3.5 stars.

This one had an interesting premise with its look at the path not taken - the “what ifs” in our lives. I liked the chemistry in the relationship between Harper and Ben - it was very poignant.. However, I found it difficult to believe the “insta” love between Harper and Liam and that relationship was a key part of the story. I thought the character of Ben was much better developed than that of Liam.

I did like the look at parallel universes and the way the novel was structured around the themes of ‘what is”, “what was” “what if” and “what may be” . I thought the issues that the book raised around how one would survive the death of a partner, questioning own’s purpose/identity, living with uncertainty, dealing with a terminal illness, were all ones that I think almost any reader can relate to. The ending was emotional as was the epilogue.

Overall, I enjoyed the story and think readers who like emotional love stories would enjoy it as well.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Meh, not for me. WAY too "woo-woo" and I like magical realism. Too many things that had me rolling my eyes. Did somewhat redeem itself in the end so therefore the 2 rather than 1

This starts with Ben and Harper on their honeymoon, where Ben collapses. Flash forward a year, and Ben is at the end of a battle with stage 4 prostate cancer. They have tried everything. Now, he wants to help Harper to find love again so he knows she will be taken care of (insert huge misogynistic eye roll here). Harper says no, and Ben isn't finished. He wants her to quit her job as an art teacher to pursue art full time. He has agreed to be interviewed for a New York Times article, and when the reporter shows up, it is Liam--Harper's "one who got away."

So the setup is good. But then, things take some really weird tangents where she gets to try out some different scenarios for her life. I just never had buy in for any of it. In my opinion, if you want to write magical realism, write it. Don't waffle back and forth between realistic fiction and magical realism, because it makes both of them ineffective. I either want to be able to realistically believe how the plot is unfolding or I want to go all into a magical reality. In the end, I absolutely didn't buy any of it. The characters were caricatures and not fully developed, and the magic didn't fit anything I could wrap my brain around.

Lots of others have enjoyed this one, so if this sounds intriguing, definitely check out their reviews and give it a try. It just wasn't for me.

Trigger Warning: Stage 4 Cancer
If you are in the mood for a tear-jerker, read this book! Sometimes you're just in that kind of mood, and that's OK. 😢

I wasn't sure how to rate this book. There were so many things I disliked about the characters and about the story itself. So I settled on 3 stars.

First I will start by saying, this book has some time travel / time warp to it. It wasn't labeled as fantasy / magic realism, but it should be. I probably wouldn't have requested this ARC had I known this was magic/fantasy, I'm not a huge fan of time travel stories, and I wasn't in the mood for a fantasy read. But if you're into that sort of thing, this might be the book for you.

Ben, the dying husband, is NOT likable at all. I very much disliked his character. Wanting her to find another partner when he isn't even gone yet feels so weird to me. Almost insulting. Like she's some pet dog that he is searching for a new home for. Wtf. Complete disregard for her feelings and not allowing her to even mourn at all. I didn't like Ben. This isn't 1900, dude. A woman doesn't "need" a man to be happy and to get on with life. Ugh, gag. Not romantic AT ALL.

And, um I would be livid if my husband, dying or not, invited the NY Times to be at my house FOR AN ENTIRE WEEK...TOMORROW without telling me. Wtf. And his annoying guilt-tripping to make it sound like he would let this outrageous idea go if she said so. Yeah right. If he thought that then he wouldn't have went ahead and made the arrangements behind her back. I felt like he didn't respect Harper and her feelings as much as this story tries to make him sound. I did NOT like Ben. I was triggered, yall lol.

And then there's Harper. I appreciate and liked how she sacrificed so much to take care of her beloved husband. I think this is very realistic when it comes to having a terminal family member. Her feeling overwhelmed with all the feels and trying to manage all the things and putting her own happiness and goals on the backburner was heartbreaking. But...

Harper was annoying in many ways too.

She acts like a lost teenager who storms off to her room when things get hard most of the story.

