Margaret Jacobson is living a charmed life.  She works hard in school, is highly athletic and is soon to be engaged to the perfect guy, Chip.  Chip is confident and passionate about flying and one night before he takes his final exam to be licensed, he insists on Margaret flying with him.  That turns out to be the turning point in Margaret’s perfect life.  After an accidental flight, Margaret is severely injured and debilitated with an inability to move her legs, walk or anything else she had dreamed of doing in her now non-existent future!
One can see where this narrative is going but it doesn’t erase the reader’s total engagement with how Margaret’s world changes and the dynamic people around her who enable her survival.  First there is the enigmatic physical therapist, Ian, who is a tough piece of metal perfect for Margaret.  Then there is her estranged sister, Kit, who returns and turns out to be just the right amount of jokes, food, commiseration, and inspiration for Margaret to get back into life and new dreams and visions for the future. It also turns out that Kit had disappeared out of love and not hate and lies.
Chip, the perfect guy, doesn’t cope well with what has happened to his fiancé.  In fact, he is so riddled with guilt and shame that he falls apart.  How will that complicate issues?  
Trauma is a life-changer! How easy to write these words because most of us can’t possibly and fully imagine such changes in our life story?  Katherine Center has got it right – so right that the plot and how these people’s lives intertwine in this initial nightmare is credible and endearing.  
How to Walk Away is a more than apt title for readers to grasp by the end of this remarkable, realistic and engaging story of truly heroic growth and change!  So nicely done, Katherine Center!

This was the perfect chick lit. It was incredibly predictable, it was easy to see where the story was going early on, but it didn't take away from enjoying it.

This is the first novel I’ve read by Katherine Center and it won’t be my last - I loved everything about this engaging book!  The strong characters, their dynamic interactions and the author’s fresh approach to overcoming fears and obstacles drive a beautiful and compelling story. I loved the relationship building, the snappy interactions between courageous plane survivor Maggie and her  exuberant estranged sister, Kitty, who barges back into Maggie’s life like a freight train after a 3-year absence. The ebb and flow relationship between Maggie and Ian I felt deep in my heart - those scenes were pure magic! A great killer ending was the cherry on top.

My Rating:  3.5 stars



I have mixed feelings about this book.  While I can’t say I didn’t enjoy reading this (I actually enjoyed alot of it, very much so in fact!), there was something about the way the story was written that made it difficult for me to connect with the story and its characters as much as I think I was supposed to.  Don’t get me wrong – I did like majority of the characters, of course some more than others.  Margaret’s sister Kitty, for example, was one of my favorite characters – I loved her personality and how unconventional she was, yet she was there for her sister when she needed her the most.  Unlike most of the readers out there who were probably more touched by the special relationship that Margaret and Ian shared, I actually found the sisterly bond between Margaret and Kitty to be the most moving and also the part of the story that I enjoyed most.  Perhaps it is because I am a generally cynical person and so a “fairytale romance” like the one Margaret and Ian had in the story just didn’t feel realistic to me (the ending didn’t help either with the way it was so neatly packaged in shiny wrapping paper with the most beautiful bow on top).  The relationship that Margaret had with her sister Kitty on the other hand, did feel realistic and the way they interacted – constantly bickering on the outside yet showing through their actions how much they actually loved and cared about each other on the inside – felt more genuine than all of the romantic relationships within the story.  Aside from Kitty, I felt that most of the other characters were a bit stereotypical (yes, including Margaret, who was at the center of the story), yet despite that, at the end of the day, I couldn’t help liking these characters even though I didn’t connect as much with them on an emotional level as I typically would have.

In terms of the story itself, I actually found the plot a bit too contrived and predictable, with too many coincidences and in some sections, it felt like too much drama was created unnecessarily – by the end especially, it felt like the author was trying to pile as much drama on as possible, which, to me at least, had the unintended effect of causing confusion and contradiction with some of the plot points.  There are some books out there that are written expressly to convey a particular message and to me, this book felt like it fell into that category, as the message that was being conveyed through the story – a message about hope, resilience, love, courage, etc. -- seemed to matter way more than the actual plot and maybe even the story itself.  Perhaps this is why, despite the fact that I felt the story was a bit cliched, the plot a bit too predictable, and some (not all) of the characters were somewhat stereotypical, I still found myself drawn to the story and not wanting to pull myself away.  Indeed, this was a quick read, one that I was able to plow right through in more or less two days.

