It turns out, the grass isn’t always greener and the truth doesn’t always set you free. Or does it?

Penelope is fine. Everything is fine. Jenny is her BFF, their kids play together, their marriages are grand, and life is how it should be. Or is it? When something terrible happens, Penny is struck with the thought and realization that maybe she saw everything wrong. Everything was clearly not fine. Not fine at all.

So you know what? She’s gonna fix it. She and her husband Sanjay are going to make this work, damnit. So what do they do? They give lists to each other on what they want the other to do or change. NOTHING GOOD COMES FROM LISTS, Y’ALL. That’s like opening Pandora’s Box. You know it, I know it. Penelope and Sanjay may know it. But they must make this work. They have to.

This poignant story covers what happens when you go through a tragedy and how it effects your life. I’m going to be honest, and I might get flack for this, but I actually ended up sympathizing more with Sanjay than Penelope. DON’T COME AT ME. I don’t want to give anything away, but damnit people, underneath his flaws, he’s an amazing father and husband. I’LL FIGHT YOU ON THAT.

I can absolutely see how most readers will identify with Penelope. I did as well and I felt for her (at times), but as her friend Jenny chirped in ear, I would be chirping too. Hell, maybe it’s the name? We Jen’s can be opinionated. In any case, no matter who you sympathized with more, this was a wonderful story with a couple you truly rooted for. There were real problems, real issues that are current in today’s climate. The marital and societal matters were very much on point and Pagan wrote herself another wonderful novel.

I received an advanced copy of this book, all opinions are my own.

Wow!

Camille Pagán has written a book that is just so REAL! I love EVERYTHING about this book! EVERYTHING!

I was completely engrossed right from the very start. I needed to keep turning pages as fast as I could. These characters are so relatable that they jumped off the pages and planted themselves in my heart. I am so invested in them!

This story of heartbreak and healing touched my heart in a very personal way. Truly understanding these characters and understanding sometimes it’s okay to not be fine.

Wonderful, witty, warm-hearted with the perfect amount of honesty and real life. This makes for the ultimate read.

I am such a fan!! This is my first book by this author and it will not be my last! I need more of her!

After sharing 16 years of marriage and two children, Stevie and Miles, with Sanjay, Penny has just begun to consider a life without him when tragedy strikes her best friend, Jenny's, family. While dealing with the aftermath, she begins to see life differently and wonders if her marriage can be saved. What if she and Sanjay exchanged a list of things they'd like the other to improve upon? Would it be enough to fix their failing marriage? Is honesty always the best policy?

As usual, Ms. Pagán's unique and friendly writing style drew me in right from the beginning and made me feel like I was hanging out with my best friend. This story addresses the complexity of marriage and friendship, as well as other timely societal issues. It was extremely thought provoking and provided many powerful and important messages in which we can all relate to in some way or another. The ending made me tear up several times.

"It takes courage to be yourself when everyone expects you to be someone else."

Location: Michigan and NYC

I received an advance copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

"I only hoped she knew I had received her parting gift--the ability to look beyond what was missing and be grateful for all that remained."

I can honestly say that although at times my emotions were all over the place through this book, I adored it and respect it. I really respect Camilles writing about the loss of a friend and loved one and all of the fall out life goes through while dealing with grief, as well as the taboo subject of opiod abuse. I also love the "real-ness" that the main character goes through evaluating her life as a wife, mother, daughter, friends, and career woman. Ultimately coming to face to face with choices that I believe all people, at least moat women I know face at some point in life. This was very well written and I highly recommend it.

“I’m Fine and Neither are You” was a delightful novel that I could not put down. How many of us struggle to make our lives appear easy (and fine) on the outside, while behind the façade we are falling apart?

Penelope (Penny) is married to Sanjay, and they have two young children. But Happily Ever After has faded as the reality of work and kids have crept in. Sanjay and Penny met when they were both writers working for a NY publication. They moved to the Midwest when Sanjay started medical school while Penny, putting her writing on hold, took a job in university fundraising to support the family. But Sanjay discovered medical school was not for him and while he tried to figure out what he wanted to do next while taking on part-time writing assignments, Penny struggles under the weight of her demanding job, taking care of the house, and the kids.

