You Knew Me When by

You Knew Me When

Two former best friends get a second chance to make things right in this emotional debut novel from the award-winning author of Some Women.

Katherine Hill left her small New England hometown in pursuit of a dream. Now, twelve years later, she’s a high-powered cosmetics executive in Manhattan and a much glossier version of her former self, unrecognizable to her family and old friends. Not that she would know—she hasn’t been home in over a decade.

Laney Marten always swore she’d never get “stuck” in Manchester, Vermont. No, she was destined to live out her glamorous big-city dreams. Instead, she wound up a young wife and mother. That was when her best friend ran out.

When Katherine receives word of an inheritance from former neighbor Luella Hancock, she reluctantly returns home to the people and places she left behind. Tethered to their shared inheritance of Luella’s sprawling Victorian mansion, Katherine and Laney are forced to address their long-standing grudges. Through this, they come to understand that while life has taken them in different directions, ultimately the bonds of friendship and sisterhood still bind them together. But are some wounds too old and deep to mend?

Reviewed by pagesbycyndy on

5 of 5 stars

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my thoughts:

I did not want this book to end! This is the type of book that I love to read, strong friendship, love and reconciliation along with a great plot. Katherine aka Kitty Kat leaves behind a small New England town , her best friend and boyfriend for  the glamorous New York City and an even more glamorous job. I love NYC and the thought of a high-powered career in a cosmetics company. I liked and related to Katherine much more that Laney, while I did like Laney, I was rooting in Katherine's corner the whole time. The setting , small town Vermont and the plot, best friends now enemies, was great. I loved the small surprises along the way as well. Laney's boss Tina was one of those characters you love to hate and want to see get what is coming to her. Luella, the rich older neighbor who left Laney and Katherine the inheritance was one of those characters you wished you knew but unfortunately you cannot, however the author writes her character so well that you feel like she is with you.

The book ends on a nice note with a few surprises. I hope to read more from this author soon.

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Reading updates

  • Started reading
  • 23 May, 2016: Finished reading
  • 23 May, 2016: Reviewed