You and Me and Us by Alison Hammer (Review by Missi Gwartney)

Rating: 3.8 out of 5 stars

Have you ever been completely caught off guard with news that would ultimately change your life? This is exactly the situation that Alexis faces in Alison Hammer’s new book, You and Me and Us, when her life (and future) turns into nothing that she imagined. Through her own self-discovery, relying on her closest friendships, and a desire to find her inner strength, Alexis’s journey will leave the reader with a new perspective on just how short life can be and maximizing every given opportunity.

While trying to prove she could balance both work and home life, Alexis has become more of a workaholic than she intended. However, since Tommy has always been by her side she never worried about “running” the household and knew their daughter, CeCe, was always taken care of. Things change in an instant when Tommy receives a terminal diagnosis and Alexis is left to deal with both grief and regret. Now with what seems like the weight of the world on her shoulders, Alexis tries to be the wife and mother she wanted to be before it’s too late. Can Alexis find the strength to be the mother CeCe needs and is there a way to move forward when the “glue” that has held your family together for so long, won’t be there anymore?

When this book came with a package of tissues, I knew I was in trouble. I am already a very “sensitive” reader and it’s not uncommon to find me in tears while reading. I enjoyed this book and loved the sweet relationship between Tommy and both Alexis and CeCe, even though at times it felt a little too good to be true. The book flips back and forth between Alexis and CeCe as narrators and it was interesting to read both an adult and teenage perspective. While the storyline of this book was predictable and I knew what was coming, I found myself wishing for a miracle or some amazing twist even though I don’t think that was what the author intended for this book. A great story about overcoming mistakes, the importance of relationships, and making the most of every day made me think deeply about what I want to embrace in life and never to take any opportunity for granted.