Shortly after we meet Madeline it becomes clear that she is dead and that I Liked My Life is going to be one of those books about a dead person hovering over the lives of the people they left behind. The good news is that this is not a bad thing. She doesn’t write the novel with much spiritual angst on Maddy’s part—either as to where she is now or why she’s there. Instead, she’s focused on the family she left behind: her husband, Brady, and her sixteen-year-old daughter, Eve. It isn’t until she’s established the characters that Fabiaschi welcomes the elephant who’s been sitting in the corner—Maddy killed herself. Suddenly, the straightforward emotions of sympathy and compassion get tangled and I Liked My Life gains more nuance.

There are other familiar themes in I Liked My Life. One, in the afterlife Maddy is most concerned about finding a new wife and mother for her family and two, in the real world, she’s left behind a journal which, when read by Brady (and sometimes Eve) adds a dimension to her neither of them knew about. The find-a-wife device is fine for the humor it provides but the journal gives welcome insight into Maddy’s life. A woman who may have been happy with her life choices, but still felt constrained by them. And sometimes, just plain tired and unappreciated. For Brady the reading is especially painful

He’s as astounded my priority wasn’t ultimately them as he is horrified to realize his priority was never us.

Thanks to Maddy’s omniscience (being a spirit and all that) the only secrets left are those between the living and for Brady and Eve that includes the crushing guilt both feel. In this way, I Liked My Life is a guilt bomb. Seriously, you will want to hug/buy chocolates for every mother you know. This is not because Fabiaschi bludgeons the reader with it, it’s in the subtle realizations of Brady and Eve that while they loved Maddy dearly, they took her for granted.

For some readers Maddy’s suicide is going to be too serious to lend itself to anything as light as a spirit trying to take care of the family she left behind. Initially, I was one of those readers and felt uncomfortable with not only Maddy’s death but the fact that she was hanging around. You left your life so why wouldn’t you leave your life? Addressing this and the many complex emotions of grieving and life after loss gives the novel balance and means setting aside quick judgments. All of these things combine to mean that while I Liked My Life may sound, on the surface, like something you’ve read before Fabiaschi imbues the novel with a freshness that is touching and gratifying. Now call your mother!

"I have quietly stopped being me."

Death seems to seep into our inner sensibilities and it leaves a stain for which there is no effacing. It takes up residence and has a pulse of its own. It rings its staccato rhythm in beat after beat of such painfilled loss.

Brady Starling and his seventeen year old daughter, Eve, are caught up in the storm and aftermath of the suicide of Maddy, wife and mother. Broken by this reality, they search within themselves filled with questions for which there are no answers. Both carry the heavy burden of guilt. One word glares up at them day in and day out: Why?

Maddy was a stay-at-home mom who was dedicated to herfamily and friends. She left nothing behind that would indicate the heaviness of her soul. However, Brady comes across Maddy's diary which reveals some inner workings that both Brady and Eve were unaware of.

Abby Fabiaschi presents a debut novel that approaches death and loss in a real, in-your-face, honest, and revealing manner. She incorporates the character of Maddy as an elusive spirit that takes on a full-out role in the behind the scenes aftermath of her own death. The deep, raw characterizations have been developed masterfully with such human dialogue. "She wears guilt like a jacket on a cold day, clutching it."

And please know that this is not meant to be "a downer" of a read. There is outright humor in the form of snarky talk between characters that will have you laughing out loud. Fabiaschi has an uncanny ability to make you nod your head with the familiarity of situations. You get it. You easily relate. And you realize that you will "pass through" this Valley of Death and not simply take root in it. Hope perches on every branch.

I highly recommend this one. It is a brilliant depiction of loss and the knowledge that there is, indeed, light even in the greatest darkness. Bravo, Abby Fabiaschi!

I received a copy of I Liked My Life through NetGalley. My thanks to St. Martin's Press and to Abby Fabiaschi for the opportunity.

