Cover Image: Things I Wish I Told My Mother

Things I Wish I Told My Mother

Pub Date:   |   Archive Date:

Member Reviews

The story of a mother and daughter trip to Paris and Norway after the Mother falls ill and the mother and daughter develop a new appreciation for each other. A gentle reminder to make time for the loved ones in our lives before it is too late.
Was this review helpful?
The ending blew me away. Tender, inspirational and not your typical mother/daughter story. And that all has to do with the way that it ends. You'll never forget Mother's Day again.

Thank you #NetGalley for the advanced copy.
Was this review helpful?
I have never read a James Patterson book but with my mother getting older I could not resist this one. The mother-daughter trip to Paris, which is the focus of the book, is interesting but not life-changing reading -- until the twist near the end that reviews keep referencing. That twist made the whole read worth it and put things into perspective for me in a fresh way. Highly recommended. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. #ThingsIWishIToldMyMother #NetGalley
Was this review helpful?
While I was reading Things I Wish I Told My Mother by Susan Patterson, Susan DiLallo, and James Patterson, I was thinking that I wish my mother and I had been able to take a trip like this  before she died. The story was so authentic and heart warming.
Was this review helpful?
This book will make you laugh and cry. I loved the storyline and it shows how important it is to enjoy your parents while they are still around. We all think we have so much time but this book shows that life can change on a dime. I can’t recommend this book enough. A mother and daughter on vacation in Paris unpack a lifetime of secrets and hopes with a giant twist at the end.
Was this review helpful?
Things I Wish I told My Mother is a story about the relationship between an adult daughter and mother. What a beautiful book that pulled at the heart strings. Have tissues on hand. I was moved by this story, and it is one I will remember for a lifetime. Hug your mom and call your mom no matter what age you are!
Was this review helpful?
I can't say I loved the book and I can't say I didn't.  Things I Wish I Told My Mother was intriguing to a point but lacked something.  I'm not exactly sure what it is.  It was a thought-provoking story about a mother-daughter relationship.  It did for a brief moment make me think about my own mother and our relationship but the characters in the story were so volatile toward each other that it was hard to believe a grown woman could act that way toward their mother.  And the end....really?   So, from my point of view, I'm giving the book 3 stars.  Not horrible but definitely could have been better.
Was this review helpful?
After a health scare. mother ( Dr. Liz) and daughter (Laurie)  set out on a trip to Paris and then Norway.  Liz is a perfectionist, Laurie not so much so.  She's an artist.  The trip is a time to connect, unveil secrets and to try to understand their differences.  The read is emotional and fulfilling.  Don't miss this one.  I thought of my mother and our relationship ( very unlike Liz and Laurie's ) on every page.
Was this review helpful?
An enjoyable book that realistically presents the ups and downs of mother/daughter relationships. I really enjoyed the trip to Europe with the characters. The surprise plot twist at the end was one I didn't see coming.
Was this review helpful?
What a delightful book. The surprise ending was a poignant surprise. It was a fun trip around the world, some sweet insights to a mother-daughter relationship, and some tender romance to boot.
Was this review helpful?
At first I thought Lauren, the adult daughter, was just whiney, and her mother, Dr.Liz, just sounded like any other mother who takes for granted that everyone needs her advice. During the plot, the mom shared things that were new information to her daughter, but the daughter didn't share anything with her mom, while the reader learns all about Lauren through her unspoken memories. Well, that wasn't the case at all. Mother-daughter agitation, and unresolved, or partially unreseolved, guilt are the themes. Paris and Norway were delightful as settings. 

Thank you to Little, Brown and Company and NetGalley for the digital arc.
Was this review helpful?
This wasn’t what I thought it was going to be.  Yes, it was a story about a mother and daughter on the trip of a lifetime and the connection they try to create but I didn’t connect with either one.  The twist at the end made up for some of the story but not enough to make this a book I would recommend.  I was hoping for more about the relationship between the mother and daughter and how they were able to fix it but that just wasn’t there.
Was this review helpful?
This is a wonderful, heartfelt mother daughter story. The characters quickly come alive and you are totally immersed in their lives. It’s a quick read that made me both laugh and cry. While reading it, I saw both myself and my mom in the story. Highly recommend and hoping these authors will collaborate in the future! #ThingsIWishIToldMyMother ##SusanPatterson #SusanDiLallo #NetGalley
Was this review helpful?
A mother and daughter literally unpack secrets while on vacation in new release, Things I Wish I Told My Mother. Laurie travels the world with a worn duffel bag while her mother travels with matching suitcases. Each woman has her own style and distinctive voice. When Laurie invites her mother on a trip to Paris and Norway, unexpected sparkles and secrets come up.

Even through all the marketing and emails from James Patterson's subscription list, I imagined the content to be different. I assumed it was a true mother-daughter story considering that both authors lost their moms in the same year. What I got was fiction—no doubt with the writing help of hubby. This book had the potential to be so much greater as a co-memoir.

