The way this story was told was very unique. I was instantly intrigued by the parallel story. So each chapter has two chapters – one version showing what happened if Olivia survived, the other showing life without Olivia. I felt Kate’s emotions in this book. My heart hurt for her. And I liked how there were overlapping events between her two journeys. I don’t want to ruin the story for you, so I don’t want to explain more but this was a really good read. It didn’t take long before I was hooked! I liked seeing the growth of both versions of Kate and the relationships around her. She was relatable and real. I couldn’t put this book down! Be sure to grab your copy!

I’ve been reading (and loving) Rea Frey’s books for years now, so when I saw her latest, The Other Year on netgalley, I requested it immediately! Oh boy…Frey pulls on your heartstrings right off the bat, friends! You’ll suck in your breath, and put your hand over your heart by the end of the prologue. Tragedy strikes when a single mother and her daughter take a beach vacation. In an instant, the young girl is gleefully playing in the water. When the mother diverts her eyes for one second to check an incoming text message, she’s no longer in her line of vision when she looks up. Remember the late-nineties movie, starring Gwyneth Paltrow called Sliding Doors? The one where two scenarios take place? In one, she gets on the train, but in the other, she doesn’t? The format of this novel is just like that. In one timeline, the daughter resurfaces from the water. In the other, she sadly doesn’t. (So heartbreaking.) And don’t worry—the two timelines are super easy to keep track of—even via audio! So, it’s obvious that the one timeline is very, very sad to read, and possibly triggering for some. I must say that Frey absolutely nailed the delivery of this unique format, and handled the subjects of loss, grief, and healing with much care and tenderness.

READ THIS IF YOU ENJOY:

- Reflections on motherhood
- Mother/daughter relationships
- Parenting tweens
- Stories on loss, grief, and healing
- Unique formats
- Parallel timelines
- Character-driven novels
- Emotional reads

With that said, this book is definitely a tough read, and you’ll want to have tissues handy. It will move you, and maybe even destroy you a little bit. If emotional reads don’t scare you off, then I highly recommend this thought-provoking novel. The Other Year is available now, and it gets 4/5 stars from me!

This book explores grief and paths diverged. In one timeline, we follow Kate as she finds herself again after losing her daughter in a tragic accident. While the timeline that made me cry, this is also the timeline I enjoyed the most. Kate's grief and growth was painful but inspiring.

In the timeline where the accident is avoided, I found myself frustrated with some of the romantic situations. I was satisfied with how it turned out, but did consistently want Kate to find her voice and decide what she wanted.

Overall, I was invested in this story and enjoyed seeing the two timelines unwind.

Thank you to Netgalley and Harper Muse for the chance to ARC read this. All opinions are my own.

I was initially intrigued by the description that the author would tell Kate's story in two parallel lifelines. This was a hard read for me. Started off with a bang and I was feeling so many emotions. In one of the storylines, her daughter dies. Every parents nightmare. Definitely a trigger warning for someone who has.

As Kate moves through the grieving process over the next year, the story is written in a compelling and thought provoking way, challenging readers to wonder how they would traverse this path. In both storylines, Kate is forced to explore what brings her fulfillment, be it with her job or in a romantic relationship. There are so many insights into the many relationships we share in life as a lover, spouse, parent and child that the reader will contemplate long after the last page was read.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author/publisher through Netgalley. I was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Kate Baker loses her daughter in a drowning incident at the beach. This book shows us that life can change on a dime. Kate is torn between her ex husband and best friend Jason. Kate feels that she cannot go on living but goes to Georgia to a farm and her life changes immensely. At the end all works out and she is able to move on with life. As I read the book all I could think about was losing a child at the beach. This book will definitely pull at your heart strings.

Don't miss out on The Other Year. Its incredible. You'll find dual timelines and a mother/daughter story.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced digital copy.

