This is my first book by this author and i absolutely loved it! Great flow, character development. I just wanted to keep reading it! Thanks for the ARC!

Widow Remi, an editor at The Sophisticate magazine, is tired of fending off redundancy rounds. Then along comes new chief digital officer Jason who believes his AI program, MAUDE, can take over much of the editorial work.
Remi wants to prove Jason wrong – that AI can never replace the soul of a workplace. He wants her to give MAUDE a chance.
Her first test is asking it to improve her dating profile and she is soon matched with the perfect guy - humanitarian doctor Noah, who is working in the Congo. Then she gets MAUDE to help her prepare for a career-defining interview with the senator she blames for her husband’s death in Ukraine.
The concept of machine vs magazine crew was what made me instantly pick up this book. It didn’t quite deliver the story I was hoping for but it was still a timely reminder of how technology can both assist and deceive.

LIFE DERAILED is a sweet and feel-good romance centered around AI and how it can play a part in dating. Though it's a lighter and easy read, it does involve some dramatic elements that enriches the story and characters. Still overcoming the grief of losing her husband, Remi finds love where she least expected it. I love how the story speaks to finding ourselves down paths we'd never imagined and how it can be for the better.

Thank you to Montlake and NetGalley for the arc in exchange for my honest review.

A wonderful read!
This novel drew me in from the very first page and kept me hooked until the end. The characters were vibrant and relatable, the writing was engaging, and the story had just the right balance of heart and humor. Highly recommend!
Many thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

As a self proclaimed nerd and period drama enthusiast, I love the LOTR, Bridgerton, Pride & Prejudice, and GOT references. Remi’s story of healing through grief and finding love again was refreshing, and as a trauma and grief survivor under slightly different circumstances than losing a spouse, was somewhat relatable to me. I loved the diversity of the characters and the descriptive imagery in the food scenes. My stomach definitely started growling and my mouth started watering at some of the concoctions. Also a great tale of forgiveness and redemption/second chances. If you prefer romances without smut, this is a clean romance, and was a really lovely and gentle story.

I loved reading this book! So much of the writing felt like how my own internal monologue sounds, which really helped me relate to the main character and care more about her struggles with work, grief, and the looming AI takeover. I was really curious how the story would handle the AI elements, especially with the main love interest being so entrenched in AI as a career.

The only times I felt myself being yanked back out of the immersion and escape into this book were in some of the very specific references to modern pop culture (e.g. Lea Michelle in funny girl, season 3 of Bridgerton). I think part of this is that I am not used to writers referencing things like this so specifically, which distracted me and reminded me that I am reading a book and not just immersed in an escape.

Ultimately I'd give this a 4.5 star review, rounding up to 5!

The book was ok. A feel good love story ending. I struggled to get through the first chapter, as it was overloaded with pop culture referenced, a fat joke, slang, the reference to her dead husband, and an over explanation of an "HR Jar." It was quite predictable that the first potential love interest ended up being the AI itself, since she very clearly asked it to create someone just like her husband. I did however enjoy the love story that ended with the HEA, especially since I have a soft spot for single dads.

Remi.. The love I have for you, the tears I wept. The dog! I absolutely loved every single thing about Life Derailed and I am going to go back and read every single book by these authors. Thanks to Netgally, the authors and the publishers the the eARC!

This book might not age super well because there are some fairly specific details like she drank from her Stanley quencher. It really takes the reader out of the story and puts a time frame on it especially when you throw in things like covid. We read to escape reality and those details throw you right back in.

That being said, I really did enjoy this book, so much that I finished it in one day.

This was a nice, light read with a good bit of humor peppered in. I liked how we incorporated current events and the looming threat of advancements in AI going too far.

Here are my highlights:

-Ruth is everything. Between her constantly throwing shade at Lea Michele and thinking DTF means "down to fiesta" she is pure chaos.

-Jason and his social anxiety. We love it. He feels like he’s a hottie tiptoeing the spectrum and it’s very endearing.

-FMC has two of the best friends. I love seeing healthy female friendships.

My complaints:

-Without spoiling anything, THE big bad thing that happened on Spark was predictable to a degree. As someone who did online dating (over a decade ago, before AI was readily available) I could sniff a suspicious match almost immediately.

-Everything felt so rushed. I would have loved a deeper dive into our main relationship… I could have gotten so deeply invested into those two

A story about love and loss, the changes that AI is bringing to the world, and second chances. Elements were predictable but there were a few twists that made it more enjoyable. Overall, a really enjoyable ready, especially if you enjoy authors like Abby Jimenez and Emily Henry.

This story was not what I was expecting, but pleasantly so. The journey that Remi takes throughout this book is inspiring. I feel that more than just a romance, this book explores Remi's journey through overcoming grief and discovering who she is after losing the person who was everything to her. I laughed, I teared up, and I was even surprised at times while reading this book. Those expecting a full-on romance may be disappointed. Still, I felt that the story was very moving, and the character development of Remi throughout the book is relatable and believable. I thought the ending was perfect, and I will highly recommend this book to others.

I enjoyed this book it blends grief, motherhood, female friendships, and AI in a way that works well. The slow burn kept me hooked, and the twist was a nice surprise.

Overall, it was a good read. Not sure I’ll rush to read more by the authors, but I liked the emotional depth.

#LifeDerailed #NetGalley

Life Derailed by Beth Merlin and Danielle Modafferi is a story that intertwines grief, romance, and the ethical dilemmas of artificial intelligence. The story follows Remi Russell, a widow navigating personal loss and professional upheaval at a struggling women’s magazine. When an AI program is introduced to revitalize the publication, Remi’s life takes unexpected turns, especially after she uses the AI to revamp her dating profile, leading to a connection with Noah.

