The title of this book comes from the saying no two persons read the same book, a truism any member of a book club can attest to. Alice writes a book about a boy growing up in a loveless family and it becomes a hit. She is shocked by her fame and dismayed by it and retreats to a small town where she is a bit of a recluse. But her book sallies forth into the world and we read in succeeding chapters how it affects different readers.

There is the actor whose gorgeous looks are wiped out and who becomes an audiobook reader. The artist on an island who uses the book as material for her masterpiece sculptor. The bookstore worker who is about to marry a scientist until he realizes that she has disdain for reading and those who love it. A deep sea diver who pushes things too far until he damages himself. Each has their own reaction to Alice's novel.

Erica Bauermeister has written five novels, all of which have been chosen as Indie Reads. Her ability to discern how Alice's novel affects such different people in ways that are only similar in that they change lives is fascinating and each reader will probably relate most to a different story. Underneath it, she relates the truth that reading is a valuable activity that can change or validate lives in many ways. This book is recommended for readers of literary fiction.

A lil ways into the book I began to notice that there were different stories relating to the same book. I was was thrown at first but it pieced together quickly. All of the stories and characters in the book are engaging and interesting. You really get to know the characters in such a short time. Great read! Thank you!

No Two Persons by Erica Bauermeister is a stunning celebration of the transformative power of stories. Through a series of interconnected narratives, Bauermeister explores how a single book can impact the lives of different readers in unexpected and deeply personal ways.

The writing is lyrical and insightful, with each character’s perspective adding depth and emotion to the overarching theme. While some stories resonate more strongly than others, the overall tapestry is moving and beautifully crafted. It’s a love letter to readers, writers, and the magic found between the pages.

4 stars — a thoughtful and touching exploration of how stories shape us. Perfect for book lovers who enjoy character-driven narratives with emotional depth.

This is a novel that reminds us that the understanding of everything we see, hear, think, or read is dependent on perception. Our views/perceptions can be limiting, and many see only their perspective. "No Two Persons" dives into the readers of books - how each person can read the same book and come away with different insights and lessons. Quotes from the novel - "No two persons ever read the same book" - "that was the beauty of books, wasn't it? They took you places you don't know you needed to go" - "the story took the familiar and turned it into something profoundly new" and this one "The place he lived in was deeply alive, the air so clean it felt like he was drinking it". There are so many beautiful quotes in the novel that I had to buy a hard copy so that I could read it again and highlight all my favorite passages. The novel is distinctly unique! It is emotional and artistically written! Bravo, Erica Bauermeister for the creation of this exquisite novel. Five Stars - Highly recommended!

One book. Nine readers. Ten lives changed.
If you’re a fan of deeply developed characters (like I am!), No Two Persons by Erica Bauermeister is the book you didn’t know you needed. From the very first page, you’re thrown into the lives of a diverse cast of characters whose stories intertwine in the most beautifully unexpected ways. It’s a beautiful reminder that we’re more connected than we think, and how our individual experiences shape the way we interact with the stories we read.

Alice, a writer, creates a debut novel that somehow touches everyone who reads it—from a teenager hiding her homelessness to a widower lost in grief, to a passionate artist and a bookseller searching for love. Each character finds something different in Alice's book—something that changes them, something that shifts their perspective. The power of storytelling? It’s real.

But what I loved most? The way each character felt so real. Erica Bauermeister nails the complexity of people, their flaws, their dreams, and their messy, beautiful lives. Each one was a story in itself, yet all of them were connected by the way Alice’s novel impacted them.
And that’s where the title comes in: No two persons ever read the same book. We all bring our own perspective to a story, and that’s what makes reading so personal—and so magical. The differences between us are what make us unique, and that’s something worth celebrating.
If you're someone who loves a good character-driven story, No Two Persons will make you believe in the transformative power of books all over again. Trust me, this one will stay with you long after the last page.

This was one of my favorite books of the year. I loved the format of different sections told from the perspective of a new person revolving around the same book. This would make a great gift for book lovers.

Wow this one surprised me. I didn’t think we would get enough from each of the characters in their short stories but it was done very well. I loved how they were connected but not in the most obvious ways. Many of them will stay with me for some time.

Thank you for the opportunity to review this advanced reader's edition. Unfortunately, I will not be able to give it the time required to write a thorough review and will be unable to read it for this purpose.

As a reader who loves stories about anything and everything bookish, this hit on all the right levels for me. Heartwarming, different perspectives, how books change us, and yes, how we all engage with every story differently, are the main standouts for me. The way each character interacts with the novel, Theo, was an enjoyable journey. I loved this one!

