In Every Life by Rea Frey hit really close to home and as such, it was a heartwarming read that soothed the soul.

TW - the central premise is terminal cancer (Pancreatic Cancer is a cruel disease that takes without discrimination) and as I have seen this first hand, I almost did not read the book, but on impulse, I changed my mind and I am so glad that I did

Anybody that has dealt with terminal illness will have considered that big question "What if", will grieve for the past and the present, and that is just in the palliative care stage, let alone after the loved one has passed.

Harper is deeply in love with her new husband, Ben, enjoying life in Chattanooga. Ben was not Harpers first love, but he is her greatest love and she is living a much quieter life with him than the one she knew back in New York

However, their happiness is shattered when Ben is diagnosed with stage iV pancreatic cancer and cannot bear to see his beloved wife alone, to relive her past heartbreaks and as such, his final wish is for her to find a new love before he dies. However, what happens when you come face to face with the person that broke your heart? What if, what if, what if?

Harper wakes up in the world of the what if, the world where she and Liam did not break up. Is it a better world? Or does she already have the best life?

An emotional, heart-wrenching read, but a highly engaging one. Loved it

Thank you to NetGalley, Harper Muse and the author Rea Frey for this beautiful ARC. My review is left voluntarily and all opinions are my own

The beginning of this book was a solid 5 chair story. I was holding my breath to see what was going to come next. I couldn't read fast enough.

Then there was a huge shift in the story that I did not see coming. It felt out of nowhere and changed everything. I was not a happy reader at this point and almost quit reading. My attachment to the characters was what made me keep reading.

The ending was good, not great - it would have been better had there been the twist in the story.

I absolutely love Rea Frey!

Like all her stories this one is emotional and will have you in tears. She brings her readers into her story so you feel the happiness and pain. You won’t want to put this one down until you’ve read the last word.

A must read!

“There’s No Place Like Home”

TW: CANCER

Prologue:
“I’m a Wife!!”

Chapter 1:
“I’m Going to be a Widow”

OH what a difference a year makes!

Ben and Harper Foster have that “Hallmark” kind of romance-SAPPY sweet. “Name three things” one might say to the other at any random time-and while staring deeply into their partner’s eyes. The other will respond with three things they are grateful for at the moment-even while facing terminal CANCER.

So, it’s no surprise when Ben decides that he wants Harper to find new love BEFORE he passes away-so he will know that she will be alright. He is that selfless. Also, no surprise-Harper balking at the idea! But, Ben keeps pushing and even arranges for a journalist to write a story about it.

IS IT KISMET?

The NY Times reporter who shows up to interview the couple is none other than Liam Hale-the only other guy that Harper has ever fallen for. It was. “Insta Love” ten years ago, when Harper went to Brooklyn, hoping to pursue her Art-long before she met Ben. But, they only spent one week together before she went home to Chicago.

The story alternates between chapters titled “What Is” and “What Was”.

The book takes a turn towards “ MAGICAL REALISM” when a struggling Harper is guided by a close friend who reads her Tarot Cards and encourages her to soul search and think about what it is that Harper REALLY wants most. If she is honest, can she really manifest what she desires by repeating her wishes three times during the FULL MOON?

Reminding me of Dorothy, in the “Wizard of Oz”, when she had to click together her Ruby slippers and chant “There’s no place like home” Harper is desperate enough to give it a try. She carefully words her wish and….No Spoilers here!

The first half of the book was a bit too SAPPY for my taste. I thought that Harper’s relationship with Liam, felt more authentic than her marriage to Ben. But, I enjoyed the second half despite its FAIRY TALE vibes.

This was a buddy read with DeAnn which offered much for discussion!
I think BOOK CLUBS would also find it entertaining and fun to talk about!

3.75 rounded ⬆️

Expected publication date: August 6, 2024

Thank You to Harper Muse for the gifted ARC provided through NetGalley. These are my candid thoughts!

I almost stopped reading at the start because I felt this book was going to be extraordinarily sad. I am so glad I held out. As the lessons of love and life and grief were touching.
I loved the aspect of time travel. I also found myself being annoyed at the indecision of the Main character but I also appreciated that this was reflective of a life completely out of your control.
5 stars

Wow , absolutely loved it even though Im not usually a fan of magic realism. It made me cry and it touched my soul.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This was an emotional read, for sure. I loved the first five or six chapters of this novel. However, I do not think I ever connected with any of the main characters. There was something that kept pulling me out of this story, but I do not know exactly what that thing was. Maybe it was because Harper kept trying to deny what was occurring as she was time-hopping? I kept feeling like right when each chapter got where it needed to go, the alternate story would take over, so I never really got to know either Ben or Liam. By the time I felt like I knew Ben, Liam, and Harper, the story was over.