I'm not a fan of insta-love stories. They're ridiculous to me and I can't ever seem to not eyeroll even though I know it's a fictional story. Harper and Liam's insta LOOOOOOVE after only a week was silly. Especially the part where Harper freaks out over Liam having an ex...after she only knew him for a week LOL. What in the 15-year-old-bubblegum-drama was that scene all about?! Everyone has an ex. Wtf lol. Who cares. Why was he supposed to tell some girl he just met a few days ago about his whole dating history? He wasn't. Harper acted like an insecure annoying 15-year-old. I hated her for the rest of the story.

I felt like the story didn't pick up until 50%. Before that, it was a bit slow for me. It seemed to talk in circles, talking about the same things over and over again throughout the whole book.

Not my favorite, but still a good story that I'd still recommend.

Thank you Netgalley, Publisher, and Author for this ARC.

This is very engaging and compelling read. I will definitely read more of Rea Frey. I feel the premise for the story and the well developed characters added to my enjoyment of the book. The shifting between what was and what is sometimes lead to a bit of confusion for me. I would love to read more about Harper and Liam.

I received a complementary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you Net Galley, Rea Frey and Harper Muse for this opportunity.

Rea Frey is officially a must read author for me, I LOVED this book.

Harper is flying high in love when her husband, Ben, collapses on their honeymoon. Diagnosed with terminal cancer, and knowing he wants to leave her happy, Ben sets up a crazy proposition for her- she should find a new love before he dies. Harper doesn’t want anyone else but Ben, and declines, but when a news writer, Leo, comes to town to do a story on Ben, and he just so happens to be the one to get away from Harper’s past - Harper starts to question everything. Is this fate or is she exactly where she needs to be already?

I loved this book so much. It made me laugh, it made me cry and it reminded me how important it is to love the ones you love while you have the chance.

Thank you so much to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review. I honestly can’t recommend this book enough- it’s that good!

Harper and Ben are freshly minted newlyweds when Ben is diagnosed with late stage cancer. He decides to find Harper someone new to love as his final loving act toward his wife…

I had high hopes for this after reading so many glowing reviews. I pushed through it, keeping those opinions in mind when I just wanted to DNF this.

I found the characters came across as very immature for their ages, the writing too simplistic, and the story so far beyond the realm of unbelievable I found it inane, and at parts downright insulting. It’s he pushes until she gives in, combined with cheesy corn.

I’m definitely an outlier in my opinion of this one but it didn’t work for me at all.



Thank you to Harper Muse and NetGalley for the DRC

When Harper's husband Ben is diagnosed with terminal cancer, Ben's final wish is for Harper to find love again before he dies. When the New York Times journalist sent to do a piece on the story turns out to be Harper's long ago 'what if' romance, Liam, Harper wonders how things may have turned out differently in another life.

This was another solid read from this author, a beautiful story of love and resilience. Alternate universe/time travel is my favorite trope, and this was done so well with such a unique plot. I truly didn't know what way the story would go, and that made me that much more invested. I loved Harper and Ben, their story and their selfless love for each other was so beautiful. I loved every alternate universe and I had no idea what the right answer was until I reached the satisfying conclusion, which wrapped up so perfectly. I teared up more than once, I recommend having tissues handy. Definitely a recommended read!

Harper and Ben Foster are the perfect couple but that all changes on their honeymoon when Ben starts to feel sick. Ben is diagnosed with cancer as the couple navigates their first year of marriage and they begin to talk about their bucket list. Ben wants Harper to find love again before he is gone. As fate would have it the one that got away Liam walks back into her life as a reporter sent to interview Ben.
The book explores what could have been and we get to experience an alternate timeline to Harper’s life.
The writing is beautiful and brilliant I didn’t want this book to end. The love that Harper experiences in this book is heartbreaking yet so sweet.
I love how this book explores what was and what is in a way that the reader would be happy with either timeline.
I look forward to reading more by Rea Frey. This is a must read

A really lovely magical realism romance. Fans of Taylor Jenkins Reid and Ashley Poston will love this. I enjoyed the writing, and pacing. The characters were likable. I didn’t love the “workshop”story line but it did fit with the theme. Have the tissues ready.

