• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Maryse's Book Blog

Following my heart, one book at a time...

  • HOME
  • MY REVIEWS
    • ALL MY REVIEWS (ALPHABETICAL BY AUTHOR)
    • 5 Star Reviews
    • 4.5 Star Reviews
    • 4 Star Reviews
    • FAVORITES LISTS
    • Recommendations
    • MY TOP 10 FOR 2020
    • MY TOP 15 FOR 2019
    • MY TOP 15 FOR 2018
    • MY TOP 25 FOR 2017
    • MY TOP 25 FOR 2016
    • MY TOP 10 FOR 2015
    • MY TOP 25 FOR 2014
    • My Top 25 for 2013
    • My Top 25 for 2012
    • My Top 25 for 2011
  • FAVORITES LISTS
  • BOOK RELEASES
  • READING ORDERS
  • IN THE MOOD FOR
    • THE ENTIRE “PICK YOUR MOOD” LIST
    • AGE GAP ROMANCE
    • A SHORT STORY
    • A SLOW BURN
    • AUDIOBOOK RECOMMENDATIONS
    • BAD GUYS & ANTIHEROES
    • BIKER ROMANCE
    • BILLIONAIRES
    • A BROKEN HERO
    • BOSSY BULLIES
    • BROODING HEROES
    • BROTHER’S BEST FRIEND ROMANCE
    • COMEDY ROMANCE
    • CHRISTMAS ROMANCE
    • DARK READS
    • DYSTOPIAN
    • FALLING FOR A NERD
    • FANTASY ROMANCE
    • FIGHTERS – PRO & UNDERGROUND
    • FORBIDDEN LOVE
    • FRIENDS TO LOVERS
    • HISTORICAL ROMANCE
    • HORROR
    • IN LOVE W/ A CELEBRITY
    • IN LOVE W/ A DOCTOR
    • INFIDELITY
    • INTERRACIAL ROMANCE
    • JAW-DROPPING TWISTS
    • LOVE AFTER LOSS ROMANCE
    • MAFIA ROMANCE
    • MARITAL STRIFE
    • MEN IN UNIFORM
    • M/M ROMANCE
    • OFFICE ROMANCE
    • OLDER MAN/YOUNGER WOMAN
    • OLDER MAIN CHARACTERS
    • OLDER WOMAN/YOUNGER MAN
    • PARANORMAL ROMANCE
    • PERSONAL GROWTH & SURVIVAL
    • POST-APOCALYPTIC
    • PSYCH-THRILLERS
    • RECLUSIVE HEROES
    • REVERSE HAREM
    • SECOND CHANCE ROMANCE
    • SINGLE DADS
    • SHELTERED HEROINES
    • STALKERS & OBSESSIVE LOVE
    • STRANDED & SURVIVAL
    • SUPER-ANGST
    • SUPER-HOT EROTICA
    • TEARJERKERS
    • UNCONVENTIONAL LOVE
    • UNREQUITED LOVE
  • EXTRAS
    • BOOK DEALS
    • HOW DO I FIND WHAT I’M LOOKING FOR?
    • READER RECOMMENDATIONS
    • READER QUESTIONS
    • READER CONFESSIONS
    • WHERE DID THIS AUTHOR GO?
    • AUTHOR INTERVIEWS
    • BOOK & AUTHOR NEWS
    • MARYSE’S SURPRISE FROM HER FAVORITE BOOK BOYFRIEND’S
    • BOOK SIGNINGS
    • MY TBR LISTS
    • EDITORIALS
    • MOVIE REVIEWS
    • PRODUCT REVIEWS
      • MAKEUP & SKIN CARE REVIEWS
  • EMAIL
    • EMAIL ME :)
    • ABOUT ME
    • MARYSE’S FAQ
    • REVIEW REQUESTS
    • JOIN MY NEWSLETTER
      • MY NEWSLETTER ARCHIVE
    • MY RSS FEED
      • JOIN MY RSS FEED
You are here: Home / My Book Reviews / Book Review – You Were There Too by Colleen Oakley

Book Review – You Were There Too by Colleen Oakley

July 10, 2020 By Maryse 2 Comments

You Were There Too

I just loved it. Eloquent writing, poignant yet relatable, but that had me on edge wondering WHAT was happening, the whole way through!! And what was going to happen?!! Oh yes, this one is so unique and explores all sorts of human issues (love and happiness, marital strife, depression, fertility problems, second guessing choices)… BUT one thing it explores that’s not-so-human. <— OH MY that one had me!!!!

