Life as I Know It

by Melanie Rose

Book Overview

Single, independent and carefree Jessica meets a dreamy stranger at the height of a thunderstorm. Elsewhere, caught out by the same storm, Lauren struggles with a decision which could change her life,... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 038534399X
• ISBN13: 9780385343992
• Release Date: February 2010
• Publisher: Bantam
• Length: 368 Pages
• Weight: 0.60 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.4" x 8.0"

Customer Reviews

Excellent, creative story - Could hardly put it down!

I really enjoyed this book. The breezy style of writing was wonderful and the pages just flew by, I could hardly put it down! Her dialogue was quite excellent, I could really picture Jessica. I loved the story line and how things worked out, with some twists on minor plot lines that were nice to see. While a few things were a tad bit contrived, all in all, I would recommend this book wholeheartedly for a fun, 'light' read. Reminded me a bit of Claire Cook's books, like Must Love Dogs or Wildwater Walking Club, which I also think of as 'light' page turners.

Not your average chick lit.

I thought Life as I Know It was a unique story. I've read something similar before, but this was different enough that it didnt feel like i was rereading the same book. I loved the characters and it would be nice to read a sequel! I'm looking forward to reading more from Melanie Rose.

Good Read!

This plot has been done before, I will admit, but it was a fun read! It was written very well, with unexpected twists and characters that were easy to get attached to. I very much liked the ending!

subtle profound tale

Jessica Taylor is walking her dog Frankie when the rain turned ugly with wind, lightning and thunder. She struggles to leave the Downs when a Labrador runs up to them. A man catches up to her and the two canines. He thanks her as his dog got loose and offers her a ride. She feels lightning strike her heart as Jessica falls in love at first sight; only lightning literally strikes her body leaving her dead. Jessica awakens n a hospital in which everyone calls her Mrs. Lauren Richardson, wife to Grant and mother of four children (Sophie, Nicole, Toby and Teddy). The kids are well behaved, but Jessica feels their sadness as order is their life. She loves each of the children especially brain damaged Teddy and connects with Lauren's sister Karen who she confides in that her memories are that of single in love Jessica Taylor and not that of mother and wife Mrs. Lauren Richardson. On the surface Life As I Know It is a lighthearted romp that compares a single career woman with a married mother. However, Melanie Rose's contemporary is actually much deeper with a subtle profundity that stuns the audience even with knowing how the tale will end. The light touch enhances the sobering finish that will have readers understand the real intent is not comparing lifestyles, but instead making a powerful case that being a woman means sacrificing personal desires to make a better life for loved ones. Harriet Klausner

Reviews from Brizmus Blogs Books

The story behind "Life As I Know It" is actually kind of cool. Apparently, it was originally self-published, but it got so much hype that Harper Collins eventually took notice, and now it's being published by a major publishing firm. Pretty neat, right? After reading it, I can see what all the fuss was about. It starts off when a woman, Jessica, is struck by lightning. As a result, she finds herself leading two completely different lives in two separate bodies. While this premise isn't necessareily new or unique, Rose brings it to life in a fresh and fun kind of way that feels exciting and new. Jessica takes her new double life in stride, and while she definitely struggles with it, I was duly impressed by her take-charge, "do the best that I can given the circumstances" attitude. She deals with things so well that it's hard to truly believe, which in the end made this book fun and easy-to-read while at the same time being slightly sad and slightly depressing. I was entranced/captivated as Rose seamlessly moved from one life to the other, and I found myself greedily turning page after page, wondering how events from one life would affect the other, extraordinarily curious about the outcome of things. While this book was heartwarming and fun, I think I loved it so much for the sense of hopefulness it instilled in me and for the sense of comfort I felt from its predictability. Even though there was really no other way things could have turned out, I was still curious about the outcome and quite pleased when things turned out as they did. The ONLY problem that I had with this book was that it sometimes took itself too seriously, trying to delve deeper than a book like this is capable of delving. And then it jumped over some of the more difficult topics that I wanted to hear more about, saying "don't even try thinking about it." This chick-lit novel is a great, simple read for adults and teens alike. I think most readers, like me, will find it impossible to put down.