Basically, I would say that I liked the story overall as well as the characters (most of them at least), but unfortunately was not keen on the execution.  While it’s true that from the getgo, I had some understanding that this book would be a relatively lighthearted, “feel good,” uplifting read and I guess from that perspective, this book did its job and then some – though to be honest, I felt the author went a little “too light” in some places that perhaps should have been more serious.   Also, there were some consistency issues where it felt like some things were overexplained while others that should have been explained more were glossed over.  I think if this book had been more tightly written, less cliched, less predictable, it would have been a more emotional read for me, and a more memorable one as well.

Overall, I did enjoy this one – parts of it at least – but felt like it could have been so much more.  I would still recommend this book, though more for the “feels” rather than the plot or the writing, as I felt that both these areas were definitely lacking.  With that said though, this is one of those books where it’s best to set aside judgement and just go into without overly high expectations and see where the story leads you.   

Received ARC from St. Martin’s Press via NetGalley

This is a wonderful book!  It's hard to imagine how you would cope with the horrible circumstances that befell Margaret but reading this book is a good blueprint.  Did she handle everything perfectly? No.  Did other people in her life understand and deal with her situation in an ideal manner?  Not at all.  But the way the people around her behaved seemed real and truthful and how it really would happen.  Even the characters I didn't like seemed real - and that is better than just cardboard cutouts of characters.  

This very well-written book is an inspiration for everyone no matter what their circumstances.  Not everyone in this position will get a fairy-tale ending and neither did Margaret.  Not totally anyway.  But close enough!

It seems wrong to use a term like fun to describe this book so I am going to go with lighthearted.  Despite the grim nature of the story, Center manages to keep the story engaging and hold interest throughout.  Margaret Jacobsen is a young woman who has everything she wants basically.  She has a great job offer following college graduation and she has a boyfriend who she thinks is perfect.  Then an accident changes everything for Margaret.  Everything. 

The author was astute in her choice to show that a life changing incident does not just involve person who is the patient but also has a huge impact on the rest of a person's loved ones.  For example, Margaret struggled to accept her new reality.  Her mother took much longer to come to acceptance and stop pushing her daughter past her realistic expectations.  While the novel did have divisiveness in it, there was also reconciliation.  

Overall this novel was a quick and enjoyable read.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to read an advanced copy of this novel

I adored Center's Happiness for Beginners, so I was eagerly anticipating this new novel! I didn't know much about this story before starting (and won't spoil it), but I was surprised by the direction it took. My mom often reminds me that you can't change what happens in life but can control how you react to it. This book exemplified that idea! Despite the heavy story, Center managed to infuse it with a lot of humor (without downplaying the tragedy). I loved the family relationships, the heroine's mindset, and the loveably gruff romantic interest. It felt a bit predictable, but it was engaging and I So Enjoyed It.

What an unexpected little treasure.  I had no idea about this book until it popped up on my radar on the rec of a fellow blogger on Instagram.  I was in the right mood for an emotional read and from the blurb I could tell this would be that kind of journey.  And it delivered exactly what I wanted.

HOW TO WALK AWAY is an emotionally gripping and thought provoking story of a woman’s’ journey in self discovery and reinventing herself after a tragic accident changes everything she knew about her future, her past and her identity.  Katherine Center does really a wonderful job at making the reader feel immersed in the story and it was such a fast read for me.  It often made me wonder what my reaction would be if in the same situation.  I loved how complex the story was as well as we are dealing with more than the physical implications from the accident.  There’s the obvious self esteem issues.  And also so many family secrets that come to the surface.  The relationship between our main heroine and every member of her family was an added treat that added something I really enjoyed to the story.

I don’t want to spoil the story at all so I think with the blurb you know enough to know if you’d like to check it out.  If I had to compare this to something else, the obvious choice for me would be ME BEFORE YOU but done in a much happier way.  There’s a better outlook on life and relationships, and definitely a lot more romance 😉  So if that sounds like something you’d be into, then give this book a shot.  I’m glad I discovered it and will be on the lookout for more books from this author.

Thank you Netgalley, publisher and the author Katherine Center for this beautiful book. 
How to Walk Away is one of the best book, absolutely phenomenal.  It drew me in from the get go, could not put it down.  Beautiful writing , touching story.  I loved the main character Margaret and her sister Kitty. 
Highly recommend. I will definitely read books from this author.

I loved this! It was a great story and a positive message of overcoming adversity from within one's self and those around you. This was a nice palate cleanser from the thrillers I've been reading. I will definitely read Katherine Center again!

