The cover is great, and the title got me. The relationships and outcomes in the story had me hooked once I started reading. Frey's writing is smooth.. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

This is an enjoyable heartwarming book. There was a good storyline with well developed characters. The author kept the reader interested throughout. This is a book which I would recommend to all.

3.5
First of all just want to say thank you to netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book before its release in exchange for an honest review!
Started off and it sucked me in and I enjoyed it so much up until the middle where I felt like it was dragging a bit.
Even though it felt never ending in the middle it was nice to be able to see different possibilities due to the
'full moon ritual'
Being in the situation that she was in is way too difficult to even imagine but I'm happy with how the book ended.
Despite it being heartbreaking I still ended up smiling at the end.
A good read!!

did i cry? absolutely

magical realism and soulmates tropes meet modern day in this heartbreaking story about one girl and the two men that could've changed her life.

i enjoyed this book and sped through it quickly, however i just felt as if halfway through it was slightly dragging and overall it was just skimming the surface on an overarching theme of the novel. the story was very emotional and i would have loved for a theme to be explored more so it would be truly soul-crushing lol.

special thanks to netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for a honest review!

An emotional read that had me turning the pages, wondering if everything would turn out OK!

Harper walked away from her dream career (and dream man) a decade ago. It was worth it, though, since she met the love of her life, Ben, and is happy with her job teaching art. Ben has stage-four pancreatic cancer and wants to help Harper find love with someone else so she can move on. Harper is appalled by Ben’s plan and can’t imagine being with anyone else. However, when the dream man she abandoned shows up at her door, Harper can’t help but wonder what if…

It is a sad story and a hopeful one. For anyone in the mood to shed a tear or two.

Thank you to Harper Muse and NetGalley for the opportunity to read a copy. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

GOODBYE, farewell, this book will be the death of me! (But internally more like !!!!!!!) Magical realism is one of my favorite genres and this reminded me of so many great books that I love and hold close to my heart <spoiler>(like The Time Traveler's Wife, one of my go to reads for a big cry!)</spoiler>. I found the story to be so well done in every timeline and packed with meaning – there's nothing in this book that I would cut, and in fact, I was left wanting an epilogue to the epilogue.

TW for a cancer battle and diagnosis, which I imagine could be really triggering to read.

This book is worth getting into. I love the premise of alternate realities and parallel lives...etc... so I'm glad I stuck with it! I found that going back and forth between "what is..." and "what was..." to be very helpful as far as moving the story along and filling us in on Harper's history with Liam without confusing us as we read. Then as soon as I read the section that led in with "what if...." I was totally hooked! The author made the month that Harper spends in NYC with Liam and the life they could have had totally believable. I loved all the little surprises along the way, and how much the whole novel made me think about things like marriage and love at first connection and grief and the Universe and the power of community. Special kudos to the author for writing so beautifully about art and artists and their creative lives.

Thanks to the author and publisher, and NetGalley, for an advance reading copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

A heart wrenching story a book that gripped from the first pages.A sad story a romantic story an absolutely beautiful read.I will definitely be recommending this wonderful novel.

Ben and Harper just started their life together when Ben collapses on the honeymoon. How could this man have late stage cancer? As Ben and Harper navigate this terrifying time, Ben finds a way to ease his transition; find Harper a new love. he wants to know that Harper will be okay once he dies. He can't have her mourning over him. He wants her happy. Harper doesn't even want to entertain this in the least. Before Ben gets too sick, Ben is going to be featured in the New York Times. As soon as Harper opens the door to let the journalist in, Harper is taken back to her life in New York. How is Liam, the man she spent an amazing week with, at her door getting ready to write about her dying husband's life? Liam brings everything back for Harper and why she left New York. How is Harper ever going to figure all of this out?
In Every Life by Rea Frey is an amazing story that will have you in tears by the end of the story. I love that this included a love story, a little paranormal time-traveling, and friendship. This book has it all. I will be recommending this to all my book loving friends and will always be on the outlook for the new work by Rea Frey. Special thanks to NetGalley, Rea Frey, and Harper Muse for the advanced digital copy in exchange for my honest opinion. 5 stars for me!
#InEveryLife #NetGalley

A beautiful story about love, everlasting love and a second chance at "What If".

A newly married couple receives devastating news that he has terminal cancer and will not live long. Harper, the wife, wants to help Ben fulfill all of his dreams, his bucket list. One of the items on that list, is for Harper to fall in love again after he dies. Enter Liam - a journalist writing about Ben's bucket list AND the man who got away for Harper.

While parts of this story are saccharine and just ASKING for people to cry, it's still a lovely story. It's a change of pace for me, it's not a murder story. It's a love story and sometimes we all need that.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review.

This book hit so close to home. It’s emotionally gripping, sad, but extremely poignant and powerful. A definite read worth your time. Don’t miss it.

I definitely felt "in five years" vibes from this one, and I mean that as a compliment. It was a sweet story, of course heartbreaking. I felt the ending left some questions, but I realize that may have been intentional. I will definitely recommend this to other readers.