Escape with Women’s Fiction Best Bets for January 2017
Scarlettleigh
Reading is escape, and the opposite of escape; it's a way to make contact with reality after a day of making things up, and it's a way of making contact with someone else's imagination after a day that's all too real.”
-Nora Ephron
Of course we all know this—we’re readers after all! But nothing makes you appreciate reading more than a great book and in this month releases there are some excellent books. Make contact with someone else’s imagination because these authors shine as storytellers!

I Liked My Life by Abby Fabiaschi

(Amazon | B&N | Kobo)
A story from debut author Abby Fabiaschi that is “as absorbing as it is illuminating, and as witty as it is heartbreaking.”
Maddy is a devoted stay-at-home wife and mother, host of excellent parties, giver of thoughtful gifts, and bestower of a searingly perceptive piece of advice or two. She is the cornerstone of her family, a true matriarch...until she commits suicide, leaving her husband Brady and teenage daughter Eve heartbroken and reeling, wondering what happened. How could the exuberant, exacting woman they loved disappear so abruptly, seemingly without reason, from their lives? How they can possibly continue without her? As they sift through details of her last days, trying to understand the woman they thought they knew, Brady and Eve are forced to come to terms with unsettling truths.
Maddy, however, isn’t ready to leave her family forever. Watching from beyond, she tries to find the perfect replacement for herself. Along comes Rory: pretty, caring, and spontaneous, with just the right bit of edge...but who also harbors a tragedy of her own. Will the mystery of Maddy ever come to rest? And can her family make peace with their history and begin to heal?
Strengths: Multi-faceted characters; Imaginative concept; Uplifting ending
Measure of Love:  Dash
Mood: Poignant
Why You Should Read this: What a spectacular debut! Reading the book summary, you might think, oh, I’ve read a ghost/matchmaking book like this before –but I dare say you haven’t! Wonderful emotional intensity, fabulous characters and imaginative storytelling. The mystery of Maddy’s death, the struggle of her family will keep you turning the pages. While the story is poignant, it is never dark.

Traveling Light by Lynne Branard

(Amazon | B&N | Kobo)
Driving from North Carolina to New Mexico with her three-legged dog, a strange man’s ashes, and a waitress named Blossom riding shotgun isn’t exactly what Alissa Wells ever wanted to be doing. But it’s exactly what she needs...
It all starts when Alissa impulsively puts a bid on an abandoned storage unit, only to become the proud new owner of Roger Hart’s remains. Two weeks later, she jumps in her car and heads west, thinking that returning the ashes of a dead man might be the first step on her way to a new life.
She isn’t wrong.
Especially when Blossom, who just graduated from high school, hitches a ride with her to Texas, and Alissa has to get used to letting someone else take the wheel. Posting about their road trip on Facebook, complete with photos of Roger at every stop, Blossom opens Alissa’s eyes to the road in front of her—and to how sometimes the best things in life are the ones you never see coming…
Strengths:  Engaging Characters; Unique Premise; Uplifting ending
Measure of Love:  Dash
Mood: Poignant
Why You Should Read This: How many people would decide to travel across country to return a stranger’s ashes? Someone who has gotten in a rut, and is not sure how to get out of it.  The story is a little bit quirky and fun but also authentic in its examination of life, and the decisions that define us. A great road trip!

On Second Thought by Kristan Higgins

(Amazon | B&N | Kobo)
Ainsley O'Leary is so ready to get married—she's even found the engagement ring her boyfriend has stashed away. What she doesn't anticipate is being blindsided by a breakup he chronicles in a blog…which (of course) goes viral. Devastated and humiliated, Ainsley turns to her older half sister, Kate, who's struggling with a sudden loss of her own. 
Kate's always been the poised, self-assured sister, but becoming a newlywed—and a widow—in the space of four months overwhelms her. Though the sisters were never close, she starts to confide in Ainsley, especially when she learns her late husband was keeping a secret from her.  
Despite the murky blended-family dynamic that's always separated them, Ainsley's and Kate's heartaches bind their summer together when they come to terms with the inevitable imperfection of relationships and family—and the possibility of one day finding love again.
Strengths:  Wonderful new beginning story; Authentic messy scenarios; HEA  
Measure of Love:  Teaspoon
Mood: Poignant & Humorous
Why You Should Read This: Higgins is a master at writing pathos and humor and this book shines in that regard.  Excellent insights into the emotional rollercoaster of lost and grief.

