***I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.***
A psychic on the verge of stardom who isn’t sure she believes in herself and a cynical journalist with one last chance at redemption are brought together by secrets from the past that also threaten to tear them apart.
Psychic-medium Sylvie Young starts every show with her origin story, telling the audience how she discovered her abilities. But she leaves out a lot—the plane crash that killed her parents, an estranged adoptive family who tend orchards in rainy Oregon, panic attacks, and the fact that her agent insists she research some clients to ensure success.
After a catastrophic reporting error, Thomas Holmes’s next story at the L.A. Times may be his last, but he’s got a great personal pitch. “Grief vampires” like Sylvie who prey upon the loved ones of the deceased have bankrupted his mother. He’s dead set on using his last-chance article to expose Sylvie as a conniving fraud and resurrect his career.
When Sylvie and Thomas collide, a game of cat and mouse ensues, but the secrets they’re keeping from each other are nothing compared to the mysteries and lies they unearth about Sylvie’s past. Searching for the truth might destroy them both—but it’s the only way to find out what’s real.
Some of It Was Real by Nan Fischer is one of my top books of 2022. When I received the ARC, I thought it would be a fun, light romance that I was sure I would enjoy, and it was that, but so much more! I just loved this mix of romance, suspense, and mystery all with wonderful writing and unique characters.
Sylvie Young is just starting to become famous as a psychic-medium. She has sold out events and a television show offer. She tells her audience about how she discovered her abilities. She doesn’t tell the that her parents died in a car crash when she was very young, or that she doesn’t speak with her adoptive parents anymore. Or, that she can’t remember a thing before she was adopted at the age of six.
Thomas Holmes, a reporter for the LA Times, is writing an article about “grief vampires”, and it’s personal for him. His last story was a disaster and he has something to prove. Also, his widowed mother spends her time visiting physics and mediums in a desire to connect with her late husband and find closure. He needs to prove that Sylvia is a fake, which shouldn’t be too hard as he doesn’t believe any psychics are real.
Thomas wants to know Sylvia’s background for his article, but she doesn’t remember anything before she was six years old. They make a deal to work together to try and find out her history. Sylvia wants to prove to Thomas that her gifts are real.
I was very surprised by this book. I knew it would be good, and I expected a light romance with some issues, but I didn’t expect such a well-rounded story with mystery, suspense, and a lot of heart-wrenching emotion. The mystery of Sylvia’s background was fascinating to follow. Thomas and Sylvia both have great reasons to stay away from each other, but I enjoyed the slow-burn romance as they worked together, and sometimes worked against each other.
I also liked how the author kept me on the edge of my seat. Both Sylvia and Thomas are trying to manipulate each other to prove their own points, and I never really knew who (if anyone) was being truthful, or who has something to hide (or not?) Does Sylvia have the gift? If she does, how can she prove it to Thomas? What happened to Sylvia during the first 6 years of her life? Why do her parents no longer talk to her? Why does Thomas dislike Sylvia’s profession so much? And so many more questions!
I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys women’s fiction and romance. I received a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
About Nan Fischer
Nan Fischer is the author of Some Of It Was Real (July 2022, Berkley Publishing), and the young adult novels, When Elephants Fly and The Speed of Falling Objects. Additional author credits include Junior Jedi Knights, a middle grade Star Wars trilogy for LucasFilm, and co-authored sport autobiographies for elite athletes including #1 ranked tennis superstar Monica Seles, Triple Crown race winning jockey Julie Krone, Olympic gold medal speed skater Apolo Anton Ohno, legendary gymnastics coach Bela Karolyi, and Olympic gold medal gymnasts Nadia Comaneci and Shannon Miller. Honors include:
Two-time Oregon Book Award Finalist
Parade Top 20 Most Anticipated Books
#1 on Bookstr’s Top 15 Unputdownable YA Reads
The Culturalist Top Ten Most Anticipated YA Books
Hypable Books You Can’t Afford to Miss!
Bookstr 10 Amazing New YA Books Adults Will Love, Too
Missouri Gateway Reader Award Nominee
Hypable 15 Best YA Novels of 2019
Buzzfeed Most Anticipated Contemporary YA New Releases
A graduate of Cornell University and former Traveling Writer for Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus and Senior Campaign Writer for The University of California, San Francisco, Nan’s articles have appeared in Harper’s Bazaar, Reese Witherspoon’s Hello Sunshine, The Huffington Post, Powell’s Book Blog, YA Books Central, Germ Magazine, Hypable, and School Library Journal.
Nan lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband, Henry, and sometimes vorpal, but always lovable, Vizsla, Boone. When she’s not conjuring a story or reading, Nan can be found hiking, biking, kitesurfing, skiing or planning her family’s next adventure.
This book was not on my radar at all, Wendy. I don’t think I have seen any other reviews for it, but you have definitely piqued my interest. I am going to see if my library has this one.
I wouldn’t have expected this story to have so much either, but now I’m totally intrigued by it. Definitely one to keep in mind. Excellent review, Wendy!
This book was not on my radar at all, Wendy. I don’t think I have seen any other reviews for it, but you have definitely piqued my interest. I am going to see if my library has this one.
This sounds like a really fun book. I’m going to put it on my TBR. Thanks for sharing!
It sounds an interesting read, you’ve made it sound appealing in your review!
Thank you, Jenn!
Reposted this comment to fix my website address: This books sounds really intriguing and I’m going to check it out.
This sounds intriguing!
The mystery element does sound interesting. I’m already wondering what did happen to her before she was 6. Great review, Wendy🙂🐶
Sounds interesting. I can see how much you enjoyed it. Great review, Wendy.
This sounds like an entertaining and well-rounded read with something for everyone. Great review Wendy.
Fantastic review! Sounds interesting.
I just added this one to my tbr today! Happy to see you enjoyed it. It definitely sounds like one I’d like. Great review!
I would’ve never considered this book, but it does sound really good and I always like a bit of mystery in my romances. Nice review, Wendy!
Love the sound of this, the story seems to have lots of depth.
Great review! So glad you loved this one!
It’s always amazing when book exceeds your expectations. We’re happy that you found one of your favorite reads of 2022.
Awesome review Wendy. I don’t know how I missed this one. It sounds perfect.🤗📚💞
One of your favorite reads for the year so far?? I’m definitely taking a look at this one.
Great review Wendy! I can see you loved this book!
Elza Reads
I love the whole psychic angle in this one, and both Sylvie and Thomas sound like fun characters. I think I’d really like this one. 😀
I’m glad you loved this one so much. Great review!
Great review Wendy. This sounds like the sort of story I’d enjoy.
I wouldn’t have expected this story to have so much either, but now I’m totally intrigued by it. Definitely one to keep in mind. Excellent review, Wendy!
This one sounds really interesting! Definitely going on the TBR.
Great review, I really want to know if she does have a gift now 😊