I love character driven stories and this did not disappoint. I loved Maggie's support system and how everyone protects each other. This was a little long and surprisingly not as emotional as I thought it would be after such a heartbreaking beginning.

I loved this book, Omg so so many feels with this one.
This is the first book I read by this author but certainly will not be my last.

We all have regrets: the terrible relationship, bad career choice, wrong move at the wrong time. However, some of us have done things that destroy lives, our own and others. The destruction is epic, unbelievable, and total.
What do we do next?
If you’re Maggie in Barbara Delinsky’s Before and Again, you reinvent yourself in a new place where no one knows you as Mackenzie Cooper, the woman and mother who did the unthinkable. There are no accusations, no sidelong glances, whispers as you leave the room. You give your best, share aspects of your talent with this new world, having abandoned the work that defined you, the life that you made that left destruction, regret, bitter anger in its wake.
Maggie lives with a box of regrets tucked under her bed in her new house with her cats and a dog, the only ones she lives with now. She is happy enough, even with the daily reminders of who she once was and what she did. Her life is quiet now, with a few close friends, her job as make-up artist, her passion for pottery. She is known for being kind, generous, loyal. With her practical jeans, flannel, and boots, it would be tough to imagine her as the beautiful woman living a privileged, secure life, adored wife with 5 year old daughter, thriving art career, and big house.
In this new version of her life, Maggie is a make-up artist, throws pottery, and is kind, generous, thoughtful, a wonderful friend. A moment’s distraction destroyed her previous life, broke her heart and every relationship she had, left her broken with nowhere to turn; she is determined to keep her life on an even keel even if she wants more.
This is where the story begins, with Maggie once Mackenzie living in her safe enclave five years after unthinkable. More unthinkable arrives in her town, from her friend’s own tragedy that threatens to expose Maggie’s hard-won security to the ex-husband creating his own new life, others from the past who turn up again.
While Delinsky’s story explores regret, about integrating the past into the present, it is ultimately about love. Her story is about all love: lovers, parents, friends, and love for your own life, how you define yourself and live what is most important to you.
I loved living in this small town in Vermont, watching the inevitable revelations unwind. Delinsky is a master at parsing the particulars, from the legal system to the world of work. Where she is brilliant is in exploring how we create and shape the stories of who we are to live — and what happens when we change our stories to embrace who we are right now with all we have experienced and learned.
If it seems that I am an avid fan, it’s because I am. For years, I have admired Delinsky’s work for its unflinching, compassionate, and wise stories. The characters feel like people I know. I look forward to seeing them, to hearing what they have to say — and that statement is not an exaggeration or a metaphor. Delinsky writes real, writes real people in real places, grounds them in a time and a place and a situation. I’m there for the entire ride from here to what comes next.
This is a story that challenges — and that is why I put it down the first time that I started reading it. Mackenzie is driving her child to a playdate in a remote area with no signs, no way to tell where they are since there is no GPS, no signal so she can call for help.
I’ve lived that situation. Delinsky described how it felt when I first moved to Connecticut, no child in the backseat, but the crushing pressure of having to be somewhere and I’m already late and lost and losing my mind. For me, it was always night so any signs were totally obscured. Why is it that Connecticut is so private, so guarded, so presumptive that if you don’t know where you’re going, you don’t belong there. Why bother with signs? Everyone who matters already knows how to get where they’re going.
This reading was my second attempt. Braced in my armchair, hot cup of tea close to hand, I read that prologue and plunged into the new reality and the breathless, well-paced, wonderfully wrought story that this is.
If you do read this book, be prepared to think hard and feel even more. Delinsky pulls no punches, expects smart and engaged readers as she weaves an excellent, involving story of what happens when.

Just when I think I have a favorite Delinsky book, she releases a new one! This book pulled me in and didn't let me go -- even after I finished it! I enjoyed the characters and could relate to several in some way. The topics are timely as always, and the handling of them is top notch and knowledgeable. She always does her research, and it shows. I had a definite book hangover after this one; it was over a week before I dared pick up another book since the characters in this one were still with me. If you like her books, you'll love this one! I did receive an advance copy in exchange for an honest review, which this is. Even though I got a digital copy, I'm still buying the hardcover. I need to have this on my shelf!
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I loved this story. I cried through a lot of it but there was laughter too. Ms. Delinski knows how to make her characters your friends and family.
I’m never disappointed when I pick up one of her books and this book was perfect.

4.5 Stars* (rounded down)

Have you ever read a book that just stays with you? The more you think about it, the better it gets? Such is the case with Barbara Delinsky’s “Before and Again.”

It is the story of love, loss and most of all hope and forgiveness.

One day Mackenzie Cooper is driving her daughter Lily to a playdate when tragedy strikes. A car accident. Mackenzie survives, Lily does not. Before the accident, Mackenzie was happily married to Edward. Now she is not.

