Dear Me

I didn't know that I was looking for something to make me laugh til I read Dear Me. I enjoyed it so much that I went on to read four other titles in quick succession - The Last of the Loudens, Rusty Logic, Just Jorie and Gloria's Inn. I didn't enjoy Gloria's Inn quite as much but that is largely due to two chain-smoking protagonists and I just can't cope with smoke...So, why do I like Dear Me and, by extension, pretty much everything else I've read by Robin Alexander?The novels I have read are romantic fiction and they are genuinely very, very funny. It took ages to look a fruit bowl straight in the face after 'Dear me' and, as the mother of a 13 year old son, 'The Last of the Loudens' brought back memories and left me grateful for the things my boy _didn't_ do. Just plain funny - without the constant aid of strong alcohol- seems to be an underpopulated niche in the Lesfic ecosystem.The protagonists are likeable and memorable. The are self-aware but not self-fixated.While each story is unique, there are some common themes. The stories celebrate imperfect families and they are comfortably intergenerational. The fondness that these characters have for their clans makes for very enjoyable reading. There are important exceptions to that rule, with some novels having family members that even the most generous of relatives would give up on. They counterbalance the lovable funny ones well.In the novels I have read so far, context is important and it is for the most part simple but well constructed. The story lines are gentle but well scripted and they give a good sense of place that is really accessible to the reader - I can open up and jump right in. For example, in 'Rusty Logic' the events take place in a neighbourhood in a small town. I feel I'd recognise the main street if I were there. Further, the use of local colloquialisms feels quite natural.The production values are fully engaged - there are very few editorial distractions. After reading a few Robin Alexanders, I would be confident looking out for other titles on Intaglio's list, in the belief that they would be equally well produced and edited.I won't be able to resist the next new Robin Alexander - and in the meantime am eagerly seeking out everything on her backlist.

I decided it may be easier to just 'cut & paste' what I wrote the author of this wonderful book. This is what I wrote to Robin Alexander regarding "Dear Me" ... or at least, bits of it."Robin,I’ve been ‘savoring’ (a.k.a. taking my time, when I have time) “Dear Me”. It’s YOUR BEST YET! I’ve needed it (or something like it) so much this past two weeks (a friend has 4th stage cancer, I’ve been spending A LOT of time at her bedside)! So, Thank You, I’m sure I’m not the only one who has thought, has had, one of your books bring light to dark.If able (no internet at home and my full schedule), I will try to post a review on Amazon. It’ll go something like this … This is Robin’s best yet in a series of good novels. She improves her writing, characters and stories with each new release (not to say she was or her previous novels were even CLOSE to being ‘bad’ or even ‘okay’—they were/are GOOD and keep getting BETTER).I may even just cut and paste some of this, save me much needed time and energy (for elsewhere). Anyway, I think I read in your acknowledgement or somewhere that you had a challenge getting a book started, finished, thought of or what have you. Well, I’m with your wife. Just keep at it, keep trying as it’s SO worth it for your readers, for me. Great job!Sincerely ,Barbara "SECOND EMAIL TO ROBIN ALEXANDER: "I stopped reading it this morning, I'm near the end, so I can get one more morning of "joy". This is the reason I BOUGHT it (or any of your books!)! Yes, I can and will read it again, BUT there's only ONE first time. I usually wait a day or two as well, to "re-read" something even if it's GREAT. It allows me a tiny distance, to absorb it then to kinda re-discover or discover something I MAY have missed the first time around. Hmmm, maybe I should just cut and paste all that I wrote you... something to think about ... nothing too revealing or embarrassing ....Thank you again. I can't 'do' that enough, it seems.Barbara"

Alexis and Stacy start out badly added to which, they had both experienced difficult breakups recently. It was an enjoyable journey to watch as events unfolded and characters were introduced, adding spices to the flavour in this interlude of their lives. Easy reading and a pleasant read.

I just have to come and say that this book equals therapy, difficult to feel any better when reading a book. I just can't stop laughing every time I go at a chunk of it, and now I need to think about where to pick it up again, which is the reason it's taking me way longer that it would have to finish it. It's just not cool to be laughing out loud, as in tears in my eyes, all the way from X to Z on the subway, nor on the beach, nor ... etceteraThen again it's not only about the comedy, which is absolutely friggin good (don't know where this author gets her kicks, but I'd want in on some of that!), it's also about the way this author portraits family and friendship bonds, and how she makes the main characters real people, flaws and all.In a sort of funky way, this author reminds me of Rita Mae Brown and Julia Watts all wrapped into one. Themes sort of overlap, laughs definitely overlap, and spirit for sure overlaps. A winner, right there. Even if I still haven't finished reading this one.

This book had me laughing so much. It's bloody hilarious. You will not regret buying this book that's for sure.

