Sometimes we just need a light-hearted book about finding or rediscovering yourself when faced with unwanted adjustments to life, ie, when your well ordered life falls apart. In this fun book, our main character is totally defined by her role as a good wife and mom but is handed a rude wake-up when she discovers her sob husband a) doesn't value her and b) he's been cheating with a 20-year old. She goes in for a bit of surgical 'enhancement' but wakes up hearing ghosts. Long story short, she makes the most of this, redefines and stands herself, and forges a new life. Oh, and Patsy Cline is involved.

I received this book from NetGalley.

The first thing that doesn't sit right with me is that there were some complications in the surgery but Effie doesn't know what they are? The doctor never told her and she never asked? That just seems weird. And when she's still thinking about it weeks later, why doesn't she contact the doctor?

The book itself is very slow going. A third of the way in and I feel like not much has happened. The story itself is fine but honestly the letters to Patsy aren't my favourite. They lack something.

62% in and I feel like nothing has happened. The book is super slow and not much happens at all.

78% in and I'm struggling. Also, Effie doesn't seem to speak to Teagan. Yes, Teagan doesn't treat her the best, but when does Effie sit down and really try and find out what's happening in her life. It all seems a bit thrown in. So much focus is on work, Daniel and Cameron and very little on her children. Then why give one of the children such a storyline? Also the point is for her to help Drew accept Cameron's death so he can move on, but so far she's done very little to aid that.

I finally finished the book and honestly it wasn't for me. Overall it was just too long, too slow and not enough happened. Also, nowhere on the blurb do I ever remember it saying anything about how she can speak to spirits and I think that should be rectified.

📖 29 / 100 in 2024
✍️ Contemporary Fiction
⭐️ 4.5 stars (rounded up for Goodreads)

If We Ever Get There by Laura Barrow

for readers who enjoy ....

country music, dual perspective, near-death experiences, song lyrics, epistolary books, pickleball, second chance romance, teenagers, Patsy Cline, the afterlife, chapter titles, sugar cookie candles

(Thank you to @netgalley for the advance digital ARC copy!)

Newly single after her high school sweetheart cheats, Effie decides not to (I) Fall to Pieces by choosing herself every day, inspired by her grandmother Lola, a Crazy Patsy Cline fan, who once learned to find her own answer to That’s My Desire.

A great read for anyone who’s had to put their life back together again, this heartfelt yet light read takes us along on Effie’s journey to prioritize herself after 19 years of putting her focus on her husband and family.

Effie’s character arc was believable, interesting, and engaging. Even though I’m not a big country fan, I enjoyed the musical references throughout the book. The Dead Romantics by Ashley Poston is an excellent comp for this book and this would be a satisfying next read following that one.

Although I tend not to like fiction told through letters, I made an exception for Lola’s letters to Patsy, which was a wonderful way to tell her side of the story. Just like Effie, I had a close relationship with my grandmother and this novel was a sweet reminder of our similarities.

When I started this I was worried it was going to be a cowboy romance, (not my thing) but apart from the reference to country music it wasn’t. I enjoyed the story , Effie, the Mum was relatable, the ghost element was unexpected but not silly.
Was quite a unique book.

Thank you to Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

If We Ever Get There was one of the most interesting books I have read for quite some time. I don't usually read books of this style, as I tend to focus more on romance etc, but this was a really refreshing change. The story follows Effie, in the wake of her husband's betrayal, trying to navigate a life she's never had to lead before. Woven in between segments of the story are her grandmother's letters to her hero, Patsy Cline. It's a really clever way to intertwine two women's stories, as they both struggle to work out what to do with their lives and relationships.

To be completely honest, I found the first half of the story quite slow. I struggled to get as into the story as I would like, but after the introduction of the spirits, namely Cameron, the story really grabbed my attention and I couldn't put the book down. The development of the characters was fantastic; they're witty, rational, and complex. I thought that the portrayal of Effie coming to terms with what her husband had done, and how she was going to move on from that, was so realistic and, I would even go so far as to say, comforting that it really felt like you were on the journey with her.

The only reason why this story isn't a 5/5 is due to the struggle I had at the beginning with getting into the story, but overall, I really enjoyed reading it!

If We Ever Get There by Laura Barrow was an uplifting story of h0w Effie gets her mojo back, and it was a pleasure to see her character development throughout the book. Each of Effie's chapters is cleverly titled with a Patsy Cline song, but you don't need to be a Patsy Cline fan to appreciate the story.

