The Other Year

An incredible mother daughter story told on two separate timelines. Weaving in and out of the what if’s that occur after Olivia disappears under the beach water. The story is told as if she resurfaces AND as if she doesn’t. Incredible flow to this dual timelines story.

This is a MUST~READ! Rea Freys most recent novel, based in a parallel timeline takes you down 2 paths, One scenario in which Kate loses her daughter, Olivia, who’s 9 years old, from drowning in the ocean while on their yearly vacation at the beach, and the other, where Olivia resurfaces from the waves and is okay. In both timelines you are taken down the treacherous path of losing a child and on the other path , the challenges and rewards of raising a daughter. Wretched with an unspeakable loss, Kate has to learn how to move forward in addition to handling a divorce, the love of Jason-her best friend and wondering if love is ever possible again. Rea doesn’t leave out any detail when describing Kates loss and what one goes through in such an unthinkable situation.

Rea Frey is an award winning best- selling author in several women’s non~fiction and suspense novels. Her most recent fiction novel leaves no stone unturned! “ The Other Year” will be published August15th, 2023. Pre-order available on Barnes & Noble and Amazon.

I cried a lot , I laughed and couldn’t put it down ! Rea was able to describe what’s it’s like to lose a daughter and the fear, heartbreak and sheer sickness Kate went through. On the 2nd parallel , she describes the joys, challenges and memories Kate has from raising her daughter. Rea is able to bring both parallels to closure, they meet, and we as the reader get to decide how we want to believe Kates story ends or continues. This novel not only brings to surface some really sad feelings but most importantly that we have this one life to live in the best way we can! I’ll be thinking about this novel for a while!
In the meantime, love harder, play longer and enjoy each other, these are the memories we get to remember.

“ I chastise myself from going down the rabbit hole of what is not instead of what is”

This book takes the “what if’s”
in life to the next level.
Kate is away with her daughter Olivia, when Olivia drowns in the ocean… The book proceeds to give us two chapter ones, two chapter twos and so on… Each chapter focusing on if she drowned, versus if she lived

Written, so heartbreakingly beautiful… as only this author can do, she has a way of ripping your heart out of your body, making you think the bigger questions, and appreciating all you have, when you have it!

I laughed, I cried, I vowed to love deeper and slow down and appreciate all I have.

This author always has a way of making you dig deep… And this book was written with her entire soul spilling out on every page

What an incredible, eye-opening story!
The message we learn from within these heart stopping, emotional pages is "Savor each moment for life can change at any second".
The novel is told from two parallel timelines that alternate chapters.
Kate, a single Mom tries to take care of her nine year old daughter and must live with guilt, anguish, fear and challenges in both timelines, each so different yet, so much the same.

This is now my new favorite Rea Frey book-it is good!

Thank you to #NetGalley and to #Harper Muse for this ARC and allowing me to read and provide my own review.

This is book #5 for my by Rea Frey and I was excited to see she has a new book coming out in August 2023. A mothers worse nightmare happens while at the beach with her daughter Liv. Liv gets in an undercurrent and can’t get out. Paramedics come. Then she’s fine. But wait! This is a different scenario now. Luv is perfectly ok. She’s in her room listening to her IPod. Flipping back and forth from each story line was genius! This was unlike anything I’ve ever read before. Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Muse for this advance copy in exchange for my honest opinion. To be published August 2023.

