With ONE YEAR AGO IN SPAIN, Evelyn Skye once again shares a gripping, beautifully told story of tightly wound and controlling Claire falls in love with entrancing, artistic Matias. Through strange turns of fate, Claire must woo Matias' soul back to his body -- an ultimate in second chance romance. Setting aside my skepticism, I rooted for Claire to rouse her own inner artist and find a way to regain the life and love she just discovered with a man she cannot live without. This was a gratifying, engaging read that called to me "Just one more page" until I finished it. A wonderfully written and well-paced story! I received a copy of this book and these opinions are my own, unbiased thoughts.

This was a lovely story. Claire meets Matias and they hit it off. Until he’s in a tragic accident in Spain where he is from and she flies there to be by his side, but Matias has no recollection of their love.

Evelyn Skye just has a way with 5 ⭐️ romances 😭 this book is a unique and swoon worthy combo of The Dead Romantics and One Italian Summer. Yet, I have rated this higher than both of those!!

Claire is anal, type A, and a big New York corporate lawyer. Matias is chaos and beauty who creates the most amazing pieces. The two couldn’t be more different, yet their love is full of passion and is effortless and just what each other needed (even if they may not know it).

Matias returns home to Spain to spend time with family when he is involved in a horrific boating accident. Two of his friends died while Matias and two other friends are in a coma. Claire abandons her job immediately to be by his side. Claire was not prepared for what she saw. She definitely wasn’t prepared to have the weight of Matias’ survival on her shoulders. His soul is adrift and seeking Claire. It is up to her to convince his soul to return to Earth so that he can reunite with her, and all of those he loves.

This whole book was a rollercoaster 😭 Claire is trying her best to open herself up, while Matias is trying to tame the chaos in order to make things amazing for one another.

I was frustrated that they couldn’t see they both just wanted to see the other happy.

I was attempting to keep my heart from bursting at the seams at the ways they love one another

I was proud of them for going outside their comfort zones

I was in tears for the situation they are trying to navigate

Relationships are HARD. Evelyn Skye formed beautiful characters who show the work and sacrifice it takes to be together, and the lengths people will go to make it happen. Please. Please. PLEASE read this book!

Thank you to Evelyn and Net Galley for the opportunity to review 🩷

I first read The Hundred Loves of Juliet by Evelyn Skye and loved it, so I was excited to read One Year Ago in Spain.

Claire Walker is a workaholic corporate lawyer, she does not really have time for a relationship, but desperately wants one anyway. Then she meets Matias a Spanish artist, they quickly fall in love. Fast forward to 11 months later and Claire is getting cold feet. She is very regimented, Matias is carefree, Claire is on the fast track to partner and is unsure if she can continue with her relationship. Claire is scheduled to visit Spain with Matias to meet his family, but she is up to her eyeballs in a merger. She begs off from the trip and while helping Matias pack she discovers an engagement ring in his drawer. She is unsure if she is ready to take the next step. Then she receives a phone call from Spain, Matias and his friends were in a boating accident, some of them are dead and Matias is in critical condition and a coma. Claire races to his bedside, there she meets his overwhelming close knit family and she realizes the last thing she wants is to lose Matias. Then she starts seeing Matias whole and alive, but he has no idea who she is. Can she make him fall in love with her again? Is she hallucinating? Will she ever get her happily ever after?

I really enjoyed the story, I look forward to Ms; Skye’s next novel.

Thanks to Netgalley , the publisher Random House- Ballantine and the author for the chance to review this ARC

Happy Pub Day to One Year Ago in Spain!

Claire lives her life very detailed and organized. She’s a successful attorney in Manhattan, but her dating life has been on the back burner. The moment she meets Spanish artist, Matias de Leon, at his art exhibits opening party, she knew he was special.
After almost a year of dating, Matias was ready to bring Claire home to his family in Spain, and propose to her. But Claire had something important come up with work, and cancelled her trip to Spain.
Matias ended up going on a guys trip with his friends instead, where he suffered from a speedboat accident and is now in a coma fighting for his life.

Matias once kissed Claire’s palm, and told her if she is ever missing him, to just kiss her palm and imagine he is right there with her. Saddened with feelings of grief, Claire kisses her palm. When she did, there was a strange flash of light, and for a minute Matias was standing right in front of her. Did he die? Was she seeing his ghost?
Claire later realizes she is the only one who is able to see and speak to his soul. But Matias has no memory of who she is or their relationship, because his soul is stuck in time one year ago, before he ever met Claire. In order to save Matias and bring him back to his body, Claire must convince Matias to fall in love with her all over again.

