Same As It Ever Was follows Julia Ames who, at 57, believes she has finally found stability after a turbulent youth filled with emotional struggles. However, her carefully constructed life is thrown into disarray when her son makes a shocking announcement, her teenage daughter begins to pull away, and old ghosts from her past re-emerge, threatening to undo the balance she has worked so hard to achieve.
Lombardo expertly portrays the complexity of Julia's internal struggles as she faces a new phase in her life. The novel navigates themes of maternal ambivalence, intergenerational tensions, and the unpredictable nature of human relationships with ease. Julia's attempts to maintain control over her unravelling circumstances highlight the push-pull between her desire for connection and her fear of falling back into old, self-destructive patterns. Lombardo's deep psychological insight allows readers to fully understand Julia’s conflicting emotions as she grapples with both the demands of motherhood and the longing for personal fulfilment.
At its core, Same As It Ever Was is a meditation on the cyclical nature of relationships — how they evolve, falter, and sometimes transform us. Lombardo's sharp, evocative prose captures the messiness of life and love, painting Julia's journey with empathy and honesty. The novel’s exploration of friendship, family, and the subtle forces that shape us over time highlights the complexity of human emotions and the unexpected ways in which our pasts influence our present.
Same As It Ever Was is a thoughtful novel that offers a look at the complexities of mid-life and the challenges of personal growth and family ties.
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