I quite enjoyed this one, though I'll admit I wasn't sure what to expect when I started reading.
Telling the story of Cassie who, after one dismissal too many, heads for West Virginia to the site of her parents' death. This aspect of the plot brings in lore around the Mouthman and strange happenings in Point Pleasant around the time of the bridge collapse.
Of course I recognised a lot of this from a movie which Cassie, and later, Ingram, reference throughout. This proved a little repetitive, especially as it appeared to be a primary source document for nearly everybody interested in the mystery.
That aside, I enjoyed the cast of characters we are introduced to and the pacing is good.
There were some serious leaps within the story at times that asked for a little too much suspension of disbelief - I won't spoil anything here but these reveals were a little too convenient for my liking.
In general though, this was a fun, easy read that has enough going on to keep you reading to the end.

My thanks to Harper Muse for an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I thought this was very good and I will have to add this to the shop shelves. Thank you for the chance for us to review.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to be able to read and review this book!

This was a fast and fun read!

A unique and quirky novel with a touch of mystery. I loved the colorful cast of characters that Cassie met along her journey. The writing is witty and wise. The pacing can be a little bit slow at times but it is a worthwhile read.
Many thanks to Harper Muse and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Thank you to NetGalley, Harper Muse and the author for an ARC of this book.

I really enjoyed this book. At first, I wasn’t sure how much I’d relate to the main character of Cassie, but I absolutely adored her. She felt so real, like a person I might meet in real life and who can blame her for obsessing over the event that claimed both of her parents’ lives as a toddler.

As Cassie embarks on a journey to escape her house with her train wreck of an agoraphobic husband, she is destined to learn more about her origin and what she wants in life.

The characterization in the novel was fantastic. I could picture each of these people in my head so easily from the Santa looking brothers owning the hotel, to the dismissive restaurant waitress to the moth man obsessed “writer.” 

Although it seems many readers had qualms about all of the Mothman facts, it didn’t particularly bother me so much. I don’t know much about Mothman so the facts were interesting to me and I lived in good old West by God. That being said, there were an awful lot of them.

My main issue with the story was how slowly it started. I’m glad I stuck with it because I really did enjoy it, but it was very hard for me to break into. I also have a difficult time sympathizing with people who have repeatedly bad days without doing anything to make changes. It’s definitely a huge irk of mine, so it took me a while to like Cassie.

I wouldn’t say this book was super surprising, but I did like that the author connected the little details throughout the the book. Sometimes the only way through trauma and grief is to look at dead in the eye. 

As for my ratings :
Excitement level: 3
Ease of reading level: 3
Overall rating : 4

Real Life and Other Fictions by Susan Coll is a compelling exploration of resilience and self-discovery, chronicling one woman’s quest to reclaim her life and uncover the truth about her past. By her 50s, Cassie has faced unimaginable challenges—from losing her parents in a tragic accident to navigating the complexities of a failing marriage. The weight of her experiences is beautifully captured in this heartfelt narrative, making her journey both relatable and inspiring.

Cassie’s decision to embark on an impulsive road trip is a bold move that symbolizes her desire to break free from the constraints of her life. As she sets out without a clear destination, readers are invited to join her in a transformative adventure that blends humor, introspection, and the thrill of the unknown. The open road becomes a metaphor for her quest for answers and her journey toward healing.

Thank you NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to review this title. There was so much going on in this book it was hard to keep track of what genre it was. I am giving it two stars. The best part about a book is that every book is someone's favorite book. And this is not mine and that's okay!

Not exactly a beach read, but verging on light fiction. The unfolding discovery which explains the protagonist’s fascination with moths is what propels this story. Thanks to NetGalley for a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

Loved loved this book the writing the storyline.Will be recommending it as soon as it’s published.#netgalley #harperfocus

I just finished this book and even though it is not my normal reading material, I really enjoyed it. It was very good read and did learn a lot . The fact that the bridge falling was set in WV really helped it along. Cassie had to go there just to find out how and why her parents died. she also learned a lot about herself and her Aunt Olivia and Uncle Harry , who raised her. There also was a little romance involved.