The Guests on South Battery Street by Karen White

(Amazon | B&N | Kobo)
With her extended maternity leave at its end, Melanie Trenholm is less than thrilled to leave her new husband and beautiful twins to return to work, especially when she’s awoken by a phone call with no voice on the other end—and the uneasy feeling that the ghostly apparitions that have stayed silent for more than a year are about to invade her life once more.
But her return to the realty office goes better than she could have hoped, with a new client eager to sell the home she recently inherited on South Battery. Most would treasure living in one of the grandest old homes in the famous historic district of Charleston, but Jayne Smith would rather sell hers as soon as possible, guaranteeing Melanie a quick commission.
Despite her stroke of luck, Melanie can’t deny that spirits—both malevolent and benign—have started to show themselves to her again. One is shrouded from sight, but appears whenever Jayne is near. Another arrives when an old cistern is discovered in Melanie’s backyard on Tradd Street.
Melanie knows nothing good can come from unearthing the past. But some secrets refuse to stay buried....
Strengths: Strong interesting characters; Fascinating Setting; Uplifting Ending
Measure of Love:  Dash
Mood:  Atmospheric and Humorous
Why You Should Read This: The “I see dead people” concept, the compelling mystery, the sly humor and the fabulous setting make this one addictive series. Book five is just as enticing as the first with plenty of twist and turns and surprises.

A Night In With Grace Kelly by Lucy Holliday

(Amazon | B&N | Kobo)
The LOL finale to the series that started with A Night in With Audrey Hepburn. Perfect for fans of Sophie Kinsella and Lindsey Kelk.
Fate has got it in for Libby Lomax. She realised, far too late, that her best friend Olly, is the actual Love of Her Life. Now he’s in love with the so-nice-it-hurts, Tash, and it looks like her happy ending is completely out of reach.
Things start looking up when she, quite literally, runs into the completely gorgeous Joel. Libby discovers that there is more to Joel than his six-pack, not least, the incredible fact that he honestly believes he has found his fairy tale princess in her.
And if this wasn’t enough, an unwanted guest shows up on Libby’s enchanted sofa; Grace Kelly, wearing her iconic wedding dress and convinced that Libby is figment of her imagination. But one thing that Grace doesn’t believe in is fairy tales. Grace believes that if you really want something, then you’ve got to make it happen yourself; words which give Libby hope that happy endings aren’t just for fairy tale princesses…
Strengths: Fun and lighthearted; Perfect escapism reading; HEA
Measure of Love:  Teaspoon
Mood: Lighthearted  
Why You Should Read This: Entertaining and satisfying ending to an amusing three book series. Readers and Libby had to wait a bit for her happy ending, but the journey was diverting and charming.

H&H Editor Picks:
First Look: Kristan Higgins’s On Second Thought
Why Romance is the Perfect Place to Tackle Tough Issues
February 2017 Romance New Releases


Also posted in H&H Bloggers Recommend: Best Reads of January 2017:
Scarlettleigh:

Based on the books that I’ve read so far, 2017 looks to be a banner year for excellent releases. In addition, I’ve read some impressive work by new authors. One of my newest discoveries is author Abby Fabiaschi. Her new book, I Liked My Life, is brilliant. What makes it even more remarkable is that this is her debut novel. Fabiaschi weaves a engrossing tale about the emotional repercussions a family faces after the cornerstone of their world, a wife and mother, commits suicide. I’m always awed when someone can take a dark subject and present it in an uplifting, affirming way. And yes, even humorous at times, too. Make no doubt about it—this is a feel good book! (Amazon | B&N | Kobo)

Thank you to NetGalley & St. Martins Press for giving me the opportunity to read this great book!

