I want to preface this review by admitting that I have a dramaful relationship with my mother. This book hit home with me. I loved seeing the characters growth throughout the story. The author has done a wonderful job with the characters, the plot, and the dialogue.

I absolutely loved this book. It is so well written and so engaging. I love how healing and forgiveness is addressed, and how relationships grow. It was very believable when it came to the relationships between sisters. I love how Avery is able to come to terms with her past, and grow as a person. Her life is messy and complicated, but she is like so many of us in that she’s afraid to move on, and afraid to lose what she’s built. I really, really loved this book and considered it one of the best books I’ve read this year.

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher, and to the author for this arc in exchange for my honest review.

When Jude proposes to Avery she doesn't know what to say. She loves Jude but is afraid. This novel was my introduction to Weinstein, and I have begun to add her previous works onto my wishlist. This story focuses on female relationships, dealing with issues of love, loss, grief and all the emotions involved with being a step parent. There was a great balance of heartbreaking and heartwarming moments and you'll find yourself wanting to read one more chapter.

When We Let Go is a story of family, forgiveness and self acceptance.

Avery Beckett has experienced a horrible tragedy in her life. She has tried to move on but her past and her guilt will not allow her to accept happiness into her life.

It is also a story of family and personal relationships. It shows us how one person's tragedy can spread over other family members.

It is interesting to watch how everything evolves. There is a twist near the end that I was pretty sure I saw coming. But, the predictability did not affect the flow of the story.

I really enjoyed the “life on the farm” aspect of the story. It was unexpected.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance readers copy of the book.

Thank you NetGalley for the chance to read and review this book!

I made it around 60% through until I absolutely gave up! I just couldn’t stand the main character or Elle or any of them tbh, except willow who I think deserved so much better!

That being said, Weinstein writes well, it’s just these characters were not for me. I’d try another book by her even if can’t finish this one.

A wonderfully written book full of emotion and strong female characters who are deep and well developed. The emotions in this story are complex, yet the subject matter is dealt with in a realistic way. Definitely worth a read.

I became a fan of Rochelle Weinstein after reading one of her books and I was so glad for the chance to read When We Let Go.
What a great story! It gave me all the feels. I got teary-eyed and there were moments were I just got sentimental. The title fits this story. I think so many are going to enjoy this feel good read. I love love how we see a mature character and a teen character - their similarities and their tug of war. Such a good read and I can't wait to read more of her books! Another five star read.

This was unlike any book I've ever read. It truly spanned across multiple genres in a flawless way. A compelling read. I truly enjoyed this one!

EXQUISITE!

Master storyteller Rochelle Weinstein is at her finest with her latest novel, WHEN WE LET GO —from the stunning Vizcaya Museum & Gardens estate in Miami, FL, to the breathtaking idyllic family mountain farm in Crystal Spring, NC. A poignant story of grief, forgiveness, love, and second chances.

"It's never too late to forgive the mistakes of the past."

Avery Beckett receives a romantic marriage proposal. A built-in family - Jude, (widower) and his kids, Henry, Milo, and big sister, Elle. She can't. As much as she loves this man, she cannot commit. His offer and family come on the same date she lost both. It cannot happen again.

How can she tell him about her past? The hidden parts. Her secrets. Her shame. The fire, her child, Quinn, and Oliver.

Avery is then called home to North Carolina due to her dad's illness. A place she never wanted to return to. A place where it happened. Not only does she have to face her demons and tormented past, but she also has to deal with her estranged sister, Willow. After their mother died at a young age her sister was like her mother. But things happened.

On top of this, the problematic spoiled and rebellious sixteen-year-old Elle is hiding in her back seat and now she is along for the trip too. Let the adventure begin! I think I would have dropped her off at the little airport in Melbourne. 😎

Avery thought she was capable of erasing the past, guilt, and regrets, but now she is here and she has to face every emotion. She must let go of the pain to begin to live again.

