I'm Fine and Neither Are You

By: Camille Pagán

Narrated by: Amy McFadden

Length: 8 hrs and 2 mins

Publisher's summary

A Washington Post and Amazon Charts bestseller.

Honesty is the best policy...except maybe when it comes to marriage in this brilliant novel about the high price of perfection from bestselling author Camille Pagán.

Wife. Mother. Breadwinner. Penelope Ruiz-Kar is doing it all - and barely keeping it together. Meanwhile, her best friend, Jenny Sweet, appears to be sailing through life. As close as the two women are, Jenny’s passionate marriage, pristine house, and ultra-polite child stand in stark contrast to Penelope’s underemployed husband, Sanjay, their unruly brood, and the daily grind she calls a career.

Then a shocking tragedy reveals that Jenny’s life is far from perfect. Reeling, Penelope vows to stop keeping the peace and finally deal with the issues in her relationship. So she and Sanjay agree to a radical proposal: both will write a list of changes they want each other to make - then commit to complete and total honesty.

What seems like a smart idea quickly spirals out of control, revealing new rifts and even deeper secrets. As Penelope stares down the possible implosion of her marriage, she must ask herself: When it comes to love, is honesty really the best policy?

©2019 Camille Pagán. (P)2018 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

Critic reviews

“A poignant novel that explores truthfulness and boundaries in friendship, marriage, and more. With relatable characters and a realistic plot, this character-driven novel will have readers wondering if honesty really is the best policy.” --Booklist

“A tale of friendship, this novel offers insight into the complexities of women’s lives and how one woman learns to deal with it through the pain of loss and heartache and come out on top.” --New York Journal of Books

“Camille Pagán’s novels are compulsively readable, and her latest may just be her ultimate page-turner. Smart, witty, and exacting, I’m Fine and Neither Are You examines the high price of perfection and the rewards of getting real - even when doing so jeopardizes your most important relationships. I loved it.” --Sarah Jio, New York Times bestselling author

It was so-so..

I think the idea of the storyline was great. It didn't have too many moments within it though that kept me "on the edge of my seat" interested. I mean, it was good. But, not superb by any means. Also, I really didn't care for the narrator - but that's personal preference really.

Glad I got it

Great story. I listened to this book super fast because I felt so invested in it and needed to know what would happen to the characters. At one point I thought it wouldn’t end “happily” but it did and not i an overly cliche fairy tale way. The story was well developed and left no loose ends.

wonderful story about family and real life

amazing story about a friendship, a marriage, parenting, real life, depression, and other issues. The story is about things that aren't normally talked about it was such a wonderful time he really felt like you knew the characters by the end and could put yourself in their shoes

"I'm Fine..." was "Meh"

I read "I'm Fine and Neither Are You" for my book group. I don't even remember what the book is about.

loved it

I loved it, finished in a day! I found it relatable and empowering while having a good story line and believable character arcs.

True to form until the end

The author does an excellent job describing the inner workings of co-living life with a spouse — the incidental distance that occurs as a result of managing a household with kids and the loneliness we feel in marriages. I took issue with the “high horse” the protagonist takes as she takes on a healthier approach to life. I did not like how she brow beat her best friend’s husband and told him how to live his life after his wife’s death. Grief is tricky and I did not appreciate the “right” “wrong” dialogue. I also did not think it was realistic the the main character’s husband instantly switched from an underfunctioning spouse to a fully-formed spouse who knew exactly what he needed to fix. I wish all marriages were that easy to fix with instant self-realization. However, it is an excellent read with heroic female leads. A book that will ring true for some.

I'm Fine and neither are you

Great book, the feelings and emotions are real. Penny's struggles mimics every day life which brings this book to life

AMY MCFADDEN brings another book to life . . .

CAROLINE PAGAN is a part of the lucky authors' club who gets to have her work brought to life by the narration of AMY MCFADDEN! I'M FINE AND NEITHER ARE YOU is a brilliant account of what someone thinks after a tragedy befalls her friend. I have also recently gone through the exact same situation and the thoughts running through the main character's head are spot on with what has gone through mine during this heartbreaking time. On top of it all, her marriage is in need of attention-- once again something I have also gone through. I had to pause several times to wipe tears and get myself ready to continue listening. You won't be disappointed in this book.

Thank you for helping me realize that I'm not broken, Caroline.

Missed the mark again..especially with a sensitive problem

The issues behind opioid abuse are so important..I've been through it with my son, he was addicted to heroin and through the years I've seen tragedy after another. But Penelope, the POV narrative is not the right character for this book. No spoilers but Jenny is Penelopes best friend, you don't hear from her, only her husband, basically because of her ’accidentally overdose’ Penelope pretty much has a nervous breakdown which effects her marriage, children & Jennys husband. They are no longer a foursome. But the biggest thing the author Camille Pagan does NOT DO is bring insight to addiction, at that point I was truly disappointed‼️

If the POV by Penelope had taken this real problem in all forms, we the reader would have had insight into this real problem‼️

I felt as if Penelope couldn't get past, by any means WHY, OR HOW her best friend did this to her, NOT Jenny, NOT Jenny's husband or her children‼️In fact, at one too many times, Penelope questioned Jennys husband ON THE WHY’S & she wasn't taking into consideration HIS FEELINGS..it was a book of selfish means with everyone because Penelope couldn't get past what Jenny did to her⁉️ Gosh that pissed me off‼️

And here's what the book is supposed to be about: a storyline of a marriage gone stale..sorry but this is the third book I've listened/read by Camille Pagen, her writing is great, but ALL of them seem to lose what they're supposed to be about⁉️ I really, really wanted to like, this book, and I did finish it, always finish books even if you don't like or agree with them..any author needs the feedback. Yet again, I couldn't give it more than a few stars..Hint: Stop making the POV a victim or the typical same 5-minute ending ”and everything worked out fine” Sorry this book and ending needed more than a chapter written, and lastly..wasn't this supposed to be about a fixing a relationship⁉️ I can honestly tell you, wonderful readers, I had to reread the last 3 chapters 4X because I kept asking myself ”There has to be something I missed..didn't i..i feel like I watched can movie...OH FYI: I truly love Any McFadden as the narrator she's a bit sing-song, but I do like her..no complaints with her ❤️

Overall 3 stars..very painful and not enough for the reader

Pretty good

I enjoyed this book but I found the main character, Penelope, a little whiny. Her frequent episodes of jealousy were irritating as well. I can’t stand it when people can’t fully celebrate other people’s accomplishments because they are always thinking about themselves.