Penny’s only respite is her friend, Jenny, who effortlessly raises her own daughter, writes for a popular blog, and is married to the ideal husband. But Jenny dies unexpectedly, and as Penelope discovers all the secrets Jenny had been hiding, she becomes determined not to head down Jenny’s path. Instead, she becomes determined to fix her marriage—husband and wife come up with “a list” of what they want the other to work on.

Penny is immediately relatable and likable. As she stumbles her way through fixing her marriage, you really emphasize with some of the mistakes that she makes.

I received a copy of this book through Netgalley. My thanks also to Lake Union Publishing and the author, Camille Pagan.

I'm Fine and Neither Are You is a current, relatable, flowing novel. A mother, wife, career-woman, and a friend finds herself at a personal breaking point, as a devastating tragedy strikes. Full of amazing characters, this novel is a fast read, and a very hard-to-put-down book. I highly recommend it. I received an early edition copy for my review, all opinions are my own.

"How are you?"
How often are we asked that question each day? And each time, how often do we automatically say "fine." Even if your world is crumbling, your marriage is crumbling, your health is questionable, your kids are driving you crazy, how often is the answer simply "fine?"
Odds are, if you're like most people, the answer is fairly often. Camille Pagan's "I'm Fine and Neither Are You" addresses this in a real-world, often-humorous, but very relevant way. The book is told through Penny's perspective. Penny is a mom in her late 30's, married ("happily" is in question), with two elementary-school aged children. She works full-time (beyond, given the number of hours she puts in) and makes good money ("happily" is also in question). This is important because her husband has been freelance writing, and not bringing home his share of the bacon.
When her best friend dies suddenly, Penny is forced to look at her life and what is really going on. She has to learn how to confront people, situations, and herself. Because taking a long, hard look at your own life isn't easy and it certainly isn't pretty. She needs to figure out what makes her happy in order for everyone else to be happy.
This book is great for anyone dealing with middle age, marriage, or just trying to find their own happiness in a real way.

fullsizeoutput_3c90Linda’s Book Obsession Reviews “I’m Fine and Neither Are You” by Camille Pagan, Lake Union Publishing, 2019

Camille Pagan, Author of” I’m Fine and Neither Are You” has written a thought-provoking, intriguing, intense and heart-warming novel. The Genres for this story are Fiction, and Women’s Fiction. The time-line of this story is in the present and goes to the past when it pertains to the characters or events in the story. The author describes her characters as average everyday people who could be our neighbors. Each of the characters had their imperfections and set of problems.

After reading this novel, one of the questions that comes to mind, can there be too much honesty in a marriage or relationship? Another question that comes to mind is what makes all of us strive for perfection at any cost? These of course are my rhetorical questions, that I continue to think of after reading “I’m Fine and Neither Are You”. I appreciate that Camille Pagan discusses these issues that are extremely thought-provoking, and writes her story in such an amazing way.

Penelope Ruiz-Kar is a wife, mom,”breadwinner”, and an amazing organizer to the point of exhaustion. Her husband Sanjay is supposed to be a stay at home Dad, while writing, and trying to seek employment. Penelope’s job is extremely stressful, and she often takes work home and does more than she should. Somehow, Penelope doubts how well she is doing.

When a tragedy takes place, and Penelope loses a dear friend , who seemed to have it all together, she reflects on her life. Penelope and Sanjay agree to make lists and be honest with one another. Can you only imagine what happens next? I highly recommend this enthralling, page-turning, hard to put down book for readers that enjoy a thought-provoking novel. I received an ARC from NetGalley for my honest review.

I loved this book, it was such a brilliantly observed read about the marriage dynamic. Having been in a similar 'slump' I could really feel the truth in the story, I believed the characters and really enjoyed the book.
I was already a fan of Camille Pagan and I was not disappointed.

