I loved this book and the premise was so thought provoking. There were things about this book that surprised me and made me emotional.

This was easy read well easy because you just at flipped through but hard breaking and meaningful. I quite like Contemporary fiction and this didn’t disappoint

THIS IS NOT THE END is a story full of emotions, heartbreak, but also hope and reconciliation as one girl tries to decide who to resurrect on her 18th birthday. It's a powerful story, with complex characters, full of friendship, family, and love. Perfect for contemporary young adult readers looking for a unique story of self-discovery.

This story was definitely intense in parts! It tugged on my heart and brought my emotions to the surface. There were a lot of tough issues and choices. Lots of heartache. Lots of friendship and love to balance it all out. I really enjoyed the characters and how there was so much more to them than how they first appear. I figured out the big twist half-way, but not how all of it happened. Seeing Lake and her family have to work through things and mend so much was rough, but also felt real. All their jagged edges and all the broken pieces of Lake's friends' lives were difficult and messy. As it should be. It made the sweet moments, the insights, the way the characters came to grasp with things... that much sweeter and hopeful. The ending then finished things off perfectly.

In the end, was it what I wished for? An enjoyable, bittersweet read that shows the messiness of life and the joy that can be found in living it.

Content: Some swearing (including the f-word), innuendo, some crude references, drinking, drugs, suicide.
Source: I received a complimentary copy from the publisher through Jean Book Nerd Tours, which did not require a positive review nor affect it in any way.

I loved this book! I've had it for a while now and I'm wondering why did it take me so long to start reading it. Then again I'm the type of person that gets distracted by other books. Yup. Like most book readers you see a shiny new book and want to read that instead. Guilty! Well I am glad that I finally took the time to read this great book. "This Is Not The End" is an alternate world where people can bring back their loved ones. Say what? Yup. In this world when someone turns 18 they can bring back someone who has died. Everything in Lake's life is going perfect until she and her best friend and boyfriend are in a major car accident. Lake is the only one who lives through it. But the trick to bringing someone back from the dead? You are only allowed to bring back one person! And she is already promised to bring back her brother. The twist, her brother is alive! Uh? Well her brother lives in a wheelchair caused by an accident from a tree (...*tree*...). But then Lake meets Ringo (yes like the Beatles) and she learns maybe bringing people back isn't that great. Leading to her 18th birthday Lake learns about those close to her and herself. Filled with drama, friendships, family, and even some romance, "This Is Not The End" is a great novel to show that the end isn't really the end.

This was a very heavy read, so I feel like you have to be in the right mindset for it! I enjoyed the romance though, and I thought it had some really good themes about going on with life after tragedy. 4/5 stars

The writing was good and it is a powerful story of love and loss. But unfortunately I was expecting much more of this book because of the premise. It was so promising! I think since it was a mystery it needed a little bit more tension. More conflict. I had a hard time staying interested.

4.5 Stars

'This Is Not the End' is a thought-provoking young adult novel that will appeal to readers of all genres. To be completely honest, I wasn't sure what to expect and I didn't really have high hopes of a great read. I was definitely wrong. I was immediately drawn into Lake's life and world and I felt like I was right with her during everything that happened throughout the story. She's a fantastic main character for the book. I thought she was incredibly realistic and easy to connect with - I clicked with her right from the opening sentences. She's flawed like every other person, but has a lot of great qualities as well. I loved getting to know her during the story and seeing her change and grow as things in her life progressed.

This was an intriguing story about a future that's pretty close to our own, except science has figured out how to resurrect the dead. Everyone can choose to resurrect one other person on their eighteenth birthday. Only one person, no exceptions. Take it or forfeit it. It really made me sit back and think about my own life and what I would do if given the chance/choice to resurrect someone. It doesn't sound like a huge decision, but once you start thinking about the various aspects of the situation along with important parts - it's not as simple as one might think. I liked trying to put myself in this society and figuring out what I would do in Lake's situation. The story was fresh and fascinating. I thought it did a wonderful job bridging contemporary fiction and science fiction almost seamlessly. As we find out in the book, things are never what they seem. There are always things we thought we knew, but actually had no idea what was really going on. There are always secrets and hidden part of people and their lives that we never knew existed. That's true in the story as well as in our lives. I was devouring the pages with my heart practically breaking during the entire book, seeing where one little secret led and what was ultimately going to happen with Lake. It was intense and had my feelings all over the place, which doesn't happen very often with me. I highly recommend this book for readers of all ages and fans of all genres who are open and willing to think about what would happen if science could bring someone you love back from the dead - with limitations.

Full review found on [a cup of tea and an armful of books]!

What would you do if you had the power to bring one person back from the dead on your 18th birthday?