You wouldn't expect a book where the main character dies to have an uplifting, humorous story, but it does.

The story is told through three viewpoints: Maddy (deceased mom), Eve (typical self-centered teenage daughter), and Brady (bereft and guilt-ridden husband). While the plot of the story is tragic (suicide and loss of loved ones) the writing is clever and heartfelt. We journey through the guilt and emptiness Eve and Brady experience after losing the glue that held them together: Maddy.

And we experience Maddy's tenacity as she tries to fix and guide her loves one's future from "beyond". It's a very thought-provoking novel with an ending I couldn't figure out ahead of time. A very enjoyable read!

“I Liked My Life” is a startling exceptionally moving literary debut by Abby Fabiaschi that explores the shock and disillusionment related to grief following the tragedy of suicide. At the same time, with great skill and sensitivity, an element of spirituality was crafted surrounding a dimension in the afterlife. This illustrated how daily life can be influenced in unseen and mysterious ways.

Brady Starling and his teenage daughter Eve were shaken to the depth of their being after they were informed by the police that their beloved wife and mother Madeline (Maddy) had jumped to her death from the Wellesley College Library. This happened on Good Friday. The evidence from the police psychologist suggested a “related history” as a cause—though Brady knew better. Maddy always viewed her alcoholic mother’s suicide as a terribly selfish act. Maddy had a unique witty sense of humor, their marriage and family life had been truly happy. There were no signs of depression or other mental illness. It was unlikely she had a hidden secret life, no note was found. There were no reasons why his wife would abandon them in such a horrific manner. Why had this terrible thing happened? In the last text Brady received from her, Maddy’s only concern was how their family members would all fit around their dining room table for Easter.

Eve was impatient and easily annoyed with friends when she returned to school after her mother’s funeral. On Mother’s Day she was painfully aware of her mother’s absence, she would likely shop for her prom dress alone. A shattering incident occurred where underage drinking was involved with Eve and her boyfriend John. Brady and Eve entered therapy, seeking further understanding and acceptance of Maddy’s death.

Madeline, watching and observing life from a distance, wished she had paid more attention at catechism, or attended religious services with Brady’s parents. Focusing all her intuitive energy on finding her replacement, she discovered Rory--a 40-ish, attractive, special education teacher, smart, patient and kind. However, Rory was mourning her own sad life circumstances related to pending and permanent loss.
Brady and Eve felt Maddie’s presence at various times, and Brady could even hear her laughter! This was especially evident after the clueless flirty Susan Dundel arrived at their house, with homemade casserole wearing a tight suggestive outfit to impress the new widower! Brady and Eve contemplated putting a sign on their door: “No Food Necessary- Go Away”.

It was astonishing how Rory’s life crossed paths with the Starlings! To help manage his grief, Brady used the temporary comfort of bourbon less, and began athletic distance running to enter the Boston Marathon. Eve took on the challenge of increased academic study with her application to Exeter. The spirit of Maddy’s love miraculously united this father and daughter pair, in this unforgettable novel of inspiration and healing. ~ With appreciation to St. Martin’s Press via NetGalley for the DRC for the purpose of review.

I Liked My Life is my first 5-star read of 2017. The story is told from three viewpoints: Maddy as a ghost after her suicide; Eve, her daughter; and Brady, Eve’s father and Maddy’s widower.

Maddy is trying to find a replacement for herself — someone who can bring Brady and Eve back to happiness after her own sudden death. Eve is learning how to deal with not having her mother around anymore, trying to figure out what would cause her mother to do what she did. Brady is struggling with alcohol abuse, anger issues, and the nagging notion that he was the reason for his wife’s suicide.