Maryse: OOOOOH BLURB JOLT!!!! Especially that last line!! I one-clicked it SO HARD!!!

Kim: This is such a great book! I read it when it released and loved it ❤️

Megan: Great read!

Tiffany: It’s a good one, I enjoyed it

Maryse: I just started “You Were There Too” (loving the writing already) but GASP!!!!! The heroine thinks Keanu Reeves is mediocre??!!!!! *thud* 😑😒🤨

bev: That is just not ok.

Jan: Ha ha ha. That is just wrong.

Becky: I read this one last week. It’s so good!

D.G. Just finished “You Were There Too”. OMG…writing was great with ALL the feels in this one. Emotionally devastated.

Maryse: OMG D.G. I’m so thrilled you said that!! I keep hearing how awesome it is. Luckily I have a long weekend to dig into it properly. 🙂

Michele G: Are you still reading You Were There Too by Colleen Oakley? It’s so good!! I’ve been listening to the audio.

Harper: Is there cheating or a love triangle?

Maryse: I don’t know yet… eeeeeep!!!

Michele G: Harper, I would say *spoiler* *spoiler* – *spoiler* of a *spoiler*. It’s hard to explain without giving anything away. I finished it yesterday – buckle up Maryse, it’s an emotional ride!

Maryse: I’m in the last quarter!!! 😀 It’s SO GOOOOOD!

Michele G: Ohhhh get ready! It’s gonna get intense!

Maryse: YOU ARE SO RIGHT D.G. & Michele G!!! I just finished it too, and HOLY MOLY I didn’t see ANY OF THAT COMING!!!!!!!

I went on that blurb alone (total blurb jolt!!). Coupled with some adamant recommendations and I knew this was right up my alley. I wanted to feel the book as it happened, pure and at times… painful. I didn’t want any feeling of safety and prematurely “knowing stuff“, so I could experience it all, just like the heroine had to.

P.S. Michele’s comment up there wasn’t that spoilery, but not knowing ANYTHING – no training wheels – will have that much more impact, so I *spoilered* out some stuff.

I already love exploring a solid and loving couple that run across marital issues that they try to work through (and finding the truth behind the discord), but the strange monkey-wrench that was thrown their way really had me questioning how this would end.

So what’s it about?

Happily married Mia (an artist) and her husband Harrison (a surgeon) have just moved to a small town, and Mia is trying to get her happy mojo back. Thinking they needed to get away from city life, and “slow down” so as to better enjoy their lives together, sounded like a good idea at the time, but Mia’s not feeling it as much as she was hoping to.

Deep down, though, I know it’s not the space or the house that feels overwhelming, and suddenly I blurt out the one thing I’ve been terrified to admit—to myself, much less Harrison. “It doesn’t feel like this is where I’m supposed to be.”

“What do you mean?” she asks.

“I don’t know—I can’t explain it. But I keep thinking at any second we’re going to drive back to Philly. That our apartment is still waiting for us.

She’s haunted by a few issues, including her lack of inspiration, pregnancy worries, her artist dream job that just won’t come together, missing her old life, her overworked husband…

Though he said a smaller hospital would mean a slower pace, lately it’s seemed like the opposite is true.

and one thing that haunts her nightly. Her crazy-fun (sometimes crazy-scary) dreams, that star the same male stranger…

They’re not memories. They’re dreams. They’re just dreams. It’s not real.

And then one day, Mia is shopping for garden supplies, and there he is.

