Very well written book. Really enjoyed this author, would definitely read more by this author and recommend on my book IG

How to Save a Life is emotional, it's heartbreaking, but also beautiful. All of the struggles, the triumphs, the losses, it's an honest look at life. I adored following Kerry, Tim and Joel as they grow up and try to figure themselves out. To say that a lot happens is an understatement, the length of time that this story spans was not something I was prepared for. There is an hea, but it's hard fought. I was consumed, I had to know what was coming next and couldn't put it down. If you want an emotional rollercoaster this is the book for you.

As a nurse this story takes me to times where things are uncertain yet you are working at your best to hopefully have great outcomes. Tim and Kerry experience some life changing moments and its a bond that stays with them. Its a story of their bond, survival, friendship and love. It also gives hints and tips on CPR throughout the book and that’s something everyone shirks at least have basics knowledge of. Would definitely recommend.

Here is a novel that I had been meaning to read for a while; I am not at all sure what took me so long. Here is a story about three friends, their hopes, their realities and their interconnected lives.

Tim, Joel and Kerry are schoolmates who are finishing up their educations. Tim and Kerry are taking their A levels and hope/plan to study medicine. Joel, on the other hand, is an upcoming football (soccer) star.

A lot happens between this description and the very early events in the novel. What will happen to the three as they move into their post school days and life does not (always) cooperate?

The interrelationships among Kerry, Joel and Tim are complex. Will they be able to help one another through? Those who have recently entered this stage of life will relate to this novel. Others who have passed through these developmental phases will either look back with nostalgia or be glad to be in a different life moment.

This is a book about growing up. It is a story of trying to find one’s way.

A note: The author shares that her husband’s life was saved when he received CPR. She is very much an advocate of people learning this procedure. Readers will see how this fits in with the story.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing-Ballentine for this title. All opinions are my own.

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and the author, for an ARC of this book, in exchange for an honest review.
The synopsis of this book sounded interesting to me so I requested a copy to read.
Unfortunately, I have tried reading this book on 2 separate occasions and during this 2nd attempt, I have
decided to stop reading this book
and state that this book just wasn't for me.

#How to Save a Life by # Eva Carter is a heartwarming love story. Three friends find out what it really means to save a life.
Description:
It starts with Kerry after years of working towards medical school, is about to take her entrance exams. But on the eve of the new millennium,a classmate goes into cardiac arrest, changing everything......
Thank you for the advance copy,
#Netgalley, # Eva Carter, and # Random House-Ballantine

I was intrigued by the premise of How to Save a Life and the book deals with home important topics such as substance abuse and mental health, but unfortunately it missed the mark for me. The characters were unrelatable and therefore I had a hard time connecting to them and the story.

I wasn't able to get into this book as much as I'd hoped to.

It seemed like a really great premise, but it just wasn't for me.

I had to stop reading this book at 71%. The more I read this book the more I became annoyed by it. The characters were not likeable and they kept on making the same mistakes over again. .

I couldn’t put this down - I listened to it until like 4:00am. I really liked it! With that said, I did get frustrated with the main characters at certain parts. There was a lot going on, and it felt like nothing would ever work out the way I wanted it to. The pacing was off - it felt so long at points and then rushed at others, but I couldn’t put it down.

Thanks to @NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for my ARC!

This book was right in my wheelhouse. Complicated relationships, struggle and hope, all of the good stuff. 5 stars!

This book was just ok for me. Almost did not finish, but did, and the outcome was satisfying. I felt like Kerry and Joel grew as characters, but not so much with Tim. Too much emphasis was put on the UK health system for a US reader. I was lost in how that all worked.

How to Save a Life is a sweeping novel, spanning two decades that interconnect Kerry, Tim and Joel. Growing up together in Brighton, the three did not really connect until New Year's Eve of the millenium. Kerry and Tim, determined to enter medical school, are ambulance cadets. Joel, a standout football player, is apprenticing for the Dolphins when tragedy strikes. For 18 minutes Joel is dead. Kerry, with Tim's help, revives him and the three are connected for life whether they realize it or not. Joel is furious that his body betrayed him; Kerry's heart is broken which sets her on a collision course while Tim confronts his own shortcomings. Over two decades Eva Carter weaves their story together and shows how everyone can save a life.

The start of this book was strong, 4-5 stars. The characters are believable and well developed. As the years pass on, Tim becomes very unlikeable and the story spans too many years too quickly to rush to the ending. It is a good read, will hold the reader's attention, and has many heartfelt moments.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest feedback.

Good story about the reality of work. I enjoyed the characters and the ending very much. The writing was very good and absorbing.

DNF at a little over 50%

A huge thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for my advanced copy.

My thoughts and feelings are in no way meant to insult the author or publisher of this book.

I had high expectations when starting How to Save a Life.
This book was nothing like I thought it would be based on the synopsis.
I did enjoy the fact that it was told from 3 points of view.
I like how the lives of the 3 friends intertwined.
What I wasn't expecting was how addiction heavy this book is. It's not something I can handle reading at this point in time.
Addiction aside- the characters cannot carry this story for me. They are all very boring and not enjoyable to read.

This book just puts me in a bad head space. I can't do it.

I really enjoyed this book and had trouble putting it down - I was hooked from the beginning and it kept my interest throughout. This book was well-written with great character development. I look forward to reading more from Eva Carter.

Thank you, Random House and NetGalley, for a digital ARC!

The premise of this book really attracted me, however I found the characters hard to connect to, and struggled with getting into the storyline and plot overall. A real bummer.

This was a book that I ended up not finishing due to lack of interest in content. For that reason I was unable to rate more than one star.

I really wanted to like this book, but I could not relate to the characters. They were irritating and their personalities made me want to bop them on the head. They were selfish and never managed to really grow up, mature, and make a positive difference in their lives. The writing style is good and the premise of the book was promising. I just expected a different story than what I read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

I absolutely loved this book. Being in the medical field, I was brought in immediately when this started off as a guide for CPR. I loved the characters. I really did not like Tim. He took credit for everything and stole so much from Kerry. Kerry was too kind to every single person and that often allowed her to get taken advantage of. I loved watch Joel’s character develop. These characters were easy to relate to and fall in love with. I loved the different point of view for chapters. I didn’t want this one to end!