3.5

**Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for sending me a free ARC in exchange for an honest review**

One Year Ago In Spain is a story of a woman trying to save her boyfriend’s life by having his soul fall in love with her all over again. The premise of the book reminded me a little bit of the book If I Stay so this might be for you if you enjoy that type of storyline.

The story was definitely unique and I appreciated the different timelines of the relationship that were brought out through the book that gave us a better insight into the dynamic of the couple. I also enjoyed the use of the Spanish culture and language through the book.

However, It was difficult to feel invested with this couple at the beginning as it was very insta love so only brief flashbacks allowed us to see how and why they fell in love in the first place. By the time I started feeling invested in the story, it felt like it just ended abruptly. I would’ve loved just a little bit more of the life that Matias & Claire had after this story ends. Most of the romance feels like it’s happening off page as we really don’t get to see a lot of the actual dynamic of the couple.

I did enjoy seeing Matia’s POV but the other POVs that did not pertain to the main characters felt a little unnecessary but not necessarily bad as it was interesting to see other POVs it just felt randomly placed throughout the book.

I enjoyed reading it and the premise was definitely unique. The book kept me engaged while reading it but the ending fell short.

Omg I am IN LOVE with this book! Hooked from the beginning. I immediately loved Matías. I also loved that his perspectives started from the past and worked up to the accident.

I would have liked a little more happy time with them at the end after he woke, for more closure, but otherwise it was perfect!

>I haven’t read any books by this author before but I was really intrigued by the premise of this book. Matias being in a coma and Claire being able to communicate with his soul reminded me a bit of the premise of The Dead Romantics and it made me really want to read this book. Well I was really excited by the premise of this book something about it felt a little flat to me. I was really captivated by the initial romance between the main characters but as the story continued I just didn’t feel that spark that I felt in the beginning of the book. That’s not to say that there weren’t parts of this book that I didn’t enjoy. The writing was engaging, the relationship was enjoyable in the beginning, and overall it was a light quick read. I’m looking forward to hopefully trying more books by the author in the future.

Having read other books by this author I went into her newest one hopeful it would live up to her previous work. And it definitely did. Maybe even surpassed it.

Claire is a very organized, strait laced, successful lawyer that is trying her hardest to become partner in her law firm. During an event at a friends art gallery she meets Matias, an artist from Spain who whisks Claire off her foot and becomes her boyfriend. Almost a year after they meet Claire is feeling bothered and decides to not go to Spain with him as planned and to stay beyond to work on an important merger. After a few days Claire receives a call that Matias was gravely hurt and they didn’t know if he would survive. When she gets to Spain, among his big, overwhelming family, Claire sits by his bedside and also starts seeing his soul around Madrid. Claire then has to get Matias soul to fall
In love with her again before it’s too late.

I loved the story line, even if parts were a bit out there. I loved the growth of Claire as well as the relationship that she had with Matias. I also loved reading his point of view to see just how much he loved Claire and what made him fall in love with her.

Overall this was such a feel good love story that I ended up really enjoying. Thank you to Netgalley and to the publishers for allowing me to read this advanced copy.

4 out of 5 stars

*thank you to Netgalley and Random House for the e-ARC. The review below is my own opinions and thoughts*

Matias and Claire are as opposite as they come. She’s a lawyer and he’s an artist (a painter to be exact). I think the obvious differences between the two are the main reason the reader gets introduced to Claire the way they do. Claire doesn’t really let people get close however with Matias is impossible to not fall for him. One Year Ago in Spain blends the main theme of ‘Life is Short’ with Control. Claire has perfected everything from her career, to her household “rules”. However the one thing she can’t control is Matias. He is the adventurous and free flowing. Meanwhile, Claire is time tables, stick notes and color-coded tabs. I don’t want to go too much into the plot but just know it really keeps you wanting to know what happens next. The only thing I wanted more of was time with Claire and Matias conscious (slight spoiler: I loved that she was the one to see his soul and guide him back, I just wanted to see them interact more after this major life altering experience). I personally enjoy Evelyn Skye’s writing (especially The Hundred Loves of Juliet) and One Year Ago in Spain was no exception.

Evelyn Skye's 'One Year Ago in Spain' is a captivating tale of love, loss, and second chances. Set against the backdrop of Manhattan and Madrid, Skye introduces us to Claire Walker, a high-powered lawyer whose meticulously ordered life is turned upside down when she meets Matías de León, a free-spirited Spanish artist.

Their whirlwind romance catches them both by surprise, but a year later, Claire questions everything about their relationship. When tragedy strikes, and Matías is left gravely wounded in a Madrid hospital, Claire discovers that she is the only one who can communicate with his soul, disconnected from his body.

As Claire embarks on a journey to reignite Matías's memories and love for her, she must confront the possibility of lightning striking twice. Skye's prose is poignant and evocative, drawing readers into Claire and Matías's world with its richly drawn characters and emotional depth.

