There's no denying that this was a very moving and poignant story. Arnold's writing was beautiful and packed with emotions. I loved the idea of these two souls bound together throughout time and finding each other no matter what. Arnold addresses heavy topics like grief, loneliness, and illness in a very poetic way. There were many passages and quotes I highlighted because Arnold perfectly summed up a feeling I've had before. As for the actual plot, I liked it but found it a little too slow. It took a while for us to learn the connection between Shosh and Evan, which made it hard for me to immerse myself in the story. Despite that, I would still recommend it and think it'll be an impactful read for most.

“I love you in another life” is so good. The characters are realistic, they act and speak as teenagers. Love how it’s written. The story is very sweet and the concept is so unique. The song are unique and I appreciate them, as a songwriter. The voice it is written on is made for the story(the author is a genius. Wish I saw more books like this. Congratulations to the author on this YA book! 5 out of 5.

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC for an honest review.

"While the premise of 'I Loved You in Another Life' was intriguing, I was left wanting more in terms of character development and storyline. The concept of people hearing music and following its instructions held promise, but unfortunately, it felt underexplored. The main group of friends was the focus, but the numerous subplots didn't receive enough attention, leaving the overall narrative feeling fragmented. Despite my difficulty in following the story, I persevered in the hopes that it would improve. Regrettably, it fell short of my expectations."

I know that many love David Arnold's work, but to me it is hit and miss. This one was a real hit for me! The writing style was perfectly suited to the characters, who felt very real. I especially appreciated the male/female friendship of the main characters, and the younger sibling. A book that I think many teens will relate to and enjoy. Can't wait to purchase it for my library.

I was unable to complete this book. The premise was very attention grabbing, making me WANT to read it but upon receiving it and reading, I found it was hard to get through. I read about the first 20% of the book but felt that nothing was happening and still it was hard to follow between the dual POV as well as the flashback to a prior life. It was also hard to feel much of anything for either character thus far, as it felt like the storytelling was most focused solely on one specific tragedy of each of their lives and not necessarily who they were beyond it or how they would come together in the present lifetime. The writing style of the author at times felt convoluted but also had moments of clear beauty which I did find to be a positive amongst the otherwise downtrodden feel of the text.

Evan Taft is a good guy--in every sense of the word. He tries to protect his younger brother and mom, he's willing to sacrifice his dreams, and he recognizes the good in those around him. Then toss spiraling, self-destructive Shosh Bell into his life, and Evan's good guy shine becomes even brighter. Shosh isn't a bad person, but she's definitely floundering. Luckily, Evan helps to ground her a bit.

The story is a realistic YA story. The characters talk and act like teenagers. They are flawed and kind of lost and kind of stuck and kind of dreaming as big as they can.....all simultaneously.

The weakest part for me was all the connecting stories; they just weren't necessary in the context of Evan & Shosh. However, I get it. It was something to make this story a little different.

Overall: 4 stars

I'll tell my students about: language, death, trauma, cancer, sex, alcohol

**Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin House Penguin Young Readers Group for the free ARC. All opinions expressed are my own.**

This is a beautiful story. This is a story about people finding their true love in an unusual manner. Certain people start to hear music in their heads, and when the lyrics become audible, it becomes clear to them that they need to follow instructions and subsequently meet up with other people hearing the same music.

The story concentrates on one main group of friends, but There are a number of other subplots, throughout the book, which are also very engaging

This book was ok. It was confusing because I’m not sure where the other lives come into play. I liked the Evan and Shosh characters. Didn’t realize this was a YA which could be why I struggled with it

Review: The writing was very enjoyable and beautiful, and parts of the story were as well, but the vast majority was haphazard and made me feel the same. I was unable to fall in love with the characters and that left me feeling alone while I read. I found the acknowledgements to have more emotions then the book.
Recommended For: Those who want a YA love story.

Do you ever get the feeling of dejavu? Do you ever feel like you’ve felt a certain way before? In the wake of her sister’s death Shosh struggles to go on. Evan’s little brother Will is is also having his own troubles day to day and Evan feels the need to be the man and take care of Will and their mom. Both Shosh and Evan keep hearing the same song over and over, at the oddest times…Until their paths cross.
Join them in their journey of past and present to see how their dejavu unfolds.

I was looking forward to reading this book based on the description. It had so much potential but felt like the characters weren’t fully developed, nor was the storyline . I ended up having such a hard time following it that it was not enjoyable. And I had a hard time finishing it.

This is a good book. Evan and Shosh are the two main characters in this book. These kids are faced with losses in their lives that bring them together under unlikely circumstances. This book travels you through time to multiple people with similar experiences. I was given an advanced reader copy by NetGalley and I am freely leaving my review.

Such a beautiful story. I really loved Arnold’s writing! I was a bit confused at some points in the beginning, but overall this was such a great read.

Thanks Penguin Group and NetGalley. I was excited about the premise of this and I wish I would have liked it more. I appreciated the author's creative writing and hope to read more from him in the future.

