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I Kill Me: Tales of A Jilted Hypochondriac
Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ Choice Award
Nominee for Readers' Favorite Humor (2012)*I KILL ME is intended for an adult audience*
Christine Bacon has a fatal attraction. To all things fatal. A veteran hypochondriac, her near-death experiences are exacerbated when her husband proposes they have a menage a trois with Eleanor, his busty British massage therapist, to "shake things up." Christine reluctantly agrees (although she is more wholesome than threesome), never expecting just how much she'd be rattled. As her marriage to Richard, a/k/a "Dick," falls apart, so, too, does Christine, whose fear of her own demise causes her to research every freckle, blemish, cough, bump, lump, tingle and hiccup. She isn't a doctor, but she plays one on the internet.
There is solace for Christine: in raising daughters Lily and Carli, leaning on her friends, and wearing out the shower massager. In order to heal, she struggles to become her own person and to view her symptoms (and ex-husband) as less malignant, while searching for that special someone who will love her--despite her grave condition.
Christine Bacon has a fatal attraction. To all things fatal. A veteran hypochondriac, her near-death experiences are exacerbated when her husband proposes they have a menage a trois with Eleanor, his busty British massage therapist, to "shake things up." Christine reluctantly agrees (although she is more wholesome than threesome), never expecting just how much she'd be rattled. As her marriage to Richard, a/k/a "Dick," falls apart, so, too, does Christine, whose fear of her own demise causes her to research every freckle, blemish, cough, bump, lump, tingle and hiccup. She isn't a doctor, but she plays one on the internet.
There is solace for Christine: in raising daughters Lily and Carli, leaning on her friends, and wearing out the shower massager. In order to heal, she struggles to become her own person and to view her symptoms (and ex-husband) as less malignant, while searching for that special someone who will love her--despite her grave condition.
256 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 15, 2012
7 people are currently reading
895 people want to read
About the author
Tracy H. Tucker
1Ìýbook30ÌýfollowersTracy H. Tucker is first and foremost the mother of three of the best people on Earth. She has a Master's in Literacy from the University of Maine and has inspired the youth of America for seventeen years. She's an avid animal lover and would like to publicly thank her husband for putting up with the pet hair, the dogs in the bed, the things the cats hack up and the repeated requests for goats. It's a wonderful life.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews
January 16, 2013
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Hilarious. That's the perfect word to explain this story. I didn't expect it to be as funny as it was, but I was giggling so much my husband actually asked me what I was reading. Now, for those of you who don't know my husband, that's not a common thing to come out of his mouth. Honestly, my books are the last thing he normally wants to hear about. But I used his question as him "opening the door" to me gushing about my book. Great thinkin' on my part, huh? ;)
I Kill Me was such a great book. It was the perfect combination of chick lit silliness mixed with real-life complicated drama. The story is told from the POV of Christine, a teacher and mother of two girls, who is on the verge of a divorce (NOT by her choice!) dealing with another intense issue... she's a hypochondriac. Like serious, full-fledged hypochondriac. Headache=brain tumor type of girl. This really gave me more of an insight into how people with this disease must really feel on a daily basis. Though I was cracking up hysterically at her antics, I also felt her pain... it must be terrible living life that way. I really liked Christine, and I felt her sadness and stress right along with her.
To me, I Kill Me is definitely a story others will love and relate to as much as I did. Whether you've gone through a divorce yourself, or faced an unwanted breakup, or basically any other stresser in your life, you will quickly be able to relate to Christine's struggles. Add in teenage daughter drama, a new love interest, and a wacko, totally controlling mother and you've got yourself an amazing debut by a wonderful new author!
Hilarious. That's the perfect word to explain this story. I didn't expect it to be as funny as it was, but I was giggling so much my husband actually asked me what I was reading. Now, for those of you who don't know my husband, that's not a common thing to come out of his mouth. Honestly, my books are the last thing he normally wants to hear about. But I used his question as him "opening the door" to me gushing about my book. Great thinkin' on my part, huh? ;)
I Kill Me was such a great book. It was the perfect combination of chick lit silliness mixed with real-life complicated drama. The story is told from the POV of Christine, a teacher and mother of two girls, who is on the verge of a divorce (NOT by her choice!) dealing with another intense issue... she's a hypochondriac. Like serious, full-fledged hypochondriac. Headache=brain tumor type of girl. This really gave me more of an insight into how people with this disease must really feel on a daily basis. Though I was cracking up hysterically at her antics, I also felt her pain... it must be terrible living life that way. I really liked Christine, and I felt her sadness and stress right along with her.
To me, I Kill Me is definitely a story others will love and relate to as much as I did. Whether you've gone through a divorce yourself, or faced an unwanted breakup, or basically any other stresser in your life, you will quickly be able to relate to Christine's struggles. Add in teenage daughter drama, a new love interest, and a wacko, totally controlling mother and you've got yourself an amazing debut by a wonderful new author!
January 21, 2013
I loved this 32 chapter book. It was told through Christine’s first person point-of-view. The opening sentence: “I could think of two big reasons why this threesome wasn’t going to work: her boobs,� piqued my attention right away. That scene was the most awkward thing I’ve ever read (in a good way) LOL. The husband wanted his wife and massage therapist at the same time. He and the massage therapist had already went over all the sensual details, so this was planned well in advance. Eventually, Richard wanted a divorce. All I could keep thinking: he was having happy endings way before he wanted that threesome.
My favorite lines: 1) “Or,� added Hank, “join Facebook like I keep telling you, and then you can search for former classmates you wish you’d had sex with in high school.� 2) “I’m sorry.� Her apology sounded a bit too automatic. 3) “The thing is, you have to allow yourself to make mistakes. Because learning who you’re not can help you figure out who you are.�
The author had a brilliant talent with point-of-view. I felt like I knew who Christine was by her interactions with other characters, how she treated herself, etc. Tracy H. Tucker moved the story forward in a witty and entertaining way through immediate scenes instead of narrative summary.
The character’s hypochondriac episodes were funny, especially when it got on her friends� nerves. That was her coping mechanism, so I could understand her actions. I also enjoyed her self-depreciating humor. Her own mother was a worry wart–I could see where Christine inherited the obsessive thoughts about death. Besides keeping me laughing, there were also some tense moments. I’m all about conflict, and there were plenty of those scenes when Richard would stop by to pick up their daughters.
I hoped that her ex-husband could redeem himself by the end of the novel, but it just wasn’t meant to be. I’m happy that slowly but surely Christine got her life back on track without letting that loser get to her anymore. The sweetest revenge–living a happy life and not giving him a second thought. At times, I thought she’d get together with her male best friend (the teacher). Her kids kept hinting at it, and he kept flirting with her like he had a crush on her all that time and wasn’t afraid to express it since she got a divorce and was available now. She did eventually find a “friend,� which I thought was good for her.
My favorite scenes: 1) Richard comes in the bathroom, uninvited, surprising Christine 2) her first blind date with Steve, her online buddy. he was a weirdo 3) any scene with her mom because she resorted to acting like a scared kid
I RECOMMEND this book to read.
My favorite lines: 1) “Or,� added Hank, “join Facebook like I keep telling you, and then you can search for former classmates you wish you’d had sex with in high school.� 2) “I’m sorry.� Her apology sounded a bit too automatic. 3) “The thing is, you have to allow yourself to make mistakes. Because learning who you’re not can help you figure out who you are.�
The author had a brilliant talent with point-of-view. I felt like I knew who Christine was by her interactions with other characters, how she treated herself, etc. Tracy H. Tucker moved the story forward in a witty and entertaining way through immediate scenes instead of narrative summary.
