How to Walk Away

To say that I loved this book is an understatement.. It's everything you could want in a book. It's intense and emotional. You will be cheering for Margaret from the beginning up until the very end. If you haven't discovered Katherine Center's books yet my advice is that you run to preorder this book and then do what I did which is to download her previous books. You will not be disappointed. This is a book that will stay with you long after you have finished it. I call that a well deserved book hangover. Make sure that you leave plenty of time to devote to this book because I read it in less than a day. Happy reading!

When lightening strikes your world can change in an instant. This story was very well written and uplifting. . This is a new author for me and I need to read more of her work.

I read a free copy from NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.

Katherine Center's How to Walk Away was phenomenal! I was surprised at how quickly I empathized with the heroine, Margaret. Her constant cheerleader, I could not wait to see what obstacles she might face next. This is a fabulous book to drop everything and just read from cover to cover! Katherine's pen worked some real magic with emotions. WOW! I laughed out loud. I cried. (Several times.) I went to sleep at night thinking about Margaret and the object of her affections. I loved the unexpectedness of it all--resolution included. I loved the resilient and inspirational nature of this novel. Thank you, Katherine for an enjoyable experience!!!

The novel ’ How to walk away’ is about surviving and finding meaning after a terrible accident . Margaret , 26 years old , has to reconstruct a new life after a terrible accident caused by her reckless boyfriend. This is not easygoing as she goes through all stages of grieving her ‘before ‘ life . The book describes in a realistic and heartwarming way how she pierces her life together. It is never all tragedy and there are some funny , even hilarious moments . Very interesting is that all relationships have to be re examined and reconstructed. The author describes well how people are very often at a loss how to react or how to deal with Margaret after her accident. The story is fast paced, well written and very poignant. I would highly recommend this novel as it leaves the reader with a lot to think about.

From the author of Happiness for Beginners comes an unforgettable love story about finding joy even in the darkest of circumstances.

Katherine center writes a beautiful novel How To Walk Away. Emotional, lovely and even comical even in the reality of tragedy that could change her entire life with a family that has it's own secrets and emotional charged ties. You will know the characters from page one. You will love Margaret and relate to her and her situations. Katherine Center writes as if she is telling you a story that is truly happening while gulping down some strong coffee with close friends or sisters. I highly recommend this beautiful book. I savored it and look forward to reading more from this talented author. 5 STARS!!

Book Description:
Margaret Jacobsen has a bright future ahead of her: a fiancé she adores, her dream job, and the promise of a picture-perfect life just around the corner. Then, suddenly, on what should have been one of the happiest days of her life, everything she worked for is taken away in one tumultuous moment .

In the hospital and forced to face the possibility that nothing will ever be the same again, Margaret must figure out how to move forward on her own terms while facing long-held family secrets, devastating heartbreak, and the idea that love might find her in the last place she would ever expect.

I received an ARC of this novel from Netgalley in exchange for my review. I have never read any of Katherine Center's books, but after finishing, How to Walk Away, I immediately downloaded her other novels. What can I say about this story? Margaret Jacobson knows that her fiancé is going to propose. He doesn't know that she knows, just like he doesn't know just how clearly she has mapped out their very bright future. The only thing she doesn't know is that life she has planned is about to get ripped apart in a blink. Margaret now has to try to make sense out of the senseless pieces of what is left of her life. What she doesn't know is that by repairing her life, she is helping to fix the lives of those who think they are helping her.

This story is tender and bittersweet most of all hopeful. I devoured it in one sitting and I can't wait to tell all of my friends to read it!

Touching and poignant. A very well thought out as well as an emotional read. I enjoyed it immensely. I voluntarily read this book via NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.

How to Walk Away is Katherine Center’s best book yet. She has crafted a beautiful, heartbreaking, and thoroughly romantic novel that is sure to be a hit with everyone who reads it. Soon after the book opens, Margaret Jacobsen’s world changes in an instant, and she must learn to forge ahead while trying to move on from the past. Margaret is tougher than she thinks and with the help of her sister and her physical therapist Ian, she slowly begins to create a new path for herself while learning to adjust to newly discovered family secrets and heartbreak. The story is clever, unpredictable, devastating, and ultimately unforgettable. Center has crafted fabulous, genuine characters that I loved and rooted for (Margaret, Kit, and Ian) and others that I wanted to throttle (Chip and his mother). And most importantly, the ending is outstanding.

How to Walk Away is thought-provoking and handles a tough subject effectively and realistically, refusing to sugarcoat Margaret’s predicament which I appreciated. I find it frustrating when an author includes a tough topic only to downplay or gloss over the difficulty of the situation. Moreover, Center has clearly done her research on Margaret’s condition which adds depth and authenticity to the story – I learned so much that I didn’t know. I think my favorite part of the book is Center’s message that people do not always control what happens to them, but they do control how they handle the issues that arise, whether the issues are significant or simply a blip on the screen of life. That message certainly resonates with me and is a good reminder that while certain things cannot be changed, I can alter how I approach responding to those things.

How to Walk Away is a fantastic book that I will continue thinking about for a long time. I highly recommend it, and when you sit down to read it have tissues ready. Clear your schedule before you start it, because you will not be able to put it down. I received a copy to read and review. All opinions are my own.

Fantastic book! I would give it more stars if I could. One of the most inspiring books I have read. I loved Ian and Maggie and the love story that developed between them. I will definitely read more by this author.

One of those novels that render you speechless. After a near-fatal accident, our heroine finds new meaning in life. Is this just another one of those conquer all despite the odds novels? Definitely not. A new twist because you feel the pain and you know there is no magical solution waiting around the corner, but still you can't wait to turn the page. Highly recommend!

When Margaret Jacobsen finds herself paralyzed due to the hubris and stupidity of her fiancé, life looks pretty bleak - especially when her estranged sister shows up and creates family tension and her physical therapist turns out to be a humorless drill sergeant. But as is true on all of Katherine Center's books, hope is on the horizon. This is a charming story of tenacity and overcoming obstacles. Center give us a good, if somewhat predictable story of a young woman who overcomes great obstacles to create a rich and meaningful life. Thoroughly enjoyable!

How To Walk Away is as charming as it was difficult (subject) to read. I couldnt wait til evening when I could continue reading it—Maggie had too much at stake not to see her through to the end. I find myself thinking about this character still, wondering what I would have done in her shoes. Though this would make a terrific movie, I would not like to see them change the story!

Pilot. Small aircraft. Fiery crash. For the rest of her life, nothing will be the same for the heroine.

I pass over a lot of synopses and book pitches, but that one caught my eye, despite the category, "women's fiction," which some take to mean "literary," while I tend to fear over-used tropes of the romance genre.

The medical information was the best part of the story, for me. But that's just me. It's very evident that the author paid her dues and put in a lot of time and effort researching what her heroine would go through after that crash.

This one came with some tropes, yes, but also with some surprises. Some may stretch credulity, but it allows scenes to unfold with Hollywood clarity and drama. E.g., crashing a wedding, overseas: I'm trying to avoid SPOILERS, but I have to say this kind of thing is what I like least about women's fiction or chick flicks.

One of the tropes I hate most is in here. Let's just say it's kinda like when Edward told Bella in "Twilight" Book Two he didn't love her anymore, not because it was true, but because he figured the heartbreak and devastation of being rejected was better for her than being with him.

I hate that noble sacrifice.

It's a testament to a storyteller's power when I keep reading, in spite of an annoying trope. The characters must seem real or I won't keep turning the pages.

We have all heard platitudes about what to do when adversity strikes: when life hands you lemons, make lemonade, etc. , but none of us really know what we'd do when faced with a life-changing situation. Margaret Jacobsen is faced with this dilemma after what should be the best day of her life turns upside down. Does Margaret get the happy ending she originally sought? Or does her idea of a happy ending change along with everything else?

