Cover Image: This Is Not How It Ends

This Is Not How It Ends

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Member Reviews

Book blurb…
From USA Today bestselling author Rochelle B. Weinstein comes a moving novel of hearts lost and found, and of one woman torn between two love stories.
When Charlotte and Philip meet, the pair form a deep and instant connection. Soon they’re settled in the Florida Keys with plans to marry. But just as they should be getting closer, Charlotte feels Philip slipping away.
Second-guessing their love is something Charlotte never imagined, but with Philip’s excessive absences, she finds herself yearning for more. When she meets Ben, she ignores the pull, but the supportive single dad is there for her in ways she never knew she desired. Soon Charlotte finds herself torn between the love she thought she wanted and the one she knows she needs.
As a hurricane passes through Islamorada, stunning revelations challenge Charlotte’s loyalties and upend her life. Forced to reexamine the choices she’s made, and has yet to make, Charlotte embarks on an emotional journey of friendship, love, and sacrifice—knowing that forgiveness is a gift, and the best-laid plans can change in a heartbeat.
This Is Not How It Ends is a tender, moving story of heartbreak and healing that asks the question: Which takes more courage—holding on or letting go?

My thoughts...
PLOT
During this story the Author describes the character's situation as one right out of a Nicolas Sparks movie. This made me realise that the plot was so like the voice of Sparks. The story line was straight forward and predictable, but , like a Nicholas Sparks, an enjoyable, light read.
PACE
The pace was steady (maybe a little slow at times) but a book needs ebbs and flows. In saying that, the story read well, was entertaining and the ending satisfying.
LANDSCAPE
I normally enjoy the landscape and consider it as important as a character in a novel. On this occasion, however, aside from situating the characters in a particular house (or restaurant) landscape did its job and that is all.
CHARACTERS
The characters are well-developed, with Charlotte being pivotal as the story is hers, and told in first person. The author crafted Phillip and Ben well and I had a perception of how they were as men. Unfortunately I felt no emotional connection. I had a good understanding of what made them who they were but could not get close enough or involved enough. The author missed an opportunity with this one.
OVERALL FEELINGS ABOUT THE STORY
Overall an enjoyable story but with a plot that played out rather predictably. I think the cover grabbed me.

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This was my first book by Rochelle Weinstein. I had previously heard great things but unfortunately, it just didn't come together for me. While there was lots of drama and deceit, it was surprisingly slow-paced and just felt hard to engage with.

I had a hard time with the main character, Charlotte and struggled with the narration jumping back and forth in time. This ended up being a DNF for me. This book obviously was a hit for many others but it just didn't work for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

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I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. Thank you NetGalley.

I'd consider this book to be an emotional read about Charlotte and her relationship with two men. The pull she feels, the emotions she lives... it's all relatable.

The characters were well-developed and relatable. The storyline was great, easy to follow, and kept my interest.

I"ll definitely be reading more by this author.

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This Is Not How It Ends by Rochelle B. Weinstein is an emotional read about Charlotte and the two men in her life. I rarely read emotional books, preferring to keep my books light hearted, but I'm glad I did. This book has a well developed storyline and characters. Once I started reading this book, I could not stop until I was done. I will be reading more books by this author. I highly recommend this book.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

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I cried so many tears throughout this book! Such an emotional journey for Charlotte, Philip and Ben.

Life is messy. It's real and it breaks you. Learning to love and let yourself be loved his hard. It makes you vulnerable and when you lose it, it's hard to love again.

Beautiful story with real characters. You will cry.

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The premise of this book made me so excited to start reading it. However, that feeling didn't last long. While the writing was very good, and Rochelle Weinstein is a master a crafting a raw, emotional story, I just didn't love the story. I enjoyed the ending more than I did the rest of the story, and that is really where my three start rating comes from. This book chronicled a sort of messy love triangle and I wasn't loving some of the themes and elements of this book.

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Weinstein delivers a moving, touching story of love found, lost, and found again. A poignant novel that is sure to cause laughter, tears, and gasps of surprise. A touching, thought-provoking book that deals with some difficult, heart-wrenching topics in a thoughtful way. You won't be able to put this book down!

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From my blog: Always With a Book:

When you receive a package of tissues with the book, you know you are in for an emotional read and that is exactly what we get with Rochelle Weinstein's latest book. But it's the kind of emotional read that sneaks up on you...and that to me is the very best kind.

One of the things I love the most about Rochelle's writing is that she creates such relatable, well-drawn characters that you connect with right from the start. They are also incredibly thought provoking books and have you taking a hard look at your own relationships. I saw myself in these relationships time and again, wondering if things were to go down that road, what I would do.

This book is about love and loss, friendship and forgiveness. It has all the feels and as I stated above, it's a quiet read that sneaks up on you, taking hold of your heart and not letting go. I love Rochelle's writing and will be recommending this book to everyone that loves great women's fiction. This is a book I will not be forgetting anytime soon!

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***Thank you to Net Galley for an advance copy of this novel***

What a gut-wrenching, emotional roller-coaster of a book. Really enjoyed the descriptive passages and vivid scene-setting. Time taken with character development was well-spent and had you invested in the story. Looking forward to reading other works by Ms. Weinstein.