The character’s hypochondriac episodes were funny, especially when it got on her friends� nerves. That was her coping mechanism, so I could understand her actions. I also enjoyed her self-depreciating humor. Her own mother was a worry wart–I could see where Christine inherited the obsessive thoughts about death. Besides keeping me laughing, there were also some tense moments. I’m all about conflict, and there were plenty of those scenes when Richard would stop by to pick up their daughters.
I hoped that her ex-husband could redeem himself by the end of the novel, but it just wasn’t meant to be. I’m happy that slowly but surely Christine got her life back on track without letting that loser get to her anymore. The sweetest revenge–living a happy life and not giving him a second thought. At times, I thought she’d get together with her male best friend (the teacher). Her kids kept hinting at it, and he kept flirting with her like he had a crush on her all that time and wasn’t afraid to express it since she got a divorce and was available now. She did eventually find a “friend,� which I thought was good for her.
My favorite scenes: 1) Richard comes in the bathroom, uninvited, surprising Christine 2) her first blind date with Steve, her online buddy. he was a weirdo 3) any scene with her mom because she resorted to acting like a scared kid
I RECOMMEND this book to read.
December 27, 2012
Christine Bacon is a 40-something school teacher who is obsessed with deadly diseases. No sneeze, bump, itch or cough goes undetected � and her doctors are making a pretty penny off of her weekly visits. Geez � this poor woman must have to take out a second mortgage just to afford all those co-pays!
Her anxiety goes into overdrive when her husband insists on “shaking things up� by having a threesome with his boobaliscious message therapist. Shortly after the ill-fated tryst, her marriage to Richard (preferably known as Dick) quickly unravels into shreds. Let me tell ya, this guy pissed me off from page one � and I couldn’t wait for him to run off with his new bimbo. He’s the ultimate midlife crisis cliché: divorce the faithful wife, kick her while she’s down, ignore the kids, and sport a boy-band hairstyle. He’s pretty much a douchebag with a capital D, and I couldn’t wait to get to the end of the book so I could revel in Christine’s sweet revenge.
As Christine embarks on the stages of grief, she convinces herself that every stress-related ailment is symptomatic of a fatal disease. From MS, to ear cancer to HIV, she’s certain she will inevitably die a slow, painful death.
But it’s not all gloom and doom for our hapless hypochondriac. She’s got a fabulous circle of friends to talk her off the ledge. I absolutely adored her schoolteacher friends who helped her get through her darkest days. They never gave up on helping her through her “I’m going to die!� episodes, which is a real testament of friendship. Christine also has the perfect gay boyfriend, who just so happens to be a doctor. He’s amused by her endearingly neurotic fascination with deadly illnesses, and their conversations are quite hilarious.
Aside from the loveable protagonist, the book’s biggest strong suit is the humor. This author clearly has a quirky personality � and it shows in the whip-smart dialogue and Christine’s zany antics. There were some moments that had me shaking with laughter, especially when Christine flips out on a student for not complimenting her post-divorce haircut. It’s one of the many scenes that only a girl would truly understand and appreciate. Oh and I also really loved the part where she threw herself a pity party by dramatically taking out the trash (a mandatory husband chore) in front of her sympathetic neighbors.
Overall, this little indie book is quite a gem. Although Christine’s neurosis is a tad extreme, many of the emotions she deals with will resonate with women readers. Whether you’re divorced, single or happily married � this book will make you laugh, cry and hug your best friend.
Her anxiety goes into overdrive when her husband insists on “shaking things up� by having a threesome with his boobaliscious message therapist. Shortly after the ill-fated tryst, her marriage to Richard (preferably known as Dick) quickly unravels into shreds. Let me tell ya, this guy pissed me off from page one � and I couldn’t wait for him to run off with his new bimbo. He’s the ultimate midlife crisis cliché: divorce the faithful wife, kick her while she’s down, ignore the kids, and sport a boy-band hairstyle. He’s pretty much a douchebag with a capital D, and I couldn’t wait to get to the end of the book so I could revel in Christine’s sweet revenge.
As Christine embarks on the stages of grief, she convinces herself that every stress-related ailment is symptomatic of a fatal disease. From MS, to ear cancer to HIV, she’s certain she will inevitably die a slow, painful death.
But it’s not all gloom and doom for our hapless hypochondriac. She’s got a fabulous circle of friends to talk her off the ledge. I absolutely adored her schoolteacher friends who helped her get through her darkest days. They never gave up on helping her through her “I’m going to die!� episodes, which is a real testament of friendship. Christine also has the perfect gay boyfriend, who just so happens to be a doctor. He’s amused by her endearingly neurotic fascination with deadly illnesses, and their conversations are quite hilarious.
Aside from the loveable protagonist, the book’s biggest strong suit is the humor. This author clearly has a quirky personality � and it shows in the whip-smart dialogue and Christine’s zany antics. There were some moments that had me shaking with laughter, especially when Christine flips out on a student for not complimenting her post-divorce haircut. It’s one of the many scenes that only a girl would truly understand and appreciate. Oh and I also really loved the part where she threw herself a pity party by dramatically taking out the trash (a mandatory husband chore) in front of her sympathetic neighbors.
Overall, this little indie book is quite a gem. Although Christine’s neurosis is a tad extreme, many of the emotions she deals with will resonate with women readers. Whether you’re divorced, single or happily married � this book will make you laugh, cry and hug your best friend.
September 21, 2012
This book is a fantastic read.
Christine is married to Richard and has two daughters. She lives an ordinary life except for the fact that she is a Hypochondriac. The story begins with Christine's attempt at a threesome after being coaxed into this by her husband, this doesn't go so well. Not long after her husband leaves her and this is where Christine's journey begins. I won't give anymore away but this is a thoroughly engaging story.
The author addresses the reality of being a Hypochondriac with some humour thrown in
The parts of the book where Christine is concerned about her health is well written and gives the reader an insight into what it is like to be a Hypochondriac. Christine's character is truly adorable and I was rooting for her throughout the story. I felt every lump, bump, ache and pain with her and was even convinced myself she had a weird rare disease. I felt sorry for her and got quite emotional in parts.
I loved the character of Hank also, Christine's long time friend who is also a doctor, there are some conversations between Hank and Christine that are hilarious and uplifting.
Christine's Mother Mimi is also a strong character in the book and I can imagine most reader's will have met a 'Mimi' at some point in their life.
I don't want to give the story away, however, I will add that I absolutely loved the ending, I would definitely love to see this story being made into a film.
This story has sadness, humour, revenge, courage, family issues, and beautiful friendships.
Christine's story is one that many women could relate to and is uplifting and inspirational, I think this book would be an excellent counselling tool for newly divorced women!
This is the first book I have read by this author but it definitely won't be the last. I could not put this book down from the first page right till the last page.
Five stars from me.
Becky Sherriff (The Kindle Book Review)
Christine is married to Richard and has two daughters. She lives an ordinary life except for the fact that she is a Hypochondriac. The story begins with Christine's attempt at a threesome after being coaxed into this by her husband, this doesn't go so well. Not long after her husband leaves her and this is where Christine's journey begins. I won't give anymore away but this is a thoroughly engaging story.
The author addresses the reality of being a Hypochondriac with some humour thrown in
The parts of the book where Christine is concerned about her health is well written and gives the reader an insight into what it is like to be a Hypochondriac. Christine's character is truly adorable and I was rooting for her throughout the story. I felt every lump, bump, ache and pain with her and was even convinced myself she had a weird rare disease. I felt sorry for her and got quite emotional in parts.
I loved the character of Hank also, Christine's long time friend who is also a doctor, there are some conversations between Hank and Christine that are hilarious and uplifting.
Christine's Mother Mimi is also a strong character in the book and I can imagine most reader's will have met a 'Mimi' at some point in their life.
I don't want to give the story away, however, I will add that I absolutely loved the ending, I would definitely love to see this story being made into a film.
