I requested this book because I recognize the name of this author, but I have never read a novel by her in the past.

Maggie Reid lives in Devon, a town where people go to avoid their past and start a new life. She knows little to nothing about the people who live in her town, and they know just as much about her. She has built a life for herself over the last 5 years, trying to overcome the grief and guilt she has over the loss of her daughter, who died in a car accident at Maggie’s hands. When Maggie’s ex-husband Edward shows up in Devon, she is forced to face the past in ways she never has done before. Can she and Edward overcome the pain they have suffered?

For me, this book was just so-so. I never felt like I got super invested in the characters or the storyline. Maggie was fine and Edward was fine, and the supporting characters were fine, but nothing really struck me in a way that kept me hooked. It does have the happy ending that you would expect, and I did feel like there was closure for the characters. I just didn’t have that pull to read the novel like I would have wanted.

I so enjoyed this book. At first I was afraid I was not going to like it but very soon into it I could not put it down. It’s a very emotional book with some parts that made me laugh out loud. Mostly I cried out loud but when you read it you will understand. Even the happy and good parts make you emotional because you want so bad for Maggie and Edward to be ok. As for her mother, I think she should have been there for Mackenzie/Maggie the whole time. I had a hard time forgiving her for turning her back. You do not turn your back on your flesh and blood and when they are going through so much like Maggie did you should be there no matter what.

Maggie made a life for herself but I don’t believe deep down she was as happy as she pretended to be. She needed to truly grieve. Both for her daughter and the love of her life. I was very angry at Edward at first too. I didn’t consider he grieved also. He had his own demons to deal with. But can they together finally get on with their lives and be happy again. Either together or apart?

I did truly love this book. It’s a sad story when a child is lost and a marriage falls and a mother is not there for her child and a brother even turns on you. Maggie was alone but had many friends who was there for her in Devon, Vermont. Sounds like the perfect place to live if you have a past to escape from. I think the media and AG treated her unfairly. Her punishment was way to harsh considering what she lost and not more than she did. She did enough punishing of herself to last a lifetime. I felt bad for her throughout the book. Forgiveness is a big thing and we tend to blame ourself when something goes horribly wrong.

There are lots of great likeable characters in this story. I felt for them all. I connected to them all. But mostly I connected with Mackenzie/Maggie. She suffered the ultimate loss and could not forgive herself. At least not as long as everyone she loves held it against her.

A big 5 stars for this wonderful book. #NetGalley #St Martain’s Press. Thank you for this awesome book.

When Mackenzie took her eyes off the road, the collision not only took her away but also her marriage, family and friends. She moves away and changes her name and makes new friends. A story of relationships, family, friends and sacrifice.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press for the free review copy. All opinions are my own.

I could not put this book down once I picked it up. Not only was the message wonderful, but I loved all of the characters and the setting of Devon.
This book has a lot going on plot wise, but I never felt lost or overwhelmed. I think all of the situations put together were perfect for Maggie's character. Not only does this book show what great friends should be like, but it also shows unconditional love and forgiveness.
This book also has a strong woman as the main character. I enjoyed Maggie's and her progression throughout the novel. She only gets stronger as the story goes on.
I recommend this book for anyone that enjoys a book with a strong female character, unconditional friendship, and discovering what forgiveness truly looks like.

This book reinforces our beliefs that everyone has their own secrets and their own stories. We can never know the entire truth about a person. But Life is all about moving on and getting over the past. Their is grief, guilt, but there is nothing that love, over time, can't cure.

A very enjoyable book, you will be left thinking about it for days. All the characters and the writing were good. A moving tale over all.

This is my 10th Barbara Delinsky read and certainly not one of my favorites. Before and Again showcases what Delinsky does best which is contemporary family drama. In this story, readers are introduced to Mackenzie( Maggie Reid) Cooper trying to live her life anew in a small town that doesn't know her difficult past. What should have been an emotional rollercoaster was just an o.k read in my eyes. Although I realize that the character was in pain, I felt her really difficult to connect to and just didn't like how she treated everyone in the story. While I will still be looking forward to another story by this author, it's not a book that I overly enjoyed.