I'm Fine and Neither Are You is an excellent read about best friends, marriages and knowing how to say no and ask for what you want / need.

Penny wasn't really doing any of that and was trying to be everything to everybody while she was slowly falling apart. In a totally different way, Jenny was doing the same thing, except she chose the path of Insta perfection, which is just as hard. I'm sure many readers will relate to both women and probably even feel like they are them. That's the beauty of this story. While a story of loss, it's also about gain, but the kind of gain that benefits everyone.

The author did such a wonderful job with the characters that it felt like Jenny, Penny, Matt and Sanjay could actually speak to me. They were people I'd enjoy knowing and that always makes a book much better.

Camille Pagan has written a very timely book that deals with big issues and specifically one that is topical. Well, the everything to everybody issue is also very much an issue in the age we live in now. The part that made me hopeful was how Matt chose to deal with the reality of Jenny's loss. I think many of us could take a leaf from his book and from how Penny and Sanjay chose to move ahead with their lives.

I so loved the way this story unfolded. At first I really disliked one of the main male characters, but he tried honesty also and he became someone I was cheering for. The author has done a great job focusing on issues our society should pay more attention to, but without making it seem like she's preaching. Well done!

Thanks to Netgalley, the author and publisher for an ARC at my request. My thoughts in this review are my own.

5 out of 5 stars
Penelope Ruiz-Kar is tired. She's working 50 some hours a week, the sole bread-winner for her family while her husband pursues a freelance writing career that isn't taking off. She has two great kids she loves, but it sure would be nice if son Miles would stop wetting the bed each night, if only so Penny could sleep through the night. She's coping, but just, when her best friend, Jenny, dies. Jenny's death makes Penny start to question her life and she decides that things need to change. Instead of biting her tongue and avoiding conflict, it's time for honesty. But Penny quickly discovers that honesty can be pretty scary, both when you're the one giving it and when you're receiving it.
I loved this book. The characters were so real, and the situations they faced so true to life. There's plenty of humor and heart along the way too. A great read that left me beaming.

Really great story about relationships. It centers around a marriage but also touches on work relationships, friendships, and adult relationships with their parents. Insightful and very well written. I highly recommend this book.

Being a woman is HARD. There's expectations upon expectations and your spirit can be crushed by the weight of keeping your home together, keeping your significant other happy, keeping your kids alive, keeping a job - the pressure can be paralyzing. But WHILE all those monkeys are jumping on your back, the hardest thing of all, is to pretend like you've got all of your sh*t together. Keep a smile on your face. Keep going.

Penny is desperately trying to keep it all together, and watching her picture perfect best friend Jenny sail though a Pinterest-perfect existence, is not helping. How on earth does she do it? Her home is immaculate, her daughter an angel, and a steamy relationship with her husband?!?! All the while Sanjay and Penny can barely sit down and have a conversation together.

But when an awful tragedy occurs and the cracks begin to show in Jenny's picture=perfect life .... Penny makes a proposal to Sanjay to get their lives back on track. They request from each other 3 things they'd like each other to change that have been affecting their relationship, and agree to work at them as hard and as honestly as they can.

The story is raw, and SO real, and it forces you to examine your life a bit as well. In this day in age, especially, it's so easy to portray a digital flawless life. And SO many people do. These fabrications spiral out of control to affect many who wish to aspire to unachievable standards. It's SO HARD to be a woman. It's even harder to be a woman you aren't.

It's an honest story that examines what you'd do to achieve the "perfect life". How honesty may not always be the best policy, and in the end sometimes something as simple as communication IS key.

I loved every minute of this book. The characters were flawed, yet relatable. The story was compelling and engaging - from friendship, love, and loss, to mystery and secrecy, while also tacking a prevalent issue that haunts our nation right now - I couldn't put it down, and I can't stop thinking about it.