This was a sweet and unique read! Reminded me of an Ashley Poston book, and the movie The Vow 🤍
It is easy to fall in love with Matias! He is such a romantic and his family means everything to him.
The setting of Spain was perfect as Claire and Matias’ soul explore Madrid and fall in love all over again.
This story is written in multiple POVs, and different timelines.

Thank you @netgalley and @penguinrandomhouse for this early copy!

This book was a miss for me. I think readers who enjoy magical realism and a lighter read, will like this book. But, for me, it read like an Ashley Poston novel without the emotional punch and the key brand of believability that is essential even to (perhaps especially to) fantasy or magical realism reads.

Claire was relatable – to me and to a lot of readers, I'd guess: a workaholic cynic who, despite her doubts about great love, would rather be single than settle for less.

That said, I suspect most avid romance readers will be left wanting a lot more in terms of relationship development and the pacing of their love story. To start, Claire and Matias’ meet-cute was textbook insta-love, which made it hard to buy into anything that followed (and this was Chapter 1!). If there's one thing I've learned on Bookstagram, is how little patience most readers have for insta-love.

I can appreciate that Skye was bending the rules of time and space with this narrative—which, as a framework, had a LOT of potential given the subject matter. But isn't that all the more reason to ensure readers are invested in this couple early on (especially since you’re also asking us to step into a grief-filled traumatic accident space next)?

And again (very early in the narrative) we learn that Claire loves Matias, but not a sentence later, she claims to not see a future with him. We don’t see the struggle of their future together—nor do we see the love they share and life they've built—both of which would have made Claire’s realization heart-wrenching/relatable and the key conflict it was set up to be. Both of which would make us root for these two. THAT guy (the one the FMC doesn't see a future with, who we barely know as a reader) is typically the guy in the romance novel the FMC breaks up with right before meeting the man of her dreams, right?

Again, this detail had a lot of potential to defy the stereotypes of romance novels – but without developing their love story early on, it just left me confused.

I'm incredibly grateful for the opportunity to read an ARC from Del Ray. This imprint has so many incredible releases coming up, and I hope this one finds its audience.

One Year Ago in Spain is wonderful. My first from this talented author and it definitely won't be my last. Evelyn Skye presents a beautiful love story pairing the driven Claire with the carefree Matias and the whirlwind journey to their happily ever after. The author dives right in, allowing Claire to grab Matias both physically and emotionally within the first few chapters of this book as they embark on an 11-month love affair that suddenly changes overnight. When Matias suffers a horrific speedboat accident in his native Spain, Claire has to drop her well-scheduled life trying hard to finish up a major deal at her law firm that will most likely guarantee becoming partner, and rescue her lover's soul as he remains in a coma for way too long. And what she ultimately realizes about herself, her rigid life and all that she thought she knew and wanted is that it's never too late to change and to forge a new path to the very best kind of self-satisfaction.

Skye uses the subject of astral projections as a way for Claire to reach Matias as he lies in that hospital bed and I found myself thoroughly fascinated by this unusual and rare occurence. But I loved that Claire was willing to embrace that there was the chance that Matias was indeed reaching out to her as she meandered around Madrid, encountering his spirit and not altogether knowing how to reunite his soul with his battered body. It's as if she is meeting him again for the first time and with Skye giving us chapters in the present and the past from not only Claire and Matias but a few of his family members, we truly get the full story of how the talented artist lived his life and the whys and hesitations wrt his journey from his homeland to NYC.

The book became a sort of cleansing for Claire as she sheds her old, structured life as her encounters with the Matias of a year prior show her that perhaps she had it all wrong. That maybe she never truly lived until her passionate man seemingly gave her a second chance at living the way she should as he guides her through the streets of Madrid and Claire sees his life for the first time before they met.

I was completely enraptured by this unique storyline and I honestly couldn't wait to see what might happen next. If Claire would ultimately be strong enough and wise enough to follow her gut instincts, ignoring what a renowned professor told her about these projections and allowing her heart to guide her instead of her brilliant mind. With the kind of outcome I was hoping for right along with Matias' family and friends, I was really proud of Claire that she found that strength within herself to guide her lover home for good.