I had the joy of receiving an uncorrected proof of this book. I love books where the main characters find each other in every life and this book did that beautifully. I fell in love with the characters and especially the way the characters lived each other. Evan's all encompassing love for Will and the deep seated love Shosh has for Stevie and how those relationships fed into each other and affected the ways that Shosh and Evan began to love each other and everyone around them. The reason I ended up giving it 4 stars is because I wanted to spend more time with Shosh and Evan. They don't really start to spend time together until about halfway through the book. Otherwise I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I liked how in the other lives the names always started with an S and an E, to help you as the reader understand the patterns of them as people. Overall I would say this was a magical read and I can't wait for it to reach audiences.

Unsurprisingly, this book broke me a little bit. It’s lyrical, poetic, and heartbreakingly beautiful. Following two teenagers dealing with their own versions of loss. Evan and Taft couldn’t be more different until they both start to hear a song that no one else can. While also following our two main characters, the book is also full of little vignettes about love across time, which was my favorite component of the story. At its core, I Loved You in Another Life is about how sometimes two souls are just *meant* to be together, no matter the circumstances. There were some parts of the book that I didn’t love (TW: alcoholism) and that I wished were addressed in a more transparent way. Surprisingly, the main romance was not what stood out to me about this book! As I mentioned earlier, the little vignettes stole the story for me. They were all unique and heartwrenching in their own way, and it was so special seeing the same themes occur throughout time. Overall, this is the perfect winter read to curl up under a blanket with a cup of hot cocoa. It’s a pretty quick read, but be prepared to shed some tears!

I loved the idea of this book and was really excited to read it. However, it was confusing and hard to follow. I didn't care about the main characters and they were very one-dimensional.

The only things that stick out after reading were two of the names. One is Shosh, who is one of the main characters. Shosh lost her sister STEVIE BELL. Yeah. You read that right. I just think it was a very poor choice for a character name, considering there is an entire YA mystery series out with a main character named Stevie Bell. I found this to be very distracting while I was reading.

Absolutely fantastic plot! Could not put the book down once I began reading it. Cannot wait for it to be released. I will recommend it to everyone I know!

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in return for an honest review.

In this book we follow two perspectives: Evan, a senior in high school who wants to go to Alaska after graduation for a wilderness study program, and Shosh, a 19 year old aspiring actress who is drowning in grief with the unexpected death of her older sister due to a drunk driver. We see how they both navigate life while dealing with their own challenges and each have their own "coming of age" story. Interspersed throughout the book are love stories of couples dating back to the 1700s and then forward into the 3000s that somewhat parallel Evan and Shosh.

I liked the writing style in this book. Not overly flowery, not too sparse and direct, but just right in between. There are some beautiful quotes about love, grief, family, and connection. Evan's younger brother is sweet and endearing, and his obsession with ET brings a nostalgic element I appreciated (what a great movie!), And Shosh and her sister loving the Frog and Toad stories also being a comfort/nostalgic element. Great characters, good scenes, interesting story.

However, I think some of the elements of these souls have continued to find each other across lifetimes may have been lost a touch on me in how they were executed. I wanted to love that part, but...it didn't feel fully formed. I did like this book and I'm glad I've read it, and I would recommend it. 3 starts for being a solid book.

Trigger warnings for sibling death, cancer in a parent, parent abandoning child, potentially autism representation

This book fearlessly tackled numerous important themes head-on, delving into the depths of mental health, relationships, family dynamics, sibling bonds, physical well-being, mortality, loss, divorce, grief, friendship, love, support, self-care, alcoholism, passion, art, music, and the essence of beauty. What made it even more enchanting and easier to navigate was the sprinkle of magical realism throughout, offering glimpses into the intertwined lives of two souls finding each other across multiple lifetimes. It was a tale that exuded magic, hope, beauty, heartbreak, and authenticity all at once.

While the book was remarkable in many ways, there were a couple of aspects that, if improved, could have elevated it to perfection. One area that stood out was the pacing of the main storyline, which felt a tad slow or overly protracted at times. Perhaps condensing Evan and Shosh's individual narratives slightly would have streamlined the overall flow, preventing it from feeling drawn out unnecessarily.

Additionally, the only complaint I have pertains to the language used in the book. If it weren't for the presence of curse words, I would wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone, especially young readers. However, recognizing that individuals have different levels of comfort with explicit language, it becomes a hindrance when considering a wider audience. If it weren't for this concern, I would unhesitatingly give it a five-star rating and eagerly share it with everyone I know. Nevertheless, it's worth noting that some more sensitive readers may find certain parts too much to handle.

Despite these minor flaws, I wholeheartedly adored immersing myself in the world crafted by the author and surrendering to the power of his words. It became my reality for a little while, granting me a temporary escape into a realm of wonder. As a result, I'm now eagerly setting out to devour every other work that David Arnold has to offer, anticipating more captivating and thought-provoking experiences.