“Same As It Ever Was" by Claire Lombardo is a family drama that captures the complexities of marriage and the intricate dynamics of long-term relationships.

The novel centers around Julia Ames, a woman who, after a tumultuous youth, has settled into a seemingly stable life at fifty-seven. However, her world is upended by a series of events: a shocking revelation from her son, the distancing of her teenage daughter, and the re-emergence of a past she thought she had left behind.

Lombardo’s narrative prowess shines as she explores the rocky terrain of real life, delving into themes of maternal ambivalence, intergenerational friendship, and the unpredictable cause-and-effect that governs our existence. The story traverses the emotional landscape of Julia’s life, examining how relationships evolve, endure, and sometimes end.

Critics have lauded Lombardo’s work for its wit, style, and emotional intelligence. “Same As It Ever Was” is described as an elegant and tumultuous story that stands alongside the works of Elizabeth Strout, Ann Patchett, and Celeste Ng. Lombardo is celebrated as a definitive cartographer of the human heart, asserting her place among the finest novelists of her generation

“Same As It Ever Was” is a testament to Lombardo’s ability to craft characters that are deeply flawed yet immensely relatable. This novel is a compelling exploration of the enduring affection within a marriage and the affection that can survive the tests of time and tribulation. It’s a must-read for fans of sophisticated family dramas and those who appreciate a keen observation of the human condition.

Thank you to Doubleday Books and NetGalley for the ARC copy to enjoy before it's release on 6/18.

I adore Claire Lombardo’s writing! Claire is a master at writing family drama, and complicated characters. Claire’s previous book, The Most Fun We Ever Had, is one of my all time favorite books, so I had high executions going into Same as it Ever Was. And it really did not disappoint. I loved going on Julia’s complicated journey. I cannot wait to read Claire Lombardo’s next masterpiece!

I felt a surge of emotion as I completed this piece, with tears welling up in my eyes. If you have an affinity for family dramas, then this is the perfect choice for you. Although the pace may have been sluggish at certain points, particularly in the first half, I ultimately awarded it three stars instead of four. Julia's journey as a wife and mother is marked by considerable chaos and disorder, juxtaposed against her troubling upbringing. Throughout the book, I harbored a deep resentment towards Julia's mother, and by the end, I was left uncertain of my feelings. Undoubtedly, this book possesses the power to tug at your heartstrings.

Thank you to Net Galley and Doubleday Books for an advanced digital copy to read and review.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC for review.

I don't do this very often, but I did not finish this novel. I LOVED Lombardo's previous novel (The Most Fun We Ever Had) and gave it a 5-star rating. This novel didn't attract me like the previous did. In Same As It Ever Was, we follow Julia and her trials and tribulations around marriage and parenthood. The novel moves around in time. It was just SO. DEPRESSING. Julia is terrible and has no backbone or personality. By the time I was 60% of the way through, but still had two and a half hours of reading time left, I just didn't care to finish it.

Lombardo’s keen insights on long-term marriage, the challenges of raising children, and the intricacies of friendship make for a messy, beautiful, and poignant family story. What I loved most is how Lombardo explores the subtle ways the choices we echo throughout our lives. Her storytelling resonated deeply with the universal experiences of complicated family dynamics and the journey of getting to know yourself, over and over again. As in The Most Fun We Ever Had, the characters complex, relatable, and hard to say goodbye to. Lombardo is an extraordinary talented writer, especially when it comes to capturing the profound beauty in the everyday. This book lived up to every one of my expectations while surprising me along the way.

When a piece of literature frustrates you, makes you uncomfortable, has you firmly in the feels, it probably means that it’s hitting close to home.

Reading about Julia’s difficult marriage, her fraught relationship with her mother, her all consuming experience with motherhood - deep in the minutiae of each - forces the reader to reckon with some of their own shortcomings and strained relationships while simultaneously feeling exasperated by Julia’s choices and decisions.

It’s a beautiful, sprawling, unapologetic novel that dives into what it means to grow up with an ambivalent mother, the connectedness of unexpected friendships, feelings of loneliness and inadequacy among people you love, and the long lasting effects of choices, which can change the landscape of our lives both daily and in a larger form.

Julia, a middle aged, part time librarian and mother of two has always felt untethered, never sure what to say or what she’s expected to say and often misstepping. Her son, her beloved boy who first tamed her loneliness, arrives home, now an adult, with a surprising announcement, while her daughter, on the cusp of her high school graduation, remains a secret locked inside a box she cannot open. Mark, dubious, devoted, distant, once the anchor Julia took for granted, is now shone in a new light: he’s more complicated than she’s ever noticed. The decades old tension in her marriage? It is all coming to a head.

