Scan barcode
_bookally_'s review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Mia moves to small town Hope Springs with her husband, Mia and her husband want to start a family but Mia dreams about another man and that man is in Hope Springs.
Mia meets the man from her dreams and it turns out he has dreams of her too. Things with her husband are becoming shaky and she throws herself into finding out what is the connection to this man from her dream by spending time with him and researching with him, much to her husbands dislike.
I loved this book! I saw so many reviews saying the characters were unlikable and it wasn't relatable but other than the dream sharing what isn't relatable about this book? Mia and her husband are in their mid 30s, he works so much she barely sees him and she yearns for a baby. They have lost many babies in their journey to parenthood and it takes it toll on their marriage. You would read the synopsis thinking this is love triangle but although some lines are blurred it is so much more than that. Although I did love both men in this book. I found Mia to be realistic, flawed and just human. She felt her feelings, she made mistakes but she was still a good person.
I found myself excited and surprised at each reveal. I thought I would have the story play out in my head but then something else would happen. That's not to say it was a suspenseful book more of a constant intrigue. The ending had me surprised and sad but enjoyed the book so much. Just be prepared for some sadness.
Mia meets the man from her dreams and it turns out he has dreams of her too. Things with her husband are becoming shaky and she throws herself into finding out what is the connection to this man from her dream by spending time with him and researching with him, much to her husbands dislike.
I loved this book! I saw so many reviews saying the characters were unlikable and it wasn't relatable but other than the dream sharing what isn't relatable about this book? Mia and her husband are in their mid 30s, he works so much she barely sees him and she yearns for a baby. They have lost many babies in their journey to parenthood and it takes it toll on their marriage. You would read the synopsis thinking this is love triangle but although some lines are blurred it is so much more than that. Although I did love both men in this book. I found Mia to be realistic, flawed and just human. She felt her feelings, she made mistakes but she was still a good person.
I found myself excited and surprised at each reveal. I thought I would have the story play out in my head but then something else would happen. That's not to say it was a suspenseful book more of a constant intrigue. The ending had me surprised and sad but enjoyed the book so much. Just be prepared for some sadness.
kwolf21's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence
Moderate: Miscarriage and Infertility
blogginboutbooks's review against another edition
4.0
There's a lot to love about YOU WERE THERE TOO. The characters are authentic (flawed, but intriguing), the prose is engaging, and the plot is compelling (unique, yet relatable). It's funny in places, heartbreaking in others. The big plot twist kind of comes out of nowhere, which makes it all the more shocking. However inevitable the ending is, it's also hopeful. Overall, then, I really enjoyed this novel. I hadn't heard of Colleen Oakley before picking up YOU WERE THERE TOO, her newest, but I'm definitely going to look for more books by her. I'd give this one a B+ (4 1/2 stars).
kdurham2's review against another edition
3.0
Check out the full review at Kritters Ramblings
First I must say I don't love books at this stage in my life that center around a marriage that isn't in a good place, it is just hard for me to read, so I had a few moments where I was really wondering where these characters were going to end up.
For me the reason that kept me reading was Mia. I was able to get extremely invested in her story and really care about where she would end up. I felt so much for her going through what she went through in hopes of starting a family and how much that can affect you emotionally and how hard that can be on a marriage. I wanted so much for them to find comfort in each other instead of in other things in this hard time.
First I must say I don't love books at this stage in my life that center around a marriage that isn't in a good place, it is just hard for me to read, so I had a few moments where I was really wondering where these characters were going to end up.
For me the reason that kept me reading was Mia. I was able to get extremely invested in her story and really care about where she would end up. I felt so much for her going through what she went through in hopes of starting a family and how much that can affect you emotionally and how hard that can be on a marriage. I wanted so much for them to find comfort in each other instead of in other things in this hard time.
notinjersey's review against another edition
5.0
This book checked all of my boxes – a book that makes me smile and tear up with interconnected characters, about whether or not you can change fate. I was surprised how many books I read this month dealt with loss, as this one did, and it also contains descriptions of miscarriage. This book took place in Hope Springs, PA, which was so obviously New Hope! Mia is married to Harrison, who is a surgeon and is struggling with the painful parts of his job. When Mia meets the man she’s been dreaming of, she is torn as to whether her dreams mean she should have been with him instead of Harrison. I was somewhat able to predict what was going to occur, but I still loved how everything lined up and came together.
