Member Reviews
I have loved all of Rea Frey's books that I have read and this was no exception. I love how she can make parallel stories comes to life. My mom has read some of her books and been confused by the back and forth stories, but I personally found it so intriguing and I was hooked!
Thank you @netgalley and @harpermusebooks for the arc of "In Every Year" by Rea Frey in exchange for my honest review.
This was such a beautiful but heartbreaking story. Trigger warning: terminall illness
Synopsis:
Newlyweds Ben and Harper are on the top of the world. They are deeply in love, have succesful careers and share a love for sports and travel. Their future looks bright untill...Ben get's diagnosed with stage four pancreatic cancer and all their hopes and dreams come crashing down.
It's clear that Ben won't survive this battle, but it's his dying wish to find his wife a new love before he passes so he'll know she'd be happy again. Harper finds the whole thing ridiculous and wants to spend all the time they've got left with Ben.
When the New York Times wants to feature a story about Ben's life they sent journalist Liam Hale to run it.
Thing is, Harper and Liam share a history together and their story is far from over...
It's about halfway through the book when a magical realism element is thrown in. Harper gets to travel back in time to find out what would have happened all those years ago if she'd took a leap of faith and had ended up with Liam instead of Ben.
Although I loved the writing and characters, it was a very emotional read. It was hard to read about the final stages of a terminally ill patient and the effect it had on Ben and Harper's marriage. On the other hand their bond was so strong and loving, it jumped of the pages and really gave me goosebumps.
In general I'm not that keen on magical realism in stories but I decided to go with it and it did give alot more insight in Harper's character.
All in all a very memorabele read.
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Rea Frey is a new author to me, but I enjoyed In Every Life so much that I'll definitely be looking for more of her books. I wasn't sure how I was going to feel about Harper's sick husband wanting her to find a man to love after he passes but it ended up being really good. I read/listened to the audio version and loved Jennifer Jill Araya's narration.
Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review. All opinions are my own.
Publication date: 6 August 2024
A heartfelt and emotional novel that delves into second chances. The writing is reminiscent and engaging capturing the emotions of the characters and their journeys. A touching and thought provoking novel that you will not soon forget.
Many thanks to Harper Muse and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.
I discovered Rea Frey when I joined bookstagram in 2018. Her first nonfiction book was being released and I wanted it! I added it to my Christmas list and my mom was kind enough to get it for me. Once I read it, I devoured it. I’ve devoured every book she has written since, and In Every Life was no exception.
This book features the magical realism I’ve come to love from books by Rebecca Serle, so if your a fan of her work, I definitely encourage you to check out this latest release from Frey!!! Here we meet, Harper, a newly wed who has just found out she will soon be a widow. Ben, her husband who has stage four pancreatic cancer, has a dying wish - to find a new husband for Harper before he dies. Harper is not on board and can’t imagine fulfilling this wish. But then enters Liam…a journalist from the New York Times who is writing a feature about Ben’s life and whom Ben has also filled in on his unusual, final wish. He also happens to be the one that got away in Harper’s life; the man she once spent a perfect week with in New York years ago. Now Harper is faced with her unresolved feelings surrounding Liam and is faced to wonder…what if?
I really wanted to be hooked into this book because the premise was amazing, now I'm not sure if it was timing but I just didn't get hooked or as invested as I would have liked to . Overall I still enjoyed the book I just wanted a bit more?
Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for providing me with an arc for an honest review!
Harper and Ben are newlyweds when they discover his late stage cancer diagnosis and their entire world shifts. But Ben has an idea - he wants Harper to find someone new to love before he dies, and the New York Times even sends a journalist to do a story on his idea. The journalist that turns up though is a man from Harper’s past, a man she spent one incredible week with, the only other man she’d ever loved. And now Harper is left wondering what would’ve happened had she stayed with him all those years ago.
THE OTHER YEAR by Rea Frey completely devastated me at the beginning of this year so when I saw that she had a new book coming I knew I needed to read it. This one, while it didn’t hit me quite as hard, has cemented Frey as a go to author for me, one whose books I’ll eagerly await.
The love story, or love triangle, here is absolutely beautiful and breathtaking. The love that Ben and Harper have, especially as they navigate the end of this life and the end of their love story, will have you in tears. And getting to know Harper and her past with Liam was just as good. We’ve all wondered what if a time or two and the way that Frey took us through Harper’s own “what ifs” was really well done and I enjoyed getting to see what life could’ve looked like for her.
