Robin Benway knows how to create characters and stories that demand your attention. A Year to the Day takes us through Leo’s year of grief after the loss of her sister, Nina. Starting on the one year anniversary and moving backward through time, we see Leo and the people who loved Nina struggle and survive, question, remember, and love, in the aftermath of the accident that took Nina’s life. This story will stay with you.

I love Benway's voice and writing style, however, this story told in reverse might be a good writing exercise, but it did not work for me as a reader. It made the story unfold differently, but was not enjoyable. The raw grief was done well and for that, I am rounding my rating to a 3. Unfortunately, when the ending was revealed, it made many of the characters' actions and choices early in the story, (but after the event) unbelievable.

First of all, thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy of this title! My first instinct on completion is "Well, rip my heart out and stomp all over it!" But I mean that in the best way possible. Honestly, everything Robin Benway writes seems to be a hit for me, and A Year to the Day is no exception. Seeing Leo and East go from coping to being completely heartbroken (as this story is told in reverse chronological order) broke my heart right alongside them. However, knowing they (and Leo's parents) were able to find a way to live and work with the pain helped me maintain my hope even as my heart broke for them. A raw and honest look at grief.

ARC from NetGalley - At first, I wasn't sure I'd like the "reverse timeline" of the novel. But, I actually wound up loving it! I really enjoyed Benway's novel, as it tugs on the heartstrings, especially if you have a sibling. Although it was extremely sad in place, I think Benway does a great job portraying grief, loss, and the effects both have those left behind after someone passes. I will be purchasing a copy for my classroom library; I KNOW many of my students will absolutely devour this one!

I'm left speechless after reading this book. The ending was hopeful and beautiful. In terms of writing, the story came together so, so well, you must read it to understand what I'm saying. But the emotions that you feel as you watch Leo navigate life after her sister's death is so unbelievably deep and striking. I cried during every chapter. And I really loved how we were able to watch Leo's memories unfold reverse chronologically. It sort of felt like we were going back in time before Nina's death and Leo is able to be with her sister again: to hug her, hear her talk and be able to talk with her, to see her crinkly smile knowing she is alive and real. This book deserves so much more than five stars.

How do you go on after the death of a loved one? This story is told in reverse order, from the 1 year anniversary of Leo’s sister’s death to the day of the accident. The grief is deep & relatable. As time moves backwards, the readers sees, not just how the protagonist Leo, grieves, but everyone else: Mom/Dad/Step-Mom and East, Nina’s boyfriend. The reader learns How they all were able to come to some semblance of “back to normal” on the anniversary and travels backwards through this grief process. There was a bit of a twist at the end, one that helped me to understand the behavior of East a little more. Get the tissues out for this one!

TW: depression, anxiety, death, anger

Oh my gosh! This book was an amazing read! I loved every minute of it. It is heartbreaking and thrilling and uplifting at the same time. There are many events in this book that allow you to really feel the grief and heartbreak of death. This book is told in reverse. My only regret is that I can't read it for the first time again.
Thanks for the ARC, Netgalley. The opinions are my own.

Another well-written emotional amazing story by Robin Benway and I'm not surprised. A Year To The Day is one of those books you open and it grabs you from the very first chapter. I couldn't put this one down I was hooked from the start. This book is very different from anything I’ve ever read. It starts from the ending and the story is told in reverse. Robin is a great storyteller and I can't wait to read her next book. GREAT READ!!!!!

Leo lost her sister Nina exactly one year ago. The story opens on the one year anniversary of Nina's death and then works it's way backwards to the night of the accident, with each chapter getting closer and closer to the night when something happened and Nina died. Intriguing, since you understand pretty quickly that Nina died in an accident, but each chapter reveals more details. This is a story about love, loss, and grief and how the main character navigates her way through the pain of losing her sister and healing from the devastating loss. Having lost my own sister just a few years ago, parts of this one were tough to read. Grief has many stages and they are all accurately portrayed here.

Robin Benway is an auto read for me. She hooks you from the start and you can't stop reading until you know how it ends.
I liked this one, I liked the characters, I liked the family, I liked how we saw how they were moving on after this loss.
But I am not sure I liked that it was told in reverse. I wanted more in the end. I wanted to know more about Leo. Why didn't she have many friends before the accident? I am not sure why but that kind of stuck with me. I just wanted to know more about Leo in the before. I get that she was really attached to her sister and they were best friends, but in my eyes it made it out to seem like she didn't really have a life outside of her family. I don't think this takes away from the story, I just wanted some more.
A beautiful look at grief and loss, it is a dark book with lots of feelings, but since it is told in reverse we know that they make it out of that place and are learning to heal.

Thanks NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!

Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a DRC of this title. All opinions are my own.

I had high hopes for this book and it did NOT disappoint. While it did take a few chapters for the writing style to grow on me, in the end, I really liked it. The story is told in reverse, starting one year after Nina died. From there, each chapter takes you back closer and closer in time to the night of the accident. As the book goes on, the grief Leo (Nina's sister) and East (Nina's boyfriend) feel, along with the pain of their parents, becomes more and more palpable. This was a heavy, raw look at grief, but one that ultimately feels hopeful. Because you know, even at the end, when the pain and the shock are the worst, they have already lived through it. The characters came out the other side.

Highly recommend. This is a great read for anyone who enjoyed Benway's work Far from the Tree and titles by Jeff Zentner. First purchase type of stuff here.

Such a beautiful depiction of grief, loss, love, and finding your way through tragedy. Leo lost her sister a year ago. She only has vague memories of that tragic night and what actually happened.
This story was told in such a unique way, starting with the one year anniversary of Nina's death and working backwards through the year getting closer and closer to the point of the accident. Heartwarming and unforgettable look at grief and healing.