Cassie Klein is a fascinating enigma. Her marriage has fallen apart, her child has left for college, and she wonders what she will do for the rest of her life. To say the book centers around a "road trip" doesn't do it justice. Cassie is on a search for meaning in her life and she goes down some confusing pathways in search of enlightenment. The complex, layered character of Cassie keeps the story on track and the reader is swept away on a search that is sometime surreal, sometimes pragmatic, but always fascinating.

This was my first by this author and it was not my favourite. I didn’t see the point of the story, but kept reading hoping it’ would get better. The main characters were believable but the lie behind why Cassie’s childhood and parents was not. The unexplained phenomena was too far fetched.

Loved this one! Great and fun read. Highly recommend.
Many thanks to the publisher, Netgalley, and the author for my ARC.

Real Life and Other Fictions by Susan Coll weaves together several narrative threads, some of which focus on elements that tend to reliably deliver a very enjoyable reading experience for me—middle-aged characters, supernatural beings, a journey-of-self-discovery plot loosely based on an actual event that promised to not take itself too seriously, a familiar setting, later-in-life romance, and a sweet human-animal bond.

I enjoyed the novel but only became fully engaged in the author’s world at about the midway point. I think the issue was that the opening part was structured to provide “breadcrumbs” about the mystery at the core of the plot, but these clues (the moth, the Gumby doll, the prickly relationship with Aunt Olivia) didn’t cohere for me at first. I couldn’t quite track what was going on or why. (I only understood their significance as breadcrumbs in hindsight after finishing the book.) What kept me intrigued at this early point, though, were the rich and comical details surrounding Cassie’s marriage and the associated weather commentary, especially the details of her husband’s viral downfall. (Seriously, what took her so long to leave him?) All that said, the novel picks up terrifically after Cassie arrives in West Virginia, meets Ingram, and dives into the Mothman mystery and her quest to unravel the dark secrets of her childhood trauma.

I rated the book four stars because of the strong second half. It’s well worth wading through the first part to get there. All told, an enjoyable and memorable read. As someone who grew up in DC and spent countless perfect days at Rehoboth and meandering through the areas where the book takes place, I enjoyed the rush of good memories and nostalgia from the author's descriptions. I will definitely be stopping in Pleasant Point next time I’m in West Virginia to visit the museum.

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review the ARC.

This one ended up being a DNF for me. While Cassie's story was well written and the puppy was cute, I just couldn't relate to the heroine. And It most likely was the fact that I'm not at the age or life stage of the heroine. But I do think readers at that stage and age in life will love this one.

A clever and thoughtful read about growing older and learning about yourself in the process. Humorous and sentimental, this book is a solid pick for summer reading.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Harper Muse through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.

I really enjoyed the story here. I didn't know that mothman was a real prophecy while reading this book, so that was interesting to learn! The characters were mostly unlikable, honestly. But I feel like the story and suspense kept me interested enough to not mind as much. Luna was of course my favorite. 🥰

I felt the vibe of the story didn't fully line up with what I expected based on the cover and title. I'd give it a solid 3 and 1/2 stars.

There is not much to this story but the plot is intriguing. At times it seemed like a dream or sci-fi story. I wasn’t always sure what was reality. The banter between Cassie and Engram was the best part of the story. The book is set at Christmastime which was weird to read in early summer. If you enjoy quirky characters and a sci-fi plot twist, this is the book for you!

The premise of this book really piqued my interest; unfortunately, I really struggled connecting with the main character, Cassie. In addition, the story was a bit all over the place. The overall story is very character driven. It was just okay in my opinion, but then I don't think I'm the right reader for this book. That being said, I did enjoy the quirky moments and characters through the story. Cassie's journey is also interesting as well as some of the side stories told along the way.

I started this book with high hopes but by a third of the way in I started fighting myself to keep reading.This book was hard to follow and the characters did not entertain me. Thank you to Harper Muse and NetGalley for the complimentary digital ARC. This review is my own opinion.