Happy Pub Day, Susan Patterson and Susan DiLallo! Things I Wish I Told My Mother is now available.

Disclaimer: An advance copy was received directly from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Opinions are my own and would be the same if I spent my hard-earned coins. ~ LiteraryMarie
Was this review helpful?
This is an amazing book.  It seems to be a romantic novel about the relationship of a daughter and her mother, along with the daughter’s love life.  It is more…it is the story of what can happen with a daughter and her mother, a career oriented parent.  The journey is fascinating and fun.  This is a quick read with the characters, the two women, coming alive on the pages.  This is a cannot put down story.  The twist at the end kept me in tears.  I laughed while reading, and I cried.  It left me wanting more books by these two talented and gifted authors, and of course, James Patterson, one of my favorites of all times. Do not miss this book.  Read it and read it again.  I really liked this book, and if I could give it more than five stars, I would.  This book was sent to me electronically by Netgalley for review.  Thanks  to the publisher and to the ingenious authors.
Was this review helpful?
Laurie and her mom, Liz (a.k.a. renowned OBGYN to the stars) are two completely different women.  Things I Wish I Told My Mother is a beautiful story about a sometimes complicated mother-daughter relationship.  Liz experiences a health scare which prompts Laurie to suggest something out of the blue.  The two women decide to take a spontaneous trip to Paris and Norway.  Along the way they argue, laugh, cry, explore, and indulge on delicious cuisine.  But most importantly, they share.  They share secrets of their lives with the other as well as sometimes hard to admit feelings about being a mother or daughter.  The ending was not what I expected at all.  Kudos to the authors on a well-written book!!!

I LOVED Things I Wish I Told My Mother!  It gave me all the feels!!!  Throughout the entire story I felt like I was thinking about my mom and our relationship.  Excuse me, while I go give her a call...

Thank you to NetGalley and Little, Brown, and Company for the opportunity to read this gem!
Was this review helpful?
Things I Wish I Told My Mother will capture both mother and daughters hearts.

This book will no doubt be a few Book Club's selections.

I was hooked at the dedication of the book.

Laurie and Dr Liz had me laughing, shedding a tear with the ladies and cheering them on.

I thought of my own mom and I laughed all the harder.  

I must say now my sister and I say we appreciate and understand her more today than  we did growing up and we wished we could tell her so.

I don't re read many books but this one I certainly will.

I am preordering for my daughter and sister.  

I cant recommend this book highly enough. 

Thanks to NetGalley and Little Brown and Company for  delightful and insightful read.
Was this review helpful?
A 5 star book! The settings are amazing on their own but the authors immerse you into them for the duration of this book. The mother and daughter relationship will have you relating! I loved how the book was set up and the journey they take together overseas. There's humor and sadness and a bunch of emotions! I felt like I was on the trip with them.

I'll be telling my mom and aunts to read this for sure.
Was this review helpful?
Thanks to NetGalley and Little, Brown, and Company for access to this title. I am auto-approved by the publisher. All opinions expressed are my own

Quite simply, this was a really special book. I am always a sucker for mother-and-daughter relationship-centric books and this one really tugged at my heart. I read a review that claimed that I wouldn't want this book to end and they were right- I was very sad to finish this one.

Advertising executive, Laurie, receives a call that her mother, the famous ob/gyn Dr. Liz is in the hospital and it is serious news. Inspired to not waste time, Laurie decides to take her mother on a special trip to Paris and her mother's home country of Norway to reconnect with family members. A mother and daughter that are polar opposites traveling to Europe? A lot of hilarity and strife ensues.

Written by Susan Patterson and Susan DiLallo who both dedicate the book to their mothers made it very clear that this was a true labor of love. I love my own mother but we certainly have our moments where we don't see eye to eye so this was a relatable tale.

Enjoyable read of a random NetGalley selection I made.


Expected Publication Date 10/04/23
Goodreads Review Published 22/03/23

#ThingsIWishIToldMyMother #NetGalley.
Was this review helpful?
When I first picked up Things I Wish I Told My Mother by Susan Patterson, Susan DiLallo, and James Patterson, I really did not know what to expect and to be honest- was not sure I would like it. This book is not what I typically like to read, but it caught my eye and I decided to give it a try. Boy, am I glad I did because it was one of my favorite books, I have read so far in 2023. 
When Laurie Ormson’s mom (aka the never wrong Dr. Liz) has a health scare, the only thing she wants to do is travel with her daughter. Although their relationship is not always the best at times (typical mother/daughter relationship) they decide to take a trip of a lifetime to Paris and Norway. This novel describes the adventures of their trip and how their relationship evolves and improves as time goes on. 
This book was such an unexpected delight. It had me laughing, crying and I overall just did not want it to end. I could really resonate with the mother-daughter dynamic and wanting to get to know each other before it is too late. BUT THE ENDING- amazing and I did not see it coming. I will be thinking about this book, and it will stay with me for a long time. Things I Wish I Told My Mother will be out April 10th, 2023. 5 out of 5 stars for sure!!
Was this review helpful?