How to Walk Away. Katherine Center

On the day that should have been one of her happiest, Margaret’s worst fears are realized. This book is about a brilliant young woman with her future laid out like stair steps to the stars and then literally crashes. It illustrates resilience in its most powerful form. As Margaret’s sister tells her at the beginning of the book, “Dying is easy, it’s the not dying that’s hard.”

I loved the resilience. Ever hopeful, Margaret, her family, even her medical professionals, face and overcome challenges that ordinary people would find difficult or impossible. Katherine Center’s wry and funny characters may whine a bit, but in a way where the reader knows they will just “do it” …whatever the “it” may be. And the characters don’t just deal with obstacles, they overcome adversity in unique and personal ways that resists foregone conclusions of a happily ever after format. Satisfaction with outcomes will be there, but her characters may not get everything they want, or think they want.

This book benefits from extensive and interesting research on flight, spinal injuries and rehabilitative therapy. The characters teach the reader; there are no sidebar lectures on what needs to happen. We understand what we should expect and what is possible. These are people we care about, with some appropriate exception for the characters you will come to love to hate. Even the main character’s mother has her moments.

Katherine Center’s books don’t shy away from controversial subject matter. How to Walk Away is filled with difficult topics but is a pleasure to read. Any group that is ready for a heroine they can cheer for, without reservation, will love it.

I got this pre-release copy from Net Galley with no strings attached. How to Walk Away will be released by St. Martin’s Press on May 15, 2018.

This was a nice book, well-written with well-drawn characters ... a few of whom I wanted to punch in the face at times, so I guess that means they were realistic enough. I definitely liked the connection between the two sisters. Kit's voice was strong and very funny. I really enjoyed the dialogue in this book--the author has a gift for conversation. I will buy this for my library, because I know we have a lot of patrons who will enjoy it. It did not shake my world, or anything, but it was good.

A life changing accident changes Margaret’s life for ever, you cannot imagine how you would feel if it happened to you but this story takes you on Margarets journey to recovery. It’s not only her body that needs healing but her heart too and both take time and knockbacks. I loved some of the wisdom in this book especially “It's the trying that heals you.”
It’s the first Katherine Centre book I’ve read and will definitely read more

This book shows how to get up and move on from a tragedy. And behind every sadness, and tears there is always a silver lining. A rainbow after the storm.

The main character is really likeable, we will be rooting for her since page 1. With enough spice of romance, a spoonful family drama, lots of self perseverance, this book is enjoyable to read.

How to Walk Away should be the title of all reviews regarding this book. You simply cannot put it down. It's brilliantly written, with characters most of us can connect with on one level or another. Such a perfect read.

This was a unique book. Golden girl Margaret Jacobsen is sure her boyfriend Chip is about to propose to her on Valentine's Day. Margaret has always followed the rules and life has been easy for her, bestowing upon her the gifts of beauty, kindness, a fabulous new career, and her relationship with Chip. When Chip drives them to the airport and begs Margaret to fly with him, she does, but not without serious doubt and trepidation; fear of flying has been her biggest fear all of her life. All goes well until a storm comes up as they are landing, causing the small plane to crash, and Margaret's life shatters to a million pieces.

Chip escapes unscathed, but can't even look at Margaret with her severely burned neck and severed spine. Margaret discovers that her perfect life was only perfect on the surface, and most everything she thought was real was truly shallow. Through the love and support of her family and her stoic, irritable physical therapist Ian, Margaret slowly rebuilds her life one small accomplishment at a time.

3.5 Stars
"Sometimes the last thing you want is the one thing you need."

At the beginning of the book, Margret Jacobsen was right where she wanted to be in her life. She had earned her MBA, she was about to start a dream job, and was in a relationship with the "perfect man". What could be better? Then on day, Chip, the perfect man, decided to take her flying. He knew that she was scared to fly, he knew that she had reservations, but he talked her into it. Never mind that although he is taking private pilot lessons and is so very close to getting his license - he was not a licensed pilot. He took out a plane and up they flew.

What was supposed to be a romantic flight where they became engaged, turned into a nightmare. During landing they crashed, and Chip walked away without any injuries while Margret was not so lucky. In the hospital, she learned just how extensive her injuries are. She also learned some family secrets, faces heartbreak, copes with her medical situation and prognosis for her future. Her sister, Kit, who has been estranged form the family for several years, comes back into her life and provides a cushion for Margaret (Maggie) as she copes with her current situation, her parents, Chip, Chip's Mother and her own feelings about her physical injuries. As she struggles with her physical therapy and her attempts to get a smile out of Ian, her physical therapist, we watch as she learns she still has a future, can still enjoy her life, and move on from past hurts.

People show you who THEY are in how they treat you. Chip showed his true colors as he wallowed in self-pity, as did his Mother, who was just plain disgusting in my opinion, as did Ian, who the Nurses felt would be too touch on Margaret but proved to be the one who encouraged her to not give up. I enjoyed how Margaret and her sister, Kit, interacted. They had some humorous and touching conversations. There are some interesting characters in this book with distinct personalities.

A lot of research went into Margaret's medical condition, burns, prognosis and physical therapy options. I kept wanting to hear the legal consequences for Chip. He was not a licensed pilot, took a plane and crashed. I wanted to know more about how this was going to be addressed.

But, I did like how she is depicted as having various emotions during her hospital stay when learning of her injuries and her prognosis: shock, fear, hope, determination, worry, acceptance etc. I found that part to be realistic and made the book more enjoyable. She didn't just initially accept things and move on, she needed support which she mainly received form her physical therapist and her sister. Yes, her parents were supportive as well, but I really enjoyed her relationship with her sister and her physical therapist.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

What an incredible range of emotion! I closed the book with a smile and appreciation of life. Courage and adversity. Strong character development. Excellent book.