A man walks into the store. I freeze. A cold electric current runs from the base of my skull down my spine. My heart thuds once and then stops.

Maybe forever.

It’s him. And then, as if I’ve willed him to do it, he looks up, eyes locking with mine.

And when he sees her, he seems to recognize her too.

Oliver.

It’s as if learning his name has unlocked some treasure trove of stored dreams that I assumed had been lost forever, dissolved like sugar in water by the morning light.

They come rushing in like memories…

And that’s where I’m leaving it. The rest is for you to discover, and fret over, just like I did. And it was SO worth it. SO many hints, so many possibilities, and yet I never guessed it until it all came together.

I loved that most of the book is through her POV, with the occasional chapter being her husband’s. And even a couple of chapters devoted to the POV of a few side characters, that didn’t seem to be relevant enough at the time, but definitely added to my stress!! I mean… it had me wondering why we were in their heads at all… unless it was going to be something big?

Oh it all comes together and makes so much sense. Well, as much sense as something “out there” like this can make. 😉

In fact, I’m going to say… to give you an idea of the feel (the potential love triangle, or even greater meaning due to the connection BUT!!!! Not necessarily the same outcome, or the same *ahem* “thing” going on – so don’t let me put thoughts in your head) so here goes: If you loved Transcend by Jewel E. Ann, I think you’ll appreciate and LOVE this one too. At first for that “esoteric-connection” feel, but for all sorts of different reasons once it all comes together. 😀

I can’t believe I ever questioned it, even for a second.

It’s him.

It’s always been him.

4.5 STARS!!! I LOVED IT. I will say, this is not a “romance”. More of a love story/women’s fiction, but those are some of my favorite reads. And no matter what happened (or didn’t happen 😉 my lips are sealed) I was into it right to the very end! Trust me, my review gives NOTHING away, so don’t think “you think you know”. ‘Kay? 😉 Tee hee!!!

Filed Under: My Book Reviews Tagged With: 4.5 stars, love story, love triangle, pregnancy, pregnant, soulmate

Subscribe
Login
Notify of
guest
guest
2 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Heather Szuch
Heather Szuch
7 months ago

just bought it, I know what I’m reading this weekend!

Reply
Maryse
Maryse
Maryse's Book Blog
Reply to  Heather Szuch
7 months ago

Yay Heather!!! Let me know what you think. 🙂 *claps*

Reply

Primary Sidebar

My Facebook Page

Comments Box SVG iconsUsed for the like, share, comment, and reaction icons
Maryse's Book Blog
31 minutes ago
Maryse's Book Blog

Good morning and Happy Friday everyone!! A nice new list of new books and recommendations for us! 😀

TAKE A LOOK AT WHAT WE FOUND FOR THE WEEKEND!!

www.maryse.net/news/bargain-and-freebie-ebooks/friday-finds-reader-recommendations-03-05-2021.html
... See MoreSee Less

Good morning and Happy Friday everyone!! A nice new list of new books and recommendations for us! 😀TAKE A LOOK AT WHAT WE FOUND FOR THE WEEKEND!!https://www.maryse.net/news/bargain-and-freebie-ebooks/friday-finds-reader-recommendations-03-05-2021.html
View Comments
  • Likes: 1
  • Shares: 0
  • Comments: 0

Comment on Facebook

Maryse's Book Blog
20 hours ago
Maryse's Book Blog

Does anyone know this one?