Margaret Jacobsen had her whole life planned out. Who she was going to marry, kids, home and job. Then it all came crashing down. Who will she turn out to be? This is the story of her strength and courage. It is about family coming together. Time for secrets to come out and the family to heal. It is also about falling in love. I didn't like Chip because he didn't respect her fear. I however, did like Ian. Different from everyone she has ever known. He is also her biggest champion. I loved the end of the book. How everything comes together.

This book is more than a love story. It is about courage, strength and overcoming all which life throws your way. And believe me, Margaret has just taken a huge hit. She has just been in a plane crash. And yes she survived, but her back and her life as she knew it, did not.

There is a double meaning in the title of this book. Margaret has been paralyzed, so she can't just "walk" away. But she learns to deal with walking away from all she knew and discovering the new path her life is now headed.

I love this book! I love Margaret and her family, especially her sister, Kitty. Kitty is a straight shooter, rough around the edges and she definitely has her sister's back plus, she has her own little story line through out this read. Then, there is Margaret and Ian, her Scottish physical therapist. These two have a chemistry not to be ignored. I enjoyed the way the author intertwined all these story lines. There are several running through this read and they all intersect to create a sad, courageous, love-filled tale.

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.

Thank you netgalley and publisher for this arc
MAN. I am having a hard time putting into words what I thought of How to Walk Away. I think I am clearly in the minority here, but it felt like a guilty pleasure/ kind of cheesy. I think for a topic like this, the read needed to be a little heavier, but it felt very light hearted and fun the whole way through. 
That being said, it gripped me from the very beginning and I did catch my self cheese smiling at the pages more than once. Overall, it was a fast read that I did enjoy and cared about how it ended, although predictable.

READ THIS BOOK. That is all. 

OK just kidding. That's not all. But really. There is not one bad thing I can say about this book. It's honest, it's painful, it's funny, it's refreshing. I sailed through it and I didn't want it to end. It's one of those uplifting stories that is disguised as a story of pain, and heartbreak. But did I mention it's funny too!?

Margaret seems to have it all. The job, the boyfriend, the apartment, the fiancé.... a super bright future of loads of money, the crazy hot guy to wake up next to, and endless white picket fences. And then everything changes.
Most of her story takes place in some pretty gut-wrenching hospital situations. Her fiancé may not be as great as she thought, the bright future may not be as bright anymore, and her family has some pretty serious skeletons that are about to rock her world. 

And then there's Ian {{swoon!}} - who doesn't want a brooding, rock hard, gorgeous man with a Scottish accent in their life? Yes, please! Ian is gruff and salty, and pushes Margaret to extremes that make her hate him but thankful for him all at the same time... who is this guy?! And what is his story?!

It's almost a journey of Margaret becoming Maggie. The so-called picture-perfect life she had all buttoned-up, just may have been buttoned too tight, and a major life-changing event could show a side of her she never imagined possible.

I adored this book. It's so inspiring and the end was not the typical end I imagined it would be. It was refreshing, and honest, and brutal at times, but a definite new favorite. I'm adding this to my top 5 of 2018. Great story, and highly recommend!

**Thanks to NetGalley for the digital copy!**

When I first started this book, it was really hard to read. It triggered some of my abandonment and accident fears. But it was so flawlessly written, engaging, and all that. I just had to see what happened with Margaret.

And she hasn't seen or talked to her sister in over 3 years, what on earth is up with that? Will Margaret walk again, how will she heal? What will happen then? And that title...who is walking away???

Loved it. It made me laugh and cry, and made the security guard at work think I'd lost it because I had a huge grin on my face as I finished this one. Book hangover for sure!

This book. Sigh. It broke me and then made me while again. The writing is phenomenal, the story is amazing. It really is the whole package. I look forward to more from this author, she is a master storyteller.

This was a brilliant book about survival. The main character, Margaret, is a portrait of valor in the face of adversity. This book is inspiring and uplifting!

Margaret was left paralyzed after a plane crash. Her boyfriend took her on a joyride in his company plane on Valentine’s Day. The night fun ride ended in a crash when they landed and strong winds pushed the little plane into a ditch. In a horrible turn of fate, the boyfriend didn’t suffer even a scratch, but Margaret ended up with useless legs. 

The beauty of this book is how it portrays the different ways all the characters in the book faced this tragedy. Chip, the boyfriend, broke down under the guilt, turned alcoholic, and went into a downward spiral. Margaret’s parents were very supportive, but her mother turned military sergeant, demanding that Margaret work hard so that she may walk again.  Margaret’s big sister Kitty, from whom they were estranged for the past three years, appeared to support her sister.  Even though Margaret sent her away from her room, Kitty persisted and gained acceptance to stay during the nights.  She turned into Margaret’s best ally. 