I've always had an aversion to anything hospital-related. Seeing people suffering with sickness or injury is especially difficult for me. And reading novels or watching movies with related subject matter is something that I usually decide very early on that there has to be something else, anything else that I would rather be doing. But this novel was so impacting that it got me past all of that. It was that slim thread of hope that kept me reading until I reached the point where I could not put this down. I read it straight through.

This is one of those very poignant novels that causes the characters to become deeply and intricately introspective about their lives; it also causes the reader to become equally introspect about their own lives. And I think this is just one of the reasons that this novel is amazingly successful.

Will not reveal anything more, other than that it is an incredible read, well written in all aspects: plot, characterization and substance. So believable that it feels as though it is a true story. And full of hope . . if this does not inspire you and lift you up, nothing will.

It is the rare book that has impacted me as much as this one.

Margaret and her fiance Chip go for a plane ride, with Chip as the pilot. He has not passed his flying test yet and Margaret doesn't want to go, but Chip talks her into it. Suddenly they are flying in bad weather and the plane crashes. Chip gets out without a scratch but Margaret is paralyzed and burnt. I read this book because I was rooting for Margaret and wanted to see what she would do with her life. What would happen with Chip? Was she attracted to her new physical therapist Ian, what was the secret between her sister Kit and her mother and why Kit disappeared for 3 years? A good novel with interesting characters that you will root for again and again.

A plane crash has left Margaret with a life she doesn't recognize. Is Chip her fiancé or isn't he? What exactly is her prognosis? Why does her mother insist on redecorating her hospital room? Why does everyone insist on framing this in how it affects them rather than her?

I think this last question is the most interesting to me in the novel - when you're a good girl, when you have always done what is expected, then there is this ability for people to expect that you'll always defer, to be nice, to put their needs above theirs. I loved that Margaret figures out ways to change expectations. With everything that she's lost in this crash, she gains the ability to see people more clearly, to self-advocate and to think more about what she needs and wants, rather than what will make others happy.

Beyond this....initially this felt like a fairly typical (if well-written) chick lit book where our heroine is overcoming adversity, finding herself AND also, the perfect guy. However, it moves beyond those tropes and stretches into a deeper and more complex story. While the book holds some predictability, it also gets you there in an unexpected series of events, draws a family of complex characters and makes the book a fantastic, interesting and soulful experience.

How to Walk Away is a powerful, poignant, heartfelt story of one woman's tumultuous journey from being on the cusp of a perfect life to losing it all in a heartbeat to clawing and scratching her way out of the depths of despair while desperately searching for the courage, determination, and motivation to live again - whatever that might mean for her. I started this book late one afternoon and finished it before midnight in one sitting. From cover to cover, I remained ensnared in the web of a story I simply couldn't stop reading. Katherine Center's brilliantly written book engages a range of human emotions - the giddy highs of hope, anticipation, and happiness to the dark lows of despair, utter hopelessness, and uncontrollable grief and loss. From tears and an aching heart to smiles and a ray of hope, this book moved me. I can never ask for more than that from a book or author.

I'm not discussing details of this story as there's no way to do that without completely spoiling it for future readers. Instead, I'll share the beautiful job Center does in delivering characters that are realistically depicted given the devastating situation they find themselves facing. Love them or hate them, every character's role is portrayed flawlessly - in color - vivid and rich with emotional turmoil - either degrading and condescending or supportive and loving. I found myself wanting to hug some and strangle others, but either way they felt real. The genuine, thought-provoking plot line that was so obviously researched in minute detail is conveyed through a writing style that flows and ebbs like an ocean wave at all the right times, portraying the highs and lows of this story with an emotional punch to the heart and a serious reality check to the brain. As the story unfolds, several beautiful, life messages emerge from Center's gripping telling of Maggie's agonizing journey, but none ring truer than the importance of summoning the will to try again - to reach for your new happy ever after. We must recognize, embrace, and accept that there are many different kinds of happy ever after. You may not get the one you once dreamed of, but you can achieve another that is just as beautiful if you dare own it. Katherine Center's How to Walk Away is a captivating, breathtaking story of hope, courage, perseverance, and the never-ending power of true love. A Page-Burning, Must Read!

How to Walk Away by Katherine Center immediately immerses you into the life of Mag, Kit, Chip and their parents.
Bringing you into the world of youth, vitality, and arrogance. How life can plunge you into the depths of despair and tragedy and yet bring joy through that same tragedy.
How to Walk Away reminded me how you can only truly know joy after you've experienced sorrow.
I loved this book!!!
Definitely worthy of FIVE stars.

I could not put this one down. Really enjoyed the family dynamics, especially once Kit came on the scene. The building tension with Ian was well portrayed. And the suspense of Maggie's recovery from her gruesome injuries was riveting. This was a winning combo of family healing, personal healing and growth, and romance. Plus Camp Hope sounded fantastic. THIS IS HOW WE ROLL!

This is a coming of age story laced with tragic events, romance, and family relationships.

Margaret had a bright future, everything a young woman like her would ever want. Just when she thought she was at the top of the world, her world collapses after an accident. Being partially paralyzed and losing everything she treasured before took a tool on her. She almost lost her grip on life and decided to give up. Luckily, she found someone with their one burdened past. Her crisis also became a turning point for her already dysfunctional family, they all learned a lot about their family during this time.

In the end, this is a story about being beaten down by life, and finding another way to be happy. The story line isn't crazily original, but it's entertaining and readable. Would recommend to New Adult romance lovers and women's fiction readers. This is kind of a happier version of Me Before You meets Stronger (movie) in my opinion.

Margaret Johnson has the perfect life, with a job she loves and an amazing fiancée. All that change sin a heartbeat when the plane her fiancée is piloting goes down. He walks away without a scratch, while she is seriously injured. Now, lying in a hospital bed, she has to find the courage and the strength to literally start over. With a little help from her friend and family and a brilliant physical therapist, she’ll do her best. The only question that remains is, does she really want her life back as it was before the crash? Center creates characters readers will love (and hate ) in this lovely story

I was so happy when the publisher sent me a copy of this book!
Margaret is a young woman that survives a plane crash, leaving her with spinal cord injuries and third degree burns. After losing her job, fiancé and the ability to walk, the journey to rebuild her life is captivating, she will make new discoveries and family secrets, and finally she will find love.
My favorite quotes:
“You have to live the life you have. You have to find inspiration in the struggle, and pull joy out of the hardship”.
“Carry the sorrow when we have to, and absolutely savor the joy when we can.”
“The crash all those years ago shattered the life I had, but the pieces wound up making a pretty good mosaic”.
Thank you, Katherine for writing such an inspiring book.
How to walk away is definitely one of my favorite books by Katherine Center.

Prepare to be blown away by How to Walk Away, just one of Katherine Center's beautifully, often comically written, bittersweet novels of overcoming tragedy and persevering. I was hooked on the first page, and everything else had to wait while I delved, completely absorbed, into this fantastic book.

Margaret Jacobsen has just finished an M.B.A. and been told "unofficially" that she has a great new job. Her finance, Charles Philip Dunbar ("Chip") has not yet completed the requirements for his pilots' license.
 
Knowing she is terrified of flying, he coerces her into getting into a small plane that doesn't belong to him. While in the air, he proposes to her, but the weather turns ugly. Chip walks away without a scratch.  Margaret is seriously injured.
 
This is a story of the love of a family, warts and all. Margaret's sister, Kitty, and their mother have never gotten along, and have been estranged for three years. Mom has a deep, dark secret, that will devastate the family, but it has to come out. While hospitalized, Margaret learns that enduring, romantic love can be found in the most unexpected times and places.
 
This is a book I will not soon forget. It's one I am likely to read again in the future -- there aren't too many of those. I think I may have found another favorite author. This book is an absolute must-read.
 
What Makes This Book Reviewer Grumpy?
 
