Ask Again, Yes: A Novel Hardcover – May 28, 2019

"They'd both learned that a memory is a fact that's been dyed and trimmed and rinsed so many times that it comes out looking almost unrecognizable to anyone else who was in that room...".THIS BOOK. My heart. All the feels, all the tears - I could not put the story down! The characters were so real, the writing so good, and the story so compelling that it is moments like these that I am so happy books exist, and feel so lucky to have had the opportunity to read this one in particular. "They'd both learned that a memory is a fact that's been dyed and trimmed and rinsed so many times that it comes out looking almost unrecognizable to anyone else who was in that room...".THIS BOOK. My heart. All the feels, all the tears - I could not put the story down! The characters were so real, the writing so good, and the story so compelling that it is moments like these that I am so happy books exist, and feel so lucky to have had the opportunity to read this one in particular..This story is ultimately about Peter and Kate, neighbors from birth who seem destined to be together. However, a terrible event occurs that separates Peter and Kate at a young age. This event isn't something that's easy to get over as the rippling consequences affect so many people in very profound ways..ASK AGAIN, YES is a slow burn and very character-driven. These are my favorite types of books; I find that novels with interesting and "real" characters stay with me much longer than books with fast plots. I can't imagine I'll ever forget Peter's story; he truly touched my heart..Now it's time to go read everything Mary Beth Keane has ever written!

I want to start by saying I loved this book. It really truly was good. It starts by following two police officers as they start their careers, marriages, and eventually move in next to each other. From then on, we mainly follow their children who naturally grow up as best friends with each other as neighbors. This story pulls you in and makes you want to go straight to the end to find out how Kate and Peter end up. I read this book in about two days because I couldn’t wait to learn more about Peter and Kate both individually and together. They both deal with so many problems throughout their lives that are so realistic and it really tugs at your heartstrings at some points. This was also an interesting opportunity to think about how poorly mental health was handled during this time and what proper treatment could really do.My only issue with this book is the last quarter. I found it to be predictable and it just didn’t grab my attention the way the first 3/4ths did. It continued to deal with realistic issues but it just didn’t feel as great as the start of the book. I also didn’t understand why the beginning of the book and even the book description went on about Lenas loneliness and how she just wanted to leave, but it was never addressed again and she was just the perfect doting wife the rest of the book. Even though I liked her character the rest of the book, It didn’t really add up.Overall, I really enjoyed this and recommend it, I just wish there was little more something to the ending.

Amazing book!

5/10 (C+) ABOVE AVERAGEI am starting to realize that family drama may just not be my thing. It was well written and I can find no real fault with the story or the writing. It bounced back and forth a bit in mid conversation but not so much that i couldn't follow along. I wouldn't minding reading another type of book written by Keane but I don’t think I would recommend this one unless I knew this was the type of book that the person liked. This isn't my first family drama that others liked that I didn't enjoy - enter THE NEST by Cynthia D'Aprix Sweeney. This one was better than THE NEST, but it still never fully succeeding in pulling me into the story and I found myself picking up my phone or watching TV after each chapter, not anxious to read another.What I did very much like about this novel is that it explores what mental illness that is not treated can do to a family and the individuals that make up that family unit and I think it handled that subject very well.My favorite quote:"They'd both learned that a memory is a fact that's been dyed and trimmed and rinsed so many times that it comes out looking almost unrecognizable to anyone else who was in the room."