This is an ambitious one that really hits the mark. I love how grounded the story was, but if I had any critiques it would've been that the magical realism be incorporated earlier on, as it came late enough that I was left feeling like it was almost two distinct books. But once I let that go, I was back into the story and as invested in part two as I had been at the start.

The characters are so dynamic and full that I found myself frustrated right along with Harper. I wouldn't want the man I love to find love for me either, because I'd want to throw myself into the miracle too!

But through this book, Harper (and I lol) had to face the question: what if the miracle you get, isn't the one you'd wanted?

So make sure you have tissues nearby when you start this. Not the purse pack, but the big box. This was a heart wrenching deeply emotional beautiful somewhat crazy story. I truly cannot imagine this happening IRL and yet, it makes for a good read, especially if you need a good cry. Ben and Harper are the couple so many want to be. Their love is bone deep and they are so looking forward to growing old together and all that entails. Then the universe kicks them in the teeth with a terminal cancer diagnosis. When Ben decides to stop the treatments that aren’t changing his outcome he has a plan. One that is wild and has Harper shaking her head with a big fat no. While he is still around he wants to help her find her next life partner He also has connected with a NY Times reporter to document this journey. Um, what the heck is he thinking? It is a seriously emotional, sad, journey they travel together that is at it very core about bone deep love with a lot of reality, what if’s and some magical realism thrown in. Beautiful narration added to the listening experience. Again, I repeat have tissues near by.

In Every Life by Rea Frey solidified this author as an automatic buy for me! This is the second book I've read by Frey, and I adored it just as much. The storyline is beautifully crafted, the characters are compelling, and the emotional depth of the book is exceptional. It's a genuinely moving story that I can't stop thinking about, and I'm already looking forward to reading more from this talented author.

The story follows Ben and Harper, a newlywed couple whose honeymoon is overshadowed by the devastating news of Ben's terminal illness. As he comes to terms with his limited time, Ben begins to plan for Harper's future happiness, even imagining finding her a new love before he passes.

Enter Liam, a reporter documenting Ben's story. When Harper meets Liam, she is shocked—he's the man she once loved in New York years ago while working on an art piece. The story alternates between past and present as Harper wrestles with "what if" questions about life, choices, and love. It's an unforgettable love story, and the ending...it broke me completely!

Jennifer Jill Anaya's narration is exceptional. She seamlessly shifts between characters and adds depth to the story, making it nearly impossible to put down. Her ability to capture both masculine and feminine voices makes the listening experience even more engaging.

I highly recommend In Every Life to anyone who has ever pondered the "what if" questions in life. It's a powerful reminder of how love, choices, and timing shape our lives.

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins Focus | Harper Muse for providing me with an Audio ARC of In Every Life by Rea Frey.

I had seen nothing but 5 star for this book so thanks to Netgalley I decided to start the audio right away!

Harper and Ben have been given the news no newly weds want to hear. Ben has a terminal cancer diagnosis. Much to Harper’s dismay, Ben’s plan is to help Harper fall in love again so she won’t be alone upon his death.

Weird concept to begin with but I really expected a heartwrenching but beautiful story to come out of it. And I guess we kinda got that but once we got into a dual timeline plot line I was bored. I felt the past timeline was too slow and draggy and found myself wanting to skip to present day. It became more of a second chance romance than the beautiful grief journey I expected. However the audio narration was excellent and definitely was the reason I finished.

I adored this book so much!! it had such a unique premise, unlike anything I have read before. It was a great storyline, executed perfectly, the characters were amazing and the book was so emotional. It was just so well done and I really can’t wait to read more from this author.

Audio Read - 5 Stars for the audio!
Content warning - deals with terminal cancer

What would you do when life throws you both tragedy and a new start? Tissues could be needed!

This is the story of Ben and Harper, a newly married couple deart the blow of a terminal health diagnosis. As Ben comes to terms with his sooner than planned life expectancy, he creates al its of how to find another love for Harper before he dies. Enter Liam; the reporter doing a story about Ben. Harper is shocked when she meets Liam, because years before meeting Ben, she met and fell in love with Liam in NYC when she was working on an art piece to impress a gallery owner. Present day she makes a wish and now must figure out answers to her “what if” questions. This is definitely a book or those championing love and new starts. It’s the ultimate love story……and the ending….SWOON!