All of the characters grow in their own way throughout the book, learning, grieving, and stumbling through life. This book stole my entire Sunday — I started it in the morning and didn’t move until I finished it. I Liked My Life has an exquisite, sweeping story with relatable characters and stunning writing.

I was provided a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

I Liked my Life is one of those books that you automatically know it's going to be a page turner after reading only a few pages. The alternating points of view of Maddy, Eve and Brady make for an emotional read as we learn of Maddy's apparent suicide and the impact that it has had on her daughter Eve and husband Brady. The alternate chapters work for me as we see how each person deals with the raw reality of death and how they gradually move on bit by bit.

I found the main characters to be extremely likeable even though it was obvious that Eve and Brady didn't like themselves very much. Their questioning of how they treated Maddy in life also got me questioning if I was taking anyone for-granted in my own life.

Maddy's beyond the grave chapters were very enjoyable especially as she 'meddled' in the lives of her nearest and dearest and tried to persuade them to move on with their life. It was also extremely touching how she tried to forge a new relationship between Brady and Eve after her death. I also loved the character of Rory and was fully rooting for her to get her happy ending.

The ending was perfect (I'm so glad Maddy didn't really commit suicide) and all in all this was an amazing job by Abby Fabiashi. I cannot wait to read more of her work. 100% fully recommended.

Stephen Covey's famous The "7 Habits of Highly Effective People" champions the idea of meditating on the end of one's life -- what do you want to have done? ... what kind of person do you want people to say you are? -- to reevaluate his current stage and actions. It's a great tool to consider if one is in the right career field or if she's treating people the way she feels one should; if offers strategies to make the necessary changes if the answers aren't up to par, too.

I'm reminded of this concept with Fabiaschi's I Liked My Life since it begins with the suicide of Maddy Starling whom is narrating her puppeteer aspirations from the after life. She liked her life. She enjoyed her family and friends, and she found purpose in volunteering. So why did she not begin with the end in mind and only end all of it? As readers continue through the story, the fictive scenarios beg readers to consider their own lives and how they're treating those around them as well.

Maddy enjoyed her family and friends, and she found purpose in volunteering. So why did she not begin with the end in mind and only end all of it? These questions and many more permeate the entirety of the narrative for her husband Dave and her daughter Eve. They are left stranded in a quagmire of despair and self-loathing, thinking---as we all likely would---they're to blame for her unexpected death.

But to what extent do family members really know one another? How responsible are those closest to us for our emotional state and stability? As the narrative plays out, Fabiaschi offers interesting answers to these questions, among others, as readers come to understand just why Maddy would end her life.

Chapters of the novel are set in tercet-esque style, each one a combination of Maddy, Eve, and Brady's current situations. Maddy is, of course, speaking from the after life and includes her observations of her family and reflections on her former life. Eve and Dave's sections are real-time, current descriptions of their depression, questions, and shifts in understanding.

The narrative spans the immediate following of her death, various accidents and misunderstandings afterwards, and the eventual peaceful acceptance of what happened to Maddy. Since Maddy has always been somewhat of a perfectionist, she's still trying to intercede from beyond; she tries to set her husband up with a "stand in" for her, and she often hints to those she loves about what to do. Forgive her, she says, or Buy Eve a Butterfinger. She's funny, and she tries to stay involved, albeit oddly, from beyond.

Overall, I personally felt the characters simply did not resonate enough depth. This is in part, I feel, due to the construction of the chapters in three parts. Maddy was the only one to offer somewhat deeper insight (her omniscience, of course, due to her being dead), and the short sections of all the characters just weren't enough to keep my invested in them as realistic. Their situation was life altering, drenched in despair, and yet as a reader I often felt very distant from their experiences. The crux of reading for me is that it throws me into the thick of another's experiences and feelings, and I truly didn't feel that save for a few instances with Maddy.