I received this book from NetGalley as an ARC for an honest review. This was an interesting story about two women who became good friends and both had pasts they wanted to hide. This story is about reinventing oneself and accepting who you are. The book begins with a mother causing a horrific automobile accident in which her young daughter is killed. The story evolves around living with guilt, shame and finally, forgiveness. The other story in the book was about a kidnapping and escape from an abusive relationship. I enjoyed the two stories and the interesting people introduced. At the end, it is a feel good story with lessons in life to be learned.

Mackenzie Cooper is involved in a car accident that causes the death of her daughter. The media coverage is relentless in covering this tragic story and eventually, Mackenzie tries to put things behind her. She changes her name to Maggie Reid and moves to the small town of Devon, Vermont, free of media scrutiny. What will Maggie do when a friend's son comes to her for support, but helping him could mean the end of her own privacy?

The prologue of the book gives the set-up for the accident and then chapter one picks up five years later with Maggie working as a make-up artist at an upscale spa. Her friend Grace is a massage therapist at the spa and this is how Maggie becomes involved in the legal problems Grace's son is facing. I really enjoyed the spa setting and the information on make-up and how Maggie keeps up with fashion trends to help with applying make-up to her clients. The beginning of the book quickly catches by interest, but then it slows in the middle. Maggie and her friend Grace are both hard to get to know since they are purposely keeping so much of their pasts secret. As Maggie struggles with the right thing to do, things get a bit repetitive while she works things out.

Worlds collide for Maggie when a major part of her old life becomes a part of her new life in Devon. This begins as a surprising turn in the plot, but soon becomes predictable. The last few chapter pick up and are interesting, but then the story ends suddenly. Luckily, there is detailed epilogue that is very well-done. It reveals the events which happen after the final chapter in a way the reader can relate instead of just a recitation of facts. The epilogue relates a satisfying ending for the characters. This wasn't my favorite book by the author and I would rate it 3.5 stars. It's entertaining, but doesn't have the appealing characters and story that stay with you the way I've come to expect with a Barbara Delinsky novel.

I received this book from NetGalley, through the courtesy of St. Martin's Press. The book was provided to me in exchange for an honest review.

An emotional roller coaster from start to finish that asks can we really move on after tragedy? What if we feel we are to blame for the tragedy, if you can't forgive yourself, can others forgive you? After Maggie loses her 5 year old daughter in a car accident, where she admits she was distracted and ran a stop sign, her life is shattered and she moves to a small town and reinvents herself to start over. Years later, her life is thrown into a tailspin when her ex-husband moves to her new town and threatens everything Maggie knows - or does he?

This story will move you to pieces and tug at your heartstrings. I highly recommend for a heartwrenching family saga.

Thank you St. Martins for an advance copy. All opinions are my own.

Maggie (Mackenzie) has lived in Devon for the past four years after leaving Boston following the tragic death of her daughter. When a friend’s son encounters trouble, will Maggie be able to step up and help her or will her past prevent her?

“Devon collects wounded spirits.” “I don’t mean paranormal, just a kind place that lets people be who they want to be. It’s forgiving in ways the rest of the world is not.”

And then people from Maggie’s past enter her new world. Will she be able to accept them back into her life? Does she even want them back in her life?

“The past was crowding in. It was unexpected and, in many regards, daunting.”

Before and Again is my new favorite book by Barbara Delinsky and Maggie is my new favorite character in a book! She has strength in the face of adversity, she has learned how to forgive herself and others and that true love can heal even the most broken of hearts.

This book was a story of tragedy, love, and forgiveness. While it took me a few chapters to get pulled in to the story, once it did I didn't want to put it down.