One Year Ago in Spain is well-written and full of touching moments that I couldn't get enough of. This book is a true page-turner with a fresh take on the meaning of soulmates. Whether or not one might believe what Claire experienced as Matias lay still in that hospital bed with his soul suddenly by her side more than once, I was glad at least his Abuela Gloria could see how the power of love could truly conquer all. And I'm here to say that I'm thrilled that it did.

5 big stars!

thank you Del Rey and NetGalley for the digital ARC of this book.

this book received a 4.5 stars from me, I wish it had a little bit more romance scenes but that's okay. I loved seeing Claire sticking by Matias's side even when it was unclear how the situation would turn out. She was willing to stop everything that she was doing in NYC because she loved him and wanted to see him get better. Claire didn't fly back to NYC until she knew he was awake from his coma, even if his family was upset with her. The ending nearly made me cry, I'm glad that Matias woke up at the end from his coma.

One Year Ago in Spain-a standalone

By Evelyn Skye-read The Hundred Loves of Juliet and gave it 4⭐

📅Publication date 7-30-24, Read 7-29-24

📄Format: E-book 336 pgs.

🙏🏾Thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group-Ballantine | Del Rey for this ARC 🧡! I voluntarily give an honest review and all opinions expressed are my own.

🌎Setting: NY and Spain

Genre: Contemporary Women's Fic, Fantasy Romance

Tropes: magical realism, opposites attract, 2nd chance romance, what-if, amnesia/coma, multi POVs, dual timelines, time travel, flashbacks, journal entries

💭Summary: Claire Walker is a high powered NY attorney on the verge of making partner when she meets and falls in love with Matias de Leon. Opposites in every way, Claire is a type A personality and Matias is a care-free creative. When she finds an engagement ring, she has second thoughts about their relationship. Matias goes to Madrid to visit his family alone, Claire working towards her promotion. He has a terrible accident and is in a coma. Claire comes to his bedside with his family grieving, and she discovers she can see and talk to his soul. He doesn't remember her or their relationship, so she vows to make him fall in love with her again to save him.


🤔My Thoughts: I loved the premise which was like The Hundred Loves of Juliet with the amnesia and time travel. I was also reminded of the movie Just Like Heaven where Claire is the only one who can see or talk to him while he's in a coma. The descriptions of Spanish art and food made me want to visit one day. The supernatural element added to the second chance romance where Claire and Matias rediscovered each other.

Rating: 4/5⭐⭐⭐⭐

Magical Realism at its finest; add a little timey-wimey whimsy, surreal paintings, and quintessential opposites attract couple, and you’ve got the perfect book for fans of The Dead Romantics by Ashley Poston.

Type A workaholic Claire never planned to fall madly in love with spontaneous artist Matías, but eleven months later, she’s about to let their love story slip away. When Claire discovers an engagement ring in Matías’ sock drawer, she knows he’ll be popping the question on their upcoming trip to Spain to meet Matías’ family. But Claire needs more time to decide if she’s ready to say yes, so she’s relieved that she has the perfect excuse to skip the trip; her legal career is riding on a huge international merger, and she needs to stay back to orchestrate it. But Claire soon finds herself rushing to Matias’ bedside after a speedboating accident puts him in a coma. Can Claire wake him, or is it too little, too late?

Watching logical Claire grapple with magic and trying to problem-solve her way around dating her comatose boyfriend’s astral projection from one year ago was a little nerve-wracking but also full of wit and humor. And thank goodness because between Matías’ coma, his overbearing and grief-stricken family, and his supernaturally stunning ex, we needed some laughs. Evelyn Skye does a masterful job of balancing this story's grief, humor, and love. This magical, romantic multi-pov split timeline story will keep you enthralled as Claire and Matías rediscover their love, themselves, and all Spain has to offer.

Tropes include opposites attract, magical realism, time travel, coma/amnesia, language barriers, fish out of water, 2nd chances, family relations, flashbacks, multi-pov, and dual timeline.

I loved this book.
Claire has to convince her boyfriend's soul back into his body after he is involved in a deadly boating accident so that he will come back from his coma.
There is a perfect amount of paranormal to the story, the love is hot and heavy but also so honest and lovely, Claire and Matias are a new dream couple to want to hang out with, and most of the book is set in a small town in Spain.
For people who loved "The Seven Year Slip", you HAVE to read this as well. Same vibes and the little bit of magic/paranormal to it just is the icing on the cake.
There is good drama, no miscommunication, a great self awareness, and art and food that sounds so dreamy that you think you are truly experiencing it with them.
I would recommend this book to everyone, one of the best summer reads I have done this year.

