Another passionate novel by the great Barbara Delinsky. Great story like of passion , family and tragedy wrapped up in one fabulous story.  It was a wonderful read. I appreciate Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for giving me the chance to read this. Of course all her books are a great read.

Before and Again, written by Barbara Delinsky is about a woman, Mackenzie Cooper, who took her eyes off the road for just a second. The accident resulted in the loss of her daughter, family and friends. She was judged through social media. As a result, she runs to Vermont where she is hiding under a new name with a few new friends. She wants to hide from the world and finish her probation. When another tragedy unravels around her, the new world is threatened as well. This was a good, fast moving drama and a nice change for me from cozy mystery but very emotional. I recommend it if you enjoy books about relationships, loss and starting over. Thank you to Net Galley for allowing me to read an advanced copy of this book.

I appreciated the opportunity to read a Delinksky book through NetGalley. I found this title engaging, with a number of twists and turns, and totally enjoyable. Character development was well done.

Barbara Delinsky is one of my favorite authors, and I am always happy when I see a new book by her. This book is about Mackenzie Cooper and a tragedy that occurred when she took her eyes off the road for a second. Following an arrest and a divorce, Mackenzie has settled in a new town. She has changed her name and has a new job as a make-up artist. She is just trying to start over in this little town where no one knows about her past. When a good friend's teen-age son is arrested for hacking into a prominent citizen's Twitter account, Mackenzie is forced to reveal her past secrets. I really enjoyed this book and will continue to read all the books written by this author. Highly recommend!

Good book but then most of Barbara's are!   Very interesting story line that has you wondering.  Enjoyed reading

Barbara Delinsky does not disappoint readers with her newest novel.  Loved this book!!!!!!!  This story is about a couple and the tragic loss they dealt with and the aftermath of that loss. How they deal with it will crip readers from the first page.  This novel makes you feel like you are right there with them feeling every emotion and triumph.  Maggie is running from her tradegy but the love her friends and family feel for her will bring her back full circke in ways she ne er expected. A huge thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the oppurtunity to read this amazing novel

Thanks to NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review. 

I'm a fan of Barbara Delinsky's books and this one doesn't disappoint.  After a tragedy where Maggie attempts to rebuild her life and keep her past in her past how does she cope when her past starts to appear in her new life... 

All of Delinsky's books follow the same premise, but this one had a few twists and I loved it. I liked the characters, they felt real and relatable. 

A great read for the summer, though you may need a tissue at a few points...

Before and Again by Barbara Delinsky is a fast paced plot. The story is about a family's life that gets turned upside down when they loose their only daughter. A five-year-old girl, dead on impact of another car hitting them. The mother was driving the car. Since then, life has beennothing but hell for the parents. A divorce, separation, guilt, shame, and grief immediately consumed me. I felt an instant sympathy for the family, especially the mother. It was intense. Sad, horrifying, and just one big emotionally charged journey. What started out as a sad and dark road, soon proved to hold some hope and light for this couple. I loved how realistic and how I was shown what was happening.

The situations were not easy but I could easily see all of this happening in real life. It's difficult to lose a loved one, especially one that was so young and in the mother's care at the time...the physical and emotional trauma would be hard. Yet Barbara Delinsky showed that there is always a light at the end of the long dark tunnel. We may lose ourselves but not all is lost. There is hope for a future...overall, I would recommend this to readers everywhere.

A writer of romance and dramatic novels and literary fiction, Barbara Delinsky is the author of twenty-two New York Times Bestsellers, as well as the book UPLIFT: SECRETS FROM THE SISTERHOOD OF BREAST CANCER SURVIVORS, a self-help book. Delinsky now brings us BEFORE AND AGAIN, scheduled for release June 26, 2018, by St. Martin’s Press.

As a writer supporting other writers, I joined the Barbara Delinsky Street Team Facebook group where she is promoting BEFORE AND AGAIN, as well as giveaway contests and providing updates on the release of her novel, which by the way is available for #PreOrder: http://bit.ly/BeforeAndAgain now.

