3.5 star read for me!

I really liked this book, but it also was different and that's making this review difficult to write! It was a major slow burn (the characters don't really interact until almost 2/3 through the book.

That being said, the characters are well developed, but they feel as though they were written for adults to read, not for the YA genre. They're very philosophical and the dialogue could be hard to follow as it's very back-and-forth.

I liked the quirks of the characters, and the friendships especially.

This one was a character-based novel so if you're looking for a really strong plot to follow, this may not be the book for you. It was very different from YA romances I've read recently and that made me keep picking this one up, because it was just so intriguing.

Thank you to Penguin Group and NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Synopsis

Evan Taft has plans. Take a gap year in Alaska, make sure his little brother and single mother are taken care of, and continue therapy to process his father's departure. But after his mom’s unexpected diagnosis, as Evan’s plans begin to fade, he hears something: a song no one else can hear, the voice of a mysterious singer . . .

Shosh Bell has dreams. A high school theater legend, she’s headed to performing arts college in LA, a star on the rise. But when a drunk driver takes her sister’s life, that star fades to black. All that remains is a void—and a soft voice singing in her ear . . .

Over it all, transcending time and space, a celestial bird brings strangers together: from an escaped murderer in 19th century Paris, to a Norwegian kosmonaut in low-earth orbit, something is happening that began long ago, and will long outlast Evan and Shosh. With lyrical prose and original songs (written and recorded by the author), I LOVED YOU IN ANOTHER LIFE explores the history of love, and how some souls are meant for each other—yesterday, today, forever.

This is my first-time reading David Arnold's work, and it will not be the last. This is a beautiful story that explores the enduring power of love and the interconnectedness of souls across time and space. I highly recommend this heartwarming book to those who believe in the power of love to transcend everything else.

I would like to thank Netgalley and Penguin Group Penguin Young Readers Group, and Viking Books for Young Readers for the opportunity to read this ahead of its publication date in return for my honest review.

This book evoked a myriad of complex emotions and stirred an emotional turmoil within me. I have always been drawn to the themes of endless love and the pursuit of one's soulmate across different timelines. The unfortunate nature of short-lived love stories has always fascinated me, and I was eager to delve deep into this philosophical plotline. The author's poetic and somewhat enigmatic storytelling style seemed to be a perfect fit for this unique fantasy world. However, I found myself not fully enjoying the overall execution of this original story. The pacing was slow, making it difficult to get immersed in the narrative from the beginning. The introduction of the main characters' storylines took longer than expected, leaving me feeling somewhat lost and requiring extra effort to find my place in the reading journey. It was a challenging experience that demanded considerable effort to connect with the characters and understand their different timelines.

This book completely surprised me and upended me in the best ways. I loved Shosh and Evan's characters--they felt like real people to me. The writing felt like a song--so lyrical, so packed with emotion, so much deeper meaning behind the words.

I lost track of how many times I had to pause and tell someone about the incredible way this novel made me feel with the insightful and deep writing that felt so refreshing and made me experience the world differently. The time slip was sometimes confusing, but I patiently read on, trusting this novel to reveal its secrets.

My favorite part of this novel is the family relationships. Love for others was the major theme I connected to while reading--love for family, friends, and sweet romantic love too. The brotherly bond between Will and Evan made my heart soar and Shosh's own loss made my heart break over and over. Alone together--Frog and Toad forever.

Maybe because I listened to this via audiobook, but it was really hard to follow for me. The back and forth was confusing and just didn't keep my interest.

Solid 4.5/5 for me. I can't fully explain all of the emotions I felt throughout Evan and Shosh's story written so poetically in this book. So many heartfelt moments of invisible strings and starcrossed love. Beautiful love not just between the two main characters but also in their families and friends through so many complex dark moments of life and learning to find the light on the other side. I highly recommend this heartwarming book for those who love to look for the glimmers of life.

I Loved You in Another Life by David Arnold is a well written and thought-provoking story.
I thought the story was interesting and honestly it kept my full attention throughout.
My first time reading David Arnold’s work and I’m slightly impressed.