This story has sadness, humour, revenge, courage, family issues, and beautiful friendships.
Christine's story is one that many women could relate to and is uplifting and inspirational, I think this book would be an excellent counselling tool for newly divorced women!
This is the first book I have read by this author but it definitely won't be the last. I could not put this book down from the first page right till the last page.
Five stars from me.
Becky Sherriff (The Kindle Book Review)
August 17, 2012
*I was sent an ARC by the Author for an honest and unbiased review.*
3.5 stars
This was a well written story about love, betrayal and how we surround ourselves with a self-protection shield and adopt specific coping mechanisms to guard ourselves from being hurt by others. How we place emphasis on something else, no matter how irrational, in order to ignore the reality of what we should be dealing with. It had me laughing out loud at times and cringing the next.
This story is about Christine, who ends up in a situation beyond her control and finds herself a single Mum of two girls going through a divorce and having to adjust to life as a single woman in her forties. The way she deals with avoiding her broken heart and re-discovering herself and her ability to cope is by inventing questionably illnesses like cancer, AIDS and MS just to name a few, which she is convinced she is dying from. Her struggles and emotional issues came across very real and were understandable although dying from all of the above became very time consuming. I felt so sorry for Christine at times but she had me in stitches too. Her close friends deserved a medal for the “patience of a saint�!
Her journey was a page turner and I enjoyed it very much.
3.5 stars
This was a well written story about love, betrayal and how we surround ourselves with a self-protection shield and adopt specific coping mechanisms to guard ourselves from being hurt by others. How we place emphasis on something else, no matter how irrational, in order to ignore the reality of what we should be dealing with. It had me laughing out loud at times and cringing the next.
This story is about Christine, who ends up in a situation beyond her control and finds herself a single Mum of two girls going through a divorce and having to adjust to life as a single woman in her forties. The way she deals with avoiding her broken heart and re-discovering herself and her ability to cope is by inventing questionably illnesses like cancer, AIDS and MS just to name a few, which she is convinced she is dying from. Her struggles and emotional issues came across very real and were understandable although dying from all of the above became very time consuming. I felt so sorry for Christine at times but she had me in stitches too. Her close friends deserved a medal for the “patience of a saint�!
Her journey was a page turner and I enjoyed it very much.
September 30, 2012
This book was such a refreshing and hilarious read! I was in the mood for comic relief with a litte side of drama and this book delivered! I was hooked from the first sentence, and my stomach was in knots by the second chapter.
This book is written from Christine's POV, she's a high school teacher, mother of two and on the verge of a divorce. Christine has another personal struggle she endures while facing these life challenges; she's a hypochondriac. She's not your normal hypocondriac, this women is obsessed! Everything from a headache to a bump on her finger, and she is frantically researching WEBMD convinced she's dying.
I really loved the other characters in the book, Fitzy being my favorite. The plot was amusing, the dialogue was real and the ending priceless. What a great way to spend my Thursday night!
This book is written from Christine's POV, she's a high school teacher, mother of two and on the verge of a divorce. Christine has another personal struggle she endures while facing these life challenges; she's a hypochondriac. She's not your normal hypocondriac, this women is obsessed! Everything from a headache to a bump on her finger, and she is frantically researching WEBMD convinced she's dying.
I really loved the other characters in the book, Fitzy being my favorite. The plot was amusing, the dialogue was real and the ending priceless. What a great way to spend my Thursday night!
September 15, 2012
Hilarious! I loved every part of this book! Although I'm not a hypochondriac (my husband may disagree) I can totally relate to all of Chris's crazy notions. It was a humorous journey following a husband's mid-life crisis and the messy divorce that follows. There was a happy ending, too! This was a great pick-me-up following some of the more dark and emotional reads lately. You will love this one ;)
August 2, 2012
I loved this. It's fantastically written and along with Christine's obsession (and impressive mental catalogue) of all diseases fatal, it's hilarious, incredibly witty and also real - she faces heartbreak and we get to see her begin to heal and move on, in the funniest ways possible!!
Strongly recommend and look forward to anything else from this author
Strongly recommend and look forward to anything else from this author
August 3, 2012
Funny, well written, engaging... At one point I laughed so hard, I spit all over the page! I guess I shouldn't lend my copy to someone else...
January 8, 2013
Wasn't planning on rating this, but after seeing a lot of authors rate their own books, I was feeling kind of like the mother who dumps her child in the middle of the jungle and walks away :).
July 14, 2013
Totally made me giggle!! Loved it!!
January 27, 2018
The concept sounded good--each chapter was headed by a type of illness, but they could each be interpreted with a second meaning, such as "Rash" or "Flutters" or "Growth." And our hypochondriac main character would suspect she had that type of illness, but at the same time, the author related her actions to the alternate meaning of the word. But what really happened is that the first few chapters were mildly amusing when Christine would feel a random symptom, then immediately call her doctor or rush to her computer for research. Then after a while, it became irritating when she'd take a simple ache or pain and turn it into a huge deal, alienating people in the process. After 32 chapters of this, I was ready to strangle her. The book follows Christine as she faces an unexpected divorce, then deals with the aftermath. She's angry and hurt and having a difficult time dealing with it all. She's incredibly needy--in an unattractive way--and I felt like her husband was well rid of her. The saving grace was her friend Hank (who knew how to kid her out of her worries) and Gavin (who tried to help her recognize her fears and deal with them). The end was OK, but I was completely frustrated with Christine and came close to putting the book down several times.
November 15, 2012
Christine Bacon leads a pretty fulfilling life. Married to the same man for over a decade, she's mother to two wonderful daughters and teaches middle school English. She's comfortable in her life and, on the surface, everything seems to be going swimmingly. That is until her husband suggests a threesome with his massage therapist. Being the thoughtful wife she is (that's just how she rolls) she decides to go along with it. When the menage a trois goes awry, she realizes that her happy marriage wasn't so happy after all. Soon after the fact her husband Richard leaves her and Christine is left in her home with her two children, dog and cat, alone for the first time and having to pick up the pieces of her life. It doesn't help that she assumes ever bump, itch, scratch and twinge of her body to be a road leading to death's door. Christine is a hopeless hypochondriac and as her marriage and perfect life fall apart in front of her very eyes, she convinces herself that her body is falling apart too.
I came across I Kill Me just browsing around for new authors one day. I have to admit that, between the cover, the title and the book blurb (a book that starts off with a threesome? Consider me intrigued) I couldn't help BUT pull the trigger on this one. And I'm glad I did. I know I'm probably not the target demographic for a novel like this (it was under the heading of 'chic lit'. That's a moniker I don't really like. It seems...limiting in a way) but I'm not opposed to reading anything as long as it's entertaining and well written.
Christine crafts a protagonist in Christine that is so neurotic and worrisome that I couldn't help but enjoy reading ever word that went through her head. It's in the first person so we get a really intimate glimpse into the character's thoughts. Because of her 'condition', much of the conflict comes from inside. Christine really is the only one standing in her way despite everything that's going on around her because she's convinced that every cough and sneeze and bump is a symptom that will only lead to her untimely demise. She goes off on tangents regularly. She'll be in the middle of talking to someone, feel the onset of a headache, then begin mentally flipping through the Doctor's Desk Reference until she's convinced she has a catastrophic disease. These interludes are, quite honestly, laugh out loud funny. WE know there's nothing wrong with her, the people she interacts with in her world know there's nothing wrong with her, but Christine is convinced that she's always at death's door. I know saying that it comes off as funny may seem a little morbid, but it's really not. Tucker writes it in such a way that it's endearing, comical and also touching. You just can't help but pull for Christine and hope that she gets control of herself and is able to let her anger at her ex husband and the cards that life dealt her go and move on in her life and find happiness. Christine is, in a word, adorable.
