Thank you, NetGalley and HarperCollins Focus | Harper Muse books for this ARC for review. I should have known by the book description, but this should win the award for "Makes you cry within the first 5 minutes of reading". Ben and Harper just got married and are living in Chattanooga and planning their life together when Ben gets sick. Ben is diagnosed with Stage 4 pancreatic cancer. After all the treatments are done, Ben has one final wish he wants: He wants Harper to find someone to love before he dies. This tore me up how this all played out, but I have to say I really LOVED how it ended. Such a beautiful and heartrending story. FYI: Bring tissues.

Thank you NetGalley, Rea Frey, and HarperCollins for allowing me to read the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This book started off so well and then just started getting on my nerves. I understand Harper’s struggle for wanting to constantly save Ben, but at some point she needed a wake-up call to see how her actions were impacting those around her. It constantly revolved around what she wanted, when she wanted it, and how she wanted it. I just wanted to shake her and tell her to enjoy the life she has.

Wow, all the emotions with this one. The author told a gripping story here and could just love how it pieces together. I love how hard she fought for Ben and how hard he fought for her. And Liam. It’s just a great way to sum up a lot of “what if” questions. The main character had so many choices to make and it ultimately lead to the same person but I’m very, very different ways. Fair warning, the end of this book nearly ripped my heart right out. I was so hopeful and refused to see what was in front of me. Beautiful, heart breaking, and yet so much love.

Ben and Harper are on their honeymoon, when he collapses and their world turns upside down. What was supposed to be the beginning of their happy life, is cut short at the start with an unforgiving cancer diagnosis. In comes Ben’s brilliant plan—he wants to help Harper find “someone new to love” and chaos ensues.

When media outlet’s get ahold of Ben’s romantic plan, they send journalists to convince the couple they can tell their story. Finally, a journalist, Liam Hale, from the New York Times is picked, the only problem is, that it’s the one person in the world Harper does not want to talk to since he’s “the one that got away” more than ten years ago.

What follows is a somewhat predictable and sad love story, that isn’t quite a love triangle and dabbles in the science fiction with time travel. I personally wasn’t a fan of Ben helping Harper, as it implies she cannot survive on her own, and she complains throughout the novel about needing to prove her ability to do things without assistance. The time travel also felt very implausible rather than whimsical.

Overall In Every Life is a quick happily every after type read, but as someone who recently lost someone I loved to cancer I struggled especially with the whole I can meditate cancer out of my body vibe. I am in the minority though, so perhaps it just wasn’t the right time for me to read a novel like this one.

Thank you to NetGalley, Harper Muse, and author Rea Frey for the advanced copy of the audiobook. In Every Life is out now. All opinions are my own.

I really enjoyed this story. I loved Harper but Ben stole my heart. While Harper's journey was the main focus, everything she did was because of what was happening with Ben. He was hard not to fall in love with.

I did not realize this story would have a time jump in it, but I think it was done very well. The second time hop confused me a little, but I think it really tied the story together to get us to the ending that we all knew was coming. It was beautiful and heartbreaking.

The audio was fantastic. I highly recommend the audio for those that listen. Thank you so much to Rea Frey, HarperCollins Focus, and NetGalley for allowing me to listen and review.

I was so emotional during and after reading it that my heart hurts a little every time i think of this story. I loved it from the begining to the end.

It's sad and heartbreaking but at the same time it give us hope.

If you're looking for a romance novel that will crack you, this is it!

Thank you to Netgalley, Rea Frey, and Harper Collins Focus for an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

In Every Life is a beautiful and inspiring story that explores love, loss, and the pursuit of dreams. Ben and Harper’s marriage begins with a cancer diagnosis—a storm that threatens their future. But they celebrate as Ben goes into remission, cherishing every moment. When cancer returns, the doctors deliver devastating news: no viable treatment options remain. As Ben creates a bucket list, he hatches an unconventional plan: he wants Harper to find a new love before he passes away. Harper is resistant, unwilling to imagine life without Ben. Yet, when a journalist learns of Ben’s wish, their story captures hearts.

