Cover Image: The Night That Changed Rachel

The Night That Changed Rachel

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Continuing from book 1 this is not to be missed, how Rachel got to where she is now. Courageous, beautiful and smart. Trent now has to be the strength for Rachel after Landon but can he, will he be that person. Beautiful heart wrenching story that makes you cry and smile, loved it. I voluntarily reviewed this book.

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I’m not sure where to begin… this book felt real like I was in the book.
Rachel graduates early and needs to get out of the small town. She’s ready for college. During the last week of school at a bonfire party she gets wasted and ends up sleeping with Trent who happens to be her long-time crush. When she decided that it was time to move on Trent doesn’t feel the same way… then he starts to show his feelings for her and wants to be with her (face palm).
The struggles that Rachel goes through are an emotional ride that that I enjoyed being on. The way the author has written this it’s amazing because it got some real-life stressful situations and but also added the perfect amount of humor to lighten the heaviness of the story.
I don’t know what is going to happen in the next one but I’m excited to read it.

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The Night That Changed Rachel picks up where the first book (Who is Sarah Randall?) left off only we are in Rachel's perspective. Rachel is still coping with the loss of her best friend and worked hard to graduate high school early to leave her hometown. She is hoping this will help her avoid the constant reminders of her lost friend so she can move on with her life. Rachel continues to be confused by her relationship with Trent and she tries to navigate college and some unexpected news.

I really enjoyed the first book and the beginning of this book was fantastic so I thought by the end I would feel the same way. Unfortunately, 60% of the way through the book I felt like the story was progressing too fast without a lot of details in between. I still enjoyed following the Randall family, but the end of this book seemed to focused on wrapping up one story with a perfect bow while also giving breadcrumbs to the sequel. I finished the book feeling like there was not quite enough of the story in the book for me. I will likely continue the story as I enjoy Gail Haris' writing style and do enjoy the overall story lines of the family. There are just small details that held me back from loving this book.

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At the end of Book #1, we read and cried as we watched the Randall family suffer another tragedy just when things were finally looking up for them. For Rachel, her whole life was shattered as her best friend/beard was suddenly gone and she had no-one in her life she could turn too as her strong connection to the Randall family had been broken, for her anyway. Graduating early as she needs to get away from their smalltown, Rachel is ready to head to college and room with Alice Randall. During the last week of school, there is a bonfire party that she gets wasted and ends up sleeping with Trent Randall - her longtime crush and Landon's older brother. Of course, if only sleeping with Trent was easy as he has an on/off again long-time girlfriend and she hates Rachel. What happens though when Rachel discovers her life is about to change when a test comes back positive? Will she take the easy route and way out and lie that it's Landon's or will she confront Trent and tell him the truth? What happens though when a new guy friend Jonah is added to the mix? Where do Rachel's feelings lie and who will she pick in her time of need? Find out in another great installment of The Randalls series by Gail Haris.

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The Night That Changed Rachel is book 2 in The Randall Series. While it could be read as a standalone, I would highly recommend you start with book 1, Who is Sarah Randall, as you get to know all the characters and truly understand the relationships and where they are all coming from.

In this book, Rachel must come to terms with her grief over the loss of her best friend, she graduates a year early so she can move away and start her new life without him in it. Only to find out, at 17 and just starting college, she is pregnant with Trent’s baby. Trent is her best friend’s brother and the man she’s been hung up on since she was a kid. There is loads of drama that ensues, Rachel’s immaturity was a huge turnoff for me! Seriously, she finally gets the guy and she’s pregnant with his baby and now she needs time to process; and goes round and round for several chapters. Upon having the baby, Rachel is left to deal with post-partum depression; I was happy to see this issue tackled and was happy she was able to get the help she needed right away. Ultimately, I enjoyed the book and I am super happy for Rachel and Trent’s happy ending!

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This one had my feels all tangled up! A couple of crying spells! It has to be hard to lose your best friend, that when that friend is as great as Landon it takes someone extra special to fill that gap! I love the relationship that Rachel has with him.

This book takes you through a lot of emotions, you honestly still feel everything Landon’s family is going through, even though this book is about Rachel and Trent their families play a big role here too.

Denise? Poor thing, we wonder what’s going on with her. Randall scandal!

Gail did an amazing job playing with our emotions and dealing us in more and more. I honestly felt like these were my people and was ready to fight them or fight for them when the time called for it.

This book contains:
Grieving families
Postpartum and anxiety
And a beautiful HEA

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Gail Haris is such an amazing author!

When I read the first story in the Randall series, I was blown away with the heart and soul of Haris's words. She had that unique way of sucking you into her story, leaving you begging for more. So, when I found out the second story, The Night that Changed Rachel was coming out, I couldn't wait to start reading it.