The novel explores modern themes, particularly the intersection of technology and human emotion. Remi’s journey is both relatable and thought-provoking, capturing the complexities of moving forward after loss. However, some readers might find the pacing uneven, with certain plot developments feeling rushed or underexplored.

Overall, Life Derailed is a commendable read that delves into contemporary issues with heart and insight. It offers a fresh perspective on love and resilience in the digital age.

i predicted where one part of this might go from the off and was almost heartbroken in anticipation waiting for it to be found out! it truly measures and shows where Ai can and truly cannot go.
there are alot of relevant themes here to do with Ai. and i know it can barely touch the surface of it but i think within the theme of this book it does what it can and covers it well within the pages it has to do so. i do hope books like this can be serious enough to people to be the cautionary tale they should be. i fear the way we are going it wont and people arent taking note quick enough. so for now i shall keep reading and bury my head in the words of real people(although even that,our books by people, is now under threat!)
in this book we have Remi. Remi isnt doing so well. her work and home life feel a bit de-railed lately. she is still dealing or not dealing with grief after she lost her love a few year back. at work she is threatened by the slowing down of her magazines reach and so the entered idea that Ai might be what the magazine needs to thrive again. not only that but the person behind it is a thorn in her side too! this is a woman's magazine it cant work via a robot! so whilst Remi is fighting for the very soul of her woman's magazine, Jason is fighting for his program Maude to be the answer they need.
to test things out Remi decides to ask the Ai for help. she desperate one night asks it to find the love of her life. or should we say the love just like she lost.(really you can already see the issues here, dear Remi?) an of course it manages to give her someone. someone she actually feels herself getting close to. but...wont spoil it but " oh!" is all i will say to this part. and it leads Remi in the end to really need to get to grips with her real grief and her real loss.
at the same time her relationship with Jason is changing. Did she give him the chance he deserved. the relationship development to these two felt very sweet. and it was a nice read to watch them do so. when you bring out the best in someone it can feel magical to both feel and read.
there's also the dynamic between mother and daughter which are particularly well written in this book.
everything in this book felt very real and relatable. its not always romcom and pretty. life can be gorgeous but also can be a big whole lot of mess. but there is still the time for this when those surrounding you can be there to be in it with you and help you out. Remis friendships really provide that loving side to friendship and support. and the biggest success is when you can learn to help yourself.

Life Derailed tells the story of Remi Russell, editor of a struggling woman’s magazine who is grieving the unexpected loss of her husband. When the attractive new Chief Digital Officer of the magazine brings in an AI tool to increase efficiency, Remi must decide if she wants to keep living in the past or embrace the future and open herself to a new chance at love. Along the way she navigates her grief and professional ambition with the support of her two of best friends, her chubby dog Fitz, and her meddling mother.

The book is more of a journey through the other side of grief than a romance novel, but it doesn’t feel heavy. The cute dynamic between Remi and her two best friends offsets the sadness with lighthearted and funny moments and there is vivid detail throughout that adds texture and vibrancy to the story. While the romance is there, it builds very slowly and gently - which is probably the right approach for a young widow’s early forays into dating again. It’s a quick read that feels very “of the moment” with pop culture references, AI, and the Ukraine conflict. It didn’t blow me away but it was entertaining enough.

Thank you to the publisher Montlake and NetGalley for the ARC exchange for my honest review.

Life Derailed is a compelling exploration of love, grief, and the evolving role of AI in our lives. Beth Merlin and Danielle Modafferi craft a heartfelt, witty, and thought-provoking narrative that challenges the boundaries between human emotion and technology. The protagonist, Remi Russell, is deeply relatable—grappling with personal loss while navigating the uncertain future of her career. Her interactions with MAUDE, the AI system designed to revolutionize her workplace, create an intriguing tension between progress and tradition. The novel beautifully balances humor and poignant emotional depth, making it an engaging read. The unexpected twists keep the story fresh, particularly as Remi’s journey into AI-assisted romance takes a surprising turn. The themes of resilience and human connection resonate strongly, making the book more than just a contemporary romance but a reflection on how we adapt to change, both personally and professionally.

I feel like this is such a timely book in the topics it handles— grief, love and AI. As a cancer survivor myself I’m always intrigued by cancer storylines (though I didn’t know that going into it) and how family members deal with it.

The slow burn kept my attention throughout as the character deals with grief and I was all for it. I do think the AI portion did need to be fleshed out more. It also had a great twist. Overall, I did enjoy the book.

Thank you to NetGalley, Montlake and the authors Beth Merlin and Danielle Modafferi for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

While I love the cover, that's about all I like about this book. I just couldn't get into it. It was too cheesy and trope-y for me. I'm sorry!

(Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC exchange for my honest review.)

This book surprised me; it wasn't the normal fast-paced book I was used to, so it did take some time to get into. With how fast AI is advancing in today's society, I thought it was a brilliant idea to incorporate the theme into this book. The book's fmc Remi, is an editor who works for a women's magazine. Jason, the mmc is trying to bring in the software he designed. It's old school vs new school in this fun rom-com. One of my favourite parts of this book is how the author dealt with grief. I know everyone grieves in their own way, but it was nice to read about a character who was having such a hard time with her partner's passing. It may have been 3 years ago, but a loved one's death will stay with you forever. Another fave part of this book for me was the strong female friendships. I love it when a book has the fmc not just obsessed with a man. Seeing a character's personality deepen when around friends is one of my favourite things to read about as a reader. The walk and talk routine reminded me so much of my coworkers and I. I did, however, think that Jason's character developed wayyyyy too fast, I wish that it was a slow progression and not an all at once progression.

Read if you like:
-Workplace rivals
-Strong female friendship
-A grieving widow
-AI and the pros and cons
-Romantic comedy