Modern issues, love and loss

I am a big fan of Barbara Delinsky and her latest book again makes me laugh and cry and think about issues such as recovering from loss, forgiving yourself and others, and distracted driving, etc

Barbara Delinsky never disappoints. So many endearing characters came to life on the pages in this book - some more lovable than others. It reiterated the premise that your life can change in a split second, as well as the premise that everyone deserves a second chance. Loved the way Delinsky used relationships between spouses, siblings, parents/children, and friends to illustrate forgiveness and love. At times I found myself crying with Maggie and other times urging her to confront people who seemed to be getting in the way of her being able to forgive herself. A very entertaining read. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to read Before and Again.

I was pleasantly surprised by how much I ended up liking this book. The characters were sympathetic and vividly portrayed, the descriptions of the locations were excellent. This is a well-written book that touches on some very serious and sensitive subjects - and does it well. The story is compelling and I found it hard to put the book down until I had finished it. A very satisfying ending capped this very enjoyable read.

I would actually give this book a 3 1/2 stars. This story was heartwarming. I ached for Mackensie and the pain of her life. She runs a red light while driving her five year old daughter to a playdate. In a moment, everything changes. She suffers through her actions and the pain they bring not only to her, but to everyone else she loves.

Not being able to forgive, she moves away and reinvents herself in another town. Finding healing and anonymity, she forges a new life with her own kind of therapy. But all that is challenged one day when her best friend is thrown into the limelight, which in turn threaten to bring her into the forefront.

Before and Again is a great emotional read that pulls on the heartstrings from the beginning. Mackenzie Cooper has suffered the worst loss that a parent can - the loss of a child. She ran a stop sign that was covered by leaves in a strange location and hit by a car exceeding the speed limit. The tragedy broke up her marriage and caused her to be estranged from her parents and brother. Her father died soon after and her mother blamed her for his death as well. She left her hometown of Boston and wound up in Devon, Vermont with a new name, Maggie Reid, and a new hairstyle. Formerly, a sculptor and now a makeup artist, she has established a new life at the spa associated with the local inn. She does have a friend with a pottery place where she goes to lose herself in clay but only for therapy. She has new friends in a town where others have settled after having a past that they want to forget. But one of her friends, Grace, who is also hiding from a past is now dealing with a teenage son accused of hacking into his school computer system and the computer system at the spa where Maggie and Grace work. This is a federal crime. Part of her punishment for the tragedy that killed her daughter and the other driver is probation and to stay away from felons. Grace's son, if convicted, would be a felon. But Maggie knows what it is like to be alone without the support of friends. And then out of the blue, her ex-husband, Edward (now Ned) Cooper appears as the new inn owner and manager for a group of investors.
What was a quiet and rewarding life for Maggie is now one where her face could be in the national media again. She was just getting her life together and now it is in turmoil. But Ned is there to stay with other businesses planned. He has purchased a house. Then her estranged brother, Liam, is there as a new chef working for Ned. Talk about betrayal.
I haven't read Barbara Delinksy in years but I was reminded why I used to read her. She has such an amazing ability for creating well developed characters and a scene that are so real that you can place yourself in their shoes. I felt Maggie's pain and her dilemma. Her feelings are torn between guilt, unresolved pain, anger, hurt and fear. She loved Edward even when they divorced. It is hard to see him again. Why is he here? This is her town, her friends. The town of Devon sounds like a wonderful place to live or visit. Before and Again is a read that will leave you thinking about it after the book ends. Great read!
I received an ARC of this book form St. Martin's Press through NetGalley for an honest review. The opinions and thoughts stated are mine only. Thanks to the publisher for the opportunity.

Once again Barbara Delinsky has delivered a wonderful book with an engaging story line and a strong heroine. My only complaint is I did not feel connected to Grace before learning her story. Otherwise the characters are deeply & beautifully written and the topic of loss is dealt with perfectly.