There are the usual things: a few split infinitives, a few incomplete sentences, and a lot of sentences beginning with conjunctions. Mostly, though, there were a huge number of single-sentence paragraphs. That is a huge no-no. Every time, those single sentences could have been included in either the preceding paragraph or the following one. Still this is an outstanding book. Look for me online as The Grumpy Book Reviewer.

I really enjoyed this novel. I was sucked in right from the beginning. I loved the family dynamics and how they dealt with everything with a bit of humor as our family is the same way. As an RN I found it rather unlikely that the nurse would spend over an hour transferring a patient from the ICU to acute care, but I was able to overlook that. I would absolutely recommend this book.

An unexpected delight, "How To Walk Away" is a punchier-than-average tale of romance. Margaret Jacobsen loses everything in a plane crash - her career, her fiance, her looks and the use of her legs. As she works through these life-changing events in her hospital bed, she struggles to find the will to go on as her emotions rollercoaster from "I will conquer this and walk again" to eventual acceptance of her new situation. At her side are her loving parents, her estranged sister and her Physical Therapy coach, a handsome but surly Scot, all of whom are dealing with their own personal traumas but trying to set them aside to support Margaret in her hours of need.
Center does an awesome job of blending just the right amount of inspiration, humour, highs & lows and subplots to create an engaging whole. The characters are all vividly created and equally lovable and frustrating as the plot unfurls. Margaret is an excellent heroine, strong but with moments of weaknesses, positive with moments of despair, loving with moments of anger.... And while some of the aspects of the denouement aren't really a surprise, it's an extremely satisfying read from start to finish. Highly recommended.

Gripping, absorbing story about how a woman turns a personal tragedy into a new life. From the clinical perspective, I found “How to Walk Away” very realistic, well researched and detailed. The heroine’s feelings and the way she deals with her new reality sound authentic and kept me interested throughout the book (I’ve read it in one setting).
The tortured hero, with just the right amount of aloofness, was alluring. And that Scottish burr…
I also loved the heroine’s relationship with her sister and the family drama added some interest to the story.
The ex-fiancée was just a bit too evil for my taste.

Wow! I don't know how to describe reading How to Walk Away by Katherine Center without sounding like a major fangirl. I picked it up in the afternoon thinking I could just read a chapter or two and get on with my day... never happened. The story of Margaret Jacobsen, a recent business school grad on the fast track to the perfect life with a dream job and a boyfriend who's going to propose, as she navigates life after a horrific tragedy. Center's books always seem fluffy and light on the surface, but go so much deeper than that. Her writing is absolutely gorgeous and she tucks great truths within the story that just stick with you for a long time. This is one of those novels that will become a part of my "desert island library"- books I read and reread over the years because they are comfort food to my soul. I HIGHLY recommend this one.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press for the free review copy of this novel. All opinions are my own. 

Wow, I think this is going to be one of my favorite novels of the year. I couldn't read quick enough. This is a story of strength, courage, and overcoming. Margaret's struggle after her accident was so real. This book didn't sugar coat recovery, it made it seem like a real process. The reader was able to feel the depression and despair that comes with a life-changing injury. 

Center wrote a real family with real problems. Each character felt like a normal person, which made it so easy to become involved in all the different conflicts in the novel. Her writing made it so that I rooted for Margaret the entire time. 

I also loved the way the narrator is talking to the reader in this book. This style isn't seen often, and I think it added an extra enticement. This also is why the novel felt so real. It felt so personal, which made it so that you want nothing but the best for Margaret.

I read the first chapter of this book as part of Bookish First and when I got to the end of that I was hooked. Luckily I was able to pick up a copy on Netgalley and won a print copy from Bookish First. This book is incredible and is a must read that needs to be on everybody's list.

Margaret had everything she ever wanted within reach and one fateful night and a plane crash is all it took for it to be gone. Now she has to face her new reality and put everything back together. But how well do the pieces fit when literally everything has changed, including yourself?

How to Walk Away is well-written and will give you an emotional ride. It was so good that I couldn't put it down and didn't want it to end. The amount of research the author did was obvious in how well she covered the topics. This will be a book I will talking about for a while.

Thank you Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for an ARC of this novel. I loved it! Beautifully written!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review. Also, thank you so much to Katherine Center and her publisher for being at TLA in Dallas this last week, where she spoke about the book and I was able to get a signed ARC as well. The book moved right up to the top of my must read list after hearing Katherine speak.

I loved this book with every fiber of my being. It kinda shattered me then put me back together. Margaret, the heroine of the book, is someone I connected with immediately. I especially loved her sense of humor and related to how she handled her situation. She is relatable and just real. The situations presented in the book and relationships between the characters are very realistic. So many things that could be overdone or veer into being cheesy by a less skilled writer are done just right in this book. The book brought me to tears a few times, but it was often more from hope and joy than from being utterly destroyed by the book. I do love a good tearjerker, but I think I much prefer this blend of bittersweet and comedic that this author is known for.

I very highly recommend this book, especially for those who love Jojo Moyes, Emily Giffin, and similar authors. I have found a new-to-me author to watch, and I am looking forward to reading her backlist now. The book will be out May 15th, so be sure to pre-order or put on your must read list and watch for it.

How to Walk Away is a poignant and emotional story of accepting one's life after a devastating accident. The book is beautifully written, it's an emotional roller coaster ride that will break your heart at first and will mend it back together by the end. The characters of the story are complex and interesting. Margaret is such a great heroine, she is honest and funny. I loved her sense of humor, which she used quite a lot as a coping mechanism during her recovery. And, of course, there is Ian, a brooding Scottish physiotherapist, who works with Maggie after the accident; Maggie's funny and eccentric sister, Kitty, and their parents. I loved these characters so much and I loved following their journey of healing and acceptance, not just Maggie's but her whole family.

If you are looking for an incredible story of courage and resilience that will make you cry and laugh from one page to next, pick up How to Walk Away immediately.

Katherine Center’s novel, How to Walk Away is a great romantic comedy on making the best of life in all circumstances. It encompasses not just one character’s experiences but the entire family. Center provides memorable characters and a story line that keeps the reader engaged until the very end. How to Walk Away is a must for the beach bag this year! Thanks to NetGalley for an advanced ebook in exchange for an honest review.

I absolutely loved this novel, as evidenced by the fact that I read in a single day. Maggie is such a great protagonist, who is very easy to relate to. A lot of her feelings about her situation were similar to mine when I was an a similar, but significantly less serious, situation. I also really liked Ian, both when he and Maggie first meet (when he's a grumpasaurus) and as their friendship progresses.

There are several side plots, so there is a lot going on, but I never felt like it took away from Maggie's story.

Very good book. Hope, love, family, real life all together

I didn't know what to expect from this book, but with the first chapter I felt like Maggie was my friend. Various aspects of a tragedy are addressed and it all came together beautifully. There was only one storyline towards the end that I thought likely would not have happened (no spoilers.....why did the whole family travel to that event?), but overall the book was well researched and I enjoyed reading it.
I think so many families in Maggie's situation would have done the same thing and I can only imagine how much a traumatic injury affects life for all involved. I also liked Ian's character and how he grew and changed with her through her PT. Kit sounds like an amazing sister and I liked seeing the growth in that relationship as well. Overall a great book that I highly recommend. While it deals with a tragic topic, the book isn't a depressing book and I enjoyed the bits of humor too. Thanks to St. Martin's Press and Neutrally for the opportunity to read this book.

"You can't fix everything. Not even close. But you can look for reasons to be grateful."

This is one of those books that you won't put down once you start reading it. It's extremely well written with characters that are easy to love (and a few who are easy to dislike). The author did extensive research and I learned new things as well as enjoying this novel.

Margaret has the perfect life - a new MBA, a great chance at a dream job and a wonderful boyfriend, Chip, who she is sure will propose to her any minute. The only sad part of her life is her estranged sister but she refuses to think about her. Margaret's perfect life is torn away from her in a tragedy that almost kills her. She has to learn to negotiate a completely different world than the one she had planned for. As the reality sets in, her moods change from hopeful to despair over and over. How she handles her new life and how the people in her life help her will cause some tears (have tissue close) and you'll be rooting for her success on every page.