Side note though, there is a decent amount of Spanish in the book and not always a translation or context clues to figure out what it means so I had to use the translation tool on my kindle a good bit. That was slightly annoying.

A great read, the story of Claire and Matias who meet in New York. But when Matias has a serious in his native Spain, will Claire take the chance to really open up to him? I liked how the story was told and hoped everything would work out for them.

One Year Ago in Spain by Evelyn Skye was fun, sweet, and so entertaining!
The magical realism, second chances and characters just sweep you up and hold you captive till the very end.
This fun and exciting romance really took me on a ride. And one I hated to see end.
This story was so riveting and unique, that I'm still thinking about it.
It was realistic and relatable. I absolutely loved everything about it

Thank You NetGalley and Random House, Ballantine & Del Rey for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

First I’d like to say thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read an ARC of Evelyn skye’s upcoming book in exchange for an honest review .

I throughly enjoyed this book. It was very well written and I felt the plot was unique. I really felt for the Fmc as she struggles with her insecurities and I adored the couple. I wish it had a little more at the end .However, overall I would give the book a 4 star . I would recommend this to any friends or family looking for a cute read about love conquering all. ❤️

I wanted to love this book as I love magical realism but this just wasn't the book for me. I wanted more from the main characters and to me they just weren't fully developed. I wish there was more at the end of the book also. I received an advanced readers copy and all opinions are my own.

Read if you like:
✨ Magical Realism
🥈 Second Chances-ish
⏳ Dual Timeline
📝 Journal Entries
🌥️ Just Like Heaven

I absolutely love magical realism mixed with romance, and this one definitely gave vibes similar to The Dead Romantics in some ways, so if you enjoyed that book, I would recommend checking this one out as it may be a new favorite!

The story centers around Claire who is focused on her career and success and her partner of nearly a year Matias who is an artist from Spain.

When a trip is booked for Claire to meet his family. She bails due to work obligations after finding an engagement ring in Matias’ things prior to the trip.

The last time she didn’t go with love ones as promised something bad happened, and that happens again as Matias ends up in a coma in Spain that leads Claire to come meet his family and end up in Spain regardless of her initial plans, to not go to Spain with him.

As Claire and Matias’ spirit then begin to connect I really enjoyed this magical realism part of the plot!

Overall, I think for many that are dipping their toes into magical realism with their romances I think this story could be a good jumping off point!

Thank you to Dell from my eARC, physical ARC, and to PRHA for my gifted audiobook in exchange for my review!

One Year Ago in Spain is definitely a cliche... but it is one that keeps getting done because it works. I liked that Claire was a Type A career woman who was struggling to keep her job afloat in the face of a horrific tragedy. As well all know, not every employer is supportive, nor to friends and family always understand the importance of a job or career. We are all too quick to pass judgement. I wanted more romance between Claire and Matias early on, as I found it a little difficult to buy their relationship once things fast forwarded to his accident. I did like the setting and Claire's internal struggles more than the overall romance.

3.5 stars rounded up for enjoyment.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Del Rey for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.

I thought this book was charming with a great premise. I was hooked in the first chapter because it didn’t start like most romance books. Here they immediately fall in love. Which I think was my biggest problem with the book. Even though I enjoyed it, I didn’t feel the tension or push and pull that I like to feel in romance. Everything seemed too fast and rushed. So the characters being in love was almost not believable. And I felt like the characters were a bit too on the surface. I’m also not sure about the purpose of the added POV chapters that weren’t of the main characters. Still a fun and unexpected read.

It wasn't’ bad but it just honestly wasn’t for me. I didn’t get to finish because I honestly just didn’t mind not knowing what happens at the end.

This is the love story of Claire and Matias, opposites who met and almost lost one another when he falls into a coma after an accident in Spain. It's told in dual time lines and by multiple POVs and it's heavy on the magical realism as Claire sits at his bedside talking to his soul. While they might not seem as well rounded as individuals as they could be, wait for them to develop as a couple. And though it's light, there's also a dose of grief as Claire struggles initially. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A good read.