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Ask Again, Yes
Ask Again, Yes: A Novel | Mary Beth Keane
A profoundly moving novel about two neighboring families in a suburban town, the friendship between their children, a tragedy that reverberates over four decades, and the power of forgiveness. Francis Gleeson and Brian Stanhope are two NYPD rookies assigned to the same Bronx precinct in 1973. They arent close friends on the job, but end up living next door to each other outside the city. What goes on behind closed doors in both housesthe loneliness of Franciss wife, Lena, and the instability of Brians wife, Anne, sets the stage for the stunning events to come. Ask Again, Yes by award-winning author Mary Beth Keane, is a beautifully moving exploration of the friendship and love that blossoms between Franciss youngest daughter, Kate, and Brians son, Peter, who are born six months apart. In the spring of Kate and Peters eighth grade year a violent event divides the neighbors, the Stanhopes are forced to move away, and the children are forbidden to have any further contact. But Kate and Peter find a way back to each other, and their relationship is tested by the echoes from their past. Ask Again, Yes reveals how the events of childhood look different when reexamined from the distance of adulthoodvillains lose their menace, and those who appeared innocent seem less so. Kate and Peters love story is marked by tenderness, generosity, and grace. I devoured this astonishing tale of two families linked by chance, love, and tragedy. Mary Beth Keane gives us characters so complex and alive that I find myself still thinking of them days after turning the final page. A must-read. J. Courtney Sullivan, author of Saints for All Occasions Mary Beth Keane is at the height of her powers in this novel about the sacrifices we make when we choose to build a life with someone. In Ask Again, Yes Keane tells a story about the fragility of happiness, the violence lurking beneath everyday life, and, ultimately, the power of love. If youve ever loved someone beyond reason, you will love this wise, tender, and beautiful book. Eleanor Henderson, author of Ten Thousand Saints
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Erin.Elizabeth10
Ask Again, Yes: A Novel | Mary Beth Keane
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Pickpick

I forgot to review this one when I finished it, so I‘m reviewing it a bit late. This is one of those stories that spans families and generations. I didn‘t love it, but it was pretty solid and could make a good book club pick for discussion.

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Deblovestoread
Ask Again, Yes: A Novel | Mary Beth Keane
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#12DaysofChristmas #Day7

I loved this neighborhood family drama.

@Andrew65

Andrew65 Coming together nicely. 10mo
38 likes1 comment
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MindyK59
Ask Again, Yes: A Novel | Mary Beth Keane
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Pickpick

I thought this was a good book. If you like to read family drama this book definitely had it. Two cops live next door to each other with their families. Their son and daughter are very close. A tragedy occurs between the two families that changes all of their lives. The son and daughter eventually marry and what happened many years earlier continues to affect them.

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Itchyfeetreader
Ask Again, Yes: A Novel | Mary Beth Keane
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Pickpick

Gosh this was all kinds of beautiful. So cleverly wittten from multiple voices and managing time skips to cover most of a lifetime of experience I really enjoyed this. The characters in this story - 2 immigrant cops who end up as neighbours;their children‘s lives and the outcome of a tragedy are well drawn and incredibly human. A reflection on mental health, trauma and also the power of love this is hopping up my top reads of the year

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melissajayne
Ask Again, Yes: A Novel | Mary Beth Keane
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Pickpick

4⭐️ I really quite liked the overall story. Was chosen as a #bookclub read and read it while I was on my Oregon/Mt. St. Helen‘s trip. Definitely for those that like #familydrama ‘s. I think one reason that I enjoyed it was that it felt realistic and felt like the author really had in mind what she wanted to write. Didn‘t blow my mind by any means, but was engaging enough for me to stick with the book and enjoy it.

28 likes1 comment
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Deblovestoread
Ask Again, Yes: A Novel | Mary Beth Keane
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Pickpick

#Booked23 #Neighbors

I Loved this book about family and so much more. 5 🌟

Cinfhen Lovely choice 🙌🏻 1y
62 likes1 comment
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BoleyBooks
Ask Again, Yes: A Novel | Mary Beth Keane
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Tackle the TBR 🤓📚
#boleybooks #AskAgainYes #marybethkeane #bookbeast #bookjoy #mustread #bookbuds
What are you reading? 😊