I loved Margaret and Ian and the way they worked together. I didn't like Chip or his mom and at times, I didn't like Margaret's mom but realized that she was trying to fix things for her daughter, even when she was being difficult.

This is a fantastic book and one of the best that I've read all year. Thanks to Bookish Firsts for a copy to read and review. All opinions are my own.

I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley.

Things do not always go as planned. When faced with tragedy and difficult decisions, some people become stronger and learn to cope and others just walk away. This novel deals with a young woman and her soon-to-be-fiancée and the after effects of the horrible plane crash that changes both of their lives forever.

I particularly enjoyed seeing how Margaret adapted to her situation and was determined to live her life to the fullest.

How to Walk Away is an excellent book. I couldn't put it down. It begins with a lot of tragedy. Margaret, who is on the cusp of having her dream life, traumatically has it all taken away. She has to reconfigure her life. Along the way, her family dynamics shift, and everyone has to adjust. It's a great story about learning how to live from different angles, The ending was so good, I slowed my reading, to make it last longer. Don't walk away from this read.

How to Walk Away. Katherine Center

On the day that should have been one of her happiest, Margaret’s worst fears are realized. This book is about a brilliant young woman with her future laid out like stair steps to the stars and then literally crashes. It illustrates resilience in its most powerful form. As Margaret’s sister tells her at the beginning of the book, “Dying is easy, it’s the not dying that’s hard.”

I loved the resilience. Ever hopeful, Margaret, her family, even her medical professionals, face and overcome challenges that ordinary people would find difficult or impossible. Katherine Center’s wry and funny characters may whine a bit, but in a way where the reader knows they will just “do it” …whatever the “it” may be. And the characters don’t just deal with obstacles, they overcome adversity in unique and personal ways that resists foregone conclusions of a happily ever after format. Satisfaction with outcomes will be there, but her characters may not get everything they want, or think they want.

This book benefits from extensive and interesting research on flight, spinal injuries and rehabilitative therapy. The characters teach the reader; there are no sidebar lectures on what needs to happen. We understand what we should expect and what is possible. These are people we care about, with some appropriate exception for the characters you will come to love to hate. Even the main character’s mother has her moments.

Katherine Center’s books don’t shy away from controversial subject matter. How to Walk Away is filled with difficult topics but is a pleasure to read. Any group that is ready for a heroine they can cheer for, without reservation, will love it.

I got this pre-release copy from Net Galley with no strings attached. How to Walk Away will be released by St. Martin’s Press on May 15, 2018.

Wow! I enjoyed 'How to Walk Away' so much. It really has a bit of everything: tragedy; family drama; humor; romance. It is a very well-written, satisfying story that I found I just couldn't put down.

I just loved Margaret in this book. She is faced with a horrific situation, but she shows so much resilience, determination, and humor. I was cheering her on every minute, hoping that she wouldn't give up on herself and would find the strength to make a new life for herself. Kit and Ian are also both complex, well-developed characters. Oh, and I loved to hate Chip.

I will definitely be looking for more to read from this author, and highly recommend 'How to Walk Away'.

A life changing accident changes Margaret’s life for ever, you cannot imagine how you would feel if it happened to you but this story takes you on Margarets journey to recovery. It’s not only her body that needs healing but her heart too and both take time and knockbacks. I loved some of the wisdom in this book especially “It's the trying that heals you.”
It’s the first Katherine Centre book I’ve read and will definitely read more

This book shows how to get up and move on from a tragedy. And behind every sadness, and tears there is always a silver lining. A rainbow after the storm.

The main character is really likeable, we will be rooting for her since page 1. With enough spice of romance, a spoonful family drama, lots of self perseverance, this book is enjoyable to read.

This was a unique book. Golden girl Margaret Jacobsen is sure her boyfriend Chip is about to propose to her on Valentine's Day. Margaret has always followed the rules and life has been easy for her, bestowing upon her the gifts of beauty, kindness, a fabulous new career, and her relationship with Chip. When Chip drives them to the airport and begs Margaret to fly with him, she does, but not without serious doubt and trepidation; fear of flying has been her biggest fear all of her life. All goes well until a storm comes up as they are landing, causing the small plane to crash, and Margaret's life shatters to a million pieces.

Chip escapes unscathed, but can't even look at Margaret with her severely burned neck and severed spine. Margaret discovers that her perfect life was only perfect on the surface, and most everything she thought was real was truly shallow. Through the love and support of her family and her stoic, irritable physical therapist Ian, Margaret slowly rebuilds her life one small accomplishment at a time.

What an incredible range of emotion! I closed the book with a smile and appreciation of life. Courage and adversity. Strong character development. Excellent book.

Luckily, I had seen only the blurb - no reviews - when I began How to Walk Away. The story grabbed me from early on, but I had no idea what direction the story would go. I encourage you to get several chapters into the book before looking at these reviews (like I did) because a lot happens in the beginning that I didn't see coming. I expected plot tension, but not the tension we got. Also, I didn't expect the level of emotion we got. This novel was hard to read at times, but it's also a book whose ideas have re-framed the way I see things.

The story revolves around Margaret, who is high-achieving and attractive, has recently earned an MBA, and is engaged to her dream man, Chip. Then, of course, things change. Massively. Margaret is a fantastic main character who faces many different obstacles, and her evolving reactions were nuanced and felt real. Also, at many points, I found it difficult to predict what would happen next, which made the book hard to put down. I had to several times, since my own real life was intervening, and I had dreams about Margaret each night until I finished; that's how compelling she is.

Some novels and movies have had the power to educate me about topics beyond my experience while simultaneously telling a great story (Boys Don't Cry, Brokeback Mountain, This is How it Always is, etc.), and How to Walk Away was such a book. Again, to tell you what this book educated me about would be to give a spoiler that the main character herself never saw coming, but for most people, there is something to learn in this book from the research Katherine Center did.

I highly recommend How to Walk Away.

How to Walk Away is "The Power of Positive Thinking" wrapped in a sweet love story. Maggie is engaged to the man of her dreams and about to start the job of her dreams when her world literally comes crashing down in a ball of flames. Left with life changing injuries and abandoned by her fiance (Katherine Center's next book should be about the bad karma that comes Chip's way for being such a cad), Maggie has to rebuild her life one small step at a time. Learning her insurance company will only pay for six weeks of in patient rehab, and with a mother who keeps telling Maggie her recovery is "mind over matter," Maggie is ready to chuck it all. The two bright spots in Maggie's life are the return of her estranged sister Kit, and the sessions with her brooding but gorgeous physical therapist Ian. Even though Maggie is physically damaged, and Ian seems to be sleep walking through his life and job, there's a definite "vibe" between them. But Ian tells Maggie his feelings for her are strictly platonic, leaving her heartbroken again. How To Walk Away is predictable-but in a delightful way-making the journey just as important as the destination. The last few chapters and the "epilogue" are where the story really shines- the writing is breathtakingly beautiful and filled with emotion. How To Walk Away is a fast read, but the messages about the power of love and the resiliency of the human spirit are so powerful it's a story you won't forget.

What an unexpected surprise this book gave me! I, typically, do not read these types of romancey, feel good, lovey-dovey types. WELLLLLLL, this really isn't any of that. It is a story about a woman that must do a lot of hard work to get back to what she is meant to have/be. I laughed right out loud and cried without shame (sometimes at the same time).

My thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for this advanced readers copy.

Great and inspiring book. The author has a wonderful way of writing that makes you feel like your living in this book. Margaret is in a horrific plane crash. The saying goes “when life gives you lemons make lemonade. Margaret tries to do this but with many ups and downs. Thank goodness there are people along the long road to help if Margaret will accept the help. This book has given me a new way of looking at disabled people.. it really is a must read.