In full disclosure, I had never read any of Barbara's novels, and I was surprised at how many others in the group had read everything Barabara had ever written. When NetGalley provided me with the opportunity to read and write a book review of BEFORE AND AGAIN, I jumped at the chance, and after reading the novel, I regret not ever reading a Delinsky novel before now.

BEFORE AND AGAIN begins with Mackenzie Cooper trying to find the house where her five-year-old daughter, Lilly has a scheduled playdate. Mackenzie is in an unfamiliar area and takes her eyes off the road for a quick glance at her GPS. In this mere moment, Mackenzie failed to see the stop sign. Not stopping at the stop sign, Mackenzie's SUV was hit by a vehicle traveling at an excessive rate of speed. The death of Mackenzie's daughter Lilly became the undoing of a loving family that had the picture-perfect life. The judge presiding over Mackenzie's trial was determined to make an example out of her and sentenced her to five years of probation.

Mackenzie's marriage fell apart and her friends and family blamed her for Lilly's death. Cloaked in guilt and grief, after her divorce, Mackenzie disappears to recreate a new life for herself where no one knows her. She became Maggie Reid, went to cosmetology school and instead of showing her artistry through the work she had done with clay in her previous life, she became a makeup artist and settled in Devon, Vermont. No one knew her; no one asked questions about her past or where she came from. Devon accepted Maggie. She found a job at a high-end spa, bought a small house and got herself a dog and two cats.

What no one knew was that Maggie suffered a mother's grief of losing a child and that she continued to live with the guilt of "killing her daughter." Her guilt and pain led to frequent panic attacks and her inability to move air through her lungs. Maggie keeps her secret from everyone, including her best friend, Grace. When Grace's teenage son is arrested for hacking into computer systems, Maggie has only a few months left on probation and must make a decision whether she will stick by Grace and support her or walk away to protect herself from further trouble.

What Maggie never imagined was the reemergence of her ex-husband, and in Devon, Vermont of all places. This followed by Maggie's brother showing up in Devon at Maggie's small home turned Maggie's life upside down. This was her place, her world and she did not want her ex-husband or her brother in Devon.

I could go on about all the twists and turns that continue in Barbara Delinsky's MUST READ book BEFORE AND AGAIN. I will admit I have read a lot of books, but I cannot remember the last time I read such a poignant novel filled with believable characters as is found in this novel, each character working to escape their own pasts for different reasons. Delinsky's book is a book that could be anyone's life. And her characters are characters that some of us have been, have known, and some of us will recognize, or be at some point in our lifetime. When one speaks of human emotions, whether it be love, fear, loss, anger, regret, sadness, trust, misunderstandings, hope, second chances, etc., every one of these emotions and more are experienced in BEFORE AND AGAIN.

I have STRONGLY recommended that readers of all genres preorder BEFORE AND AGAIN on my social media sites. I will not support a book if it does not have all the parts required that make-up a captivating story. In case you missed it at the beginning of my review, Barbara Delinsky has twenty-two New York Bestselling novels. That speaks volumes about her writing and where BEFORE AND AGAIN is headed. As I also said, I regret never having read any of Barbara's books before now. I've got a lot of catching up to do. My blog does not have rating stars, but if it did, I would give BEFORE AND AGAIN five stars.

You can follow Barbara Delinsky on the following social media sites, as well as her website:

FB: https://www.facebook.com/bdelinsky/
FB: https://www.facebook.com/groups/BarbaraDelinskyStreetTeam/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/barbaradelinsky/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/BarbaraDelinsky
Website: www.barbaradelinsky.com

This book was ok.... not terribly gripping, I was a bit bored half way through. I liked the main character and could appreciate how she had to reinvent herself...but it was as quite predictable

Mackenzie Cooper misses a stop sign and is broad sided which results in the death of her child.  Mackenzie had looked down to check her gps.  The DA goes after Mackenzie to make an example of her.  Mackenzie loses everything. Her child, her husband and her friends.  She is left alone to grieve for her daughter and try to rebuild some sort of life for herself. 