There was also an understory here of not losing who you are and remembering to go after what you want. Harper is an artist and when Ben is diagnosed she puts art on the back burner to care for him - something he absolutely doesn’t want her to do. But we also get to know more about Harper’s past and see that she let her insecurities get the best of her once before, too.
This book was fairly predictable but it didn’t matter to me because I loved the ride getting there and I loved the way it wrapped up. This is a beautiful book about a heartwrenching topic and Frey did a great job with it.
ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.
I’m a little backlogged with my ARC’s but working diligently to get caught up. I really liked the premise of this book! It was utterly heartbreaking at times but adding in other characters and storylines helped to lighten it some. It’s hard not to give anything away that would be a spoiler so I’ll just say if you like deep, true romance, the kind that endures the worst, you’ll enjoy this book too!
In Every Life by Rea Frey is a beautifully crafted, heartwarming story that explores the deep complexities of life, love, and the relationships that define us. The book is filled with rich, lyrical prose that draws you in, making every page feel like a reflection on the human condition.
What I loved most about this book is its ability to touch on universal themes—grief, joy, and everything in between—while grounding them in intimate, personal moments. The characters are wonderfully relatable, and their journeys feel real and poignant. Frey has a talent for writing about the messy, beautiful parts of life in a way that resonates deeply.
While the story is at times slow and contemplative, it’s a perfect read for those who enjoy deeply emotional and thought-provoking narratives. If you’re in the mood for something that will make you reflect on the many layers of life, In Every Life is a must-read.
This story was just not for me. There were aspects that I enjoyed and then there were ones I really did not. I've never read a book by Rea Frey, so I really did not know what to expect. I didn't appreciate the language, most of the relationships felt forced, and I did not love the concept of trying to find someone for your wife to love before you're gone. As I'm currently sitting with my 17 year old daughter as she's on hospice, the idea that you could even entertain that thought is preposterous to me. As a care giver, your entire world is consumed with caring for your loved one and spending every moment you can with them. At least that is my experience, so I just can't wrap my mund around this concept. I did, however enjoy the parts that were just Ben and Harper together. Their relationship was sweet and there was a lot there I could relate to. Maybe this is just bad timing considering where my life is at right now, but I just didn't enjoy this one.
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.
The was frustratingly slow and difficult to get through. By the time I made it to the middle of the book I was seriously questioning whether I would finish it. I was able to get back into the plot and time jumps for a period of time and long enough to push through to the end which was so frustratingly unbelievable I wish I had just stopped at 50%
“In Every Life” by Rea Frey is a love story that takes place on a dual timeline, in the present, when Harper’s beloved young husband is dying, and in the past, when Harper met the “other” love of her life. Harper’s husband Ben is determined not to die until his wife finds a second chance at happiness. To help her, he asks a journalist to write about their story, not knowing that the journalist was Harper’s first love, Liam.
This was a beautiful and inspiring story, and I think a lot of people would really love it and find it moving. Everyone deserves a second chance at love. It didn’t quite do it for me, probably because I’m not a real fan of dual timeline stories that seem to be so popular nowadays. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this novel. My opinions are my own.
Thank you to NG and Harper Muse for the chance to read early and review!
4/5
Rea is a gem of a human, so it's only natural that she writes human stories with a bit of flare. Ben is dying of cancer. The diagnosis came soon after he and Harper had gotten married - a time where they had their whole lives in front of them. But now, they are just trying to take things day by day through the pain, check reasonable things off of Ben's bucket list and celebrating the love they have here and now. Unbeknownst to Harper, Ben comes up with his final wish - He wants to find Harper a new husband before he dies. What?!
The story unfurls with someone from Harper's past showing up when she least expects it -- the plot takes us from present to past and back again with a "what if" scenario unfolding and the readers take a fun journey to a potential parallel life. While the actual plot is far-fetched, Rea has managed to make us forget all of that and just have fun with the journey. I love the location as a past NY girl and the art factor woven in. I recommend this book to those looking for an escape to see sun through the clouds.
In Every Life by Rea Frey
What a moving story! Get your tissues and prepare for a waterfall of tears! This is such a beautiful story of love and dreams.
My favorite quote,” …there’s never a perfect time to follow your dreams.”
In Chattanooga, TN, you find Harper and Ben living a comfortable life. She is a teacher and he is a musician. Early on, they find themselves faced with a diagnosis that will forever change their lives.
A decade ago, Harper found love and a possible art career in NewYork, but she ran. Now, holding on to every shred of hope, she thinks about her past when she is presented with Ben’s last wish. He wants her to find new love before he passes.