In THE OTHER YEAR, a parallel timelines trope women’s fiction novel, Kate is a single mother who in alternate chapters experiences a year where in one reality, her daughter dies after a day swimming out in the ocean where she let herself get distracted while scrolling on her phone, and in the other reality, her daughter lives, and they go through the next year having mother daughter conflicts. I am a big fan of Frey’s writing and the way she always asks interesting questions. The way she wrote Kate’s grief and the chapters after Olivia passed were heart wrenching. Then in the other timeline where Olivia is alive, you see her as a tween and all is not necessarily rosy as there is conflict between mother and daughter and Kate is forced to ask if it is better for her daughter to live with her father (they’re divorced) even if that means giving her up. I found the parenting questions and grief questions were my very, very favorite parts of the book and written in a very compelling way. There was in the second half a pretty strong focus on romance with three men all vying to be Kate’s romantic partner. This, I’ll confess, held my attention less than the parts of the novel about motherhood and grief and I honestly didn’t really care one way or another for the person she ended up with. 5/5 stars.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary ARC copy of this book from Harper Muse and NetGalley for review purposes.

I have read other books from this author and was expecting more of the same. However this book is more a romance novel. Although not a book I would normally read, since I received it from netgalley I chose to go ahead and read it. As far as the writing and storyline I found it to be an enjoyable read which I would recommend to others.

Wheewwww love, love lost, love found, heartbreak, love tragic, happy moments.
So many words to describe what is happening in this book.
It's written in two timeliness.. one where the accident didnt happen and one where it did.
I have to say at the beginning of this I was confused but quickly caught on what was happening
So well written that you won't want to put it down, leaves you breathless.

Thanks to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for an early release of this book.

An incredible book of what ifs…

In one timeline Kate loses her daughter Liv to drowning in the ocean. In the timeline we follow her journey through grief and a rebirth of herself.
In the other timeline Liv does not drown and we follow the mother & daughter duo through new challenges in a life post divorce.

I really enjoyed both timelines and how they were written. While the subject matter was heavy, the book was an easy read.

I look forward to reading more of Rea Frey’s work. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.

ALL THE FEELS! What if life takes you down one path or a different one. The author takes us there with two stories in one. Two different paths. Both full of love, heartbreak, rediscovery and a lot of emotion. I’ve always loved this authors books and I absolutely super loved this one. Thanks for writing this for us Rea Frey (I read authors note)!
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC

Oh my gosh this was so heart wrenching! Following Kate’s life through two possible paths was such an incredible premise. I haven’t read anything like it. As a mother who has lost a child it was tough at times but also relatable. Good job on giving believable emotions.

5 stars! I started this book a couple of weeks ago, and for some reason it just wasn’t the right time for me to read it. I picked it up again today and devoured it. Told in 2 timelines, one in which Kate and her daughter go on a trip to the sea, and return home together, the other her 9 year old daughter Liv, drowns. Each chapter alternates and in each their is love, and heartache, and some grief. I loved Liv’s sense of humor, and felt Kate’s struggles. This was an emotional read, but a very satisfying one in the end! Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC. It was my pleasure to read this book.

𝘚𝘪𝘮𝘱𝘭𝘺 𝘤𝘢𝘱𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨!

I have no words, this book took my breath away; I went in completely blind and had no idea what a wonderful journey this story will take me, it was unputdownable. Loved every page.

Thank you Suzy Approved Book Tours for this tour invite.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗢𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿 by Rea Frey releases August 15, 2023.

https://www.instagram.com/booksandcoffeemx/

he reigning queen of mother/child stories, domestic suspense, and Book Doula, author Rea Frey (favorite) returns following The Secrets of Our House, Until I Find You, Because You're Mine, and Not Her Daughter, with THE OTHER YEAR —when a single moment changes the course of a mother's life told from two parallel timelines in this gripping thought-provoking tale proposing —how a single choice can drastically alter the trajectory of our lives.

What can happen in the blink of an eye will change your life.

Single mom Kate Baker is on a much-needed two-week vacation with her nine-year-old daughter, Olivia, at the beach. In a split second, Olivia disappears among the waves. Kate is devastated and is frantically searching for her daughter in the ocean. How will she live without her daughter?

However, she resurfaces, and Kate can breathe again. However, what if she had yet to come up? How could Kate live without her?

There are two worlds with two different outcomes: one where Olivia dies and one where she lives.

