A Washington Post and Amazon Charts bestseller.Honesty is the best policy…except maybe when it comes to marriage in this brilliant novel about the high price of perfection from bestselling author Camille Pagán.Wife. Mother. Breadwinner. Penelope Ruiz-Kar is doing it all—and barely keeping it together. Meanwhile, her best friend, Jenny Sweet, appears to be sailing through life. As close as the two … sailing through life. As close as the two women are, Jenny’s passionate marriage, pristine house, and ultra-polite child stand in stark contrast to Penelope’s underemployed husband, Sanjay, their unruly brood, and the daily grind she calls a career.
Then a shocking tragedy reveals that Jenny’s life is far from perfect. Reeling, Penelope vows to stop keeping the peace and finally deal with the issues in her relationship. So she and Sanjay agree to a radical proposal: both will write a list of changes they want each other to make—then commit to complete and total honesty.
What seems like a smart idea quickly spirals out of control, revealing new rifts and even deeper secrets. As Penelope stares down the possible implosion of her marriage, she must ask herself: When it comes to love, is honesty really the best policy?
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A tragedy sends a shockwave through Penny Ruis-Kar’s life, and what were narrow fissures in her relationships become gaping chasms. Given that her mantra is that everything is unequivocally fine, how will she find a way to make her world whole again?
She decides upon radical honesty as a courageous prescription for an ailing marriage and a fraught worklife. And in telling this story, Camille Pagan’s own radical honest is the key to its success. The portrayal of Penny and Sanjay’s marriage is as unflinching as any I have read, and that’s exactly why it works. No fairytales here, just real struggles, awkward memonts, touching insights, and plenty of humor to ease the pain.
Pagan has boundless compassion for her stumbling, striving characters, and you will, too. Wise, entertaining, and big-hearted, I’m Fine and Neither Are You is as nuanced as a marriage, and equally as worthwhile.
It’s a book for those of us women who do too much and always make it look easy. There were several funny passages, while others made me weepy. Definitely worth a read.
I really enjoyed this book from Pagan. It was an honest and funny look at what happens to two people who love one another once life gets in the way. I also thought her use of the opioid backstory to be a refreshing way to address this serious topic. Recommend.
I really enjoyed this author’s voice–funny, engaging, entertaining. For those of us who’ve been married two decades, some of the passages will hit close to home. I loved the concept of total honesty in an attempt to revitalize the marriage, and Penny’s journey from dissatisfaction to gratitude is rewarding and hopeful. I also enjoyed the truth behind Jenny Sweet’s perfect life. So often–especially with social media–we are made to feel like our normal lives are less than they should or could be. The truth is, no one knows what is really going on in other peoples’ lives, and we should make our own happiness without needing to compare ourselves to others.
A rich, layered novel about the complexities of marriage, and an exploration of the challenges modern mothers still face trying to balance home, work, love, children, friendship. Pagán has a fresh, clean, modern voice. I snatch up her novels the minute they’re live–and you should, too.
This is a mainstream women’s fiction novel that was much deeper and darker than the cover implies. I almost set it down a couple of times because some of the issues touched a little too close to home for me to enjoy…..but I’m glad I persevered! Its about a woman with WAY too much on her plate. She’s trying to keep a million balls in the air without any help, and her life is about to come crashing down if she doesn’t fix things. I loved reading about a smart, admirable woman doing her best.
I’m Fine and Neither Are You is a story that countless women can tell. I think it’s important to realize that honesty is best. There is no way out of the life sucking abyss of home, marriage and children without help. It’s still tolerable at best most of the time. I enjoyed the very real feeling about this story. Overall it’s a good read. Thanks to NetGalley for an arc in exchange for an honest review.
Fast-paced, funny, and fabulous! A super talented writer and a great read with more than a few surprises. A must beach bag tuck!
I’m Fine And Neither Are You beautifully captures the nuances of modern marriage and how we hide behind truths too painful to admit. Pagán writes with such honesty it’s difficult not to feel as though the story is happening to you, and in many scenes, her descriptions and feelings could have been my own. How many times have any of us replied, “I’m fine,” when there is so much more to say? The novel will leave you rethinking that response the next time you’re asked.
A terrific peek inside what really happens years into a marriage. I loved the characters, and the author deals beautifully with tragic subjects — and comic ones. This stayed with me fora while.
Camille Pagán’s novels are compulsively readable, and her latest may just be her ultimate page-turner. Smart, witty, and exacting, I’m Fine and Neither Are You examines the high price of perfection and the rewards of getting real—even when doing so jeopardizes your most important relationships. I loved it.
/ 5
I’m Fine and Neither Are You by Camille Pagán is a witty, but moving look at what it’s like to be a wife and mother while also holding down a full-time job.
What it’s about: Penelope Ruiz-Kar is married with 2 little kids and while she is out working 50+ hours a week and barely holding it together as the main breadwinner, her husband is at home with the kids, ‘working on his writing,’ and going to practice with his band. Meanwhile, her best friend Jenny Sweet seems like she doesn’t have a care in the world. She has an amazing marriage, a perfect daughter, and a flourishing blog. But that appearance is shattered the day Penelope shows up to Jenny’s home after not being able to reach her and finds something that will change her forever. In the midst of tragedy, Penelope finds herself rethinking her marriage and her own happiness. And like the tagline says, has to ask herself if honesty really is always the best policy…
Even if you don’t have kids or even if you are not a wife, I think it is very easy to find a bit of yourself in Penelope. I don’t have kids, but I am a married woman in my 30s and was able to connect a lot to Penelope’s story. I love when you can relate to characters on multiple levels and I was definitely able to do that in this book.