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This is Not How it Ends put me on a rollercoaster of emotions from the start to the end. Charlotte and Philip had a whirlwind romance and planned to marry. Charlotte struggled with losing herself while Philip traveled around the world. Ben and his son entered into her life unexpectantly but soon learned of their connection with Philip. Charlotte started spending more time with them while Philip felt like he was slowly becoming less important.

After some things are uncovered, Charlotte re-evaluated her priorities, needs, and desires. I consumed this book and couldn't stop reading. The turmoil felt so real and palatable with every detail that I read. Well done Rochelle B. Weinstein! I loved this novel and can't wait to read another one by her.

I was provided a free copy of The Grace Year through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

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I usually try to finish every book I start. But I have so many books to read that I don't want to waste my time on books that I'm not into. I'm sure this is a good book. But to me there was too much description and not enough action. It would take two pages just to tell the reader that she answered the door. There needs to be a good mix between good description and action.

Net Galley gave me an ARC for an honest review. Sorry I couldn't finish it.

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Charlotte, Philip and Ben, a triangle that will engage you, delight you and intrigue you. Charlotte thinks that Philip is the love of her life, her soul mate and they begin a life together in the Florida keys. But something is missing and Charlotte feels an emptiness in her soul. Then she meets Ben, and they connect immediately. Is Ben the man she is destined to be with? The stakes are high for all three characters and the reader will be swept up in this engrossing story. Highly recommend!

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I really enjoyed this book. The story was well written and the characters were honest and believable. Would make a terrific book club pick with so many discussion points. The ending leaves the reader satisfied.

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I wanted to like this book more but could not get passed how little I liked the lead character, Charlotte. The story is fine, if a little dragged out, but some of Charleys reactions made it really difficult for me to care about her.

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This is a love story - not a romance with hearts and flowers and a happily ever after storybook ending - but a true to life love story with all of its joys and problems. It's an emotional story and we see all of Charlotte's love, hope, guilt, sorrow and get totally immersed in her life. I laughed with her and cried with her and she is not a character that I'll soon forget.

Charlotte met Philip on an airplane. There is an immediate connection between them and love soon follows. They move to Key West together and due to Philip's wealth, they have all that money can buy but there is a problem - Philip is gone most of the time working all over the world. As they get engaged, Charley wonders if this is the life that she really wants or does she want someone who is there when she needs him. Then she meets Ben who is Philip's best friend and there is an immediate spark between them. He is a solid strong working man who isn't traveling all over the world and he seems to really understand her and her needs. She knows that she needs to make a choice between the two men and the life they can each offer her but a hurricane and the aftermath force her to make a decision. But is it the right decision?

This is a love story looked at from every angle - the excitement of first love, the forgiveness, the needs of the characters. The three main characters are so well written that they feel like friends. This is a definite must read book - but WARNING - keep Kleenex close at hand.

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This amazing, emotionally powerful journey of love, family, loss, and healing that touched me deeply and I couldn't put it down from page one. Raw, intense and gratifying to the heart. A love triangle, friendship, laughter, and all.the.feels! I love this author and I will read everything she writes. Kleenex may be needed, but you will be thrilled you read this beautiful work of art. 5 stars!

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It's rare to read a book about people in situations that you've never been in, yet be able to feel exactly what they're feeling. This is Not How it Ends is that kind of book. It's full of raw emotion and is both heartbreaking and enjoyable.


I received an advance copy. All thoughts are my own.

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Charlotte and Phillip's story begins on a plane and sometimes first impressions are not always the best impressions. For much of the story, I was suspicious of Phillip, not trusting him (I can see how hard trust was for Charlotte), he was often flippant and tried too hard to be funny.

Charlotte and Ben's story begins at a market when Ben's son, Jimmy, has a severe allergic reaction to a sample he tried. As Charlotte and Ben get to know each other, there's a connection that's hard to deny.

This is Not How it Ends explores the idea of when the love is there, but it's not enough. This story packs a heck of an emotional punch. I laughed, I cried, I fell in love with Charlotte, Phillip (yes, even him) and Ben, and I didn't want the story to end.

This is the second novel of Weinstein's that I've read and I highly recommend both this novel and Somebody's Daughter.

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Wow. Rarely does a book move me to utter tears, but Charley’s pain, suffering, and redemption most certainly did!

Weinstein has woven a story of uncertainty, the inevitability of death and the comforting trust of redemption so effortlessly into a novel that leaves you wanting more, chapter after chapter.

The story is woven between past experiences of when Charley and Philip meet (a plane to Miami and Kansas City) and their modern life together (in the Keys). Amongst the timeline, Weinstein sprinkles little moments of butterfly flutters, showing Charley that this life she lives, and the people she’s met along the way- Ben, Liberty, and Sunny the dog- are all part of a bigger plan than even she can understand.

The only thing that holds me back from a 5 star review was the wrap-up. It felt rushed, and I feel that Charley’s future holds itself as another novel in and of itself. Maybe that is just me selfishly talking- needing more of Charley’s life- but nonetheless, a little rushed.

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This is Not How it Ends is a beautifully heart wrenching story of love, loss and hope. A word of warning. Have the tissues handy and don't read the ending on your lunch hour. I can't wait to read Rochelle B. Weinstein's next book!

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