This book gripped me from the get go, it was very unique and unlike anything I’ve read. This is my second book by this author and I will now always read Rea Frey. Four stars.

I had to sit and think about this after reading it. I wasn’t sure what to rate it. I knew that I really enjoyed it, but something was also holding me back.

I felt a lot of feelings during and after. The topics discussed are heavy and emotional. I shed some tears and felt a lot of sadness for the situation. Ben is honestly one of the best characters. My heart breaks every time I think of him. I loved the ending. It was perfect.

I really enjoyed the writing. It was really easy to follow and I liked the flips between past, present, and other. I love magical realism, but I’m not so sure that this book needed it. Although, I understand why it was there, I felt it interrupted the emotional momentum for me. It detached me a bit from the characters. I would’ve preferred it to be a dream or something similar (I won’t say anything more, because spoilers stink).

•

Thank you so much to Rea, Harper Muse, and NetGalley for this ARC! I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I received a copy for review purposes; all opinions are honest and mine alone.


Dual timelines and twisty time traveling make a for thought provoking read in Rea Frey’s sophomore offering, IN EVERY LIFE.

If I were to summarize this book in one word, it would be - UNIQUE. Frey starts slowly, almost to the point of frustration. There are too many short chapters bouncing between past and present trying to build a foundation and develop characters. I’d have preferred a less TikTok approach. Once the time travel element is added at the halfway point, the story is more engaging. Important details about the characters are still being revealed well into the story. It’s one of the difficult parts about dual timelines and could have been done better here.

Cancer is a difficult subject to explore. This insidious disease affects so many families; emotions abound. I’m a cancer survivor; others in my family succumbed. Our journeys were all different but on some levels, they were very similar. Frey did a good job showing a variety of protocols and their general side effects. The book is only 340ish pages and isn’t a medical treatise. Frey also was successful in portraying the intense emotional strains, guilt, torn feelings, hurt, pain, anticipation, etc. of the caretaker.

I’m not a fan of New Age philosophy but it worked in this story and with these characters. Frey was respectful and didn’t push an agenda. I enjoyed the art elements and walk thru “Dumbo”, NY. Other aspects of the story were difficult as they reminded me of difficult times fighting my own battle with cancer and watching loved ones lose theirs.

Without causing any spoilers, the MFC has time travel adventures of the unexpected variety. She is put in a position where she needs to make multiple choices that could cause change IN EVERY LIFE📚


Read & Reviewed from a NetGalley eARC, with thanks to Harper Collins, The First Editions

I was gripped by this book immediately. It flowed really well and the characters were extremely relatable. It was a beautiful love story with a kind of twist to it, nothing like what I have read before. I don’t usually like time-travel related themes but this was different. I thoroughly enjoyed the entire book and can’t wait to read more by this author.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I was browsing titles on the Netgalley site when I stumbled upon the synopsis of this book: “What happens when a husband’s dying wish is for his wife to find a new love…before he’s even gone?” Intrigued, I couldn’t help but wonder, if I were the husband, would I make such a wish? Or if I were the wife, would I fulfill it? Out of curiosity, I requested a copy.

In summary, Ben is diagnosed with stage 4 cancer (⚠️TW) early in his marriage to Harper. His dying wish is for her to find a new love, before he passes, but she resists this uncoventional idea. Meanwhile, an old flame reappears in Harper’s life, creating a love triangle. This leads FMC to ponder all the what-ifs.

I’ll start with what I like about the book.
~I enjoyed the narrative moved between the past, showing “what was,” and the present, “what is”. It also has an element of magical realism, exploring the “what if”, which I found creative as this is new to me.
~The journey of self-discovery. The characters especially Harper faced numerous challenges and questions about her identity and choices, leading her to deeper understanding of who she is and what she truly wants in life.