That's the question this book's protagonist grapples with after her best friend and her boyfriend die in a tragic accident. The author did a really good job of weaving questions about life, death, and choice together in a way that shows how the grieving process works in this book. It's speculative fiction, but it was portrayed in a way that felt like this resurrection process could be right around the corner. I really enjoyed this contemporary because it did things I haven't seen yet in the genre.

If you could choose one - and only one - person to reanimate (bring back from the dead), who would it be? Would you choose anyone at all, or would you forfeit your right to choose?

THIS IS NOT THE END is a beautiful book about a girl's fraught relationship with her older brother, paralyzed from the neck down after an accident a few years ago, which has turned him bitter, cold, and downright mean. It's also about the life-changing car accident that happens just before her 18th birthday, which kills her boyfriend and her best friend, and the grieving process she goes through. It's also about how she meets a new boy and his motley group of friends as she's trying to figure out how to move on with her life. And, of course, it's *also* about that tricky question I asked first: she can choose ONE person to bring back from the dead on her 18th birthday, or lose the chance forever; who will it be??

When you put it that way ... well, it sounds like a bunch of disparate elements that must leave a mess of a plot, right? Wrong! This is the first book I've read by Ms. Baker, but she blew me away with how she handled all these elements and wove them into a cohesive, heart-wrenching, and utterly gorgeous work of fiction. I cant believe I haven't already reviewed this book, because I loved it so very much. I would highly recommend it to anyone who loves gorgeous writing; books that make you think about questions of morality, family, mortality, and the difficult process of growing up and becoming your own person; and contemporary YA generally. This book has a hint of science fiction - I mean, that whole "reanimation" thing isn't a reality quite yet - but don't let that scare you away if you're not usually a sci-fi reader; I promise, it's really just a hint, even though it's integral to the story and is the source of much of the MC's anguish.

I would love to put this book in the hands of every reader I know! I hope you'll give it a chance, too. It's one of those books you don't realize you need in your life until you've read It, and then you say, "*that's* what I've been missing!" It stunned me and left me reeling, yet feeling wiser and more complete. I cant wait to see what Chandler Baker gives us next. This is an easy 5 stars!

If you're looking for something super sci-fi and devious, this is not for you. More contemporary than anything else, This is Not the End by Chandler Baker is a very interesting YA book that I initially disliked but really ended up enjoying it by the end. The reasons for which will likely be made in a spoiler vlog in the next day or two. That said, yes, there is something devious, and yes, there is a kernel of sci-fi, but where the heart of the story lies is with Lake facing her truths and the truths of expectations unknowingly placed.

The premise, I have to be honest, feels a little flawed. That there is a procedure that can bring people back to life, but can't actually be modified to help the living is weird. I know, sci-fi, suspension of belief, but there has to be something there to make it rational, and for me there wasn't. Then, to limit that choice of resurrection to someone on their 18th birthday and only then, is just weird and feels arbitrary. Why 18? I suppose, for the story's sake, it needs to be 18, but in general, it just doesn't seem realistic. 

Aside from the unrealistic premise, the story was actually really, really good! I was completely absorbed by it, right there with Lake trying to decide WHO she should resurrect, and then trying to figure out WHAT was actually going on. I had figured out a major spoiler fairly early on, but Baker still managed to surprise me with it as I hadn't guessed the entire truth. Untangling the relationships Lake has with her family, friends, and boyfriend was well written. It felt so realistic, which is what ultimately won me over -- because I could see these characters as actual people and actual situations. 

Ultimately, This is Not the End by Chandler Baker isn't about a cool sci-fi premise, or about some shadowy black market world. It's about people, relationships, and how they all face their traumas and deal with the repercussions. Solid pacing, good use of the dual time framing technique, and incredibly human characters all make this a solid recommendation from me.

his is Not the End was fantastic. The story was fun, original and extremely intriguing. I couldn’t wait to see how Lake was gonna handle the whole situation. I loved how emotional it was during some parts. It was very interesting to see how this kind of advancement (the resurrection) could impact someone’s life. I think Lake was a great character to follow around. I liked her alot. The way she acts and think made her feel very real, very human. You want her to be okay. The side characters were well-done too, they all had their personality and were well developed. i have to mention the coffee shop crew for being so fun to read about. I loved Ringo so much, i did wish we saw abit more. My only disappointment with this story was the romance. It was absolutely not necessary and to be honest, it pissed me off a little. It’s been less than a month since the death of her boyfriend, she need time before jumping back into a love story. i did like them together, but my brain kept scream : TOO SOON the whole time.

Overall, this book was good one, not perfect, but super entertaining. Original, emotional and thrilling, you really want to get to the end and see how it goes.