Rachel is one of those characters that you feel as though you know. She's about as realistic as any character can get and after the heartache she endured at the end of the first story, it's time for her to try and move on with her life. The story is full of angst, but in a good kind of way. As Rachel leaves behind the younger high school version of herself, the next step in her life involves Trent, the brother she's been in love with for a long time. If you like emotional reads, Rachel's story is going to consume you!

One thing I've learned about Gail Haris's style of writing, I connect with it. It's real, it's heartbreaking, and it's emotional. Gail knows how to dig deep into the mind's of her readers and she weaves a tale that sticks with you. Be prepared though, because once you start reading, this isn't one of those books you can come back to later. You will want to read it all from start to finish in one sitting. It's that good!

Another fantastic story from an author that's quickly made her mark on my bookshelf! Can't wait to see what Gail Haris has in store for us next.

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This read has everything, real life drama, real life situations. Throw in a little spice and all the other things that make books wonderful escapes and you get the night that changed rachel. I truly loved the first book of this series “who is Sarah randall” and I love Rachel and trent’s story! Can’t wait to see what the Randall’s do next!

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This is a wonderful yet realistic coming of age story with age gap/forbidden romance. Rachel and Trent, along with the entire Randall family, are still dealing with the aftermath of Landon’s death. His loss brings Rachel and Trent together on the night of his funeral. Rachel has loved Trent from a far for years and after going away to college she finds herself intwined with him. She feels like a different person now and is not sure if she wants Trent any more. She has to find away to stand on her own two feet. This is a great read and I highly recommend this book.

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Another poignant and amazing book by Gail Haris. This book takes place almost exactly where Who Is Sarah Randall?? left off but is Rachel's story and perspective. I loved both books.

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I received a copy of this book to review from Netgalley. Thank you for the opportunity.
This book is an intense but poignant story of unrequited love. It is complex and layered with a slow building of a relationships. The characters are realistic in relation to the trauma they have endured. I thought the writing is good and the author handled the sensitive topics well.
However, at times the book felt slow with a feeling of negative events being put in only for dramatic effect, rather than being realistically written. Some of the themes in this book may be distressing to some people.
On the whole, a good book.

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This ARC was received via Netgalley.

Gail Haris' writing was convincing and surely gave this book a feel for reality.

Rachel Abernathy was suffering the loss of her best friend that she was happy to graduate high school a year early. Moving on to uni, she keeps bumping into the her unrequited love interest, Trent, which is her BFF's brother.

They've been having a thing going on but she decides she won't give him the time of the day anymore. But her decision changed, sorta, when she found out she's pregnant.

The whole book is an emotional mess from Rachel's POV as a teenage pregnant in her first year at uni. She was so indecisive and very inconsistent at some points that she got annoying.

Bexley, the friend she made at her class, told her everything I would have told Rachel for being immature and how she handled things. I adore Bex!

I liked the book overall, I just wished she said more about Denise. It ended in a weird way for me. Still a 4/5 rating.

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I loved Rachel and Trent. They’ve loved each other a long time. I was ready to slap her a time or two. Lol, I wanted to scream at her. Landon’s death was still so fresh. I loved that they didn’t give up. They still included him in their lives. I love their family vibe. I can’t wait to see what happens next.

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Rachel Abernathy has loved Trent Randall for years, but knows that she doesn’t have a chance with him…until that one night. Rachel’s best friend and Trent’s brother, Landon, was killed in a tragic accident and the night she comforted Trent will have lasting effects for both of them. Moving on to college and sharing a room with Trent’s sister Alice, is one of Rachel’s goals, but when the unexpected happens, will she have the strength to do what is right for her knowing this will cause a rift with her parents? I don’t normally read a book about young love and romance, but this story had so much strength to the character of Rachel as she matures and becomes the woman she was meant to be. A heartwarming story. I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation for an honest review. (by paytonpuppy)

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Rachel was a high school student, with a best friend she adored, and a boy she had been in love with forever. Until that night... the night that would change her life forever.

She doesn’t want to be in Lumberton any longer without Landon,so she works hard and finishes high school early, and enrolls in college with her best friend Alice, who is Landons sister, and with Trent... the boy she loves... who is Landons brother. Her life takes another u-turn during her first semester, one that’s unexpected and that brings many happenings! I had difficulty putting this book down, for work ANDsleep!

Gail Haris brought us to Lumberton and introduced us to the Randall family. They are a loving family who have embraced Rachel as their son, Landons best friend and love her right along with their own children. When Landon dies tragically, they are all devastated.. including Rachel. There are a lot of things happening in this story! Alice and Noah, Trent and Rachel, and what’s going on with Denise?

If you liked book 1, Who is Sarah Randall, you will love this one too! If you haven’t read Who is Sarah Randall, I encourage you to read it first. I have already recommended this to friends I know who read!!