Now, onto what I didn’t like.
~Ben’s constant plea for Harper to find a “man” to love felt uncomfortable and unrealistic for me. In reality, while it’s natural to want your partner to be happy again, I think, we should also let them acknowledge their pain and mourn. Additionally, I was hoping the new love wouldn’t necessarily be a man. Perhaps it could have been about finding love in a different form.
~I wasn’t satisfied with the ending. Initially, I was okay with it, as Ben’s wish was somewhat fulfilled with a “twist”. (Spoiler ‼️) However, when Harper rekindled an old flame. It felt off. For someone to be your TOTGA (the one that got away), no second chances.

All in all, this book hooked me with its intriguing premise and raised many questions in my mind. Highly recommended to readers who are intrigued by the idea of exploring life’s what-if.

Love, grief, and new beginnings combine in this novel of then, now and what if. Harper and Ben are happily married when he's diagnosed and tells her that her to find a new partner. Even as she's processing this, the reporter sent to write about him turns out to be her old flame Liam. Suddenly, she's thinking what if she'd been with Liam instead and there's a parallel universe thing going on. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. It's a plot pulled in part from real life but twisted with the Liam angle. It's also an emotional read with characters you'll care about.

This book was heartwarming but it felt too similar “my wife said you may want to marry me“” but I don’t know if that was intention?

This book was so well done! It wasn't your typical romance novel and there were fantasy-esque elements that totally surprised in me in the best way. I loved the formatting of the book... hopping between 'What Was' and "What Is" and even giving us some "What If?' It was really unique and kept the pacing of the novel on point.

A romance novel about a young man dying shortly after he marries the love of his life sounds devastatingly tragic and while it was certainly sad and there plenty of moments of emotion, overall, this book didn't feel soul crushingly sad which I really appreciated. Sometimes you need a good cry but this was the perfect blend of uplifting and interesting while also being emotional and heart wrenching.

The 'what if' portion of the book really surprised me. It was totally unexpected but I did think it was a good twist that added a lot to the story.

All in all, this book was totally unique, well written, and very moving. I loved how everything played out and I can't wait to read more by Frey.

Thank you to Harper Muse for the copy.

In Every Life is a moving and emotional romance with a touch of magical realism. It has similar feel to Taylor Jenkins Reid’s In Another Life which is what initially drew me to the story.

I’m afraid I struggled to connect with Harper, Ben and Leo, and to get a sense of their chemistry. I found Ben’s insistence for Harper to find love, and Harper’s secrets from Ben both a bit uncomfortable given the circumstances.

However I did really enjoy the writing and the magical realism aspects of the story. The story flowed well and kept my interest throughout. I liked Harper’s journey in terms of finding her personal and professional identity, and would have loved to have read more about her early relationship with both Ben and Leo.

Thank you HarperMuse, and NetGalley for a copy of this book. Opinions expressed are my own.

This book is so good! It is the most interesting romance book I've read in a long time. Ben and Harper's story is full of ups and downs. It starts with their honeymoon when Ben gets sick and is diagnosed with stage three cancer soon after. Ben has the crazy idea that he wants to find Harper a new man to love before he dies. When Leo, an old flame of Harper's, enters the picture they can't help but wonder if he's the one. This book has a few surprising twists that keep it interesting including a little time travel. Thanks to @NetGalley for allowing me to read the ARC of this wonderful book. I know Rea's fans are going to love it as much as I do.

Ben is diagnosed with stage 4 cancer at the start of his marriages. He wants his wife, Harper, to find a new partner before he passes. She is resistant to this crazy idea. At the same time, an old fling comes back in Harper’s life and makes her wonder.. what if?

This was a special read that leaves your heart warmed. I don’t read a lot of romance but my favorite romance has a touch of magical realism, which this one does. The magic really adds something special here. There’s a lot of answers to the “what if” and how we accept our path in life.

“When you fall in love with someone after a single week and then you never see them again… well, that kind of aching can drive someone insane.”

In Every Life comes out 8/6.