"I guess I just like the idea of possibility. Like an invitation, not an answer, you know? It gives you something to think about later."

No Two Persons definitely invites the reader to think more on how a book delivers differently with each one of them. This book is a story of a book written by Alice, and the ending comes in a full circle.

This book is so beautiful. It will land with every reader in its own way, and I really loved it. It has a main story but also incorporates short stories within the main story. Every character has their own struggles and how a book can change their life deeply resonated within me. As a lifelong reader, I know books have supported me through hard times, so I know the power of these stories.

I loved this book, and it will be one of my favorite books of the year. Thank you, St. Martin's Press and Netgalley.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC of No Two Persons , and Happy Release Day to author Erica Bauermeister (May 2, 2023)!

I absolutely loved this book. It is a series of short stories over a chronologically organized timeframe from early 2000's to 2019. The characters all have a connection to a book called Theo, and the characters in each story have some connections, although sometimes barely any. I literally whipped through it again last night after finishing it to clarify some of the connections I missed on the first read, they were so subtle.

The book flows beautifully for all 320 pages. I felt every story so much and even shed tears in the story about the teacher and student living in the shed. The characters were relatable, beautifully written and really quite amazing. Will definitely seek out this author again. 5-stars, no question.

An interesting, unique and beautifully written collection of short stories make up this book. Alice has always wanted to be an author. After life has gotten in the way she finally writes and finishes her first novel. Each story is about an individual who read her novel and its impact on them. They are sort of connected, but not directly. What the title shares is that whatever the experience, in this case a book, “No Two Persons” will have the exact same experience. This tells us how each person metabolizes the story and the impact it has on each of them. Very interesting and well executed concept.

No Two Persons by Erica Bauermeister took my breath away! I admire the author’s vision of writing a novel about a writer who crafts her first book, Theo, out of pain and personal experience, and then following that book over nine years as it is read by, and impacts, a variety of people. Their ages and walks of life are diverse, but the book connects their stories in sometimes subtle, often profound ways. The intersection of their stories is sometimes unexpected but always meaningful.
This novel is very character-driven, and each reader of Theo has their own chapter—I loved that! It felt so immersive and I happily dove into the characters’ unique situations and life challenges. The writing is lyrical and beautifully descriptive—each word carefully chosen to enhance the depth of each character.
Ultimately, this is her homage to the magic of reading and of readers getting lost in a book, which no two persons will ever see in exactly the same way.
I enthusiastically recommend this novel to everyone who loves books and words, and insightful character development!
And while you are looking for this book, consider delving into the author’s previous works; House Lessons is one our book club enjoyed immensely.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the ARC. This is my honest review.

No Two Persons is getting great reviews, so I know I am in the minority here. I just didn't care about this book. I didn't like that each story felt like its own separate story, like I was reading a book of short stories. Maybe I wasn't in the right mood to enjoy the book, but please read other, more favorable reviews, to make your decision on this!

I received an advance audio and e-copy of this book. All thoughts are my own.

Interesting plot and execution. I found my feelings mixed regarding No Two Persons. As a book reader I do realize that everyone may not have the same thoughts and experience as me while reading a book, but to read a book that lays that out in black and white is fascinating to me. No Two Persons lays out how one book can impact multiple readers, depending on what that individual brings to the table as far as their own life and thoughts. What I found most intriguing was the perception of the author. As a reader, do we really ever know what the author was trying to convey to us through their story, or will we always be persuaded by our own interpretation. I thought No Two Persons was well written and the character development was top notch, but there is a flaw with the character development, at least in my opinion, which is the fact that we don't stay with one person's point of view long enough to thoroughly get emotionally invested into any particular character. This felt much more like a collection of short stories (I am not the biggest fan of) with the theme of sharing one plot, I would have liked to have the characters come together more fluidly in the end, some did but not all. By the end of the No Two Persons, I was wishing I could read the book within the book, Theo by Alice Wein, to me that seemed to be the better option since so many folks were impacted by it. No Two Persons is generating a lot of positive reviews and while I appreciate that, for me it was a miss. This is my first novel to read by Erica Bauermeister and I do think she did a fantastic job in the writing of No Two Persons and definitely have her on my list to read again.

4 stars for writing and character development, 2 stars for my enjoyment. Overall, a 3-star rating.

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and honestly review an advanced digital copy.

Love this book. It captures everything I feel about reading. This book followers an author and nine other people that are connected to the book - whether through its publication or the person reading it. “No two persons ever read the same book.” “Books spoke to specific people for specific reasons, and it had everything to do with where they were in their lives.” We learn a little bit about the book’s storyline through each reader, which begins with “Wandering is a gift given only to the lost.” ⛰️

“A great book is on that you love.” ❤️

This book is definitely going into the “favorites” shelf.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

3.5⭐️ - This was a rough one for me. I love the premise, but because we kept jumping characters and perspectives, there were parts that I loved, and there were parts that just didn't hold my attention. I was waiting for a little more *something* to draw all the disparate parts together.

