I was given the opportunity to listen to an advance audio copy of “then, again” by Jaclyn Youhana Garver.

Asha’s husband, Charlie, is in a coma. It’s been a year. Asha visits the care facility weekly, but knows that Charlie is no longer with her. Asha has a complex relationship with her judge-y SIL who makes Asha feel like a horrible wife. When things don’t seem complicated enough, Asha’s first love, recently divorced Jason, shows up unexpectedly.

The story goes back-and-forth from when Asha was in junior high and high school and dating Jason, and to the present day, and also tells the story of Asha and Charlie.

Asha’s relationship with Charlie was always easy. They met each other and fell in love. Asha’s relationship with Jason was much more complex, with a lot of drama,

The story of Asha and Jason sounds like a story between teens. There was a lot of jealousy, backstabbing by friends, and way too much insecurity for a solid foundation.

It was a decent enough story, but it was pretty slow. The author could have condensed some of the information from the past. I did like the fact that the author explored things that happened since Charlie’s coma, and before Jason returned in to the picture. It added another dynamic. Man that Francis is something else.

I enjoyed the details throughout the book, including the food that Asha’s father made, and what happened with Charlie’s ashes after the funeral.

The narrator, Samara Naeymi, does a nice job narrating the book.

Thank you to NetGalley and brilliance publishing for the advanced audio copy in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

3.25⭐️

**Review for "Then Again" by Jaclyn Youhana Graver - 3 Stars**
"Then Again" by Jaclyn Youhana Graver presents an intriguing premise that draws readers into a narrative filled with themes of love, redemption, and second chances. The story explores the complexities of relationships and the impact of past choices, offering a thoughtful reflection on personal growth.
The characters are relatable and have a genuine depth to them, making it easy for readers to connect with their journeys. Graver does a commendable job of showcasing their internal struggles, and the dialogue often feels authentic and heartfelt. However, at times, the character arcs veer into cliché territory, relying on familiar tropes that can feel a bit predictable.
The pacing of the book fluctuates, with some sections moving briskly, while others linger a bit longer than necessary. This uneven rhythm can detract from the overall engagement, as it sometimes disrupts the flow and momentum of the narrative. While the explorations of emotions and relationships are poignant, there are moments where the plot feels stretched, leading to a sense of repetitiveness.
Graver's writing style is evocative and descriptive, bringing the settings and emotional landscapes to life. Yet, there are instances where the prose could be tightened, as some passages tend to meander without significantly advancing the plot.
Ultimately, "Then Again" is a heartfelt, if somewhat conventional, romance that may resonate with readers looking for a contemplative love story. While it offers moments of insight and connection, it doesn't quite break new ground in the genre. It's a pleasant read for those who enjoy stories centered around love and self-discovery, but it may not leave a lasting impact for others seeking something more innovative.

Asha’s husband, Charlie is in a Coma for the last year. He's there but not really Asha has to come to terms that her husband is gone and has to navigate a life without him. How do you say goodbye to the love of your life and your other half?

This is told from 2 timelines the preteen before and her 1st childhood love to her current and present love of her life. To saying goodbye and hello. We learn about her 2 loves and how sometimes the past isn't done with you. I really enjoyed this book my only negative was the Senior year first few years of collage I didn't like her and how she acted with her 1st love. The growing up and figuring out who you are with someone and depression and using people as a crutch I was all here for. But how she didn't care for other people as a 17+ I didn't like.

I enjoyed the end and it wasn't her choosing anyone but choosing to live again.


Thank You NetGalley for this Audio Arc in exchange for my honest opinions.

How would you feel if your husband had been in a coma for a year and you knew he would never return? I don’t know if any of us can really answer this unless you have been in that situation.

Asha’s husband is in a coma, and she is doing all she can to live day by day and to find her new normal. All while dealing with her crazy sister-in-law who is not willing to let go. Her childhood boyfriend, Jason, moves back to the area after a divorce and calls Asha up. Memories and feelings reemerge. I did not like Jason and Asha’s relationship. It felt very juvenile. The story was told in two timelines, the first was present day and the other was Asha and Jason as teenagers. Garver took us through an emotional journey where Asha has to make some decisions about her life.

