I am a sucker for romance. Especially romance that overcomes tragic circumstances. So this charming and inspiring little novel was right up my alley. It might have also had something to do with the fact that it's set in Texas (that's where I live!) and that the main character, Maggie, has a terrible fear of flying (me too!). And while the plot was fairly predictable--there were a few surprises--I still enjoyed every word, which is why this one gets five glowing stars from me.

This was my first of Katherine Center’s books and I was totally blown away. How to Walk Away starts with Margaret’s fiancé taking her up in a private plane to propose to her and the flight ends in disaster, leaving Margaret paralyzed and Chip walks away without a scratch. What follows is an inspiring story of resilience and learning to “walk away” in more ways than one and grow stronger. This story reminded me of Me Before You (which is the highest honor) and I am looking forward to reading more from Center!

I received an advance copy. All opinions are my own.

How To Walk Away by Katherine Center is a beautiful book about learning how to live again after a tragedy. On what should have been one of the happiest days of Margaret’s life, she was certain Chip was going to propose to her, a plane crash ended what she thought was her happily ever after.

Margaret was a very strong person, stronger even than she knew, and I rooted for her, cried with her and wanted to yell with her (especially at her mom, Chip and Chip’s mom!).

This is one of those books you won’t want to put down. I read most of the book in one sitting, staying up way too late, but I just couldn’t put it down!

Please do yourself a favor and read this book!

This was the first book I read by this Author and it won't be my last.

I was enamored with this story. It broke my heart, glued me to the pages and inspired me from start to finish!!!

How to Walk Away is brilliantly written, filled with realistic characters who you'll come to love, admire, root for and a few you'd like to smack. LOL

If you're looking for an inspiring uplifting story... this one is for you. Have courage. Fight. Try. And make the best of each day....

4 stars from me!!!

*Recv'd paperback ARC copy / copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

This book is about a lot of things. Courage, strength, learning who people in your life REALLY are, second chances and moving on when the old standbys don't work for you any longer.

This book is everywhere and everyone seems to be talking about it. I read it and enjoyed it, but I'm giving it 4 stars. Why? While some of the characters, the parents, the sister Kit and Ian, made me really fall in love with them, the plot was fairly predictable. Yes, I even liked Margaret, but it took longer. Who in their right mind that is deathly afraid of flying lets their boyfriend convince them to fly in a teeny, tiny plane, especially when said boyfriend doesn't yet have his pilot's license? Yeah, really. I liked that she finally got a backbone and stood up for herself.

This book really says a lot about the challenges any of us face and that the outcome oftentimes is all about how we handle the challenge. I enjoyed the book and would recommend it. It delivers an up and down emotional ride. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.

Margaret Jacobsen is on the cusp of having everything she wants..... she has the perfect boyfriend who she is sure is going to propose on Valentine's Day, she "unofficially" has the job of her dreams, and she bought a 3-story condo. Then, on Valentine's Day, Chip talks her into going on a plane ride with him. Margaret has always had a fear of flying and Chip knows that, but he is fixing to get his pilot's license and he wants to take her out in the plane for a short ride. On the way back they run into a bad storm that he was ill-prepared for and they crash. He walks away without so much as a band-aid, but her injuries will change her life forever.
This book made me laugh and cry. I rooted Margaret on when she got down and cheered for her when she achieved something wonderful. I love all of Katherine Center''s books, but I believe this is by far my favorite. Everyone should read this book. I strongly recommend it!

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of How To Walk Away by Katherine Center. In exchange I offer my honest review.

If you are looking for a feel good read, maybe a bit extra sweet then you will love this novel. Perfect for fans of JoJo Moyes,Center's novel revolves around a plucky female narrator whose life has been altered. It's a rather formulaic plot with some surprising moments. I personally prefer my stories a little richer, heavier and less parts saccharine but I still found myself turning the pages and rooting for Margaret.

I think this book will be seen at plenty of beach clubs, swimming pools, parks & playgrounds as it is perfect for light, sunny day reading.