But it’s not unraveled sequentially; instead, in three separate parts, one learns of Anita, her cold, unkind mother and the childhood Julia endured, her sweet, easy courtship with Mark, and the well timed friendship with an older woman, Helen, who serves as the catalyst for many of Julia’s contradictions.

It’s seamlessly engaging, a surprising, witty, and at times devastating rumination on motherhood, marriage, and messes.

Special shoutout to an author who weaves in some of the greatest bands of the 90s: Pavement, Sebadoh, Jesus and Mary Chain among others. Bravo.

An absolutely beautifully written story about the trials and tribulations of everyday life. I am not sure I can put into words how much I loved the writing, the story, the characters…the loneliness and uncertainty of parenthood is depicted so perfectly and in such a relatable way. While everyone may not relate to every problem or character, I’m sure that there is something relatable to everyone. The ending is just so beautiful, I am very rarely moved to tears while reading and I was sobbing. 5 shining stars. Thank you Net Galley for the advanced copy of this book in return for an honest review.

Julia has never quite fit into the roles she was expected to play: daughter, wife, mother and each time she has almost destroyed her life in the process of fighting against the role assigned to her. Because she was brought up by a neglectful single mother, she decided that when she became a parent she would do all she could to be a much better mother, however she becomes lost in the motherhood role. When her son Ben is 3 she meets an older women named Helen who takes her under her wing. However, in the end, her friendship with Helen nearly leads to the downfall of Julia’s marriage. The story is told in the present when Julia is 60, Ben is himself getting married and Julia’s youngest is off to college and as flashbacks. Julia is about to enter a new stage of life and has to learn a new role, empty nester, and is again beginning to sabotage herself.

Lombardo’s first book is one of my favorite novels ever so when I saw she had a new one out I was very excited for it. She writes couple dynamics so interestingly and intimately that you really do feel that you are part of the marriage and intimately involved in their lives. I may not have liked all of the characters in this novel (and may not want to go out to dinner with them) but I appreciated the story that was written about them. Julia is not simply a frustrating character because Lombardo is able to pull out her imperfections in a nuanced manner and therefore I am able to understand and feel empathy for her and for that reason I will wait anxiously for her next book of flawed characters.

4.25 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and Doubleday for the ARC to review

Thank you so much to Doubleday Books for giving me an advance copy. I was so excited to read it.

Four stars isn't really an accurate rating for me; it was more like 4.75 stars. The reasoning behind this is the one, minor complaint I have. At times it was wordy. The first page was very wordy for me the night I started it, but that could have been a me thing that night. It took me a little while to get into it. At first, I really didn't think I was going to make it through, but I am glad I stuck with it.

If you're looking for a twisting and turning plot, this is not it. It is very much a character driven book. That being said... I am a generation X woman just a little younger than Julia. I very much identified with her. I also had an absent, narcissist parent. I identified with every single emotion she had after the birth of her son. I was disappointed when she had the affair. She and her husband reminded me a lot of my husband and me. I came from the distant family, his is warm and fuzzy, etc. But Julia was not perfect. No one is. And we all have decisions we regret. Even though I was disappointed, the affair was absolutely an integral part of the story.

I am kind of rushing through because I feel like I have given away a lot of the story. But, the ending. My goodness, I ugly cried. And I continued to ugly cry for a good half hour after I finished. That was some of the most beautiful and well written prose I have ever read. If this book gets nominated for all the awards, the ending alone merits all the awards.

Overall, I really would give this closer to 5 stars than 4. It is a wonderful read for a gen x woman. It is a wonderful read for a mother of children leaving the nest. I thought the characters were very well developed. I'm most likely going to buy Claire Lombardo's first book, and I will definitely look forward to her next!

I was so excited when I heard Claire Lombardo had written another book. I loved 𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝑀𝑜𝑠𝑡 𝐹𝑢𝑛 𝑊𝑒 𝐸𝑣𝑒𝑟 𝐻𝑎𝑑.

Claire is a master storyteller of family drama and dysfunction. She immerses you in the details of everyday life while astutely conveying the prism of emotions reflected in being a wife, mother, daughter, and sister and how sometimes one can lose their way.

I will say that where I felt in 𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝑀𝑜𝑠𝑡 𝐹𝑢𝑛 𝑊𝑒 𝐸𝑣𝑒𝑟 𝐻𝑎𝑑 it was like walking in the Sorensons' front door and setting up residency with them; here, it felt like Julia Ames was sitting across from me and telling me her story, maybe even a bit confessional in nature.

