Cover Image: You Again

You Again

Pub Date:   |   Archive Date:

Member Reviews

This book has an engaging premise, but it turned out to be more work than I wanted. The story is told by interspersing narratives with emails and notes, and plays with the consequences of roads not taken. Right now, I'm more interested in reading for escape and fun, and this book was too much of challenge for me.

Was this review helpful?

The description of this book sounded so amazing and I was excited when NetGalley approves my request, but there’s something that just isn’t working for me. I can’t quite figure out what my issue is with this book, but it isn’t really holding my attention and I’m abandoning it at 37%

Was this review helpful?

My enjoyment of this book came in spurts. I am oddly sad that it is over. It had a great beginning and I found myself excited with anticipation. And I was stunned by the twist at the end. Although there were parts of the book that felt extraneous, I was pleasantly surprised by the second half of the book, as the mysterious and dark secrets of the story were revealed. Abigail Willard and her younger self, Abby, were interesting characters and easy to root for. I especially enjoyed the images of their therapist; both younger and aged. As a psychologist myself, I appreciated Debra Jo’s efforts to depict the therapist without stereotyping. If you loved Netflix’s You, then you will love this book.

Thank you to #NetGalley and the publishers for an advanced digital copy in exchange for my honest review!

Was this review helpful?

First off, the pacing in this book was absolutely amazing, and it definitely kept me hooked. This was a thriller I didn't really expect and to be honest, I think that's why I loved it so much. The less you know about this book, the better! Debra Jo Immergut's writing and characters came alive during the course of this time-twisting story, which I highly recommend you read for yourself.

Was this review helpful?

You Again. The protagonist, while out and about, sees herself?! Only it is herself as she was years ago. I was fascinated by the idea of seeing your younger self and being able to perhaps have an opportunity to talk, or to correct or warn of certain situations. While this read was a little slow it is a solid 3.5 for me!

Was this review helpful?

I loved this complicated book. So much so, that I will likely read it again soon. I love the grown up life of the protagonist and the subplots of her history. This was a very intriguing and fascinating read. I will be checking out more from this author!

Was this review helpful?

I received an advanced reader’s copy of You Again by Debra Jo Immergut.

Although I found Abigail, the protagonist, unlikeable, there is something about this story that kept me reading. I was intrigued with how Abigail tried to make sense of what she was experiencing. There are some parts that are confusing, but within the context of Abigail’s perception of things, it is to be expected. There are some interesting theories presented at the end which I found interesting.

Was this review helpful?

A bizarre look into traumatic brain injuries and how they can affect someoneyears later.

Abby kept seeing past herself all over town. Story follows Abby through a year with diary entries.

The story is very well written. I found it odd to have emails and journal entries from the psychologists added to each chapter. They all make sense at the end.

The book also touches on the Antifa movement.

It was not at all what I was expecting when I read the summary. It is definitely not the psychological thriller I was hoping for but it will still leave you in suspense until the end

Was this review helpful?

This book is interesting, but I hesitate to recommend because it is just ALL over the place. It starts off with a Twilight Zone-esque plot where 40 something Abigail sees the 20 something version of herself in flesh and blood on the streets of New York. Surreal, gripping? Yes, I'm in! However, it veers off course as we learn about her failing marriage to a fellow artist, her son who is slowly becoming radicalized by ANTIFA, and chapters that move forward in time that seem to suggest quantum physics and/or brain damage? It's a lot to take in all at once and while any of those plots would probably have been fine on their own, this book really does have a cohesive gel to make it worth your while.

Was this review helpful?

In a world full of thrillers, this might not stand out, but was still an immersive and page turning read. I enjoyed the theme of regret, as it is so universal.

Was this review helpful?

Thank you to Netgalley for the copy in response for an honest review.

I just couldn't get past the writing in You Again. I found a lot of the word choices to be strange. The book was written using sentance fragments strung together with commas, and I really dislike this writing style. The premise sounded interesting but not enough to force myself through this one.

Was this review helpful?

I wanted to like this book. The premise is interesting, and I thought it would be full of twists and unsettling moments, but a lot of the time, it just seemed confusing. It does have a very unreliable narrator, so that could be part of it, but I struggled to follow the story at times and had a hard time keeping track of who was who and what was actually happening. I went into it expecting something with a Twilight Zone vibe, but finished the book feeling bewildered and a little bit cheated out of time I could have spent on something better. I did like a lot of the ideas presented in the book, and the possibilities of what it could have been, so I can see myself trying something else by this author in the future.