'One Year Ago in Spain' is a testament to the enduring power of love and the resilience of the human spirit. Skye masterfully weaves together themes of fate, destiny, and the bonds that tie us together, creating a story that lingers long after the final page is turned.

I feel like this was a great story but not executed well. I feel like it was so rushed and not really thought well imo. I would like to see a more thought out version of this story and maybe a bit longer would help make the story better.

In *One Year Ago in Spain* by Evelyn Skye, Claire Walker's meticulous life is upended when she meets Matías de León, a charming Spanish artist. Their whirlwind romance leads to a deep connection, but a year later, doubts creep in. When a tragedy leaves Matías in a coma, Claire discovers she can communicate with his soul. To save their love, she must convince his soul to return to his body by rekindling their romance.

While the premise is intriguing, the execution falls short in pacing and character development. The initial romance between Claire and Matías is captivating, but their relationship lacks depth. The plot twist of communicating with Matías's soul feels contrived and detracts from the story's emotional impact. Despite these shortcomings, Skye's writing is engaging, and the story is a light, enjoyable read.

Thank you @randomhouse and @netgalley for the eARC of One Year Ago in Spain by @evelyn_skye in exchange for an honest review!

📖📖 Book Review 📖📖 Even in her perfectly predictable life, Claire wants her love life to have sparks and is not afraid to not settle for anything less. And when she meets Spanish artist, Matías, her world ignites in a passion she has never experienced before. While their chemistry and love is inspiring, their dichotomous natures leads Claire to question the sustainability of their relationship. All of Claire’s doubts are cast aside when Matías is in a coma after a horrible accident, and she rushes to his side in Madrid. When she starts seeing visions of his soul while he is in his coma, she must rely on hope and the power of their great love to keep him alive and reignite their spark. One Year Ago in Spain examines some of life’s greatest gifts and inevitable hardships, reminding us of the need for love and connection with others to survive.

This book definitely had a soundtrack of Death Cab for Cutie playing nonstop in my head:

I want to live where soul meets body
And let the sun wrap its arms around me
And bathe my skin in water cool and cleansing
And feel, feel what it's like to be new

Review is posted on Goodreads and will be on Instagram ahead of the publication date!

I absolutely loved this book! It beautifully combines my passions for food, art, and magical love stories. It's a reminder that in the midst of routine, it's the little things that truly matter. Real love is about appreciating someone for who they are, not just what they can do for you. I especially enjoyed the multiple points of view and the themes of family, food, and art. I devoured this book in just two days, and I believe it's the ideal summer read.

Huge thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I love food,art & magical love stories so I really enjoyed this book! When you get used to routine, sometimes we lose sight of the things that we love, and it is nice to be reminded that it is a little things in life that matter. When you really love someone, you love them for them and not all the things that they can do for you. I Enjoy the multiple point of view & I enjoyed the family, food and art. I read this book in two days and I think it would be the perfect summer read.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing this ARC copy!

This was such a heartwarming story. Claire is a lawyer and Matias is a talented artist. After meeting at an art gallery showing, they fall in love quickly. While Claire stays home in New York from a trip to Spain, Matias is in a speedboating accident with his childhood friends. She is forced to drop everything and be by his side in Spain while navigating this new obstacle. She ends up learning to open up and give both herself and Matias her whole self as she's able to accept that she doesn't need to be a certain person to be loved and accepted.

This story reminded me so much of The Seven Year Slip & I absolutely LOVED that book! I have had Evelyn Skye on my TBR list for so long and I can't wait to read more of her work. The adventures around Spain were so realistic that I could easily imagine myself watching all of this take place. I loved that there was an aspect of knowing the story past and present, as well as seeing the story from multiple point-of-views.

One Year Ago in Spain is the love story of Claire and Matias, a couple who couldn't be more different. Claire is an attorney with a demanding job and Matias is an artist who is carefree and a risk taker. The couple has a trip to Spain to visit Matias's family when Claire finds an engagement ring and panics. She backs out of the trip because she is in the midst of an important project at work. Matias goes to Spain alone, but when a terrible accident occurs and lands Matias in a coma, Claire rushes to be with him and it is then that Claire realizes how much she truly needs him.

I enjoyed the storyline and the main characters of Claire and Matias, though I found Matias's family members to be a bit much at times. I believe this was what the author intended but still, I feel they could've been written better while still portraying the overbearing nature. Generally though the plot flowed well and the book held my interest. It was an easy read. I'd give it 3.5 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley, Random House and the author for access to this ARC.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing this ARC copy.

Opposites attract and soul mates for the win! Claire and Matìas could not be more different; at first that is exciting for Claire, but now she's finding it a little exasperating. She is a type A lawyer while Matìas is a laid back artist. How can this relationship even work? Well it can and it does!

I loved this book; different perspectives, various timelines, the sights and sounds of Madrid with some much needed magic made this a wonderful read.