The author masterfully tells the story in two parallel timelines where Kate lives out each scenario. What would her life be like? She would be wracked with guilt, grief, and sadness if she lost her. She would cherish every moment of life and never take time for granted if she were alive and well.

In the alternate timeline, she has some choices with three different men. Ex-husband- Michael, best friend- Jason, or new farm guy- Ian, with a troubled past. Which man will she choose?

A beautiful, poignant, emotional story, classic Rea, she pulls grips the reader immediately and holds you until the satisfying conclusion!

A massive fan of the author, having read all her books, I adored THE OTHER LIFE. Highly creative, this story makes you think about time, actions, consequences, and how your life can change quickly. This heart-stirring account will make you appreciate your loved ones, cherish your time with them, and want to live life to the fullest.

SERENBE: I also loved this story for other reasons, as well. The beach is based in Florida, and the BEST: The Serenbe Farms setting is a place I have visited and loved in South Georgia (outside of Atlanta). The B&B is heavenly. I highly recommend it—a rare treat!

An Atlanta gal for many years before South Florida. If you have not visited there, please do so. It is amazing! I was delighted when I saw this in the book, and Rea does a great job portraying the community. Serenbe is a wellness community connected to nature on the outskirts of Atlanta—a neighborhood within the city limits of Chattahoochee Hills, Georgia, and an example of New Urbanism.

INTERVIEW: These spots she visited are the inspiration for the book. Rea goes into more detail about the settings in my upcoming #AuthorEleavtorSeries Q&A with Rea, where we go behind the book and the author!

A stunning portrayal of motherhood in all its beauty and heart-wrenching despair. Captivating. Absorbing. Compelling. Thought-provoking! With well written-characters infused with emotion, have some tissues handy. A provocative story of a mother's love—from love, loss, grief, forgiveness, and second chances. For fans of Jodi Picoult, Diane Chamberlain, Sally Hepworth, and upcoming Kit Frick's The Split: A Novel (Feb 13, 2024). Also movie fans of Sliding Doors.

Stay tuned for Rea Frey's upcoming thriller, Don't Forget Me, coming on Jan 9, 2024!

Thanks to HarperMuse for a gifted ARC via NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion. I also look forward to the audiobook narrated by a favorite, Brittany Pressley!

Blog Review posted @
JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 5 Stars
Pub Date: Aug 15, 2023
Aug 2023 Must-Read Books

😭 "The message is Love your people. A tear-jerker with heart." The story is told in parallel timelines with two different outcomes. This one was hard to read. Warning: You will cry. The loss of a child was captured so deeply at times it became unbearable....right down to the mother's last goodbye and holding her cold hand as she laid on the autopsy table and prepared for her funeral.
Kate and her 9 year old daughter planned a two week vacation at the beach. While Olivia played in the water with warnings of dangerous currents, Kate looked away at her phone when she looked back she was gone. It was heart-wrenching as she and onlookers searched for her daughter. When her body resurfaced, it was too late.
Kate's grief was all too real as it rotated through the phases of grief, rage, and re-purposing her life.
Her ex-husband and Olivia's father, Michael, worked through the grief with guilt weighing heavy that he put his job first. One of her best friends above and beyond friend vibes was Jason, who had lost his wife to cancer and was raising his adoptive daughter by himself. I felt his friendship was one of a kind and sincere. He was one anyone would like to have by their side.
The parallel to this was Kate sees Olivia come up from the waves alive. Their mother-daughter relationship was strained with conflicts and Olivia was given the chance to live with her father.
Although second chances are far and few, you would like to think the latter is a better outcome than death, but it was hard to watch Kate and Olivia's bond tear away.
The author did a phenomenal job creating the second chance situation which comes back to the opening phrase "Love your people".
Thank you NetGalley and Harper Muse for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

On The Other Year by Rea Frey is a wonderful book that I really enjoyed.
The story is about a woman who is away with her 9-year-old daughter and tragically her daughter drowns while she is on the phone with her ex.

