Loved how all the storylines are connected by the book the author wrote. Books impact people in different ways and can sometimes can give you perspective. Some of the characters knew each other which adds to that character's development. On the other hand, if you don't like the story jumping so many times, it may not be the book for you. Definitely worth the read!

A powerful exploration of the meaning of books and stories in one's life

The story of a writer and how she turned tragedy into an extraordinary novel. The lives the novel touches and what the story means to people in all walks of life.

I wanted to really love and be touched by this novel but it didn't hit the way i was expecting it to. But many of the individual stories were quite powerful and impactful.

Almost an anthology of stories on a common theme, a book titled Theo, this culminates into an engaging story overall.

No Two Persons tells the story of one book and the ten lives it touches. First, with the author who always had a dream of publishing a book. Her story leads into other, sometimes interconnected, stories where the book features in different ways.

As a book lover, I truly enjoyed this unique take on reading and books. Books come into our lives and can shape it in so many ways – and that can look very different to different people. I feel that No Two Persons really brought this to the surface and celebrates the affect books can have on people.

I both listened and read to this book. The audio experience is especially nice with a cast of narrators.

Special thanks to the NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, and Macmillan Audio for this ARC. All thoughts in this review are honest and my own.

I finished NO TWO PERSONS a few weeks ago, and it easily has taken my top spot for favorite book of this year (out of 52 so far). I loved this book. It’s a book about books, made for book lovers, but not in a cheesy way at all. There is such great depth to these characters and their stories and how their lives are individually impacted by the same book. The writing is beautiful and the way the characters are linked and come together at the end is so perfect. I was so immersed, I wanted to go quickly, but at the same time I didn’t want it to end. This is one of the most unique books I’ve read in a long time and I can’t say enough good things about it. I will be buying a physical copy to reread and tab so many things!

I had a very hard time finishing this book. It was essentially short stories about people who had encountered the same novel. I would start to get into a character, and then that chapter would end and the author would introduce a new character. In the end it was not for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for this advanced reader's copy in exchange for my honest feedback.

I love a "book within a book" premise and enjoyed The Scentkeeper so much that I knew I had to pick up this title. RBC author Erica Bauermeister is a brilliant writer and storyteller. This was a memorable and engaging read

This book starts with a quote, "No two persons ever read the same book," and then goes on to prove this exact point. The story begins with Alice who writes a book, but it is more than that. You learn about Alice, who she is, and what motivates her. The following chapters are different people who read her book and how the story affects them. Each of these different people are a rich story in itself, and I would have been happy with more, lots more, on each of these different stories, as each of these sections were so good all on their own. While the characters seem unrelated, it becomes obvious there are little connections among multiple characters, so you get little glimpses into what happens next for several of the characters. This book is very clever and definitely proves that no two persons ever read the same book. An excellent read and one I highly recommend.

My thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an advance copy. My opinions are my own.

To quote Lara “THIS ONE”.

No Two Persons is an incredibly special novel that brought me to tears several times. Words can’t express how much I love this book and how much of an impact it had on me. I took my sweet time savoring every beautiful written sentence and each person's story. In just 320 pages, my hope for humanity was restored. I love how each character was going through something and the different ways the book helped them; as well as how each person's story weaved together by the end. This will forever be one of my favourite books and a book I’ll always recommend.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

3.5 Truth-Telling Stars
* * * 1/2 Spoiler Free
The way authors take a concept, create their tales and then put it out takes true grit. It is a huge endeavor and one to be admired. I have read in the past the troupe of a single item that is the vehicle for many to tell their story.

This time it is a debut novel that touches nine people, each in a different way as reading is subjective in nature. We are there to see how each of these specific experiences impacts the readers.