Interesting premise—who would you pick to save: brother, friend, or love of your life. I thought that the parents pressuring her to choose was a bit unrealistic, but I could see why they would be doing it. The twist at the end was unexpected and I enjoyed it.

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley for an honest review.

Alright, this book probably would have been on my top recommend list if it hadn't been for the end. I'm not talking about Lake's "choice"because I was fine with that but the explanation (or lack there-of) when it came to her family... I did not understand that part at all, even with the big reveal...I even went back and reread the whole section in case I missed something.

I believe, I know what the author was trying to convey but I just didn't buy it. I still really enjoyed the first 2/3rds and the plot was really interesting. The characters all really stood out to me even though some were only briefly in the story. Some parts, with Ringo, actually made me laugh out loud. In my opinion this was still a "good" book but it could have been a "great" one with a different explanation.

This Is Not the End
Chandler Baker
Hyperion, August 2017
ISBN 978-1-4847-5024-7
Hardcover

From the publisher—

If you could choose one person to bring back to life, who would it be?

Seventeen-year-old Lake Deveraux is the survivor of a car crash that killed her best friend and boyfriend. Now she faces an impossible choice. Resurrection technology changed the world, but strict laws allow just one resurrection per citizen, to be used on your eighteenth birthday or lost forever.

You only have days to decide.

For each grieving family, Lake is the best chance to bring back their child.

For Lake, it’s the only way to reclaim a piece of happiness after her own family fell apart.

And Lake must also grapple with a secret–and illegal–vow she made years ago to resurrect someone else. Someone who’s not even dead yet.

Who do you need most?

As Lake’s eighteenth birthday nears, secrets and betrayals new and old threaten to eclipse her cherished memories. Lake has one chance to save a life…but can she live with her choice?

What an impossible choice Lake has, knowing she can bring her dead best friend or boyfriend back to life but not both. Can you imagine the pressure that comes with that, never mind the twist of having promised her one resurrection to someone else? At first blush, having the technology to allow a resurrection seems a remarkable opportunity but perhaps it really isn’t. Think about it…how would you select one person if you’ve had multiple losses leading up to your 18th birthday?

Lake has a tremendous sorrow, no doubt, but how is it possible that she could feel an almost instantaneous connection with a guy she just met? That budding romance didn’t sit right with me but I still have a lot of empathy for Lake because she’s a nice girl who cares, a very normal girl, and I wanted her to find some kind of resolution that gives her comfort. Lake’s brother, Matt, is another compelling character, not always in a good way but his bitterness is understandable, and the dilemma he causes for Lake gives this story a strong sense of the ethics involved in some of our medical and scientific advances. It also lets us see how Lake has been a sort of second-hand citizen in her own family, certainly something that would affect anyone’s psyche, especially considering the plan her parents have in mind. In the end, can whatever choice she makes please anyone, including herself?

Betrayal is a core element here and we see that certain people are, or were, not what they seemed, and the misperceptions that plague us all played a huge role in this very intriguing story. Those misperceptions lead to some very surprising twists, a fitting way to bring everything to a close and, all in all, I found This Is Not the End to be a most interesting and engaging tale.

Reviewed by Lelia Taylor, September 2017.

In the near-distant future medical technology has evolved so that dead people can be completely resurrected with bodies that have had every cell replaced fresh. To keep a cap on these new capabilities, each person is only allowed one resurrection of another person which they can use after their 18th birthday. Lake Devereaux had already promised her resurrection to someone, but when a fatal accident happens she finds herself torn in three directions. How will she decide whose life to restore? (Also there’s a stupid romance subplot thrown in there that shouldn’t be in there, so this is your warning)

I loved the premise. By the end, I loved the story, too.

On the positive side of things, I loved the mystery angle that the story took and it was fast paced and intriguing to get through. The world building of this society that has to develop a new moral code in the wake of this incredible medical technology is really well done. There was also interesting commentary on what makes a person who they are and how our personalities and true selves can shift and adjust over our lives as we experience new things. I was so engaged with considering which choice would be the best for Lake and considering what I would do in the situation. It was a really well developed problem with an incredibly difficult set of solutions.

On the “bad” side of things, there was a lot of drama and unnecessary scandals and romance that took away from what could have been a heartfelt story. I’m tired of YA instalove and love triangles, and somehow this squeezed in both despite being a story about processing grief. It felt very much like a soap opera at points. The great vastly outweighs the bad by the end, but I just wish I could have had less of the romance angle.

WOAH! So I'll admit this an ARC I knew nothing about. When I started it I had no idea what kind of book this would be. BUT OH MY LANTA it was so good. Twists and turns I did not expect all throughout it. This is one of those books that is hard to review because so much could be ruined.

