I enjoyed this. I can best describe the characters using Gabriel Macht comparisons: Imagine if Gabriel's character in Suits (Harvey Specter) meets Gabriel's character in Because I Said So (Johnny) and you'll understand the two characters. I wish more had been done to develop their relationship before the accident, but it was a sweet and quick read.

Claire and Matias seem ill suited to one another. She is an attorney, desperate to make partner in her cut-throat Manhattan law firm. He is an artist from Spain. When she realizes he is about to propose on a planned visit to Spain, she is relieved that work obligations force her to cancel the trip. But then tragedy strikes--Matias and his childhood friends are in a boating accident. Two of them are killed; the other three, including Matias, are gravely injured. Claire flees New York to be at Matias's bedside. She soon realizes the only way to save Matias is to make his soul--detached from his body and roaming Madrid--fall in love with her again. The only problem (other than the facts he doesn't have a body and everyone, especially his family, thinks she's mad) is he has no memory of knowing her.

This is a unique romance with an almost believable premise. The settings are perfect and despite the serious subject matter, it's not a tearjerker. #OneYearAgoinSpain #NetGalley

When Claire, a high powered lawyer, meets Mattias, an artist, they’re instantly attracted to each other and end up in a long term relationship. On a trip home to Spain, Mattias is badly injured and Claire rushes to his side. She’s shocked then when she meets Mattias on the street in Madrid, she just saw him in a the hospital in a coma! After some research, Claire realizes that she’s meeting Mattias’ soul. It’s her responsibility to make sure he understands he’s been injured so his wandering soul can reunite with his body and come out of his coma.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley, I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I thought that this book was incredible! Once I got 8% in, I did not want to put it down. I felt very invested in Claire and MatÍas' journeys throughout the novel, so I enjoyed seeing them fall in love.

It is set in a dual timeline in which the events occurring in the present are paired with chapters with significant memories from the couple's love story. The present timeline follows the characters as they grapple with the consequences of a horrific accident. It was heartwrenching seeing Claire and MatÍas struggle with their battles throughout the book, but it was amazing seeing them grow together.

I think this is a book that fans of Rebecca Serle and Ashley Poston would enjoy this magical realism novel which explores the importance of being vulnerable and making every day count.

One Year Ago in Spain
By: Evelyn Skye
Review Score: 5 Stars

Boogie’s Bulletpoints
•I love how we meet Claire and the series of events that leads her to Matías.

•The multiple points of view really add to the depth of the story.

•I love the descriptions of Madrid!

•I laughed, I cried, I felt all the feelings while I read this book.

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One Year Ago in Spain was kindly provided as an ARC by NetGalley and Random House Ballantine. Thank you for allowing me to enjoy this wonderful book!

Release Date: Out Now!

Wow. Just when I think that Skye's "The Hundred Loves of Juliet" was my favorite book by her, along comes One Year Ago in Spain.

There are so many layers to this story, from love and loss, life and death, family dynamics, and compatibility in relationships, I was fully immersed in this book!

I really love the idea of truly learning the soul of a person, and how important that is in a relationship. I really felt every emotion while reading this book.

All the stars. All of them. Read this book!

If you liked The Dead Romantics, you will love this! An incredible story about love and focusing on what matters most in life. The writing was beautiful and I loved Claire’s character arc.

Thank you NetGalley and Del Rey for an eARC in exchange for my honest review.

*I received a copy of this book on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for this opportunity*

When the strait-laced, no-nonsense Claire Walker is unexpectedly swept off her feet by a romantic and passionate artist, Matías de León, the couple fall into a whirlwind romance. Within a year, they've become utterly devoted to one another... until Claire starts to question why Matías-- who is handsome, funny, charismatic, and chaotic-- would ever love her, his exact opposite. After a horrible accident that leaves Matías comatose in his home country of Spain, Claire is forced to face what life without him would be like. Until a chance encounter with him on the streets (while his body is still unresponsive at the local hospital) may give her a chance to set everything right.

This book was funny and sweet and so sincere. I loved Matías' love for Claire, and the author's wonderful descriptions of art, food, and the Spanish culture. The concept was original and intriguing, and I think certain ideas were pulled off successfully (i.e. the magical realism v. realist character). However, my biggest complaints are the lack of upfront romance development (the vast majority of the book takes place one year after their initial meeting and their relationship is already well established, with a few flashback chapters thrown in) and the multiple POVs. Many of the chapters were one-offs from supporting characters, which provided unique outsider perception of the situation, but didn't add to the story much.