This is Julia’s story — about her struggles with her mother, her marriage, and being a mother. It aptly describes the joys, doubts, loneliness, and mistakes that can come with this territory. It’s about Julia’s disconnect as well as the connections she makes. It’s about wanting to build her own nest and yet wanting to fly free. I primarily related to some of her feelings as her children grew into adulthood.

This is a long book at almost 500 pages, and it doesn’t have action and thrills to move the pace along. But once you become invested in Julia and her family, watching her children grow, and seeing if her marriage will last, you’ll find that the length is not as daunting as it seems.

𝑆𝑎𝑚𝑒 𝐴𝑠 𝐼𝑡 𝐸𝑣𝑒𝑟 𝑊𝑎𝑠 is a well-crafted, thought-provoking, and eyes-wide-open look at the complex matters of domesticity and womanhood - and what holds a family together.


Thank you @doubledaybooks for this gifted book.
Thank you @PRHaudio for the gifted audiobook.

I enjoyed reading Same As It Every Was by Claire Lombardo. You will fall in love with all the characters. I received an ARC of this book courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and given freely. Happy Reading!

4.5 - thanks to Doubleday for the ARC!

Claire Lombardo's Same As It Ever Was is a beautifully written exploration of mid-life, family, and the past. Julia Ames, at fifty-seven, finally feels stable, but her peace is disrupted by surprising news from her son, her teenage daughter pulling away, and a blast from her past.

Lombardo's characters are incredibly real and relatable. Julia's journey through maternal struggles, friendship, and old patterns is both touching and authentic. The detailed descriptions enhance the story, though the book's length can make it feel slow at times. However, the depth and realism of the characters make it worthwhile.

Despite its size, the novel's deep dive into relationships and personal growth keeps you hooked. Lombardo's talent for capturing life's messiness and beauty shines through, making this a must-read for literary fiction fans. Julia's struggles and triumphs resonate deeply, capturing the reader's heart and mind. The narrative's exploration of the complex dynamics of family and the emotional rollercoaster of middle age is both thought-provoking and heartwarming.

Lombardo skillfully portrays the intricacies of human connections, making the reader reflect on their own relationships and life choices. Same As It Ever Was is a compelling, richly detailed story that will stay with you long after you turn the last page.

Nobody writes family novels better than Claire Lombardo. From her classic The Most Fun We Ever Had to her latest, Same as it Ever Was. Its a story about Julia who is a married mom with two kids. Her kids Ben and Alma are living in their own worlds. He husband Mark is an all around good guy. When Julia meets a woman from her past named Helen Russo the novel begins it's back ad forth slide of telling the past and coming back to present day and how the it's all going to come colliding into a what's it all about story. The book is over 500 pages but once you start you won't really care because there are so many good reasons to turn the pages. This book will be in everybody's beach bag this summer and book clubs galore. What I love about Ms. Lomabardo's writing is she never tries to overcook the plot. These characters are very real and sometimes you see that they aren't the nicest people in the world but that's ok. She allows you to forgive them because they are a part of who we are as people. We hae flaws and can be terrible people. We can hate our kids and husbands but we always try to fins a way back if we feel it's worth it and if it's better to be together than to be apart. Prepare yourself for a smart summer read that you'll want to share with all your friend. Thank you to Doubleday and Netgalley for the read. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

This book centers around a woman in her midlife and tells of the complicated relationship she has with a woman who befriends her, her husband, her children and her mother. It was an interesting family drama, but felt long. At times reading it seemed tedious. It took a long time for parts of the plot to be revealed, but when it was it added interesting layers to the story.

Happy Publication Day to Claire Lombardo for SAME AS IT EVER WAS! Claire’s debut, THE MOST FUN WE EVER HAD is hands-down, one of my very favorite books of all time. So, her latest is quite possibly, my most anticipated book of not only the year, but probably the decade. I’ve been (impatiently) waiting for it since 2019. I am very happy to report that it was well worth the wait.

I’d best describe this one as a family drama/character study mash-up. The reader gets to spend a lot of time with Julia, the protagonist and we learn SO much about her marriage, children, and a particular friend who changed the course of her mid-life journey. We’re in Julia’s head a lot, and she’s a little wordy, erratic, and tends to ramble a bit. She has a nervous energy that I actually found quite charming and relatable. SO many of her thoughts and fears on motherhood mirrored my own, so she grew on me quite quickly. If you like your characters a little flawed, edgy, and realistic, then I think you’ll dig Julia too.