In Every Life was one of the most surprising reads of the year. I did not expect it to be as good as it was, and Rea hit it out of the park!
With a depressing precise of a family’s life cut short, we follow the FMC, Harriet, through her life with a husband who has stage 4 cancer.
He accepts his fate and uses his time to try to find Harriet a new love of her life.
With a ton of laughs and cries, we get a super heartwarming story of accepting life and never taking anything for granted.

A beautiful love story. How often do we wonder what could have happened if we made a different choice? In this simple story Harper gets a chance to check in on that “other life” and see where it would have taken her. It’s not a complicated plot and the characters aren’t deep or challenging but it was a good romance and an easy read.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This is a wonderful book about a "what if". Harper is a soon-to-be young widow and her dying husband suggests finding a new love before he dies, She writes the idea off until a chance encounter with a former short fling occurs. In a strange twist of fate she enters an alternate universe where she is living with the fling and has fulfilled one of her lifelong dreams. I found the characters to be realistic and found myself cheering for the main character in both her real life and her alternate life. There was a strong sense of be careful what you wish for, because although some dreams came true, others changed as well. In addition, past regrets came to light - making the main character question some of her life choices. Overall, it was a fantastic read and well worth the time invested,

Ben becomes seriously ill during their honeymoon. He is diagnosed with stage four pancreatic cancer and told he has no hope for survival. Ben decides Harper should find a new love before he dies. Harper thinks it’s absurd idea however during his illness events unfold that makes Harper wonder if his idea is really that absurd when her old love from 10 years ago walks into their lives to interview Harper about her love of art and her studio.
I enjoyed this book and was glad that I received ARC from NetGalley for exchange of my review.

This novel is a beautifully written, gripping and profound read. A story full of emotions: love, loss and grief.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Wow. Just, wow. This is the perfect “what if” book. You might think it would be great to have the opportunity to see how your life might have turned out if you’d made different choices, but, like Harper found out, be careful what you wish for. The choices she has to face are heart-wrenching. She learns to live in the moment and to love whole-heartedly. I absolutely loved this book and wish it didn’t have to end!

I received an advanced readers copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[arc review]
Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Muse for providing an arc in exchange for an honest review.
In Every Life releases August 6, 2024

Shortly after Harper and Ben get married, he is diagnosed with terminal cancer. In his last moments, he wants to help his wife find someone else to love before he dies.

Ben is a film composer by day, and has set aside a week to interview with a New York Times journalist, wherein they’ll do a feature piece about him.
It comes as a shock when the journalist who shows up on their doorstep just so happens to be Harper’s “one that got away” from ten years ago, sparking every “what-if” question. What if she never left New York? What if she pursued art as more than just being a teacher?

Split into what is, what was, and what if (a clever play on a then/now), is a story about unconditional love; the kind that is heartbreaking and tugs on every emotion from pain, to longing, excitement, and hope.

Something I really wasn’t expecting going into this story was the magical realism element. I didn’t hate it, but part of me thinks that it could have worked better without it.
In terms of the ending and it coinciding with Ben’s original wish, it turned out really sweet, and the finale had a nice little trail off with a hope for something more to flourish in their future.
Would love an extended epilogue!

😢😢😢😢😢
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

In Every Life Rea Frey

What a beautiful story so much love and shows you to follow your dreams.
I think going in blind is best and I don’t want to give anything away. I will say…
Wowie what a love triangle with some twists that have your heart.
Such amazing characters honestly each one I loved so much.
I know I will think about it for a long time to come. Rea is an amazing author with such a talent for words, feelings, emotion and what a way to make you feel connected to the book.
I say for sure read this book, you will not be disappointed 💜

“In Every Life”

I am so thankful to Rea Frey for sending me a physical ARC of this beautiful book! Also to Netgalley for sending an e-copy.
I am usually a thriller girlie all suspense and murder
But let me tell you what a beautiful story this is all be it far from a thriller. This book just consumed me, I couldn’t put it down! Such heart and so many learning lessons about growing and finding yourself, following your dreams, dealing with grief and fear. I just can’t find enough words.
I don’t get emotional over books ….I mean I do but I don’t usually physically cry too often over the ones I read. This one had tears running down my face!

🗽 Side note: Anything about NYC makes me happy. I feel this book showed how New York is magical and alive and a place for people ready for things to happen!

😢😢😢😢😢
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️+

A beautiful story about love, loss, and what ifs. I didn’t want it to end!
Harper and Ben are newlyweds faced with devastating news. Through his sickness, Harper is reunited with a past love, Liam- and her worlds collide. This is a beautiful, heartbreaking story about what it means to truly love someone.

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!