Was this review helpful?

You Again features 46-year old Abby, a used-to-be artist, turned family breadwinner, who has begun seeing her 22-year old self around NYC. At first she’s stunned, shaken, but slowly she wants to know this girl, to warn her younger self about what’s to come. Part of the allure of Abby’s story is the slow unveiling of how she became the woman she is and why she’s compelled to warn her other self. But. that’s not the only mystery, interspersed with Abby’s story are email communications between a doctor, a physicist and a detective, all focused on “what happened to Abby.” Those parts of You Again felt a little separate from the rest of Immergut’s story, but they did come together in the end. Other parts of this book also seemed like a bit of a stretch, but overall I enjoyed Abby’s story very much, finishing it in only two day!

Note: I received a copy of this book from Ecco (via NetGalley) in exchange for my honest thoughts.

Was this review helpful?

This book is fascinating, quirky, and original. Abby is in her mid-40's. She's a career mom with a lot going for her. So why is she seeing her younger 20-something self around town? Is she losing her mind, or is something else going on? This book is structured so that you don't see the whole picture and you are left to interpret what might be happening. For some readers, this might be frustrating. If you don't mind following Alice down the rabbit hole, you will likely get a lot of enjoyment out of it like I did.

Was this review helpful?

The writing in this book was really beautiful but I had a hard time connecting to the story. There was just so much going on in the main story and then there was a side story added in.

Was this review helpful?

It didn't do it for me as I thought it was ok. Took a while to get into it and figure out what is happening to Abby. She is 46 and sees herself at 24 or 25 around town. Is she losing her mind, what is going on and why can't she remember what happened to her and her time with her former lover, Eli Hammond. Abby is married to Dennis for 20 so years with two boys and life for one of her sons is spiralling out of control like her life. Is this like an episode of the TV show Fringe with a parallel universe or is she sick. Things kept happening that was explained. Story ended and still didn't tie up the loose ends, which left me frustated.

Was this review helpful?

I received an ARC of this novel from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This novel explores visiting with one's younger self and exploring the road not taken, perhaps giving advice, and sometimes having regrets over choices made.

Was this review helpful?

Abby is an artist in her 40s working in product marketing, but she’s content with her work and home life...or is she? Seeing her younger naïve self (over 20 years younger) reminds her of all the dreams and aspirations she had for life. This catapults her into assessing how her current life compares to what she wanted and how she has changed as a person, for better or worse. While dealing with the appearance of her younger self, she also begins to realize how much, or how little, she knows about the men in her life, her husband and two sons. Throughout the story, we see how Abby confronts the following questions: If you, in your 40s, could tell your young adult self something to alter the course of your life, would you? Does your attempt to change your past indicate regret your current life? If your younger self gave you advice, would you take it? Who should listen to whom? Are you experiencing an unfulfilling life due to bad decisions or a loss of self-identity?

I found this novel to be an enjoyable read. Debra Jo Immergut does an excellent job taking the reader into the minds of Abby and “A”, Abby’s younger self. The novel has a dual timeline with different relationship dynamics which impacts the progression of the story. I do feel more insight into a couple of these relationships would have been helpful in understanding Abby and her choices during the course of the novel. The novel also briefly explains how race is a determinant of how teenagers involved with the “wrong crowd” are treated by law enforcement. Through “You Again,” Debra Jo Immergut shows readers how finding yourself, or re-finding yourself, can occur at any age.
#YouAgain #NetGalley

Was this review helpful?

This was interesting. Abigail keeps running into her younger self. Can she convince her to not make the mistakes she knows are coming? Does she even want to? What would her life be like if she had gone down a different path? Does she really want to change the way her life is now? The job, husband, kids? What would you tell your younger self? Also, is she just going crazy or is something else wrong? It's interesting. I definitely recommend it.

Was this review helpful?

Thank you NetGalley and Harper Collins Publishers for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

3.5 Stars for this one. Interesting little story with our MC Abigail who continues to see a younger version of herself on the streets and around her old haunts. In addition, she finds herself in a troubled marriage with 2 teenage rebellious boys. Is she hallucinating or is she traveling through time? As time passes we learn more and more about her past relationships and previous life goals of becoming an artist. Possibly she is going through a mid life crisis? You'll have to read to find out.

I liked this story but found it a little slow and dry to read through. Nothing gripping to peak my interest. I did however like the touch of sci-fi thrown in to make you wonder about how on earth Abigail is interacting with her past self. A thought provoking book on self reflection and how past events can mold your future.

Was this review helpful?