I was looking forward to reading this book based on the description. It had so much potential but felt like the characters weren’t fully developed, nor was the storyline . I ended up having such a hard time following it that it was not enjoyable. And I had a hard time finishing it.

This is a good book. Evan and Shosh are the two main characters in this book. These kids are faced with losses in their lives that bring them together under unlikely circumstances. This book travels you through time to multiple people with similar experiences. I was given an advanced reader copy by NetGalley and I am freely leaving my review.

Such a beautiful story. I really loved Arnold’s writing! I was a bit confused at some points in the beginning, but overall this was such a great read.

Thanks Penguin Group and NetGalley. I was excited about the premise of this and I wish I would have liked it more. I appreciated the author's creative writing and hope to read more from him in the future.

I had the joy of receiving an uncorrected proof of this book. I love books where the main characters find each other in every life and this book did that beautifully. I fell in love with the characters and especially the way the characters lived each other. Evan's all encompassing love for Will and the deep seated love Shosh has for Stevie and how those relationships fed into each other and affected the ways that Shosh and Evan began to love each other and everyone around them. The reason I ended up giving it 4 stars is because I wanted to spend more time with Shosh and Evan. They don't really start to spend time together until about halfway through the book. Otherwise I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I liked how in the other lives the names always started with an S and an E, to help you as the reader understand the patterns of them as people. Overall I would say this was a magical read and I can't wait for it to reach audiences.

Unsurprisingly, this book broke me a little bit. It’s lyrical, poetic, and heartbreakingly beautiful. Following two teenagers dealing with their own versions of loss. Evan and Taft couldn’t be more different until they both start to hear a song that no one else can. While also following our two main characters, the book is also full of little vignettes about love across time, which was my favorite component of the story. At its core, I Loved You in Another Life is about how sometimes two souls are just *meant* to be together, no matter the circumstances. There were some parts of the book that I didn’t love (TW: alcoholism) and that I wished were addressed in a more transparent way. Surprisingly, the main romance was not what stood out to me about this book! As I mentioned earlier, the little vignettes stole the story for me. They were all unique and heartwrenching in their own way, and it was so special seeing the same themes occur throughout time. Overall, this is the perfect winter read to curl up under a blanket with a cup of hot cocoa. It’s a pretty quick read, but be prepared to shed some tears!

I loved the idea of this book and was really excited to read it. However, it was confusing and hard to follow. I didn't care about the main characters and they were very one-dimensional.

The only things that stick out after reading were two of the names. One is Shosh, who is one of the main characters. Shosh lost her sister STEVIE BELL. Yeah. You read that right. I just think it was a very poor choice for a character name, considering there is an entire YA mystery series out with a main character named Stevie Bell. I found this to be very distracting while I was reading.

Absolutely fantastic plot! Could not put the book down once I began reading it. Cannot wait for it to be released. I will recommend it to everyone I know!

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in return for an honest review.

In this book we follow two perspectives: Evan, a senior in high school who wants to go to Alaska after graduation for a wilderness study program, and Shosh, a 19 year old aspiring actress who is drowning in grief with the unexpected death of her older sister due to a drunk driver. We see how they both navigate life while dealing with their own challenges and each have their own "coming of age" story. Interspersed throughout the book are love stories of couples dating back to the 1700s and then forward into the 3000s that somewhat parallel Evan and Shosh.

I liked the writing style in this book. Not overly flowery, not too sparse and direct, but just right in between. There are some beautiful quotes about love, grief, family, and connection. Evan's younger brother is sweet and endearing, and his obsession with ET brings a nostalgic element I appreciated (what a great movie!), And Shosh and her sister loving the Frog and Toad stories also being a comfort/nostalgic element. Great characters, good scenes, interesting story.

However, I think some of the elements of these souls have continued to find each other across lifetimes may have been lost a touch on me in how they were executed. I wanted to love that part, but...it didn't feel fully formed. I did like this book and I'm glad I've read it, and I would recommend it. 3 starts for being a solid book.

Trigger warnings for sibling death, cancer in a parent, parent abandoning child, potentially autism representation

This book fearlessly tackled numerous important themes head-on, delving into the depths of mental health, relationships, family dynamics, sibling bonds, physical well-being, mortality, loss, divorce, grief, friendship, love, support, self-care, alcoholism, passion, art, music, and the essence of beauty. What made it even more enchanting and easier to navigate was the sprinkle of magical realism throughout, offering glimpses into the intertwined lives of two souls finding each other across multiple lifetimes. It was a tale that exuded magic, hope, beauty, heartbreak, and authenticity all at once.

While the book was remarkable in many ways, there were a couple of aspects that, if improved, could have elevated it to perfection. One area that stood out was the pacing of the main storyline, which felt a tad slow or overly protracted at times. Perhaps condensing Evan and Shosh's individual narratives slightly would have streamlined the overall flow, preventing it from feeling drawn out unnecessarily.