I love the mystery and magic in Skye’s writing. She always makes me believe that love is capable of accomplishing the unfathomable. A Year Ago in Spain makes you want to reconsider your priorities and live a full life (especially if it involves Spanish cuisine).

Three starts because I think it wrapped up fairly abruptly and I just wanted a little more.

"One Year Ago in Spain" by Evelyn Skye is a captivating and emotionally resonant tale of love, loss, and second chances. Skye's masterful storytelling draws readers into Claire and Matías's whirlwind romance, exploring the complexities of their relationship and the power of love to transcend boundaries.

Claire's journey to save Matías's soul from his coma is both heart-wrenching and compelling, as she grapples with the possibility of losing him forever. Skye deftly navigates themes of fate and destiny, weaving a narrative that is both thought-provoking and deeply moving.

What sets "One Year Ago in Spain" apart is its exploration of the transformative power of love. As Claire races against time to awaken Matías's soul, readers are swept up in a tale of hope, redemption, and the enduring strength of the human spirit.

Overall, "One Year Ago in Spain" is a beautifully written and poignant novel that will leave readers captivated until the very end. Skye's evocative prose and compelling characters make this a must-read for fans of contemporary romance and heartfelt storytelling.

I think the pacing and the different POVs made this book confusing to me. i liked the concept but not my favorite.

Evelyn Skye has done it again. I was hooked within the first 3 chapters, which considering the reading slump I was in is pretty impressive. I don’t know how Skye gets her ideas but she is so creative in her story telling I find myself in awe of how the story progresses. But more than that, I love how easily I fall in love with her characters. They’re flawed yet lovable, feel big feelings, and learn valuable lessons that allow them to grow and transform throughout the story.

Skye’s writing alone keeps me coming back for more. Her food descriptions and in this story, her destructions of art are amazing. I was worried I wasn’t going to love this book as much as the Hundred Lives of Juliet as I’m not much of an “art person” but the way she describes the pieces in this book and what they both look like and mean, had me easily picturing them in my mind and appreciating them as I word any novel.

This is a romance. I get that. At times, the level of mushy was a little much for my cold, dark heart but that didn’t take away from my overall love for the book (even if in a few areas I felt myself rolling my eyes) that is to be expected with any romance. What made me able to get past those areas of eye rolling was the story itself and how Skye combined reality with fantasy, science with the unknown and unbelievable.

And the family. I loved the family ties scattered throughout the book. If you can’t tell there’s not much I DIDN’T love about this story. But I shouldn’t be surprised, Skye kills it and I am SO glad I got a first peak at her newest love story.

Aww, this was a sweet and heartwarming romance.

Claire and Matias are complete opposites. Claire is an organized and driven lawyer hoping to make partner soon. Matias is an artist who works on his own schedule and enjoys cooking in his spare time. When they meet, their connection is undeniable and they quickly fall in love.

However, almost a year later, Claire can’t help but wonder if she is enough for Matias (and if she can continue to tolerate his casual approach to organizing his things, schedule, etc.). When Matias ends up in a coma while visiting his friends and family in Spain, Claire’s needs and wants become clear to her - but is it too late?

I enjoyed this very much! Claire and Matias have great chemistry and the alternating points of view and timelines worked well and offer deeper insight into their relationship.

Thank you to Random House Ballantine and NetGalley for the opportunity to read a copy.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing for the arc. I really enjoyed this story about Claire, a very organized and wound up NYC attorney who specializes in mergers & acquisitions, and Matias, a Spanish artist who's teaching a couple of years in a New York university. They have instant chemistry, and are living together roughly six months after meeting. They're able to get past their differences, Claire likes things in a certain order, and devotes a lot of time to her career. Matias has trouble keeping track of time or keeping order in his life. But they both see each other as the offset to their nature, plus they have that chemistry that never seems to go away. After eleven months together, though, Claire starts pulling away, nitpicking at things like Matias wearing his shoes inside their apartment, instead of taking them off at the entry. And, Claire cancels her trip to join Matias in Spain to meet his family because of an important project at her law firm. Soon after Matias leaves on his trip, Claire finds out that he's been in a serious boating accident, and is currently in a coma at a hospital in Madrid. Claire immediately leaves to be at his bedside.

This is when the fanciful side of the story begins. While waiting for Matias to "wake up" from his coma, Claire starts seeing visions of him. She finds out that these visions are his soul, trying to connect with his body, so that he has a purpose to come back to reality, to wake up from his coma. And, he only appears to Claire. So Claire endeavors to spend time with Matias's soul, so she can entice him back to her physically, as well as spiritually. I thought this section was really heartfelt, and I liked how the author used it to show Claire how very structured her life was, and to realize that Matias was the one who brought color and spontaneity into her life. Plus, all the descriptions of the art and food of Spain was amazing. Loved all of that! But the pacing of the book, especially the first 25%, was uneven. The story picked up around the 40% mark, and I found I couldn't put the book down, but it was an iffy beginning.

Overall, I liked the book. I found it interesting, very touching, and I want to visit Spain again very soon!!