This just wasn't a great pick for me overall. I just didn't click with the characters, making it hard to get into the story. It just seemed too impractical for me.

"Halfway to You" by Jennifer Gold is a poignant and immersive tale that weaves a captivating narrative of love, travel, and family secrets. The novel introduces readers to Ann Fawkes, an aspiring writer who embarked on a life-changing Mediterranean adventure forty years ago, and Maggie Whitaker, an ambitious podcaster determined to uncover the long-lost truths hidden within Ann's reclusive life.

The novel's strength lies in its ability to span decades and continents, offering readers a rich and multifaceted exploration of the human experience. Gold skillfully navigates between past and present, unraveling Ann's journey from an aspiring writer to a reclusive figure living in the San Juan Islands. The Mediterranean adventure that once opened Ann's heart to love becomes a central theme, creating an evocative backdrop for the narrative.

The characters, especially Ann and Maggie, are well-developed, each with their own complexities and vulnerabilities. Ann's decision to grant Maggie an interview, with the condition that her story remains off the record, sets the stage for a narrative filled with suspense and the gradual unveiling of family secrets.

The exploration of love and the decisions that shape our lives forms the emotional core of the story. Ann's past, particularly the love affair that inspired her bestseller, becomes intertwined with Maggie's own life in unexpected and life-changing ways. The novel skillfully examines the distances we create between ourselves and our loved ones, emphasizing the complexities of human relationships.

The pacing of the novel is well-managed, with the dual timelines complementing each other seamlessly. Gold's writing style is evocative and immersive, allowing readers to feel the emotions and experiences of the characters. The storytelling is both heart-wrenching and tender, creating a narrative that resonates long after the last page is turned.

While the novel delves into deep and emotional themes, some readers may find certain plot twists predictable. Additionally, the resolution, while satisfying, leaves room for introspection and interpretation.

In conclusion, "Halfway to You" is a compelling and emotionally resonant novel that explores the intricate connections between love, travel, and family secrets. Jennifer Gold's storytelling prowess creates a sweeping narrative that spans time and space, inviting readers to reflect on the distances we create and what it takes to bridge them. If you appreciate stories that delve into the complexities of the human heart and the transformative power of love, this novel offers a touching and immersive journey.

I absolutely loved Halfway to You! It is an emotional, beautifully told, at times surprising story. I connected and cared about the characters, and found the descriptive settings to really make me feel like I was there experiencing what they did. Their journeys and connections formed create a wonderful story that will stick with you long after reading!

I was lucky to receive an advance copy of Halfway to You by Jennifer Gold from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest review and opinion. I absolutely loved this book and have to say I will be recommending this to all of my friends and family. I loved how the story moved swiftly and kept my attention all the way to the end. Do yourself a bif favor and read this ASAP.

Dual-timeline narratives usually focus on secrets that are to be revealed. Romance stories usually end in a happily ever after with people managing to find their common spot. This book toes the line between the two. The past story and the 'secrets' are not hard to guess, especially based on the direction the narrative takes, barring one actual fact. The most practical aspect of things mars the happily-ever-after.
Maggie is a podcaster with a direct personal link to the author she is all set to interview. She is not only a big fan - Ann's one work having defined her life, but her family is intricately connected to Ann's current state in life.
Maggie knows going in that she has a personal agenda of sorts, apart from trying to figure out why Ann never wrote another book or hid away from the spotlight. Given that Ann's story is not really new, I have to try to talk about the reason I liked the book without giving away any of the twists.
Sometimes a romance is set in a way that makes the casual reader happy or sad in a definite manner. The after is dealt by very few books. Once you meet the perfect partner, what happens next if nothing else aligns? Even with the advanced technologies of our current time, it is hard to maintain a long-distance relationship, even with a finalized date for when the pair will end up together. Here, it is the 1990s, and things are not that easy. The physical distance is not the only issue, and I think the book manages to deal with the hurdles in a very realistic but interesting manner. The story almost entirely circles around two women and the way they have dealt with life. It is due to the characterization of these two women that I enjoyed the book as much as I did.
I would recommend this book to readers who might have tired of dual timeline narratives, just to try something slightly different in the same vein.
I received an ARC thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, but the review is entirely based on my own reading experience.

Halfway to You is for the travelers, the lovers, and the romantics. Ann, an aspiring writer, leaves home to escape a difficult past and leave it all behind for Europe.
Forty years later, Maggie is an aspiring journalist and tracks Ann down to get her story. But Maggie and Ann have more in common than a storyline…
A book about travel, love and heartbreak, forgiveness and regret, and ultimately finding yourself.

The premise of this story was appealing to me. The execution of the storyline was rather drawn out and filled with so many details. I also had some difficulty connecting with the characters. An “okay” read for me. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to review this book in exchange for an honest review.

Halfway to You was a refreshing and unique story. I enjoyed following along with Ann, Keith, Todd and Maggie and all of their adventures. There were points where it seemed repetitive and were hard to stay fully invested in, but I’m sure that was intentional to give background to the Todd/Ann dynamic. The way Maggie found out about her family did seem a little far fetched, but I appreciated the acknowledgement that life can be hard but it’s worth it to push through and tell people you care. The family gathering scene at the end was the cherry on top. I give 3 1/2 stars!

I thought this was an intriguing story. I liked Ann and Maggie both. The way Ann’s story unfolded was well constructed. At times I found myself skimming because wanted the plot to move a long a little quicker. I definitely teared up towards the ending.
An enjoyable read.