The alternating stories is much of a time slip/time travel style which is perfectly executed.
One story line the daughter emerges from the water.
In the other story, the daughter never comes up from the water.

The story line encompasses a year after the incident on the beach.

This was a fantastic book with well written complex characters with a great story line.

Highly Recommend!

An amazing 5 star read that is about a mother and daughter that is told in two timelines. It demonstrates how life can change in the blink of an eye. I will sure be checking this author out for more of her works. I enjoy her writing style, and this was a nice change from the usual thrillers and horrors that I read. Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for a copy of this ARC

"Not all great loves have to be romantic."

WOW. My mama heart. This book is heartbreaking yes, but it is so much more than a sad story.

We follow our Main Character Kate, and overworked single mom who takes her daughter on their family beach vacation. As soon as they get to the beach, her daughter Olivia goes for a swim. Kate decides not to, and in that moment her life is changed forever.

This story is told in two parallel timelines, the first timeline where her daughter never drowns, and the second timeline where her daughter does. While in timeline one, there is no grief explored there is an incredible amount of grief explored in the second timeline. It is truly an emotion read, but 100% worth it.

This is such a sad story, and as a mother it really makes you realize that one little thing can alter your whole world entirely, but I feel like it is something to really think about. This whole book is one big "what if" but it's beautiful to see how Kate grows and learns in both timelines.

I highly recommend this story to anyone who wants a gut punching emotional read.

Quick Takes:
- Emotionally Gut Punching
- Page Turner
- Navigating Greif
- Parallel Timelines
- "What If" Factor

I must admit, I'm not one to delve into stories that tug at the heartstrings, but this one was a game-changer. I find myself at a loss for words, attempting to convey the impact it had on me. In a world where narratives often fall short of genuine emotion, this one stood out brilliantly.

From the very first word, I was hooked. The story's authenticity hit me like a tidal wave, reminding me of the profound moments that have shaped my own life. It's a stark reminder that a mere heartbeat can steer our existence in unforeseen directions, leaving us forever changed.

What truly sets this tale apart is its ability to make the abstract tangible. The writing skillfully weaves emotions into words, breathing life into characters that felt like old friends. I found myself holding my breath in their moments of pain and exulting in their triumphs as if they were my own.

But the magic doesn't stop at the written word. The audio accompaniment adds another layer of depth to the experience. It's like a symphony of emotions, enhancing the story's impact and leaving an indelible mark on your soul.

In a world filled with noise, this story cuts through it all and speaks to the very core of our shared human experience. It's a testament to the power of storytelling and its ability to heal, inspire, and connect us on a level that transcends the mundane.

If you're seeking a story that will move you, a narrative that will challenge your emotions and perceptions, look no further. This is not just a story; it's an awakening, a catharsis, and a beautiful reminder of the intricate threads that bind us all. Prepare to be transported, transformed, and ultimately grateful for the journey.

Kudos to the brilliant minds behind this masterpiece. Your work has left an indelible mark on my heart, and I'm certain it will do the same for all who embark on this remarkable journey.

Don't miss out on The Other Year. Its incredible. You'll find dual timelines and a mother/daughter story.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced digital copy.

Kate Baker loses her daughter in a drowning incident at the beach. This book shows us that life can change on a dime. Kate is torn between her ex husband and best friend Jason. Kate feels that she cannot go on living but goes to Georgia to a farm and her life changes immensely. At the end all works out and she is able to move on with life. As I read the book all I could think about was losing a child at the beach. This book will definitely pull at your heart strings.

The way this story was told was very unique. I was instantly intrigued by the parallel story. So each chapter has two chapters – one version showing what happened if Olivia survived, the other showing life without Olivia. I felt Kate’s emotions in this book. My heart hurt for her. And I liked how there were overlapping events between her two journeys. I don’t want to ruin the story for you, so I don’t want to explain more but this was a really good read. It didn’t take long before I was hooked! I liked seeing the growth of both versions of Kate and the relationships around her. She was relatable and real. I couldn’t put this book down! Be sure to grab your copy!

