It took me ages to get into this book, but I found a nice story of love, heartbreak and friendship. Really emotional.

When I first created my account, I requested this title and a bunch of others at the same time, not expecting to be approved for all of them, considering my account was brand new at the time. I was not able to read this before the pub date and didn’t know at the time that I could still review it after the pub date passed.

When I found out I could still submit reviews after their pub date, I had replaced my kindle (my old one broke) and this title was already archived. I’ve been hoping that I could get this from my local library or KU so that I could read and review it, but it’s been nearly three years and that hasn’t happened yet.

I feel really bad that I’m not able to review this one. I’ve been really careful ever since not to request too many titles at once. I’m giving it 5⭐️ because it doesn’t feel fair to give it any less considering I wasn’t able to read it.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for my copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you so much for the opportunity to read and review this book. While this title is no longer within the realm of my current reading interests I appreciate the opportunity in receiving an ARC.

Amazing. Heartwarming. Eye opening. You won’t want to put it down! This was such a great book that leaves you wanting more. Thanks NetGalley!

I greatly enjoyed this book, thank you for giving me a preview copy. The plot was interesting and fast paced and I sympathised with the characters. This is the first novel I have read by this author but I hope it will not be the last!

A gripping story with a compelling cast of characters. This is a unique story and a fun read!


Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

This read totally sucked me in and had my attention captured. It had me experiencing highs and lows and had me turning pages so fast. I loved the witty dialogue and riding along on Meredith's journey to self-discovery. Filled with stories of love, loss, grief, joy, and devotion - this book has it all. It's a great read that you will devour.

That’s Not a Thing was so much more than I was expecting! I have read quite a few love triangle stories, but this one has some twists I didn’t see coming and will bring tears to your eyes. Meredith is finally happy! She is engaged and marrying, Aaron, who is well pretty much perfection. When she is out with him celebrating, she is shocked to find out the restaurant owner is none other than her ex-fiancé, Wesley. They had a horrible break up and she is over him…right? .

If you are looking for a good love story, then this is it! If you are looking for a story about forgiveness, then this is it! If you are looking for a story that packs a punch and keeps you hooked, then this it! If you are looking for a story that is honest and shows you that life/choices are not easy for anyone, then this is it! So the moral is, you should get this one and let me know what you think!

I found that I couldn't put this book down. I really enjoyed that things happened that I least expected, and left me surprised. The book made me laugh and cry, and it dealt with some very sad subjects without being too heavy and deep. The book takes you back into history and up to current day, without making you feel confused. I can't wait to read more by Jacqueline Friedland!

From my blog: Always With a Book:

This book grabbed hold of my heart and never let up. I loved everything about it and I'm so glad I decided to read it, knowing I would probably be an emotional wreck. Sometimes, you just need a book that tugs at those heartstrings.

I loved that while this book is all about the love that got away, it is also pretty thought-provoking. This book hit a little close to home for me as we had a family member pass away from ALS, so we know all to well the struggle that comes with this disease. I appreciated the way Friedland handled this part of the story and while I was not in Meredith's position myself, I could imagine had I been, I would have probably been having similar internal struggles myself.

I loved the way the story unfolds, the flashbacks at the beginning of the story, so that you slowly warm up to all the characters. I felt this was the perfect way to introduce everyone and you can't help but become completely invested with all the characters. You find yourself ending up wondering what you would do not only if you were in Meredith's position, but in each of the character's position...something I don't usually find myself doing. Usually I identify with one character, but here, I kept wondering about everyone.

This is such an emotionally-driven, intelligent book. It covers a lot of heavy topics but you never feel overwhelmed by it. In fact, I was quite captivated by the story and wanted to see how it all unfolded. I highly recommend this book and think it would make a fantastic book club pick as there is so much to discuss. Have you read this one yet?

That's Not a Thing tells the story of Meredith, a young woman who is about to get married to her perfect boyfriend Aaron, when she suddenly meets her ex-fiancé Wesley for the first time in years. He was her first love, things didn't end well between them and once she sees him again she starts to question if she hasn't forgotten him after all.⁠
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There were a few things I liked about this story- the book was decently paced, it was interesting to read about people with ALS, Aaron was a decent book boyfriend and Wesley was ok too, although perhaps a bit underdeveloped. But Meredith was a trainwreck of a character, and let me tell you, someone has to be a HUGE mess for me not to be able to relate to them at all. ⁠
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While she's dealing with all these doubts about whether she should marry Aaron or leave him for Wesley, it's hard not to be annoyed at her. Poor Aaron is so in love with her, but still, he can't stop Meredith from apparently completely forgetting about him once she sees Wesley again. It's like he never existed. She's also an extremely self-centered character, always feeling like a victim, and while I can understand that sometimes we doubt things and all, by the looks of it she should've never been engaged in the first place.
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Plot-wise, there were a few subplots that were never mentioned again (the immigrant she was representing? hello?), and the ending felt extremely rushed.

