You and Me and Us
Fiction
HarperCollins
April 7, 2020
Advanced Reader Copy
432
Free from publisher
Alexis Gold knows how to put the “work” in working mom. It’s the “mom” part that she’s been struggling with lately. Since opening her own advertising agency three years ago, Alexis has all but given up on finding a good work/life balance. Instead, she’s handed over the household reins to her supportive, loving partner, Tommy. While he’s quick to say they divide and conquer, Alexis knows that Tommy does most of the heavy lifting—especially when it comes to their teenage daughter, CeCe.
Their world changes in an instant when Tommy receives a terminal cancer diagnosis, and Alexis realizes everything she’s worked relentlessly for doesn’t matter without him. So Alexis does what Tommy has done for her almost every day since they were twelve-year-old kids in Destin, Florida—she puts him first. And when the only thing Tommy wants is to spend one last summer together at “their” beach, she puts her career on hold to make it happen…even if it means putting her family within striking distance of Tommy’s ex, an actress CeCe idolizes.
But Alexis and Tommy aren’t the only ones whose lives have been turned inside out. In addition to dealing with the normal ups and downs that come with being a teenager, CeCe is also forced to confront her feelings about Tommy’s illness—and what will happen when the one person who’s always been there for her is gone. When the magic of first love brings a bright spot to her summer, CeCe is determined not to let her mother ruin that for her, too.
As CeCe’s behavior becomes more rebellious, Alexis realizes the only thing harder for her than losing Tommy will be convincing CeCe to give her one more chance.
You and Me and Us is a beautifully written novel that examines the unexpected ways loss teaches us how to love.
My review:
This book seemed like three stories combined into one. First there was the working Mom angle, where the protagonist works super long hours to prove her worth to her company often at the expense of her family. Then there was the dying spouse story to tug at your heartstrings. Thirdly we have the problem teenager story and all that it entails. That pretty much sums this one up. It was a good read, fairly fast paced and flowed well. While I never really got that invested in the characters, they were well written and parts of the book did pull me into their orbit. Despite the part of the ending that you know is coming, I felt a decision from Alexis seemed a bit sudden, but it did provide some closure to the book.
A fairly light (despite the subject matter) read that kept me entertained while reading, but not one that will probably stick with me long term. Consider this one if you need a break from some heavier material.
It sounds like the three main story threads come together in a really satisfying read!