This is a novel about grief, friendship, second chance love, forgiveness, survival, and learning to accept what you can’t change.  I found the characters very relatable with all their flaws.  From the minute I started this book I was hooked. It is a real tear jerker that I couldn’t put down. I just had to find out how the book would end.  Thank you to net galley for an advanced readers copy of this book.

Mackenzie Cooper - who now goes by Maggie - was in a car accident that killed her daughter and she has not forgiven herself for it.  The media hounded her, her marriage dissolved and she fled to Vermont.  She's made a nice life for herself in Vermont until her friend's son is charged with a crime and her ex-husband buys a business in town.

Maggie's friend's son is accused of hacking into social media accounts of prominent people.  Maggie struggles because she wants to be there for her friend, but she wants to stay out of the spotlight.  I enjoyed the dynamic between the two women just as much as I enjoyed the uncovering of her friend's son's involvement in the social media scandal.

In many ways Before and Again is a study in human relationships.  Husband and wife.  Mother and daughter.  Brother and sister.  People move away from each other for valid reasons but find their way back to each other.  I loved that part of the story and the reminder of how important it is to have people in your corner when the going gets tough.

At first I found Maggie's ex-husband buying the Inn where she worked a little too convenient, but the love story was beautiful.  I loved the ending of this book.  It gave me hope that healing is always possible.

Fans of Barbara Delinsky – you know who you are – get totally involved and vested in anything she writes. When I look at her booklist I can’t help but marvel at the fact that I’ve only missed out on a couple of them. Every other book I remember vividly – especially the cast of characters. But Barbara Delinsky doesn’t write about characters – she writes about people. People she makes up in her vivid imaginative mind and perhaps some that she’s crossed paths with. 
Some books are meant to be a fast read. A kind of marathon page turner. Others are designed to be treasured and savored like delicacy. To be sipped slowly like a fine wine. That’s how I felt reading BEFORE AND AGAIN by Barbara Delinsky. Each and every page held another amazing piece of a puzzle. So delightful learning what made these characters click. Every time the author challenged my conception of what had come before it – made my day. That’s the beauty of Barbara Delinsky and BEFORE AND AGAIN just may be one of her best. And that’s saying a lot considering her rich and amazing list of books. 
Just like any Barbara Delinsky story I’ve ever read BEFORE AND AGAIN will be remembered long after the last word is read. 
Maggie Mackenzie Cooper Reid is a study in the steps required to recover – if anyone can really recover from the death of a child. Maggie’s decision is to reinvent herself so to speak. Distance herself from her past. Use a name that is less recognizable and known than her previous one. When Maggie divorces Edward she does more than end a marriage. She closes a page on that entire part of her life. And yet does she? Can you ever really do that? And of course there are some elements of your past that you just can’t sweep under that rug. Maggie faces those every day. 
The new world of Maggie was going really well even considering the intrusion of memories brought on by random thoughts and nightmares. She loved her life in Devon. She had a fabulous network of friends and clients. Maggie Reid had been welcomed into this small town and she didn’t take that for granted. 
People move to small towns for many reasons. Some just to get out of the rat race. Others more personal and private and the great thing about Devon was that nobody seemed that interested in knowing more about ones past than they were willing to divulge.
But alas good things have a way of coming to an end or in Maggie’s case invasion. Maggie’s new life in Devon was slowly becoming invaded by the very people she fought to distance herself from. Her ex-husband Edward followed by her brother Liam. One day Maggie’s life was filled with accomplishments and the next with self-doubts and perhaps a little guilt. 
Maggie’s new life was going to face challenges she never expected and candidly hoped would never have to. 
Barbara Delinsky has us all wrought with sympathy for Maggie but we can’t help but acknowledge that the fault of that accident lay firmly in her hands. One simple mistake – one distracted second – and Maggie’s world was forever changed. BEFORE AND AGAIN starts much like Maggie’s life does with her decision to move away from friends and family to Devon. And the burning question is doesn’t everyone deserve a second chance at happiness. But what if you don’t feel you are deserving of that second chance. And that is the essence of BEFORE AND AGAIN. Maggie isn’t the only one looking for that second chance and Barbara Delinsky takes us on the voyage to redemption.

