3.5 stars ( )

How to write a review of a friend's novel? I want to meet Gwen and see her fall in love and watch the face of the lucky guy who realizes he's won her heart. I want to hear Francie sing. I want to have a long conversation with Willa because we'd probably laugh all the way through it. I have a few things I'd like to say to Cooper. I want to hear Max tell one of his stories. I want to see Eve's studio and watch her create something beautiful out of paper and ink and metal. I want to have a glass of wine or three with these folks and sing and wander around Savannah with them at 3:00 AM.

"This is a happy story." ( )

Patti Callahan Henry, one of my favorite southern authors—having read ALL her books, she once again produces a winner with THE STORIES WE TELL! 4.5 Stars

Henry creates an intriguing story of Eve Morrison, a preacher's kid who grew up to marry the handsome, smart, wealthy and charming Cooper Morrison. What more could a southern belle want, right?

Southern couples love to put on pretenses and sometimes lead double lives. It is what they do, they hide behind secrets in order to keep up appearances. Which is the case with this stunning couple. Cooper runs an exclusive magazine and Eve has her own printing company. Now that they have been married for some time, things start unraveling.

Eve's sister, Willa has returned to Savannah, and staying in their guest cottage. When she and Cooper are involved in a car accident, and Willa cannot speak for herself, Cooper puts the blame on her for being drunk. You see, Willa has no memory of the accident due to the brain injury, so Eve accepts her husband’s account of the accident.

However, things do not add up—Eve brushes her doubts to the back burner, not wanting to accept her husband is a liar and her life may not be as perfect as she wants to believe. How long will it take her to uncover the truth?

Henry dives into the complexities of this relationship, the raw feelings and emotions. Family and relationships are tested between Eve, Willa, Cooper and Max, her co-worker. Is anyone being honest about their true feelings?

As usual, Henry has developed rich characters, which readers will relate to on this journey from pretenses to reality. Loved Eve’s character, as she is a strong and successful woman and steps out of her comfort zone to face the realities of her life, even when it may be safer to hide behind the mask of what others see—she is a wife, mother, and sister.

A powerful story of marriage, secrets, lies, suspicion, trust; and those who crave family, friendship, and love, will enjoy Patti’s storytelling of this riveting and emotional THE STORIES WE TELL. We all tell a story; however, which story --the real or fake one? A story of the human heart with twists and turns keeping you turning into the wee hours of the morning.

Fans of Diane Chamberlain, Mary Alice Monroe, Joshilyn Jackson, Susan Rebecca White, Wendy Wax, Karen White, Emilie Richards, and Mary Kay Andrews (some of my favorites) will thoroughly enjoy this compelling tale.

Having lived in Atlanta most of my life, prior to moving to South Florida, always enjoy a compelling drama based in Georgia, and oh Savannah Henry definitely knows the ways of the south for a satisfying read!

Unfortunately, was out of town this week, as would have loved to join Patti Callahan Henry (THE STORIES WE TELL) and Mary Alice Monroe (THE SUMMER WIND), at the Margaret Mitchell House in Atlanta- for an evening with these two favorites Southern authors ---with their new summer releases (read them both)…highly recommend! http://judithdcollins.booklikes.com/post/917397/the-stories-we-tell


Love PCH's new Website! http://www2.patticallahanhenry.com/

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One wonders how Eve managed to live the life she did (with that husband) for so long but of course, it all fit right into the story of trying to find herself---the book flows right along and has just enough confused mystery to make you, as well as Eve, want to know "the truth." I like the way Henry writes and I'm surprised that this is the first book of hers that I have read--she has written a lot so there is much more ahead for me. ( )

Eve is a poor girl from the wrong side of the tracks in Savannah when she marries the rich Cooper Morrison. His family never fully accepts her but she makes a good life for him and their daughter Gwen, At the beginning of the novel, Eve and Cooper have been married for 21 years, he runs a successful on line magazine, she runs a successful printing company, her only sister Willa lives in a cottage on their property and their daughter is a typical teenager. All of that changes when Cooper and Willa are in a car accident together and Willa is sustains a brain injury. After that, Eve begins to question the accident and the differences in the story that she is hearing from the two of them. The novel is about the unraveling of the perfect marriage and the perfect life - or were they ever really perfect in the first place and can that life be saved. A very good book by a fantastic author. Not to be missed. ( )