Years later, living in a small town called Devon in Vermont, Mackenzie Cooper has put the past behind her - she is now a single makeup artist and goes by the name Maggie Reed. She believes that her secrets are safe, until two things happen: 1) Her ex-husband Edward, arrives in town after having purchased the Inn and Spa where she works; and 2) her best friend Grace’s son, Chris, gets arrested for hacking and Maggie’s friendship with a known felon could have an effect on her own probationary status. Both of these things put her in a tizzy if you know what I mean! Her feelings for Edward are unresolved. They always have been. Now, she has no choice but to deal with them. When Maggie rebuilt her life, the only thing that kept her afloat were her friends. Now she must show her loyalty to them, even it if costs her.

It is been years since I’ve read a Barbara Delinksy novel, perhaps because the genre isn’t one I read much of anymore. That said, I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this novel. The characters are rich, extremely well developed and full of heart. The character of Maggie stayed with me for days. I still feel her angst, her heartbreak and her need for love and peace. Maggie and Edward’s relationship seemed very real and that is what drew me to this story. Ms. Delinsky made me wonder why I stopped reading her novels and that my friends is a wondrous feat!

A huge thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press and the fabulous Barbara Delinsky for a complimentary copy of this ARC in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for reminding me what I have been missing!

Published on NetGalley, Goodreads, Twitter and Amazon on 7.23.18.

I really enjoyed this book. Maggie has had such a traumatic past losing her daughter, marriage, charged with a crime and trying to start a new life. Being a friend to someone else hiding from their past has consequences. In this book we learn about forgiveness, most importantly for ourselves for the things we believe are awful and unforgivable. Beautifully written and with a positive but realistic outcome. 2 huge thumbs up.

While I have always been a fan of Barbara Delinsky, this book seemed to drag on. A mother losses a child, a mother is now on probation for an accident that caused the loss of her daughter, she loses her husband, her family, her everything. Almost as if she had nothing left she decided to reinvent her life but keeps it locked away for no one to know about. Tragedy strikes her new town and she is thrust into the limelight again. How do you move on again or do you hide again?

This is a great example of a book that will be very well-received but is not exactly a book for me. I felt like it was dragging on. If it had been edited down, it still would have been a respectable length and I don't think it would have suffered from it. There is a lot to appreciate in this one: an original story, lots of quirky characters, secrets, a great small town, tragedy, and a bit of romance. Maybe I just wasn't in the right frame of mind for it at the time, but it didn't keep my attention as well as I would have liked. I felt like I knew right where it was going and was just waiting for it to slowly get there. I would still recommend it to people who are in the mood for a dramatic and heart-rending read looking for a longer and detailed story.

Mackenzie Cooper survived a car accident that took the life of her young daughter. She'd been a bit lost and glanced at her GPS for just a moment... long enough to miss a stop sign and plunge into oncoming traffic. She and her husband divorced and her family practically disowned her, but no one is as rough on her as she is. Realizing she can't get back the life she had, she moves and reinvents herself as Maggie Reid: small town resident, single, private, talented makeup artist. She has friends, but she keeps her past locked away in her head, not revealing the tragedy that took the life of her five year old daughter.

She's enjoying her quiet life with her job and her pets, almost through with her probation when her beloved small town is thrust into the spotlight. Her friend's son has been accused of hacking into the Twitter of a famous journalist, and it's a huge deal. The press is in town, and supporting her friend means she may have pictures taken and published, along with the danger of associating with criminals while she's still on probation. She was demonized by the press for the accident years ago, and now her carefully constructed facade may be in danger.

I received a copy of this book from Net Galley and St. Martin's Press, thank you! My review is honest and unbiased.

This is the first book that I've read by this author. It definitely won't be the last.
The main character has had a tragedy occur and is rebuilding her life. Secrets must be kept and people must be kept from getting too close. What happens when that becomes impossible?
This is an enjoyable read with a lot of suspense.
I received an Advance Review Copy. All opinions are my own.

A heartfelt story dealing with difficult subjects, This theme hit close to home as it could really happen to anyone. A moment of distraction leads to multiple changed forever. As with any Delinsky book, the storytelling is exceptional and the characters are people you could meet in real life. I received a copy from NetGalley and the publisher and this is my honest opinion.

I have long enjoyed the work of Barbara Delinsky, and was not disappointed with her latest Before and Again. I found myself diving deeper and deeper into the story and not wanting to put this book down.

Delinsky does a great job developing the characters in this story, even those with smaller roles. Before and Again is a great study in tragedy that can happen to anyone and the characters’ work to rebuild their lives after tragedy and loss.

Before and Again was beautifully written in such a way that I could picture the characters and the setting perfectly in my mind. There was just enough mystery and intrigue sprinkled in to keep the story interesting and moving. At the same time, there were life lessons to be studied and learned.

I very much enjoyed Delinsky’s Before and Again and recommend it to both her seasoned readers and those new to her talents.