Additionally, the only complaint I have pertains to the language used in the book. If it weren't for the presence of curse words, I would wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone, especially young readers. However, recognizing that individuals have different levels of comfort with explicit language, it becomes a hindrance when considering a wider audience. If it weren't for this concern, I would unhesitatingly give it a five-star rating and eagerly share it with everyone I know. Nevertheless, it's worth noting that some more sensitive readers may find certain parts too much to handle.

Despite these minor flaws, I wholeheartedly adored immersing myself in the world crafted by the author and surrendering to the power of his words. It became my reality for a little while, granting me a temporary escape into a realm of wonder. As a result, I'm now eagerly setting out to devour every other work that David Arnold has to offer, anticipating more captivating and thought-provoking experiences.

I'm SO interested in reincarnation, so I was very excited to read this book! After having finished it, I wish it delved into the reincarnation aspect a little further. Spoiler alert - we know through the context that reincarnation or some form of soul rebirth is happening between the two main characters, but they don't. I would have loved a little more understanding on their part to play into that part of the story. Overall, a good quick romance read!

Thanks to Viking Books for Young Readers (Penguin Books) and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

This book had so much potential, but it ultimately fell short for me. The main characters felt very one dimensional. They didn’t feel like real people so there was no way I could find myself invested in their relationship yet alone view them as soulmates.

It’s been a really long time since I’ve loved a book as completely as I did this one. David Arnold has truly mastered the art of creating vivid, imperfect, endearing characters. Shosh and Evan are no exception. They get into your heart and get stuck there.

One of my most favourite things about this book are the two loving families that surround Evan and Shosh. Both are going through some pretty traumatic stuff. Shosh’s family is grieving the loss of Shosh’s sister. As the family begins to heal, they show each other love in all the ways they know how. Evan’s dad left the family, and Evan’s mom is left working a bunch of jobs to support Evan and his little brother Will, whom Evan lovingly co-parents. But they stick together, and as busy as Evan’s mom is, she is always emotionally present and available for her kids.

Beyond characterization, the plot weaves together some seemingly disconnected threads, but as the story progresses, we begin to make sense of them, and a beautiful fabric emerges. As the universe, or fate, or whatever force you might imagine brings Shosh and Evan together, their connection gives them the strength they need to do brave and hard things. And they’re all the better for it.

Thank you David Arnold, Penguin Books, and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review. It was my privilege to read it.

David Arnold is one of my favorite authors.
I loved you in another life was good. Not one of his best and a bit confusing at times. BUT BUT David’s writing won me over. His prose and magical lyrical writing made the story for me. I enjoyed it. But like I said a bit confusing to follow.

4.5 stars Wow! I want to live in these words forever; reading I Loved You in Another Life was a visceral experience. The writing was rich and impactful. Quite often I ran face first into phrases and quotes that just sunk straight under my skin and took root in my mind. David Arnold has a way with words!

Then there were so many important things that this book faced head on: mental health, relationships, family, siblings, health and illness, death, loss, divorce, grief, friendship, love, support, self-care, alcoholism, passion, art, music, beauty... All of this was easier to handle with a healthy does of magical realism and interspersed glimpse into these 2 souls finding each other in life after life. It was magical and hopeful and beautiful and heart wrenching and real all at once.

There were just a couple things that might have made it the perfect book. I think the main story line actually went a bit slow or a bit long. Evan and Shosh's individual stories could have been a bit more succinct, it felt just a bit more drawn out than necessary.

And then, the only complaint I would have is about the language. If there weren't curse words I would be able to recommend this to any and all, especially youth, as I know that some are more comfortable with cursing than others. If I could offer this up to everyone I know without hesitation I would give it 5 stars, but it just might be too much for some more sensitive readers.

Overall, I loved living in this world and having these words be my world for a little while and I will now go read everything else David Arnold has to offer!

The title of this book drew me in and I was so happy to be able to read it. The writing was beautiful, and the characters were complex. It took me a few chapters to get into it and figure out what was going on, but stick with it and it will all be worth it. The story flowed beautifully and is one of those that will stick with you.

This book was good. I highly enjoyed it. It is a YA book though, which I read so that's ok. I loved the story line in this book so much! So amazing.
I just reviewed I Loved You in Another Life by David Arnold. #ILovedYouinAnotherLife #NetGalley
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I loved this book. I don’t normally read many contemporary stories but something about the description of this book really grabbed my attention. Everything from the snippets of history to the imaginings of the future were perfect and Evan and Shosh were perfect main characters. I loved that this book showcased all the forms of love. It made me laugh, it made me cry. And it made me feel every emotion in between. This book hit all the right notes and I can’t wait for everyone else to read it.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This book was a solid read; it does have dual point of views with an occasional side of historical context thrown in. In my opinion this did make the story a little harder to follow because of the alternating points of view. There was poems and song lyrics scattered throughout which I thought was a nice touch and I overall enjoyed the story between the two main characters.

3.5/5 stars

Reviewed for NetGalley:

I could not get into this one. I tried multiple times to progress, but never got past 20 percent, unfortunately.