However, amid the crisis, Avery and Elle bond, and the walls start breaking down. Elle begins filling the void and Avery, Willow, and Elle are learning from one another in ways they never thought possible.

Heartfelt, emotional, and beautifully rendered, a compelling awe-inspiring tale of family and the ties that bind, mothers/daughters—from loss, to hope, healing, and new beginnings.

I am a huge fan of the author and have read all her books and this of course is one of my favorites! I too have the NC/S FL connection and it was so much fun revisiting Blowing Rock and The Prayer Tree (and the new Dreaming Tree). I also enjoyed the fun and banter between Elle and Avery. The lyrical prose and beautiful metaphors of flowers, trees, gardens, and life are dazzling.

"Endings bring forth new beginnings, and letting go means you're alive."

If you have not read this author, get started! Highly recommend all her books. She has a talent for drawing you in immediately and hooks you from page one to the end. For fans of Colleen Hoover, Jodi Picoult, and Nicholas Sparks. An ideal choice for book clubs and further discussions. I cannot wait to see what comes next! Top Books of 2022.

Thank you to @getredpr #lakeunionpublishing #amazonpublishing for the stunning print signed copy and @NetGalley for a digital copy to read, enjoy, and review.

Blog Review:
www.JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 💙💙💙💙💙 5/5 hearts
Pub Date: 5/17/22

#keepgoing #jdcmustreadbooks #romance #womensfiction #bookstagram #booksofig #bookblogger #may2022books #topbooks2022 #northcarolina #florida #rochelleweinstein #netgalley #bookclubpick #favauthors

Honestly, I was originally drawn into this book by the cover – what a pretty cover! Once I saw that is was a family drama, I was all in, and this book did not disappoint!

This is a beautifully written novel about loss, forgiveness and second chances. The characters are portrayed as flawed individuals dealing with pain and grief as they worked through their real-life problems - which helped me to connect with them on a deeper level.

This story though is also about compassion and understanding and what it means to get a second chance to make things right. Weinstein’s writing drew me in from the start and held my attention throughout. I became easily invested in the characters as they learned how to forgive and let go in order to find love again. If you appreciate a good family drama I would definitely recommend this book!

Thank you @NetGalley for this eARC! When We Let Go is currently available💕

When her life was just getting started, a tragic house fire took away the future that Avery had planned. Now, she’s wary of happy endings and too scared to take a chance on love. So when Jude, a widowed father and the love of her life, proposes, she’s freezes. Driving back to her childhood home in North Carolina to visit her sickly father, she’s discovers she has a surprise hitchhiker—Jude’s teenage daughter, Elle. No one is more surprised than Avery to find out that spiky and misunderstood Elle is exactly the kind of companion that she needs.

My thoughts 💭
I love family dramas, so for me the idea of the stepdaughter relationship and Avery reuniting with her was really compelling when I read the blurb. Plus, that cover is stunning! If you’re looking for a warm and cozy novel about love and second chances, this one is perfect—just as comforting as worn pjs and the Hallmark channel. The North Carolina setting was a serious Mood ✨

One thing I’ll say is that I wanted the characters to have a little bit more depth. For me, Elle felt more like a charactiture of a teenager than an actual 15 year old. She just wasn’t all that believable a lot of the time. I could see that Avery loved Jude in the way she thought about him, but I didn’t really feel connected to him or feel strongly about them as a couple because he didn’t appear much on page. I wish I could have seen more flashbacks to their time together.

Looking forward to more books by this author!

Ms. Weinstein has created a tough, emotional journey for two of her main characters. One who lost her mother at a young age and another struggling to come to grips with losing her family; their stories collide in a way that neither of them expect.

Their pain and hurt comes through the novel and you hope that they can move on but first they both have to confront their pasts and learn how to heal.