Lake is a great rich character she goes through so much with her friends, family, and most importantly herself. Trying to come to terms with lose, redemption, and finding herself. I really enjoyed her growth.
Lakes brother was a surprise for me. The book started and I won't lie I did not like him at all. I kept thinking there is no excuse for his behavior or his parents for that matter. That being said he grew a lot as well becoming a character I wanted to know more about.

Ringo oh man I loved him and his friends. They brought so much to the story. Showing Lake that having multiple friends is okay and great.

My only issue with this book was how fast the timeline went. She seems to move on from some tragic events a bit too fast. There is a new romance piggybacking off her previous. The issue is that secrets were being kept from before so I think partially that is why the author thought it was okay for Lake to move on so fast but for me it took away from the realness I had been feeling from Lake's story.

In the end it was an easy four star read! I think everyone should give it a shot!

When I started reading This Is Not The End, by Chandler Baker, I really didn't know what to expect. Was this going to be a story of love and loss? About making the most of the life you have? A mystery? A tale of one messed up family? Well, the answer is all of the above. I was blown away by this book. The author took some risks with my emotions as they were tossed around like a load of laundry!

But the overall effect was one of a book that was meaningful, and kept me on the edge of my seat.

What I Liked:
Layered Story:

There is a lot going on in this story. This whole society has been turned upside-down by breakthrough technology that "resurrects" a dead person. Because of how controversial this is, the use of resurrection is strictly controlled. A individual has one opportunity to resurrect one person (or decline to) on their eighteenth birthday. Many people think this is a great idea, while others decry it as unnatural. How this affects Lake, her family, and the families of her two dead friends is at the heart of this story. Is resurrection the answer to one's prayers? Or is the chance for a second life preventing some from moving on after a loss? This is not just a choice that will affect Lake. So many are touched by her choice. But is that a fair burden to put on someone just turning eighteen?

Characters:

Lake is a complicated girl. On the surface, many envy her good looks and the close relationships she has with her best friend, Penny, and her boyfriend, Will. But take a closer look and you see a girl with big problems.

Ever since her older brother's accident (which has caused him to be a quadriplegic), her parents are too consumed with Matt's care to be there for Lake. She is left out of every family decision, and is told (not asked) that she will resurrect Matt, who would come back to life without his spinal chord injury. They actually plan to have him killed just before Lake's birthday (what a birthday memory)! Besides all the ethical issues, Matt is a complete jerk to Lake. When Penny and Will are killed, she feel no compunction whatsoever to use her resurrection on one of her friends, leaving Matt out.

There is more going on with Matt than meets the eye. Why is he so resentful of Lake? If someone is literally holding your life in their hands, why would you antagonize them? There actually is a strong reason for his anger, which I was gasping over when I figured it out.

Impossible Choices:

How in the world is Lake supposed to choose between resurrecting Penny, Will, or her brother? The pressure from all three families is intense, with fights breaking out at funerals, offers of money, and guilt trips galore. Her classmates are actually betting cash on who her pick will be! When Lake tries to ascertain what her friends would want, she starts to uncover some truths she would rather not know! Were Penny and she really as close as she thought? Did Will really love her? There is also the distinct possibility that if she doesn't resurrect Matt, her family will disown her. How can she choose?

What I Was Mixed About:

I was put off my Matt's decision to end his life, rather than live as a quadriplegic, and even more so by the parents eagerness to help him. Do they want to help him so he can live his best life, or are they tired of taking care of him? Why are they not helping him to create his best life now? This kid needs intense therapy, but he is allowed to wallow in pain and anger, waiting for Lake's birthday to transform him. The reality is that this is a complicated issue. I am not naive about the challenges of someone in a wheelchair. But this book, at first, seemed to say that life wasn't worth living if you are severely disabled.

This theme is extensively explored in the book, so that is why I am not totally turned off by this aspect of the novel. But it certainly made me uncomfortable. Would Matt suddenly change his attitude and accept his limitations? That seemed like it would be a bit of a stretch. Yet I was horrified by what the other outcome would mean. I was on the edge of my seat till the very end of the book when this is resolved.

This book asks brutally honest questions about what one is willing to live with. I'm not just talking about Matt's situation. Could you resurrect someone who you know is against it? Are you willing to risk the anger of your family for your choices? This is the mammoth of the "Who gets to decide" story line. It is a roller-coaster of a reading experience, that I highly recommend.

this book got me MESSED UP! i don't think you can read this book and not ask yourself so many questions involving suicide and ethics. like WHAT did i just read?! i honestly don't know what to say that isn't a spoiler, i think you should go in mostly blind on this one. but there are trigger warnings for suicide, death, an incredibly violent car crash. And, i feel like this story has some of the problematic things that Me Before You had, so be weary if that book bothered you. I am going to be thinking about this book for a long time, I know that.