You and Me and Us

The heartbreaking, yet hopeful, story of a mother and daughter struggling to be a family without the one person who holds them together—a perfect summer read for fans of Jojo Moyes and Marisa de los Santos.

Alexis Gold knows how to put the “work” in working mom. It’s the “mom” part that she’s been struggling with lately. Since opening her own advertising agency three years ago, Alexis has all but given up on finding a good work/life balance. Instead, she’s handed over the household reins to her supportive, loving partner, Tommy. While he’s quick to say they divide and conquer, Alexis knows that Tommy does most of the heavy lifting—especially when it comes to their teenage daughter, CeCe. 

Their world changes in an instant when Tommy receives a terminal cancer diagnosis, and Alexis realizes everything she’s worked relentlessly for doesn’t matter without him. So Alexis does what Tommy has done for her almost every day since they were twelve-year-old kids in Destin, Florida—she puts him first. And when the only thing Tommy wants is to spend one last summer together at “their” beach, she puts her career on hold to make it happen…even if it means putting her family within striking distance of Tommy’s ex, an actress CeCe idolizes.

But Alexis and Tommy aren’t the only ones whose lives have been turned inside out. In addition to dealing with the normal ups and downs that come with being a teenager, CeCe is also forced to confront her feelings about Tommy’s illness—and what will happen when the one person who’s always been there for her is gone. When the magic of first love brings a bright spot to her summer, CeCe is determined not to let her mother ruin that for her, too.

As CeCe’s behavior becomes more rebellious, Alexis realizes the only thing harder for her than losing Tommy will be convincing CeCe to give her one more chance.  

You and Me and Us is a beautifully written novel that examines the unexpected ways loss teaches us how to love.

My Review

Grab the tissue box and be prepared to cry. I knew I would but I still was not prepared. In fact, I had to stop reading until my tears stopped flowing. This is what happens when you become so invested in the characters that they become more then just people in a book. It is almost as if they were people I have known for years.

This book is mainly told through Alexis and CeCe's voices. You could feel the family dynamics as Alexis, CeCe, and Tommy's lives were torn apart by Tommy's cancer diagnosis. As the story played out; I could see where Alexis and CeCe's relationship fell apart. In a way, if it has not been for Tommy's cancer diagnosis; Alexis and CeCe may never have repaired their relationship.

I read this book within a matter of hours. Yes, you read this right "hours". Once I started reading, I could not stop. I was swept away into this story. Alexis and CeCe's voices resonated with me. You and Me and Us is a must read. Author, Alison Hammer intertwines this story with reader's hearts to make this story a heart tugging book that will stay with you long after you have finished the last page.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Founder of the Every Damn Day Writers online group, Alison Hammer has been spinning words to tell stories since she learned how to talk. A graduate of the University of Florida and the Creative Circus in Atlanta, she lived in nine cities before settling down in Chicago, where she works as a VP creative director at an advertising agency. You can follow Alison on Twitter (@ThisHammer) and Instagram (@ThisHammer), and learn more at http://www.alisonhammer.com/.