Honestly this book resonated with me in so many areas, love, friendship, loss, addiction, parenting.. I'd laugh on 1 page and ugly cry at the end of the 2nd..
" the thoughts in your head as you are in the bathrolm"
What might have been and who does this
Cheers to Camille Pagan..
So grateful to have received a galley copy
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Camille Pagan has written the story of every woman who hides their real feelings and puts on a brave front. When asked, "how are you?", many of us always answer, "I'm fine" simply because we don't want others to know of our insecurities and weaknesses. As a woman, we all have our struggles balancing work, kids, relationships and life in general. I'm Fine and Neither Are You really drives home the meaning behind "the grass is always greener on the other side". I love Camille Pagan's writing and the way she always brings light to subjects that we sometimes hide.

I always feel a connection to Camille's characters and stories and this latest was no acceptation. What woman doesn't feel overwhelmed by life? We often feel we have to be everything to everyone and often the only one who suffers is US!! Penelope Ruiz-Kar is us, she's working full time, raising two kids, shuttling them to practice and play dates, cooking, cleaning and feeling angry and resentful toward her husband and coworker. When tragedy strikes and Penny's best friend Jenny is found dead, an apparent suicide, Penny is forced to take a different approach to life. Jenny's life seemed so perfect.In fact she was showing the world her life on her blog,but her life was not the shiny perfection that her blog portrayed. Penny and her husband Sanjay decide the time is now to reexamine what they want out of life, how they can improve and save their marriage. It won't be easy and it will take a lot honesty and soul searching. Will it be enough?Thank you to the author for the ARC. All opinions are completely my own. #ImFineandNeitherAreYou #NetGalley

Camille Pagan's novel I'm Fine and Neither Are You really hit the mark on how relationships between spouses, family, and friends are not always as they seem from the outside. Penelope Ruiz-Kar is juggling everything for the house, career, and motherhood and feeling like a failure. Her husband, Sanjay, is simultaneously "trying" to start a writing career and taking care of the household and kids during the day. Penelope's best friend, Jenny Sweet, appears to have it all: career, perfect child, amazing husband, and spotless home.

When something tragic occurs, Penelope re-evaluates her life's purpose and relationships. She begins transforming herself slowly throughout the book but realizes that it is much harder than anticipated. Penelope plugs along with Sanjay on being on honest to better their marriage but hit many roadblocks and question the new practice.

There were many times that your own relationships will pop up and cause you to re-evaluate too. The characters felt real and relatable, which is one of my favorite parts of a book.

I received an Advance Review Copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

Once again Camille Pagán does it again. She has brought to us a story that I think will resonant with so many women, moms, wives, daughters and employees. This was a quick read for me but not an easy read for me. If I could I would give this book 20 stars because I think it brings to light so many issues that women today are having but so many of us are unwilling to talk about it. Life can be hard. Marriage can be hard. Motherhood can be hard. Friendship can be hard.

In our world of social media, blogs, influencers etc., it is so easy for us to just see the side that is published. The side that is glossy, clean, pretty, polished, neat and public-ready. We only see what is contained within the photos and not the mess that is just on the periphery of this picture. Yes, the picture and the images within the picture might be put together but often the periphery is messy, dirty, cluttered etc.

One of my all-time favorite quotes: "it is unfair that we compare the intimate knowledge of ou

Jenny and Penny are two young moms who are best friends despite their differing personalities: Jenny is organized, calm, meticulous and always has inspiring words for her blog readers, while Penny struggles with two active children, a husband with little motivation to be gainfully employed, housekeeping issues, and a growing discontent with her life. When tragedy strikes, Jenny is forced to choose between continuing to live with her unhappiness, or dig in her heels and confront the sources of her discomfort and make drastic changes. Surprisingly, Sanjay agreed to her experiment, with both funny and heart wrenching results, begging the question: is honesty ALWAYS the best policy?
I would recommend this book to everyone, but especially young moms who struggle daily to balance schedules, juggle careers and live in a world where everyone else seems to have it all. Camille Pagán captured the perfect blend with this story!

This was the first book I’ve read by Camille Pagán. Her writing style really hooked me! I loved the characters and could feel their emotions during their struggles. What a great read! I will definitely be reading more of her books.