No Two Persons by Erica Bauermeister was an interesting read. Alice has always wanted to be a writer and she writes a book called Theo. This books is pretty significant to its readers. All in all, this was a good book but not one I would normally pick up.

I don't know why I put this book off for so long, but I'm so glad I finally picked it up – what a joy of a book! This story is made for book lovers. A novel in stories, the reader gets to see how one book impacts nine very different people. Each brief look into their lives is touching, heartwarming, and makes you grateful to be a reader. I did both print and audio for this one, and each was fantastic. The audio was especially great, with a different narrator for each person's story. For fans of The Story of AJ Fikry and Mike Gayle.

No two people read the same story.

A beautifully written book about a beautifully written book, read by 9 different people, and the affect it had on each reader.

I loved this book! It was my first ready by Erica Bauermeister and it will not be my last.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the opportunity to read and review this novel.

No Two Persons by Erica Bauermeister is a profound and moving novel that explores the transformative power of literature and its impact on diverse lives. At the heart of the story is Alice, an aspiring writer whose journey to create a deeply personal and stunning debut novel serves as the catalyst for the narratives that follow.

Alice's life takes a pivotal turn after a heartbreaking event shatters her emotional barriers, allowing her to pour her raw and genuine feelings into her writing. The result is a novel that resonates deeply with its readers, each of whom finds something unique and life-changing within its pages.

The book intricately weaves together the stories of several characters who come across Alice’s novel:
- A teenager struggling with homelessness discovers a sense of hope and direction.
- A free diver, constantly pushing his physical and mental limits, finds new depths of endurance.
- An artist, filled with rage at the injustices of the world, channels her fury into creativity.
- A bookseller, searching for love, finds solace and understanding.
- A widower, consumed by grief, begins to see a path toward healing.

Bauermeister masterfully illustrates how a single piece of art can ripple through lives, altering perspectives and opening new possibilities. Each character’s journey is a testament to the beauty of human connection and the unexpected ways we can influence one another.

The novel is beautifully written, with each character’s story richly developed and emotionally resonant. Bauermeister’s ability to capture the essence of human experience and the profound impact of storytelling makes *No Two Persons* a compelling and heartfelt read.

No Two Persons is not just a novel about a writer’s journey; it’s a celebration of the universal bond we share through literature. It’s a must-read for anyone who believes in the magic of books and the deep connections they can create.

Erica Bauermeister first landed on my radar with her book, The Scent Keeper. I was excited to see a new release from her. I was hooked immediately. I love the way the story was not a linear beginning to end kind of story. Instead it was almost like intertwined short stories. It was heartwarming and emotional. Another hit from Bauermeister.

This started out very strong then seemed to lag. All in all it was a good read and left me thinking.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher.

I'm not always a fan of short stories. As a quick reader, I feel like I don't get enough to satisfy my need for reading. Bauermeister does a great job of pulling the reader in with these, though. Her style and ability to weave a meaningful story in so few words makes me want to read her earlier works.

Engaging book for book lovers that shows how one book can connect with different people in so many ways.

Alice knows that she wants to be a writer. She eventually is inspired to write the book Theoand that book reaches into the lives of many other people, affecting each of them significantly, and yet profoundly differently. Thus reflecting the title quote and theme of this novel, Edmund Wilson's words: No two persons ever read the same book.

As a book lover myself, I really resonated with these characters and how Alice's book touched their lives. I listened to this as an audiobook and the full cast performance was captivating. The characters came to life with the different narrators and I highly recommend the audio version.

Some of the stories definitely touched me more than others, but I think that is to be expected. This is a lovely, encouraging book that will draw readers to various characters and their stories depending on their own life situations.

I love books about books! This book simultaneously broke my heart and then put it together again. The characters were very relatable and I loved reading their stories.

The writing and premise of this one was really great. I found that it read more like a collection of short stories than a whole novel though and that didn’t really work for me. Short stories always leave me feeling like I didn’t get the whole story, or enough of it, and that is frustrating. I thought the main character was well down and the writing was great. Overall though I could never really connect with the story.

Reading this book on what would have my late husband’s 80 birthday brought home the truth in “No two persons ever read the same book”. My reaction to this book today was certainly more visceral than it would have been three and a half years ago. It is a wonderful read, interweaving various characters and their reaction, response, interpretation of a novel. I have never read anything by the author before, but will definitely be checking out her other books.