I think this one’s for all the book lovers out there, and for those who understand the ways in which stories can move and shape us. “Books answered the questions she couldn’t ask people.”
As cliche as it sounds, No Two Persons is like unraveling an onion. Each character is connected to the overarching story, yet they’re individually unique to themselves (much like how the outside of an onion can be slimy and gross while the inside is perfect…okay I’m done with the onion analogy now).
Each character felt raw and real. No frills or nonsense. Simply every day people you may be able to relate to and, if you didn’t relate to them, ones you could learn from.
I think my only negative note about this book was the amount of characters in the story, yet they really are kind of necessary to the whole plot line, so I’m not even sure I should count that as a negative. It’s really a personal preference there. If I kept a flow chart it probably wouldn’t have bothered me.
Overall, it’s one I’d keep on your radar. I think it’s going to be one of those love it or hate it books, but I’d lean more towards the love it side

I read Erica Bauermeister’s previous novel The Scent Keeper a couple years ago and absolutely adored that book. Two of the things I had loved about that book were the story itself (with its unique structure, interesting subject matter, and fascinating characters) as well as the gorgeously lyrical and immersive writing. Given this experience, it’s probably no surprise that when I was approved for an ARC of Bauermeister’s newest work No Two Persons, I was ecstatic knowing that I would be in for another mesmerizing read. While in the end, the experience was a little different from what I expected, I still really enjoyed this one overall.

In this book, Bauermeister once again employs a unique structure — this time, through a series of linked short stories — to explore the impact that one book has on 10 different people, starting with the young author who writes the book, Alice Wein. Each story presents characters from different walks of life who are struggling in some way (whether it’s with love, relationships, grief, illness, financial insecurity, etc.) but then they encounter Alice’s book, simply titled Theo, which opens the door to a different perspective — and in some cases, a much-needed path forward — for each person. I found it fascinating how Bauermeister was able to weave Theo so seamlessly into each character’s story and adapt it to meet the situation they were in. As I was reading each story, I knew Theo was going to make an appearance somehow, but I didn’t know when or how, which made me want to keep reading to find out (and then marveling to myself afterwards how brilliant each instance was). Each story also gave us insight into Theo’s plot and while we never got the full story arc of course, enough details were revealed that it made me wish it were a real book, as it was one that I’d definitely be interested in reading.

As an avid reader, I definitely resonated with the messages in this book — that no two persons will read the same book in the same way; that certain books have a way of meeting the reader where they’re at in their lives; that some books have the power to change lives, but sometimes, we need to be willing to let them in and give them a chance. In that sense, this was also an ode to books and reading, which I absolutely appreciated.

The other thing I really liked about this book was the writing, which was beautiful and lyrical, similar to what I saw in The Scent Keeper. I also found it refreshing that this book was written from the third person perspective — which normally wouldn’t matter to me, but because most of the books I’ve read lately were written from the first person point of view, it was nice to finally read something where I got to see things from all the different characters’ perspectives instead of having to remain in one character’s head through the entire story.

My one complaint — which I always have with short story collections (though more accurately speaking, this was actually a “novel in stories” where various characters cross over into each other’s story) — is that each story is incomplete, so we only get glimpses into each character’s background. This made it hard to form a connection with the characters, which is important for me seeing how much I love character- driven stories — though having some of the stories be linked to each other (i.e. the writer, the agent, the publishing assistant for the same book all have their own stories) as well as having some of the characters “pass through” each other’s stories did help.

Overall, I enjoyed this one immensely, though I didn’t love it the way I did The Scent Keeper. Having said that, I still highly recommend this one, especially with its interesting structure and the way it explores various life situations that will likely resonate with many readers. I also think that people who love books and recognize the importance of reading will really appreciate this one.

Received ARC from St. Martin’s Press via NetGalley.

Erica Bauermeister's newest novel is a departure from traditional novels in that it is a basically a collection of 10 short stories and an epilogue. At its core the book is about Alice, an author, and her book Theo. Each short story is told from the perspective of different readers of Alice's book over a span of several years. Like many short story collections, I enjoyed some more than others. In each short story, I did enjoy getting to know a little bit more about Alice's book and her main character, Theo.
At its heart this novel does show how one character can be interpreted and accepted by different readers based on where they are in life or who they have been in life.

Readers of literary fiction, short stories, and lovers of books for being books will find something to love about this novel.