There were additional parts of the narrative that I didn't see as necessary -- meetings with lost associates of the family, grand gestures of appreciation from one to another. I realize what the author was doing with these parts, but I felt their inclusion incomplete or at the very least unnecessary in their current state (revisions could help their inclusion).

I did, however, enjoy the theme. We often do not truly know those that make the deepest sacrifices in our lives; consequently, we often do not know the deepest sacrifices even have been made until it is too late to say "thank you." It is easy to see one's own shortcomings with his or her spouse, parent, or child while reading this book, and it definitely made me reconsider some of the ways I go about communicating with my loved ones. If read solely for the reflective aspect on these relationships, it is worth the read.

Fabiaschi struck a chord with an interesting plot concept, but overall I am left wanting much more from the dirge of the narrative. I look forward to similar novels, and I'll give Fabiaschi another chance should she publish another novel, but this one didn't hit the mark for me.

I was absolutely enthralled with this story of Madeline Starling, who jumped to her death, yet continues to watch over and influence her daughter and husband. And the ending?? I didn't see that coming!

... imagine the damage from believing you've caused something so horrible from such a young age; imagine the burden of thinking you ruined your mother's life ... So now my mom carried the same guilt I now carry. Playing it out, I can see how her mind turned on her, how reflecting pulled her into weeds that weren't really there. I need to break the cycle. The end depends upon the beginning ... "

Madeline seems to have everything ... a loving husband, Brady, who works hard to provide a good life for her and their teen daughter, Eve. She's witty, insightful, and fiercely loyal to her family. She's thoughtful, perceptive and loves hosting parties.

And then she's gone, apparently having taken her own life with no warning, not even a suicide note.

But her spirit lingers as she watches Brady and Eve struggle to pick up the pieces of their life without her, accosted everywhere they go by rude comments and questions and hollow expressions of pity from a community who's just as baffled as to why Maddy would have killed herself.

Working to "communicate" with Eve and Brady, with her sister Meg, with her friend Paige, and with Eve's lovely calculus tutor Rory, Maddy just can't rest peacefully until her loved ones understand why she left them.

I devoured this book. It is absolutely beautiful ... the writing, the character developments, the way each chapter weaves together the perspectives of Maddy, Eve and Brady through a journey of loss and discovery. With Maddy gone, Eve and Brady find themselves unsure how to carry on as a family. Their interactions are heartbreaking, humorous and so true to life.

As I read "I Liked My Life," I kept thinking, "Is this really a debut? This author has got to be a seasoned storyteller." A myriad of emotions and human experiences come to life so exquisitely that it is hard to believe this is Abby Fabiaschi's first rodeo.

There were moments in this book that felt just enough like a Hallmark movie to make me smile and tear up a little bit, but there's enough irreverent humor and heavy drama woven in to make the story feel relatable and uncontrived. I love the way Eve and Brady interact. In their grief over losing Maddy, they realize just how much she held the family together and how little they really know about one another.

I know it's early in the year, but "I Liked My Life" is a strong contender in my list of top reads of 2017. I can't wait to see what else Fabiaschi has up her sleeve.

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I'm between 4 and 4.5 stars on this one.

I'll admit there were times when I was a teenager and in my early 20s (back in the dark ages) that I suffered from depression, and I thought about what it would be like to attend my own funeral, to see who would attend and what people would say about me, whether they would be sorry or sad, or how they would react.

In a strange way, I was reminded of those thoughts when I was reading Abby Fabiaschi's beautifully moving debut novel, I Liked My Life.

From the outside, it appeared Maddy had it all. She was a well-read, tremendously intelligent and generous housewife, with a successful husband, Brady, and a beautiful teenage daughter, Eve. Maddy was witty, sardonic, fun to be around, and fiercely devoted to her family, and determined that Eve grow up understanding the difference between right and wrong, and realize the impact of her actions when treating someone else cruelly. Sure, Brady's workaholic nature, his refusal to relax and spend time with her and Eve, and his taking her for granted more times than she'd care to count enraged and saddened her, but for the most part, she is satisfied with the way her life unfolds, which is why it is a tremendous shock to her family, friends, and the community when out of the blue, Maddy commits suicide one day.

