Member Reviews
This was such a beautifully written story and I was reminded a lot of 'The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo' in both the emotional journey the story takes you on and the intwined lives of the interviewer and interviewee. I loved the travel aspect and how every location was described in such amazing detail I felt like I was there and really wished I was as everywhere sounded amazing. I also loved seeing everything come together as each characters secrets and past slowly unravel. Just a really heart wrenching, beautiful novel I highly recommend.
“Halfway to You” is a fiction book by Jennifer Gold.
What I liked about this book was that it, in a number of ways, reminded me of Taylor Jenkins Reid’s book “Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo.” It’s told an in the same flashback way, also via an interview with someone with a connection to the storyteller. There’s also a secret that is told that affects a family. I also really liked the descriptions of the various places the main character, Ann, has visited or lived. I also really liked how the story unfolded - again, reminding me of the style of Seven Husbands. I’m going to go on a limb here and say that I’m conflicted about a few things. I really started falling in love with the story around the halfway mark, but there’s something about Todd that just annoyed the heck out of me. Todd writes wonderful letters but the guy cannot communicate in person - and I get it. Communication can be difficult, but his words and actions just annoyed me. Also, can we place that Christmas party, where Todd brings Ann, as one of the most awkward ever? Tracey was just mean to be, well, mean. And, yes, Todd should’ve told Ann about his connection to the family (see that lack of communication in person here?), but having walked my own minefields with family I get it - but that doesn’t mean that I am giving Todd any slack. As for the big reveal, my hat’s off to Bob (Tracey’s husband) for doing what he did and caring as he could. But, Todd and Tracey just annoyed the heck out of me in their separate ways. I found the overall writing style of this book very enjoyable and it was very easy to keep track of the flashbacks and current timelines. I loved the story near the end, tying Matt into the story - and I’m glad that Ann fell in love with her surrounding easily - whether it be Rome or Washington state. I can see this being a rather enjoyable and widely discussed Book Club book - there is a lot to discuss - including what letters someone wishes they too had written. I’m going to give this a 4.5, but rounding down because while I enjoyed the book a lot, and I might read it again, it just misses being a book I need on my bookshelf.
A beautifully written, engaging story.
When Maggie, a young podcaster arrives to interview the very famous author Ann Fawkes, there is an instant connection between the two women. But why? When Maggie begins to interview Ann, we learn of Ann’s life story from her upbringing by an alcoholic single mother, her life in Europe, her relationship with Todd and her friendship with Keith, to her eventual return to America. And I really need to say this; Everyone needs a Keith in their life!
The characters were really well written and I was rooting for them all, even when Todd seemed evasive or selfish, when Ann was being stubborn and when Keith was being too soft, I was always on their side!
A beautiful, captivating story which takes us from Colorado to Greece, Italy, Peru, and back to the US.
5 ⭐️ Thanks to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for an ARC in return for an honest review.
3.75/5 stars! This is one of those books that feels really special but wasn't the right fit for me as a reader. I'm not penalizing it at all because I think lovers of "The Bucket List" or inspirational women's fiction will really enjoy this story. Ann and Maggie had great depth and I learned a lot during the story. I did feel the pacing was a bit slow at times.
I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review
Travel, fiction, romance. This book reads more like a biography than an interview. No one would tell a story to another person that was so full of detail. It kept the story bogged down and I ended up trying to skim as much as I could to get to the interesting bits. I believe it would have been so much more interesting if Maggie was reading through Ann's book drafts or diaries and letters rather than interviewing her. I didn't connect with the characters - Maggie came across as much older than her character and Ann way too young. Rather than rooting for these star-crossed lovers, I just thought of the waste they were making of their lives. For a writer, Ann really didn't seem really interested in finding out what makes others tick! Rather than delving deep into people hearts and minds this book seemed to focus on the surface and the disconnect. Maybe I missed that it was all about secrets people keep from others end up being destructive, not protective. I found the author's notes about her life, travel and how she was inspired to write this better than the novel. Many others enjoyed this book, so you might too, but I found I had to slog through it.