Enter Leo Hale— the journalist who wants to write Ben's story and the man who got away. A decade ago, Harper spent a perfect week with him and begins to question what would be if she had stayed and chosen differently all those years ago? Now, faced with old feelings and the ultimate what-if, she grapples with the pain of losing the one she loves. The story weaves together love, alternate realities, and the pain of loss, leaving readers pondering their own life-changing moments.

Rea Frey masterfully combines elements of magical realism with genuine emotion. Harper’s exploration of alternate lives and her connection with Leo make this novel a captivating read. It’s a reminder that our choices shape our destinies, and sometimes the grass isn’t greener—it’s right where we stand. If you enjoy heartfelt romance and thought-provoking narratives, In Every Life is definitely worth adding to your reading list.

As someone who recently lost a loved one to pancreatic cancer, this story hit hard for me and I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it. It's a good reminder that life is full of twists and turns that often lead us to unexpected places. If you decide to read In Every Life, I hope it resonates with you as much as it did with me.

This is an emotional story that will appeal to many readers. The premise was unique, and I liked the way the idea of "what if" was fleshed out. The ending was perfection!
I personally didn't enjoy the aspect dealing with tarot cards and manifestation candles. It felt less like magical realism and more like witchcrafts/sorcery.

Ty to NetGalley and publishers for the audiobook!!

The Notebook meets P.S. I love you

Read if you like:
-what ifs ✨
-parallel universes
-cancer stories
- the art world

This book is so gods damñ sweet. 🥹

It follows Harper & Ben Foster following a cancer diagnosis. Ben is insistent on finding his wife someone to love before he dies.

Liam pulled at my heartstrings, and I somewhat wish she would have stayed. ❤️

But in the end, Harper found someone to love (no spoilers) and everything worked out for our beautiful FMC.

Don't walk to B&N for this one, run!

What happens when a husband’s dying wish is for his wife to find a new love . . . before he’s even gone?

I was intrigued by this synopsis because it's a little unique and I thought it could be interesting. I wouldn't call myself a romance reader but I know there are ways it can be done that isn't cheesy.

Starting off, the narrator, Jennifer Jill Araya's voice is so perfect that I thought maybe it was one of those AI narrators. I usually listen in 1.25 speed but that made her sound even more like a robot. I did get more used to it as I continued listening but it threw me off a little. I don't like my narrator to be too perfect/perky.

The subject matter is a little intense because the love of Harper's life is dying right after getting married to him. Some situations are going to be dramatic naturally. But I did find some of the dialogue and writing to be a bit hokey. Again, I'm not the biggest fan of romance novels so others may not mind this at all.

I was hoping for the parallel universe thing to be a bigger part but that doesn't come until halfway in the book. This is my first book by the author and I'm not sure I'd read more.

I think if you enjoy romance with a twist, you'll enjoy In Every Life. Thank you to NetGalley, Rea Frey, Jennifer Jill Araya, and HarperCollins Focus/Harpers Muse for the opportunity to read it! I have written this review voluntarily.

This one is everywhere and rightfully so. It takes a morbid thought, your husband is dying of cancer, but spins is to, he wants you to find happiness… but, plot twist, he wants to see you happy before he dies. Consider me intrigued.

All of the heaviness is handled with grace and “what ifs” and “what nows” and my bleeding heart could barely take it. This one made me cry, made me think, and it made me believe in magic. What more could you want?!

It was beautiful, it was morbid, it was heartbreaking and honest and it also put my heart's shattered pieces back together. It's an emotional ride, but definitely still such a good one.