I received a dARC of this work from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest review. All opinions and interpretations are my own.

No Two Persons took me on quite the journey. It was almost like reading 11 books in one, but they were all connected in some way. This was book was one of my most anticipated books of 2023, and it lived up to my expectations, just in a different way.

I think the concept "no two people will read the same book" this book is based off is such a unique thing. We have 10 people reading (or writing) the same book that are so completely different, and have their own completely different journey with this book. Yet, you start to pick up on tiny hints that these 10 people are all connected in some way, because that's just how the world works (ex: The Teenager and The Agent). And it was done so subtly, that readers may miss this if they aren't paying attention.

This book was long, because it felt like reading 11 different books, but it was long in a good way. It left me wanting more. And it definitely left me wanting to read "Theo." This book is beautiful, and I think that it will take a little to catch steam, but once it does, it will be a well-talked book.

No Two Persons
By Erica Bauermeister

This is the story of a book, and the many different people whose lives are changed by it. Alice is a young girl, a talented writer with a story to tell based on her life experience. She is encouraged by a teacher who believes in her talent, and eventually she writes a book called "Theo" – the story of a boy who has lived a very dysfunctional life, which has left him somehow broken and yet able to overcome his younger years and the abuse. This book is destined to impact the lives of several of its readers, which goes to show that no two persons read a book in the same way or take away from the reading the same things.

There are many characters here who read "Theo". Each vignette is a glimpse into how each person who encounters the book is changed by it in some way. I found it a fascinating story. Truly, no two persons DO read a book in the same way, because the experience of reading is a symbiosis between the book and the reader.

Those who love reading will find this new book by Erica Bauermeister a must-read.. She presents in story form what avid readers have always know about reading, and she does this in a most enjoyable way.

Reading like a collection of short stories, the characters are tied together in some way and each stumbles across the same book at pivotable times in their lives. The book illustrates how each of us can be affected by the words on a page and how whatever stage we are in life can affect our reactions and opinions of the book.

I stumbled across this one at just the right time in my life and am happy to recommend it to others who love reading.

Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for allowing me to read an advance copy. I am happy to give my honest review.

No Two Persons by Erica Bauermeister was a beautiful literary puzzle. The structure of the novel is as a collection of short stories, each written from the perspective of a new person. The characters are deep and real, and the puzzle was the process of deciphering how they all connected with one another.

There are not enough adjectives to describe how much I loved this book!! Because I was reading it on my kindle, I took so many notes that I thought-I have to buy this book and have it on my own shelves forever. It is a story about how one book influences the lives of so many people, and it was beautifully written. I can't wait to read it again, and to recommend it to our patrons. Thank you for letting me have the joy of reading this book, Netgalley and St. Martin's Press!!

No Two Persons is such a beautifully written book. It’s a book for book lovers and for those who enjoy interconnected short stories. Just as the title suggests, no two readers will experience a book in exactly the same way. I loved how all of the parts came together in the end. Highly recommend!

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for this ARC.

𝘕𝘰 𝘛𝘸𝘰 𝘗𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘰𝘯𝘴 spoke to me in such a level, it was as if Erica Bauermeister has been inside my head for years…reading with me, feeling emotions with me, and then wrote them all (plus more) in this delightfully engaging masterpiece.

Each chapter of this book is focused on a different person. There are some connections between characters but the main one is they all read the same book. As all books do, each person was affected by it differently. We meet the writer first and get a rare inside glimpse of how a book can start from a single thought. How that thought blossoms into a work of bestselling fiction and ends up in the hands of the remaining characters is breathtaking.

This book is so unique, speaking clearly to all types of readers. If you love to read, no matter your genre preference, you need to read this book.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this ARC publication for an honest review.

This book is clever, thought provoking, and just simply lovely...

It reads almost like a book of short stories. Every chapter bringing us a new character who somehow crosses paths with the book "Theo" and how their lives are then changed by the words across its pages. The years go by highlighting each individual story, and by the ending you have come full circle in the most perfect way.

I cannot be the only one secretly wishing (begging!) the author to actually write "Theo!"

5 stars