What an incredibly well done debut. I laughed, I cried a lot, and I was unable to stop listening to Asha's story. I enjoyed the dual timelines - Asha's coming of age and the tragedy and challenges of her adult life. Despite the difficult and hard to read parts, there was still beauty and positivity in this book. A lot of heartache and a lot of tough choices that were thrown her way - and her thoughts behind them then and now were great. This story is about the human strength and bonds - not just romantic but between family and friends. The importance of a strong support system when times are good and bad. Overall a truly well done story and I look forward to future books from this author.

thank you netgalley for my advanced reader copy

This emotional novel explores the heartbreaking reality of living in limbo, as Asha grapples with the loss of her husband Charlie, who lies in a coma after a sudden brain aneurysm. The dynamic between Asha, who has accepted Charlie’s fate, and his sister Maura, who clings to hope through relentless prayer, provides a compelling tension that captures the different ways people cope with grief. However, the narrative’s detour into Asha’s past romance with Jason and her affair with Francis felt like distractions from the stronger themes of loss and healing. The non-chronological structure, while unique, became disjointed at times, making it challenging to stay invested. Despite these pacing issues, the novel shines in its exploration of the complex emotions tied to holding on and letting go.

This was perfectly messy. Asha's life is complicated and she is flawed. She is completely relatable.

What kept me from <i>loving</i> this was mainly Jason. Her first love and the one she keeps finding her way back to. He is flawed, too, and much of it is understandable. But I still didn't like him or that Asha kept going back to him throughout her life.

Samara Naeymi did a good job with the narration.

I received an advance audio copy in exchange for an honest review.

Asha is experiencing a life-changing complication. After a freak medical emergency, her husband is in a coma and the doctors do not know if he will ever wake up. During this time, Asha has her dad, her best friend, and surprisingly, Jason, a boy she had been in love with for years growing up, by her side.

Thank you Jaclyn Youhana Garver and Brilliance Publishing for the audio version of this ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed here are mine and mine alone.

I started out absolutely loving this book. I loved all the timelines going back to different moments of Asha's life. I loved how middle school romance was written. But then as the book progressed, everything became about sex. Plainly stated, it was too much. There is more to life than being horny or having sex with a guy who is dating someone else. It just felt icky and almost praised or brushed aside in the book. Having said that, I liked the ending as well as it left Asha with hope for her future. It was nice, it felt right, but I don't think we needed all the sex to get there.

The narrator was amazing and I really liked her voicing for the different characters. I would definitely listen to another audiobook read by this narrator.

5 star beginning
1 star middle
4 star ending
5 star narrator

2.75 stars overall, rounded up to 3 stars

Wow, just a big wow. This was a fabulous listen. Asha’s husband had an aneurysm and is for all intents and purposes gone, though his body is being kept alive by machines. Charlie is/was the love of her life, her heart, her everything. The man she wanted to grow old with, only that is not going to happen. We go along the journey with her just trying to survive, do what is best for Charlie, trying to find a new normal and deal with all of the emotional turmoil. How does one mourn for someone who still alive, though only technically. She is loved and supported by her amazing father and her BFF, but has to deal with Charlie’s nut job of a sister and his absent parents as well as the emotional turmoil. The story toggles between when Asha was an adolescent and current time and is a beautifully written deeply emotional story. I look forward to what comes next from this author.

I really liked this one. The narrator was FANTASTIC and really had a positive impact on my experience with the audiobook. Excellent work with multiple people, including both male and female and someone with an accent.

This book is about romantic relationships, but I couldn’t help but fall in love with the relationship between Asha and her father. Her best friend is also a wonderful and supportive character.

I loved the dual timelines and the different perspectives they offered. Definitely a winner! Would be eager to read more titles by this author as she puts them out! The only critique I have is I was really wanting more at the end. Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen and review.