There is a theme of addiction in I’m Fine and Neither Are You that I thought the author handled very well. There is humor and witty words throughout, but also a very real problem that Pagán talks about and handles with a delicacy that I didn’t even know was possible. This book is so realistic that I know it will be very relatable to a lot of people.
This book is super short as well, coming in at only 270 pages. While it still took me almost 4 hours to read, I was engrossed in the writing and finding myself wanting to savor it as long as possible. I just found it a little bit repetitive at times which is really the only reason it didn’t get a higher rating from me.
Final Thought: If you love women’s literature and contemporary stories focusing on a wife and mom (or any of these things individually!) then I highly suggest checking out I’m Fine and Neither Are You. I even managed to cry towards the end, I was so moved! I cannot wait to read more of Pagán’s work and hope I can get to something else of hers very soon.
Thank you to the publisher for providing me with an advance review copy of this book!
I loved this slice-of-life novel that shows just how much we can try to hide in the name of “being okay.” The scariest part is that I related to both main characters so much and watched as awful things happened in their lives because of their desire to have it all (at least on the outside). Not only an entertaining reading, this book also reminds us that sometimes we need to slow down and speak what’s in our hearts… before it’s too late.
An honest depiction of women struggling to have it all.
I totally enjoyed this book! It is so realistic with enjoyable characters that are true to life!
Penelope is a woman that we all can relate to, she is a hard working mother of two, trying to swing life and support her family financially and keep everyone on track. Meanwhile, her writer husband, Sanjay, is working from home since he dropped out of med school. Penny starts to resent him not pulling his weight, dishes left in the sink, messes that could be avoided, yet she doesn’t make her feelings known. Everything is bearing down on Penny when suddenly a hard reality hits…life is short. Due to the sudden unexpected death of her best friend, Jenny, due to an overdose, Penny decides she needs to to action. Jenny’s life was perfect, or so it seemed, Penny is hurt that her friend did not confide in her like she had thought, what did she miss, how could this have happened. This tragedy rocks Penny’s world and turns it upside down. Jenny was perfect in all ways; wife, mother, friend, blogger. Penny feels betrayed. Penny starts hearing Jenny in her head, pushing her to make a change. Penny is not happy with her current life. Penny and Sanjay have a heart to heart and it is decided they will both make a list of what they want the other to work on changing, making their marriage and lives better- compete honesty. The lists take Penny out of her comfort zone while she learns about herself and being more assertive, causing some strife along the way with Sanjay, friends and co-workers. Was this the best idea? Is her marriage better now or irreparable? Is honesty worth it?
This is real life! I loved this story and watching the characters change and grow. The very serious matter of opioid addiction is addressed and handled nicely…it is a serious matter that may be right there under our noses and we never know it until it is too late. Penny works hard to get Jenny’s husband Matt to let people know the real reason for her death, before it happens to someone else they know and love.
This was a great book that I really enjoyed! Don’t miss it!! 4.5 stars!!!
How do you make sense of a tragedy? A deadly mistake that nobody knew existed?
Penny’s BFF Jenny is gone one day. Jenny always had everything. The perfect marriage, the perfect life, and the perfect house.
Or did she?
The old saying “Never walk in anyone else’s shoes” is what we come to learn.
Penny begins to makes a list to promote changes in her own life, marriage and career. Will it work? Can Penny find the happiness she seems to lack in her own life?
This is a wonderfully, uplifting story and I truly enjoyed being with these families. The details and the message was very clear and one we can all take with us each day forward.
Excellent novel I read quickly.
This is a wonderful well written novel about best friends and marriage. The characters are so real that they feel like your best friend. We see them as total people – not just their good points but their flaws as wives, mothers and friends as they try hard to have the perfect life with the perfect marriage.
Penelope is married to Sanjay and they have two children. What started as a hot love affair has now cooled due to the every day stresses of marriage and raising kids. She works full time AND takes care of the kids, the house, the bills and just about everything in their life. He is underemployed – looking for that perfect job but not really willing to pick up any of the items that are causing Penelope so much stress. How does she get through her resentment? By talking to her best friend Jenny. Jenny has the perfect marriage, the perfect kid and a beautiful clean house. Or does she? When Jenny dies unexpectedly and Penelope learns the truth about Jenny’s life, she decides that its time for her marriage to be changed and based on total honesty with each other. But is totally honesty the answer to marital discord? What Penelope and Sanjay go through will have you laughing out loud at times and getting teary eyed at other times.
This is a wonderful book and friendship and marriage with real characters who soon feel like friends. Mistakes are made that we’ve all made and as they struggle to maintain their marriage, Penelope and Sanjay at times remind us of the struggles in our own lives.
Thanks to the author for a copy of this book to read and review. All opinions are my own.
Loved this one by Camille Pagan!
This book really touched me. I can’t tell you too much about it lest you not be surprised as it goes along, but… You know those times when you just want to bail out of your life? Maybe run off to a desert island and live in a hut for a year or so? Or tell your family to find somebody else to tell their troubles to? If you know what I’m talking about, this book is for you. It tells the story of Penelope: wife, mother, worker, and overwhelmed. Penelope wants to run away but she doesn’t. She stays and tries to make her life what she wants it to be. I completely related to her struggle, even though I don’t have kids at home or a demanding job. I think anybody can relate. Don’t miss this one.
I enjoyed the realistic situations and banter in the beginning of the book and literally laughed out loud! The book took a turn I didn’t expect and it was interesting to see how such a tragic event impacted the main characters to get out of their comfort zones and make necessary changes to better their lives.