I have read all of the books by this author and love, love her style. Solid writing, interesting plot, believable characters. I read this book within 48 hours... highly recommend!

An inspirational story that kept getting better and better as the story progressed. I loved Maggie and her attitude throughout. Her voice was honest and believable. The story itself felt real... no prefectly tied bows. ‘You get one life, and it only goes forward. And there really are all kinds of happy endings.’ 5 stars.

This is both a heartbreaking and an uplifting story. After a very tragic accident, Margaret Jacobsen is forced to rebuild her life. Through the process, family secrets are discovered and recovery begins for the whole family. I enjoyed this story so much. Even though Margaret is a strong character, I like the way the author wrote about the real life emotions someone would feel in this position (like anger and pity). I highly recommend this book and I want to read more by this author.

"There are all sorts of happy endings."
This quote at the very beginning sets the tone for a wonderful and inspiring book beautifully written. As we read of the very real human struggles of our leading character, we are drawn into the difficulty of working through anger, resentment, frustration, and depression. The love, support, and care of family and a dedicated physical therapist, along with her own will power, gradually lead her to realize, "You have to live the life you have and make the best of things."
This is a story of hope, courage, determination and eventual success after meeting all the hardships to achieve it.
This is a beautiful book and anyone will love its message!

LIfe was perfect.....Margaret has a newly minted MBA, on the cusp of being offered her dream job, and a handsome boyfriend (Chip) who may be proposing this Valentine's Day. So, why let her fear of flying stand in the way of a too perfect (hopefully) proposal on Valentine's Day?

Life changes dramatically in a second. Margaret is left alone to figure out where to go from here.........a hospital bed in ICU. Her family rallies around with their own views of how to move forward - Mom redecorating as she goes, Dad silently encouraging, and long lost sister Kit shows up after 3 years of silence. There is humor, sorrow, anger, and so much humanity in the story. Margaret grows - stalls - and moves forward again dealing with the cold hard truth that she is a paraplegic. Ian, her Scottish PT, is no-nonsense (does he even have a heart?), but so handsome. Can a man look at her with lust again?

I laughed. I cried. I was angry. This book sucked me in and I enjoyed the world of Maggie! A great story!

I am blown away by How to Walk Away. This is the story that I started one afternoon, forced myself to put it away at bedtime, woke at 1:00 am to read some more, then finished the next morning. You won't be surprised to see that I 100% recommend this book. 

Margaret is a young, adventurous, active woman who is terrified of planes. She just finished college and her life looks perfect: she jwas hired to start a dream job, she bought her dream condo, and her dream man is going to soon propose. As she puts it, "If I'd thought about it, I might have paused to wonder how my boyfriend, the impossibly fit and charming Charles Philip Dunbar, could be one hundred percent perfect for me in every possible way - and also be such an air enthusiast." 

The air enthusiast thinks the perfect way to propose is to do so from the small aircraft that he is flying. She happily accepts, and then tragedy strikes. What follows is a moving and witty look at what happens when your entire future is ripped away, destroyed, and then remade into something unexpected. Life changes, and while heart-breaking and hard, can hold beauty and be better than before.  As one of the characters tells Margaret, "It's the trying that heals you," and Margaret makes that her motto. 

Full review to follow on www.ReadingObsession.com

OMG, I must have told five friends about this book within five minutes of finishing it. When the offer to read an ARC came from St. Martin’s I almost deleted the email after reading the blurb. This line right here is what had me hesitating, “Then, suddenly, on what should have been one of the happiest days of her life, everything she worked for is taken away in one tumultuous moment.” I mean that sounds like a tissue box or two kind of read, and there’s nothing wrong with that, but did I want to put myself through that kind of emotional turmoil? Then I kept reading and the answer was yes, and I’m so glad. I’ve read a lot of great book lately, but this has been my favorite. Maggie and Ian are still with me even though it’s been a couple of weeks (I wanted to let the story settle before I wrote this review). I miss her crazy sister and I want to read it all over again — something I never do.

This was the first book of Katherine Center’s that I’ve read; it most certainly won’t be the last. Do yourself a favor, read this story. It will break your heart a little, maybe even curse at the fates, but it will make you smile and laugh and be awed by the strength of the human spirit.

This is the first book that I've read by this author and it's a delight. Margaret and Chip have a great relationship. What she had hoped would be one of the best days of her lives evolves into something drastically different when the unimaginable occurs.
At what point does love prove that it's strong enough to cope with anything and everything? What makes a person resolve to stand with someone else even when it's nearly impossible? When and what inspires a person to gather all of their inner strength and fight back?
This is a page-turner, a heart tugger and just plain ol' great book. Katherine Center, you can add me to your list of readers for good.
I received an Advance Reader Copy from Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

Read this before book! I absolutely could not put this book down. I don’t usually read books like this. I read books with more action and avoid books that are more sedate, especially if they are clearly tragic. This book surprised me. It’s very much about the journey and not the destination. I kept turning pages and staying up far too late because I just couldn’t put it down. I wasn’t racing to find out what was going to happen, I just couldn’t step away from Margaret. This story is so well written that I found myself captivated by Margaret and her cast of characters. This story is really a fun read in spite of the circumstances because Margaret is such an amazing character. Most of the book is really just her thoughts and you cannot help but be charmed by her and want to keep reading. I am now off to see what else the author has written.

What a beautifully written story of surviving life-altering changes. This book was heartbreaking but, at the same time, witty and warm. Chip talks his girlfriend Margaret into going for a plane ride with him even before he is certified to fly. This results in a plane crash with devastating injuries to Margaret. While recuperating, Margaret's estranged sister, Kit comes back to help her which leads to all sorts of upheavals in the family dynamics. Margaret falls for her physical therapist, Ian and this leads to further complications. This is such a wonderful story about one woman's strength and resilience in the wake of a tragic accident. I highly recommend this book.

The greater our capacity for sorrow becomes, the greater our capacity for joy.

I must admit I was drawn into this book by the beautiful cover and was mildly interested in the plot. Fortunately for me it ended up being a really sweet story although a bit predictable. The wonderful thing about this book though is that it really made you think about overcoming obstacles in life and how fortunate we all can be if we choose happiness and that is something I like to live by.

An enjoyable read with a plucky heroine in the face of tragedy. The secondary plot lines were cute. That’s actually the best word for the entire book: cute, even with the tragic plot. #netgalley #howtowalkaway

How to Walk Away is one of those books that will have you crying, laughing and cheering at the same time. This book showcases how a perfect life can go off the rails. It also shows that true love isn’t always with the person you thought it would be. It also shows that people are stronger than what they are given credit for. I would recommend reading this book with tissues. You are going to be needing them.

Margaret was terrified of flying. Had been ever since she was a little girl. But she wasn’t one to let her fears dictate her life. When Chip, her boyfriend, asks her to go flying with him, she goes. Her worse fears come to life when the plane crashes during landing. Chip is not hurt but Margaret suffered a devastating spinal cord injury and burns. With the help of a grumpy (but cute) Scottish PT, Margaret starts to put her life in order. But it isn’t easy. There is heartbreak that will set her back. There is also the emergence of a deep dark family secret that will shake the foundation of her family. But there is also good, but only if Margaret is willing to go to any lengths to get it.

I liked Margaret. Her attitude was what I expected someone who suffered a traumatic injury to be. One of disbelief and grief. I wouldn’t go as far to say that she accepted what happened to her. It was more like she came to terms with it. Of course, everything hits the fan in the weeks afterward. She definitely wasn’t likable in the first half of the book. I actually liked that. I liked that I had to learn to like her. I liked that her true personality came out while in the hospital. It was refreshing.

