Then Came You by Jennifer Weiner

Then Came You by Jennifer Weiner

Summary: The lives of four very different women intertwine in unexpected ways in this new novel by bestselling author Jennifer Weiner (Then Came You; Best Friends Forever). Each woman has a problem: Princeton senior Jules Wildgren needs money to help her dad cure his addiction; Pennsylvania housewife Annie Barrow is gasping to stay financially afloat; India Bishop yearns to have a child, an urge that her stepdaughter Bettina can only regard with deeply skepticism until she finds herself in a most unexpected situation. Interlocking dramas designed to ensnare; bound to be a bestseller.

THEN CAME YOU by Jennifer Weiner

Publisher: Atria
Pages: 400
Format: Hardcover
Publication Date: July 12th 2011

REVIEW: THEN CAME YOU, Jennifer Weiner’s 9th book, is probably one of her strongest to date. She uses her trademark skills of bringing the complicated thoughts, issues and struggles of women to life on the page. Weiner has a knack for amazing dialogue and descriptions that ring true and her humor is a constant presence. There isn’t a fake, forced or phony tone in any of her writing. In THEN CAME YOU Weiner explores the sensitive issues of infertility, egg donation and surrogacy, while also delving into the more universal issues surrounding marriage, family relationships, alcoholism, regret, and love. Each chapter is told from the point of view of a different character and as the story unfolds, the roles that each woman will play in the life of another is revealed. Annie, a stay-at-home mom, married her high school sweetheart and is now raising her 2 boys. She decides to become a surrogate to help her family out of their current financial problems. Jules, a recent Princeton graduate, decides to donate her eggs to a fertility clinic hoping that the money she gets can go towards helping her sick father. India is a trophy wife. She recently married a wealthy older man and decides to have a baby. When she can’t concieve naturally, she turns to surrogacy. Each individual story is woven together when Bettina, India’s stepdaughter, decides to investigate India’s past.

Weiner has never written a “perfect” character and this is why so many people love and relate to her novels. She writes about flawed individuals and doesn’t try to force sympathy from her readers. She allows the reader to enter the minds of these characters and decide for themselves if they like or dislike them while the story unfolds.  Weiner brings us into the journey of these four women and makes it almost impossible to put this book down.

Jennifer Weiner is an amazing writer and THEN CAME YOU is one of the most richly layered novels she has written. I can’t wait to see what topic she tackles next.

 

Bookfinds

Bookfinds Editor. Book Reviewer.

2 Comments

  1. Quite a few years ago, a friend told me Weiner’s her favorite author, so I tried one of her books. It didn’t wow me, so I haven’t tried another. I’m beginning to think I read the wrong book. I think I need to give Weiner’s work another chance.

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