I was fascinated by the premise of The Other Year and thought the initial setup was excellent (and the author's note at the beginning of the book rather than the typical end helped in this regard). I thought the writing was good throughout and appreciated the depiction of emotions in both timelines. I thought some of the characterization was a bit flat and one dimensional (particularly of the men) - would their reactions to Kate be so consistent and enduring? And though I, in general, loved the way the "external" aspects of the world remained consistent across both stories, the one glitch in that consistency (a work opportunity being delayed in one timeline and not in the other) troubled me a bit. All in all, I thought this was an interesting exploration of the randomness of life and of grief, and I think it would appeal to readers who are drawn to introspective novels about motherhood.

I must admit, I'm not one to delve into stories that tug at the heartstrings, but this one was a game-changer. I find myself at a loss for words, attempting to convey the impact it had on me. In a world where narratives often fall short of genuine emotion, this one stood out brilliantly.

From the very first word, I was hooked. The story's authenticity hit me like a tidal wave, reminding me of the profound moments that have shaped my own life. It's a stark reminder that a mere heartbeat can steer our existence in unforeseen directions, leaving us forever changed.

What truly sets this tale apart is its ability to make the abstract tangible. The writing skillfully weaves emotions into words, breathing life into characters that felt like old friends. I found myself holding my breath in their moments of pain and exulting in their triumphs as if they were my own.

But the magic doesn't stop at the written word. The audio accompaniment adds another layer of depth to the experience. It's like a symphony of emotions, enhancing the story's impact and leaving an indelible mark on your soul.

In a world filled with noise, this story cuts through it all and speaks to the very core of our shared human experience. It's a testament to the power of storytelling and its ability to heal, inspire, and connect us on a level that transcends the mundane.

If you're seeking a story that will move you, a narrative that will challenge your emotions and perceptions, look no further. This is not just a story; it's an awakening, a catharsis, and a beautiful reminder of the intricate threads that bind us all. Prepare to be transported, transformed, and ultimately grateful for the journey.

Kudos to the brilliant minds behind this masterpiece. Your work has left an indelible mark on my heart, and I'm certain it will do the same for all who embark on this remarkable journey.

"Not all great loves have to be romantic."

WOW. My mama heart. This book is heartbreaking yes, but it is so much more than a sad story.

We follow our Main Character Kate, and overworked single mom who takes her daughter on their family beach vacation. As soon as they get to the beach, her daughter Olivia goes for a swim. Kate decides not to, and in that moment her life is changed forever.

This story is told in two parallel timelines, the first timeline where her daughter never drowns, and the second timeline where her daughter does. While in timeline one, there is no grief explored there is an incredible amount of grief explored in the second timeline. It is truly an emotion read, but 100% worth it.

This is such a sad story, and as a mother it really makes you realize that one little thing can alter your whole world entirely, but I feel like it is something to really think about. This whole book is one big "what if" but it's beautiful to see how Kate grows and learns in both timelines.

I highly recommend this story to anyone who wants a gut punching emotional read.

Quick Takes:
- Emotionally Gut Punching
- Page Turner
- Navigating Greif
- Parallel Timelines
- "What If" Factor

Due to some content I wasn’t comfortable with, I DNFed the book at 18%. I will say that the story has a very interesting premise, and while I didn’t get too far into it, it was really interesting to read the “what if” timeline (if her daughter hadn’t drowned versus if she had). While this story wasn’t for me, I’d encourage potential readers to check out the reviews on Goodreads and see if this book might me up their alley :)

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for an eARC of The Other Year. A positive review was not required, only my honest opinion. All thoughts are expressly my own.

An amazing 5 star read that is about a mother and daughter that is told in two timelines. It demonstrates how life can change in the blink of an eye. I will sure be checking this author out for more of her works. I enjoy her writing style, and this was a nice change from the usual thrillers and horrors that I read. Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for a copy of this ARC

On The Other Year by Rea Frey is a wonderful book that I really enjoyed.
The story is about a woman who is away with her 9-year-old daughter and tragically her daughter drowns while she is on the phone with her ex.

The alternating stories is much of a time slip/time travel style which is perfectly executed.
One story line the daughter emerges from the water.
In the other story, the daughter never comes up from the water.

The story line encompasses a year after the incident on the beach.

This was a fantastic book with well written complex characters with a great story line.

Highly Recommend!

Whew, that was a gut wrenching read.