I enjoyed this book. McKenzie and her 5 year old daughter, Lily were in the car on their way to a playdate. McKenzie was having trouble finding the address. She didn't see the stop sign that was partially hidden by a tree and was hit by another driver. Lily was killed in the accident and McKenzie went to jail. Five years later, she has been released from jail and is living a new life where no one knows who she is. She even changed her name. She loves her job and loves her life. Then her friend's son gets accused of hacking a computer and it puts her in the spotlight she tried so hard to avoid. Then her ex husband comes back to town. After the accident, her family basically abandoned her and she divorced her husband. She felt he blamed her for killing their child. It's a story about learning to forgive yourself and others.

Barbara Delinsky knows how to write a touching story that runs the gamut of emotions and Before and Again continues that tradition. This novel touched close to home for me and made me feel deep emotions that had been banked for years following the loss of my daughter 20 years ago. While this story had its own tragedy, the emotions of the characters were real. This author takes the worst loss imaginable and teaches us a lesson that life, though different, does continue. Both Edward and Maggie must come to terms with their grief and guilt, in order to move forward. This book is also about acceptance, hope and learning to love yourself. Ms. Delinsky delivers another novel that shows the vulnerability and resiliency of the human heart and the hope that love offers.

The story really spoke to how couples, even committed ones react to tragedy. There is the guilty conscience, the blame game, the grief, oh my the heart wrenching endless, bottomless, depth of despair. Compounded by lack of support from her parents, Mackenzie did reach rock bottom. How she rose from the ashes is a miracle. Edward’s feelings we now know was similar to that of his wife.. I love how he went about trying to make amends. I was routing for him.. Barbara Delinsky is a consummate story teller. She brought these characters to life. The subplot was also riveting. The courage of a woman to protect her child and herself from physical, emotional abuse or worse. I was encouraged by Rose’s actions in this book. Kudos...

Before and Again by Barbara Delinsky. I've read past books by Barbara Delinsky and enjoyed this and Before and Again didn't disappoint me. An emotional book, a rollercoaster of a ride. A sure top rated book in my opinion.

Barbara Delinsky has been one of my favorite authors for more years than I care to admit. I never hesitate to purchase one of her books, and this one did not disappoint me. Women's fiction is one of my favorite genres because I like to become immersed in a story that I can relate to. This story touched on so many issues such as grieving the loss of a child, parental expectations, reinventing one's life, loyalty to family and friends and second chances. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Barbara Delinsky is the queen of family dramas. This is the fifth of her numerous novels that I have read, all usually dealing with some sort of family drama or secret. This one takes a current topic and plays it out for a young couple. Mackenzie Cooper is the wife of Edward Cooper, a venture capitalist and the mother to five-year-old Lily. They live an idyllic life in New England. While driving Lily to a playdate through an unknown neighborhood, she becomes lost. A quick glance at her GPS results in their lives being changed forever. One glance, one life gone.

Fast-forward to four years later. We meet Maggie Reid, cosmetologist at a well-known inn and spa in Vermont. Due to media outrage, criminal charges, a trial, and even a new law in her name, Mackenzie has left her old life behind including her marriage, her family and started over as Maggie Reid. She has told no one her secret past and has been keeping her probation officer happy by staying under the radar. Then, her best friend's son is charged with a federal crime. Due to her connection and loyalty to them, her secret will likely come out and her life will again be splashed all over the papers.

Delinsky's setting in Vermont is the perfect place for someone to hide out. The quaint tourist town thrives off of traffic but also craves its privacy and doesn't ask for the local residents to explain what drew them to their community. Maggie feels like her life is as good as it will ever get. But, when things start to crash around her and people from her past start appearing, she doesn't manage these new changes well. I can't begin to imagine the deep loss that occurs after losing a child and then a marriage, but Maggie's constant hatred of herself was frustrating and repetitive. As people are showing her love and forgiveness, she just can't seem to accept it and as a reader, I felt it was a bit over-dramatic.

Maggie had cut off everyone from her past life but didn't let anyone from her new life get to really know her. Yes, she had friends, but now that her past was coming out, she was afraid of how everyone would see her and the judgments they would have against her. Her ex-husband reappears and her connection to him reignites a passion they had both missed. Delinsky portrays a couple full of hurt, anguish, betrayal, love, and forgiveness and doesn't hold back.