I knew here name but I'd never read BDelinsky before. The synopsis of Before and Again intrigued me though so I requested it. I'm so happy I did. Delinsky delivered a character-driven, captivating story dealing with love, loss, guilt, forgiveness, and what it means to be a true friend.

Highlights

*Characters
Maggie (Mackenzie) is the central character and she was a woman I wanted to wrap up in a big, warm hug. She's endured so much and has built a new life in a small, quiet town, and made new friends. She's on a journey of self-discovery of sorts and she's forced to learn a lot about herself when her past shows up in her present, along with helping a new friend face a challenge. The supporting cast was also well-developed where it needed to be - especially Maggie's friends and Edward. I admired how Delinsky created a close-knit community where, for the most part, people rallied around their own even if "their own" weren't life-long residents. That's something I really enjoy about small town settings.

*Plot
Delinsky deftly wove together plot threads from past and present as Maggie put together the puzzle of her life. I appreciated how Maggie's past was dealt with and how the present, particularly helping Grace deal with her problem - something Maggie wished she'd had friends do for her - tied those threads together with the present enabling Maggie to see a real future for the first time in a long while.

*Message (for lack of a better term)
Before and Again deals with some weighty topics but does so adroitly. I liked what Maggie's story seemed to say aobut how our pasts shape us, are a part of us but don't define us. I liked the element of forgiveness - of others but especially ourselves. I also liked the ways in which Maggie learned about love - familial and romantic - and friendship - what it means to be a good daughter, wife, and friend.


I'm delighted with my introduction to Delinsky and will definitely be reading more from her.

This was a long, emotional read, but a great story. You get attached to the characters so easily, as well as the small town of Devon, and that keeps you invested in the story. A solid book from Barbara Delinsky!

I am a sucker for novels that make me feel very deep and also novels that make me thankful for the life that I live. Before and Again did both of these. There is a lot of depth to this book and it swept me away!

Raw, visceral.. at times hard to read, but nonetheless unforgettable. Barbara Delinsky does not disappoint.! What a journey! 10/10

I received a free e-copy of Before and Again by Barbara Delinsky from NetGalley for my honest review.

A powerful and heartfelt story of a woman, (Maggie) who has a happy life, wonderful home, a handsome husband (Ned) and beautiful child. In one quick moment, while driving, gets distracted and looses what is most precious to any parent. Maggie's life changed in so many ways after that day. She had to live with the guilt of the loss, her shattered marriage, and the hate and anger of her family and even her friends. My heart ached with sorrow for all Maggie went through. She starts her life over in another town where only one person knows her story. Then one day her Ex-husband and brother move into her town and she has to face all of her fears head on. Maggie's before story, although so horrifically sad, gets to have an again story which can be beautiful and wonderful if she could only forgive herself. Beautifully and powerfully written. 5 Stars.

Barbara Delinsky is an amazingly skilled writer, and this book is no exception. I feel it prudent to issue readers a trigger warning, as much of this book can make you squirm, because we live in a society where not only does this happen, but it could happen-to you-and the results could be devastating. This book puts the truth of what we do on an every day basis plainly in our face. If you take your eyes off the road for even an instant, you could risk your life. My entire world revolves around my children, and this book made me suck my breath in with the truth and clarity that I have not experienced while reading for quite some time. She crafts a timely story line that will leave you with some food for thought.

4.5 Stars

Wow! It seems everyone in this book comes to Devon, VT to hide and start a new life. At least that's what the major characters of this book are doing.

A woman who looks at her GPS for just a second or two, runs a stop sign and is hit by a large speeding vehicle. This happens right off the bat in chapter one. The woman (MacKenzie - Maggie) lives but her five year old daughter and the other driver do not.

This is just one of the many, many plot twists that are going on between the covers of this book.

MacKenzie (Maggie) comes to Devon to forget and start a new life. Everything is going fine until her best friend's son puts the town in the limelight with a felony charge. All of a sudden, reporters are everywhere.

I found this to be an excellent read, my first by this author, however it won't be my last.

Thanks to St. Martin's Press and Net Galley for providing me with a free e-galley in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.

I am normally a huge Barbara Delinsky fan but struggled with Before and Again. The story deals with a young woman who causes an automobile accident where her 5 year old daughter was killed and her marriage destroyed. The case became the national focus of a distracted driving bill and ruined the young woman, Mackenzie Cooper's life. She leaves her home, family and career and starts over in small Vermont town called Devon. When she feels that her life is finally under control, her friend Grace's son Chris is accused of hacking into the computers of the spa where the women work. As the story of the hacking grow, pieces of Mackenzie's (now called Maggie) start to show up in Devon, namely her ex-husband. The two obviously have feelings for each other. The story deals with how Mackenzie grows to move on from her past and forgive herself so she can create a new life for herself. The story was very disjointed to me. I found myself wondering how a woman who was so abused by her family and her ex-husband could simply walk back into a relationship with him again. I don't think I could.