But although her life on Earth is over, Maddy isn't quite finished. She watches over Brady and Eve and tries to help them deal with their grief and, perhaps equally importantly, their relationship with each other. She's determined not to let Eve grow up with bitterness and anger, and she refuses to let Brady distance himself from their daughter, to fall into his usual patterns of anger, neglect, and periodic bouts of attention. From wherever she is, Maddy gently manipulates both of them to draw closer to one another; sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't, but she sees how they are both reeling from her sudden death.

The one thing Maddy wants to do is find her replacement, someone who will provide stability and love for both Brady and Eve. And she thinks she has found that in Rory, a teacher with a sparkling personality, an unexplained warmth, and a sarcastic edge, plus Rory is haunted by a tragedy of her own. Can Maddy help shape her family's future before she disappears for good?

Meanwhile, Brady and Eve try desperately to understand what might have caused Maddy to take her own life, and how they might have been responsible. Each deals with grief and anger in their own way, and although they try to lean on each other, they struggle with that, because Maddy was the bridge between them. But as their relationship changes, they both begin to better understand who Maddy was, what made her tick, and how she really felt about her husband and her daughter. That may hurt, but it also the first step they must take if they will ever be able to move on.

This is a tremendously thought-provoking and moving book, but despite the subject matter, it's not overly maudlin. Fabiaschi is a talented storyteller whose finesse belies the fact that this is her debut novel, because the book shifts and changes into something a little different than I expected, something even richer, while in a lesser author's hands this book could have turned into an all-out sob fest.

The characters are much more complex than they first appear, although they're not always sympathetic, and you wonder at times just how much of a martyr Maddy was to put up with Brady and Eve's behavior. But as you see Maddy's side of the story, you begin to understand that, just like life, things aren't always what they appear, and you never really understand the relationship of two people by looking in from the outside.

Sure, this story isn't perfect, and at times things happen a little too conveniently or seem a little too pat. But it was compelling from start to finish, and I really wanted to know and spend time with these characters, and understand their emotions. And I, too, wanted to understand what drove Maddy to her final moments. There are both the elements of the familiar and the unique in this book, and I liked it very much.

NetGalley and St. Martin's Press provided me an advance copy of the book in exchange for an unbiased review. Thanks for making this available!

What a fantastic debut with equally fantastic writing and a gripping storyline. Book clubbers, I LIKED MY LIFE would be a great pick for ya to check out and discuss!

It is hard to believe this extraordinary, beautiful book is a debut novel! Abby Fabiaschi writes with literary prose, smart dialogue, and an intuitive perception of life. I was totally immersed from the first page!! The story begins with Madeline who has committed suicide and wants to stay connected to her husband Brady to find him a new wife. Eve is her teenage daughter who struggles with the why and how her Mom died as does Brady her father. The characters are told in three points of view adding to the mystery and anguish of each ones wanting to learn how to live from this tragedy and go on. They learn about one another and the painful history of alcoholism, the fear of the 'woulda, coulda, should haves'. There is depth to each character, there is wit, there is back and forth smart, teasing and funny banter that makes the heart stopping moments more tantalizing as they develop and grow. Abby knows how to make the reader feel right there as Madeline is channeling with Eve and plots yet another character Rory, as her prospect for Brady's new wife. This story is magical, brilliant and full of love, wonderful phrases of wisdom from Madeline that stay with you, "Practice love, compassion and forgiveness"and "We are given the gift of life with the consequence of death. It would be a mistake to focus on the consequence instead of the gift". I absolutely loved this book, it is outstanding and I highly recommend it!
4 likes

**3.5 stars**

I had a little bit of trouble with this book and I think I kept on comparing it to 'In The Quiet' by Elizabeth Henry-Jones which I loved. Two similar themes as in mothers/wives deceased and watching over their family, hoping they'll be okay. But 'I Liked My Life' differs, as Maddie deliberately invades the thoughts of Brady, Eve and Rory to get the outcome she wants. And that is where I had my problem.