This is one of the best books I've read in a long time. I couldn't put it down, yet I also hated to see it end. I laughed out loud. I cried real tears. I felt every emotion, happy to sad. It's shocking, uplifting, and stays on your mind after you finish. It's a masterpiece of a book that reads like a movie on the big screen. It's a book that you want to share with all your friends, and it would make a great book club read. I can't say enough good things about it. Just read it! And love it as much as I did!

This book read so much like a memoir I think I checked three times to make sure it was really fiction. I loved every single thing about this book. There’s nothing like strong women characters in a book to make me happy and this book has three of them.
It’s also fun to have clear assholes to despise in a book and there’s no shortage of those either.
This is a must read.

This book really sucks you in. I would have definitely finished it in one sitting if that was possible. It's heartbreaking but beautiful. The plot is predictable, but it doesn't matter because the beauty in this book is how Margaret gets to the ending. I also loved how it is written as a reflection on past events-I think it really added depth to the story. This was my first Katherine Center book, but it won't be my last!

How to Walk Away was my first time reading a Katherine Center novel, but I absolutely loved it and have already downloaded several of her other novels! I read this the first day on a recent cruise, and it was the perfect book to read while sitting by the pool. Center was written a novel that is highly entertaining, clever, heartbreaking, romantic, and hard to put down!

Margaret Jacobsen’s life comes crashing down around her right at the beginning of the book just when it seems everything in her life is absolutely perfect! After all, she had just gotten engaged to her boyfriend Chip! But then she almost immediately ends up in the hospital, loses her job, Chip dumps her (which honestly I didn’t think was not such a loss since he turns out to be a total jerk) and she faces tremendous hardship on her road to recovery.

I just absolutely loved Maggie! Maggie is amazingly resilient, and I admire her character so much for the way she dealt with a tragedy that was completely out of her control. I’m not sure that I would have faced her situation with her grace and spirit. One important thing Maggie learned from her situation was that people treat you differently after you’ve had a life-altering experience and because of that, you learn what type of person they really are and who to call a true friend. She also learned that she was much stronger than she ever imagined and the future could be brighter than she ever dreamed it could be with the second chance she was given.

Center’s writing is superb, and I loved how her storytelling just flowed and was so realistic. Center also did a lot of research in her book about Maggie’s medical condition and treatment, so I was very impressed and learned so much about it. I love a well-researched book, so I appreciate the time the author took to make the story authentic, especially as Maggie went through her stages of recovery.

Center’s characterizations were fantastic too, which really made the book an unputdownable read. I adored Maggie’s sister Kit. She is a bit wild, free-spirited, funny and always there to keep Maggie from doubting she could get better. And Ian, her physical therapist was wonderful too with the way he wouldn’t let Maggie give up on herself (but he had me swooning over him when Center wrote about his Scottish accent and broad, sexy shoulders). The dynamics between Ian and Maggie felt so realistic, and I loved how Maggie reached out to him when she felt his own pain and tried to pull him out of his gruff exterior while she was suffering too. Some of the other characters (like Maggie’s mother and Chip’s mother) were shallow and a bit annoying, but I still enjoyed them since they added depth to the story.

This was an excellent book about learning forgiveness, accepting yourself, finding inner strength, never giving up, family, hope, and love. There were just a couple parts of the story that were a little predictable, but really minor ones that don’t take away from the book. Overall, it is a lovely story–perfect for summer reading. I definitely recommend it!

**Thank you, NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, and Katherine Center for an ARC copy in exchange for my fair and honest review.**

So I took a break from historical fiction and read my ARC copy of How to Walk Away by Katherine Center. So glad I did. It is the first book I read by this author and plan on reading more! My motto in life has always been to find the good in a bad situation and that is exactly what Margret did after the plane she was in crashed. Nobody leads a perfect life but when tragedy happens we must look for the good and forge ahead. If you are a fan of Me Before you, then you will love this book! It is apparent that Katherine Center did a lot of research for this book and created a story that is devastating yet light hearted and full of hope. I fell in love with Margret and her attitude towards life. My favorite quote in the book is "When you don't know what to do for yourself, do something for somebody else." Doing this can change your life!

