Oakley keeps readers wondering 'will they or won’t they' about Mia and Oliver, while the emotional journey of infertility and the strain that it places on a relationship is realistic. Keep a box of tissues handy—the ending is a gut-punch that will leave readers who have invested in these beautifully drawn characters reeling. Fans of relationship fiction that explores women’s inner lives and choices by Jennifer Weiner or Amy Hatvany will be unable to put this book down.
... poignant ... a fascinating premise ... The inexplicable dreams, the tension between Mia and Harrison, the fortuneteller and Oakley’s breezy writing all encourage the reader to stick with the book, which tells a sad story to a bouncy beat. Full of misdirection and a few gentle red herrings, You Were There Too ends far more satisfyingly than you might expect ... the final meaning is huge, bittersweet and just the thing to happen in a place called Hope Springs.
Colleen Oakley’s main characters are reasonably developed but not particularly likable and occasionally feel stereotypical ... People sharing similar dreams is a fascinating and thought-provoking premise, and in her Acknowledgements, Oakley cites some research that provides a good scientific basis for this plotline. This proves to be the most interesting part of the novel...I wish there had been more of a focus on this issue ... readers most likely will be left with some lingering questions. While an explanation is eventually provided for Oliver’s dreams, there is no reasoning given for their romantic elements or why Mia also has these dreams. Also, would Harrison really have been so oblivious to the relationship developing between Mia and Oliver, including their trip out of town? ... a unique premise, but some will find the resolution less than satisfying. The ending is unnecessarily and unexpectedly sad, and may not sit well with those expecting a different kind of story.
Oakley blends an old-fashioned love story with a fresh psychic mystery for a satisfying look at commitment, forgiveness, and fate in this can’t-put-it-down story ... There is a splendid blend of humor throughout Oakley’s alternately romantic, idiosyncratic, and foreboding love-conquers-all tale that easily engages new readers and will please the author’s fans.
Oakley skillfully navigates several twists and turns, never settling for a predictable plot. The tension ratchets up quickly in the last third of the book as the characters hurtle toward the somewhat shocking event that finally reveals why Mia and Oliver are meant to be in each other’s lives. Readers expecting a simple happily-ever-after should look elsewhere, but those looking for a Me Before You–style sobfest are in the right place ... A heartbreaking and thought-provoking exploration of fate, love, and choice sure to bring on a few tears.