Thank you NetGalley and Harper Muse for this book!
I rate In Every Life 3.5 stars. The first half was a slow start for me and I found some aspects repetitive. The second half of the book was a faster pace and I enjoyed it more. The art show tribute at the end was favorite part.

I absolutely loved this novel about Ben and Harper as they navigate his cancer diagnosis and literally "wait" for him to die! But journalist (and old flame) Liam suddenly appears to do an article and Harper is thrown back into her unresolved feelings for this handsome man. As a high school art teacher, Harper has thrown herself into work and caring for her husband and is shocked and somewhat delighted to see Liam but also unsettled by the newest "condition" Ben has put on her. Told in a "then" and "now" format (and even a "what if" one), the novel documents this beautiful love story that still has me teary-eyed in its emotional impact.
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!

I thought this was a beautifully done story, it had a great overall feel to it and had a interesting take on the what if romance. It had a great concept and was used perfectly with what I wanted based on the description. Rea Frey creates a beautifully done story and I was glad I was able to read this. The characters were everything that I was hoping for and thought they were perfect in this world. I could understand what was going on and enjoyed the parallel universe elements to this book.

I really loved this book. The emotions it made me feel and the storytelling were beautiful. I felt for all the characters and would definitely reread when I want something to have me in my feels!

what a beautiful, inspiring story. a story about love, about loss, about learning how to follow your dreams every moment of your life.

the execution is really well-done, and the book is infused with a variety of endearing characters. to be honest, I was prepared to not be swayed by Liam as a character and instead focus more on Harper’s husband, Ben. that went out the window when Liam first stepped onto the page, because of his compassion, kindness and invalueble insight. you can’t help but love him!

I think the most interesting part of this book is Harper’s journey and self-discovery. she learns how to come to terms with Ben’s diagnosis, with the decisions she’s made throughout her life and how they shaped her present. it’s a fascinating transition, made all the more compelling by the manifestation/spiritual elements scattered in the story.

the ending wraps everything up splendidly, and I was left with a warm and fuzzy feeling inside. definitely recommend!

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of In Every Life.

This isn't the first book I've read with a similar premise; when a sick spouse decides he or she wants the remaining spouse to find someone to be with or something in that vein.

But, as I was reading, I realized the narrative wasn't what I expected.

First, the tropes bothered me; Ben and Harper and Liam are both hot, and so talented and successful in their chosen fields. It's corny and unbelievable but this is a book.

There are many things in a book that would never apply in real life; still, it bugged me.

Second, the reason behind Harper's time traveling was...hard to take seriously. I'm a spiritual person and believe there are all forms of worship and rituals but this was a bit too woo-woo for me.

Third, I'm not sure what the point of the time hopping was.

Did Harper learn a lesson? Was the time hopping supposed to teach her to be happy with what you have?

Or maybe there is no lesson.

I do understand Harper's reluctance to accept the reality of being an artist, at the work that comes from doing and being who you want to be.

Many times we're not ready to be who we want to be.

Acceptance (and sorrow and regret) comes from life experience and hardships and learning from our mistakes.

I didn't like or sympathize with anyone, especially not with Harper. I found her irritating and boring.

She wasn't compelling and lacked a strong personality.

I know I'm an outlier for not liking this book, maybe I'm too cynical, but the premise was too corny and hard to suspend disbelief for.

And I usually say the latter for ridiculous premises in thrillers.

I’ll be honest. I almost DNF’d this book at 20% because I didn’t want to be the first to write a not 5 star review. I could tell just that soon that it wasn’t going to be what I was hoping based on the synopsis. I’ll try to avoid spoilers by saying this book was far too unbelievable and inconsistent. Ben, the MMC with stage four cancer has to be the healthiest cancer patient I’ve ever heard of. Unless it’s an [im]perfectly timed dramatic collapse, Ben is really out living his best life. One of the small things that drove me crazy was the mention of Ben’s allergy to the sun early due to the weakened immune system and treatments and such. This was mentioned very early on in the story but he spends so much time outdoors after this I don’t understand why that line wasn’t erased. At one point he’s standing on a bridge and with the ‘sun shining on his face’ and guess what? He was perfectly fine. There were a lot of inconsistencies like this that kept pulling me from the story. I skimmed a lot in the middle because nothing happening was helping to move the plot. The ending was absolutely rushed with no explanation. I wish things were tied together a little more. I don’t feel like I got whatever the message the author was intending with this.

This book has it all!
It is heartwarming,yet sooo very heartbreaking that it will stir all your emotions.
Now add some time-hopping to keep one guessing and you have a touching, novel that I had to finish in a day..
Can you imagine being on your honeymoon and finding out your new husband is terminally ill?
When Harper asks Ben what is on his bucket list, he has a wish that she cannot imagine or believe.
The story continues as a bit of magic comes in to play.
There is love,acceptance, drama, tears and so much more that I truly enjoyed this story and as always Rea Frey has done it again!
Thank you to @NetGalley and to @Harper Muse for this ARC and allowing me to read and provide my own review.
Excellent!