I wanted to smack both Chip and Margaret’s mother. Chip, I could kind of understand why he acted the way he acted….up to a certain point. What ticked me off is that he didn’t even bother to defend Margaret when his mother commented on her face. That is when I wanted to reach through my Kindle and smack him upside his head. Don’t get me started on Margaret’s mother. She was a witch with a capital B!! I couldn’t believe the fuss she made over Margaret’s face. The things that were said was unbelievable. When Kitty arrived, she acted like such a jerk. Of course, there was a reason for it but didn’t change that she acted like a class A jerk for most of the book.

I thought that the romance part of the book was a bit slow to start. So slow that there was one point in the book where I thought it fizzled out. Of course, I enjoyed that Ian was Scottish. I read all his dialogue in a Scottish brogue. I did think that his back story was tragic. I could understand why he was so grumpy all the time.

I do think that the whole Kitty/mother storyline was a bit overplayed. While there needed to be an explanation for them not talking for 3 years, it felt drawn out. Like I stated above, it made Margaret’s mother look bad when everything was revealed.

The end of the book made me laugh. The lengths that Margaret went to do what she did made me cheer and laugh. Of course, I liked the epilogue. Who doesn’t like a happy ending?

Pros of How to Walk Away:

A) Great storylines

B) Realistic characters

C) Ian and Margaret’s romance

Cons of How to Walk Away:

A) Chip

B) Margaret’s mother

C) Kitty/mother’s storyline (the strife that went along with it)

I would give How to Walk Away an Adult rating. There are sexual situations, language, and mild violence in it. I would recommend that no one under the age of 20 read this book.

There are some triggers in this book. They would be: traumatic injuries, plane crash, long-term hospitalization, family/work strife, and talk of murder. I would recommend if any of these trigger you then to please not read the book.

I would recommend this book to family and friends but I would add a warning about the triggers. I would reread this book.

I would like to thank St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for allowing me to read and review How to Walk Away.

All opinions stated in this review of How to Walk Away are mine.

**I chose to leave this review after reading an advance reader copy*

This was an excellent book. The writing was refreshing, and I was sucked into the story right from the start. It was poignant, funny, and real, all at the same time. Without giving spoilers, you knew Margaret (Maggie's) story could not end the way you hoped it would, but it was a happy ending for her. And it makes you think, what if? What if that fateful Valentine's Day had not ended the way it did? Would she still have had a happy ending? Would she be as strong a person as she is now?

Read this book and decide for yourself. It will make you think.

Thank you Netgalley for providing me with an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Gripping from the first paragraph, Katherine Center's latest novel is a survival story with heart. This isn't man vs. mountain (or woman vs. mountain), but a realistic account of the hope and humor needed to deal with tragedies that blind-side us. Margaret survives the crash of a private plane piloted by her fiance, but her life will never be quite the same. What makes "How to Walk Away" extraordinary is that it never becomes maudlin or melodramatic. Instead, in fits and starts, through highs and lows, Margaret and her family stagger forward, learning again how to appreciate a life entirely different from what they had envisioned. Center explores the range of emotions in the journey, from boredom to bravado, fear to fury. Characters are complex and multi-dimensional (especially Margaret's mother), and the plot is a page-turner, only becoming far-fetched in a final scene in which too many coincidences strain to be believed. Despite the final misstep, it's one of the best novels I've read this year -- and a strong candidate for both book clubs and a film option.

Sometimes life blindsides us and we feel completely overwhelmed. So it is with Margaret Jacobsen, a woman with a promising career in a dream job and a fiancé, Chip, who appears to be the perfect man.

Margaret has always had a fear of flying but Chip, a pilot in training convinces her to take a Valentine’s Day ride with him in the pilot’s seat. When the unexpected occurs and the plane crashes it is Margaret who is burned and battered while Chip walks away with nary a scratch.

Now, Margaret is forced to confront the reality of spending the rest of her life tied to a wheel chair. What she needs is a “community” of caring family and friends to stand by her as she heals both physically and emotionally. What she has is a controlling mother adept at hiding secrets, a mostly absent fiancé and a future mother-in-law full of excuses and requests. Needless to say, things are not looking good and Margaret attempts at keeping a positive attitude are slowly evaporating.

Enter Kitty, Margaret’s prodigal sister who abandoned the family years earlier and Ian, the sullen Scottish born physical therapist assigned to her case. Now the plot thickens, as these relationships evolve.

Author Katherine Center never becomes preachy or maudlin as she provides readers with a story that is equal parts lessons in love, acceptance, and humor featuring three dimensional characters who are believable because they are both flawed and heroic in the same small ways that most of us are.

I loved this book! It seems it would be a sad book about a young woman's life altering plane crash, but there is humor, love, strength, and hope. Margaret is a character I won't soon forget. She is strong, feisty, and resilient.

I enjoyed the dynamic between Margaret and Kitty. They were so good for each other.

Ian the Scotsman and PT was one of the best parts of this book. His tragic past harden him. I really enjoyed seeing the role he played in Margaret's recovery.

Margaret and Kitty's parents were an interesting part of this book. Linda (Margaret's mother) was a force and not one that wasn't use to getting her way. Cliff was gentle and kind and could contain Linda. I loved watching how the family came together during Margaret's recovery was wonderful.

I can't recommend this book enough. It is sad, sweet, hopeful, and beautiful. I received an ARC from NetGalley and St. Martin's Press. Thank you to both.

A phenomenally beautiful story of a tragic accident leaving a beautiful young woman paralyzed. Her fiance who caused the accident is incapable of standing by her. So Margaret Jacobsen must find the strength leave the past behind and summon the courage to move on and create a new life for herself. I found myself so deeply rooting for certain characters and equally as angry at a few other characters. You will laugh. You will cry. This is a book that truly tugs at your heart, but handles a difficult subject quite realistically. The entire book is fabulous. The ending is very satisfying! Well done, Katherine Center!

How to Walk Away: A Novel by Katherine Center
Story starts out with Margaret and she's excited about her date with Chip.
Things are going really well for her-a new job prospect and she thinks he's going to pop the question on the date.
The day starts out well, even the date til they arrive at the airplane hanger=he's a pilot, just gotten his hours in and he wants to share it all with her.
She's skeptical and terrified of going in the pane but she goes anyways and things don't all go according to plan. He takes her near the beach where he's done some prior work down there and then head back and is told a surprise is in the glove box-the family ring-for her!
Problem is bad weather plays a bad trick on them. The story follows what happens after the accident and how she struggles everyday to do everything. She's got a determined PT and she does succeed. She is also brought back in touch with her sister Kitty and she even comes to visit and she learns so many secrets from the past.
Troubling times are still arising from others around her circle and she's taken on a vacation to the cabin and Ian the PT comes to her resuce and things get out of hand.
She has a solution but he heads back to Europe without her. Kit has a plan and the girls and their mom head overseas to the wedding of Chip. She remembers him visitng her at the hosptial...
Loved reading this story, all the medical terms made easy for us to understand and it all falls into place. Twists and turns along the way and a lot of surprises.
Love the locations and so descriptive details. Didn't see this ending, very surprising! Would like to read other works by this new author to me.
Received this review copy via St. Martins Press via Netgalley and this is my honest opinion.

If you are tired of the regular boy-meets-girl romances, then this one is for you! Funny, magical, inspirational, and so moving, I couldn’t put it down. I loved the family dynamics, Margaret’s new start after a freak accident that nearly destroyed her life, and of course, the tall and handsome hero with a big heart. The writing was so perfect that I could picture the characters clearly in my mind. I’m praying someone will make a movie on this book. Fingers crossed! Till then, Katherine Center’s other novels are going on my to-read list.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.

