Member Reviews
This book wasn't what I was expecting at all. I think I had very high expectations for it which fell a bit flat for me. Taking a large step back from my preconceived ideas about this book...it is an interesting take on a premonition. I think one of the main issues I had was I didn't get along with the characters. I did really enjoy the last paragraphs of the book as these felt the most real. I always read the acknowledgements and I felt the love and gratitude the author had for every person she mentioned. I loved that she named the main character after her BFF, that is a very special thing.
.Thank you to Netgalley for a pre publication copy. In return for an honest #Infiveyears #netgalley
Dannie Kohan is a corporate lawyer. She has never wanted to be anything else. She likes how black and white corporate law is and how everything is on paper. This is how Dannie lives her life with statistics, facts and paper! Until one day the future she sees in front of her is not any of this. Is this a preminition, a dream or even a nightmare?
The cover and synopsis drew me to this book. The beautiful pink swirly writing really drags you into wanting to know what this book is about. Once you read the description you know you must read this new 21st century romance.
Although this book is a romance read. Their are some emotional subjects included such as divorce, cohabiting without love, cancer, chemotherapy young and death amongst many more. However the author very cleverly incorporated this into Dannie using Bella illness to learn more about herself and finally listen to Bella ideas about love.
Dannie and Bella were characters that you rooted for. Many times you were shouting at Dannies choices and decisions. You wanted her to love and be loved uncontrollably as well as to let her life steer her rather than the blanket rules she lived by. Bella and Dannies friendship was beautifully written. It shows that people believe in us even if we don't in ourselves. That the friends we nurture when they are most in need are the ones who give us their everything. Including their dreams.
The use of the premonition and using the year 2025 was new and special for a romance read. Something that I have never read about in this genre and something I wouldn't say no to again.
Furthermore some parts of the story you were waiting for more. Particularly at the beginning where the story races through Dannies engagement, premonition and everything up until Bella meeting Greg. These parts felt very rushed and almost like the author had let too much slip in the synopsis which made them then skip over these parts in the novel.
I found this book very hard to rate. What was given to the reader was solid and the book built a beautiful story based particularly around finding oneself in the face of adversity in life. As well as providing some emotional narratives around pasts and these clouding the present. However there remained parts which slowed the book down and where the reader is left wanting more. Particularly in the important parts surrounding the premonition and the four and a half years until she sees Greg again. These parts were the reason you came to read this story because you wanted to find out more than the synopsis gave. However the story gave you no more than the synopsis until the four and a half years later when the story finally gets going. Therefore I feel this book is a 3.5 Stars out of 5. As opposed to a solid amount of stars
I really liked the premise of this book - the protagonist falling asleep, waking up in different surroundings in 5 years time, then waking up again in the present day and building up on that, seeing whether her life choices would take her to what she saw in her vision.
It's a well-written story, easy to read and captivating. Something didn't quite work for me fully; I can't put my finger on it, but that's the reason for giving it 3 stars, and not 4.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ecopy of this book in exchange for an honest and impartial review.
Such a wonderful story. I loved the way the author brought Dannie to life. Her friendship with Bella was very special and reminiscent of my childhood friend who is still my bestie. Cleverly thought out and different from my usual reads. Such a great ending too. Loved it, definitely worthy of my 5 stars.
A lovely and unexpected romance which had me laughing and crying and turning the page as fast as I could.
Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for my advanced copy.
I was nervous to read In Five Years as I had a mixed reaction to The Dinner List but I enjoyed this one so much more.
This book is a great romance with lots of twists, there's a lot of suspense that keeps you wanting to read on. Dannie is a likable character, and you really feel all of the stress and anxiety alongside her. Dannie's best friend Bella was also a great addition to the book, and I loved their friendship. Although this book is a little fantastical, it did read real with a lot of real-life dilemmas, it was full of the ups and downs of life.
I can only give this book 3 stars though because the ending was a bit strange, although it does give you a chance to use your imagination for the outcome of the story, I do prefer a book that has a good resolution.
In Five Years could pass for your usual modern romance read, filled with ups and downs, despair, loss and love.... if only for the time travel. Everything is going as planned for Dannie when one night she wakes to find herself 5 years in the future in a different bed with a different man. Suddenly to be found thrown back into her usual life. What happens in those 5 years and how did it happen?
For a (semi) time travel book it was remarkable realistic. Every second of this read felt genuine. I laughed and cried with the character and grew to adore them all. I cannot recommend this enough, especially to readers just starting out in romance, like me.
Struggled to connect with this book - as a 42 year woman I feel this is more aimed at the early twenties Not for me Im afraid. To be fair though its outwith my genre
I was really nervous to read this book as I had heard mixed reviews on it. I found it to be an easy read and stayed up till 2am to finish it! This book broke my heart and reminded me of a classic film me and my mam watch together. Overall I loved how it focused on friendship and tugged on my heartstrings.
Where do you see yourself in five years? Isn't this that dreadful question we all fear to appear on any job interview? But not only on a job interview...when it comes to life itself, its a tricky one, too.⠀
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It's sweet, it's sad, it's real. It reminds us that every day matters and you have to cease all of it with both hands. Sometimes we plan for the future, but unexpeced things happen, things we not only don't see coming, but things that throw us completely off our path. But, that doesn't have to be a bad thing. We evolve, we adapt, we change. We go through all of it.⠀
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This is not the rom-com it appears to be reading the synopsis. Also, it is not one of those "what if" stories. This is a story about love, yes, but also about friendship and values in life. I was a bit emotional while reading this, but nonetheless, a piece of advice - be sure to have some tissues near hand. ⠀
Thank you NetGalley for a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
I read this in under 24 hours and MY HEART HURTS! I haven’t cried over a good book in ages, and this is just what I needed. Reading it reminds me of One Day - it has the same ferocity, a similar tone, and a cast of characters (some who you love, some who you hate to love). The ending was definitely unexpected, but I think in a good way - and it oddly filled me joy and hopefulness, despite everything. I needed this book in my life, and I am so glad that I got the opportunity to read it now. Would recommend to all romance lovers, and also those looking for a refreshing read.