I would like to thank NetGalley and Viking Books for Young Readers for the opportunity to read this ahead of its publication date in return for my honest review.

When people speak of true love, often they are referring to an unadulterated, perfect iteration of feeling between two people. But love is rarely as pristine as it appears in these imaginings, and more frequently than not it is messy and fragile. Shosh graduated last year, Evan is in his senior year of high school, and everything seems to be disintegrating around them. From sudden and inexplicable departures of beloved family members to unhealthy coping mechanisms, these two teens are managing more than their fair share of hardship. But when it becomes clear that their connection runs deeper than a simple attraction, they both discover how they can be anchors for one another even while weathering their own storms.

This lyrical young adult novel does not shy away from many complexities faced by young people. Anxiety and alcoholism are prevalent and frequently mentioned, and both Evan and Shosh are trying to find their way through the challenges that find them. Strong language is used with some frequency, and the characters are not the most positive examples of their ages. However, these inclusions make Evan and Shosh both accessible and relatable, and readers of all ages will find some connection with the characters regardless of their own personal life experiences.

Told from multiple perspectives, much of the book is recounted through the eyes of Evan and Shosh in the present day. Their voices are distinct, and this is made even more clear by the fact that Evan speaks in the first person while Shosh is presented in the third. Peppered throughout the novel are asides to moments from their shared experiences across the fabric of time and space, which enhances the fact that they have found one another in various lifetimes and loved each other in each instance. Heartfelt, honest, and sentimental, this is a rich tale for young adult and older readers, especially those who believe in the power of love to transcend everything else.

Book Name:
Author: David Arnold

ARC

Thank you to Netgalley and PENGUIN GROUP Penguin Young Readers Group, Viking Books for Young Readers for an ARC of I Loved You In Another Life by David Arnold

This is an unfair review as I DNF'd this book around 25% I did however skim everything after in an attempt to understand where this plot was going... which was nowhere I wanted to go and nothing like it was marketed.

I had to DNF this one because I expected a sweeping romance spanning lifetimes but instead found myself immersed in an exploration of grief and change by two gifted teens with way too preachy internal monologues. It felt like the author was trying too hard to emulate The Fault in Our Stars or The Perks of Being a Wallflower attempting to be witty and engaging with difficult and heady topics yet somehow falling into the realm of boredom. In the end, it left me perplexed, wondering how something could be both clever and unengaging; this book was a prime example of that paradox.

Overall I feel for the "romance" marketing of this book. This is not a romance this is an exploration of grief transitions and the immortal spirit with a romance subplot.

Gorgeous and lyrical and gut wrenching. Such a wonderful love story. Perfect for all teen collections!

An endless tale of love through time. Evan and Shosh’s souls are intertwined and bound to found each yesterday, today and tomorrow. The friendship between Evan, Ali and their friends. His unique little brother Will, his mother, and all the second characters in the story made the plot emotional, heartwarming and full of deep emotions. The love of a lifetime.

Thanks for the arc netgalley. Unfortunately this was a DNF for me, I really enjoyed the main characters of Shosh and Evan but as other characters began to get introduced I got confused and wasn't really connecting to the new characters. I also was getting confused by the change in tone and the first person/third person narrator.

A YA story
Emotional and lyrical
Emotion focused rather than plot focused.
Two broken souls on a journey of healing and on a path that is reuniting them again and again over time.
It's a coming of age story with slow burn romance and a slow building plot.
The Synopsis was very promising when I requested this book unfortunately, it was pretty complex, the writing style was confusing, and very slow paced.
I found myself bored and lost not understanding on which timeline we are now and what's happening.
20% in and I couldn't continue with it so I DNF it.
Thanks to @netgalley and the publisher for granting me an ARC of #IlovedYouInAnotherLife in exchange for my honest review.

This is a story about 2 young people who have a lot of loss and turmoil going on with their modern day lives. However, there is an undercurrent of prior lives and loves. The book is emotional.