I’m used to reading books written by Rea Frey with suspense at the core. Rea steps out of that genre to tell a beautiful story of loss, grief, and love.

This book has two timelines and goes through the course of a year. Timeline One begins as Kate Baker and her nine year old daughter, Olivia, are on a beach vacation. Timeline Two begins with the same beach vacation but when Kate looks down at her phone to check a text from her ex-husband, Olivia is swept away and drowns.

I know as a parent reading about what we most fear, to loose a child, could feel like a trigger. But this book weaves that tragedy into the story with grace and respect so that even though I was devastated at Olivia’s loss in timeline two I was able to understand the bigger picture. Kate’s life in both timelines are at the core of the story and those journeys make for a really engaging novel.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Other Year
Author: Rea Frey
Source: NetGalley
Published: August 15, 2023
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The Other Year by Rea Frey is a heart-wrenching story told in alternate timelines. This book questions if we “end up where we are supposed to be no matter what, or does grief send us on a different path completely?” Kate is a hard-working single divorced mom to Olivia, a strong-willed 9-year-old child. Kate takes two weeks away from work to vacation in Santa Rosa beach with her single best friend and his child. On the first vacation day, Olivia swims in the sea and is having fun when her Mom looks away for a second, and Olivia disappears. The novel is then told from two parallel timelines that alternate chapters. One timeline has a tragic end, and the other has a future. Honestly, I wasn’t sure I could get through this book because it is so well written, and the grief is so great, that my heart hurt. The emotions from both points of view are gut-wrenching. The author pulls this story together beautifully, and we spend a year as she travels two separate roads with a satisfying ending. To me, it all breaks down to the fact that life is hard and full of challenges, but grief is so significant, making moving into the future challenging. Kate decides to use her life for good and takes the time for individual growth. I liked this book so much that I purchased a copy for my library. This is my first novel by Rea Frey, but it won’t be my last. #TheOtherYear @reafreyauthor @harpermusebooks @netgalley #life #death #singleMom #choices #future #romance #emotional #grief #recovery
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Major trigger warning: death of a child
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I received a complimentary copy of this ARC. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own. Thank you to Harper Muse, and the author for the opportunity to read this novel. Pub. Date: August 15, 2023.
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#book #books #bookaddict #booksofinstagram #bookstagram #bookstagramer #bookshelf #reader #booklove #bookreader #reader

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

This is not the suspense that Rea Frey has written in the past - Frey even says this in the acknowledgments. However, the genre is different, but the writing style is still very much the same. I look forward to reading more novels like this one from Frey in the future.

The subject-matter (the death of a child) was difficult for me to read, but the alternating if/then chapters gave the novel a lighter feel just when I felt it was needed. I truly loved got everything came together. It took me a bit longer than usual to read this novel, but it was not because I did not appreciate it; it took longer for me to read it, because of the emotional content, I wanted to respect it, almost. I felt that if I rushed through, it would not have respected the characters, and the situation.

OBSESSED with this book. I cried through most of it, will definitely be in my top ten of the year. What a wonderful, emotional story about motherhood and identity.

This was a different genre from Rea Frey's usual thriller books. It's a contemporary with a love story also. It's a story of the most heartbreaking loss you can imagine and the guilt that follows. Also about a budding love that may happen along the way.

I enjoyed this book from start to finish. I shed quite a few tears reading it. Or I should say reading every other chapter. It's told from two different ways. One she lives. One she drowns. A mother's love and loss in this story is heart-wrenching and so realistic in every other chapter. The other chapters are the what if. What if her child had not drowned. What if she gets to grow up?

