You Me Everything: A Novel

For ten years now, Jess has believed the worst of Adam, her son William’s father, absent at the best of times, disconnected always, and decidedly unreliable, she’s in Adam’s hotel for a summer stay with her son, for them to spend quality time together. Jess isn’t particularly enamored of this idea, but her mother’s determination and pushing her to rely on someone to be there for young William is just too much to ignore. But she still sees Adam as the unfaithful, immature and often closed off man that he was when they were in university. Even still, she can’t help but being unsettled in his presence, and wondering, somewhat idealistically, what might have been. Far from being a second chance at romance story, the serious topics brought into this story show the need for hope and the need for love and support in this life. Jess’ mother was diagnosed with Huntington’s Disease shortly after William’s birth, and the past years have shown the disease has no mercy as Jess’ mother is wasting away before her and her father’s eyes. Her father’s constant and obvious love for her mother – and the struggles they endured with his alcoholism. Jess’ best friends Natasha and Becky who are there to sort out their own issues, sibling rivalry, bullying, and Adam’s girlfriend, a twenty-something employee. Getting out of her comfort zone, standing up for William and pushing Adam into spending time with him, discovering a flirtation with a neighboring vacationer who, while not stirring sparks, is obviously attracted to her, a situation that Jess is determined to keep light and breezy as she can’t see herself as attractive with the specter of Huntington’s hanging over her head, as she expects every stumble or forgetful moment to be the signal that she will soon not be able to be the mother she wants to be. Throughout the story, Jess is faced with challenges that she handles with varying degrees of grace and determination, all while second-guessing her every choice and wanting to be back in England with her mother and father. Secrets uncovered, the reality of parenting (single and otherwise) clash with the fantasy of how it should be, the simple pleasures of a sunset or new vista contrasting with the worries that everything in a vacation is meant to be a fantasy and not quite ‘real’….. Throughout the many frustrating moments with Jess (several) and Adam (also several) they brought the story forward, pushing revelations and unlocking fears allowing the story to move forward. Particularly with Jess’ parent’s relationships: from the flashbacks to the heights of her father’s alcoholism and his determination to make the marriage work, to his understated yet constant presence at his wife’s side: feeding, talking and even just being there for her as the disease takes over. Finally, it takes a series of revelations and truths for Jess to soften her prejudices where Adam is concerned, and see that at the core of all of her friendships, her parent’s marriage, and even her connection with Adam is love. And while it may not conquer all, it certainly makes one hopeful for the next day. I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via Edelweiss for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.