Reader Question – The book about the CEO & the single mom that meet in a cafe and she needs a job…

... See MoreSee Less

Link thumbnail

Reader Question - The book about the CEO & the single mom that meet in a cafe and she needs a job... - Maryse's Book Blog

www.maryse.net

Reader Question – The book about the CEO & the single mom that meet in a cafe and she needs a job…March 4, 2021 By Maryse Leave a CommentMonica is looking for this book! This one sounds so sweet!!! I love single mom romances.She asks:Ok so in this book the opening scene is in cafe where hero met...
View Comments
  • Likes: 0
  • Shares: 0
  • Comments: 0

Comment on Facebook

Maryse's Book Blog
20 hours ago
Maryse's Book Blog

Reader Question… Solved! The reverse harem book about the online tutor that didn’t realize “he” was actually three different guys…

I KNEW IT!! 😀 How could I forget THAT blurb? 😉

... See MoreSee Less

Link thumbnail

Reader Question... Solved! The reverse harem book about the online tutor that didn't realize "he" was actually three different guys... - Maryse's Book Blog

www.maryse.net

Reader Question… Solved! The reverse harem book about the online tutor that didn’t realize “he” was actually three different guys…March 4, 2021 By Maryse Leave a CommentVeronica is looking for this one! AND I KNOW IT!! It DID just go live a week or so ago, and it was part of a recent new r...
View Comments
  • Likes: 0
  • Shares: 0
  • Comments: 0

Comment on Facebook

Maryse's Book Blog
21 hours ago
Maryse's Book Blog

READER QUESTION SOLVED!! This was the question: The reverse harem book where where the cook at the academy gives her a weapon to use against the guys...

(P.S. I posted the actual reader question post, in the first comment:)

...and THIS is the answer.

#AmazonAffiliate #CommissionsEarned #readerquestionsolved

AMAZON US: amzn.to/3e6fbp6
AMAZON CA: amzn.to/3c0q8G1
AMAZON UK: amzn.to/3qfvouv
AMAZON DE: amzn.to/3kMvhpm
... See MoreSee Less

Link thumbnail

Captured: A Reverse Harem Paranormal Academy Bully Romance (Academy of Vampires Book 1)

amzn.to

Captured: A Reverse Harem Paranormal Academy Bully Romance (Academy of Vampires Book 1)
View Comments
  • Likes: 2
  • Shares: 0
  • Comments: 1

Comment on Facebook

www.maryse.net/reader-questions/reader-question-the-reverse-harem-book-where-where-the-cook-at-th...

Maryse's Book Blog
2 days ago
Maryse's Book Blog

Another reader question!!! Have a guess for this one?

Reader Question – The series where he buys her a bed and throws away her old one and she’s livid!

➔
... See MoreSee Less

Link thumbnail

Reader Question - The book about the Hero who is married but is in love with her younger sister... - Maryse's Book Blog

www.maryse.net

Reader Question – The book about the Hero who is married but is in love with her younger sister…March 3, 2021 By Maryse Leave a CommentMonica is looking for this one! Oh what a tangled web this one is!!!!! This. Sounds. CRAZY!She asks:In this book there are two sisters.The elder one is going to ...
View Comments
  • Likes: 1
  • Shares: 0
  • Comments: 0

Comment on Facebook

Load more

About Me

Reading is my favorite! I love blogging about books, reviewing them, making "favorites lists" & reading order guides, & hearing your own 5-star recommendations to add to my TBR list! I love our virtual book club! 😀  [more about me]

Recent Posts

  • Friday Finds & Reader Recommendations – 03-05-2021
  • Reader Question – The book about the CEO & the single mom that meet in a cafe and she needs a job…
  • Reader Question… Solved! The reverse harem book about the online tutor that didn’t realize “he” was actually three different guys…
  • Reader Question – The series where he buys her a bed and throws away her old one and she’s livid!
  • Reader Question… Solved! The book about the Hero who is married but is in love with her younger sister…

QUICK LINKS:

➔ Book & Author News
➔ Latest Book Releases
➔ Maryse’s Book Blog FAQ
➔ Upcoming Book Releases
➔ My 5-Star Favorites
➔ My 4.5-Star Favorites
➔ My 4-Star Favorites
➔ All My Reviews
➔ Book Recommendations
➔ Reader Questions
➔ Reader Confessions
➔ Author Interviews & Tidbits

➔ Makeup & Skincare Chat
➔ Our Recipes & Kitchen Tools

BEST OF THE YEAR:

➔ My Best Books of 2020
➔ My Best Books of 2019
➔ My Best Books of 2018
➔ My Best Books of 2017
➔ My Best Books of 2016
➔ My Best Books of 2015
➔ My Best Books of 2014
➔ My Best Books of 2013
➔ My Best Books of 2012
➔ My Best Books of 2011

READER RECOMMENDATIONS:

➔ Books that stayed with you
➔ Unrequited Love Books
➔ Infidelity in Romance
➔ What to read after…
➔ Broken Book Boyfriends
➔ Slow Burn Romance
➔ Risqué & Forbidden Love
➔ Comedy Romance
➔ Favorite Audiobooks
➔ Authors’ Favorite Books
➔ Readers’ Top 2015 Favs
➔ Readers’ Top 2016 Favs
➔ Readers’ Top 2017 Favs
➔ Readers’ Top 2018 Favs
➔ Readers’ Top 2019 Favs
➔ Readers’ Top 2020 Favs

➔ All Our Favorites Lists

IN THE MOOD TO READ:

➔ Super-Angst?
➔ a Tearjerker?
➔ Unconventional Love?
➔ Love After Loss?
➔ Books w/ a Pregnancy?
➔ Friends to Lovers?
➔ Forbidden Love?
➔ Falling for a Celebrity?
➔ Men in Uniform?
➔ Gritty Biker Romance?
➔ Marital Strife?
➔ Unrequited Love?
➔ Mafia Romance?
➔ Barbarian Warlords?
➔ Arranged Marriage?
➔ Bossy Bullies?
➔ Older Main Characters?
➔ Comedy Romance?
➔ Office Romance?
➔ Second Chance Romance?
➔ Psych-thrillers?
➔ Historical Romance?
➔ Interracial Romance?
➔ Older Man/Younger Girl?
➔ Older Woman/Younger Man?
➔ Age Gap Romance?
➔ Audiobooks?
➔ Reverse Harem?
➔ A Broken Hero?
➔ A Short Story?
➔ Brother’s Best Friend?
➔ M/M Romance?
➔ Reclusive Heroes?
➔ A Nerdy Character?
➔ Fantasy Romance?
➔ Urban Fantasy?
➔ Paranormal Romance?
➔ Vampires?
➔ Shifters?
➔ Witches?
➔ Time Travel?
➔ Stalkers & Obsessive Love?
➔ What to read after…?
➔ Christmas Romance?

➔ The ENTIRE “What Are You In The Mood To Read?” Genre List

Recent Comments

  • Tasha J on Friday Finds & Reader Recommendations – 03-05-2021
  • Veronica Martin on Reader Question… Solved! The reverse harem book about the online tutor that didn’t realize “he” was actually three different guys…
  • Amaka on Reader Question – The series where he buys her a bed and throws away her old one and she’s livid!
  • Maryse on Reader Question – Looking for book recommendations where the husband rejected his wife, and is now trying to repent…
  • Maryse on Reader Question – The series where he buys her a bed and throws away her old one and she’s livid!

