This was a cute book! I love how it was centered around talking to Patsy Cline. I loved the main character. She was great! This book made me laugh and some parts even made me tear up. Great book! I enjoyed the narrator as well!

If We Ever Get There - A Novel by Laura Barrow and narrated by Megan Tusing is a sweet, heartwarming, heartbreaking story of rebuilding your life when it has al gone very wrong and the symbolism and strength we attach to and glean from music.

A lovely story for anyone to relate to, especially anyone with a family member with dementia

My heart was stretched and contracted like a bungee cord. Beautifully read by Megan Tusing, I loved this book

Thank you to Netgalley, Brilliance Publishing | Brilliance Audio, the author Laura Barrow and narrator Megan Tusing for this outstanding ALC. My review is left voluntarily and all opinions are my own

Thank you to Brilliance Publishing and Netgalley for the chance to listen to and rate this ARC.
I LOVED THIS. A total win for me. Just wow.

So, has this ever happened to you? You read one book and it involves a near death experience (NDE). And then, a book or two later, you pick up ANOTHER book, and it revolves around…what other than…a NDE?? (And this particular thing is NOT common, in my book.) 🤣
Anyway, this happens to ME, ALL the time. Whether it be a color, a name, a place, or something…happening in multiples books I read! One after the other…Just had to share…
Now, on to my review!!

What a sweet book on a very difficult subject…or two.

Effie is a woman, around 40. She’s married (almost half of her life), has 3 teenage kids, and is getting divorced…because…he’s a rotten guy!
Her Mom grew up in different times, and wants her to do whatever it takes to save their marriage. But, Effie has her own plans…
And, she’s pretty close to her Mom.
But, even more so, she’s REALLY close to her Gram. They have a really special bond. And, they BOTH love Patsy Cline!

And so, the book incorporates MANY Patsy Cline songs, as well as many letters that Gram wrote to Patsy (as if they were on a first name basis and best of friends!)

We have (kind of) dual timelines, as one area revolves around Gram, her school sweetheart, and their shotgun wedding, a lot of years ago…
And then we have Effie, her Mom, and her kids…present day.

On both timelines we see young women who have a very strong resolve to make things work for their families…no matter what!

We open the book in Effie’s timeline with her (almost ex) husband being called to the hospital for an emergency…as he’s still her emergency contact. Something is wrong, and Effie’s not sure what…and the docs are not really giving her the whole scoop. But her ex, Daniel, is NOT happy to be called away from work, and the new, very young girlfriend, for this!

As the story progresses, we learn more about them all.
As Effie rebuilds her life from the ground up, we are there to share it with her. But, so are others…. And, NOT in the way you might think!
And when she meets Cameron, she has no idea that her life is going to change forever!!
Oh…and her best friend? Well, we ALL need a bff like that!!

And I just love Gram! She’s in her 80’s ( I think, don’t remember exactly)…has always loved music, and performs with her band at the nursing home she lives in! She also has dementia, and sometimes forgets everyone, and everything…which is so sad…

If you have the opportunity to read this one, please don’t pass it up!
Very different. Very sweet. Very hard at times…but wonderful! So many layers to this one, that it’s just amazing!

I was initially going to give this one 4, but as I’m writing this I realize just how much it touched me, and how terrific it was! So, 4.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 rounded up to 5!

#IfWeEverGetThere by #LauraBarrow and narrated beautifully by #MeganTusing (who did a wonderful job!)

Thanks so much to #NetGalley and #BrilliancePublishing for an ARC of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
This book releases TOMORROW, 6/18/24, so look 👀 for it then!

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IG @ #BookReviews_with_emsr or
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Thanks so much for reading! And if you ‘liked’ my review, please share with your friends!! 📚⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley, Lake Union Publishing, and author Laura Barrow for allowing me to read If We Ever Get There in exchange for an unbiased review. I chose this book because I love the cover and synopsis, and my book club read and enjoyed Call the Canaries Home by author Laura Barrow. I was looking forward to reading Laura Barrow’s follow up novel, If We Ever Get There. I am so glad I did- I read all 329 unique pages in one rainy afternoon.
Told in dual timelines of Effie and Lolly’s, readers are given a glimpse of what women with families, both past and present, face when they are forced to reinvent themselves without warning.
Waking up from a mommy makeover after her jerk of a husband, Daniel, is unfaithful to her - after 19 loyal years of marriage! with a younger woman not much older than their daughter- Effie recalls (in her surgical haze) receiving advice from musician Patsy Cline, a favorite singer of her grandmother Lola (aka Lolly), along the lines of: “you need more time to set things right” with her life. Her surgeon won’t reveal what really transpired, but Effie embarks on her new path to raise her three teenagers as a newly single mom who has spent her life pleasing others. She even takes a job at a lawyer’s office, where she meets his brother... and no spoilers, but what a plot twist! Each of Effie's chapters is cleverly titled with a Patsy Cline song, but full transparency I do not know anything about Ms. Cline and I still appreciated the nod (and found myself on You Tube listening to the songs!) Friendships: OK, all women need a BFF like Grace in their corner! I loved her character and Cameron’s! I thought Lolly and Effie’s letters to Patsy Kline were whimsical.
I liked Effie’s take on life lessons, renewal, growth, and relationships with the women in her life. I enjoyed this interesting storyline and the characters, who I found to be well-developed and relatable. A very easy read, but I do wish the ending had more of a solid wrap up of what transpired post op to cause Effie’s visions...If We Ever Get There by Laura Barrow is as good of a read as her previous novel, Call the Canaries Home. I look forward to reading her next novel. 3.5/5

It is never too late to discover yourself. Effie finds herself going through a divorce at 40, after 19 years of marriage and three kids. Her husband has a new, young girlfriend. Effie was happy and doesn't know where things went wrong. As the months pass, she discovers who she is- not the wife, not the mom, but Effie.