What an interesting, creative way to structure a book - loved the concept! These are interconnected stories joined together by the reading of a book. Each of the individual stories are about self and relationships choices. I found something I loved in each one and thought the author’s technique of connecting them with reading a book and taking different things out of the book was so authentic and lovely. Thanks to St Martin Press for the advanced copy.

I loved this book and it's one that I will want to put into the hands of friends, wondering how they will embrace it, how many stars they might give it. From the author, Alice, her book Theo, makes its way into the hands of people who connected with it. If you are a long time avid reader you must have a group of books that spoke to you, ones that you carry in your mind to muse upon as the years pass. Books that gave you a safe escape from your real life, books that made you think, books to made you laugh when you wanted to cry. As the title says it all, No Two Persons.
My thanks to the publisher St. Martin's Press and to NetGalley for giving me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

This was such a beautiful and unique collection of stories. There are 9 stories about different people who read the same book and how that book impacts their life. I definitely liked some stories more than others but that's what makes this book so wonderful, everyone will have a different experience reading it. Some of the storylines and characters just resonated with me and who I am more than others. There are lots of beautiful passages about love, loss, grief, growth, challenges, and life in general. This is really a love story to readers and I think everyone will get something out of it.

No Two Persons by Erica Bauermeister was written during the covid-19 pandemic. The author shares in her acknowledgments that she has always been kept company by the fictional characters she'd grown attached to but in this season of life she found that these fictional characters kept her sane.

No Two Persons is a love letter to books, the bibliophiles who read them, the authors who write them, the narrators who bring them to life, the creatives who make meaning out of each story, and the book community at large. What Bauermeister manages to do in this series of interconnected stories is to demonstrate the expansive life cycle of a book that is truly never-ending. Once a book is born into the world there is no way of knowing how many lives it will touch or who will connect to the story and why. No Two Persons manages to romantically express the ways that our lives are individually and collectively touched by literature.

As a bibliotherapist who uses books to help my clients heal in psychotherapy, I have yet to read anything like this book and I'm so glad that it exists in the world. Each of us enters the covers of a book from different view points, life perspectives and experiences, and the way that we are able to connect and/or struggle to connect with literature is unique to each person. I love how the author chose to begin No Two Persons with the author's journey towards getting her book published and then carried the narrative over to different places, people, and seasons of life. This was such a meaningful way to express the importance of literature, the life giving and life sustaining power of stories, in the journey of book lovers from all walks of life.

Thank you to the author and publisher for the e-arc copy!

One Liner: Intriguing and different (read with the right expectations)

Alice loved books for as long as she could remember. It wasn’t surprising when she wanted to become a writer. However, her initial stories seemed to be just like her- detached and uninvolved. Yet, she finally writes a novel that comes from within her mind and soul. Her debut novel is hers. But it also belongs to countless readers who connect with it.
Nine people come across Alice’s book in different ways. Each of them finds something unique yet familiar. They relate to the book in ways one wouldn’t seem possible. Does the book belong to the author or the readers who find themselves in it?
The book comes in the limited third-person POV of ten characters.

My Thoughts:
This book doesn’t have the standard story arc or plot. It is more like a series of short stories with a common theme and a couple of recurring characters. Going into the right information and expectations is important. It doesn’t tie everything with a little bow. It’s got open endings, which make sense.
The story starts with Alice and how she writes her debut novel Theo in 2010. Then it takes us to Lara, a manuscript reader working for lit agent Madeline. We get a glimpse into Lara’s life and how Theo’s manuscript affects her. And so on, the book takes us through the lives of eight more people.
While some characters hit the mark, a few stories fall flat. However, the overall impact sustains well. The book stays true to the title theme- no two persons ever read the same book. It’s hard to write more without spoilers, so let’s say that the characters are all going through different issues.
I enjoyed the insights I got about the preparation for audiobook narrations. It’s fascinating to see how much work the narrator has to do to bring the words alive through their voice.
I do wish that we get to know more about Theo, the book. Though bits and pieces of information are scattered in other characters’ stories, it doesn’t complete the picture. Though I connect to the concept, I’m not fully sure how and which part of the book influenced the character. Not sure if the vagueness is deliberate, but it didn’t work for me.
However, I love how certain things come together at the end and show that art influences art. We never know which piece of art or a phrase from a book will open a new dimension and provide options we didn’t know existed.

To summarize, No Two Persons is a unique and novel take on how a book can influence different people in different ways, and sometimes, fiction is what we need to handle reality. The author’s note is short, sweet, and icing on the cake.
Thank you, NetGalley and St Martin's Press, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.

