This wasn't my favorite book, but it wasn't my worst either. The storyline is just not believable, in my opinion. But give it a try, you may like it!

It’s been nearly a decade since Elle Sloan last saw Luke Hutchins. Close to ten years since she broke up with him over a single phone call, providing him with little explanation. Since the end of their relationship, Elle has done everything she could do to move on, marrying, proceeding forward with her life, almost allowing herself to completely forget about Luke.

Almost.

Out of nowhere, Elle receives a phone call from Luke’s mother. Luke has been in a horrific car accident and, a month later, has just awoken from a coma. However, instead of celebrating, his family is stunned to learn that Luke is suffering from amnesia and only remembers his life as it was before his breakup with Elle. Not wanting to tell Luke that he and Elle aren’t together anymore for fear it may compromise his recovery, Elle is asked by Luke’s family to come to the hospital to see him. Their hope is that she will slowly be able to jog his memory and cushion the blow.

Guilt-ridden over how their relationship ended, Elle readily agrees, finding herself transported back in time with Luke to the life they once shared and the future they could have had together.

I received an ARC of this book for an honest review.

This book had me at hello, literally. The blurb drew me in from the beginning because: even in the blurb it didn't quite seem like Elle had moved on, and that intrigued me to see if she'd do anything about it. The story begins in Elle's point of view and in present time, going back to her hometown to see Luke, who was just in a car accident. Now Luke is suffering from amnesia, and thinks it is ten years earlier than it really is; therefore thinking that both him and Elle are still in a relationship; happily in love, but that isn't the case. This book will draw you in from the very start, and take you on a journey of what first love's leave us like, and if we ever really give it up.

3.5 stars!

I was really intrigued by the blurb for this book, and love the idea for it. A dramatic, heartfelt, sort-of-second-chance romance, as a woman revisits her past, forcing her to reflect on her life and the choices she has made.

The book begins with Elle travelling back to the town where she attended college, to visit her ex-boyfriend. Her first love, Luke, has been in a major car accident and after being in a coma for a month, he is suffering from retrograde amnesia. He thinks it is ten years earlier than it truly is, and has no memory of the intervening years, believing that he and Elle are still in college and blissfully happy in a committed relationship. When in reality, they broke up a few months after the time that he believes it to be, with Elle leaving him broken-hearted, and she has now been married to somebody else for three years. Rather than shock Luke with the truth right away, the hope is that seeing Elle again will provide some peace and calm for him, as he has been asking to see his girl, and that her presence may even trigger his recovery.

That’s all the information that we are given as we dive in to this story, and my head was immediately full of questions – How did they break up? What is the state of Elle’s marriage? Has Luke moved on and just can’t remember? What will happen when they see each other again? Will he get his memory back? What will happen when he does? Will they rekindle their past love? Will they even want to? It was with a sense of great anticipation that I madly flipped pages waiting to get to the juicy stuff, and I was glued to my kindle as it all unfolded.

I was transported back in time, recalling the chemistry Luke and I had shared as though it were yesterday. The memories that were fresh in his mind came flooding back into mine, so real, so vivid that I was almost able to forget the present and live in the past with him.
Almost.


The story of Elle and Luke’s past unfolds in flashback chapters throughout the book. We get to see them meeting, falling in love and their heartbreaking separation, while in the present, Elle is struggling to deal with her feelings as she reconnects with the amazing man that she left behind all those years ago. More than just wanting to help Luke, she wants to make amends for how she left things with him, but she soon finds herself in the complicated situation of wondering what her life could have been if she’d just chosen differently.

This is a really sweet read. It was well written, and the story was really intriguing and kept me captivated. I liked Elle, and I really loved Luke, and the scenes with them together – both past and present – were great. I wasn’t feeling it as much as I was hoping to though. I’m actually not sure why that is, maybe the idea of people believably pulling off looking ten years younger than they actually are like no time has passed at all? I don’t know. But I definitely enjoyed it!

As for the issue that will probably have a lot of readers wondering whether to give this one a try - is there any cheating? Warning MASSIVE spoiler… (view spoiler)

I liked that this was more than just a romance. Elle really reflects on her life, making positive changes that are right for her, and I really admire that. I loved the inclusion of the side characters – Elle and Luke’s best friends, and his parents, all play an important role, and bring a lot to the story. And yes, the love story is really sweet, and the story ends in a great place.

I really enjoyed this heartfelt read. 3.5 stars.

I was pleasantly surprised by this book. I started it and stayed up until 4 a.m. to finish reading it. If you like second chance romances with a bit of a twist, you will definitely enjoy reading this book.

Elle Sloan has had a tough childhood, having had lived with an alcoholic mother who loved to verbally abuse her; when Elle won a full scholarship to an exclusive all girls college across the country, she takes it. Leaving her small town in Jasper, Indiana for Roanoke, Virginia was a huge step for Elle. Her roommate, Mena, pushes her to meet men, Elle has no interest at all. That is until she sees Luke staring at her across the coffee shop.

Luke Hutchkins had the childhood she dreamed of. Two parents who dote on him and love him, and a food in the table three meals a day. Their two year love affair was everything to Elle. Then her mom got sick and poisoned Elle's head and she broke up with him; never looking back.