The secondary characters play perfect compliments to Christine. The selfish ex, the willful daughters, the overbearing mother, the stoic father, her hunky gay best friend, and her off color co workers are all there to try to help her get a grip on herself, even when she's convinced that she's got one foot in the grave. The dialogue pops and there's humor on just about every page.
I kill me is extremely well written. It's very lean and fluid. There are no long passages describing what people are wearing or the colors of houses or buildings, etc, etc, so on and so forth. In other words, it's fast and never bloated. As a result it's a quick and addictive page turner.
I'm very glad I decided to give this book a chance. I really enjoyed Tucker's author's voice and the story she had to tell, not to mention the fantastic characters that populated the world she created. Check this one out! I think you'll like it.
I came across I Kill Me just browsing around for new authors one day. I have to admit that, between the cover, the title and the book blurb (a book that starts off with a threesome? Consider me intrigued) I couldn't help BUT pull the trigger on this one. And I'm glad I did. I know I'm probably not the target demographic for a novel like this (it was under the heading of 'chic lit'. That's a moniker I don't really like. It seems...limiting in a way) but I'm not opposed to reading anything as long as it's entertaining and well written.
Christine crafts a protagonist in Christine that is so neurotic and worrisome that I couldn't help but enjoy reading ever word that went through her head. It's in the first person so we get a really intimate glimpse into the character's thoughts. Because of her 'condition', much of the conflict comes from inside. Christine really is the only one standing in her way despite everything that's going on around her because she's convinced that every cough and sneeze and bump is a symptom that will only lead to her untimely demise. She goes off on tangents regularly. She'll be in the middle of talking to someone, feel the onset of a headache, then begin mentally flipping through the Doctor's Desk Reference until she's convinced she has a catastrophic disease. These interludes are, quite honestly, laugh out loud funny. WE know there's nothing wrong with her, the people she interacts with in her world know there's nothing wrong with her, but Christine is convinced that she's always at death's door. I know saying that it comes off as funny may seem a little morbid, but it's really not. Tucker writes it in such a way that it's endearing, comical and also touching. You just can't help but pull for Christine and hope that she gets control of herself and is able to let her anger at her ex husband and the cards that life dealt her go and move on in her life and find happiness. Christine is, in a word, adorable.
The secondary characters play perfect compliments to Christine. The selfish ex, the willful daughters, the overbearing mother, the stoic father, her hunky gay best friend, and her off color co workers are all there to try to help her get a grip on herself, even when she's convinced that she's got one foot in the grave. The dialogue pops and there's humor on just about every page.
I kill me is extremely well written. It's very lean and fluid. There are no long passages describing what people are wearing or the colors of houses or buildings, etc, etc, so on and so forth. In other words, it's fast and never bloated. As a result it's a quick and addictive page turner.
I'm very glad I decided to give this book a chance. I really enjoyed Tucker's author's voice and the story she had to tell, not to mention the fantastic characters that populated the world she created. Check this one out! I think you'll like it.
November 30, 2012
Christine Bacon lives a normal life; a high school English teacher, she’s married to her high school sweetheart with two children and a duo of pets. The abnormality of her life comes from her penchant for death: Christine is a hypochondriac, and a committed one. In the age of technology Christine’s fearful conclusion-jumping is given a satisfyingly in-depth boost, allowing her to uncover the worst case scenarios behind every bump and tingle she experiences in her day-to-day with just the click of a mouse. But Christine’s life gets a little more complicated when her husband proposes a threesome with his British masseuse. Christine’s desire to please her husband dissolves as she’s met with humiliating circumstances, and before long she finds herself on the receiving end of a divorce. Now she must survive the heartbreak of her broken marriage as well as the numerous maladies she concocts for herself � while maintaining her job, raising her children, and finally getting back into the dating pool. But Christine soon realizes that what started as a hellish reality may be just what the doctor ordered.
I Kill Me: Tales of a Jilted Hypochondriac is a charming, life-affirming story wrapped in a delightfully acerbic comedy. Author Tracy H. Tucker displays an impressive variety of abilities as she weaves Christine’s story through moments of caustic wit and heart-rending sadness as the heroine faces life’s biggest fears, from death to divorce. What results is a boldly funny and deeply poignant novel that illuminates the power of good friends and the necessity of self-realization in overcoming any of life’s obstacles. Christine’s fears, while exaggerated beyond what’s considered normal, are still entirely relatable in some way to the reader, endearing her to them with every turn of the page. Her journey to ultimately help herself out of her own self-doubt is peppered with emotional difficulties and cruel realities, but Christine’s pluck resonates with her audience throughout. Tucker’s wit spans the extremeness of Christine’s hypochondria to poke hilarious fun at the dating scene, add light to challenging realities, and sparkle with warmth on the subject of raising children as a single parent.
I felt instantly at home with I Kill Me and I connected to Christine in her many plights; it was easy to be drawn into her story. The way Tucker sparked Christine’s neurotic narrative with intellect and speed grabbed my attention from the first page and contributed to my overall enjoyment of the novel. As a writer she’s well aware of her territory, allowing Christine to be absorbed in her disease-seeking disorder without inflicting a moment’s frustration on the reader. She measures the themes of the book wonderfully, crafting a novel that steadily entertains and engages its reader. Comedy as a genre isn’t something I’m particularly practiced in � there have been so many times in the past when I’ve felt like an unsuited audience for humor � but something in I Kill Me manages to transcend its classification and invites even stoic readers to loosen up and enjoy. Perhaps it was due to the likability of the characters, the many layers of the novel, or the author’s talent for handling comedy, but I was able to ease myself comfortably into what is usually somewhat foreign territory. I delighted in Tucker’s wit, in her larger-than-life characters, and I cheered for Christine through thick and thin. In short, I Kill Me struck a friendly cord on my heartstrings.
I Kill Me is intended for an adult audience.
(Review © Casee Marie, originally published on November 30, 2012 at . I received a copy of the book for the purpose of review.)
I Kill Me: Tales of a Jilted Hypochondriac is a charming, life-affirming story wrapped in a delightfully acerbic comedy. Author Tracy H. Tucker displays an impressive variety of abilities as she weaves Christine’s story through moments of caustic wit and heart-rending sadness as the heroine faces life’s biggest fears, from death to divorce. What results is a boldly funny and deeply poignant novel that illuminates the power of good friends and the necessity of self-realization in overcoming any of life’s obstacles. Christine’s fears, while exaggerated beyond what’s considered normal, are still entirely relatable in some way to the reader, endearing her to them with every turn of the page. Her journey to ultimately help herself out of her own self-doubt is peppered with emotional difficulties and cruel realities, but Christine’s pluck resonates with her audience throughout. Tucker’s wit spans the extremeness of Christine’s hypochondria to poke hilarious fun at the dating scene, add light to challenging realities, and sparkle with warmth on the subject of raising children as a single parent.
I felt instantly at home with I Kill Me and I connected to Christine in her many plights; it was easy to be drawn into her story. The way Tucker sparked Christine’s neurotic narrative with intellect and speed grabbed my attention from the first page and contributed to my overall enjoyment of the novel. As a writer she’s well aware of her territory, allowing Christine to be absorbed in her disease-seeking disorder without inflicting a moment’s frustration on the reader. She measures the themes of the book wonderfully, crafting a novel that steadily entertains and engages its reader. Comedy as a genre isn’t something I’m particularly practiced in � there have been so many times in the past when I’ve felt like an unsuited audience for humor � but something in I Kill Me manages to transcend its classification and invites even stoic readers to loosen up and enjoy. Perhaps it was due to the likability of the characters, the many layers of the novel, or the author’s talent for handling comedy, but I was able to ease myself comfortably into what is usually somewhat foreign territory. I delighted in Tucker’s wit, in her larger-than-life characters, and I cheered for Christine through thick and thin. In short, I Kill Me struck a friendly cord on my heartstrings.
