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The Other Year by Rea Frey

(Thank you @suzyapprovedbooktours, @reafreyauthor, and @harpermusebooks for the #gifted audiobook).

When I read the synopsis of The Other Year several months ago, I knew immediately that I had to read it. An alternating timeline story involving motherhood?? Say less! As a mom, I knew it would be a gut-punch, but it sounded like the emotional reads I typically love. And this one definitely delivered.

I was hooked from the first chapter, and the narration made it even more engaging. You could hear the grief in the narrator’s voice as she read the timeline where Olivia died (not a spoiler).

My heart was with Kate as she navigated both plot lines and dealt with grief, love, purpose, and finding happiness in the midst of tragedy.

I highly recommend this book!!

4.5⭐️

<i> Can the entire course of a life be traced back to a single moment? On a coveted two-week beach vacation, working mom Kate Baker’s nine-year-old daughter, Olivia, vanishes suddenly among the waves—a heart-dropping incident that threatens to uproot her entire reality. But in the next moment, Olivia resurfaces, joyously splashing. What would I do if she didn’t come up? Kate wonders. How would I live without her? In another set of circumstances that hold a different fate, Kate doesn’t have to wonder. Because in that “other” world, in the pulse-pounding seconds after Olivia goes under, she doesn’t come back up. Told in parallel timelines, Kate begins to live two lives—one in which Olivia resurfaces and one in which she doesn’t. </i>

At first I found the shift back and forth between the two timelines jarring- moving abruptly between deep-seated grief and the ups and downs of normal everyday life. I suspected this was intentional, but I worried that I wouldn’t be able to make it through a whole book of that dramatic contrast. Reading a bit further, though, it started to make sense, and wow did the story pull me in. This was an incredibly moving story, and the innovative format leads the reader to a lot of reflection on possibilities, choices, fate, and appreciating the fleeting nature of things. Highly recommend.

Brittany Pressley did a lovely job narrating the audiobook.

Thank you Rea Frey, Harper Muse, and NetGalley for providing this ALC for review consideration. All opinions expressed are my own.

Major trigger warning: death of a child
The Other Year by Rea Frey, an audiobook narrated by Brittany Pressley is an extremely emotional story, or let's say two stories about Kate, the hard-working single mum of Olivia. Kate always does what's best for everyone by putting her own needs on the side. Finally, she is ready to put her work on the side and take a 2-week holiday for her birthday. Kate and Olivia enjoy their time by the ocean when Kate receives a text message... What can happen if you take away your attention from your swimming child for a half minute? When Kate can't see Olivia she instantly suspects the worst hoping for the best... When she finally spots Olivia's happy face she exhales and just for a split second thought "What if"...
This is where the book gets interesting as we are allowed to follow 2 timelines, one where everything follows the normal life pattern with ups and downs and the other where the worst nightmare comes true...
This book contains all the possible emotions, grief, happiness, trust, betrayal, the conflict between what the best, how to value self, and most importantly this book makes you think of what is truly important.
Brittany Pressley delivered this story so emotionally, so real that I could feel every single part of this book!

Thank you, NetGalley and Harper Muse for this book!
#TheOtherYear #NetGalley #HarperMuse

I’m used to reading books written by Rea Frey with suspense at the core. Rea steps out of that genre to tell a beautiful story of loss, grief, and love.

This book has two timelines and goes through the course of a year. Timeline One begins as Kate Baker and her nine year old daughter, Olivia, are on a beach vacation. Timeline Two begins with the same beach vacation but when Kate looks down at her phone to check a text from her ex-husband, Olivia is swept away and drowns.

I know as a parent reading about what we most fear, to loose a child, could feel like a trigger. But this book weaves that tragedy into the story with grace and respect so that even though I was devastated at Olivia’s loss in timeline two I was able to understand the bigger picture. Kate’s life in both timelines are at the core of the story and those journeys make for a really engaging novel.

I listened to this book and the narrator does a great job of portraying the feelings in each of the two timelines. The beginning of the audio also has a note from the author that is very heartfelt and really made this book feel even more meaningful.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Harper Muse Audio for the free audio book in exchange for my honest review. This is narrated by Brittany Pressley who does a fantastic job.

In reading the premise for this story, I was intrigued by a story that provides 2 different story lines at the same time, one being a child dies from and a child survives the same event. I have to say that this was very well done!

The author alternated between the 2 timelines by alternating chapters, and it worked by having the same set of characters though their roles shifted to fit the narrative. I was very interested to see if the outcome would be the same.

This is very well done! The character development was well done and accomplished through both parts which was a nice add. I consumed this very fast paced novel. I felt for Kate through her decisions and growth. I loved the ending!