Jennifer Jill Anaya is a TREMENDOUS narrator! You won’t need a full cast of narrators when she is at the helm. Her ability to change her voice from feminine to masculine and not sound cheesy is amazing. I was also able to listen at a 2.0 speed and hear/understand completely without her sounding like a cartoon character.

This one gets you in all of your feels. Wow just wow. What an emotional and loveable book to read.so glad I read it

This book broke my heart.
This was a love story everybody needs to read.

We get to know Harper, who found the love of her life, Ben, in the present. Sadly he got sick and they are struggling with everything it comes with but still want to make the best of it all. Ben decided that the last wish he has is for Harper to find a new love in her life.
Harper's past love Liam turns up to write about Ben's interesting life and last wish and that is when everything goes interesting...

Harper jumps into this hard situation where she cannot co-op with everything is happening. She wants things to change, she wants to love and she wants to save her husband from dying.
She has a chance to change everything.

I really cannot say more about the whole experience, because you need to read it yourself. If you love heartbreaking romance with deep topics and a little bit of a twist in it, this is your book!

For the audiobook I had the chance to be introduced to Rea Frey's work was perfectly narrated, I could not really put down right from the start..
I really like when a narrator can use various voices for different genders and characters and she perfectly was right on point for me.

All of the characters were lovable, the friendships were true and understandable.
The story reminded me a little of Taylor Jenkins Reid's books in a best way possible.

I am a little sad that I did not know the author before I listened this audiobook, but I will definitely read more of her works because I was so intrigued and enjoyed every moment I basically binged the whole story. Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read/listen to this one.

I have mixed feelings about this book. I really enjoyed it but at the same time I felt like some of the ways the MC handled certain situations just felt wrong. It seemed like she was living in a grey area that I just couldn’t really get on board with personally. A lot of it was a little impossible to navigate without getting screwed over but it just didn’t seem like this super great love story like I felt it was intended to be. Wasn’t a huge fan at how it all played out in the end either but it was an enjoyable read and I was definitely interested in the journey and the outcome of the characters. The men deserved better in this story in my opinion.

I loved this book. It was so heartbreaking and yet so beautiful and poignant. I loved the characters and the plot was great. The story was really well paced. I also think this book has a lot to offer in terms of things we should all think about. The impacts of certain choices and jumping to conclusions about things being one of them. The narrator of this audio was fantastic.

In Every Life by Rea Frey is a book with a lot of highs and lows, and to capture the depth of emotion you need a strong narrator who is able to grip the reader and hold on. Jennifer Jill Araya was that narrator. Even though there were pieces of the story that made me feel physically ill (my own bias, not the writers fault), I still couldn't bring myself to skip ahead or put it down. Araya did a fabulous job.

Thank you HarperFocus for the gifted ALC.

the setup…
Harper and Ben Foster thought they were just beginning the start of their happily ever after on their honeymoon when he suddenly became violently ill. They soon learn that he has stage four pancreatic cancer and though they valiantly fought to save his life, it’s now clear Ben is facing the end of that journey. But when the New York Times sends a journalist to do a feature on his life, Harper comes face to face with with the only other man she’s loved, Liam Hale, the one she left in New York ten years ago. To make matters worse, Ben wants to help find her next partner in his final days.

the heart of the story…
Harper is currently an art teacher in Chattanooga but ten years ago, she set out to find success as an artist in New York. Her reasons for abandoning that dream are slowly revealed throughout the story, as well as what happened with Liam. The depth of her love for Ben, a successful composer, is never in question but clearly there was unfinished business in New York. The “what ifs” are tested when Harper finds herself in a parallel universe, contrasting her present life with what might have actually been.

the narration…
Jennifer Jill Araya was completely believable as the conflicted Harper, never giving away which direction she would choose. I also liked her storytelling as she made the unreal seem possible.

the bottom line…
I enjoyed the bit of magical realism, even with all the paradoxes that come with it. Though love triangles make my head and heart hurt, this isn’t that kind of story. It’s a mature and thoughtful examination of what one may want out of life, really, when given the opportunity to go back and change your choices. I fell a bit in love with this story, despite some of the weighty issues and complications.