Ten years later, Luke gets into a terrible car accident and after waking up from a month long coma, he stills thinks he's in college studying and dating Elle. Elle is married in a loveless marriage not doing what she wanted with her life; which was to be a writer.
When Luke's mom calls her and asks for help she goes to see him to bring back his memories. Only they don't tell her Luke's real story. But the time that she spends with him only proves that she never got over loving him, she just tried to hide it.

When his memories start to come back, so does someone from his present as well.

A touching story.

Ms Burr writes the typical story of lost love found again but with hurdles to clear before true bliss can be experienced.Luke and Elle were childhood friends turned sweethearts, making future plans that were waylaid by doubts and self-esteem issues.Fast forward 10 years and they meet again under tragic circumstances and the same issues that cause the first break-up, rear its ugly head again.The author addresses the impact that trauma can have, not only on its victim, but the support system of the injured one.There is not much that is new here and the main female character was found to be irritating at times.Fell in love with Luke and his obvious devotion and was just happy when the ending came.

A brilliant book with a brilliant storyline and characters I will look forward to reading more from this author

This was an ok read. I liked the flash backs of Elle and Luke and found myself skimming the present until the end. The idea of the story is really good but there’s something that isn’t a 4 star for me. I can’t quite put my finger on it but all in all a good book

This is my first book by Sara Furlong Burr and I was not disappointed. A book with a good storyline with real problems.
Only took me some pages to get hooked by the way the story is written. We get to know the characters and the plot in different times switching between present and past. The romance is simple and fun that shows a deeply love and the need for each other, a good romance that is missing in some books.
The characters are well built, I think of Elle as a strong character because even with an alcoholic mother she’s able to go on with her studies to persuade her dream. However, she has her own insecurities that affects too much the decision she makes along the story. Ellen character is not perfect, she has the difficulty of life, which makes this story more realistic and enjoyable. Then we have Luke, in my opinion it’s too perfect, the perfect boyfriend with the perfect family, contrasts with Ellen’s problems and insecurities. But, as a secondary character lover, the best are Mena and Monroe. Their jokes, temper and irrelevant comments are the best, I laughed every time with them.
A book with a beautiful book cover but not very related to the story. Also, sometimes it seems that something is missing, for example more explanation of her ex-boyfriend and the rape.
Still I was delighted with this book and I intent to read more of this author.

A unique and very well written plot! What makes the storyline in "When Time Stands Still" matter to me is actually the banter, both past and present, between main characters Luke and Elle, the rich dimension it adds to the story and importantly what it reveals about their relationship. It is the clever conversation between Luke and Elle that tells the story of how they met, their intelligence, their education, their history, the depth of their connection to each other, the deep things they share in common . . and (despite Elle's rather tragic upbringing) . . . it's funny as heck! It makes it feel as if their first conversation is when life really began for both of them! They are and, in real life, would be a very fun couple to hang out with. It reveals the deeply caring nature they have about life in general and certainly for each other. I always look for good banter in romantic stories and, all too often, it is missing. Where there is love, there is always humor and fun. Also, great conversation between characters gives you, as reader, a good sense of presence, of really being there.

Even Elle's best friend Mena's dialogue adds quite a bit of color and even some off-color.

And yes, there is angst, but the story would certainly lack dimension and believability without it. Elle's heartbreaking childhood living with her alcoholic mother is something that is, unfortunately, all too realistic. But the struggle is something that she must overcome or it will bring ruin to her and everyone around her.

Excellent title, great characters, plenty of intrigue and a unique plot, not easy to find these days.

I know very few people who wouldn't go back in time and make different decisions, but this character actually gets the opportunity to right some wrongs. While I liked the concept of the book, I found both the storyline and the combination of characters unbelievable. It seemed more like a 'what I wish could happen' than anything that would ever actually happen in real life. The ending, while a beautifully happy ending, was equally as implausible. Hence the removal of one star.

When I read the synopsis of this book I was very intrigued - thought it sounded like a good book. And I was right! it took me about 2 chapters to really get into this one, but once I was in, I was sucked ALL the way in. I liked that we kept going to the past to get the full story. Not only did we get the chance to fall in love with Luke and Elle now, we got to fall in love with them in the past when they were fully in love.
Luke has been in an accident and his mother calls Elle to come see him to help calm him. He has woke from a month long coma and only remembers up to about 10 years ago- when they were still a couple. Elle easily agrees to go for a short time. (Her husband don't seem to care.)
If that doesn't intrigue you, I don't know what will.
I loved the happy ending. I do wish this story had an epilogue. I feel like I still need some closure. Maybe I will get it if Mena and Monroe get there own book.

Absolutely enjoyed this book. The weaving of the story, past and present, keeps the reader hooked in. It would be good to see if there is a way to continue the story, maybe even the best friends.

When I read the description I thought it sounded like a good story to read. The book started off slow and never got any better. It just didn't keep my interest. I couldn't finish the book.

This story had so much potential but it unfortunately missed the mark for me. It needed some more layers, and it wrapped up too quickly.