An inspirational story that kept getting better and better as the story progressed. I loved Maggie and her attitude throughout. Her voice was honest and believable. The story itself felt real... no prefectly tied bows. ‘You get one life, and it only goes forward. And there really are all kinds of happy endings.’ 5 stars.

Luckily, I had seen only the blurb - no reviews - when I began How to Walk Away. The story grabbed me from early on, but I had no idea what direction the story would go. I encourage you to get several chapters into the book before looking at these reviews (like I did) because a lot happens in the beginning that I didn't see coming. I expected plot tension, but not the tension we got. Also, I didn't expect the level of emotion we got. This novel was hard to read at times, but it's also a book whose ideas have re-framed the way I see things.

The story revolves around Margaret, who is high-achieving and attractive, has recently earned an MBA, and is engaged to her dream man, Chip. Then, of course, things change. Massively. Margaret is a fantastic main character who faces many different obstacles, and her evolving reactions were nuanced and felt real. Also, at many points, I found it difficult to predict what would happen next, which made the book hard to put down. I had to several times, since my own real life was intervening, and I had dreams about Margaret each night until I finished; that's how compelling she is.

Some novels and movies have had the power to educate me about topics beyond my experience while simultaneously telling a great story (Boys Don't Cry, Brokeback Mountain, This is How it Always is, etc.), and How to Walk Away was such a book. Again, to tell you what this book educated me about would be to give a spoiler that the main character herself never saw coming, but for most people, there is something to learn in this book from the research Katherine Center did.

I highly recommend How to Walk Away.

I have read all of the books by this author and love, love her style. Solid writing, interesting plot, believable characters. I read this book within 48 hours... highly recommend!

Great and inspiring book. The author has a wonderful way of writing that makes you feel like your living in this book. Margaret is in a horrific plane crash. The saying goes “when life gives you lemons make lemonade. Margaret tries to do this but with many ups and downs. Thank goodness there are people along the long road to help if Margaret will accept the help. This book has given me a new way of looking at disabled people.. it really is a must read.

I'd highly recommend this book. It's not your usual romance novel, whatever that is. This is a well-drawn portrait of a person whose life has been pulled apart and who eventually finds happiness in what she has left. It is poignant as she journeys through grief, anger and frustration. Despite that, it is an uplifting story.

How to Walk Away is "The Power of Positive Thinking" wrapped in a sweet love story. Maggie is engaged to the man of her dreams and about to start the job of her dreams when her world literally comes crashing down in a ball of flames. Left with life changing injuries and abandoned by her fiance (Katherine Center's next book should be about the bad karma that comes Chip's way for being such a cad), Maggie has to rebuild her life one small step at a time. Learning her insurance company will only pay for six weeks of in patient rehab, and with a mother who keeps telling Maggie her recovery is "mind over matter," Maggie is ready to chuck it all. The two bright spots in Maggie's life are the return of her estranged sister Kit, and the sessions with her brooding but gorgeous physical therapist Ian. Even though Maggie is physically damaged, and Ian seems to be sleep walking through his life and job, there's a definite "vibe" between them. But Ian tells Maggie his feelings for her are strictly platonic, leaving her heartbroken again. How To Walk Away is predictable-but in a delightful way-making the journey just as important as the destination. The last few chapters and the "epilogue" are where the story really shines- the writing is breathtakingly beautiful and filled with emotion. How To Walk Away is a fast read, but the messages about the power of love and the resiliency of the human spirit are so powerful it's a story you won't forget.

This is both a heartbreaking and an uplifting story. After a very tragic accident, Margaret Jacobsen is forced to rebuild her life. Through the process, family secrets are discovered and recovery begins for the whole family. I enjoyed this story so much. Even though Margaret is a strong character, I like the way the author wrote about the real life emotions someone would feel in this position (like anger and pity). I highly recommend this book and I want to read more by this author.

What an unexpected surprise this book gave me! I, typically, do not read these types of romancey, feel good, lovey-dovey types. WELLLLLLL, this really isn't any of that. It is a story about a woman that must do a lot of hard work to get back to what she is meant to have/be. I laughed right out loud and cried without shame (sometimes at the same time).

My thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for this advanced readers copy.

This book isn't hitting the stores until May 15th and so I strongly recommend my fellow reviewers to check it out.

How to Walk Away is about a contemporary Texan family that is brought together after a devastating plane crash leaves one of their daughters(Margaret)in critical condition and prompts the return of their prodigal daughter, Kit. Margaret soon realizes that she's facing a life of paralysis which turns her "perfect " life upside down.

How to Walk Away is a poignant tale of how we must accept the things we cannot change and find the strength to move on. But don't fear, it isn't all doom and gloom. I found many times that there were humorous moments especially in the narrative style of Margaret's voice. Katherine Center makes her such a memorable character. At times, I wanted to throttle both her mother and fiancee for the way they behaved or what they said, but at least with the former, it was really from a place of love. As for the latter, he definitely is not in my good books. Oh and I loved Ian! Margaret's Scottish PT was my favorite character in the book, even though we don't get to hear his p.o.v.

4 very powerful stars!

"There are all sorts of happy endings."
This quote at the very beginning sets the tone for a wonderful and inspiring book beautifully written. As we read of the very real human struggles of our leading character, we are drawn into the difficulty of working through anger, resentment, frustration, and depression. The love, support, and care of family and a dedicated physical therapist, along with her own will power, gradually lead her to realize, "You have to live the life you have and make the best of things."
This is a story of hope, courage, determination and eventual success after meeting all the hardships to achieve it.
This is a beautiful book and anyone will love its message!

How To Walk Away is a beautiful story of how you can find joy in even the hardest times of your life.