I'm not sure why, but lately I've been getting no more than a chapter (or less) through pretty much every book I've been picking up in this genre, and putting them straight back down, disappointed. So many of the more popular books right now come across as badly edited (typos, verbal diarrhoea, awkward sentence structure), amateurish to the extreme, boring, samey, or just plain bad. It's getting hard to find something good to read. Maybe I've become more choosy or discerning as I get older, or maybe self publishing - which I do think is a great idea - is filling the market with mediocre stories that people lap up regardless, or something else is at play. Whatever it is, it's getting frustrating.Which is why I am so thankful for writers like Robin (and a handful of others in the genre); writing stories properly constructed, with original thoughts and ideas. Creating characters that you can identify with rather than ones that baffle you with their idiocy or repeated, unimaginative reactions to endlessly regurgitated tropes.Thank the gods for stories like this one, in which I can laugh, I can dream, I can identify. Instead of just waiting for that moment when the ex-girlfriend shows up to screw things up without anybody actually sitting down to talk about it, or a ridiculous misunderstanding makes both leads act like complete imbeciles, or the characters become so unlikable you just want to throw the book out of the window, or an obstacle that most people in real life would deal with intelligently creates endless chapters of unnecessary, poorly written angst.I can't stomach those types of books anymore, but this one had me smiling. The writing is effortless to read; it's not clunky, overly verbose, trying too hard, or trying too little, it just works. The characters are likeable; people I would have no problem being friends with, or at least understanding. The story - though very simple - is well executed. No scene feels pointless or jarring. This book isn't going to set the world on fire, but it works within its field more than most. It delivers what you expect it to deliver. I'd give 5 stars, but I reserve 5 stars for books that not only entertain me, but books that blow me away, hit every mark, and tick every box.Suffice it to say, want more books like this one.

I didn't know that I was looking for something to make me laugh til I read Dear Me. I enjoyed it so much that I went on to read four other titles in quick succession - The Last of the Loudens, Rusty Logic, Just Jorie and Gloria's Inn. I didn't enjoy Gloria's Inn quite as much but that is largely due to two chain-smoking protagonists and I just can't cope with smoke...So, why do I like Dear Me and, by extension, pretty much everything else I've read by Robin Alexander?The novels I have read are romantic fiction and they are genuinely very, very funny. It took ages to look a fruit bowl straight in the face after 'Dear me' and, if you have a child, 'The Last of the Loudens' will leave you grateful for the things your child hopefully _didn't_ do. Just plain funny - without the constant aid of strong alcohol- seems to be an underpopulated niche in the Lesfic ecosystem.The protagonists are likeable and memorable. The are self-aware but not self-fixated.While each story is unique, there are some common themes. The stories celebrate imperfect families and they are comfortably intergenerational. The fondness that these characters have for their clans makes for very enjoyable reading. There are important exceptions to that rule, with some novels having family members that even the most generous of relatives would give up on. They counterbalance the lovable funny ones well.In the novels I have read so far, context is important and it is for the most part simple but well constructed. The story lines are gentle but well scripted and they give a good sense of place that is really accessible to the reader - I can open up and jump right in. For example, in 'Rusty Logic' the events take place in a neighbourhood in a small town. I feel I'd recognise the main street if I were there. Further, the use of local colloquialisms feels quite natural.The production values are fully engaged - there are very few editorial distractions. After reading a few Robin Alexanders, I would be confident looking out for other titles on Intaglio's list, in the belief that they would be equally well produced and edited.I won't be able to resist the next new Robin Alexander - and in the meantime am eagerly seeking out everything on her backlist.

Just what I have come to expect from Robin Alexander - a lovely story about two women, Alexis and Stacy, who meet and fall in love, including the obligatory cast of supporting characters, specifically Jason, the naturally lovely guy and future husband of Alexis's sister Alana, Allison (Alexis's sex mad mother) and Elise, (Alexis's grandmother who is trying desperately to be cool and 'hip'!).Throw in some stuffy, stuck up future in-laws, over-cuddly cats and a brief but amusing road trip, this book has the usual laugh out loud humour and romance you expect when reading one of Miss Alexander's books.As usual, brilliantly written and superbly edited. This book is highly recommended.

Thank you Robin I know you need time to write your books but it never quickly enough for me .As always I fell in love with all the character's as usual I laughed until I could not see for the tears. You hit the spot every time. The only complaint I have is that as usual I read so fast then it is finished the up side the next time I read it I will find lots of little treasures that I missed first time around If you love very good romantic comedy this is the book for you. cannot recommend this highly enough

This story is definitely as good as Robin Alexander's other story's, it was very romantic and hilarious! I love reading these stories as they make you laugh because you can relate to a lot of the incidents . I love this author as all of the stories are also different to each other and you don't read the same old stories ,each one is unique.