Despite the fact that this book dealt with some heavy themes - death, divorce, etc., it all just felt melodramatic to me. I did like the main character, but everything was tinged with melodrama, slightly predictable, and I just couldn’t get sucked in. If you like chick-lit but are looking for something more dramatic, this might be for you.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley.

One afternoon Mackenzie Cooper was driving her five year old daughter to a playdate when the unthinkable happened. Mackenzie had been glancing down at the GPS trying to find the home of her daughter’s friend when she accidentally runs a stop sign and a truck crashes into them. As if losing her daughter wasn’t punishment enough Mackenzie ends up splashed all over the media to be made an example.

Now on probation Mackenzie has changed her name to Maggie Reid and moved to Vermont to try to put her life back together. Losing her daughter, her marriage and friends Maggie takes satisfaction in working as a makeup artist and the few new friends she’s made. When one of her friend’s son is accused of a crime Maggie risks breaking her probation to stand by her side knowing what the media attention can do to someone.

Before and Again is honestly one of those books that I know it’s not a bad book at all but it’s just not a me book. This was my second book I’ve read by Barbara Delinsky and I really expected to enjoy it but this one was just so slow it could barely hold my attention and turned into a struggle to read.

When the story joins Maggie in her current life it seemed that way too much time was spent describing and drawing out things that didn’t progress the story. For example applying make up step by step by step. So while the idea of finding one’s self in the aftermath of such a horrible tragedy seemed appealing the book just moved too slowly for my taste.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

I have to admit that I am a long-time fan and have read nearly every book by Barbara Delinsky. So, when I had the chance to read an ARC of BEFORE AND AGAIN, I jumped at it. Ms. Delinsky writes unique, smart stories with interesting characters and plots. Her latest novel doesn’t disappoint.

Mackenzie Cooper is starting her life over again after suffering a tragedy that destroyed her marriage and former life. In her new town, she’s created an entirely new life with a new career, new friends, and a house that she loves. But when her friend’s life is suddenly turned upside-down, Mackenzie, now going by Maggie, is thrust back into the spotlight and slowly her safe new life begins to unravel. She must decide if she should hide away or begin to trust herself to take chances again.

BEFORE AND AGAIN should definitely be your next read.

Before and Again
Barbara Delinsky

A gripping and emotional tale of a woman’s heartbreak, recovery and self-realization.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

SUMMARY
MacKenzie Cooper was using her phone’s GPS, desperately trying to find the home of her five-year-old daughter’s friend. It was a narrow, dark and wooded road. She looked at her phone again for just a second. She didn’t see the stop sign, it blended with the fall foliage. A large van hit her hard. The accident killed her daughter, and the aftermath destroyed her relationship with her husband, family and friends. To escape the unrelenting pressure, she changed her name to Maggie Reid and moved to Devon, Vermont. There, she built a new life, made new friends and now has a job working as a make-artist at the local spa. She particularly loves helping clients hide visible signs of injuries and illness. She enjoys anonymity in the town, and her goal is to stay under the radar and make it though her remaining months of probation. But many people in this quaint town have stories of their own. When a friend’s teenage son is arrested for hacking a journalist’s computer and the national media turn their spotlight on the Devon, Maggie struggles with whether to become involved. She know better than most, the importance of friendships during trying times. But she also knows that if she becomes involved, her heartbreaking past will be revealed.

REVIEW
Everything can change in the blink of an eye. We hear it all the time. But for Maggie it really happened. It was an accident, but her world turned upside down. Her daughter died, her husband divorced her, her parents would not speak to her and her friends abandoned her. There is so much emotional pain at the start of this book that you are immediately drawn in and captured by the story. The story was in a word: masterful. It takes you from agonizing heartbreak and grief, down a road of carefully constructed recovery, toward a decision of life altering consequences. The writing is engaging and easy to read. You are easily transported to Devon, Vermont though vivid descriptions of the cold weather, the local shops and restaurants, and the encircling woods. The cast of characters are diverse and perfect and their underlying stories are entertaining. This 416 page book is easily devoured in no time, because once you start you can’t put it down. BARBARA DELINSKY, the best at strong women characters, writes about everyday people facing major challenges. She has written over 19 bestsellers and BEFORE and AGAIN is sure to be another. Thanks to NetGalley for an advance reading copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Publisher St. Martin’s Press.
Publication Date June 26, 2018.