guylou's review against another edition
4.0
I really did not know what to expect from this book. It took me a while to get into the story. Halfway through, I still did not know what to make of this story. At about three-fourth in the book, a plot grenade exploded, and I could not put it down right to the end. I recommend you pick up this book and be as surprised as I was. The story has a lot of vulnerable and intimate moments. The book explores themes of soulmate, grief, blame, and love. It is not your usual love story, but I encourage you to read it to the end to find out how destiny has ways to play tricks on our hearts. This book is truly a not-to-be-missed book.
briannethebookworm's review against another edition
4.0
Mia Graydon loves her life. She gets to live out her dream as an artist while her husband, Harrison, thrives as a doctor at a Philadelphia hospital. When they make a spontaneous move to Hope Springs, Mia is excited to raise their baby she's carrying in a small town. Mia's blissful bubble is popped when she comes face-to-face with a man that's been appearing in her dreams for years. Though he's a stranger, her dreams about him haven't been the most innocent. Mia tries to shake the encounter, but her and the stranger, who she will learn is named Oliver, continue crossing paths. These run-ins with Oliver feel like more than a coincidence, like maybe the universe wants them to be together. Despite the complications it may bring to her marriage, Mia starts researching the science behind dreams so she can figure out what Oliver's constant appearances could possibly mean.
If you've read any of my other reviews, you know I think dreams are so interesting. I am someone who frequently remembers my dreams, and I think mine always reflect some kind of truth about what's happening in my life. I really enjoyed this one, and though it was predictable at times, the ending certainly was not. I was nearly brought to tears, but no spoilers! It's very similar to In Five Years by Rebecca Serle (also a good one), but I would say this one was a little deeper and the characters were more multi-dimensional. I finished it in about a day, so it's an engaging read. Highly recommend!
If you've read any of my other reviews, you know I think dreams are so interesting. I am someone who frequently remembers my dreams, and I think mine always reflect some kind of truth about what's happening in my life. I really enjoyed this one, and though it was predictable at times, the ending certainly was not. I was nearly brought to tears, but no spoilers! It's very similar to In Five Years by Rebecca Serle (also a good one), but I would say this one was a little deeper and the characters were more multi-dimensional. I finished it in about a day, so it's an engaging read. Highly recommend!
reneesmith's review against another edition
4.0
Original & heartbreaking. The author really made me love & ache for these characters. Well done.
clianthus's review against another edition
3.0
I struggled with the first 2/3 of this book. For me, the main character was self centered and completely unrelatable - at one point in the story I really disliked her. I enjoyed the last 1/3 of the book, even though it was quite emotional.
primahattie2's review against another edition
4.0
I bought this book on a whim. I asked the sales lady if it is sad and if it would make me cry and she said, "not really." However, I was reluctant to read it because I just knew that it would be sad. I ended up stumbling upon a spoiler which I was glad for because I couldn't IT WAS SAD and I don't like to be blindsided by sad books.
This story is about Mia. Mia and Harrison have been married for around 7 years and have already had two miscarriages. Mia is now pregnant for the third time. They've recently moved from Philadelphia, PA to small town Hope Springs, PA. Harrison is a doctor/surgeon and wanted to get away from the big city hospital. Mia is a struggling artist. When Mia runs into a guy that she has been dreaming about for years and realizes that he's been dreaming about her too, they embark on a journey to uncover the meaning of it all.
This was a very poignant story about hope, love, and loss. It is a tear jerker! I gave this story ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️!
This story is about Mia. Mia and Harrison have been married for around 7 years and have already had two miscarriages. Mia is now pregnant for the third time. They've recently moved from Philadelphia, PA to small town Hope Springs, PA. Harrison is a doctor/surgeon and wanted to get away from the big city hospital. Mia is a struggling artist. When Mia runs into a guy that she has been dreaming about for years and realizes that he's been dreaming about her too, they embark on a journey to uncover the meaning of it all.
This was a very poignant story about hope, love, and loss. It is a tear jerker! I gave this story ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️!