Harper is happily living a life as an art teacher in Chattanooga with her beloved husband, Ben. When Ben is diagnosed with late-stage cancer, he comes up with one final wish: he wants Harper to find a new partner before he dies. When the New York Times sends a journalist to do a feature story about Ben’s life, he turns out to be Liam Hale, the man Harper fell madly in love with years ago and never saw again. What if it had all turned out differently? After making a wish, Harper wakes up to find herself in a parallel universe, where her what-ifs become a reality.

I thought I knew what this story was about, but I was wrong. While overall it still hovered around the same direction, the execution took more twists and turns that I didn’t expect.

I particularly liked the self-discovery journey Harper went through. Through each man, she found something about herself, and without spoiling anything I was glad to see that the most important relationship she founded here was with herself.

This was a heartbreaking, heartwarming story perfect for a rainy day while snuggling under a blanket!

In Every Life by Rea Frey
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Ben and Harper find out Ben has cancer shortly after they get married. When the cancer comes back, Ben says his wish is for Harper to find love again…..BEFORE he dies.
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What I liked:
-This book was just hit after hit to the gut. There were a lot of emotions. Yet I didn’t sob like a baby, merely teared up several times. So I felt like it was a good amount of emotions.
-Harper loved so intensely.
-There was a bit of magical realism to the book that I found very interesting.
-I loved, loved, loved where the book went in the end.
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4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ The audiobook was fantastic. The narrator made this so easy to listen to and focus on.

In Every Life by Rea Frey was a very heartfelt and emotional book. It had many elements of magical realism sprinkled throughout its pages. Rea Frey did a good job developing complex characters in her newest book, In Every Life. This was my second book that I read by Rea Frey and it did not disappoint. Make sure you have tissues on hand when reading In Every Life. I kept the box close but thankfully they were not required for all parts of the book. The audiobook of In Every Life was very well done. It was narrated by Jennifer Jill Arraya. She did a good job distinguishing between the characters in her performance.

Imagine finding your soulmate, marrying him and looking forward to spending your entire life together in a loving relationship. That was precisely what happened to Ben and Harper Foster. They met, fell helplessly in love and knew immediately that they wanted to spend the rest of their lives together. Their wedding was perfect and they chose to go to Hawaii for their honeymoon. Just days into the honeymoon, Ben complained, which he rarely if ever did, that he wasn’t feeling well. Harper knew that something was very wrong. Ben was never sick but Harper saw that he did not look well. When Harper and Ben went to see Ben’s doctor they learned that Ben had stage four pancreatic cancer. After Ben learned about his diagnosis, he created a list of things he wanted to accomplish before he died. The most important thing on his list was for Ben to find someone for Harper so she would not be alone after he dies. Harper wanted nothing to do with his plan. Ben was the only man she would ever love.

Years before Harper met Ben, she was pursuing a career as an artist in New York. Harper had recently graduated from college, when her college roommate got her an interview with one of the top gallery owners. Harper was challenged by the gallery owner to create a significant number of new pieces of art in a short period of time and then bring them back to her office for her to see. Just prior to her interview, Harper had met a very handsome and charismatic man named Liam. There was incredible chemistry between Harper and Liam. He wished her good luck right before Harper excused herself for her interview. After the interview, Harper found herself in an impossible predicament. She had no place to paint. She had none of her tools, brushes, paints or canvases with her. They were all at her parent’s house. She had no place to stay. To Harper’s surprise, Liam, of all people, presented Harper with a solution. He had an apartment with a separate art studio in Brooklyn. Liam was a journalist but enjoyed dabbling in the art of painting. Thus, the existence of an art studio. Harper accepted Liam’s offer. Over the course of that week, Harper and Liam fell head over heels in love with each other. Harper was beginning to visual a life with Liam but a few things happened and Harper not only abandoned Liam but also her hopes for a career as an artist. She simply vanished from Liam’s life.

A few months into Ben’s diagnosis, he decided to be interviewed by a journalist from the New York Times. Nothing could have surprised Harper more than when she opened her and Ben’s front door and found Liam waiting to enter her condo to interview Ben. How will Harper react to Liam’s presence? Was this part of her husband’s crazy plan to find her a replacement lover before he dies? Can Harper keep her history with a Liam a secret from Ben? Should she or should she tell Ben about that part of her life?