Kates daughter drowned. She went under and didn't resurface. Kate had glanced down at her phone for a mere second but it's costing her a lifetime of pain. She of course blames herself. If only she had gone in the water with Olivia. If only she had not looked at her phone. If only!

Kate is torn between not just two men but before it's over there are three. One is her ex. I only liked him as a dad. Then there is her best friend Jason. Don't ruin your friendship. You've been best friends way to long to go there. Then there is the farmer Ian. I absolutely adored him. He sounds very good looking and very nice. He's suffered a great loss also and well he's just the kind of man that she needs. But her ex Michael had his chance. He chose his job over his family. Though he was still a good dad he just wasn't husband material.

You'll also meet Waffles. Waffles is the dog you meet and will love. He's the perfect companion for Kate and Liv. I really liked Kate and was so glad she came to terms with her loss. Somewhat. As much as a mother can that is. I was glad she found love too. I was glad she finally got a dog in the end of the other chapters.

I finally got it what this title was suppose to mean. What it implies. What it says.... The Other Year is the perfect title. Well done Ms Frey.

Be sure and read the acknowledgement at the end also. Don't you dare stop writing. Please. Take some time for yourself always but please don't stop writing. You are good at it.

Thank you #NetGalley, #ReaFrey, #HarperMuse. This is my own true thoughts about this book.

FIVE huge stars. I highly recommend this book.

The Other Year is a sliding-doors style read where a mother lives one year in two different ways: with her daughter and without. For mom Kate, a vacation with her beloved daughter Olivia, turns into a parent's worst nightmare when Olivia is swept under a wave. When she pops up, Kate is beyond relieved but wonders what would have happened if Olivia hadn't survived? Told in a parallel timeline Kate lives both versions of the ensuing year-mourning Olivia and navigating this heartbreak as well as the year where she considers her best friend Jason's feelings for her while her ex-husband tries to reconcile. This culminates in a beautiful, breathtaking story about the fragility of life, choices we make and how quickly things can change. This is Rea Frey's best work to date!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest feedback.

This book is a must read ♥️

I had originally gotten the approval from NetGalley for this one but unfortunately it got archived before I got to it (seriously have to get better at not letting that happen 😂) but after seeing so many great reviews I had to buy it and I’m so happy I did.

Told in alternate timelines this story follows a heartbreaking loss as well as what life would have been without that heartbreak ❤️‍🩹 It perfectly intertwines and you will not want to put this book down 🥲

The Other Year by Rea Frey is a beautifully haunting story. Knowing what the book was about created a tense anticipation as I started to read. When the storyline gets to the part where Kate loses Olivia my heart wasn’t prepared for the grief and heartbreak that poured out of the pages. As a mother, and as a mother of a daughter named Olivia, I had a hard time picking the book back up for a couple days. I’m so glad that I did though.
I really liked the way the chapters alternate timelines of Kate without Olivia and Kate with Olivia. Kate’s life with Liv was not a perfect HEA and I appreciated the realism of life with a tween daughter. Kate’s life without Liv was raw and inspiring as we see Kate deal with her guilt and doubt that are amplified by her unimaginable grief.

I have posted this review on Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/p/CwaLShRrbVp/?igsh=MnUzNzlpZnY2cGtr

Goodreads

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5743209643

And Amazon

This was a good read - I really enjoyed this book. I'm so glad that I got the chance to read it early and will definitely be recommending it to multiple people who enjoy these types of novels. I enjoyed the characters and especially enjoyed the writing by this author. I'm excited to see what the author comes out with next as I'll definitely be reading it! Thank you to the publisher for my early copy of this book!

This is an incredibly emotional story about what it means to be a mother, how impactful that role is on an individual, and the fear of losing a child.

It's a book that I easily gave 5 stars to, but still couldnt consider one of my favorite books of the year because of how dark it was. This book tackles grief and moving on in such a heartbreaking, but hopeful way. It also encourages us to appreciate what we have before we lose it and to enjoy life as it is.