As a book lover myself, I fell completely in love with this book. No Two Persons delves into how a book impacts the lives of roughly ten different people. Obviously, it begins with the back story of the author. She was from a family ripe with strife and that impacted everything about how she grew up. Also, the tragedy that befell her family changed her life and eventually wove its way into her story as well. It was both equal parts heartbreaking and beautiful.

From there, the book bounces to many other people. Initially it appears that the only thing they may all have in common is the book. But as the story progresses, you often see various smaller connections between each of these people as well. It was so cleverly done.

There was no grand or huge plot line. It was a character driven story that basically spoke about life and how a book won't impact any two people the same because their life experiences will give them each a different interpretation. It's a beautiful and true thought. I was so engrossed in this book and its beautiful words that I couldn't put it down. It wasn't because I was rushing to see how something was resolved, I was just enjoying the easy flow of the storytelling. I realize this book may not be for everyone. If you're looking for some intricate and flashy plot, it's probably not going to be your thing. But it you're like me and you love the written word and how it can make you feel, then open your heart to the words inside this book and let yourself be transported.

AUDIOBOOK REVIEW: The audio was simply sublime. The narration really fit this book and its style without a doubt. I also felt that my attention was kept on task much easier by the audio because hearing a voice keeps you more grounded. It was so much easier to submerse myself in the storyline. It was truly lovely. 5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley for the early copies. I chose to review them both and the opinions contained within are my own.

This is a unique and interesting book with nine different people who have unique stories but are all connected by the fact that they read the same book. They all seem to need it for different reasons and they all get something they need from it.

I have never finished a book and then felt the need to immediately sit down and post a review. Until now.

This book follows an author writing her first book and the path that book takes, changing people’s lives as they read it. At first I thought, I want to read that book. Then I realized, I was.

I couldn’t put this book down. The way everything intertwined was a delicate dance and it left me breathless.

I am leaving a review on Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/p/Crwq_8YLUBs/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

Goodreads

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5132824020

And Amazon.

Happy Publication Day to this great book!

Sometimes I read out of my genre comfort zones (horror and thriller) and am so glad I did. This is one of those times! I have all the warm fuzzies you get after reading a well-written book with a compelling storyline and believable characters you want to pull out of the pages and hug. This book had it all.

The premise is the many people's lives a book touches once it leaves the author's hands. No two people will receive the story in the same way. Each person pulls from the story what they need at the time they are reading it. Several characters' lives were touched throughout the book, as was mine. I'm adding this to my list of books I'd love to read again at some point just to revisit with the characters.

No Two Persons earned five brilliant stars from me!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

No Two Persons is like no other book I have read

Alice has wanted to be a writer from a young age. She is in college working with her writing teacher when tragedy strikes her family. After months of hiding from the world and skipping classes Alice is ready to write the novel that is inside her.

I loved the way Alice "found" the novel while swimming. The path was not a quick one and I think most writers can relate to this part of the story. It doesn't happen overnight like many readers would think. After years of work the novel is ready. And then come the rejection letters. Will "Theo" ever see the light of day?

Yes, I loved how each individual reacted to the book, but I think my favorite part was seeing how each person who read came to be holding a copy of "Theo". Some were eager and some were reluctant. Some came to read it only when there was not much else to do. But all were entranced!

This book brilliantly shows how a book can affect each person differently based on where they are in life and their past experiences.

A great book to give as a gift.

Thanks to netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the arc.

I really enjoyed the authors novel, The Scent Keeper, and was happy to receive an ARC for No Two Persons. This is a unique book that felt like short stories and how they related to a particular book. I have always appreciated how a book makes me feel and see how books can affect people differently and the differences that books make in our lives. Thank you NetGalley for this ARC.

What an absolute gem of a book! One thing I wasn’t expecting going into this one is that, while it’s billed as a novel, it’s really a collection of interconnected short stories. I’m glad I didn’t know that though or I probably wouldn’t have picked it up. I’ve never really found short stories to be something I connected with. Until now. I’m so glad I read this one because it was absolutely stunning.

In each chapter, we meet a different person whose life was impacted when a certain book crossed their paths. Though each chapter gives just a snapshot of a life, I felt fully immersed in each character and they felt so well drawn that I could understand and connect with the characters even in such a short time with each of them. Within a page or two of each chapter, I felt like I knew and understood the character.

The writing was absolutely superb. It was beautiful, thoughtful and poignant without ever seeming pretentious or overwritten. Bauermeister truly has a gift for saying a lot with few words. I could bask in the words in these stories all day. 😍

I honestly don’t know what more to say about this book except that it’s an absolute must-read for lovers of books and beautiful writing. It will likely be on my list of contenders for best books of the year and is sure to be one that will stick with me.