I didn't realize this would lean slightly into the paranormal. I typically avoid the genre, but can handle small doses (like a Nora Roberts level of paranormal at most). However, it was a thing in the beginning, then I feel it went away, then came back. As someone who is already not in love with the turn the story took, the in and out made it kind of worse. Or maybe made me focus on it more.

Effie's journey is lovely. If you happen to enjoy the paranormal, you will probably really like this book. If, like me, you don't care for the genre, you will probably still enjoy it as long as you keep an open mind.

Megan Tusing narrates the audiobook and is wonderful, as always.

I received an advance audio copy in exchange for an honest review.

The Patsy Cline tie-in brought a musical dimension to the reading experience. I happily hummed her tunes in my head while reading. Eventually, it inspired a play of my Patsy playlist, extending the book experience a bit further. However, Patsy is just the cherry on top.

The journey Effie goes on is full of complex life situations. Her marriage is failing. She is forced to find who she is outside of her role as a wife and mother. Simultaneously she is dealing with loss and grief over the decline of her grandmother, a bit of teenage angst, and work challenges

There is a touch of whimsy thrown in. Her grandmother's story is told through letters she wrote to Patsy Cline in her youth. Ghost-y elements help her along the way.

The whole package gives a novel that reads light yet has a familiar depth to it.

A charming and cozy story of renewal. I enjoyed Effie and her friends and family, especially Lola. Some parts stretched credulity—and I don’t mean the talking to ghosts business—I’m thinking more along the lines of a millennial-aged woman who helped bring an entire business to success and raise three children being daunted by Microsoft Office or confused by someone using a hands-free device. But, with a little suspension of disbelief, this story is thoroughly enjoyable, complete with a nice little twist. And the Patsy Cline references didn’t hurt, either. Nice job by the narrator who quite handily represented women from the past and the present.

New beginnings, relationships and Patsy Cline, what more do you need. I really enjoyed listening to If we ever get there by Laura Barrow, my second book by this author and I will be looking for more.

Effie wakes up from plastic surgery suddenly able to see dead people. The ghost was used in the same way that the Nantucket Hotel ghost was, like an extra point of view.

Through the book the story alternates between her grandma’s letters to Patty Cline and new life.

After 19 years of marriage Effie is trying to find herself again and decide if she should go forward in finding her independence or reconcile for her family. In the end the decision and who are clear.

Her friend is hilarious. I love a good supporting character with a great sense of humor.

Good book, I’d recommend with a unique story I haven’t read before.

After reading and enjoying CALL THE CANARIES HOME, I was excited to read Laura Barrow’s upcoming release. While both books center around family and relationships, I felt IF WE EVER GET THERE was a bit more lighthearted in nature.

Effie’s marriage has just ended, thanks to a cheating husband, so she decides to have some surgery to spruce herself up a bit. But something happens during surgery that the doctor won’t talk about, which has left Effie a little different—and I don’t mean looks-wise. First off, she has a vision or a conversation, Effie’s not sure, with the late Patsy Cline.

The story is sweet and funny as Effie tries to bridge the gap between her grandmother’s past (mainly through letters) and her granddaughter’s future. At the same time, Effie has a new boss who could be a potential for romance, but let’s just say she has inside information on him, and it’s making it awkward.

Effie is a great character—kind and caring, with a big heart and a generous spirit. I don’t want to spoil anything, but this story was a delightful blend of Effie navigating how to stand on her own, parenting, and relationships, all with the help of a few ghostly visitors.


A heartwarming read about finding your voice and helping others along the way.


Thank you @KateRockBookTour and @laura.barrow.writer for a spot on tour and a gifted book.

Thank you @brilliancepublishing for the gifted audiobook.

Effie is going through a lot of change. Her 19 year marriage is ending, she has to get a job, and she suddenly is able to see and talk to ghosts. I think she handles it magnificently.

Many thanks to Net Galley and Brilliance Publishing for an audio ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I received an arc of this title from NetGalley for an honest review. I like the magical realism parts of this book but the rest of the book fell pretty flat for me.

IF WE EVER GET THERE
Laura Barrow

After reading CALL THE CANARIES HOME last year I was expectantly waiting Laura Barrow’s sophomore novel. I adored Canaries (and it was my fave post/photo I’ve done) so as soon as I heard about IF WE EVER GET THERE I was thrilled. I try to only skim blurbs so I have something to look for and seeing that this was not only the title of a Patsy Cline song but that Patsy herself was a part of the book… well, I was sold. Thanks to Laura and Brilliance Publishing I was also able to read this immersively.

The themes of this book hit home for me. I went through a VERY similar journey as Effie (minus the vision of Patsy.) So I related strongly to the book. Inhaled is the only proper word to describe my reading of this. I couldn’t put it down.

Written in dual pov, Effie and her grandmother Lolly’s lives are woven seamlessly. The side characters had depth and one in particular put a huge smile on my face. (Won’t spoil anything, I’ll just say the spirit moved me.) The audio narration by Megan Tusing fully encapsulated Effie and Lolly. My reading was enriched by the audio.

Thank you to @katerockbooktours for including me in this tour and @brilliancepublishing for the audiobook. Also, thanks so much Laura, for helping me through your work. These thoughts are my own.

I really wanted to get into this one. The synopsis had a lot of promise, but in the end this one just fell a bit flat for me.