I loved this book!! Great storyline and character development. Pulls on your heart strings, and keeps you wanting to find out what happens next. A brilliant read I would recommend to anyone!

I just didn't click with these characters at all. The decisions they made baffled me. One meeting with someone and you drop everything and follow them? I thought I was a romantic.
The premise of the podcaster was a strong one, I love books with these. But the characters just didn't hold enough intrigue for me.

This was my first book by this author and I loved this story! Amazing characters! Highly recommend, I was hooked from the first page.

Maggie works as a Podcaster and is an opportunity of interviewing Ann Fawkes. Ann Fawkes is Maggie’s favourite author and Maggie convinces her boss that she is capable of producing a podcast to reveal the true Ann Fawkes who has been reclusive since writing a best seller novel nearly forty years earlier.
There is a problem, Ann wants to tell her life story to Maggie but Maggie has to keep it private and not to record the story.
Maggie and Ann have an instant connection. Maggie is hopeful that eventually Ann will allow Maggie to record Ann’s story.
I loved the descriptions of places visited by Ann as she escapes to Venice, Rome and Greece over forty years.
This was about identity, families, secrets and grief. Full of twists and turns as family secrets are unraveled. I loved the characters.

This gave me very much The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo vibes. A reporter getting the life story of a recluse and finding out she is connected to her in a way she could have never imagined. This was emotional, and the dual timeline was so well plotted and written.

Halfway to You centers around an interview between reclusive author Ann and podcaster Maggie, weaving in the past and the present as their stories merge.

I enjoyed this book, though it lagged at times- and I was less than thrilled with the male character at the center of much of it. He was a terribly flawed character, which took me out of the story to some degree. It was still a worthwhile read, if lacking some of the intended emotional weight because of that.

What I did quite appreciate was the ability to vicariously experience Ann’s travels, adding to my list of dream vacations along the way.

* I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Ann Fawkes wrote one book, saw it become a bestseller and retired from public life. Now, Maggie, an ambitious podcaster has tracked her down and persuaded her to tell her story. Maggie feels like a device, not a character, at first but then you'll realize she's there for a reason. This occasionally lags a bit but then it will pick up again. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A good read for a rainy day.

A novel about a podcaster trying to discover the secret background of her favorite reclusive author? Sounded perfect to me! This novel is absolutely beautifully written, in cinematic, sensuous detail. However, it was this: too many details and the extremely slow pace which caused me to lose interest. I’m just not the right person for this book.

This was such a beautifully written story and I was reminded a lot of 'The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo' in both the emotional journey the story takes you on and the intwined lives of the interviewer and interviewee. I loved the travel aspect and how every location was described in such amazing detail I felt like I was there and really wished I was as everywhere sounded amazing. I also loved seeing everything come together as each characters secrets and past slowly unravel. Just a really heart wrenching, beautiful novel I highly recommend.

“Halfway to You” is a fiction book by Jennifer Gold.

What I liked about this book was that it, in a number of ways, reminded me of Taylor Jenkins Reid’s book “Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo.” It’s told an in the same flashback way, also via an interview with someone with a connection to the storyteller. There’s also a secret that is told that affects a family. I also really liked the descriptions of the various places the main character, Ann, has visited or lived. I also really liked how the story unfolded - again, reminding me of the style of Seven Husbands. I’m going to go on a limb here and say that I’m conflicted about a few things. I really started falling in love with the story around the halfway mark, but there’s something about Todd that just annoyed the heck out of me. Todd writes wonderful letters but the guy cannot communicate in person - and I get it. Communication can be difficult, but his words and actions just annoyed me. Also, can we place that Christmas party, where Todd brings Ann, as one of the most awkward ever? Tracey was just mean to be, well, mean. And, yes, Todd should’ve told Ann about his connection to the family (see that lack of communication in person here?), but having walked my own minefields with family I get it - but that doesn’t mean that I am giving Todd any slack. As for the big reveal, my hat’s off to Bob (Tracey’s husband) for doing what he did and caring as he could. But, Todd and Tracey just annoyed the heck out of me in their separate ways. I found the overall writing style of this book very enjoyable and it was very easy to keep track of the flashbacks and current timelines. I loved the story near the end, tying Matt into the story - and I’m glad that Ann fell in love with her surrounding easily - whether it be Rome or Washington state. I can see this being a rather enjoyable and widely discussed Book Club book - there is a lot to discuss - including what letters someone wishes they too had written. I’m going to give this a 4.5, but rounding down because while I enjoyed the book a lot, and I might read it again, it just misses being a book I need on my bookshelf.

A beautifully written, engaging story.

When Maggie, a young podcaster arrives to interview the very famous author Ann Fawkes, there is an instant connection between the two women. But why? When Maggie begins to interview Ann, we learn of Ann’s life story from her upbringing by an alcoholic single mother, her life in Europe, her relationship with Todd and her friendship with Keith, to her eventual return to America. And I really need to say this; Everyone needs a Keith in their life!

The characters were really well written and I was rooting for them all, even when Todd seemed evasive or selfish, when Ann was being stubborn and when Keith was being too soft, I was always on their side!

A beautiful, captivating story which takes us from Colorado to Greece, Italy, Peru, and back to the US.

5 ⭐️ Thanks to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for an ARC in return for an honest review.