Ready for another must read book to add to your summer reading list? I’m assuming you said yes, so good, now let me me tell you all the ways I loved this one. There are many, I will try not to bore you.

Life is hard, we can agree to that and I’m assuming (yes, again) that every single one of us has been through some extremely tough times. We all have struggles, some are short lived and sometimes they’re life changing, but we all have them. This book makes you think about those difficult times and I think offers up a beautiful, alternate perspective as to how to keep going when things are bleak. Margaret experiences one of those tragedies that is life changing and she doesn’t want her life to change. She doesn’t want to start over again in a totally different way than what she envisioned, but she’s given no choice. I fell in head over heels in love with Margaret. Not because she’s perfect, because she’s not. Not because she’s an inspiring character, although she is, but she certainly isn’t always positive. I fell in love with her because Center forced me to. You cannot read this book and not fall under her spell, she is raw, vulnerable and shattered. She is also brave, strong and awe inspiring in equal measures and I don’t think I’ve ever rooted for a character harder than I did for Margaret. She is unforgettable.

Center’s writing style is both extremely evocative and sharply funny. There is a whole lotta ironic humor here and there is also some truly heartbreaking scenes that made me cry. There’s romance as well and I got serious Jojo Moyes vibes, it was that good. I already loved every single page and then Center gave me the most beautiful, hopeful, heart achingly sorrowful and uplifting epilogue, I swear I melted into a puddle of mush. Just read this book, it is a true gem.

How to Walk Away in three words: Beautiful, Sincere and Powerful.

Even before the first chapter, I got a sense of how realistic this novel would be because of the vast amount of research the author, Katherine Center, says that she did. From conversations with health care professionals and people who suffered the same injuries as her main character, to pilots who fly airplane , it seems as if Katherine left no stone unturned when it came to finding out as much as she could for her book.

The story is told from the main character, Margaret’s, point of view. In the beginning, she was in shock as she learned how serious her injuries were; her emotions and thoughts are all over the place. I felt the book was very authentic for the most part, and I couldn’t help but empathize with her and think that the author did an wonderful job with details. The characterization was excellent. There were people that were kind, helpful, funny, but also ones that didn’t want to be around someone who was no longer perfect.

What I didn’t like: I didn’t find Margaret’s boyfriend, Chip, to be all that realistic. Perhaps there are people who would react as callously as he did after his initial shock, but I would think the guilt would linger, and that he wouldn’t be able to pick up with an ex-girlfriend and move on that quickly. Moreover, the f word is unfortunately peppered throughout, and the author also throws in some swear words that don’t honor God. It’s so easy to pick up habits like this from constantly being subjected to this kind of language, and I don’t wish to go there. Many authors of the very best books don’t resort to this, and it always disappoints when one goes down that road with a book that otherwise is very good. If you don’t care to read language like this, skip this one.

Katherine Center’s How To Walk Away is the story of a woman seeing just how strong she is after tragedy strikes. I really enjoyed the storyline and the characters in this book. While the plot was a bit predictable, the story kept me engaged so much that it was hard for me to put down.

This is the first book I’ve read by Katherine Center, but it won’t be my last.

Thanks to the publisher for the advanced reader copy!

Margaret has it all. A promising new job and a boyfriend she thinks is going to propose! In a matter of of minutes her life changes forever. Margaret realizes who is really there for her. Her family is amazing! I love her parents and her sister. This book is so honest and raw with its emotions. There were times I laughed and times I cried. I felt all of Margaret's emotions. I truly loved this book. I received an advanced readers copy from NetGalley and St. Martin's Press. All opinions are my own.