Recently on social media, we are seeing parents vilified for how they discipline their children. In another case, a woman is receiving death threats for calling the police after the video of the call is shared thousands of times on social media. Delinsky's story is current and displays the changes in how news is shared and interpreted by millions of viewers whether on social media or through news outlets. Everyone seems to want their fifteen seconds of fame, but in these types of situations, fifteen seconds can turn into a lifetime of horrors. After reading this book, I've looked at these types of situations differently, knowing we are only getting half of the story and wondering what is the motivation behind the people sharing the story.

Maggie's message of living through something so tragic and finding a way to continue on is an important one. No matter what life throws at you, people will remember how we handled the challenging days. Maggie's biggest obstacle was forgiving herself and until she did that, no one else was going to be allowed to love her or be loved by her. This book offers many life lessons for readers along with a dramatic story weaved through the past and present choices we all make every day. Living with those choices and making sense of the past is just one of the many hurdles towards moving on. Even though this is a fictional story, it offers a chance for the reader to reflect and maybe make an effort to love those who are hurting, not be so quick to judge, and take part in less social media drama.

I received this from net galley and while popular fiction isn't my favorite genre--and after reading this book, maybe I need to broaden my horizons--I found the book pleasant to read, an interesting exploration of guilt, expiation, marriage, parenthood reinventing and forgiveness. I felt it bogged down a bit in the middle, but overall it was a quick and enjoyable read and explored the topics well. The family relationships were well drawn and realistic. A step above the classic beach read.

Before and Again by Barbara Delinsky

This was my first time trying this author as in the same instance as I had with Emily Giffin, I ignored this established author to writing chick lit. Happily, I was wrong again in my assumption, but in this case, I would say that although the plot had depth, but women would most likely identify with this story. It took me some time to get into this novel, but once I did it was a page turner that I didn't want to put down. I was thoroughly hooked and fully engaged.

It's central theme explores the question of whether by making a geographical move; can we fully reinvent ourselves and outrun our past traumas. Maggie Reid whose real name is Mackenzie Cooper has fled Boston from a horrific event and has moved to an idyllic town named Devon, Vermont. She has been living a new life, made new friends and enjoys the town's local charm.

Maggie works at a posh Inn in a spa where she is a make up artist where she derives pleasure from concealing scars, hiding the affects of burns and concealing port wine stains on her clients. She derives pleasure in helping transform her clients into covering up their physical afflictions. She has a rustic cabin surrounded by woods and a job that is rewarding. She has made new friend's, but also hiding her identity.

Her anonymous life and the secret she hides are threatened to be exposed when her friend's son Chris is charged with hacking and the media take her picture accompanying her good friend Joyce and her son to court. Maggie knew she would be taking a huge risk by supporting Joyce and Chris to court, but decides that being a good friend means providing moral support.

Maggie has been divorced from Edward Cooper for four years and is irritated to learn that he is not only her new boss as he is the managing owner at the Inn where she works, but he has moved to Devon of all places. This is her town. Why does he have to pick Devon, of all places to live. Edward's presence means Maggie's secret identity will be revealed and all of her new friend's will shun her if they find out her old identity

Can she and her ex-husband co-exist in her new life? Will her secret be exposed? Will Maggie have to reconcile the pain she is carrying? Will Joyce's son Chris be charged for hacking his school and the Inn? Joyce is carrying her own secrets and is also running from a past that must stay hidden. All of these secrets are slowly revealed.

The themes of estranged family, sharing loss with those who love you and the healing power of supportive friends are all explored in this novel. The losses and the way they begin to heal are explored as well. The novel was interesting and the character's were likable. The novel surprised me with how much I liked and enjoyed it. I was hooked and had to keep reading to find out what would happen to these character's and how would Maggie and Edward live in the same town.

Thank you to Net Galley, Barbara Delinsky and St. Martins Press for providing me with my digital copy in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Title: Before and Again
Author: Barbara Delinsky
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Five
Review:

"Before and Again" by Barbara Delinsky

My Thoughts....

What a 'inspirational read that starts off tragically but ends showing that there is light at the end of this dark tunnel.' Maggie Reid who has changed her name from Mackenzie Cooper and moved and her 'only goal in her life is to stay under the radar and make it through her remaining probation.' However, her life will once again take a change as secrets will come out when her 'friend's teenage son is thrust into the national spotlight who is accused of hacking a Twitter account.' How will all of this crisis affect Maggie new life? I will say that this author gives the readers some interesting strong characters where you have all that comes with living in small towns, good food, artistic expression that starts from the first page of reading.