Suet624 Big Swiss 2y
BoleyBooks @Suet624 stacked it! 😊 2y
BookNAround Down Here We Come Up by Sara Johnson Allen. It doesn‘t even have an Amazon page yet! Due out in August from Black Lawrence Press. 2y
BoleyBooks @BookNAround I‘ll keep an eye out for it in August.😊 2y
45 likes1 stack add4 comments
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Geemom1118
Ask Again, Yes: A Novel | Mary Beth Keane
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Another first time author for me. I love experiencing all the first time authors because you can get more favorites to read. #5 of 2023

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peanutnine
Ask Again, Yes: A Novel | Mary Beth Keane
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Bailedbailed

All the interconnected families and different perspectives from family members were very interesting at first but it started to drag. And as the families grew up and apart there were so many things to cover and it was becoming too much drama. It got to the point where I realized it wouldn't bother me if I didn't know what happened so I might as well just stop reading and not waste my time 🤷🏼‍♀️

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marleed
Ask Again, Yes: A Novel | Mary Beth Keane
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Pickpick

I first read this book in June 2019. Tonight I host my IRL bookclub for the first time since sometime before that June. All I remembered of this book was that I liked it a lot and what the title meant, so I thought I best give it a reread. Well, I still like it a lot and I‘m humbled - all the way to the last page without recalling the story.

marleed Oh yea, and I remember how similar the covers to these books were the summer I first read them. 2y
MyNamesParadise I absolutely loved Ask Again Yes! It makes for good audio too! 2y
marleed @MyNamesParadise I remember loving the audiobook and driving down to B&N for my own physical copy by midpoint. I think that‘s part of why I‘m so humbled I forgot the story. I kept believing the next chapter would open up my mind to the former experience but my mind is obviously too cavernous! Proves though that rereads are good for me! 2y
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MyNamesParadise @marleed I listened to the audiobook on cd from the library and then when i was in target I saw where it was a novel selected for their book club and I got that edition! I would love to revisit that story. You need to read We Are The Brennans by Tracy Lange!! Very similar feel and I couldn‘t put it down!! 2y
marleed @MyNamesParadise Oh I read that one too and liked it - and have a physical copy! I‘m a sucker for a family drama! 2y
MyNamesParadise @marleed yeah when I saw it in Barnes & Noble in paperback I grabbed it up! It was that writer‘s first book so I will be on the lookout for future ones! 2y
64 likes1 stack add6 comments
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AuntCourtney
Ask Again, Yes: A Novel | Mary Beth Keane
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Some of my favorites right here 🥰

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Aims42
Ask Again, Yes: A Novel | Mary Beth Keane
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Hopping on this fun game before I get too behind! Thanks @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks


#alphabetgame #letterA #letterB #letterC

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Thank you for playing!! 2y
44 likes1 comment
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BethHagey
Ask Again, Yes: A Novel | Mary Beth Keane
Pickpick

****

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peacegypsy
Ask Again, Yes: A Novel | Mary Beth Keane
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I can‘t stay away from the headphones on this one!

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KindleAddict
Ask Again, Yes: A Novel | Mary Beth Keane
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Mehso-so

This book was pretty slow, it really held my interest at points, I kept waiting for something great to happen but it never did and the ending was just anticlimatic

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Smartypants
Ask Again, Yes: A Novel | Mary Beth Keane
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Mehso-so

A pretty slow start, but overall a decent story about two Irish families in the northeast that must overcome tragedy together.

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Karmapen
Ask Again, Yes: A Novel | Mary Beth Keane
Mehso-so

I felt like the pacing was off on this one, and quite frankly I just didn‘t really like anyone that much. But the story was engaging enough to keep reading?

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Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks
Ask Again, Yes: A Novel | Mary Beth Keane
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Eggs Stacked ❤️📚🥰 3y
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carol2585
Ask Again, Yes: A Novel | Mary Beth Keane
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Pickpick

Read the entire review in the comment section

Ask Again, yes! Is a slow paced family drama which revolves around two neighbours the Gleesons family and the Stanhope family, the strong bond of friend between their children and how the tragedy of one night changed their lives forever. The book talks about many things like friends, love, mental health issue and how family history can effect one‘s currently life.
#augustread #askagainyes

carol2585 This book has been on my tbr for pretty some time now and I finally decided to read it.

Ask Again, yes! Is a slow paced family drama which revolves around two neighbours the Gleesons family and the Stanhope family, the strong bond of friend between their children and how the tragedy of one night changed their lives forever. The book talks about many things like friends, love, mental health issue and how family history can effect one‘s currently life.

I was only going to give this book a 3 star rating at first, but ended up giving it one extra only because I was able to finish it. Though well written, its slow pace made it very boring at times. The characters were likeable but I thought the author should have done more justice to them.

