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There are currently 31 member reviews
for Some of It Was Real
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maryg
Winning Story
Winning Story!
Part romance, part mystery, Some of it Was Real by Nan Fischer is hard to put down.
Sylvie is a psychic-medium. Adopted at age 6, Sylvie cannot remember her childhood prior to that time and is subject to recurring nightmares and panic attacks. Thomas is a journalist who is determined to prove that Sylvie is a fraud. The tragic accident that claimed the life of his father and brother has left his mother obsessed with trying to reach them on the other side and unable to move on with her life. Thomas hopes exposing mediums like Sylvie will end her obsession.
Their attraction grows even as he seeks to ruin her career and she maneuvers to stop him. The fact that they are both inherently kind and decent people leaves the reader hoping for a happy ending for both of them.
This is an extremely enjoyable book that will have you reading far into the night.
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Jennie R. (Highland, CA)
Such an enjoyable read…
This one was a quick read. I liked the stories behind the two main characters, Sylvia and Thomas, as well as the complicated interactions between the two of them. Thomas, a journalist, is almost desperate for a knock-it-out-of-the-park article to save his career, and Sylvie, a psychic-medium, has complex reasons for agreeing to helping him do research for the article. Chapters are alternately narrated by the two, which is a style I always enjoy reading. This book that really held my interest and interruptions in my reading made me a bit resentful! I couldn't wait to get back to it so I could discover what would unfold next. Thank you BookBrowse for the chance to read the ARC…I hope the author gets plenty of well deserved praise on this one!
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Rebecca G. (Havertown, PA)
Unexpectedly good
This is the first book that I've read in a while that I could not put down. On the surface, it's the story of two adversaries, Sylvie, a rising psychic-medium who may be a fraud and Thomas, a journalist, out to prove she is one. Thomas wants a story and challenges Sylvie to do her next show without the prep she usually does researching her audience to find those looking to connect to their loved ones. She agrees and they begin a weeklong journey seemingly to come to a conclusion about what Sylvie is really about. It's difficult, at times, to know who to root for; Sylvie, who actually helps people whether her gift is real or not or Thomas who is driven to expose the those he sees as charlatans who prey on people, like his mother, desperate to find peace. Their divisive journey becomes a shared goal as they work to discover Sylvie's past. In the end, they are two very broken people that discover the best in each other while becoming their true selves.
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Samantha H. (Golden, CO)
Compelling Plot and Intriguing characters
This book was hard to put down! Nan Fischer's book "Some of It Was Real" is an interesting combination of a mystery adventure and complex character development. Days later I still find myself thinking about this story. The two main characters set off traveling together, both with bad intent, filled with animosity and hate. As they delve into the past, they each end up sharing their basic humanity and vulnerability with each other even though their cross-purposes continue. An intriguing, engaging read.
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Susan L. (Alexandria, VA)
More Than a Romance
This romance is about more than just falling in love. It tells the story of two flawed people driven by their past and ambition. Pitted against each other, they find redemption in the truth and in acceptance. I quite enjoyed the book and will look for more by this author. Her story and characters pulled me in and kept me turning pages.
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Peggy T. (Richardson, TX)
Some of It Was Real
This is not a romance although there is a relationship. It is more of a dual coming of age in early adulthood for two people, each with a traumatic past. There is also a family saga involved for each of them. Along with some very poignant animal companion moments. I did cry at one point.
It took me a little while to really get into this book but then I was hooked and finished most of in one reading. It was a very compelling, fulfilling story.
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Amy S. (Tucson, AZ)
"Some of It" Really Rang True
A very funny thing happened to me days before I sat down to read "Some of It Is Real". I was asked to be a palm reader at a Mardi Event that would raise money for student scholarships. How could I say no, right? The only problem was that I had no idea how to read palms and just a week to prepare.
I opted to go the "not so serious" route, so I wasn't at all surprised that Thomas' character was out to prove psychics are con artists. In fact, I was amazed by his research into the methods psychics may use to be more effective, such as checking the social media accounts of attendees. This was an aha moment for me, like discovering how a magician actually does his tricks. And in my own role as a palm reader, I couldn't help chuckling at the people who told me I was spot on or that I gave them goosebumps.
Yet... haven't we all experienced a tingling sensation at some point in our lives, or known something, or felt or seen something that we can't rationally explain?
The author did an excellent job of bringing both sides of the argument to a "happy medium", or at least, she opened the door for me to be more open and imagine the possibilities.
I struggled with the secrets kept about who Syvie really was and how deeply conflicted her relationship with her adoptive parents was. That wasn't as genuine to me as the exploration of her craft. However, the message about following your true passions and trusting who you are was a definite strength and a point very well received.
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