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.

**I was provided with an arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.**

I was so excited about reading this book because the premise sounded super interesting.  I loved this book so much.  I finished it extremely quickly because I was very connected to the story and it made my all heart warm & fuzzy.  

I would recommend this book to anyone that loves a beautiful love story.  Very well done!

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.

I really liked this book!  I was actually impressed with how the author handled this topic.  Usually, books about this topic tend to be all sappy and turn out perfectly, or, they are so depressing that no one wants to finish reading them.  This book has the perfect blend of both.  Ms. Center definitely did her research and it shows!

Yes, life can change in an instant!  A perfect day can become a perfect nightmare all too quickly.  The characters in the novel are all challenged in some way and are changed by the end of the book.  There are so many emotions depicted by the characters that it would seem easy to become overwhelmed, but it’s not like that.  Each character is a vulnerable and flawed individual.  When the author reveals more about a character, the reader can’t help but see a piece of him or herself.  The reader can’t help but be drawn in to see what the character will reveal next.

I am so glad I chose to read this book and I will certainly be looking for more from Ms Center.  This is the first book by her that I have read and it was a bit of an emotional rollercoaster... but in a good way!  Thank you for handling this topic with honesty and directness.  Too many people treat those of us who use assistive devices as pariahs without thinking that this could happen to them as well.

I received a copy of How to Walk Away through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.  My thanks to St. Martin’s Press and Katherine Center for the opportunity.

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.

I received a DIGITAL Advance Reader Copy of this book from #NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.  
From the publisher- 
From the author of Happiness for Beginners comes an unforgettable love story about finding joy even in the darkest of circumstances.
Margaret Jacobsen has a bright future ahead of her: a fiancé she adores, her dream job, and the promise of a picture-perfect life just around the corner. Then, suddenly, on what should have been one of the happiest days of her life, everything she worked for is taken away in one tumultuous moment.
In the hospital and forced to face the possibility that nothing will ever be the same again, Margaret must figure out how to move forward on her own terms while facing long-held family secrets, devastating heartbreak, and the idea that love might find her in the last place she would ever expect.
How to Walk Away is Katherine Center at her very best: an utterly charming, hopeful, and romantic novel that will capture reader’s hearts with every page.

I love stories where people’s lives get turned on a dime and upside down and this did not disappoint! I felt engaged with the character from the get-go and was rooting for her all long as Margaret started to live her new life. I found the book easy to read and well-written (whatever well-written means 😊) and in the end, totally enjoyed it and made it our July book club pick!

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.

The book description enticed me on this one, making me overlook the dual categories of Romance and Woman's Fiction, personally my least favored genrés. I did become invested in the plot; how could one resist discovering if the varied motivational techniques of her long-removed sister, her overbearing mother, or her distant hunk of a physical therapist worked best in her recovery. However, I kept wishing for better character development and less predictable plot twists. I do appreciate the NetGalley preview privilege. Alas, I am not overwhelmed with this one.

[I received a free advance review copy by St. Martin's Press via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review]
This was such a raw and genuine read. Calling it a tearjerker would be an understatement, but that's probably because I had no idea what I was getting myself into until a couple of chapters in. No, I didn't expect an intense read that shatters your heart to bits. I was completely blown away by Margaret's patience and courage, especially with her mother, who I must say, was a major asshat 99% of the time.
Her resolve and determination throughout the whole post-accident stage was such an inspiration. I read this book around the time of Stephen Hawking's death and I couldn't help but compare their situations. To find the will to live after such injury/disability (regardless of its majority or nature) quite literally blows my mind. This book is a must-read.

Thank you NetGalley for a digital ARC. Loved this book and would have read in one sitting if it weren’t for bedtime. Adored the characters and relationships. Fans of JoJo Moyes Me Before You Series will love this read although this book is far far better.

How to Walk Away by Katherine Center
What a wonderful, mostly realistic account of a difficult situation. A young woman is coerced by her boyfriend to take a plane trip with him. He has it all worked out and despite the fact she is afraid to fly, guilts her into going with him. Then he crashes the plane and the story begins. There are some characters you will want to root for and some that you will want to strangle. 
The only downside of the book for me was the skirting around many ethical issues (patient/therapist relationship, bullying, an uncertified pilot flying a plane). All were present but glossed over.
What I really liked about the book was the portrayal of Margaret, the main character. I can’t speak to how authentic her thoughts, actions and reactions after the crash might be, but Ms. Center certainly did not shy away from what appears to be an honest portrayal of someone left in Margaret’s situation.
I would recommend this book.
I received a free copy of the book from NetGalley and St. Martin's Press in exchange for my honest review. Thank you.
ISBN: 1250149061 (ISBN13: 9781250149060)
PUBLISHER: St. Martin's Press
Publication date: 05/05/18