I think Jacqueline Friedland has found her calling in writing contemporary fiction. This book is filled with raw emotion, the power of a first love, second chances, finding yourself and forgiveness. I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough.
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When we meet Meredith, she’s celebrating her engagement to her boyfriend, Aaron at a new TriBeCa restaurant. Just as she’s deciding she might want to hold her wedding at this new hotspot, Meredith gets the shock of her life when she realizes her ex-fiance, Wesley, is the chef/owner of the restaurant. Wesley had been Meredith’s college boyfriend and they were ready to get married, but a tragedy resulted in Wesley breaking the engagement and calling off the wedding. It took Meredith a long time to get over losing Wesley, but now she’s a lawyer and she’s found love again. You might think this is a stereotypical romance. Or a book about a love triangle. But it’s much more than that. Because after seeing Wesley again, he tells Meredith that he was diagnosed with ALS.
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This book is really Meredith’s story as she tells us about her past with Wesley and her present—as a young, idealistic lawyer who has picked up the pieces with Aaron by her side. I loved Meredith, with her idealism and complexity, because she felt like a real person to me. The NYC setting is lovingly created here as a backdrop for Meredith’s life. This is a lovely book that I read in a day. 4 hearts❤️/5!

I was incredibly involved in this story of a young female lawyer finding her and learning what really matters in life. Meredith is hard on herself as she struggles with her desires and actions, and I was rooting for her all the way to find her path and set herself up for true happiness. Passion, regrets, and illness are all themes that the author explores with great heart. Friedland handles her material skillfully, creating a very meaningful story.

I LOVED THIS BOOK. If you enjoy reading stories about the one that got away then this book is for you. The range of emotions I went through with this book - that when I started I could not stop reading until my eyes were strained, and everything else neglected.

Meredith and Wesley met during college at Columbia and their love story was completely enthralling, until a tragic accident caused their horrible breakup. Years later, Meredith, was now in another relationship with Aaron, a pediatric heart surgeon, and engaged. In their search for a wedding venue, they ran into a TriBeCa chic restaurant owned by none other than Meredith’s ex Wesley. Information about Wesley brings them together in an unfortunate love triangle.

Friedland’s writing was heartrending, emotional and beautiful. She was able to capture the emotions of old love and new, digging into deep seated emotions that we bury to move on, but never forgetting. It was about forgiveness and being true to yourself. Friedland’s brilliance was her writing of witty and smart dialogue, relatable characters, and fabulous pacing while perfectly unfolding the story in two timelines.

I wasn't able to get through this book because of the ARC formatting, but what I was able to read was engaging and well written. I am looking forward to reading a formatted copy and updating my review.

I received and ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Meredith and Aaron are celebrating their engagement when Wesley, Meredith’s ex walks back into her life.

Years earlier Meredith and Wesley were engaged, it ended in utter disaster and Meredith’s unresolved feeling have been churned up again. Everything becomes more confusing when Wesley admits to a diagnosis of ALS, Meredith feels a sense of responsibility and wants to help him. With the approval of Aaron Wesley moves into their apartment and everything becomes a bit messy.

I can’t begin to tell you how much I loved this book. It’s complicated, flawed characters, the heartbreak of first love, the longing for change and acceptance. The book is much more than a romance, it is full of heart and heartbreak. I really didn’t want it to end.

Meredith and Aaron are a young, successful couple making their mark in New York City. Recently engaged, Meredith is working for a prestigious law firm while Aaron finishes up a coveted residency saving the lives of babies. One night they are invited to an engagement celebration dinner at one of the hottest new culinary spots in the city. By random chance, the chef comes out to greet them and he is none other than Wesley, Meredith’s ex. The forbidden Wesley, love of her life whom she never got over and refuses to speak of. Throwing all good things for a crazy loop, Meredith is completely distraught that Wes is back in the states. When she learns that his shaky hands are signs of his recent ALS diagnosis, she can barely breathe. The what if’s of her past hauntingly return and although Aaron is a spectacular guy - how much understanding can one man possibly have? Meredith must decide exactly who she is going to be when she grows up. This fast paced heartbreaking love story has wonderful characters and a lot to think about. Highly recommend and don’t forget to have the tissues handy.

Didn’t love it...didn’t hate it.
A story of old love, new love and forgiveness. I loved the themes in the book but was desperate for more flashbacks to the college days!
Likeable characters but I just couldn’t relate enough to any of them.
3/5 ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

WOW! Jacqueline Friedland, author of "That's Not a Thing" has written a unique, heartbreaking, memorable, captivating, intriguing, and thought-provoking novel. The genres for this novel are fiction and women's fiction. The timeline for this story is set in the present and goes to the past when it pertains to the events or characters. The author describes her dramatic characters as complex and complicated.

Meredith Altman and her fiance Aaron Rapp, who is a physician are celebrating their engagement with a special dinner at a fancy restaurant with close friends. Meredith finds out that the owner is Wesley Latner, the man responsible for breaking her heart years ago. Unfortunately, Meredith keeps running into Wesley.

 Wesley reveals that he has ALS, and Meredith feels devastated. What can she do? How can she and her fiance help him?

I appreciate that the author discusses the importance of knowing what you want, self-growth, forgiveness, and second chances.  The author also mentions the importance of loyalty, trust, family, friends, love, and hope. I would highly recommend this thought-provoking novel that is so well written. Just be sure to keep some Kleenex on hand.