I thoroughly enjoyed this novel about Mackenzie Cooper, who had to start her life over in a small town after tragedy struck. There were numerous plot lines, but the author gave each its due.

When I start a Barbara Delinsky book I always start slowly. In fact, usually after the first chapter I am gutted so I need to let is sit, while I recover, and this book wasn't any different. OMG. the pain !  so gut wrenching. Maggie and Ned suffer the most tragic of losses and although they took different roads to recovery they find themselves back together on the same road years later. Maggie's road to self discovery, her internal questioning about what kind of friend, person she is so beautifully written. Her struggles and her pain made me so sad. How Ned helps her  realize "that the past may not be changed but it is accepted and becomes  who you are " is a passage in the book that I underlined many times. Both of them reaching out to each, holding each their mourning together, forgiving themselves and well as each other, very powerful stuff.

I have enjoyed each of Delinsky's books that I've read and this one did not disappoint. Before reading, I thought I could never come to like or root for the main character having judged, from the book's description, her actions. However, Delinsky has crafted poignant story with well-developed characters with whom I enjoyed spending time, learning their stories, about their pasts and of the wounds from the baggage they still carry. I will miss this community now that I have read the book. I may have to revisit them and this story in the future. Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

Before And Again
By
Barbara Delinsky


What it's all about...

Maggie has lost a child, ended her marriage and moved to a new town.  She has buried the person she used to be and strives for peace every single day of her life.  Her heart is broken, her soul is wounded...her comfort is her rescued animals and her sweet little cabin and her work as a make up artist.  She gives beauty to damaged faces.  She sculpts, too, but just not the way she did before her life changed.  She tries to live within the boundaries of the new life she has set for herself.  

Why I wanted to read it...

I had this book offered to me to review.  I haven’t read a book by this author in ages. I was totally engaged in this story and these characters...it touched me deeply. 

What made me truly enjoy this book...

I had almost forgotten how beautifully this author writes.  I felt for these characters.  There were many broken relationships that seemed to not have a fix.  I loved the way these characters grew through their grief.  This grief was powerful and devastating.  

Why you should read it, too...

First of all...readers who love this author should not miss this book.  Next..readers who enjoy an incredibly heartfelt story about love, loss and shattered relationships...will find this book addicting!  

I received  an advance reader’s copy of this  book from the publisher through NetGalley and Amazon.  It was my choice to read it and review it.

Heartwarming, poignant, and sweet!

Before and Again is a heartfelt, entertaining story about accepting the things you can’t change, letting go of the past, forgiving one's self, surviving, taking chances, and moving on.

The writing is fluid and well turned. The characters are flawed, supportive, lovable, and real. And the plot is an emotional, engaging tale with a side of mystery that’s full of heartache, loss, grief, guilt, hope, friendship, relationship dynamics, family drama, romance, and second-chance love.

Before and Again, overall, is another beautiful, uplifting tale by Delinsky that ultimately reminds us that life is truly previous and even with the ups and downs, highs and lows, it's definitely meant to be lived.

4* Second Chance Stars

This story started off a bit slow and was too descriptive in the beginning but then a quarter of the way in it took off with a much faster pace. I was then drawn into the story of Maggie and her life in Devon. Her grief and guilt was felt throughout the book.  

The secondary characters in the book were very interesting and believable, each having their own demons to hide from.

This story was filled with heartache, loss, love, friendship and forgiveness and also had just the right amount of romance to it.

I enjoyed this emotional story of Maggie, her family and friends and their struggles in life. The epilogue was a wonderful way to end this emotional heartfelt book.

Thank you to St. Martins Press and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review

This book was good - not great - but enjoyable enough.  It will appeal to fans of women's lit who want something with more depth.  But there is almost too much going on in the book - other than Maggie you really didn't know a lot about the rest of the characters.   There was a lot that was hard to believe and everything wrapped up a little too easily at the end.