I don't know what took me so long to read this book because when I finally did get down to it today, I couldn't part with it, not even to take lunch!
It's a chronicle of Margaret's life. One minute she's with Chip, he's flying and proposing to her, the next they're crashing and she wakes up with third degree burns and with time learns that she's paralyzed. She goes from getting the dream job and man to never being able to walk, and learning that he's cheated on her with his ex.
I loved the fact that this is a family story. Maggie's sister, Kit, swoops in and she refuses to leave her sister's side inasmuch as she's being sent out. There's of course, Ian, who helps with the physical therapy. He's dashing but not very comforting, or so it seems, but with time...like Ian says "it's the the trying..." that gets Maggie to focus on what's before her.
I loved the process of healing for Maggie and her family and Kit's an awesome sister to have!
Thank you Netgalley for the read. PS: The irony of the title is also not lost on me. Physically, well, Maggie would challenge that but Emotionally and psychologically, I guess she'd drink to that.

Absolutely stunning work! I adore the main characters, the story is well developed and fascinating. Even the characters you are kind of not supposed to like are likeable.

I was really drawn to the cover of this book, but the story was enjoyable as well! I have never read a book by this author before, but I will change that in the future. Her style was easy, but eloquent and her characters well-developed. The plot moved at a good pace, and I was invested in the story, eager to see how Margaret handled the challenges thrown her way. Recommended!

How to Walk Away is an amazing book... Combining tragedy, personal growth, family drama, friendship, romance, and reality into a single book is alot to ask, and Katherine Center delivers. Margaret has always had a great of flying and when boyfriend Chip wants to take her flying, it's a test of her faith in him. When things go wrong and life changes in a moment, it becomes test of her own. With life taking a much different turn, How to Walk Away explores how Margaret handles the challenge of the accident and changing expectations for her life. Her family's approach to life both entertained and made me consider how my own would respond if I was in Margaret's shoes. Center does a wonderful job with realistic dialogue and events and this book both entertained and continues to stick in my mind long after reading. I wholeheartedly recommend How to Walk Away and will be checking out more of Katherine Center's work.

I had extremely high expectations for this book because I absolutely adored Happiness for Beginners and though I haven't read all of Katherine Center's books yet, I have enjoyed others as well. This book was just as great as I expected it to be. I think it claims my second spot out of her books because I just have such a strong adoration for Happiness for Beginners but this was still so great.

I am not ashamed to admit that I read it in one sitting on a rainy Sunday evening and loved every minute of it. It was more emotional (for me, at least) than Happiness for Beginners because the reality that the main character finds herself in is so devastating and hope seems to falter for quite a bit there.

As with many of her books, I loved the cast of characters. Her writing is so great and I found myself laughing and crying and deeply rooting for the characters. And of course, I was quite happy with the ending and all the feels :) But it was really the family dynamics and the strong character building that made this book so enjoyable for me. I thrive on feeling close to characters.

Despite the book being a bit predictable at times, I actually sometimes really enjoy that in these kinds of books and I didn't mind it one bit. There were a few realities that I definitely did not see coming and that made me all the more invested in finishing the book.

I will absolutely be re-reading this one and adding a paper copy to my bookshelf in addition to this advanced copy provided to me by St. Martins Press and Netgalley. Thank you for the opportunity to read this book and share my opinions before its May publication - I follow Katherine Center on Instagram and I had been following her progress with this novel and waiting with bated breath to have these words in my life.

Heart breaking and uplifting, How to Walk Away drew me in from the very first page. The characters are complex, real, and lovably quirky and the plot masterfully crafted. The family dynamics take this book over the top and make it one that I will remember for a long time.

Katherine Center's books have never disappointed me and this book was no exception. I am a long time fan and follower of her work, so the moment I hear she has a new piece in the works I get excited. I love all her books but this one was exceptional and its clear an incredible amount of detail and research that went into this story. I was blown away by all the preciseness her medical terminology and how even on a subject I know little about- I could completely understand.
The story follows Margaret (Maggie) and her journey to recovery after a horrific plane crash (piloted by her fiance) and how the crash not only changes her physically, her relationships and her emotionally as well. This beautiful story is more than just a book about physical healing... it's about resistance, perseverance, determination along with heartbreak, loyalty, trust all mixed in with love, family and most of all, hope. Dedicated time to read this because you will not be able to put it down. Bravo Ms. Center! You have done it again! Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an early read of this novel.

How To Walk Away
Katherine Center
Available: May 15, 2018
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley.com for providing me with a digital ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
You know how you sometimes purchase books by the authors you know are going to be good without even reading the back cover? This was one of them – and when I started reading it I was like Oh Em Ghee, where did this come from? About 7-8 years ago, our good friends’ son woke up paralyzed from the waist down and reading this was remembering all that he and they had to endure – not only the OT and the PT, the changes to the home, cars, but the emotional adjustments for all. Its been a tough journey..
I think this book has potential to be my 2018 Book of the Year – or at least in the top 5. The feeling I had when I finished the book – if only I could bottle it..
What I loved: This was a romance, without being a romance novel. My favorite part was the Epilogue – not because I knew the book was coming to an end or everything was wrapped up neatly – but the confidence, and happiness that was in Margaret’s point of view made me smile. She was content.
What I didn’t love: My eyes usually glaze over when faced with graphically “icky” passages and I usually skip over the medical terms and procedures so of course that will be my least favorite part of the book.
What I learned: Perfect on paper doesn’t always translate to perfect in real life.
Overall Grade: A

www.FluffSmutandMurder.com

Besides a stunning cover, this is a fantastic story. Wow. I don't know where to begin.

Yes, this is a sweet touching love story about a woman and a man but it is also so much more. There is a story about a daughter and family and all the messiness that is involved in being a family. But even deeper than the stories about the characters, there is so much wisdom in this book. The author has a way of writing a rich and eloquent story but there are nuggets of truth and wisdom given.

Just a few of these nuggets are:

"But you can look for reason to be grateful. More than that, you can work to create them."

"They learn through experience- kind of the only way you can- that taking care of others is a way of taking care of yourself."

And probably my favorite of all
"I would never say the accident was a good thing. I would never, ever claim that everything happens for a reason. Like all tragedies, it was senseless. But I knew one thing for sure: The great our capacity for sorrow becomes, the great our capacity for joy."

I didn't want to put this book down but at the same time I didn't want it to ever end. I know easily this will be one of my favorite books of 2018.

I received an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Hooked after reading the first chapter in Buzz Books, I requested the book, and read it in one sitting. Margaret has always known who she is and what she wants and has everything she’s ever desired, a fiancée who loves her as well as a new dream job. When her life changes in an instant she has to discover anew what is important. Funny, poignant, loving. I highly recommend.

Loved this! Thank you so much for the ARC! Great characters and and unique storyline! Nicely paced and the ending was not exactly what you'd expect!

This year, I have been reading a LOT of romance novels. It is a genre I don't have a lot of experience with, so one of my reading goals for the year was to try to explore the genre a bit more.
This novel was such a lovely romance. I found myself cheering for the main character constantly and wanted so badly for her to come out on top.
I think my only complaint about How to Walk Away is that I would have liked to get to know some of the side characters a bit better. In particular, Margaret's Dad, Ian and Kit's boyfriend. I would have loved to see more of their personality. Those three men seemed to be sort of glossed over, in spite of being vital to the story. I would also love to see an entire novel about Kit and her story. She would be such a fun character to read more about!
I liked reading about a character with fears that play such a major part in the story rather than what is becoming the typical fearless woman. It was nice to see someone with such a human fear/flaw. While I do appreciate reading about strong women, this book shows that you can have fears and flaws and still be a strong woman.
Overall I enjoyed this story. It is definitely a book I would pull out again on a cold rainy day, or any day I'm craving something light and cozy.

I'm surprised by how enjoyable a book about the aftermath of a horrible personal tragedy can be. The main character experiences a plane crash, paralysis and disfiguring burns in the beginning of the story and the rest of the book discusses how she deals with this unimaginable tragedy. It also includes being dumped by her fiance, the pilot of the downed plane. Sounds like a giant bummer, right? Somehow, this book made a really dark topic palatable by focusing less on the severity of her injuries and depths of her misery, and more on how she learned to "walk" away from them. She remained herself, even though her outward appearance and functional abilities changed dramatically. I found myself wondering if the tone was even too lighthearted at times, glossing over some pretty significant hardships, but ultimately I let myself enjoy this one.