Overall, ONE YEAR AGO IN SPAIN was fun and refreshing-- not a book to be taken seriously, but enjoyed as a palette cleanser with a good sangria.

*2.5 rounded up to 3* Possible Spoilers ahead!

The premise: Woman (Claire) has to get the lost soul of her boyfriend (Matias) to love her again and get him back to his body after a terrible accident.

I really thought this book had potential. I love some magical realism, but this one fell a little flat to me. I thought the extra POVs from side characters were a little out of place and kind of removed me from the story. I loved reading from Matias’ POV the most. His love for Claire really made me want to keep reading until the end. Claire had a pretty good character arc but at times her POV was a hard read. Overall, I saw the potential, but some elements didn’t live up to the potential.

Thank you to NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Anytime I come across a book set in Spain, I instantly want to read it. That’s what first captured my interest in One Year Ago in Spain, but its premise was what sealed the deal. Claire is a Type-A lawyer in a new relationship with Matías, a chaotic but loving painter from Madrid. But after nearly a year together, Claire worries that they’re too different to last, and when she finds an engagement ring in his sock drawer, she panics. She bails on a trip to Spain with him, during which he planned to propose. But while he’s back home, he suffers a horrible accident and is in a coma, and Claire rushes to Madrid to be near him. That’s when she starts seeing his… ghost? Soul? Astral projection? And this version of him is from one year earlier, just prior to when he met Claire. Even so, his soul is connected to her. Somehow, it’s up to Claire to save Matías.

Unlike most romances, One Year Ago in Spain isn’t about a couple getting together for the first time, or even finding a second chance at love. Well, maybe it is a bit of a second chance, but with a twist: Claire was pulling away in the relationship, but when it’s life or death, she must find her way back to Matías in order to save him. She has to make him fall in love with her all over again, and in the process, maybe she’ll fall back in love with him, too. This book gets into a lot of Claire’s insecurities and why she wasn’t opening up to Matías in the first place. I loved watching this couple regain their love for each other despite—or because of—the suddenly fragile state of their relationship.

Claire is super particular about things and very ambitious in her career. Her many rules may rub some people the wrong way, and given how completely the opposite Matías is, it stands to reason that he might get tired of her. Claire can be a lot, but I admit that I agreed with many of her rules around cleanliness. (No shoes in the house! No suitcases on the bed!) Claire is also a workaholic and not giving all of herself to Matías. For his part, Matías is sometimes portrayed as almost too perfect. As messy and scatterbrained as he is, he seems to always be on board with whatever Claire says. And he’s so generous and romantic. Does he have any flaws? Yes, but surely nothing he and Claire can’t work out.

I really enjoyed watching Claire and Matías’s soul go on dates around Madrid. Despite him doing so much of the heavy lifting in their real relationship, this time around, Claire has to work to earn his love. It’s great to see her being more generous with herself and gaining new perspective on Matías and their relationship.

Throughout One Year Ago in Spain, we also get occasional glimpses into who Matías really is with chapters from his siblings and parents. They round out his character and give the book a more open feeling.

Another thing I liked in this book was Claire’s efforts to (finally) learn Spanish. There’s a good amount of Spanish words and phrases used throughout this book, always with the English translation immediately after. I understand Spanish very well (I lived in Spain for a year, and my husband is Peruvian), but no need to worry that you’ll miss something if you don’t speak the language! This book also offers some insight into Spanish culture, from their later meal times to their commitment to valuing life over work. All true, and some things that those of us in the United States could learn from.

One Year Ago in Spain is a fanciful and enchanting novel about finding what really matters in life, from falling back in love with your partner to making positive changes for yourself. I loved this novel and now I really want to go back to Spain! At the very least I need to read more books set there. I also look forward to reading more from Evelyn Skye, starting with The Hundred Loves of Juliet.

What a beautiful love story. The meet cute was spot on. Nice reflection on families and the unfair pressures women still face today.

Claire has always had her life in perfect order, yet the one thing she can not seem to find is a perfect love to complete it, until fate pushes Matías de León into her path. Matías is a Spanish artist who is everything that Claire is not: free-spirited and creative, chaos to her order. She falls for him, hard—and he for her. Then tragedy strikes while Matías is visiting family, leaving him gravely wounded.

You can always expect whimsical/alternate reality kinda plots from Evelyn. This, too, was one such.

Claire & Matìas couldn't be more different, but they love each other completely and utterly. So when Claire rushes to be at Matìas's side, she realizes that she can now see & talk to his soul detached from his comatose body. And she does everything to make him fall in love with her again.