One of my favorite books I’ve read this year so far! I found myself purposely stalling and slowing down as I was reading because I didn’t want it to ever end. It is beautifully written and many layers to the story that slowly unfold as Ann tells her life adventures and travels. Halfway to you is about travel, love, adventure, heartbreak and relationships. If you loved The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo you will love this! However, the two stories are completely different. They both just have that written/podcast interview type scenario it felt similar but as I said story is really different. It is not so much about romance but more about journey in life and connections made along the way. I went into this book blind and glad I did as it just really was perfectly written and had no spoilers to what was going to come of the story. Many thanks to Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for the digital review copy of this novel. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
An ambitious podcaster and her reclusive interviewee embark on a life-altering journey to uncover long-lost truths in this immersive story about love, travel, and family secrets.
Forty years ago, aspiring writer Ann Fawkes left the United States for a Mediterranean adventure that opened her heart to travel and love. After a chance encounter propelled her into the publishing world, she released her first novel, an instant bestseller—and the last book she ever wrote.
Now, Ann lives a reclusive life in the San Juan Islands, hiding from the public and its probing questions. But when podcaster Maggie Whitaker convinces Ann to sit for an interview, Ann agrees on one condition: Maggie must keep her story off the record.
Determined to change Ann’s mind before she loses her job, Maggie agrees. But as she learns about Ann’s life—particularly the love affair that inspired her novel and the decisions she made in its wake—Maggie realizes Ann’s story intersects with her own in shocking, life-changing ways.
A sweeping, heart-wrenching novel that spans decades and continents, Halfway to You explores the distances we create between ourselves and the ones we love most and what it takes to finally bridge them.
I really enjoyed this story. The moral of this story is to trust your gut . Will recommend to others.
A podcaster gets the chance to interview a reclusive writer. However, there is one catch - Maggie cannot record anything that Ann says. Maggie, realizing this is still a once in a lifetime opportunity, agrees. As Maggie learns Ann's story though, she discovers secrets that tie into her own life.
I felt like this was ok for me. I didn't really connect with the Ann chapters, so it wasn't my favorite.
Halfway to You follows Ann and Maggie. Ann is a bestselling author who lives a very private life. Maggie, a podcaster has the opportunity to finally tell the world her story. It is told in a dual narrative allowing us the opportunity to get both women's point of view. This book was beautifully written, a little long but I enjoyed it.
Thank you so much NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
2.5 stars
Podcast employee Maggie sets up an interview with an reclusive author, Ann. Things don’t go as planned and she accidentally recorded information that couldn’t be used. In order to not lose her job, she has to convince Ann to let her release some/all of the recorded info. As these women spend more time together, their connection to each other is slowly revealed. The book alternates between Maggie and Ann’s POVs. Ann’s story centers on what is supposed to be an epic romance with a toxic & emotionally unavailable man named named Todd. I enjoyed the parts between Maggie and Ann but did not connect with the rest.
I paid to add narration to the ebook and enjoyed that format more!
*Thanks to Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for the review copy.
Set in 2024 which was interesting future timeline
The writing made me feel like I was in the setting and places with Ann, flashing back to different locations in the 80’s and 90’s.
Alcoholic parent
Estranged family & secrets
Interwoven stories and discovery of self through travel
Using travel as a way to avoid hard topics
Long distance relationships
Second chances
On/off relationship
Enjoyable and compelling read. .The storyline was well thought out and written with engaging characters.
Thank you to Jennifer Gold, NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the arc of this book
Many thanks to NeyGalley and Lake Union for the opportunity to read Halfway to You by Jennifer Old. I loved this book. "A sweeping, heart-wrenching novel that spans decades and continents, Halfway to You explores the distances we create between ourselves and the ones we love most and what it takes to finally bridge them." i have always been drawn to stories that cover a lot of time and territory. This novel hit all my "wants."