I Kill Me is intended for an adult audience.
(Review © Casee Marie, originally published on November 30, 2012 at . I received a copy of the book for the purpose of review.)
August 13, 2012
I usually don't pick up books like this on my own, as I generally don't tend to gravitate toward contemporary women's lit. Apparently I've been missing out if there are authors like this one writing with us gals in mind. So, thanks Tracy H. Tucker for broadening my horizons and sending me this book for review -- what a blast!
Christine is your typical mom, wife and friend with one exception: Every little tic, bump, muscle spasm or even zit is her potential death, in her mind anyway. The author takes us on a raucous ride through a critical point in Christine's life: An ugly divorce, adjusting to life as a single mom, dealing with an overbearing mom, reentering the dating scene, and ultimately getting to know herself and coming to terms who she really is -- all while dying of cancer, ALS, leukemia, multiple sclerosis, AIDS. . . .you name it, she's got it.
This book is funny -- really funny -- while at the same time artfully and poignantly peeling away at the layers of Christine's phobias. Tracy H. Tucker has a talent for humor, and is expert at blending that humor with insightful and intelligent prose. The characters and dialogue were real and entertaining and I loved all of the characters in this book, especially her patient and tolerant friends whose forbearance in the face of Christine's constant dubious maladies was touching and genuine. Don't tell anyone, but I saw so much of myself in Christine -- I hope I'm not the only one. I find myself on WebMd probably a little more than is healthy (pardon the pun), and couldn't help but laugh every time she rushed to the computer to find out what she was dying of next.
The author successfully tells a tale that many of us have unfortunately witnessed or experienced ourselves: A couple who seems to have it all one minute, only to devolve in a matter of days into hateful, malice-filled enemies; a tyrannical mother sees her chance and moves in for the kill; confused children trying to deal as best they can.
I keep saying this novel is funny. Well, it is. Take, for instance, Christine's first blind internet date as she ruminates on how her life would end up with this guy who pronounces "toilet" "tole-it": "Woman! Bring me a goddamn beeyah, for Chrissake! I need some alchy-hol before I work on the tole-it!" That one was a snorter for me.
I Kill Me: Tales of a Jilted Hypochondriac is for adults only, although not in the Fifty Shades kind of way. The language is real. What do I mean by real? There's cursing and descriptive sexual scenes and innuendos without being romance novel-ish. Basically how I talk every day, to my mother's dismay and horror. How a lot of us talk, but many authors refuse or are scared to write, especially in mainstream contemporary fiction. The sexual scenes are not pornographic, just sexy and, yes, sometimes funny.
My only complaint about this book is the ending. It came a little too quickly for me. I turned the page and it was over, not realizing I was close to the end and it felt a tiny bit rushed. Sometimes that's the mark of a really good book, though. Maybe I just didn't want it to be over. :) Male or female, if you're feeling a little down and need a good laugh pick up I Kill Me: Tales of a Jilted Hypochondriac and call me in the morning. ;)
You can follow Tracy H. Tucker on Twitter @THTucker, on Facebook, or at her blog: Enjoy!
Christine is your typical mom, wife and friend with one exception: Every little tic, bump, muscle spasm or even zit is her potential death, in her mind anyway. The author takes us on a raucous ride through a critical point in Christine's life: An ugly divorce, adjusting to life as a single mom, dealing with an overbearing mom, reentering the dating scene, and ultimately getting to know herself and coming to terms who she really is -- all while dying of cancer, ALS, leukemia, multiple sclerosis, AIDS. . . .you name it, she's got it.
This book is funny -- really funny -- while at the same time artfully and poignantly peeling away at the layers of Christine's phobias. Tracy H. Tucker has a talent for humor, and is expert at blending that humor with insightful and intelligent prose. The characters and dialogue were real and entertaining and I loved all of the characters in this book, especially her patient and tolerant friends whose forbearance in the face of Christine's constant dubious maladies was touching and genuine. Don't tell anyone, but I saw so much of myself in Christine -- I hope I'm not the only one. I find myself on WebMd probably a little more than is healthy (pardon the pun), and couldn't help but laugh every time she rushed to the computer to find out what she was dying of next.
The author successfully tells a tale that many of us have unfortunately witnessed or experienced ourselves: A couple who seems to have it all one minute, only to devolve in a matter of days into hateful, malice-filled enemies; a tyrannical mother sees her chance and moves in for the kill; confused children trying to deal as best they can.
I keep saying this novel is funny. Well, it is. Take, for instance, Christine's first blind internet date as she ruminates on how her life would end up with this guy who pronounces "toilet" "tole-it": "Woman! Bring me a goddamn beeyah, for Chrissake! I need some alchy-hol before I work on the tole-it!" That one was a snorter for me.
I Kill Me: Tales of a Jilted Hypochondriac is for adults only, although not in the Fifty Shades kind of way. The language is real. What do I mean by real? There's cursing and descriptive sexual scenes and innuendos without being romance novel-ish. Basically how I talk every day, to my mother's dismay and horror. How a lot of us talk, but many authors refuse or are scared to write, especially in mainstream contemporary fiction. The sexual scenes are not pornographic, just sexy and, yes, sometimes funny.
My only complaint about this book is the ending. It came a little too quickly for me. I turned the page and it was over, not realizing I was close to the end and it felt a tiny bit rushed. Sometimes that's the mark of a really good book, though. Maybe I just didn't want it to be over. :) Male or female, if you're feeling a little down and need a good laugh pick up I Kill Me: Tales of a Jilted Hypochondriac and call me in the morning. ;)
You can follow Tracy H. Tucker on Twitter @THTucker, on Facebook, or at her blog: Enjoy!
July 8, 2013
Synopsis:
Christine Bacon had plenty to worry about in her everyday, run-of-the-mill type of life. With her job as a teacher, her insurance selling husband and two girls, there was plenty to worry about - and then some since she's also a hypochondriac. Every little bump, bruise, mole, cough - it all is a small piece of a much larger, more terrifying puzzle that will ultimately lead to her death. Or so she believes.
Stepping out of her comfort zone in order to keep her world together, Christine decides to give into one of her husband's fantasies. Unfortunately, it all goes horribly wrong and she winds up on the receiving end of a divorce petition. While navigating her increasing number of symptoms to a myriad of diseases, fighting the good fight with both preteen and teenage angst, and learning to love herself completely, Christine must find a way to take back her identity or risk losing everything all at once.
Review:
This book is definitely written for a mature audience for its adult themes and language. Right from the start, we're thrown into the middle of Christine and Richard's marriage as it falls apart. They were living the all-American dream complete with the dog, house and two kids. Life was going well, or so Christine thought. As we ride along with Christine, we can see that she loves her husband enough to force herself from her comfort zone and battle the inner diagnostician as they arrive at the hotel for the encounter guaranteed to spice up their love life.
It all goes downhill from there for the characters. Each of them must deal with the fallout from the infidelity, divorce and moving on in their new roles. The honest way in which the author portrays the characters helps to keep the story moving at a steady pace as well as provides the emotional punches to which many can relate. Though divorce may be common in this country, the road labelled "moving on" isn't always an easy on to take. Both Christine's and Richard's journeys reflect that in the book.
All in all, I loved how honest the main character's reactions were. She clearly had issues stemming from childhood that no one really wanted to take time to address. Again, that's something many could relate to. The author is able to draw you in and make you care about the characters, leaving you with tears of both sadness and happiness by the time the end of the book comes along. This book is definitely a great story if you're looking for a guilty pleasure and want to root for the underdog!
Christine Bacon had plenty to worry about in her everyday, run-of-the-mill type of life. With her job as a teacher, her insurance selling husband and two girls, there was plenty to worry about - and then some since she's also a hypochondriac. Every little bump, bruise, mole, cough - it all is a small piece of a much larger, more terrifying puzzle that will ultimately lead to her death. Or so she believes.