I really enjoyed listening to In Every Life by Rea Frey. There were two times in the book that Harper participated in a ritual during a full moon. The ritual brought Harper to an alternate reality where she experienced a life that may have occurred under different circumstances. Those parts were a little OTT but added another twist to the plot. Overall, I enjoyed listening to the audiobook In Every Life by Rea Frey and recommend it.

Thank you to HarperCollins Focus for allowing me to listen to the audiobook In Every Life by Rea Frey through Netgalley in exchange for an unbiased review.

This book was so sweet. Ben is diagnosed with cancer and wants his wife, Harper, to find a new husband before he dies. Definitely a tear jerker.

This book was a roller-coaster of ALL the feelings. All the what-ifs, could have beens, and feelings rolled into one. I'm still speechless!

Rea Frey’s In Every Life is a poignant and thought-provoking novel that explores love, loss, and the unrelenting pull of the “what-ifs” that haunt us all. Narrated with emotional depth by Jennifer Jill Araya, the story follows Harper as she navigates the complexities of her husband’s final wish: for her to find love again before he dies. What follows is a journey through parallel universes, old loves, and life-altering decisions that will have readers reflecting on their own lives and choices.

At the heart of the novel is Harper, a woman whose life didn’t go as planned. After a failed art career in New York and a lost love with Liam Hale, she has settled into a quieter, simpler life as an art teacher in Chattanooga. Harper’s relationship with her husband, Ben, is the emotional anchor of the story. Their love is deep and real, but it’s threatened by the devastating news of Ben’s late-stage cancer diagnosis. The shift in Harper’s world as she watches the man she loves face death is portrayed with tenderness and authenticity. Frey writes with a sensitivity that captures the unbearable weight of grief while also infusing moments of hope and beauty into the narrative.

The emotional twist comes when Ben, in a moment of heartbreaking selflessness, expresses his dying wish: for Harper to find a new partner before he’s gone. This sets up the novel’s central conflict, as Harper struggles with the idea of letting go, moving on, and honoring Ben’s final request. Enter Liam Hale, the man she loved before Ben—a New York journalist whose reappearance in Harper’s life shakes everything loose, bringing back memories and unanswered questions about the life she could have had.

Frey taps into the universal human experience of wondering how different choices could have changed everything. Through a touch of magical realism, Harper’s what-ifs become more than just abstract thoughts. After making a wish, she wakes up in an alternate reality where her life with Liam and her dreams of being an artist have come true. It’s a fascinating shift that allows Frey to explore the concept of parallel lives, and the contrast between Harper’s two possible futures drives much of the emotional weight of the story.

Harper’s journey between these two worlds—her life with Ben and the life she could have had with Liam—forces her to confront the age-old question: Is the grass really greener on the other side? The novel masterfully explores whether our alternate dreams would have made us happier, or whether they come with their own set of sacrifices and challenges. Frey doesn’t shy away from the messy realities of both paths, showing that no life is perfect, and happiness isn’t guaranteed by the pursuit of different dreams.

Jennifer Jill Araya’s narration brings this emotional complexity to life, capturing Harper’s vulnerability, grief, and confusion as she navigates the surreal situation. Araya’s performance lends authenticity to the characters and their emotional arcs, particularly as Harper wrestles with the overwhelming feelings of love, loss, and the possibility of a second chance with Liam.

The themes of In Every Life are powerful: the inevitability of death, the pain of unfulfilled dreams, and the idea that no matter which path we take, there are trade-offs and losses. Frey’s writing is lyrical and moving, pulling readers into Harper’s internal struggle as she contemplates whether to stay in her current life or embrace the alternate reality. The novel doesn’t just offer escapism—it invites readers to think deeply about their own lives, relationships, and the paths they’ve taken.

Final Thoughts:
In Every Life is a heart-wrenching and beautifully crafted exploration of love, grief, and the choices that define our lives. Rea Frey skillfully weaves together elements of romance, magical realism, and emotional depth, creating a story that will resonate with anyone who’s ever wondered "what if?" The novel’s blend of tender moments and difficult questions, coupled with a stellar narration by Jennifer Jill Araya, makes it a compelling read for fans of character-driven stories about love and second chances. This book will stay with you long after the final page.

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 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 listen that will make readers appreciate each new day. The narrator did an excellent job of successfully portraying multiple characters. I will recommend this to library patrons. For fans of Elizabeth Berg and Katherine Center.