I thought the book was slow moving and somewhat confusing. I was expecting a lighter story, especially for the target audience.

Short and Sweet Review
Evan has plans for his life after high school, he wants to take a gap year in Alaska and make sure that his mom and little brother will be okay. When his mom is diagnosed with cancer, Evan changes his plans, but he also starts to hear a song that no one else can hear.
Shosh is still grieving after the death of her sister and she’s become pretty reckless. Before her sister’s death, Shosh was known as a theater legend and had plans to pursue her passion at a performing arts college in LA. Oddly enough Shosh can also hear mysterious singing in her ear.
I’ll start off by saying this is an interesting book. I love that our characters are each going through something, Evan is dealing with how his father left the family and started a new one, and also the thought of his mom having cancer and no one being there to care for her and his younger brother Will. All of these things really weigh on Evan, he was someone who thought he needed to be in the place of a parent when he was really someone who needed more of his parents. Shosh on the other hand is still grieving the loss of her sister and has taken to drinking and going out at odd times of the night. I will say I enjoyed Evan more than Shosh, I understand that everyone grieves differently but she really needed to see or talk to someone… she drove someones car into a pool to make a statement. I thought he rebellious ways went too far and even those closest to her didn’t know what to do. We have both characters POVs and its interesting because they don’t really start to interact until maybe part 3 of the book. I think they really bond over what’s going on in their lives and also the fact that they’re both hearing the mysterious singing. I didn’t enjoy the parts where we go into the past, I’m guessing it was supposed to show Evan and Shosh in different timelines and how they’re soulmates but it didn’t work for me.
Overall, this book will take you on a rollercoaster of emotions, I did enjoy seeing how they both had big things going on in their lives and how they eventually had to stop and work through everything and realize that sometimes its okay to move on and ask for help. This book was well written and though I enjoyed most of it there were parts I didn’t.

While I completely understand, and was excited for, what this book was trying to do it fell short for me.

First I do want to say that while I didn't personally enjoy the writing style it really was beautifully written and I would read more from this author.

It, for me, was really muddled. It got really confusing to try and keep up with where everything was going and all the jumping around. I feel like those transitions could have been done in a much smoother way. I also didn't really feel emotionally invested in the characters which is really unfortunate because of what the book is about, I wanted to feel devastated for their short love and hopeful for them finding it again. Lastly the ending. It left me with a lot of questions and I personally like neat bows.

It was by no means at all a bad book. It was an overall enjoyable read I was just hoping for more than it gave.

"I Loved You in Another Life" by David Arnold is a beautifully crafted and thought-provoking novel that explores themes of love, destiny, and the timeless connections that bind souls across ages. Through its poignant storytelling and lyrical prose, the book takes readers on a journey through time and space, showcasing the enduring power of love.

The story centers around Evan Taft and Shosh Bell, two teenagers facing their own personal challenges and tragedies. Evan's plans for a gap year in Alaska and his responsibilities toward his family are upended by his mother's unexpected diagnosis. Shosh, a high school theater star with dreams of performing arts college in LA, is shattered by the loss of her sister in a tragic accident. These two characters, seemingly from different worlds, are connected by a mysterious and ethereal song that only they can hear.

David Arnold masterfully weaves together the narratives of Evan and Shosh, as well as those of characters from different time periods and places who share a similar connection through the celestial bird and its haunting song. The exploration of love and its transcendent nature across time and space adds depth and richness to the narrative.

One of the standout features of the book is the original songs, which were written and recorded by the author himself. These songs provide a unique and immersive element to the story, enhancing the emotional resonance of the characters and their experiences.

The characters in "I Loved You in Another Life" are well-drawn and relatable, each grappling with their own inner demons and searching for meaning and connection. Evan and Shosh's journey toward self-discovery and healing is both heart-wrenching and heartwarming.