I always fear making comparisons to books, like you always hear books touted as the next "Gone Girl", but I will make a comparison with one of my beloved top 10 books. This book is the next "Me Before You." I honestly could go on and on, but I think the best advice I could give someone about this book is to read it, and enjoy the journey. The family dynamic was similar to my family, and I found myself savoring the pages as I got closer to the end, knowing it would come sooner, rather than later. This book does not disappoint. I am telling everyone I know to read this book. I devoured this book in three BUSY days, which says a lot.. It captured me from the very start, and I could not wait to reach the end.

This book is just WOW!!!! First time reading this author and now I want to read all her books. This book does so many things to you as a reader. It made me laugh, cry, ugly cry and inspire all in one. This is a Must read!!!!

4.5 stars

As I begin this review I have no idea where it will go. At this moment I can’t quite find the words to describe how this book drew me in. One word that does come to mind is magical.

What should be the happiest day of Margaret Jacobsen’s life takes an unexpected turn. In the hospital and forced to face the possibility that nothing will ever be the same again, Maggie must confront the unthinkable … her fiancé Chip, her sister Kit, and her physical therapist Ian.

Let’s explore the word magical. No, I’m not talking magicians and magic tricks! But there was something magical in the pages of this story. I didn’t laugh out loud (I smiled a lot though) or cry but these characters still made me feel encouraged, brave and willing to take chances. Ms. Center captures each character so well that I felt like I knew them, but wanted to know more about them at the same time. It’s been awhile since I wanted to devour a book so quickly, that I was eager to pick up my Kindle and immerse myself in a book and its story. The epilogue was PERFECTION! There’s an update on every character and situation, which had this reader closing her Kindle with a full heart and a smile.

This was the first book I’ve read by Katherine Center but it will not be my last! She has a way with words and characters, so pardon me while I run off to Goodreads to add her other works to my TBR.

PS – You should add this book to your list! I hope it causes your heart to smile just like it did mine.

Margaret Jacobsen is just about to step into the bright future she’s worked for so hard and so long: a new dream job, a fiancé she adores, and the promise of a picture-perfect life just around the corner. Then, suddenly, on what should have been one of the happiest days of her life, everything she worked for is taken away in a brief, tumultuous moment.

In the hospital and forced to face the possibility that nothing will ever be the same again, Maggie must confront the unthinkable. First there is her fiancé, Chip, who wallows in self-pity while simultaneously expecting to be forgiven. Then, there’s her sister Kit, who shows up after pulling a three-year vanishing act. Finally, there’s Ian, her physical therapist, the one the nurses said was too tough for her. Ian, who won’t let her give in to her pity, and who sees her like no one has seen her before. Sometimes the last thing you want is the one thing you need. Sometimes we all need someone to catch us when we fall. And sometimes love can find us in the least likely place we would ever expect.



My Thoughts: A captivating tale of a tragedy that changes everything in a life, and leads our MC to a realization that the people who should have stood by are wallowing in their own self-pity. When I stopped feeling angry on her behalf, I settled down to watch how she struggled to move forward, and then began to truly connect with herself and who she could become.

Will Margaret come to realize that the life she wanted was not at all what she needed? Can she discover new ways to find strength and confidence?

How To Walk Away kept me glued to the pages, loving the unexpected moments and hating a few of the characters.

Margaret’s mother, Linda, was one of those annoying characters, full of bossy suggestions that turned out to be her way of controlling the uncontrollable. Over time, she was able to find another way to overcome the need to control everything.

I liked how Ian, the physical therapist who seemed so frustrating at first, turned out to be the most inspirational character of all. But then…just when we are rooting for something specific to happen, we realize that it probably won’t. Until we are surprised by the unexpected.

Margaret’s sister Kit had disappeared three years ago after a major fight with their mother. Unpacking those events would bring eye-opening changes to the family.

Could one create a mosaic out of a life that has been shattered? By moving forward and not looking back, one can put together something hopeful out of courageous moments…these are the inspirational themes I took away from this captivating book. 5 stars.***My e-ARC came from the publisher via NetGalley.