I really enjoyed both Claire & Matìas' povs how their relationship progressed. But there were some other povs of Matías' family that didn't make any sense.
Although this focused more on how Claire realizes that life is so much more than her job, I wished we had more scenes of her & Matías together, especially in the past.

<i>Thank you Netgalley and publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.<i>

This was such a sweet, heart-tugging novel. Evelyn Skye always writes straight to my soul and this was no different than what I have come to expect from her.

The premise of this book is so sweet and good: Claire is a high-powered lawyer who lives an organized and ambitious life, and is taken by surprise by her whirlwind romance with a Spanish artist named Matias. They are the epitome of opposites attract. I loved how romantic Matias is (he goes against a lot of the stereotypes of unfeeling men), and I enjoyed the long passages in this book about art and painting. The tension in this book comes from the fact that Matias gets in a serious boating injury and is in a coma. Claire comes across his soul, and has to convince it to fall in love with her so that Matias can come back to the land of the living. Meanwhile, she is also realizing how much about Matias she took for granted when he was healthy and with her pre accident.

What was slightly distracting is that the chapters are written from different points of view--if it were just Claire and Matias, I could have gone with it, but you also see from points of view of other family members. And from different timelines. It's a lot of go back and forth like that when you are so invested in whether or not this couple is going to make it. I just wanted to follow their love story more. Still, overall, it was an entertaining read because the idea was so original.

Thank you NetGalley for the digital ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I was very excited to read One Year Ago In Spain after reading the blurb, it was giving Ashley Poston's magical realism vibes. Unfortunately it was nothing like what I imagined it to be and it fell short which is why I'm rating it a 3 star.

Claire has her life together and in order, the only thing missing is true love. Until she meets Matias, a Spanish artist that's the complete opposite of her. A year later Claire begins to question everything about their relationship because of their differences and then tragedy strikes. An accident leaves Matias in the hospital and only Claire can see and speak to his soul.

I love dual POV in a romance book, when it's from the FMC & MMC. This book gave multiple POV's from different family members that really could have been left out. For me there was a lack of emotional connection to the characters and their romance. The premise was good but the execution could have been better overall. What I did love is the fact that it made me want to visit Spain with the descriptions of the food and art. One of the many reasons why reading is so incredible is that you can feel transported to another time and place.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group – Ballantine for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

With ONE YEAR AGO IN SPAIN, Evelyn Skye once again shares a gripping, beautifully told story of tightly wound and controlling Claire falls in love with entrancing, artistic Matias. Through strange turns of fate, Claire must woo Matias' soul back to his body -- an ultimate in second chance romance. Setting aside my skepticism, I rooted for Claire to rouse her own inner artist and find a way to regain the life and love she just discovered with a man she cannot live without. This was a gratifying, engaging read that called to me "Just one more page" until I finished it. A wonderfully written and well-paced story! I received a copy of this book and these opinions are my own, unbiased thoughts.

This was a lovely story. Claire meets Matias and they hit it off. Until he’s in a tragic accident in Spain where he is from and she flies there to be by his side, but Matias has no recollection of their love.

Evelyn Skye just has a way with 5 ⭐️ romances 😭 this book is a unique and swoon worthy combo of The Dead Romantics and One Italian Summer. Yet, I have rated this higher than both of those!!

Claire is anal, type A, and a big New York corporate lawyer. Matias is chaos and beauty who creates the most amazing pieces. The two couldn’t be more different, yet their love is full of passion and is effortless and just what each other needed (even if they may not know it).

Matias returns home to Spain to spend time with family when he is involved in a horrific boating accident. Two of his friends died while Matias and two other friends are in a coma. Claire abandons her job immediately to be by his side. Claire was not prepared for what she saw. She definitely wasn’t prepared to have the weight of Matias’ survival on her shoulders. His soul is adrift and seeking Claire. It is up to her to convince his soul to return to Earth so that he can reunite with her, and all of those he loves.

This whole book was a rollercoaster 😭 Claire is trying her best to open herself up, while Matias is trying to tame the chaos in order to make things amazing for one another.

I was frustrated that they couldn’t see they both just wanted to see the other happy.

I was attempting to keep my heart from bursting at the seams at the ways they love one another

I was proud of them for going outside their comfort zones

I was in tears for the situation they are trying to navigate

Relationships are HARD. Evelyn Skye formed beautiful characters who show the work and sacrifice it takes to be together, and the lengths people will go to make it happen. Please. Please. PLEASE read this book!