The book is divided into 4 parts, the first part was quite interesting, while the remaining three just felt flat. However, the author was able the create some sort of mysterious build up in the 3rd and 4th part, which urges the reader to hang on in the hope that there would be a twist, only to be disappointed at the end. There are so many questions that were unanswered, which according to me, should have been played around with to add some sort of twist to the story like where was Brian Stanhope that night it all happened and why did he not stop her? I think that the character of Brian Stanhope should have been more developed rather than going completely silent.

Is it only me who want the know where Brian was? Or do others also feel the same? Feel free to leave a comment

Overall, a family drama with a happy ending!
3y
9 likes1 comment
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ashleyn
Ask Again, Yes: A Novel | Mary Beth Keane
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Pickpick

Such a good read, touching on so many heavy topics. Who Francis and Kate were throughout the story were my favorites but I also loved Lena's quiet but fierce way of loving and caring for her family. Highly recommend! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

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Bookwormjillk
Ask Again, Yes: A Novel | Mary Beth Keane
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Pickpick

This was a really sad book, but it was told with empathy. Good on audio.

BkClubCare Oh good to know- I need more “good on audio” recs. Thx! 3y
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BookBr
Ask Again, Yes: A Novel | Mary Beth Keane
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Mehso-so

I just found this book so overwhelmingly sad I could barely stand it. It may be unfair to so-so it when obviously the writing was powerful enough to strongly affect me, but there it is. Even though the final chapters were clearly meant to portray hope and a sense of peace, it didn‘t work for me. I‘ll put it in the LFL and try not to think about it.

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BookBr
Ask Again, Yes: A Novel | Mary Beth Keane
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I picked this up for the LFL, but thought I‘d give it a read first…

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rather_be_reading
Ask Again, Yes: A Novel | Mary Beth Keane
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Mehso-so

I really enjoyed this book but there were some parta that just went on. I almost bailed. I liked the complex family dynamics and how they navigated them.

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rather_be_reading
Ask Again, Yes: A Novel | Mary Beth Keane
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Book 86

Court_Nay Such a great pick! 3y
rather_be_reading @Court_Nay ive heard great things1 3y
41 likes1 stack add2 comments
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KarinWestbrook
Ask Again, Yes: A Novel | Mary Beth Keane
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I picked this book up tonight knowing it was going to be a difficult read. It‘s a tragedy to me that children grow up neglected and often alone, much like Peter in the story. *
*
When I read this quote, it made my heartache for the little boy who has to walk on pins and needles everyday of his life as he does not know which mother he will be getting that day.*
*
Mental health, anxiety, depression and Post partum are real and painful for everyone.

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rachaich
Ask Again, Yes: A Novel | Mary Beth Keane
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Pickpick

Brilliant book, thoroughly enjoyed all of it and would recommend to many different people 😊😊😍

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rachaich
Ask Again, Yes: A Novel | Mary Beth Keane
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This is great, I keep thinking about it and then carrying on.

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rachaich
Ask Again, Yes: A Novel | Mary Beth Keane
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Really getting into this saga like tale, weaving two families and a multitude of characters.

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Judybskt
Ask Again, Yes: A Novel | Mary Beth Keane
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Pickpick

Loved this!

emz711 Beautiful flowers! 4y
Judybskt @emz711 thank you! They‘re from my garden. I planted a lot of bulbs last Fall. 4y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Beautiful 💛💙 3y
33 likes3 comments
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Judybskt
Ask Again, Yes: A Novel | Mary Beth Keane
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Next up for book club!

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JenReadsAlot
Ask Again, Yes: A Novel | Mary Beth Keane
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Pickpick

I thought this was so good! #bookspinbingo Got a Bingo too! @TheAromaofBooks

TheAromaofBooks Yay bingo!!! 4y
TheNerdyProfessor I really enjoyed this one! I hope she writes another soon! 4y
36 likes1 stack add3 comments
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Rachiiebookdragon
Ask Again, Yes: A Novel | Mary Beth Keane
Pickpick

A very interesting book, I think this book and its plot will stay with me 😊🤔 Read for a prompt for the #PopSugarReadingChallenge2021 4/5

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DHill
Ask Again, Yes: A Novel | Mary Beth Keane
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Just started this novel of tragedy, grace and forgiveness and already I want to know how the story unfolds.

