Review: I Was Told It Would Get Easier by Abbi Waxman

I Was Told It Would Get Easier by Abbi Waxman

Publisher: Berkley

Pages: 352

Format: eARC 

Buy the Book: Amazon 

Goodreads:  Jessica and Emily Burnstein have very different ideas of how this college tour should go.

For Emily, it’s a preview of freedom, exploring the possibility of her new and more exciting future. Not that she’s sure she even wants to go to college, but let’s ignore that for now. And maybe the other kids on the tour will like her more than the ones at school. . . . They have to, right?

For Jessica, it’s a chance to bond with the daughter she seems to have lost. They used to be so close, but then Goldfish crackers and Play-Doh were no longer enough of a draw. She isn’t even sure if Emily likes her anymore. To be honest, Jessica isn’t sure she likes herself.

Together with a dozen strangers–and two familiar enemies–Jessica and Emily travel the East Coast, meeting up with family and old friends along the way. Surprises and secrets threaten their relationship and, in the end, change it forever.

Kritters Thoughts:  Before even picking up this book, I was an Abbi Waxman fan and after reading this book, I am a complete and utter fan!  

A mother daughter story at the most pivotal moment of the relationship, the time where wings are growing and the bird is about to depart the nest.  Jessica and Emily are mother daughter and they are going on an east coast swing of college campuses to find Emily's future, but she isn't sure if college is the future for her.  At the same time, Jessica is also going through a crisis of sorts at her job fighting for the future of the young women at her law firm and her future and trying to decide what it will look like after motherhood takes a turn.  

First, I am a fan of this moment in life.  I think it is so interesting to dissect as parents and children are making a large transition and it is just difficult.  I am so glad that Abbi Waxman allowed both Jessica and Emily the opportunity to narrate the book; switching from one to the other and seeing their inner thoughts compared and contrasted to the other was just genius.  It made me laugh out loud a few times as it reminded me of the times where my mom and I have thought the same thing and only one of us said it and the other made very large gestures in agreement!

I loved this book so much that I pre-ordered it for my mom to read.  I need her to reminisce at this time that we went through and how it changed the course of our lives.  I think mothers and daughters should read this one together to laugh and remind themselves about the special relationship that they have and how the ups and downs are necessary for both to grow! 

Rating: absolutely loved it and want a sequel

  Ebook 2020 Challenge: 54 out of 100

Disclosure of Material Connection:  I received one copy of this book free of charge from Berkley.  I was not required to write a positive review in exchange for receipt of the book; rather, the opinions expressed in this review are my own.