This book will have your heart soaring and breaking in the same chapter, but it is a very beautifully written love story.
I also listened to the audiobook. It had excellent narration, the characters were well distinguished and the voice was clear and pleasant. The voice of the characters enhanced the experience of the book. Excellent job!
Overall the book was excellent and left you wanting more. 4/5⭐️s.
A very complicated love triangle, deadly cancer and time travel make up this romantic fiction by Rea Frey. There is a lot going on in this and at first I thought it was straightforward and I was a little bored. But soon it took an unexpected turn that made it much more interesting. The story is clever, albeit not the most original, as many other authors have also used this storyline. Still, a solid, thought-provoking read that will make readers appreciate each new day. I will recommend this to library patrons. For fans of Elizabeth Berg and Katherine Center.
I do not think I was the target audience for this book. I also found that it was pretty slow to progress.
A moving story...
The first-person narrative of the main character, Harper, is on point. Harper and Ben are on their honeymoon when Ben experiences the first symptoms of cancer. Their new life together has barely begun and Harper takes us through the painful experiences while seeing her husband waste away. Ben is a famous award winning composer.
A New York Times reporter (Liam) is coming to write Ben's story, but Harper hates the idea. But when Harper opens the door to greet him, she is shocked to see it's a former lover of hers and possibly "the one who got away."
Ms. Frey puts the reader into Harper's head and we feel her every emotion. The mystical realism included in this story lays out what could have been with Harper and Liam and one wonders the outcome. Highly recommended!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4/5)
In Every Life is a heart-wrenching romance with a dash of magical realism that completely captivated me. Harper, Ben, & Liam are entangled in a love story like no other, but which couple will you find yourself rooting for? Can there even be a true happily ever after when life throws in the unpredictability of a cancer diagnosis?
Every prediction I had was shattered & I found myself rooting for both relationships, torn between what was & what could be. 💔💖
The author’s use of alternating timelines, weaving together Harper’s past & present, kept me on edge. With twists around every corner, this story had me glued to the pages! Frey’s writing style was both immersive & emotional, making this a standout read. I’ll definitely be adding more of her books to my shelf! Highly recommend to anyone who loves romance with a touch of magic. ✨💫
Many thanks to #NetGalley, #InEveryLife, Harper Muse & Rea Frey for the ARC. My opinions are my own & freely expressed. 🙏
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Loved it!! (Well all but one part of it.) I started reading this not knowing the premise of the book, which I do for many books of authors I love. So I was a bit shocked about how soon Harper was going from wife to widow. The part that really got me was Ben's insistence that Haprper needs to find a new love before he dies. Honestly, it's such a jerk move. Ben's idea that Harper needs a man to make her happy is so wrong. Instead of putting your precious time together to find a new mate, spend it together. The whole thing reminded me of a Golden Girls episode, where a woman tried to set her husband up with Sophia. Of course it didn't end well.
So you definitely need to suspend belief with how Harper keeps changing the trajectory of her life. I do enjoy magical realism, but I didn't love it with Harper. I really wanted Harper to go back to her original life with Ben nd for her to make the changes that she wanted. She ended up in the life she always wanted but didn't remember/know how she got there. It was like everything was handed to her because of the spells/magic. Harper lacked motivation and she always ran away from anything that was hard. She liked to make excuses. Harper and Liam only knew each other for a week. They acted like they were in a huge love affair that went on for months or years. They hardly knew each other. Why hide it from Ben? I would definitely be friends with Wren and Jenna. The main reason are their cats Pickles and Gremlin. ( I also have a Gremlin, but she has fur.)
Definitely recommend the book. My review sounds like I didn't enjoy the book, but I really did. The story is emotional. It's hard to imagine having to go through such a tragedy. Getting married and finding out your husband has cancer in a a very short amount of time. I loved the story, writing style and characters. 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.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC to read and review. Unfortunately, I DNF at 50%.
The premise of the book sounded fascinating- I love books that make me think, "What would I do in that situation?" However, upon reading it, the plot was just too hard for me to believe and as a result I felt detached and uninvested in the story. I had a hard time connecting with Ben's eagerness for Harper to find another partner while he was still alive and seeking treatment. I also found Harper and Liam's "love" story to be a little farfetched. Ultimately, it was a little more cheesy and centered on romance than I anticipated. I don't particularly love those aspects in a book- but readers who do may really enjoy this one! It's definitely not a bad book, I just wasn't the right reader for it.