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candority
Ask Again, Yes: A Novel | Mary Beth Keane
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Pickpick

This is a fantastic novel about two families whose lives are deeply intertwined over the course of four decades. It features strong and realistically flawed characters, difficult topics handled with care (such as mental illness, alcoholism, and so many others), and overall, it is just really well crafted. It is a quiet novel – one that moves slowly and that you need to settle yourself into, but once you do, it is well worth the read. 4.5⭐️

candority This was my #DoubleSpin book for February, finished two days late! @TheAromaofBooks 4y
TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!!! 4y
Tamra I love quiet - often code for rich character development. 😁 4y
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candority @Tamra Definitely! I love quiet books too 😊 4y
MyNamesParadise I listened to the audiobook of this and it was so good!! The narrator did a fantastic job. I bought the book after listening to it. 4y
candority @MyNamesParadise I went back and forth between reading and listening! I agree though, the narrator was fantastic! 4y
142 likes1 stack add6 comments
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Kris10H
Ask Again, Yes: A Novel | Mary Beth Keane
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Pickpick

My Rating: 5/5
I found this novel to be well thought out and well written. The characters were very believable, in that they were so stunningly...human. As always, I am very interested in people, and understanding why and how they become who they are. This story provided a cross-generational narrative that explains just that of its characters.

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Kris10H
Ask Again, Yes: A Novel | Mary Beth Keane
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crhealey
Ask Again, Yes: A Novel | Mary Beth Keane
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Pickpick

When you are trying to limit your grocery trips once again but you haven‘t eaten all day, it‘s time for a #breakfastfordinner feast.

Liked this book a lot but feel I still didn‘t understand Peter by the end. It felt like they set up his struggles like “well it‘s obvious, look at his parents” & while that‘s fair, I feel there was a lot more to explore.

However, this was so engaging which I‘m so glad about after my last fiction read fell flat.

crhealey ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 4y
14 likes1 comment
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bio_chem06
Ask Again, Yes: A Novel | Mary Beth Keane
Mehso-so

I read this for my book club and I was hoping for a little more. This is the kind of story that makes me take a break from nonfiction fora while. I‘m probably in the minority for how I feel about this book, but it‘s only a so-so for me.

JeffyRoo I'd agree. It was a good family drama (wow) but I kept waiting for it to GO somewhere. For there to be some sort of conclusion. I found it a bit unsatisfying. 4y
bio_chem06 @JeffyRoo I got all the way to the end & was thinking, if her dad was clearly able to make it via cab to watch the children, why did they take the risk of having the mother in law do it? It‘s not like rehab was a secret to Francis. Clearly it was to put closure to all these relationships, but I found it so pushed. I was annoyed with the storyline. 4y
12 likes2 comments
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RenePenn
Ask Again, Yes: A Novel | Mary Beth Keane
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Current audio. The weekend has been super busy with little time to listen, but looking forward to picking up tomorrow during drive time.

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cariashley
Ask Again, Yes: A Novel | Mary Beth Keane
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Pickpick

I loved this. It reminded me of Ann Patchett in the best way, but was also its own thing entirely. I‘m a sucker for an NYC cop theme since it‘s what I grew up with (but don‘t get me wrong, we need to #defundthepolice). #botm

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cariashley
Ask Again, Yes: A Novel | Mary Beth Keane
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Just had that bizarre frisson of recognition while reading fiction. This *is* my in-laws. I read these lines to my husband and he said “Wow. That‘s my dad.” Maybe it‘s a NY suburb thing for this particular generation.

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Yahui07
Ask Again, Yes: A Novel | Mary Beth Keane
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Pickpick

It is slow through one third of this book and getting better. 4 stars out of 5.

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cariashley
Ask Again, Yes: A Novel | Mary Beth Keane
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Happy place with my newest read, taking advantage of this gorgeous weather while I can. Book is good so far! #vineyardreads

JanuarieTimewalker13 Beautiful !!! 4y
JenReadsAlot I love visiting wineries! 4y
Cathythoughts So lovely ✨ 4y
64 likes3 comments
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BlueBowBooks
Ask Again, Yes: A Novel | Mary Beth Keane

Engaging and well-told story.

1 like1 stack add
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Chab256
Ask Again, Yes: A Novel | Mary Beth Keane
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Mehso-so

I actually finished both my goal reads for #SuperSeptember ! Transcendent Kingdom and Ask Again, Yes were similar in that they were both more character driven than plot driven and both dealt with mental illness, addiction and family trauma, but I was much less engaged with Ask Again, Yes. It wasn't bad, but it was slow moving and didn't hold a candle to Transcendent Kingdom.
⭐⭐⭐