Archives

  • March 2021 (7)
  • February 2021 (48)
  • January 2021 (46)
  • December 2020 (58)
  • November 2020 (46)
  • October 2020 (60)
  • September 2020 (60)
  • August 2020 (49)
  • July 2020 (59)
  • June 2020 (62)
  • May 2020 (56)
  • April 2020 (61)
  • March 2020 (46)
  • February 2020 (50)
  • January 2020 (62)
  • December 2019 (48)
  • November 2019 (43)
  • October 2019 (53)
  • September 2019 (47)
  • August 2019 (48)
  • July 2019 (53)
  • June 2019 (50)
  • May 2019 (54)
  • April 2019 (47)
  • March 2019 (56)
  • February 2019 (40)
  • January 2019 (57)
  • December 2018 (41)
  • November 2018 (44)
  • October 2018 (47)
  • September 2018 (46)
  • August 2018 (44)
  • July 2018 (48)
  • June 2018 (45)
  • May 2018 (47)
  • April 2018 (45)
  • March 2018 (57)
  • February 2018 (44)
  • January 2018 (45)
  • December 2017 (45)
  • November 2017 (40)
  • October 2017 (42)
  • September 2017 (41)
  • August 2017 (43)
  • July 2017 (52)
  • June 2017 (42)
  • May 2017 (45)
  • April 2017 (41)
  • March 2017 (55)
  • February 2017 (48)
  • January 2017 (59)
  • December 2016 (44)
  • November 2016 (45)
  • October 2016 (60)
  • September 2016 (53)
  • August 2016 (50)
  • July 2016 (58)
  • June 2016 (57)
  • May 2016 (54)
  • April 2016 (56)
  • March 2016 (55)
  • February 2016 (51)
  • January 2016 (60)
  • December 2015 (51)
  • November 2015 (44)
  • October 2015 (64)
  • September 2015 (59)
  • August 2015 (59)
  • July 2015 (59)
  • June 2015 (56)
  • May 2015 (60)
  • April 2015 (56)
  • March 2015 (54)
  • February 2015 (50)
  • January 2015 (50)
  • December 2014 (45)
  • November 2014 (47)
  • October 2014 (50)
  • September 2014 (39)
  • August 2014 (51)
  • July 2014 (47)
  • June 2014 (61)
  • May 2014 (47)
  • April 2014 (40)
  • March 2014 (46)
  • February 2014 (41)
  • January 2014 (50)
  • December 2013 (66)
  • November 2013 (50)
  • October 2013 (61)
  • September 2013 (49)
  • August 2013 (61)
  • July 2013 (56)
  • June 2013 (50)
  • May 2013 (51)
  • April 2013 (49)
  • March 2013 (59)
  • February 2013 (61)
  • January 2013 (49)
  • December 2012 (66)
  • November 2012 (48)
  • October 2012 (49)
  • September 2012 (44)
  • August 2012 (51)
  • July 2012 (48)
  • June 2012 (41)
  • May 2012 (40)
  • April 2012 (42)
  • March 2012 (39)
  • February 2012 (29)
  • January 2012 (37)
  • December 2011 (41)
  • November 2011 (41)
  • October 2011 (45)
  • September 2011 (30)
  • August 2011 (37)
  • July 2011 (35)
  • June 2011 (29)
  • May 2011 (28)
  • April 2011 (40)
  • March 2011 (39)
  • February 2011 (40)
  • January 2011 (29)
  • December 2010 (29)
  • November 2010 (36)
  • October 2010 (31)
  • September 2010 (31)
  • August 2010 (22)
  • July 2010 (14)
  • June 2010 (14)
  • May 2010 (18)
  • April 2010 (21)
  • March 2010 (15)
  • February 2010 (14)
  • January 2010 (19)
  • December 2009 (14)
  • November 2009 (14)
  • October 2009 (25)
  • September 2009 (10)
  • August 2009 (22)
  • July 2009 (10)
  • June 2009 (35)
  • May 2009 (33)
  • April 2009 (49)
  • March 2009 (41)
  • February 2009 (5)

Tags

3.5 stars 4 stars 4.5 stars 5 stars age gap alpha males bad boys bikers billionaires bossy bullies celebrity romance cheating comedy romance contemporary romance dark read dark romance fighters forbidden love giveaway infidelity kidnapped love triangle mafia marital strife men in uniform motorcycle club new adult paranormal romance pregnancy psych-thriller psychological thriller reader favorites reader question reader recommendations rock stars second chance romance shifters solved sports stars super-angsty unrequited love unsolved urban fantasy vampires YA

Contact Me | About Maryse | Privacy Policy | © 2020 Maryse.net - Maryse's Book Blog |
I am part of the Amazon affiliate program, which is designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Other than potential affiliate link commissions, I receive no compensation for reviews. All opinions I have expressed are my own.

X
Welcome, book friends! My posts include affiliate links meaning I may earn commissions from Amazon or other companies for qualifying purchases. All opinions I've expressed are my own. ❤️