. As annoying as I found Wendy at times, I could relate to her trying to find her way as she faces her son leaving for college. Not to mention, the changing dynamics of her and her husband. Behavior that she has hidden for so long, start reeling it’s ugly head. Harper thinks she has everything figured out and needs no one, until she learns to face her fear head on. Neighbors becoming unlikely friends, but definitely not without major growing pains. Different storyline that will keep you reading. Easy read, flows well. This book will tug at your heartstrings, and make you smile. Loved the friendship that developed between Wendy and Harper.

Thanks to Ms. Beck, Montlake Publishing and NetGalley for this ARC. Opinion is mine alone.

"Take It from Me" by Jamie Beck is a Contemporary Fiction story!

Two women with very different lifestyles and perspectives about life, form an unlikely friendship when Harper moves into Wendy's neighborhood. Each woman is hiding a secret and both have a reason for forming a bond with the other. Can their friendship, one that's based on deception and secrets, continue to flourish and grow?

I had trouble relating to this story within the first 20% of the book. The chapters are lengthy and I have a tendency to zone out when the chapters are long-winded. I didn't connect with or relate to the main characters, finding both of them to be over-the-top characterizations. The humor and the socially relevant topics were good but neither was enough to hold the story together for me.

When I read a book, I look for creativity and that 'something different' in a story that I can wrap my arms around. I want to get excited and be entertained when I read and I didn't feel any of this when reading this story.

This author has a loyal following of readers who love her writing style and storytelling. I don't believe I'm that audience based on my experience with this book.

Thank you to NetGalley, Montlake, and Jamie Beck for an ARC of this book. It has been an honor to give my honest and voluntary review.