#netgalley, #stmartinspress #barbaradelinsky

Thanks so much to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the opportunity to review this book.

Great book! The book starts out as a heartbroken mother (Maggie, then Mackenzie) loses her child through an unfortunate mistake on her part. Fast forward and she is living in a new town and trying to start over.

Her best friend ends up having a crisis of her own and it makes Maggie look at her own life and see how things might have been. Through persistence and forgiveness - to others and herself - she finds happiness again.

I really loved this book!

I’ve read several of Ms. Delinsky’s books and was excited to read an early copy of this book.

The book description briefly describes a collision and the loss of Mackenzie Cooper’s daughter and then the loss of her family, marriage, and friends. While that is a succinct summary of what happened before the story begins, there is so much more to this compelling story. Mackenzie, now known as Maggie, is still living with the guilt and nightmares of the loss five years later. She has found a small town to begin again in new ways that allows her to still be artistic but not in the same way as before.

Maggie becomes friends with almost everyone in the town and yet only one person knows about her history. As various events occur in the story, she worries that someone will find out who she really is, what she did, and can’t bear to think of how they would look at her.

This book brought out all of the emotions of the loss of a child, and understanding why Maggie felt such guilt even when there were other variables also involved. She was convicted as a felon and her ongoing visits with her PO were quite awkward and I felt the man was very inappropriate and unnecessarily intrusive.

When Maggie unexpectedly sees her ex-husband, who she hasn’t seen in four years, she is thrown into turmoil. As various other events occur, Maggie’s anxiety attacks continue and the descriptions were so vivid, that I could almost feel her inability to breathe and the pain in her chest. I truly enjoyed learning more about Edward/Ned, the depth of his emotions about the loss of his daughter which brought tears to my eyes, and how he wanted to help Maggie with her guilt. Their interactions were so emotional but Edward’s gentleness with Maggie, while initially unwanted, eventually generated a spark of hope.

The writing flowed and it was easy to imagine the locations and feel the various emotions. There was so much heartache and grief, that it was almost overwhelming and yet there was also a sense of hope. The main and side characters seemed so real with believable flaws and I could easily see this as an intriguing movie.

How do you continue to live with such overwhelming guilt, grief and pain but somehow find the strength to continue living one day at a time? How do you learn to accept that you can’t change the past but somehow learn to treasure the good memories and find hope in the future? This was a poignant, heart wrenching story that provides a satisfying conclusion.

Thanks to the author, publisher and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book.

Another passionate novel by the great Barbara Delinsky. Great story like of passion , family and tragedy wrapped up in one fabulous story. It was a wonderful read. I appreciate Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for giving me the chance to read this. Of course all her books are a great read.

Before and Again, written by Barbara Delinsky is about a woman, Mackenzie Cooper, who took her eyes off the road for just a second. The accident resulted in the loss of her daughter, family and friends. She was judged through social media. As a result, she runs to Vermont where she is hiding under a new name with a few new friends. She wants to hide from the world and finish her probation. When another tragedy unravels around her, the new world is threatened as well. This was a good, fast moving drama and a nice change for me from cozy mystery but very emotional. I recommend it if you enjoy books about relationships, loss and starting over. Thank you to Net Galley for allowing me to read an advanced copy of this book.

I appreciated the opportunity to read a Delinksky book through NetGalley. I found this title engaging, with a number of twists and turns, and totally enjoyable. Character development was well done.