‘In Five Years’ is the latest book by Rebecca Serle
Where do you see yourself in five years?
Type-A Manhattan lawyer Dannie Kohan has been in possession of her meticulously crafted answer since she understood the question. On the day that she nails the most important job interview of her career and gets engaged to the perfect man, she’s well on her way to fulfilling her life goals. That night Dannie falls asleep only to wake up in a different apartment with a different ring on her finger, and in the company of a very different man. The TV is on in the background, and she can just make out the date. It’s the same night – December 15th – but 2025, five years in the future.
It was just a dream, she tells herself when she wakes, but it felt so real… Determined to ignore the odd experience, she files it away in the back of her mind.
That is, until four and a half years later, when Dannie turns down a street and there, standing on the corner, is the man from her dream…
Dannie is a strong and logical woman, who’s life is based on numbers and when she meets David, it’s only natural to expect that after a couple of years together that marriage and children would follow as this is the expected way of life. But for Dannie, after the much anticipated proposal becomes a long engagement when her another man suddenly appears in her dreams and suddenly appears in real life in a relationship with her best friend, Bella. Bella and Dannie feel that Bella has found the perfect man but everything is thrown into disarray when Bella suddenly becomes seriously ill and Dannie has to question everything in her life.
I genuinely loved this book and my heart really went out to Dannie and Bella, who’s childhood friendship is sadly pulled apart by ovarian cancer, which also coincides with March being Ovarian Cancer Awareness month.
So not only does Dannie have to battle the pain of seeing her best friend in pain but she also has to see her with the real life man from her dreams, who makes Dannie question her own relationship.
I really liked Dannie, she’s a independent woman who’s set her life out and is determined that ovarian cancer will not take away her best friends happiness. She researches methodically into the illness to give her some control over the illness that is spiralling out. Her genuine love for Bella is not only as a friend but is also maternal as Bella’s parents were absent from her life most of the time and Dannie was the friend she turned to most of the time. Their relationship is strong and fun, but is tested a lot throughout the story. It’s also interesting to see how Dannie deals with Aaron, the man from her dreams appear in real life and the new emotions that she struggles, such as wanting her friend to be happy but also deal with a new attraction towards him.
‘In Five Years’ is a rare and brilliant love story about the complexities of relationships. This story is a bittersweet tale that really tugs at the readers heartstrings. Poignant, sweet, this original tale had me gripped from the first page. Sweetly written and well researched of the cruelty of cancer, this book will have you in bits with this emotional rollercoaster.
You can buy pre-order ‘In Five Years’ from Amazon and will be available to buy from good bookshops from 10th March 2020.
I actually did not know what to expect with this book. I certainly didn’t expect to feel so emotional at the end.
What a lovely friendship Dannie and Bella had, a bond that could never be broken.
Newly engaged to David and a very successful interview behind her, Dannie falls asleep and seems to be having a vision of a time 5 years hence but the man she’s with isn’t her fiancé. Prize for the nastiest, snobbiest name dropper character of the year - step forward Dannie, who’s a lawyer, as if the reader doesn’t already know! So entitled is she that it is so hard to empathise with such a selfish woman. On and on it goes, everything that they wear, eat, go to is described in great detail which is very tiresome. The sad sections are written with great feeling. The ending was, to be frank, a cop out and very disappointing, especially after the exciting sounding blurb.
I enjoyed this one! I loved the premise, and was all for that aspect of this book. I’m sad that the time-travel? Premonition? Aspect wasn’t more embedded and more of the plot!
Overall I liked the story, the ending was very disappointing, it was nonsensical after everything that had happened and I disliked the characters for it. It was a lovely story of friendship.
Initially, I wasn’t too sure about this book.
The idea of a time travel floated at the beginning made me question what the book was about but in the end I loved it.
It highlights the gripes of relationships and friendship and the way they fundamentally change and control your life.
The ending is heartbreaking and completes the cyclical narrative, giving credence to the opening.
It isn’t the best written book but it left me wanting to read on - I read it in one evening. It won’t be everyone’s cup of tea but it is an emotional rollercoaster where love and friendship triumph.
Dannie is a go getter, the one who has her life mapped out, then she wakes up in a different apartment, with a different life. I loved how the main focus of this book was on friendship, not romantic love, which to my mind was just a sideline plot.
This is the first book that I've read by Rebecca Serle and it was brilliant, I was complete;y hooked right from the first page and didn't want to put it down.
The story line is great starting with a premonition to 5 years later-it's just not what you think. Join the emotional rollercoaster exploring life, love, loss, friendship and relationships.
Tears just flowed
A great read
Where do you see yourself in five years time is a question most of us are asked in interviews. Dannie has her answer ready and she truly believes it. Married to David and flying high at the company shes interviewing for. When David proposes it seems like her plan is on track. But that night she falls asleep in her own apartment but wakes up in a completely different apartment with a completely different man. Oh and its 2025. A dream surely. But five years later her dream man turns up for real....
I'm not positive what attracted me to this book, but I'm glad I was. It sounds like a typical trite romance but there is more to it , none of which I can reveal without spoiling it completely. But I will say tissues are needed. It definitely is a love story but not in the way I expected. A very enjoyable read