Not only does SAIEW include all of my very favorite themes like motherhood, marriage, and friendship, it also tackles another favorite element of mine—the complicated mother-daughter relationship. The more you get to know Julia, and learn bits and pieces of her past, things will really start to click and make sense. Her childhood will explain so much.

Once again, Claire Lombardo has delivered another phenomenal piece of literary fiction, and has secured a spot on my list of favorite authors. I think I can officially name her the queen of family dramas as well! 5/5 stars for SAME AS IT EVER WAS!

This book has unforgettable characters who are relatable and interesting. I love how the story drops the reader immediately in to the life of Julia.

I too was a "resident hermit mom" when it came to preschool and school activities. I tried, but it didn't ever come naturally for me. Motherhood is such a transformative experience. You change on so many levels and recognizing yourself in all the chaos of growth (yours and your child's) can be difficult. Having spent years as a stay at home mom of two, the yearning for some independence and alone time was so relatable for me and I saw myself reflecting in some of the feelings Julia went through while her children were young.

Explores the various hurdles and fears that mothers overcome and the poor choices one may make to self sabotage their lives and seek something new.

The story flashes back and forth between past and present to paint a full picture.

Julia is drowning in motherhood. Her son is only 3 years old, yet she still can’t shake the feeling of dread. As a stay at home mom, she has no real social outlet and desperately looks forward to the few hours a day her son is at pre school. Until one day she meets Helen Russo. Almost like kismet, things start to change in Julia’s life, but for the better or more out of desperation to escape the monotony of her current state. Told through Julia’s POV of both past and present, we get to explore the depths of motherhood, marriage and the relationship we have with ourself.
•
Thoughts:
I loved Claire Lombardo’s book “The Most Fun We Ever Had,” and was so excited to receive an early copy of this one. In the first few chapters when I heard Julia describing motherhood sadly, I couldn’t relate more. Lombardo is able to seamlessly move between past and present, create characters that are raw, yet easy to connect with. There is so much going on in this book and I completely devoured it. Easiest 5 ⭐️
Bravo!
Highly recommend!
•
Thank you Netgalley and Doubleday books for an early copy in exchange for an honest review.

Firstly, let me thank Doubleday and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review the ARC of this novel.
Today is publication day for this work and I wish I could give it a more promising review, but alas, if I’m to be honest, which I always am, 2 stars is all I can manage to rate this offering.

I think many will be disappointed. Not only is it long and dragged out, but the dialogue is riddled with uncommon words used in every day language. I found that very distracting and intrusive. Examples below:
Ennui, corpulent, puerile, monastic, proffering, immolate, vestiges, obsequiousness, assents, sibilant, effluvia, verdant, and more!
Who likes to read having to look up the meaning of certain words in the dialogue? For the most part, one can guess, but for me it interrupted the feel of the statement and subject matter.

I have to admit I didn’t finish this as I didn’t find it enjoyable. The plot wasn’t bad, and the character development wasn’t either but the main character grated on my nerves, and I just found myself not looking forward to reading anymore of it.

Julia is married to Mark. They have 2 children - Ben who is 24 and Alma who is 18. When we first meet Julia she has taken an unplanned trip to a grocery store that is different from the one where she normally shops. There, she bumps into Helen. Helen was integral to Julia’s life back when Ben was very young and she was a stay at home mom. This story is told in alternating chapters of Julia’s past and present.

When I first started reading this story I thought uh oh. If this is all about young motherhood I am doomed. I never had children. While not unsympathetic to the plights of a stay at home mom, it is not something I connect with. Fortunately for me, I stayed with the book.

We spend a lot of time inside Julia’s head and what a funny place this is. Not laugh out loud funny, but subtle, slightly sarcastic and realistic funny. Her past and current lives are filled with the typical turmoil everyone experiences. It’s just that the author has a delightful way of telling a story. What started out as a book I wasn’t sure I wanted to read end up being one I didn’t want to end.

I received a copy of this book from Doubleday, via Netgalley. The publish date is June 18, 2024.

In my review of Lombardo's first novel, The Most Fun We Ever Had, I called it "so long I felt weary trying to finish it." Even though I liked it! I felt the same way about this one. Everything about it that's good - character development, connection, insight - feels like it would hit harder if there were fewer words getting in the way. On my kindle, one paragraph often took up the whole screen. I found myself longing for an abridged version.

I love the way Lombardo can write characters you feel like you know and make them deeply flawed yet sympathetic. I wish she also wrote spare, snappy prose, but maybe you can't have both!