Margaret herself was floating in a fog for the first weeks.  Initially she was so numb from pain meds and the shock from the accident that she didn’t know what was going on.  Little by little she started realizing the magnitude of her lesions and her road to acceptance started.  She starts Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy and slowly gets her bearings.    She went through all the phases when a person suffers such a huge loss; denial, anger, depression, helplessness, hopelessness.  However, Margaret is a lot stronger than she thinks and starts to deal.  She has a gorgeous Scottish PT by the name of Ian, who also adds a lot of encouragement and motivation to work her booty off.

I loved this book because it felt real.  I haven’t met anyone in this situation, but the feelings and family interactions felt real.  The road that Margaret took for her rehabilitation felt real with all the obstacles, downfalls, emotional trauma, and determination that is necessary to overcome.  It never went into the deep negative end, but it did have some strong abysmal moments for Margaret.  I think it’s a measure of a person’ caliber how they react under duress.  Based on this, Chip was a wimp, Margaret a champion and Ian a keeper.  Great reading, emotional, heartfelt and uplifting.  Margaret’s family dysfunction was also an entertaining side plot and added a lot of substance to the main plot.

Katherine Center is a new-to-me author, but I am very happy to have discovered her! In her novel, To Walk Away, we get a story of hope, family, love, and strength. 

Margaret Jacobson has it all. Life could not be better! She has an amazing boyfriend and the perfect job. She expects to get engaged soon and begin her happily-ever-after. But as we all know, things can change from one moment to the next when we least expect it. Now everything’s changed. Can life ever be what Margaret wanted and hoped for again? 

There is so much I want to say about this book, but it is really one you have to read and experience. What I can say it had amazing characters, a story that kept me engaged from beginning to end.  This book was a journey of self-discovery, finding strength and hope again. I am so happy to have found a new-to-me author and one I will continue to read in the future! 

Happy reading!

5 stars for How to Walk Away!
This beautiful story is about Margaret Jacobsen and her life that turned out completely different than she ever imagined. Margaret survives a tragic accident and you follow her journey as she puts herself back together....in a new way. Her strength, courage and determination were inspiring. The many other characters in the story were also wonderful, from hating Chip to adoring her sister Kitty, I enjoyed every page!

Margaret Jacobsen is a resourceful individual who works hard to achieve her goals, and generally succeeds. After graduating from business school, she lands a prestigious job in Austin, Texas, and is waiting for her good-looking boyfriend, Chip Dunbar, to propose. When a terrible accident throws Margaret's world into a tailspin, her altered circumstances affect her self-esteem, love life, and family relationships. In "How to Walk Away," Katherine Center relates how the heroine, who is badly injured, learns to cope with new and daunting challenges. She will need a great deal of support, strength, courage, and resilience to get through what will be a harrowing ordeal.

This is a fast-paced novel that incorporates a great deal of jokey dialogue. In addition, we eavesdrop on Margaret's thoughts and feelings concerning her situation. Although she sheds plenty of tears, she is remarkably good-natured and calm as she prepares for an uncertain future. Meanwhile, Margaret's estranged older sister, Kitty, reappears after a long absence to lift Margaret's spirits. Their parents, Linda and Cliff Jacobsen, are with Margaret every step of the way, but Linda is an overbearing and bossy mom who is better at giving orders than providing solace. When her condition stabilizes, Margaret begins physical therapy with Ian Moffat, who drives her relentlessly. Margaret finds Ian intriguing, attractive, and thoroughly exasperating.

Center's heart is in the right place—she believes in the possibility of redemption and reinventing oneself—but she does not quite pull off the balancing act of integrating humor into a story about a devastating crash and its aftermath. The author has done her homework, and she incorporates medical details about spinal cord injuries and severe burns that shed light on the recovery process. Margaret is an appealing narrator, but she is unrealistically stoic most of the time, while Kitty is the stereotypical black sheep who, underneath, is compassionate, funny, and generous. Adding to the angst is a family secret that threatens Linda and Cliff's marriage. Ian, Margaret's PT, is a big, strong, good-looking, and brooding hunk, but we must wait to find out what has made him into such a curmudgeon. To Ms. Center's credit, she has enough respect for our intelligence to avoid wrapping up every element of her seriocomic tale in too tidy a package. "How to Walk Away" is a fast and entertaining read, but it is too calculated and predictable to earn an unqualified recommendation.