As the reader continues to read this intriguing story the reader will find 'Before and Again' where one can really see how well this story deals with 'grief, loss, love, forgiveness, heartbreaking, emotional and survival' where In the end the reader will get the feel of it all. Indeed this was quite a interesting story.

Before and Again was an amazing, AMAZING book. It centered around Maggie and her cast of friends and family, and the tragedy in her past that she was trying so hard to get over. A friend's unexpected legal case was affecting her in ways that no one...except her parole officer...understood.

I have to be honest - when I grow up I want to be Maggie. There are actions in my past that I regret so, so much and I wish like hell I could change, but I can't. It took her a while, but she finally faced her past and her fears and started moving on. I hope that one day I'm able to, too. But Maggie, and characters like her, give me hope that one day I'll finally be able to. Thank you, Barbara Delinsky, for creating such an amazing story...it has earned five hopeful stars from me.

While trying to get her bearings on an unknown road, Mackenzie takes her eyes off the road and looks to her GPS, what comes next will haunt any mother to the core.
Year later, in a new town, and with a new name, Maggie, Maggie is simply trying to get through each day. The guilt she feels is evident every day as she keeps her mug shot in her bathroom mirror. She doesn't believe that she deserves happiness again.
All of this is shattered when her best friends son is accused of hacking. She is torn between hiding away and possibly outing herself in the publicity of this case.
Very well written book, and recommended to anyone!
I received an advanced readers copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Thank you to St. Martins Press and Netgalley for providing an ARC of this book.

I never summarize a book when I write a review because I am always afraid I will give away the story and ruin for others. Besides, the publisher puts the summery out there. I just want to give my opinion of the book and how it made me feel. So….

First let me say, if you like books about relationships, their highs and their lows, their strengths and their weaknesses, the withdrawal from and the renewal of relationships, this is a book for you. This is relationship drama at its best, whether family or friendship.

Ms. Delinsky has written a story of tragedy and renewal. The withdrawal from the life one knows and the recreation of one’s self in the face of tragedy. Finding what’s important, accepting the past in order to move on and taking chances for the sake of friendship.

Ms. Delinsky’s characters are real, identifiable and easy to relate to. You’ll laugh and cry with them. You will root for them to overcome and want to squash those that torment them.

I truly enjoyed this book and highly recommend it to any one that enjoys a well written story about relationships.

This book is a heart breaking tale that blew me away. I have read many of Delinsky’s books and they are all moving and emotional and this one was no different. I immediately connected with the main character and felt for her situation. There were so many different emotions I went through while reading this and it made the book one that I couldn’t put down. The book is character driven and shows up how you can suffer a catastrophic loss and rebuild your life one small step at a time. The story is also full of twists and turns to keep you on your toes. I highly recommend adding this book to your summer reading list, you will not regret it!

Before—she was Mackenzie Cooper, who had a loving husband and a beautiful daughter; After—she is Maggie Reid, a single woman with a secret past who lives with two cats and a dog and sells confidence through makeup artistry at her job in a resort spa. She can only move forward, away from her family, away from her “crime,” away from her former life...until her ex-husband arrives to manage the resort his business group just purchased, HER resort. At the same time, her friend and co-worker learns that her son hacked into his high school, their spa, and a prominent journalist’s computers, and her friend is terrified that her secret past—a powerful and dangerous man—finds her.

The two storylines, Maggie’s ex troubles and the crime of her friend’s son, seem more discrete than parallel, with Maggie spending considerable time repeatedly pushing and pulling the ex before remembering her friend’s distress. This makes scenes stand out every so often, instead of the story flowing. Though the novel reads well, the plan to bring down the influential man in the friend’s life doesn’t come across as quite credible, and it isn’t shown, but referenced after the fact, with the ending chapter summarizing the climax. Despite this, it is a fun read, and a peek into the different ways people process grief and trauma. I was fortunate to receive a copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

I posted my review on my blog, Goodreads, Facebook, Twitter, and B&N.