Highly recommend!!

This audiobook is narrated by the very talented Brittney Pressley. She brings this story to life and has such distinction between each character. It is a perfect pairing.
The Other Year is unique in that 2 stories are written alongside one another. 1. After 2. As of it didn’t happen. It’s relatable in that we have all had something happen and think what would my life be like of that never happened. What would my life be like if I never made that choice. This incredible story about grief let’s us experience the what ifs. It’s truly an unforgettable story. Gut wrenching at times, this story deals with grief.
5 stars all the way. Well written. 2storylines yet easy to follow.

Copied from Goodreads: 2.5⭐️ Rea Frey’s novel “The Other Year” reads like a novelized Hallmark Channel adaptation of “Sliding Doors.” This isn’t necessarily bad provided you know you’re in for an overly sentimental journey through two versions of one woman’s 40th year.

I think I would have preferred a fully fleshed out novel of the alternate timeline. Kate’s emotional journey could have been more appropriately explored given more time.

This may be the result of the narrator but the dialogue, particularly when Spanish, Olivia, or Michael are involved, seemed forced, artificial, and incredibly annoying. Perhaps that’s the point?

Many thanks to Harper Muse via NetGalley for this audiobook shared in exchange for an honest review.

In this story a mother experiences two different timelines, one where her daughter drowns, the other where she survives. The first storyline has the daughter survive, and the relief the mother feels is immense, even though she goes on to experience all the typical mother/daughter clashes. In the second storyline, the one that seemed more likely, the girl drowns and the pain, guilt, shock and sorrow the mother experiences is visceral. A moving and thought provoking read

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐎𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫
𝐁𝐲 𝐑𝐞𝐚 𝐅𝐫𝐞𝐲
𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐫: 𝐇𝐚𝐫𝐩𝐞𝐫 𝐌𝐮𝐬𝐞
𝐏𝐮𝐛 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞: 𝟖.𝟏𝟓.𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟑 𝒪𝓊𝓉 𝒩𝑜𝓌!


In the blink of an eye, the course of our lives can change.
In 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐎𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫 Rea Frey presents alternating timelines, that explore the what-ifs.

Kate Baker and her young daughter Olivia (Liv) are vacationing at the beach. As Liv splashes in the waves, Kate looks down at a text from her ex-husband. In that second Liv goes under the waves. After a terrifying moment, Liv resurfaces. But Kate wonders what life would be like if Liv had been pulled under.

The story progresses with alternating scenarios - one where Liv is alive and life goes on as usual, and one where Liv is pulled under and does not survive.

It goes without saying that this is an emotional story. I was ready for the timeline where Kate lost Liv to be filled with heartbreak, grief, and devastation, which it is. But I didn’t expect the timeline where Liv resurfaces and lives to be so emotional and sad as well. The author did a great job of showing how parents can suffer heartbreak in many different ways.

Loss, grief, parenting, and love are all explored in this thought-provoking narrative. It may make you hug your loved ones a little tighter.


Thank you @suzyapprovedbooktours @harpermusebooks and @reafreyauthor for a spot on tour and a gifted book and audiobook.

The Other Year was so emotional, so gut wrenching - yet made me think about the whole mother/chld relationship. Rea Frey is an excellent writer and the chapters of this book alternate between what happens in a divorced mother's life if her chld drowns or if she bounces back into her mother's view as she sits on the shore. The chapters that follow a storyline where the child dies are just too too too hard. Frey makes it so real. But the chapters where her daughter is living make it paletable. She describes the ups and downs, the happy and sad. The ending is ambiguous as it needs to be. I would like to read this again with my bookclub so that we can discuss.

I’ve been reading (and loving) Rea Frey’s books for years now, so when I saw her latest, The Other Year on netgalley, I requested it immediately! Oh boy…Frey pulls on your heartstrings right off the bat, friends! You’ll suck in your breath, and put your hand over your heart by the end of the prologue. Tragedy strikes when a single mother and her daughter take a beach vacation. In an instant, the young girl is gleefully playing in the water. When the mother diverts her eyes for one second to check an incoming text message, she’s no longer in her line of vision when she looks up. Remember the late-nineties movie, starring Gwyneth Paltrow called Sliding Doors? The one where two scenarios take place? In one, she gets on the train, but in the other, she doesn’t? The format of this novel is just like that. In one timeline, the daughter resurfaces from the water. In the other, she sadly doesn’t. (So heartbreaking.) And don’t worry—the two timelines are super easy to keep track of—even via audio! So, it’s obvious that the one timeline is very, very sad to read, and possibly triggering for some. I must say that Frey absolutely nailed the delivery of this unique format, and handled the subjects of loss, grief, and healing with much care and tenderness.