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I love That this book explores real-life experiences and struggles. Trent and Rachel both have experienced loss and together find their way through. Along the way they both have their ups and downs but know that they must be dealt with. This is my first book by Gail Haris and I can't wait to read more about the Randalls.

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The Night That Changed Rachel is my first book by Gail Haris, and that’s a sad thing that I’d like to remedy. Now assuming that you wanna know why I’d like to remedy that (just go with the flow), here’s why:

1) Emotions, oh so many emotions, but they aren’t all over the place, they aren’t out of control, in fact, they are neatly stacked and dealt with, maturely, something that I crave for in a NA novel but seldom encounter.

2) We have teenagers acting maturely and taking responsibility: surprise surprise! Another thing I miss in most books, I know teenagers could be whinny and emo, heck I was one! But I also remember making better decisions, being more present in the now and taking other’s emotions in to account growing up. Teenagers deserve much more credit than we give em, and this book shows that!

3) My unhealthy obsession with naive, innocent heroines who refuse to be doormats and “Mary Sues” and know when they need to stick up for themselves and choose their battles accordingly and stick with their decisions and the consequences that come with those decisions aka Rachel.

4) A healthy dose of drama and romance, not having to put up with an assh*** of a hero (Trent’s a sweetheart), a wonderful entourage of side characters and a few insects 🙄!

5) An engaging, uplifting story line, that makes you believe that things don’t always have to end up going south, there’s always a silver lining, as long as the door of communication and understanding is open, there’s hope.

For readers like me, I’d suggest that you read book one first. I read it as an ARC in exchange for an honest review so wanted to finish this one first but it took me sometime to get in to the flow of things, though with time, everything started making sense, but again, I could only imagine the experience of having read the first one and then this, so start from the... well the start 😬.

Happy Reading Friends.

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A poignant story about the wreckage of love. The Night that Changed Rachel is a coming of age romance, with a bit of age gap/forbidden love trope thrown in.
Gail Harris writing gives an honest and realistic portrayal of the full scope of what an enduring relationship can withstand. Given the characters age, experiences and current circumstances, Gail gives the reader a believable story line heavily packed with emotions. I can’t wait to read more in this series.
Copy received from The Next Step PR and I am reviewing it voluntarily and objectively.

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DISCLAIMER---Although this could probably be read as a standalone, I DO NOT recommend it. This is the second installment to a continuing story that speaks about events and situations from the first book. Yes, the author does a great job referencing these events, but it will make more sense and give you a more complete feeling by reading the first book.

Rachel is the best friend, supposed girlfriend of the middle Randall child Landon. I saw supposed because they never really dated. In fact, they came up with the deal for a number of reasons. But that deal ended up causing some serious issues for Rachel. Why? Because she's been love with Landon's brother since elementary school. And over the years and a few interesting evenings, her past relationship with Landon can jeopardize her future.

Trent is Landon's brother. He's also four years older than Rachel. So imagine watching a young girl who is your brother's best friend and girlfriend grow up in your house right in front of your eyes, having a crush on her and not being able to do anything about it. Yep. That's exactly the issue with Trent. Besides, it's not exactly legal for a twenty year old to date a seventeen year, right? Man, life is complicated.

I'm not going to go in to details about this book, but I think it's made pretty clear within the blurb that one particular night changes the lives of these two. Even though it takes a while for them to finally come to terms with what's happening, not only with Rachel, but with their lives in general, they pull it together and find the happy place they both deserve to live in....together.

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ARC gratefully received in exchange for an honest review.

A poignant story about the wreckage of love. The Night that Changed Rachel is a coming of age romance, with a bit of age gap/forbidden love trope thrown in.

The story begins with Rachel who is starting college and dealing with the lost of her best friend Landon; the boy everyone assumed she would end up with. Instead it always was the older more detached Trent Randall that was the one for her. Constantly feeling as though she was nothing more than a convenience to him, where he has been her whole world/the love of her life, Rachel begins to take the first initial steps into finally breaking from her feelings of Trent. Rachel’s misconceptions of Trent’s feelings is met with his decision to finally show her how he truly feels and his desire to start a real relationship with her. There no longer is a roadblock to their being together and Trent is intent on fighting for her. There is a fair share of push and pull, angst and drama between these two, layer with passion and devotion.

Slowly as the story unfolds the truth behind Rachel’s hesitation and a bit of deceit is unveiled. Rachel is a woman riddle with personal struggles. They say that the friends you make in college can last a lifetime and thats exactly what happens with Rachel. She leans on her new friends to help through some of her most difficult times and decision she most make. This story is a true testament that we all have of issues, but rather than going at it alone, sometimes you just need someone to hold your hand in the dark.

Gail Harris writing gives an honest and realistic portrayal of the full scope of what an enduring relationship can withstand. Given the characters age, experiences and current circumstances, Gail gives the reader a believable story line heavily packed with emotions. I can’t wait to read more in this series.

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