This book just did not work for me. I loved the idea of it, but it felt forced. The characters were whiny and horrible. As a mom approaching 40, I thought I would be able to identify with this book a little more. Instead I questioned some of their choices, I did not find the friendship to be as respectful and supportive as it should be. It just wanted more for the story. I wanted to feel more for the characters and their experiences, but instead I felt annoyed by them, An awesome idea for a story, but the details just didn't play out well for me.

Thank you netgalley for my advanced reader copy.

This book started off good and even sounded good but it lacked a lot of depth. I felt like I was reading about nothing at all in a bad way

i really liked this book. it wasnt shock horror or with a big bang waiting to happen. it was a story of a time in two womans lives. and i felt a bit unfair to them at first. as i felt i dint like some of their actions, how they acted to themselves or each other. but then i thought well we arent always great. we arent always kind. and there are points in life that if explored wouldnt look fab if read by an outsider haha. and this was simply a snippet in these womans lives, and a certain two woman it was being told about for that reason...because there was a story there. so i quickly pulled myself out of it. made sure i wasnt judging these two as all woman or all humans and from then on really enjoyed the story i was told.
it was detailed so i felt i could really feel how they were getting on in each moment. i felt they were relatable in their struggles.
its a novel about two woman, two friends. and how as 40 looms they arent exactly happy. or does 40 make them ask questions which cause them to feel unhappy. or perahaps think they shouldnt be happy! its a strange time when woman turn in on themselves. and often the turn on those closest. we live in a time where being a woman is so hard. be it for yourself or for the world thats forcing ideals on you every single second of the day. and i can only praise and live in awe of those i love and friends of mine. for ive seen their struggles and watched there inner and outer demons play out. and all i ever actually want, as soppy as it sounds is for the world to let woman go and stop holding them and shaming them to these forced ideals. its creates fracture in both themselves and how they feel of those around them, yes even freinds.
and these two womans tale made me think. made me think lots. and i really appreciated that. because i was also a step away from it being i was simply reading THEIR story. it wasnt to personal.
this book was really honest. and that isnt always your cushy romance novel. and happy ending can then actually be so much more meaningful if looking a little different for every individuals situation.

Thank you to Netgalley for this free ARC. All views and opinions in this review are my own.

“Again, Only More Like You” was an easy and relatable read for me. Just like the main characters, Carmen and Ally, I am 40 years old and a mother. I sometimes find myself longing for carefree days of the past, but also thinking a lot about the uncertainties of raising a child in today’s world.

The book doesn’t have anything groundbreaking or uniquely revealing in the story. However, the author does a great job expressing Carmen and Ally’s inner thoughts, doubts and fears. The characters felt so multi-faceted, I feel like I could be friends with these women in real life. It’s nice to read about characters who are not perfect but are just trying their best. It gives me hope that, in my own life, maybe everything will be okay.

It was quick, cute, easy read. I would have liked to see Ally and Carmen spend more time together, but I also appreciated how it showed a realistic friendship.

okay this book had an interesting synopsis that drew me in but, the story as a whole didn't do much for me. I do appreciate the emphasis on how hard mothers work and how selfless mothers can be but, i just found myself really uninterested on what came next. I will say I did enjoy getting to know the 2 main characters and appreciated their friendship with each other.

I had such high hopes for this one. Unfortunately, it fell flat for me. I really struggled to connect to the characters. The ending was disappointing. I liked it but I couldnt say I loved it.

This book was so heartwarming and fun! It really felt like Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants but all grown up. I loved these characters from the very first page.

While the premise was great I just could not get past how unlikeable the MC were. What should be a story about unexpected circumstances and changing friendship was overpowered by the fact that I found it hard to root for the MCs

I received an ARC of this novel from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Two women who share a lifelong friendship both undergo difficult circumstances during their early 40s.

This was a Really good book! I loved the themes of friendship, being a woman, love, relationships, and growth. Even though this book had a lot of tough moments with some serious topics, it was like an enjoyable, and had a lot of funny and sweet moments.

Thank you to NetGalley, to the author, and to the publisher for this complimentary ARC in exchange for my honest review!!!

I finished this book feeling unsure, there were parts I did not like- the two main characters were not kind to themselves or others. I did not always find the characters likable. But at the same time, I think this book is an important read because as women, we are not often kind to ourselves or others. Both main characters were not happy with where they were in life, enviable of each other while also being critical of each other.

What I really liked about the book was its honesty. Both being single and being married were portrayed as hard, enviable, and empowering. The portrayal of the mother being unsure of her life choices and overwhelmed with her children while still being in love with her husband and adoring her children was something I think many parent could relate to but do not realize other parents feel.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. The writing was well done in a way that makes for a quick read. The premise of life at 40 works well and I think that with a few minor tweaks, this would be great on a big screen.

Enjoyable read. Friendship, becoming adults and how relationships change and grow. A story for all women.

Despite an interesting book synopsis, this novel was disappointing on several levels.

Carmen and Ally, best friends since childhood, are both turning forty and taking stock of their lives against the hopes and aspirations of their youth. Each has followed a vastly different life path in terms of family and career which has strained their connection geographically and personally. As with most relationships there is a complicated mix of emotions – love, respect, admiration, envy, jealousy, and criticism – to name a few.

All the above could have made for a thoughtful examination of friendships, but it was tarnished by repetitive whining by the two main characters about their respective circumstances. While their perspectives were valid, the immaturity displayed by these two did not engender much empathy as the story unfolded. After persevering through 90 % of the book waiting for the redemption, I was dismayed that ending happily-ever ending was revealed in the last two or three chapters with no realistic bridge from the discontent to the resolution. I would have preferred more detail about their successes and less annoying handwringing over children, significant others, and career satisfaction.

From the author’s note at the conclusion, it appears much of the content was drawn from her own life. I wish her well, but the book left much to be desired.

My thanks to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for the privilege of reviewing this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This review is being posted immediately to my GoodReads account and will be posted on Amazon upon publication.

I wanted to like this book--I loved the description-but I found both main characters stereotypical and uninteresting.

As a woman in her forties, this book about friendship was a fantastic read. I found the exploration of the main characters and their friendship over the years to be written authentically. I enjoyed this book so much. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.