Wow. Just, wow. This is the perfect “what if” book. You might think it would be great to have the opportunity to see how your life might have turned out if you’d made different choices, but, like Harper found out, be careful what you wish for. The choices she has to face are heart-wrenching. She learns to live in the moment and to love whole-heartedly. I absolutely loved this book and wish it didn’t have to end!

I received an advanced readers copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[arc review]
Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Muse for providing an arc in exchange for an honest review.
In Every Life releases August 6, 2024

Shortly after Harper and Ben get married, he is diagnosed with terminal cancer. In his last moments, he wants to help his wife find someone else to love before he dies.

Ben is a film composer by day, and has set aside a week to interview with a New York Times journalist, wherein they’ll do a feature piece about him.
It comes as a shock when the journalist who shows up on their doorstep just so happens to be Harper’s “one that got away” from ten years ago, sparking every “what-if” question. What if she never left New York? What if she pursued art as more than just being a teacher?

Split into what is, what was, and what if (a clever play on a then/now), is a story about unconditional love; the kind that is heartbreaking and tugs on every emotion from pain, to longing, excitement, and hope.

Something I really wasn’t expecting going into this story was the magical realism element. I didn’t hate it, but part of me thinks that it could have worked better without it.
In terms of the ending and it coinciding with Ben’s original wish, it turned out really sweet, and the finale had a nice little trail off with a hope for something more to flourish in their future.
Would love an extended epilogue!

😢😢😢😢😢
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

In Every Life Rea Frey

What a beautiful story so much love and shows you to follow your dreams.
I think going in blind is best and I don’t want to give anything away. I will say…
Wowie what a love triangle with some twists that have your heart.
Such amazing characters honestly each one I loved so much.
I know I will think about it for a long time to come. Rea is an amazing author with such a talent for words, feelings, emotion and what a way to make you feel connected to the book.
I say for sure read this book, you will not be disappointed 💜

“In Every Life”

I am so thankful to Rea Frey for sending me a physical ARC of this beautiful book! Also to Netgalley for sending an e-copy.
I am usually a thriller girlie all suspense and murder
But let me tell you what a beautiful story this is all be it far from a thriller. This book just consumed me, I couldn’t put it down! Such heart and so many learning lessons about growing and finding yourself, following your dreams, dealing with grief and fear. I just can’t find enough words.
I don’t get emotional over books ….I mean I do but I don’t usually physically cry too often over the ones I read. This one had tears running down my face!

🗽 Side note: Anything about NYC makes me happy. I feel this book showed how New York is magical and alive and a place for people ready for things to happen!

😢😢😢😢😢
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️+

A beautiful story about love, loss, and what ifs. I didn’t want it to end!
Harper and Ben are newlyweds faced with devastating news. Through his sickness, Harper is reunited with a past love, Liam- and her worlds collide. This is a beautiful, heartbreaking story about what it means to truly love someone.

The cover is great, and the title got me. The relationships and outcomes in the story had me hooked once I started reading. Frey's writing is smooth.. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

This is an enjoyable heartwarming book. There was a good storyline with well developed characters. The author kept the reader interested throughout. This is a book which I would recommend to all.

3.5
First of all just want to say thank you to netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book before its release in exchange for an honest review!
Started off and it sucked me in and I enjoyed it so much up until the middle where I felt like it was dragging a bit.
Even though it felt never ending in the middle it was nice to be able to see different possibilities due to the
'full moon ritual'
Being in the situation that she was in is way too difficult to even imagine but I'm happy with how the book ended.
Despite it being heartbreaking I still ended up smiling at the end.
A good read!!

did i cry? absolutely

magical realism and soulmates tropes meet modern day in this heartbreaking story about one girl and the two men that could've changed her life.

i enjoyed this book and sped through it quickly, however i just felt as if halfway through it was slightly dragging and overall it was just skimming the surface on an overarching theme of the novel. the story was very emotional and i would have loved for a theme to be explored more so it would be truly soul-crushing lol.

special thanks to netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for a honest review!

An emotional read that had me turning the pages, wondering if everything would turn out OK!

Harper walked away from her dream career (and dream man) a decade ago. It was worth it, though, since she met the love of her life, Ben, and is happy with her job teaching art. Ben has stage-four pancreatic cancer and wants to help Harper find love with someone else so she can move on. Harper is appalled by Ben’s plan and can’t imagine being with anyone else. However, when the dream man she abandoned shows up at her door, Harper can’t help but wonder what if…

It is a sad story and a hopeful one. For anyone in the mood to shed a tear or two.

Thank you to Harper Muse and NetGalley for the opportunity to read a copy. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

GOODBYE, farewell, this book will be the death of me! (But internally more like !!!!!!!) Magical realism is one of my favorite genres and this reminded me of so many great books that I love and hold close to my heart <spoiler>(like The Time Traveler's Wife, one of my go to reads for a big cry!)</spoiler>. I found the story to be so well done in every timeline and packed with meaning – there's nothing in this book that I would cut, and in fact, I was left wanting an epilogue to the epilogue.