Stepping out of her comfort zone in order to keep her world together, Christine decides to give into one of her husband's fantasies. Unfortunately, it all goes horribly wrong and she winds up on the receiving end of a divorce petition. While navigating her increasing number of symptoms to a myriad of diseases, fighting the good fight with both preteen and teenage angst, and learning to love herself completely, Christine must find a way to take back her identity or risk losing everything all at once.
Review:
This book is definitely written for a mature audience for its adult themes and language. Right from the start, we're thrown into the middle of Christine and Richard's marriage as it falls apart. They were living the all-American dream complete with the dog, house and two kids. Life was going well, or so Christine thought. As we ride along with Christine, we can see that she loves her husband enough to force herself from her comfort zone and battle the inner diagnostician as they arrive at the hotel for the encounter guaranteed to spice up their love life.
It all goes downhill from there for the characters. Each of them must deal with the fallout from the infidelity, divorce and moving on in their new roles. The honest way in which the author portrays the characters helps to keep the story moving at a steady pace as well as provides the emotional punches to which many can relate. Though divorce may be common in this country, the road labelled "moving on" isn't always an easy on to take. Both Christine's and Richard's journeys reflect that in the book.
All in all, I loved how honest the main character's reactions were. She clearly had issues stemming from childhood that no one really wanted to take time to address. Again, that's something many could relate to. The author is able to draw you in and make you care about the characters, leaving you with tears of both sadness and happiness by the time the end of the book comes along. This book is definitely a great story if you're looking for a guilty pleasure and want to root for the underdog!
December 27, 2012
Tracy H. Tucker’s I Kill Me: Tales of a Jilted Hypochondriac is a funny, compulsively readable look at one woman's attempt to piece her life back together one diagnosis at a time. Well-written and engaging, Tucker’s quick read had me hooked after perusing the cringe-worthy first chapter. Since I’ve been in the mood for light reading, I Kill Me arrived at just the right time.
The star of Tucker’s show is undoubtedly narrator Christine. I bonded with her immediately, seeing traces of myself in her worried self-exams and frenzied research. Though Chris� constant anxiety can get taxing, I still found it � and her � endearing. It was obvious her fears were manifesting as health problems because believing she had those issues was something she could control . . . in a way. Until it all began to control her.
Ex-husband Richard is the story’s biggest tool � and someone I wanted to kick. You know, if I condoned violence (which I don’t) � and he was actually a real person. A middle-aged stereotype, Richard is a dude who trades in his “aging� wife for a newer model � one with a smaller brain and larger bra size. Tucker writes him well, though, and when he could have become a cardboard cut-out to revile? Well, I guess we learn forgiveness. Very slowly. Like Christine.
Eh, I feel like I’m not doing this story justice, y’all � because really? It’s funny. Very funny. Funny in a I-know-a-woman-just-like-this way. Funny in a sometimes-I’m-just-like-this way. Humorous in a realistic way, a life-affirming way. Christine is someone to empathize with, a character to root for. She’s not perfect and, like any good friend, can grate on your nerves � but at the end of the day, you still love her. You’re not sure where you would be without her. And you learn to live with her quirks because they’re just so her.
That’s how I felt while reading I Kill Me, a novel previously agented under another title. Tucker’s book is the reason I never blanket ignore self-published works. This small gem worked for me, and I raced through it on days I was otherwise frantic with holiday shopping mania. Fans of women’s fiction, contemporary fiction, post-divorce recovery novels (is that a thing?) and picking-the-pieces-up narratives will find plenty to enjoy in I Kill Me. No prescription necessary.
The star of Tucker’s show is undoubtedly narrator Christine. I bonded with her immediately, seeing traces of myself in her worried self-exams and frenzied research. Though Chris� constant anxiety can get taxing, I still found it � and her � endearing. It was obvious her fears were manifesting as health problems because believing she had those issues was something she could control . . . in a way. Until it all began to control her.
Ex-husband Richard is the story’s biggest tool � and someone I wanted to kick. You know, if I condoned violence (which I don’t) � and he was actually a real person. A middle-aged stereotype, Richard is a dude who trades in his “aging� wife for a newer model � one with a smaller brain and larger bra size. Tucker writes him well, though, and when he could have become a cardboard cut-out to revile? Well, I guess we learn forgiveness. Very slowly. Like Christine.
Eh, I feel like I’m not doing this story justice, y’all � because really? It’s funny. Very funny. Funny in a I-know-a-woman-just-like-this way. Funny in a sometimes-I’m-just-like-this way. Humorous in a realistic way, a life-affirming way. Christine is someone to empathize with, a character to root for. She’s not perfect and, like any good friend, can grate on your nerves � but at the end of the day, you still love her. You’re not sure where you would be without her. And you learn to live with her quirks because they’re just so her.
That’s how I felt while reading I Kill Me, a novel previously agented under another title. Tucker’s book is the reason I never blanket ignore self-published works. This small gem worked for me, and I raced through it on days I was otherwise frantic with holiday shopping mania. Fans of women’s fiction, contemporary fiction, post-divorce recovery novels (is that a thing?) and picking-the-pieces-up narratives will find plenty to enjoy in I Kill Me. No prescription necessary.
September 25, 2012
Breathlessness, irregular heartbeats, dizziness, and lightheadedness…must be Cardiomyopathy! Or, it could just be a mixture of the all the emotions I was feeling while reading this book. I was smiling at the humor while feeling as if my heart was in a vice the whole way through. There were so many questions that ran through my mind. How could a husband ask his wife to do such a thing? Can you REALLY ever know someone? Can one person change so drastically that you can’t even recognize them? Finally, how is it possible to be so cruel to someone who is the mother of your children and who has loved you for 19+ years?
I found myself relating to Christine as a woman with insecurities and nervous reactions. There were plenty of times I was thinking, “Oh yeah, been there, done that�. The one thing I could not relate to was her Hypochondriasis. I’ve been known to take a symptom or two to the internet, but I couldn’t imagine having the overwhelming urge to do it at all times. It was maddening to read about, but I could sympathize with her. I can just imagine the turmoil that constant worry put her in. Yet, through it all, there was light-heart humor and I found myself cracking up quite often. The character development was superb. I hated some characters and I loved others because I was able to get to know them all. I cheered for Christine as she struggled to understand the why’s and how’s of her life. I am a firm believer that all things happen for a reason and this book proved to be an example of that. This included meeting someone who could actually help her overcome her fears and worries.
Overall, this was a fun read. I enjoyed it immensely and the best part of the whole book was the sweet revenge Christine got in the end (you’ll have to read the book to fully appreciate it).
I found myself relating to Christine as a woman with insecurities and nervous reactions. There were plenty of times I was thinking, “Oh yeah, been there, done that�. The one thing I could not relate to was her Hypochondriasis. I’ve been known to take a symptom or two to the internet, but I couldn’t imagine having the overwhelming urge to do it at all times. It was maddening to read about, but I could sympathize with her. I can just imagine the turmoil that constant worry put her in. Yet, through it all, there was light-heart humor and I found myself cracking up quite often. The character development was superb. I hated some characters and I loved others because I was able to get to know them all. I cheered for Christine as she struggled to understand the why’s and how’s of her life. I am a firm believer that all things happen for a reason and this book proved to be an example of that. This included meeting someone who could actually help her overcome her fears and worries.
Overall, this was a fun read. I enjoyed it immensely and the best part of the whole book was the sweet revenge Christine got in the end (you’ll have to read the book to fully appreciate it).