Maddie has committed suicide by jumping off a building and no one knows why. Was her self important, work alcoholic husband Brady to blame, or self obsessed teenage daughter Eve or even reminiscent feelings of her upbringing by her distant and alcoholic mother. No one knows and even Maddie's diary doesn't shed any light but it does cause those closest to her to do some self reflection. This is where I did enjoy seeing the characters grow and the realisation that they were often selfish and took each other for granted. They wondered if their behaviours contributed to Maddie's death and gradually they come to realise that they need to be there for each other.

It was written well and easy to follow with the character relating chapters and I sometimes felt at one with the characters and their subsequent feelings. But I couldn't get over the manipulation hump....until the end...which changed a lot of my perception of the book.


Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for a copy to read and review.

Madeleine commits suicide by throwing herself from the 4th floor of the local library. She leaves behind her husband Brady and her daughter Eve.

Mandy (Madeleine) is now a ghost whose stuck in transition following her suicide. With Brady & Eve picking up the pieces, Maddy thinks she is there to help them back on the right direction. For Brady, she wants him to find someone who will be his next wife and for Eve to be happy again.. As a ghost sha can see then but they can't see her. She tries to nudge them in the right directions.

The story is told by the 3 main characters. We learn about some of their background. I liked the authors style of writing which I thought was very good for a debut novel.

I would like to thank NetGalley, St. Martins Press and the author Abby Fabiaschi for my ARC In exchange for an honest review.

I loved this book! Telling the story from three perspectives helped illustrate how Maddie's death affected each character. Don't be mislead by thinking it will be a sad book, it us not. Instead it is hopeful as each character grows. Maddie a priviledged middle age wife commits suicide just days before her daughter turns 17. Her husband, a CFO of a fortune 500 company is harried executive working too long hours to really know his daughter. Together they findbthemselves in this nightmare. Why did she do it? No note, no indication, nothing, just gone. Through their grief they examine just what role theynplayed in Maddie's unhappiness. I highly reccomend this book.

Wow ! What an amazing and fabulous book. I adored it

I loved this story.
It's a book with humor, grief, devastation and survival mixed together.
How does a teenager (Eve) who dearly loves and depended on her Mom (Maddy), begin to continue her life after a terrible, humiliating tragedy?
How does her Dad (Brady) deal with being a widow and yet needing to help his daughter and himself understand how this awful event occurred without a clue of why?
Only with the help of friends, therapy, humor and a rising ghost.
She leaves behind a journal and many wonderful thoughts to teach her family that they are loved and she did "liked her life."
A terrific book that will stay with you long after the last page.
" We are given the gift of life with the consequence of death."

When it comes to books, it's hard to send a twist in my direction, so I have to admit being blindsided by the artful way that Abby Fabiaschi told this wonderful story. It's a story about family, about friendship, about the devastating emotions that one goes through with the sudden loss of a loved one. It's difficult to write something terribly sad and incredibly heartening at the same time, but I Liked My Life is proof that it can be done.

Lucky Boy is the devastating and haunting family saga of two women – Solimar and Kavya – both mothers, both to the same little boy. Exploring such timely issues as immigration, undocumented workers, infertility, motherhood and more, readers will be captivated by the stories of the women who give their hearts to a small boy named Ignacio. The alternating tales of Soli and Kavya will capture you and hold you until the very end. This is an absolutely important book that adds much to the global conversation regarding immigration in today’s world. {Thanks to Penguin Group/Putnam & NetGalley}