Take Me with You

I enjoyed the book , as easy read and story as laid out in descriptive reviews was certainly what I expected it to be . Not heavy philosophical analysis of aspects of interrelatedness of human condition but gentle and touching and relatable for most anyone who feels the universality of love .

I’m a huge fan of Steven Rowley’s The Guncle books, so anything he writes automatically goes on to my TBR. Take Me with You has his signature warmth and humor and I found it to be an entertaining read. Initially, I wasn’t quite sure how I felt about it, but as I sat down to write this review, I realized I had taken away more from the story than I originally thought.Jessie and Norm have been married for thirty years when the impossible happens. Norm suddenly disappears into a mysterious beam of light. Left behind without answers, Jesse is forced to navigate is life on his own. He begins tackling responsibilities he had always left to Norm, discovers strengths he never realized he possessed and finds passions again that he had set aside.Beneath its whimsical premise, the novel explores some surprising meaningful themes. It’s a reminder not to become complacent in our relationships or take the people we love for granted, because life can change in an instant. It also questions just how much of ourselves we unknowingly set aside over the years. Jessie’s journey is just as much about rediscovering his own identity as it is about coping with loss and uncertainty.If you’re willing to not get bogged down in questioning the details of the alien type abduction, and realize it represents life’s unexpected upheavals, this becomes less about what happened to Norm and more about what happens to Jesse because of it.Ultimately, this is a light, heartfelt read that delivers the important message to cherish the people you love, don’t wait for life to force you to pursue what matters most and remember that being part of a couple shouldn’t mean losing the parts of you that make you who you are.

This was a fun one! Steven Rowley, author of The Guncle, has another hit with Take Me with You, a story of supernatural occurrences, abandonment, and grief. I realize that doesn’t sound much like a fun read, but bear with me here. My thanks go to NetGalley and Putnam for the review copy; this book is for sale now.Jesse del Ruth is a middle-aged college professor; he and his slightly older husband, Norman, have been together now for 30 years. But they’ve settled into a bit of a rut, bickering about stupid things. Nevertheless, Jesse is stunned when, one evening, Norman mutters “I’m out of here” and steps out into a bright light that’s shining from above their desert home; the light literally beams him up, leaving poor Jesse gaping, full of questions that Norman cannot answer. To make matters worse, he’s forced to lie to friends and family, because he really can’t just tell them that Norman left in a UFO.This is a story that’s easy to read, making it perfect bedtime material. It proceeds in linear fashion without a great deal of jumping around, and it has just a few characters; we meet Norman’s younger sister, who really needs to talk to him, and we also meet the neighbor across the street, who would ordinarily be the strange one. But at least 85% of this odd little novel hinges on Jesse, and Rowley develops him quite nicely. We have a bit of a retrospective, looking back with Jesse at their past life together and the crises—really, just one crisis—that impacts their relationship. And we see Jesse pull himself together as “we” becomes “I”.They say that every story has already been written, and after reading this one, I’d have to question that assertion. Yes, there are many stories of lovers separating, or of one partner leaving the other, but…not this way, guys. Rowley takes us through all of life’s emotional seasons, from love, to contentment, to disappointment, to grief and rage, to acceptance and adjusting to a single life. And there are several places where I laughed out loud!I recommend this as a terrific little book to take on vacation, or just to curl up with over a long weekend at home.

3.5 ⭐Jesse and Norman had the perfect meet-cute and have been married for 30 years. They have a beautiful home in Joshua Tree and have been happy for many years, but something has been off lately. Then Norman disappears one night into a mysterious overhead light! Where did Norman go? Will he ever come back?I must say that this was a wild tale! Also, I'm not really a science fiction girl. I enjoyed parts of the book, especially the parts about Norman's sister Lally. I also loved Jesse "starting over" after Norman disappeared.I adored both of the Guncle books, Lily and the Octopus, and The Celebrants. Steven Rowley is an excellent writer, but this one was definitely out of my wheelhouse. Nevertheless, I will always read whatever he writes!

I always enjoy Steven’s books and this one was no exception! So well written and such thought out relatable characters. I love all of his books. If you not have read his other six books check them out, you will not disappointed. When you read his first novel , Lily and the Octopus, you may find yourself sobbing on an airplane.