January 31, 2013
Originally reviewed at
I loved I Kill Me � Tales of a Jilted Hypochondriac. It was cute, witty and ridiculously funny. I read this novel in a few short sittings and couldn’t get enough of this amusing tale and it wasn’t as heavy as it might seem from the title, which was a nice surprise.
I was initially leery to read about a hypochondriac, worried it would be bogged down with medical jargon and depressing material. But I worried needlessly as this novel had the good balance and there wasn’t nearly as much hypochondriasis as I expected (except near the end when I tended to gloss over some of her concerns.) And a shout out to Tucker for the Fibromyalgia and Huntington’s Disease mentions as both are so obscure, but close to my heart so any mention and possible awareness is a bonus.
This novel has a fabulously funny opening chapter and it grabbed me from the start. It outlines Christine’s vulnerability and the dynamic with her husband and from there it swept me away as I couldn’t stop reading. Tucker has created a fabulous heroine to root for. She’s jilted in the most awful, cringe-worthy way and you can’t help but feel sorry for her and want her to move forward, even when she’s stuck and wondering what dreadful disease she has every time she has a pimple or muscle twinge.
All the characters were fabulous and real, and I loved her two girls, and the relationship she has with them. Although slightly predictable, this novel is still an amusing ride along the way.
I Kill Me � Tales of a Jilted Hypochondriac is fabulous chick lit for anyone, but particularly anyone who has been jilted, is a mother, or has been worried about their health and the over forty crowd.
Thank you to Tracy H. Tucker for our review copy. All opinions are our own.
January 28, 2013
I received a copy of I Kill Me: Tales of A Jilted Hypochondriac by Tracy H. Tucker via CLP Blog Tours.
Christine Bacon is your typical mom, wife and friend � but with a fatal attraction. To all things fatal. Every bump, bruise, scratch, muscle rumble or zit is a gateway to her death, well, in her mind at least. A veteran hypochondriac, her near-death experiences are exacerbated when her husband proposes they have a menage a trois with Eleanor, his busty British massage therapist, to “shake things up.� A mistake of course, Christine reluctantly agrees and her marriage slowly goes downhill afterwards. But, that isn’t the only thing that goes downhill as her fears and anxieties as a hypochondriac get wildly out of hand. The only things that save her are her two daughters, her dear friends and ironically, a few household items. Will she ever find someone who loves her despite her condition?
Tracy is by far one of the sweetest people that I have ever met and I was thrilled when she asked me to review her book. And, without a doubt, I wasn’t disappointed. This book is witty and laugh out loud but it also has a ton of heart. I thoroughly enjoyed Christine and felt for her as she navigated her life dealing with everything that she was dealing with. Tracy has a true talent of writing humor into a lot of places where I didn’t really expect to find it, but I definitely appreciated it because it felt more real. I also enjoyed the steamier scenes as well and thought that Tracy did very well spicing those up as well. Overall, this book was excellent and I was so glad that I got a chance to read/review it.
Christine Bacon is your typical mom, wife and friend � but with a fatal attraction. To all things fatal. Every bump, bruise, scratch, muscle rumble or zit is a gateway to her death, well, in her mind at least. A veteran hypochondriac, her near-death experiences are exacerbated when her husband proposes they have a menage a trois with Eleanor, his busty British massage therapist, to “shake things up.� A mistake of course, Christine reluctantly agrees and her marriage slowly goes downhill afterwards. But, that isn’t the only thing that goes downhill as her fears and anxieties as a hypochondriac get wildly out of hand. The only things that save her are her two daughters, her dear friends and ironically, a few household items. Will she ever find someone who loves her despite her condition?
Tracy is by far one of the sweetest people that I have ever met and I was thrilled when she asked me to review her book. And, without a doubt, I wasn’t disappointed. This book is witty and laugh out loud but it also has a ton of heart. I thoroughly enjoyed Christine and felt for her as she navigated her life dealing with everything that she was dealing with. Tracy has a true talent of writing humor into a lot of places where I didn’t really expect to find it, but I definitely appreciated it because it felt more real. I also enjoyed the steamier scenes as well and thought that Tracy did very well spicing those up as well. Overall, this book was excellent and I was so glad that I got a chance to read/review it.
November 21, 2012
Maybe it’s because I could relate to the main character, Christine, with her hypochondria and overbearing Mother, or maybe it’s because I love to laugh, and this book provides plenty of laugh out loud moments, or maybe it’s because I like a good contemporary love story, or maybe it’s all of the above…but I loved Tracy Tucker’s I Kill Me.
Ms. Tucker takes us inside the head of a forty-something wife whose husband has just left her. To make matters worse, with every bump, scrape, or you name it symptom, Christine was certain she had a deadly disease. No, it shouldn’t be funny and entertaining to be in a hypochondriac’s head, and neither the author nor I am making fun of the very serious disorder, but Christine’s thoughts are just flat out funny, and you can’t help but like her. I found myself wishing she’d say out loud the things she was thinking about her idiot husband, but I still enjoyed her spunk in thinking them.
I’m also a fan of using dialect in novels, and the British accent Ms. Tucker gives one of the characters is spot on. I could hear her in my head perfectly, and even though the woman was annoying as all get out (in a good way), I loved reading her dialogue.
There are a few things I was hoping Christine would achieve, and Ms. Tucker did not disappoint. I won’t spoil the ending, because that makes people cranky, but I can’t think of a more satisfying ending to this book than what the author gave us. I loved this whole book, but the ending? It is one of the best endings ever.
Ms. Tucker takes us inside the head of a forty-something wife whose husband has just left her. To make matters worse, with every bump, scrape, or you name it symptom, Christine was certain she had a deadly disease. No, it shouldn’t be funny and entertaining to be in a hypochondriac’s head, and neither the author nor I am making fun of the very serious disorder, but Christine’s thoughts are just flat out funny, and you can’t help but like her. I found myself wishing she’d say out loud the things she was thinking about her idiot husband, but I still enjoyed her spunk in thinking them.
I’m also a fan of using dialect in novels, and the British accent Ms. Tucker gives one of the characters is spot on. I could hear her in my head perfectly, and even though the woman was annoying as all get out (in a good way), I loved reading her dialogue.
There are a few things I was hoping Christine would achieve, and Ms. Tucker did not disappoint. I won’t spoil the ending, because that makes people cranky, but I can’t think of a more satisfying ending to this book than what the author gave us. I loved this whole book, but the ending? It is one of the best endings ever.
September 26, 2012
“I Kill Me� by Tracy Tucker was a fascinating read that I pretty much devoured this past Sunday as I had a difficult time putting it down. The story is one we’ve seen before � a wife is surprised by her husband’s sudden decision to leave her and has to pick up the pieces of her newly single life while still trying to keep it together for her children and at work. The main character, Christine, though made all the difference. She had the expected range of emotions � anger, pain, loss etc but when you add in her hypochondria then things get nutty. I can’t lie � this both endeared her to me & made me grind my teeth in frustration with her, something her friends were she real would no doubt be doing as well. I don’t know anyone who has this issue to such an extreme but I empathized with how it had to rule her life and her absolute panic when she thought she’d contracted some crazy kind of disease. My absolute frustration with this side of her only made me cheer even more as she began to understand and conquer her condition. I even fist-pumped at the end of the story, so happy to see Chris managing to deal so well and finally getting her own back against her ex and no longer allowing her anger or her hypochondria to control her. All in all, I’d recommend this book to anyone looking for a new story that isn’t just fluff or zany antics � the character and her situation were very real to me & I can promise, I’ll never look at a pimple/mole the same way again (among other things)!
November 10, 2012
I am truly amazed at how much I enjoyed this book. It was well written, well edited and well done. Our heroine is a hypochondriac, a really good hypochondriac. She can go from a sore throat to lymphoma in 15 seconds. What she didn't have a sense of was just how unhealthy her marriage was.