I really loved this tough, beautiful, challenging but hopeful story! The pain and the joy, and most of all, the hope against all hope, and the never giving up. I look very forward to reading more Rochelle Weinstein as books!P

A heartwarming novel about relationships, heartbreak, trauma, secrets, family & life lessons. There was so much to unpack in all of the characters & truly showed that a situation might not be what it seems from the outside. It shows the reader what it means to trust & grow from mistakes. It also highlighted the importance of mental health and being able to work through trauma.

I enjoyed reading this novel and the consistent character development, even though the plot was slightly predictable.

Thank you to NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book for an exchange of my honest review.

#FirstLine ~ Deep down I already know the truth.

Wow, this book has all the feels. I felt like the characters were connected to me and I wanted things to work out for them. This story was full of truth. The story was a heartwarming and honest look at the humility of people. An moving and memorable tale that is perfect for book clubs!!!

Rochelle Weinstein's latest release, When We Let Go, is a heartfelt novel where love, loss and renewal are central themes. Avery has left everything behind in Crystal, NC and starts a new life in Miami. For the last several years she remained closed off until she met widower Jude and his three children. Now, nearly two years after dating, Avery cannot accept his proposal-leaving Jude heartbroken and confused about the woman he thought he knew. Avery receives a call about her father and has to return to the place she swore she'd left behind. Unexpectedly, Jude's unpredictable teenage daughter is accompanying Avery for the long drive back-further complicating things. The ghosts of the past are brought to the forefront for Avery and she must confront them in order to move forward. Will she let go of the past for the sake of her future? This question and more are answered in When We Let Go.

The setting of the book largely takes place in the mountains of North Carolina and serves a colorful backdrop and character to the story. While there are certainly heartbreaking scenes with Avery's past they are well executed; at one point I became a little frustrated with Avery over her actions but a bit of a twist is revealed that shines a light on the story that much more. I really enjoyed this novel!

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

Avery Beckett is proposed to by Jude, the man she loves, but before she can bring herself to say yes she has to reckon with her past and a secret that she has been keeping. Forced to return to her childhood home in North Carolina, Avery is accompanied by Elle, Jude’s daughter, and the trip provides a chance for them to bond and deal with the complex emotions inherent within their relationship.

Avery is difficult to engage with at first, but I warmed to her as information about the past was revealed and I began to understand her actions. I enjoyed her relationship with Elle and how this was dealt with in the narrative. Overall it was an enjoyable read, though the twist and ending were quite predictable. This book is about forgiveness and guilt, coming to terms with one’s past, and complicated relationships.

I really enjoyed reading this and thought the author did a wonderful job of showing the characters’ growth through love, loss, and acceptance.

Avery Beckett has just been proposed to by her boyfriend Jude Masters, but experiences from her past prevent her from accepting his proposal. She doesn’t feel worthy of a happy ending and is wary of accepting his children as her own. Avery and Jude agree to take a break and the timing couldn’t be more perfect because Avery’s father has landed himself in the hospital. While she is wary of returning to her childhood home and facing her family, she knows she must reconcile with her past in order to move forward with her life. But she wasn’t expecting to take this journey along with Jude’s daughter, Elle, who snuck in the backseat of Avery’s car.

Elle is still dealing with the loss of her mother and the current struggles of being a teenager. She has a chip on her shoulder and has no problem taking out her roller coaster of emotions on those around her. Elle and Avery come to an agreement, however, and little by little their walls begin to crumble and they begin to help one another heal.

Overall, I thought this was a great story, and it touched on a lot of issues that mothers and daughters, blood-related or not, deal with. I found a great deal of it to be relatable and I think a lot of other readers will too. Definitely recommending this book!

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4717652797

Whoa! What a ride. It was very fast-paced. The writing style kept me hooked and I didn't find myself losing any interest. I enjoyed getting to know each of the characters and how real the story felt. The author did a great job painting the setting, so it was easy for me to visualize the scene played out before me. I recommend giving this one a chance!

This was just okay. I loved all the relationships built through the novel, but I might just not be the target audience for it.