READ THIS IF YOU ENJOY:

- Reflections on motherhood
- Mother/daughter relationships
- Parenting tweens
- Stories on loss, grief, and healing
- Unique formats
- Parallel timelines
- Character-driven novels
- Emotional reads

With that said, this book is definitely a tough read, and you’ll want to have tissues handy. It will move you, and maybe even destroy you a little bit. If emotional reads don’t scare you off, then I highly recommend this thought-provoking novel. The Other Year is available now, and it gets 4/5 stars from me!

Wow! I don't even know where to start. The authors note- I felt that in my soul! A sliding-doors type, dual timeline story about a mother and her daughter. One timeline with Olivia and one without. Both are about a mom trying to find herself while also being a mother. It's a hard place to be. I absolutely loved it! And now I just want to go home and hug my kids!

4.5⭐️ I love this what if time line. What an emotional roller coaster. This was my first Rea Frey novel and can't wait to check out more.

Through the main character Olivia, we are taken down two paths - one in which her daughter drowns in a split second of distraction, and one where her daughter reappears from beneath the water. Over the course of a year, we are shown the ways in which her life would differ depending on that singular moment.

Thank you Net Galley Harper Muse for the ARC.

Holy cow, what a book! I mean, seriously. The first few chapters were gut wrenching and I wasn’t sure I would be able to read a book filled with so much grief. The scene on the beach and in the hospital were so realistic. It gutted me. But then the parallel plot starts and you get the reprieve in between plot lines. This was definitely a unique book and unlike one I have read before. At first I was confused, but then I understood what was happening. I would like to know which plot line actually occurred, but I think that’s the point. It doesn’t really matter. Unless I completely misread it. If you can get through grief filled books, you will fall in love.

This is a fascinating "Sliding Doors" look at a woman's life with the two stories running concurrently every other chapter. It sounds confusing, but isn't and works perfectly for this story. The narrative deals with grief, has heartbreaking moments, but also moments of healing where we see a ray of light. I loved the ending and thought it was a brilliant way to conclude the book. Beautifully written and narrated perfectly, the audiobook is a pleasure to listen to and I really enjoyed this novel.

This book was amazing. I listened to the audio and read the book. I was skeptical about the parallel timelines, but both stories flowed seamless. The first few chapters of timeline two were heartbreaking. I could feel the emotions as I listened and had to stop for a little because I couldn’t imagine the pain Kate feeling. It was so interesting seeing those “what if” moments play out. I loved that we got some romance in both timelines as well! My biggest takeaway from this story is that things will happen that are out of your control, but you always find your way.

I have never cried so much so early in a book. This is not one to read/listen around other people as it is so heartbreaking, and I couldn’t stop tearing up. I ended up listening to most of it either in my car or in bed in the middle of the night sniffling. Two timelines of what would have happened if. One, if her daughter survived and the other if her daughter died. As a parent reading this I understand the “what if” and go through these thoughts daily myself. As the characters were based upon the author’s real life, every character felt real, had depth, and grew throughout the story. This was a beautiful story about grief, hope, love, and friendship. Does one act change a life course forever or will you still end up roughly in the same spot? The story had a strong emotional pull, in both timelines, and if your book club can handle the grief and sadness, then I would think that this is a fantastic book club read.

This was a heartbreaking , emotional and elightening read , The author takes on on a journey through two time lines over the course of a year , one where tradgy strikes and one where it dosent , What if's play in all of our minds daily , this read tells a stoty of what could happen.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Harper Muse for gifting me both an audio and digital ARC of the latest novel by a favorite, Rea Frey and wonderfully narrated by Brittany Pressley - 5 stars

On a two-week beach vacation, single mom Kate Baker looks away for just a month and her young daughter, Olivia, vanishes among the waves. Kate's world is upended in a second. Then suddenly Olivia resurfaces, happy and fine. But what if she didn't come up? In that other world, Olivia doesn't resurface. Told in those two different timelines, Kate lives two very different lives - one with and without her daughter.

This is a beautifully-written, emotional story of love and motherhood and how life can turn on a dime. Every mother has had that instant heartbreaking feeling of having a child be there one minute and gone the next. In most cases, the child is just hiding, and you find them the next minute. The fear of the other timeline is always there. This book explores those two different timelines in such a unique and thought-provoking way. Highly recommended.

𝘚𝘪𝘮𝘱𝘭𝘺 𝘤𝘢𝘱𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨!

I have no words, this book took my breath away; I went in completely blind and had no idea what a wonderful journey this story will take me, it was unputdownable. Loved every page.

Thank you Suzy Approved Book Tours for this tour invite.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗢𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿 by Rea Frey releases August 15, 2023.

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