Major trigger warning: death of a child

Many of you know, I lost a child many years ago. Ryan was seven when he was killed in a car accident. I thought I could handle this book because it is told uniquely in two timelines. In the first timeline, single mom Kate and her nine-year-old daughter Olivia are at the beach starting a vacation. Kate looks down at a text on her phone and when she looks up, Olivia has disappeared. A minute or so later, she pops up and everything continues as normal. In the second timeline, Olivia doesn't resurface and she dies. We follow Kate through both timelines in a Sliding Doors type scenario, seeing how her life changes and stays the same in both time frames.

There is so much of the second timeline that was frankly too raw and painful for me to listen to. I listened to the audiobook narrated by Brittany Pressley and I'm in awe of how she was able to portray such grief yet keep it together enough to narrate. Those first gut-wrenching weeks were very well written, but so difficult. Just when I would think it would be too difficult to bear one more second, the timeline would switch and it would be lighter.

One of the things that stood out to me was really fascinating. In the timeline where Olivia is alive, she and Kate fight, bicker, have issues and problems just like any mother and daughter do. Yet in the other timeline, Kate has a tendency to idealize their relationship, paint a picture in her head of how perfect and rosy everything was. I think that is always the tendency, but seeing it written out was intriguing.

Overall, this is a meaningful book about grief, guilt (in both timelines for different reasons) and about changing and growing in life in all circumstances. If you can handle the subject matter, this one is a winner.

The Other Year was published yesterday and it's a fascinating book told in parallel stories about how life can change in the blink of an eye.

Kate has just arrived at the beach with her 9-year-old daughter and is excited for the next two weeks. When Olivia vanishes under a wave, Kate's heart starts to drop until Olivia pops back up laughing. When Kate wanders what would she have done if Olivia didn't resurface it opens up questions. Told in parallel stories over the next year we see Kate's life - one in which Olivia lives and another if she died.

This was a beautiful book and I enjoyed reading it. It was thought-provoking and heartbreaking. I would recommend this book but if you have young children it might not be the book for you. I really liked the author's note at the end about writing this book that is very different from her previous book.

Enjoyed it. This wasn't my favorite book by the author, but it was still a good read. I started reading this not knowing the premise of the book. So when I got to the second chapter one, I was a little confused. Didn't I just read this? Now Olivia is dead? The book follows two paths. One where Olivia survives and one where she drowns. The book alternates between the two storylines. The epilogue left it open for the reader to decide which circumstance really happened, because it could have been either. Each lead Kate to the same place, but she took different paths to get there. I enjoyed the story and writing style, but really didn't love the characters. I hated how Kate thought she shouldn't have worked so much and wished she spent more time with Olivia. Yes, we all want to spend more time with our children, but you need to work to take care of them. The love triangle was a bit much with Kate, Michael and Jason. Just pick someone. It was easy to see how Michael manipulated situations. There was a reason they got divorced. At ten years old, Olivia already had the teenage attitude. I LOVED Serenbe. It sounded like such a beautiful place to live.

Definitely recommend the book. The story is emotional and deals with the loss of a child. It's hard to imagine having to go through such a tragedy. I hate to say it but I think I enjoyed the second timeline more. It sounds horrible and callous because that's the one where Olivia drowned. That storyline felt more real, especially with the interactions Kate had with people. Plus, there was no Michael/Jason/Kate romance triangle. Look forward to reading more books by the author.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Harper Muse through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

