I really loved the idea of this book - multiple versions of a relationship between two soulmates. Unfortunately the storylines became rather repetitive with the constant 'What ifs?' gradually losing their appeal by the half way mark and to be honest this was a book that 'plodded' for me, failing to live up to expectations.

The book intrigued me with the concept of two people meeting over time in different parallel universes. Is there a soul mate for everyone? Are you destined to find them? The book starts with Abe and Ivy finding each other in later life. We get an idea about what type of people they are and I liked it that Ivy found solace in her life by swimming. However as the book progressed, I found the alternative scenarios repetitive and I began to lose interest. I think the book would have been better written chronologically because I found going back in time disjointed. A book that makes you think and an enjoyable read.

Really enjoyed the opening chapter... felt great promise.... but then chapter 2 gav3 me an alternative version,... as did chapter 3 and then 4. And I confess I was unable to continue as I just couldn’t get it to hang together for me. It felt more like a collection of short stories than the novel I think I was really hoping for. So sadly not for me but I know so many have loved it that I’m sure I’m in the minority

I truly wanted to love this book and sometimes I did. Cleverly written - the same event would crop up on more than one occasion but might involve a different protagonist. However, it was at times confusing. I occasionally had to return to the beginning of the chapter and remind myself where we were. Perhaps overly long too.

I was attracted by the blurb and the cover of Ivy and Abe, which is why I chose this book. It started off very well with the first story being about how Ivy and Abe are childhood friends who meet each other after many years.

But as I read on, the charm started wearing off. The short stories have a few constants, like Ivy, Abe, and Richard, some of the children, a truck with bales of hay, and being architects and fountain designers, among other others. The stories didn't seem very complete, and they felt very rushed. For example, in the first story, it seemed like it was all too facile for Ivy and Abe to sort out things and get married. I am not disgruntled that things went very smoothly for them but the fact that all decisions by everyone there seemed too fast.

I liked the concept of the book, and I did like a few passages here and there. But I could not read on halfway through the book. The repetitive 'what if's' without too much going for them did not give me incentive to continue.

A big thank you to Penguin UK/Michael Joseph for sending me the ARC for this book via NetGalley.