I Liked My Life (Fabiaschi) - Book Reviews

Book Reviews
The opening line for Abby Fabiaschi’s novel is a winner — ”I found the perfect wife for my husband” — and the two paragraphs that follow reveal a good deal about Maddy as she spells out the qualities of the woman who should replace her. That beginning sets the tone for I Like My Life. It’s smart, very smart: the prose, humor, and insights are sharply honed yet blunted with just the right amount of compassion.  READ MORE …
Molly Lundquist - LitLovers


I Liked My Life is… impossible-to-put-down.
Associated Press


First-time novelist Abby Fabiaschi unwinds a tale wholly compelling, altogether believable and, at times, so heartbreaking it’s hard to believe she isn’t already an established author. She demonstrates excellent timing and perfect control over the complicated narrative and never allows it to drift toward maudlin. She leaves readers a trail not of breadcrumbs, but gold coins that are irresistible. And the ending, while perhaps a bit neat and tidy, is entirely unexpected. All in all, I Liked My Life is an…impressive debut.
Kim Curtis - AP / Washington Post


An absolutely stunning book! I Liked My Life is a layered tale with meaningful things to say about life, death, grief and moving forward after tragedy…remarkable.
Romance Times Reviews


A heartbreaking and ultimately heartwarming read about life, death, and family (A Best Winter 2017 Book).
PopSugar


As Fabiaschi employs ever more convoluted narrative machinations to hide a big twist at the end, the story loses the emotional impact it needs to maintain a connection with the reader. As such, it’s hard to grieve along with Eve and Brady, and the disparate plot elements don’t fully come together.
Publishers Weekly


(Starred review.) Simultaneously heartbreaking and heartwarming, this hard-to-put-down, engrossing debut will have readers wondering until the very end. It examines life and death, despair and faith, parenthood and marriage, the choices we make, and, most of all, love—making it a perfect choice for book clubs. —Catherine Coyne, Mansfield P.L., MA
Library Journal


(Starred review.) Readers will be enveloped by the emotional impact of Fabiaschi’s writing. Warm and hopeful, this marvelous debut stands next to novels from Catherine McKenzie and Carolyn Parkhurst in taking the reader on the emotional rides that define marriage and family.
Booklist


Fabiaschi's even tone and her characters' bright intelligence inspire empathy and, for the most part, keep the proceedings away from the maudlin. Great pains are initially taken to explore the main theme: tragedy often has no reason, and those experiencing it must contend with the reasonlessness as well as the loss.... An earnest effort from a natural storyteller.
Kirkus Reviews


I Liked My Life nonetheless is an affirmation of love and the ability to survive grief and find joy again. Book clubs in particular will take delight in the wealth of emotion to ponder from this talented new voice.
Shelf Awareness