😭 "The message is Love your people. A tear-jerker with heart." The story is told in parallel timelines with two different outcomes. This one was hard to read. Warning: You will cry. The loss of a child was captured so deeply at times it became unbearable....right down to the mother's last goodbye and holding her cold hand as she laid on the autopsy table and prepared for her funeral.
Kate and her 9 year old daughter planned a two week vacation at the beach. While Olivia played in the water with warnings of dangerous currents, Kate looked away at her phone when she looked back she was gone. It was heart-wrenching as she and onlookers searched for her daughter. When her body resurfaced, it was too late.
Kate's grief was all too real as it rotated through the phases of grief, rage, and re-purposing her life.
Her ex-husband and Olivia's father, Michael, worked through the grief with guilt weighing heavy that he put his job first. One of her best friends above and beyond friend vibes was Jason, who had lost his wife to cancer and was raising his adoptive daughter by himself. I felt his friendship was one of a kind and sincere. He was one anyone would like to have by their side.
The parallel to this was Kate sees Olivia come up from the waves alive. Their mother-daughter relationship was strained with conflicts and Olivia was given the chance to live with her father.
Although second chances are far and few, you would like to think the latter is a better outcome than death, but it was hard to watch Kate and Olivia's bond tear away.
The author did a phenomenal job creating the second chance situation which comes back to the opening phrase "Love your people".
Thank you NetGalley and Harper Muse for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Thank-you to NetGalley, Harper Muse, and Rea Frey for the eARC.

First and foremost, I must admit this is not my type of book. I love a dual timeline and, admittedly, did not really read the description past that before requesting it. This is what I consider Mom Lit™️, the kind of book your mom, aunt, and all their friends all read in book club. And while there is nothing wrong with the genre, it's simply not for me. So take this review with a grain of salt and keep that in mind.

Now let's get into it.

Olivia sweetie I'm so sorry but I MUCH preferred the timeline where you did not make it out of the water LMAOOO I'M SORRY. I was just a LOT more interested in Kate's journey and her grieving process in that timeline as opposed to the other timeline, which was really just a long-winded game of "oooh, which guy is she gonna choose???," a plot device I'm just really not a fan of. (Also [REDACTED] was the absolute worst I cannot possibly describe how much I loathed him and every moment that made it seem as if she would be picking him made me want to throw my Kindle against a wall LMAOOO.)

Additionally, I just… didn't like Kate. I didn't like a lot of the characters, to be fair, but her being the MC and narrator made it impossible to escape her for even a moment, so that didn't help. While I completely agree that she owed nothing to anyone, she seems to have forgotten that others, also, didn't owe her anything. And the moments in which she got angry and lashed out at other characters (I'm thinking of one scene in particular) just made her highly unlikeable to me because, were the roles reversed, I'm sure I would've heard all about how she didn't owe anyone anything and she had to do what's best for her and blah blah blah. Which, again, VALID… but it applies to EVERYONE, not just her.

A final little nitpicky thing from me was the apparent use of what I like to call Google Spanish™️, which is when I read a book written by an author who does not speak Spanish and it's apparent, at least to me, that they just put what they wanted their characters to say through Google translate and rolled with it. There's a particularly obvious moment in this book where she calls Olivia "guisante dulce", which directly translates to "sweet pea," and I had to take a moment to just pause and let my brain do a lil' re-set. Terms of endearment in particular are so specific to each and every language/region/dialect/culture/etc. and, at least in MY personal experience, "sweet pea" is just not a term used in Mexican Spanish (which this was meant to be). ALSO, and IDK if this is Mexican Spanish in general or just in the region I come from, but we don't even SAY "guisante" for pea, we say "chícharo" (if you are also Mexican and disagree with me pls let me know this is always a point of interest for me LMAO). I'm sorry to have gone on this whole tangent over a throwaway line near the very end of the book that doesn't affect the plot whatsoever, but it BUGGED me LMAO.

ANYHOO, overall, I just don't think I'm the target audience for this. As someone who is not a mother and could therefore never relate to Kate and what she's going through. HOWEVER, I can definitely see how this book book could really resonate with others, so I would recommend they check it out if it's something that sounds like they'd enjoy.

This is a dual-reality book, in which one reality Kate Baker’s nine-year-old daughter, Olivia dies in a freak accident in the ocean, and in the other reality, she lives. The chapters alternate, showing Kate's life as she struggles to move on after Olivia's death, and in the other timeline Olivia & Kate start moving apart, the older Olivia gets. The chapters are not marked, other than the number of the chapter, so if you are not sitting there reading the entire book in one sitting, it takes a few sentences to get back in the groove of which timeline you are reading about. I just felt the subject was depressing, I couldn't connect with any of the characters and I really didn't care for the dual-reality theme. I really wanted to like this book. It has a lot of great reviews, so I feel like this is a case of "it's not you, it's me".