The hook of this book is "What happens when a husband’s dying wish is for his wife to find a new love... before he’s even gone?", but that's not what this book is about. Ben doesn't really ever help Harper find a new love. He states that that's his intention and arranges to have a journalist come in to document the search for love (which, again, never happens), but then said journalist conveniently happens to be Harper's good-looking ex... ish.
The first two thirds of the book deals with this love triangle, which is really only ever happening in Harper's head, as nothing major occurs IRL, and then, just when you think you're approaching the end, you suddenly get an entirely different book-- again, not the one promised, and now we've switched genres. I think the then/now/what if would've worked if the wish had occurred as an inciting incident in the first third of the book, but to come in so late in the game? It felt unmotivated and jarring.

3.5 stars. I don't often read romance or magical realism, but overall I enjoyed this quick, thought-provoking read. The MC frustrated me at times with not being upfront with Ben or Liam and giving up on her dream for minor reasons seemed far-fetched. I did enjoy the descriptions of Brooklyn, art and way the book made you think of those key decisions you make in your life.

I listened to the audiobook and thought the narration was a good fit to story. A big thank you to Harper Muse Audiobooks for this audiobook. All opinions are my own, given willingly.

Thanks to netgalley for the chance to listen to this audiobook. I loved the concept of this book and the way Rea Frey made me constantly wonder how it was going to end. I absolutely loved the ending and the narration by Jennifer Jill Araya was fantastic. If you're a crier, grab the tissues!

Harper and her new husband are on their honeymoon when they lives come crashing down. He is diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. Just weeks after promising to love each other until death do us part, death is already knocking. As they work their way through treatment, Ben hatches a plan for Harper, find a new husband before he dies.
A roller coaster of emotions come with this book. Ones where I find myself usually on Harper's side. (Are you kidding me Ben?) but occasionally I found myself understanding where Ben came from. He wanted to take care of his wife, even after his passing. Throw in some really fun characters and you really have an interesting read. Even though it is the story of Ben and Harper, you meet the "one who got away." Which really does change the aspect of this story.
A thought provoking story of what would you do?

I really loved this. It's sad, funny, and twists your emotions. Just when you think you've got it figured out, something changes and your feeling something new.

Harper and Ben are newlyweds and discover he has cancer and doesn't have much to live. He wants her to find her new partner before he goes. Harper, an art teacher... Thinks he is crazy and only ever loved one other man before. Said man... Shows up at their door to do an article on Ben.

I wasn't expecting the... Freaky Friday moments of this book and it really added so much to the story. You fall in love with Ben, and Liam and watch Harper try to decide what she really wants in her life and for her to discover herself.

Thank you Harper Muse for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

This book is about an unimaginable scenario- a diagnosis of late stage cancer to your new husband who hasn’t even hit 40. It is heart wrenching to even consider. As the book continued, I found myself rooting for both the real scenario and the “what if” scenario. Because of this, I really wasn’t sure how the book would end. I absolutely loved the ending and thought it was a perfect conclusion.

The narrator was very easy to understand and did a good job with the variety of speaking characters in the book.

I really struggled with this book. The premise of finding a partner for your soon-to-be widow felt implausible, but I was interested to see how Frey would handle it and hopefully gain some insights into the opposing perspective. Unfortunately, this did not happen. For one thing, I still think the premise is flawed - the loss of your life partner is going to leave scars and you aren't going to be the same person if/when you're ready to meet someone new. So picking someone before doesn't even work. Equally frustrating as Leo's insistence on this was Harper's secrets. The plot never really went anywhere - but it did so slowly and painfully. On top of all that was the whole forceful rhetoric about using the power of your mind to cure yourself. As a person who has had a daily meditation practice since before 3rd grade and also lives with a serious autoimmune condition, this just gave me the ick.

A huge thank you to the author and the publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.

This book was so good. It was heartbreaking but hopeful. I am not a super huge fan of time travel and alternate realities though. I really think this has been done too many times recently. Just this year I have read no less than 20 books that deal with alternate time and time travel. It really makes the book hard to relate too.

Oh my,This was a very emotional but satisfying, beautiful read , if could give ten stars I would , it's a perfect read for everyone, cause we all have loved someone in our lifetime . This has some What if moments, a bit of magic, alot of love ,choices and a perfect ending!