April Epner teaches high school Latin, wears flannel jumpers, and is used to having her evenings free. Bernice Graverman brandishes designer labels, favors toad-sized earrings, and hosts her own tacky TV talk show: Bernice G!
But behind the glitz and glam, Bernice has followed the life of the daughter she gave up for adoption thirty-six years ago. Now that she's got her act together, she's aiming to be a mom like she always knew she could. And she's hurtling straight for April's quiet little life.
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"This was a quick and fun read. I liked the mood set by the author. The characters have personalities that many people will find familiar. Lipman is insightful in the way she communicates the relationships she uses."
— Lynn (4 out of 5 stars)
“A novel that has you so thoroughly captivated that you’ll stay up to finish it, no matter how early your clock is set to start beeping…Warmhearted, witty.”
— People“A bright, lively, and funny look at an eccentric mother-daughter relationship.”
— The New York Times Book Review“Keenly expressed insights…Charming.”
— Vogue“Funny and poignant…Then She Found Me is a truly happy book.”
— New Orleans Times-Picayune“Raising laughter and tears with acutely observed characterizations and dry, affectionate wit, Lipman also keeps dealing out the surprises, leaving readers smiling long after the last page is turned.”
— Publishers Weekly“Winningly wry and dry-eyed…Funny, moving, and very wise in the ways of life.”
— Kirkus" Kind of a disappointing read, I couldn't identify with any of the characters. Felt like a waste of time. "
— Peg!, 2/4/2014" made me laugh out loud more that once, which is rare for me with a book. really cute. "
— Brooke, 1/20/2014" The character of Bernice reminded of my own mother, but I wasn't adopted. Liked the character development. "
— Renee, 1/14/2014" I got a kick out of this book. It was very charming and had a happy ending. Just what I needed right now. This is NOT a mystery for those who steer clear of my suggestions because of my preference for mysteries. "
— Julie, 1/12/2014" This book surprised me. I had few expectations but it was very enjoyable. The characters are fantastically written and it had me rooting for the whole lot of them. "
— Tracey, 1/11/2014" a good mother and daughter story "
— Donna, 12/19/2013" Fun characters - doesn't turn out quite as predictable as you think it will. "
— Kirsten, 12/3/2013" I liked it, but not as much as The Inn at Lake Devine. "
— Ainsley, 11/15/2013" moved so slow that it took me like 2 weeks to finally finish! but interesting story. "
— aly, 11/6/2013" A biological mother shows up to help improve her daighter's life. "
— Jill, 7/29/2013" Not the most spectacular piece of fiction... however, like a good trashy romance comedy, I gobbled this one down "
— Adamkassim, 6/6/2013" I would have given this more stars, but good dialogue does not make a novel. Character development? Plot? Theme? "
— Marlene, 2/11/2013" I found the main character to be annoying (actually more annoying than the mother), some of the plot points to be unbelievable, and disliked the continous use of the phrase "real mother". "
— Colette, 9/23/2012" So many of Lipman's books are about annoying people intruding on the lives of people who are doing just fine, thanks. Those people drive me crazy, but the book is still good. "
— Sharon, 5/1/2012" Just a really pleasing, satisfying story. I think this may have been my first by Lipman, but I'll be looking for more. "
— Kaethe, 4/14/2012" good, fluff book. "
— Dani, 1/29/2012" audio book Probably my favorite by this author. I actually picked it up after seeing a preview for a movie based on the book. Just from the preview, I get the impression they changed the story dramatically, but Bette Middler would be perfect for Grace! "
— Wendy, 12/17/2011" easy read and a good story "
— Jean, 11/2/2011" The book was humorous, but at times the humor felt forced. It read more as "wouldn't it be funny if...." Cute, but not deep. "
— Mum, 4/26/2011" This book surprised me. I had few expectations but it was very enjoyable. The characters are fantastically written and it had me rooting for the whole lot of them. "
— Tracey, 4/18/2011" Very sweet. I really liked april's sensibilities and dwight's playfulness. "
— Shawn, 3/28/2011" The character of Bernice reminded of my own mother, but I wasn't adopted. Liked the character development. "
— Renee, 3/26/2011" It was ok. I couldn't stop reading it because I wanted to know what would happen, but it was a little bit slow, and a little hard to believe at times. Too many coincidences. "
— Arryn, 3/15/2011" Loved this book. The birth mother was delightfully over the top. The author kept this character consistent and didn't dilute her at the end of the book. "
— Melissa, 1/30/2011" My book group is reading this for our April selection. Haha! April Epner is the main character. Just realized! I am happily re-reading this. It's been far too long since I've had some time with Elinor Lipman. "
— Lillian, 12/31/2010" VERY light reading, but enjoyable. "
— Lucy, 12/19/2010" i thought this book would be a fun read but instead i found it disappointing. The mother was awful and i don't understand why her daughter kept meeting her and letting her into her life. "
— Heidi, 11/8/2010" Would have given the first half of the book 2 stars, and the second half, 3 stars. "
— Kate, 10/22/2010" A biological mother shows up to help improve her daighter's life. "
— Jill, 9/16/2010" I picked this book up from a give away stack and found it to be pure escapism...a soap opera in print. It served its purpose of being an escape and a book that I could read and multi-task while doing so. "
— Melinda, 9/6/2010Elinor Lipman is the award-winning author of sixteen books of fiction and nonfiction. Her first novel, Then She Found Me, became a 2008 feature film, directed by and starring Helen Hunt, with Bette Midler, Colin Firth, and Matthew Broderick. She was the 2011–12 Elizabeth Drew Professor of Creative Writing at Smith College.
Mia Barron has worked at theaters in New York and around the country. Her film and television credits include The Guiding Light and the independent feature The F Word. She has won an AudioFile Earphones Award, and in 2003 she was awarded the Publishers Weekly Listen Up Award for her audiobook narration.