The opening pages of this book are truly memorable. I won't spoil it. But with these opening pages, the reader knows the cancer has taken a firm hold of the marriage and there will be no remission.
This book follows the end of the marriage and how our heroine deals with that and then the subsequent birth of her new life. But ever present is her certainty --though she can be talked down -- that the end is near. The author did a great job of weaving the hypochondria into the tale. She uses fonts and running together of words to help the reader understand just how to "read" the thoughts racing through her mind at a break-neck run.
While I am not a hypochondriac, I actually had a few guilty giggles over, oh, yeah, A,B, C has happened to me and my mind skipped over all the other letters of the alphabet and landed on Z, omega, the end.
This was one of the best written freebies I have read yet. I did cringe at a misspelling or two, a missing word or two but it is evident this story has been edited and proofed professionally. Very enjoyable couple of hours on this one.
The opening pages of this book are truly memorable. I won't spoil it. But with these opening pages, the reader knows the cancer has taken a firm hold of the marriage and there will be no remission.
This book follows the end of the marriage and how our heroine deals with that and then the subsequent birth of her new life. But ever present is her certainty --though she can be talked down -- that the end is near. The author did a great job of weaving the hypochondria into the tale. She uses fonts and running together of words to help the reader understand just how to "read" the thoughts racing through her mind at a break-neck run.
While I am not a hypochondriac, I actually had a few guilty giggles over, oh, yeah, A,B, C has happened to me and my mind skipped over all the other letters of the alphabet and landed on Z, omega, the end.
This was one of the best written freebies I have read yet. I did cringe at a misspelling or two, a missing word or two but it is evident this story has been edited and proofed professionally. Very enjoyable couple of hours on this one.
September 25, 2012
I Kill Me: Tales of a Jilted Hypochondriac
By Tracy H. Tucker
Publisher: CreateSpace ISBN 9781478236740
I bought this book.
This is the story of a high school teacher whose husband of 19 years first wants her to join him and his masseuse in a ménage a trois. When she first, reluctantly, consents and then backs out, he leaves her, and his conduct after he moves out is not charming. But the book itself is hilariously funny, made so by the voice of the lead character and the predicaments she gets herself into, and provided you can survive reading four-letter words.
I am not going to tell the story and spoil it for you. But I want to assure you that the voice, and the self-talk, of the protagonist, who is a hypochondriac of the first water, is worth far more than the cost of the book. And of course, as is common with hypochondriacs, everything turns out to be better than it looked.
By Tracy H. Tucker
Publisher: CreateSpace ISBN 9781478236740
I bought this book.
This is the story of a high school teacher whose husband of 19 years first wants her to join him and his masseuse in a ménage a trois. When she first, reluctantly, consents and then backs out, he leaves her, and his conduct after he moves out is not charming. But the book itself is hilariously funny, made so by the voice of the lead character and the predicaments she gets herself into, and provided you can survive reading four-letter words.
I am not going to tell the story and spoil it for you. But I want to assure you that the voice, and the self-talk, of the protagonist, who is a hypochondriac of the first water, is worth far more than the cost of the book. And of course, as is common with hypochondriacs, everything turns out to be better than it looked.
November 17, 2012
I received a copy of this book from the author, Tracy H. Tucker, in exchange for an honest review. I had no prior knowledege of, or association with Ms. Tucker or her writing until we connected on-line for the purpose stated above.
I really enjoyed this book. I totally connected with Christine and felt her pain. I could easily become a hypochondriac if I set my common sense aside. I have to say that my favorite part of the book was the ending. Not because it was finished, but because of Christine's revenge. It was so perfect. I almost cheered! My husband was not amused. (Most of the time when I finish a book, my husband will ask me if it was good. If it was good, he then asks me what it was about. At this point I try to condense the whole book into as short of a disortation as possible to keep him from getting bored.)
I do see how most men would not be amused. However, most women will totally get it! Bottom line, I liked this book 4 stars.
I really enjoyed this book. I totally connected with Christine and felt her pain. I could easily become a hypochondriac if I set my common sense aside. I have to say that my favorite part of the book was the ending. Not because it was finished, but because of Christine's revenge. It was so perfect. I almost cheered! My husband was not amused. (Most of the time when I finish a book, my husband will ask me if it was good. If it was good, he then asks me what it was about. At this point I try to condense the whole book into as short of a disortation as possible to keep him from getting bored.)
I do see how most men would not be amused. However, most women will totally get it! Bottom line, I liked this book 4 stars.
August 19, 2012
I Kill Me was recommended to me by several friends and, at first, I was hesitant since I'm more of a nonfiction/historical fiction type of guy, but after reading the first few pages I was pleasantly surprised. Ms. Tucker did a fantastic job speaking directly to the reader which made it easy for me to engage with the plot and make connections with the characters. This book is full of humor, wit, and most importantly, strong writing. I actually couldn't believe this was Ms. Tucker's first book. The way she writes made me feel like I was sitting directly next to the main character watching her struggle on first dates, confide in her best friend about rare diseases, and stumble through being a single mother trying to find herself again. I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a quick read and a good laugh. I am looking forward to more of Ms. Tucker's works!
September 24, 2012
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was witty, sharp and funny yet unbelievably heartbreaking at times. My stomach was literally in knots during certain parts of the story. The main character was real and easy to relate to. The author did a fantastic job of telling a story about starting over even when you really don't want to.
****
SPOILER ALERT:
I was happy that the ending wasn't wrapped up in a bow---I was worried that she and Adidas would have had a convenient ending, and I was so happy that they were left open ended. The actual ending was priceless ;)
It was a quick read and I look forward to reading more from this author!
****
SPOILER ALERT:
I was happy that the ending wasn't wrapped up in a bow---I was worried that she and Adidas would have had a convenient ending, and I was so happy that they were left open ended. The actual ending was priceless ;)
It was a quick read and I look forward to reading more from this author!
December 31, 2012
It has been awhile since I read a book like this - not only the genre but a book this good! I am so pleasantly surprised. The characters were very well developed, the story line was strong, it contained a nice balance of humor and drama, and the ending was satisfying. It is rare that a book makes me laugh aloud and there were a few times were Christine really cracked me up. At first, I found her annoying but I grew to really like her. The book was smart and sassy, it was mature without beng raunchy, and it was thought provoking while being a fun and easy read. I think that this is one of the best indie books that I have read thus far! Thanks Tracy!
May 18, 2013
Fun, light read (finished in an evening). There are some great one liners in this book, and I found myself laughing out loud several times. Yes, the whole "hypochondriac" thing does get a bit tiring at times, but sometimes you can't help but smile. I'm sure we've all taken some minor cut or pain and turned it into a life threatening illness thanks to the internet.
Christine, the main character, is not always strong, she gets mad and yells, she cries at the drop of a hat...she's a real person. She gets on your nerves one minute, but the next you find yourself identifying with her.
Great chick-lit!
Christine, the main character, is not always strong, she gets mad and yells, she cries at the drop of a hat...she's a real person. She gets on your nerves one minute, but the next you find yourself identifying with her.
Great chick-lit!
October 13, 2012
I have to start off by saying attention: all hypochondriacs, WEBMD IS NOT YOUR FRIEND!!! I actually have a hypochondriac in my life who reminded me of Chris at times lol.
This is a smart and funny book about a highschool teacher named Chris going through a divorce. Chris has an unhealthy obsession with self diagnosing at any ailment she may find which can be hilarious at times. She is a relatable and real character. I really enjoyed this book! And the ending was priceless! Couldn't stop laughing at that :-)
This is a smart and funny book about a highschool teacher named Chris going through a divorce. Chris has an unhealthy obsession with self diagnosing at any ailment she may find which can be hilarious at times. She is a relatable and real character. I really enjoyed this book! And the ending was priceless! Couldn't stop laughing at that :-)
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