TW for a cancer battle and diagnosis, which I imagine could be really triggering to read.

This book is worth getting into. I love the premise of alternate realities and parallel lives...etc... so I'm glad I stuck with it! I found that going back and forth between "what is..." and "what was..." to be very helpful as far as moving the story along and filling us in on Harper's history with Liam without confusing us as we read. Then as soon as I read the section that led in with "what if...." I was totally hooked! The author made the month that Harper spends in NYC with Liam and the life they could have had totally believable. I loved all the little surprises along the way, and how much the whole novel made me think about things like marriage and love at first connection and grief and the Universe and the power of community. Special kudos to the author for writing so beautifully about art and artists and their creative lives.

Thanks to the author and publisher, and NetGalley, for an advance reading copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

A heart wrenching story a book that gripped from the first pages.A sad story a romantic story an absolutely beautiful read.I will definitely be recommending this wonderful novel.

Ben and Harper just started their life together when Ben collapses on the honeymoon. How could this man have late stage cancer? As Ben and Harper navigate this terrifying time, Ben finds a way to ease his transition; find Harper a new love. he wants to know that Harper will be okay once he dies. He can't have her mourning over him. He wants her happy. Harper doesn't even want to entertain this in the least. Before Ben gets too sick, Ben is going to be featured in the New York Times. As soon as Harper opens the door to let the journalist in, Harper is taken back to her life in New York. How is Liam, the man she spent an amazing week with, at her door getting ready to write about her dying husband's life? Liam brings everything back for Harper and why she left New York. How is Harper ever going to figure all of this out?
In Every Life by Rea Frey is an amazing story that will have you in tears by the end of the story. I love that this included a love story, a little paranormal time-traveling, and friendship. This book has it all. I will be recommending this to all my book loving friends and will always be on the outlook for the new work by Rea Frey. Special thanks to NetGalley, Rea Frey, and Harper Muse for the advanced digital copy in exchange for my honest opinion. 5 stars for me!
#InEveryLife #NetGalley

A beautiful story about love, everlasting love and a second chance at "What If".

A newly married couple receives devastating news that he has terminal cancer and will not live long. Harper, the wife, wants to help Ben fulfill all of his dreams, his bucket list. One of the items on that list, is for Harper to fall in love again after he dies. Enter Liam - a journalist writing about Ben's bucket list AND the man who got away for Harper.

While parts of this story are saccharine and just ASKING for people to cry, it's still a lovely story. It's a change of pace for me, it's not a murder story. It's a love story and sometimes we all need that.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review.

This book hit so close to home. It’s emotionally gripping, sad, but extremely poignant and powerful. A definite read worth your time. Don’t miss it.

I definitely felt "in five years" vibes from this one, and I mean that as a compliment. It was a sweet story, of course heartbreaking. I felt the ending left some questions, but I realize that may have been intentional. I will definitely recommend this to other readers.

Thank you NetGalley and Harper Muse for this book!
I rate In Every Life 3.5 stars. The first half was a slow start for me and I found some aspects repetitive. The second half of the book was a faster pace and I enjoyed it more. The art show tribute at the end was favorite part.

I absolutely loved this novel about Ben and Harper as they navigate his cancer diagnosis and literally "wait" for him to die! But journalist (and old flame) Liam suddenly appears to do an article and Harper is thrown back into her unresolved feelings for this handsome man. As a high school art teacher, Harper has thrown herself into work and caring for her husband and is shocked and somewhat delighted to see Liam but also unsettled by the newest "condition" Ben has put on her. Told in a "then" and "now" format (and even a "what if" one), the novel documents this beautiful love story that still has me teary-eyed in its emotional impact.
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!

I really loved this book. The emotions it made me feel and the storytelling were beautiful. I felt for all the characters and would definitely reread when I want something to have me in my feels!

what a beautiful, inspiring story. a story about love, about loss, about learning how to follow your dreams every moment of your life.

the execution is really well-done, and the book is infused with a variety of endearing characters. to be honest, I was prepared to not be swayed by Liam as a character and instead focus more on Harper’s husband, Ben. that went out the window when Liam first stepped onto the page, because of his compassion, kindness and invalueble insight. you can’t help but love him!

I think the most interesting part of this book is Harper’s journey and self-discovery. she learns how to come to terms with Ben’s diagnosis, with the decisions she’s made throughout her life and how they shaped her present. it’s a fascinating transition, made all the more compelling by the manifestation/spiritual elements scattered in the story.

the ending wraps everything up splendidly, and I was left with a warm and fuzzy feeling inside. definitely recommend!