While the book's concept is intriguing and its prose is lyrical, some readers may find that the pacing of the story varies, with moments of slow reflection and introspection interspersed with more action-driven sequences. Additionally, the nonlinear narrative and multiple perspectives may require readers to pay close attention to the shifts in time and character perspectives.

In conclusion, "I Loved You in Another Life" is a beautifully written and emotionally resonant novel that explores the enduring power of love and the interconnectedness of souls across time and space. David Arnold's storytelling is both lyrical and thought-provoking, making this book a compelling read for fans of contemporary fiction with a touch of the supernatural. If you enjoy stories that delve into the mysteries of love and destiny, this book is worth immersing yourself in.

Honestly, I ended up loving this book even though I went in with very little expectations! I was curious about the "lovers through time" concept, but it was executed pretty well. The flashback chapters, however, did feel too short/disconnected at times. But that might have been intentional, since I started to understand that change in pace ensured that these additional details/timelines did not detract from the main storyline.

Shosh and evan were interesting characters, but I mostly stayed for Evan's relationship with his younger brother (and his unwavering love for ET) and his mom. The writing shined the best in these smaller, intimate moments!

While reading I LOVED YOU IN ANOTHER LIFE, I could not for the life of me (lol) get "American Teenager" by Ethel Cain out of my head, but while looking at the lyrics, it truly is a song that sums up this story!

Before I begin this review, I want to thank Net Galley and PENGUIN GROUP Penguin Young Readers Group for allowing me to access I Loved You in Another Life before publication in exchange for an honest review. Check out this book on its release date of October 10th, 2023!

This story made me feel many emotions as I learned more about Shosh and Evan, their complexities, and their battles. Arnold did a great job of intertwining the stories of these complex characters and giving them their own voices. With that said, I think the story could have developed more, from the overall vibe of the teens in this book to the concept and plot. Also, despite labeling this story as romance, it lacked a bit in that department.

I really enjoyed the romance and liked the concept of two people finding each other over and over again through time and space. The book had an interesting outlook on life, and the characters were enjoyable to read and learn about. I will say that I was drawn out of the story because the settings and plot sometimes just fell flat.

Shosh and Evan are fun characters to follow along. They are going through their own problems, as teenagers typically do, but they also have traumas that each must work through. Evan's dad left, and his mom is battling cancer. Shosh's sister died in a drunk driving accident, and now she has to navigate a world without her. I felt for these characters and the emotions that they had. With that said, these characters didn't necessarily feel like teens. In many ways, they felt too cheesy or just someone's idea of what a teen acts like rather than how they actually are.

I liked the concept of the plot. It appears that, in many ways, the characters have crossed paths before in past lives and are destined to find each other again in this life. But even then, something about the plot was lacking. That isn't to say that it wasn't good or that the author didn't put much effort into it. It was evident that it was thought out and that there were enough details to keep the plot moving forward and make me want to read on. I just wish that the plot was more fleshed out and developed. It took about halfway through the book before the two leads started talking to one another. From then on, their romance seemed to move at a relatively fast pace. The story could have been more evenly spread out, and it would have been nice to see more of Shosh's and Evan's dynamics with one another, especially since this is supposed to be a romance book.

The book has multiple settings, and the author had an intriguing idea of introducing different nations and cultures throughout time to depict the different lives that Shosh and Evan have lived through. Yet, it didn't feel like I was reading about these cultures. It often felt as if I was still reading from the modern-day American perspective with little insight into the locations or periods that they were in.

Arnold does a fantastic job of writing his characters' thoughts and revealing their personalities, struggles, and victories throughout the story. Sometimes, the writing did feel a bit forced and cheesy, but overall, I still thought the author did a great job of writing between the different perspectives of Shosh and Evan.

Overall, this story didn't do it for me, but I would recommend it to anyone who loves YA, multiple perspectives, historical fiction, or magical realism.

I will be posting this to my website, The Bookish Editor, on November 10th.

story line is there and the concept is so beautiful. I am having a hard time to stay connected so I will be putting this one to the side and picking it up when I am ready. Still enjoyed the first half of the read.