I Thought You Said This Would Work: A Novel

(Paperback)

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A road trip can drive anyone over the edge-especially two former best friends-in bestselling author Ann Garvin's funny and poignant novel about broken bonds, messy histories, and the power of forgiveness. Widowed Samantha Arias hasn't spoken to Holly Dunfee in forever. It's for the best. Samantha prefers to avoid conflict. The blisteringly hones

Reviews

Despite dealing with some heavy topicscancer, widowhood, and the impending birth of a first childGarvins (I Like You Just Fine When Youre Not Around) book is laugh-out-loud funny. Library Journal Both humorous and incredibly heartfelt, [I Thought You Said This Would Work is] a feel-good story that will stay with you long after the final page. BookTrib A charming exploration of female friendship and cancers uncanny ability to put perceived slights into perspective[I Thought You Said This Would Work is] a testament to the power of ones own voice and the mistruths in the stories we tell ourselves, and an introspective, heartwarming, and witty farce. Booklist Its a hoot! BookTrib Garvin does excellent work in balancing the heartbreaking realities of illness and the unfair hands we are often dealt with goofy, laugh-out-loud moments that leave readers wanting more. Erie Reader Ann Garvin writes brilliantly about women. Good Morning America Equal parts hilarious and heartfelt, I Thought You Said This Would Work kept me reaching for tissuesfrom laughing so hard. This book is a pure delight. Colleen Oakley, USA Today bestselling author of You Were There Too Ann Garvin navigates the twists and turns of female friendship like few writers working today. I Thought You Said This Would Work is at once profound, hilarious, and ridiculously entertaining. Her best novel yet, I didnt want it to end! Karen Karbo, New York Times bestselling author of Yeah, No. Not Happening. Laughter, tears, and an unforgettable cast of characters: I Thought You Said This Would Work has everything I love, so its no surprise that I adored this novel. Ann Garvins latest, about three unlikely allies on the road trip to end all road trips, is the sort of life-affirming story we all need right now. I cant recommend it highly enough. Camille Pagn, bestselling author of This Wont End Well Ann Garvin knows how to find the ooey-gooey center of your emotions to make you laugh, cry, and hoot in appreciation. I Thought You Said This Would Work celebrates female friendship in all its complicated glory. Read immediately, curled up with a furry friend and hot cup of coffee. Amy E. Reichert, author of The Kindred Spirits Supper Club Anyone who has ever known the healing power of lovefrom friends both two-footed and fourwill fall hard for Garvins latest book. Like the road trip at the heart of its story, I Thought You Said This Would Work surprises [and] thrills at every turn. Gretchen Anthony, bestselling author of Evergreen Tidings from the Baumgartners and The Kids Are Gonna Ask I Thought You Said This Would Work is a heart-breaking and hilarious story of how we rescue each other. Its a great, big, generous, warm-hearted page-turner about best friends and love and loss and forgiveness and dogs, told with absolute honesty and humor. You couldnt ask for more from a novel. Lauren Fox, author of Send for Me Road trip! Three women embark on a breakneck, cross-country adventure in this wholly original story of friendship and old misunderstandings, love and devastating loss. Filled with Garvins signature humor and heart, this book takes the reader on a wild ride with rescued pets, romantic possibilities, and one highly-charged secret. Amy Poeppel, author of Musical Chairs No one captures the human condition in all its complexity, humor, and magnificence quite like Ann Garvin. I Thought You Said This Would Work is a relatable story about the complexity of female friendship, its evolution through the years and the people who are always there no matter what. In the pages of her approachable and inspirational new novel, Garvin is at the height of her distinctive, transportive storytelling powers. You will laugh, cry, and find yourself rushing back to the page whenever you have to walk away. Kristy Woodson Harvey, USA Today bestselling author of Feels Like Falling Nobody captures the nuances of friendship like Ann Garvin. I Thought You Said This Would Work features incredibly relatable characters who rely on old friends to help them muddle through the challenges of midlife with humor and grace. Despite long-held grudges and jealousy, this is a tale of sacrifice and devotion (and dogs!), and the importance of feeling truly known. Christina Clancy, author of Shoulder Season

Author Bio

Ann Garvin, PhD, is the USA Today bestselling author of I Like You Just Fine When Youre Not Around, The Dog Year, and On Maggies Watch. Ann writes about women with a sense of humor who do too much in a world that asks too much from them. She teaches writing at the University of WisconsinMadison Continuing Studies and at the Drexel University master of fine arts program, and she has held positions at Miami University and Southern New Hampshire University in their master of fine arts programs. She is the founder of Tall Poppy Writers, where she is committed to helping writers succeed. She is a sought-after speaker on writing, leadership, and health and has taught extensively at conferences and festivals across the country. For more information on Ann and her work, visit www.anngarvin.net and www.tallpoppies.org.