Many thanks to NetGalley and Harper Muse for gifting me both an audio and digital ARC of the latest novel by a favorite, Rea Frey and wonderfully narrated by Brittany Pressley - 5 stars

On a two-week beach vacation, single mom Kate Baker looks away for just a month and her young daughter, Olivia, vanishes among the waves. Kate's world is upended in a second. Then suddenly Olivia resurfaces, happy and fine. But what if she didn't come up? In that other world, Olivia doesn't resurface. Told in those two different timelines, Kate lives two very different lives - one with and without her daughter.

This is a beautifully-written, emotional story of love and motherhood and how life can turn on a dime. Every mother has had that instant heartbreaking feeling of having a child be there one minute and gone the next. In most cases, the child is just hiding, and you find them the next minute. The fear of the other timeline is always there. This book explores those two different timelines in such a unique and thought-provoking way. Highly recommended.

he reigning queen of mother/child stories, domestic suspense, and Book Doula, author Rea Frey (favorite) returns following The Secrets of Our House, Until I Find You, Because You're Mine, and Not Her Daughter, with THE OTHER YEAR —when a single moment changes the course of a mother's life told from two parallel timelines in this gripping thought-provoking tale proposing —how a single choice can drastically alter the trajectory of our lives.

What can happen in the blink of an eye will change your life.

Single mom Kate Baker is on a much-needed two-week vacation with her nine-year-old daughter, Olivia, at the beach. In a split second, Olivia disappears among the waves. Kate is devastated and is frantically searching for her daughter in the ocean. How will she live without her daughter?

However, she resurfaces, and Kate can breathe again. However, what if she had yet to come up? How could Kate live without her?

There are two worlds with two different outcomes: one where Olivia dies and one where she lives.

The author masterfully tells the story in two parallel timelines where Kate lives out each scenario. What would her life be like? She would be wracked with guilt, grief, and sadness if she lost her. She would cherish every moment of life and never take time for granted if she were alive and well.

In the alternate timeline, she has some choices with three different men. Ex-husband- Michael, best friend- Jason, or new farm guy- Ian, with a troubled past. Which man will she choose?

A beautiful, poignant, emotional story, classic Rea, she pulls grips the reader immediately and holds you until the satisfying conclusion!

A massive fan of the author, having read all her books, I adored THE OTHER LIFE. Highly creative, this story makes you think about time, actions, consequences, and how your life can change quickly. This heart-stirring account will make you appreciate your loved ones, cherish your time with them, and want to live life to the fullest.

SERENBE: I also loved this story for other reasons, as well. The beach is based in Florida, and the BEST: The Serenbe Farms setting is a place I have visited and loved in South Georgia (outside of Atlanta). The B&B is heavenly. I highly recommend it—a rare treat!

An Atlanta gal for many years before South Florida. If you have not visited there, please do so. It is amazing! I was delighted when I saw this in the book, and Rea does a great job portraying the community. Serenbe is a wellness community connected to nature on the outskirts of Atlanta—a neighborhood within the city limits of Chattahoochee Hills, Georgia, and an example of New Urbanism.

INTERVIEW: These spots she visited are the inspiration for the book. Rea goes into more detail about the settings in my upcoming #AuthorEleavtorSeries Q&A with Rea, where we go behind the book and the author!

A stunning portrayal of motherhood in all its beauty and heart-wrenching despair. Captivating. Absorbing. Compelling. Thought-provoking! With well written-characters infused with emotion, have some tissues handy. A provocative story of a mother's love—from love, loss, grief, forgiveness, and second chances. For fans of Jodi Picoult, Diane Chamberlain, Sally Hepworth, and upcoming Kit Frick's The Split: A Novel (Feb 13, 2024). Also movie fans of Sliding Doors.

Stay tuned for Rea Frey's upcoming thriller, Don't Forget Me, coming on Jan 9, 2024!

Thanks to HarperMuse for a gifted ARC via NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion. I also look forward to the audiobook narrated by a favorite, Brittany Pressley!

Blog Review posted @
JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 5 Stars
Pub Date: Aug 15, 2023
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