Thank you to Evelyn and Net Galley for the opportunity to review 🩷

I first read The Hundred Loves of Juliet by Evelyn Skye and loved it, so I was excited to read One Year Ago in Spain.

Claire Walker is a workaholic corporate lawyer, she does not really have time for a relationship, but desperately wants one anyway. Then she meets Matias a Spanish artist, they quickly fall in love. Fast forward to 11 months later and Claire is getting cold feet. She is very regimented, Matias is carefree, Claire is on the fast track to partner and is unsure if she can continue with her relationship. Claire is scheduled to visit Spain with Matias to meet his family, but she is up to her eyeballs in a merger. She begs off from the trip and while helping Matias pack she discovers an engagement ring in his drawer. She is unsure if she is ready to take the next step. Then she receives a phone call from Spain, Matias and his friends were in a boating accident, some of them are dead and Matias is in critical condition and a coma. Claire races to his bedside, there she meets his overwhelming close knit family and she realizes the last thing she wants is to lose Matias. Then she starts seeing Matias whole and alive, but he has no idea who she is. Can she make him fall in love with her again? Is she hallucinating? Will she ever get her happily ever after?

I really enjoyed the story, I look forward to Ms; Skye’s next novel.

Thanks to Netgalley , the publisher Random House- Ballantine and the author for the chance to review this ARC

Happy Pub Day to One Year Ago in Spain!

Claire lives her life very detailed and organized. She’s a successful attorney in Manhattan, but her dating life has been on the back burner. The moment she meets Spanish artist, Matias de Leon, at his art exhibits opening party, she knew he was special.
After almost a year of dating, Matias was ready to bring Claire home to his family in Spain, and propose to her. But Claire had something important come up with work, and cancelled her trip to Spain.
Matias ended up going on a guys trip with his friends instead, where he suffered from a speedboat accident and is now in a coma fighting for his life.

Matias once kissed Claire’s palm, and told her if she is ever missing him, to just kiss her palm and imagine he is right there with her. Saddened with feelings of grief, Claire kisses her palm. When she did, there was a strange flash of light, and for a minute Matias was standing right in front of her. Did he die? Was she seeing his ghost?
Claire later realizes she is the only one who is able to see and speak to his soul. But Matias has no memory of who she is or their relationship, because his soul is stuck in time one year ago, before he ever met Claire. In order to save Matias and bring him back to his body, Claire must convince Matias to fall in love with her all over again.

This was a sweet and unique read! Reminded me of an Ashley Poston book, and the movie The Vow 🤍
It is easy to fall in love with Matias! He is such a romantic and his family means everything to him.
The setting of Spain was perfect as Claire and Matias’ soul explore Madrid and fall in love all over again.
This story is written in multiple POVs, and different timelines.

Thank you @netgalley and @penguinrandomhouse for this early copy!

This book was a miss for me. I think readers who enjoy magical realism and a lighter read, will like this book. But, for me, it read like an Ashley Poston novel without the emotional punch and the key brand of believability that is essential even to (perhaps especially to) fantasy or magical realism reads.

Claire was relatable – to me and to a lot of readers, I'd guess: a workaholic cynic who, despite her doubts about great love, would rather be single than settle for less.

That said, I suspect most avid romance readers will be left wanting a lot more in terms of relationship development and the pacing of their love story. To start, Claire and Matias’ meet-cute was textbook insta-love, which made it hard to buy into anything that followed (and this was Chapter 1!). If there's one thing I've learned on Bookstagram, is how little patience most readers have for insta-love.

I can appreciate that Skye was bending the rules of time and space with this narrative—which, as a framework, had a LOT of potential given the subject matter. But isn't that all the more reason to ensure readers are invested in this couple early on (especially since you’re also asking us to step into a grief-filled traumatic accident space next)?

And again (very early in the narrative) we learn that Claire loves Matias, but not a sentence later, she claims to not see a future with him. We don’t see the struggle of their future together—nor do we see the love they share and life they've built—both of which would have made Claire’s realization heart-wrenching/relatable and the key conflict it was set up to be. Both of which would make us root for these two. THAT guy (the one the FMC doesn't see a future with, who we barely know as a reader) is typically the guy in the romance novel the FMC breaks up with right before meeting the man of her dreams, right?

Again, this detail had a lot of potential to defy the stereotypes of romance novels – but without developing their love story early on, it just left me confused.

I'm incredibly grateful for the opportunity to read an ARC from Del Ray. This imprint has so many incredible releases coming up, and I hope this one finds its audience.