This book perfectly portrays how women tend to get lost in the roles of serving their families and spouses, and putting their own needs, wants, and dreams on hold. Very relatable. It also explores the complex relationship between mothers and daughters. How mother's want what's best for their daughters, but can have a different idea of what that is than their daughters. And how daughters just want the freedom to be who they are, and to know that they are loved and supported despite those different visions.

Romance is a part of the story line, but not the main part. I love how Effie found herself again, but didn't rely on a romantic partner for her identity/sense of self worth. So many stories depict that for us to live "happily ever after" we must be in a romantic relationship. Here, Effie becomes complete on her own, just as she is.

I rate If We Ever Get There 4/5 stars. Highly recommended for those who enjoy uplifting women's fiction. I thoroughly enjoyed watching Effie find her confidence and make her place in the world.

I've had Laura Barrow's first book, Call the Canaries Home, on my TBR list for awhile now. After reading If We Ever Get There, I will definitely be moving it up in priority on the list!

Thank you so much to Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review. These are my opinions.

"If We Ever Get There" stars Effie, a woman that is enduring a separation from her husband of nineteen years after some infidelity. She undergoes a procedure that has left her with some strange unintended side effects. She has an idea of what a marriage should look like, and struggles on whether to reconcile their marriage. Along the way, we get to see Effie's grandmother, Lola, and the letters she wrote to Patsy Cline. We get to experience life after separation with Effie, as she gets a job, balances co-parenting teenagers, and finds herself again.

First of all, this was so beautifully written. It was incredibly immersive, and hard to put down. This even had me tearing up at certain points. Laura Barrow created characters that were witty, kind, and could be empathized with. I felt drawn to some experiences that Effie experienced.

It is wild that this is the author's second book ever, because Laura writes like she's been writing books for years.

This review will be pretty short and sweet, because this book is sweet.

What a fascinating, unique premise! I loved reading Lola’s story via her letters to Patsy Cline, interspersed with Effie’s story of her family and her fading marriage and her new job, etc. The fact that there was an extra touch of the paranormal here just made it all the better for me. I would have liked an explanation, towards the end of the book, of what actually happened to her during her surgery, to make her ghost-seeing a bit more understandable. However, it all felt totally believable to me. The sub-story between Effie and her daughter was a realistic, sweet touch and I also found the ending totally satisfying.

The way that Effie’s story paralleled Lola‘s story was not completely evident until the end, and I appreciate it that the author didn’t give it away at the beginning.

Thanks to NetGalley, the author and publisher for an advanced reading copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I was hooked from the start with Effie’s near death experience. It lead her to see ghosts which changed her life for the better. Her relationship with her Grandma who had dementia was so respectful and heartwarming. I really enjoyed getting to know Effie as a mother, friend and wife.

this book was fair. not my absolutely favorite book by any means, but overall pretty entertaining. 3.5/ 5 stars

I had high hopes for If We Ever Get There by Laura Barrow, but I feel it missed the mark a bit. I love the idea of the plot, but Effie's character felt inconsistent to me and her encounters with ghosts weren't fleshed out. The Patsy Cline story line also felt superfluous to Effie's narrative arc. I'd love a full novel about Lola, though! That said, it's a lighthearted and a quirky read and I don't feel my time was wasted reading it. Maybe my expectations were just too high, so I"m rating it four stars.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an eARC in an exchange for an honest review.

This was a funny, lovely book. A little quirky in the best way possible. I loved at the end how the character found her way, and started founding her voice. Recommend!

Another great story from this new author loved her debut book and this was just as good! The author makes you feel for these characters and their relationships. Loved when the main character finally realized herself and what she was capable of!

If We Ever Get There by L. Barrow, the author of Call the Canaries Home, published by Lake Un ion Publishing now has her second book on sale.
Effie stands before the ruins of her 19 years of marriage. Innher fourties she has to start over.
Reluctant, skittish with not real clue what to do, her granmother Lolly has a message for her.
A message that's about to change her whole life. Put a stranger in the mix, a great story and you have the perfect second chance story.
Daniel is just perfect for Effie, her new love interest.

A story that's a bit different but I really did enjoy it very much.
I finished it one evening it was so good!
Lots of characters that I fell in love with.
The one who stood out to me most was Effie. Not sure why. Maybe it was her name and she reminded me of someone that I knew with that name. I don't know
This book also reminds me of the TV show Ghosts if you've ever watched that.
Cameron did make me laugh and smirk in places. For that reason alone I liked him a lot.
There were a few characters that I didn't like.
I loved this book a lot! I finished it in two days. I hate saying goodbye to my favorite characters.
5 stars for a well written and enjoyable novel. I highly recommend.
My thanks for a copy of this book I was NOT required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.

The cover of this book is gorgeous. .