This is a great, quick read. I love romancey-family novels that include topics that I don't know much about, and this book fits the bill. It is about courage and resilience, forgiveness and recognizing what really matters. It's inspiring and thoughtful. I enjoyed the characters, the story and the themes.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press, Netgalley and Katherine Center for the free digital copy! I really enjoyed this book! The writing was excellent and pulled me right in from the beginning. It was a book about hope, strength and family. Although I wasn’t surprised and predicted some of the things that happened, the story just naturally flowed. My favourite part was the epilogue, because it just beautifully tied everything together. Overall I rate this book 🌟🌟🌟🌟/5. I highly recommend it and look forward to reading other books by the Author!

Margaret Jacobsen is on the verge of having it all: the perfect job, fancy condo, gorgeous fiance. But seconds after her boyfriend, Chip, proposes, her life is changed forever. 



Her whole life, Margaret has been afraid of flying. Those fears are realized when Chip crashes the small plane he was flying, leaving her paralyzed and badly burned. 



Margaret now has to learn to rebuild her entire life. She has six weeks in the hospital to pull herself together and no idea where to begin. 



With most of the book taking place in one setting: a hospital room, it would be easy for "How to Walk Away" to feel claustrophobic, but it never does. Margaret's injuries are horrific, from a major spinal cord injury that prevents anything below her knee from moving to second and third degree burns across her upper body. 



As she deals with her altered life, a whole cast of characters moves through her hospital room, both helping and hindering her. Her overbearing mother, guilt-ridden fiance, cheerful father and bad-sheep sister all descend upon her, with advice, hope, take out meals and their own baggage. 



She also ends up saddled with a gorgeous, surly Scottish physical therapist named Ian who refuses to engage with her at all beyond PT work, leaving her feeling adrift. 



Margaret has always tried to be perfect but with her life suddenly far from where she ever imagined it would be, she has to learn to give up what she thinks her life should be and accept what it is now.



I really enjoyed this book. Margaret is a traumatized, broken character who keeps getting hit after hit, but she manages to learn how to trust herself and figure out what will make her happy in her new life. Her relationship with her sister, Kitty, is so realistic, it had me yearning to see my own bad-sheep sister. I liked how her parents and sister had their own dramas too, which opened the story up beyond what was happening in the hospital room. 



Some of this story focuses on romance. Romance lost and romance found, but I didn't think it was overly cheesy. At one point, early on, I groaned to myself, thinking this was going to veer off into Nora Roberts territory, but it really didn't. I ended up rooting for two of the characters to find their way to one another. 



Two gripes: I would have loved to see Margaret interact more with people in the hospital. At one point, she mentions saying goodbye to fellow patients, but we never saw her interact with anyone beyond her own family, Ian and a few other members of the hospital staff. 



Also, eventually Margaret does find a purpose, which is a very worthy one, but I wish the seeds for that had been planted earlier. When she comes up with her big idea, she comments that she had told her sister about it a couple of days earlier, but we never saw that scene, which I think would have been a nice touch.



I got close to the end last night and tore through the final pages this morning while trying to do the dishes. I know I'm completely engrossed in a book when I risk getting my kindle wet! 



Margaret was a character I could really root for as she learned to handle her new future. Her experience, though tragic, was portrayed realistically (author Katherine Center really did her homework on spinal injuries and paralysis). This is a great summer read, the perfect book to devour on the beach one day. Don't miss it!

This book reminded me a little of "Me Before You" with the paraplegic story. However, the details and story are very different.

Maggie has everything going for her. The perfect job is said to be hers, she's got a great boyfriend, and a very rosy future. Then on the same day she gets engaged, she is involved in a plane crash. The results are life changing, forever.

I loved going on this journey with Maggie as she tries to figure things out during the 5 1/2 weeks of hospital stay that the insurance will pay for. Her whole life has changed and she's not really in the best of moods or abilities to consider what will happen in the future.

I laughed, I cried, I was thoroughly entertained. I would recommend this to anyone who enjoyed the aforementioned book and to anyone who likes to read a really good story.

As for the fiancee, Yuck, is the only nice word I can think about calling him right now. Ha!!

Thanks to St. Martin's Press and Net Galley for providing me with a free e-galley in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.

HOW TO WALK AWAY by Katherine Center has it all and lives up to all the hype I’ve heard about it. It has a good plot, well developed characters, and runs the emotional gauntlet. It also has family, love, forgives, pain, despair and joy. It’s so damn believable that you feel like an additional character, tagging along to all the PT sessions and hoping beyond hope that Margaret gets a happy ending. The evolution of Maggie and Kit was even better than imagining Ian in his plaid mountainman shirt. Seriously, this book made me laugh, get teary, and exhale. Do yourself a favor and don’t start this one if you can’t spend the night reading it – you won’t want to put it down!

I received an Advance Review Copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

This is a wonderful book! It's hard to imagine how you would cope with the horrible circumstances that befell Margaret but reading this book is a good blueprint. Did she handle everything perfectly? No. Did other people in her life understand and deal with her situation in an ideal manner? Not at all. But the way the people around her behaved seemed real and truthful and how it really would happen. Even the characters I didn't like seemed real - and that is better than just cardboard cutouts of characters.

This very well-written book is an inspiration for everyone no matter what their circumstances. Not everyone in this position will get a fairy-tale ending and neither did Margaret. Not totally anyway. But close enough!

Margaret Jacobsen had her whole life planned out. Who she was going to marry, kids, home and job. Then it all came crashing down. Who will she turn out to be? This is the story of her strength and courage. It is about family coming together. Time for secrets to come out and the family to heal. It is also about falling in love. I didn't like Chip because he didn't respect her fear. I however, did like Ian. Different from everyone she has ever known. He is also her biggest champion. I loved the end of the book. How everything comes together.

Thank you Netgalley, publisher and the author Katherine Center for this beautiful book.
How to Walk Away is one of the best book, absolutely phenomenal. It drew me in from the get go, could not put it down. Beautiful writing , touching story. I loved the main character Margaret and her sister Kitty.
Highly recommend. I will definitely read books from this author.

I adored Center's Happiness for Beginners, so I was eagerly anticipating this new novel! I didn't know much about this story before starting (and won't spoil it), but I was surprised by the direction it took. My mom often reminds me that you can't change what happens in life but can control how you react to it. This book exemplified that idea! Despite the heavy story, Center managed to infuse it with a lot of humor (without downplaying the tragedy). I loved the family relationships, the heroine's mindset, and the loveably gruff romantic interest. It felt a bit predictable, but it was engaging and I So Enjoyed It.

This book is more than a love story. It is about courage, strength and overcoming all which life throws your way. And believe me, Margaret has just taken a huge hit. She has just been in a plane crash. And yes she survived, but her back and her life as she knew it, did not.

There is a double meaning in the title of this book. Margaret has been paralyzed, so she can't just "walk" away. But she learns to deal with walking away from all she knew and discovering the new path her life is now headed.

I love this book! I love Margaret and her family, especially her sister, Kitty. Kitty is a straight shooter, rough around the edges and she definitely has her sister's back plus, she has her own little story line through out this read. Then, there is Margaret and Ian, her Scottish physical therapist. These two have a chemistry not to be ignored. I enjoyed the way the author intertwined all these story lines. There are several running through this read and they all intersect to create a sad, courageous, love-filled tale.

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.

READ THIS BOOK. That is all.

OK just kidding. That's not all. But really. There is not one bad thing I can say about this book. It's honest, it's painful, it's funny, it's refreshing. I sailed through it and I didn't want it to end. It's one of those uplifting stories that is disguised as a story of pain, and heartbreak. But did I mention it's funny too!?

Margaret seems to have it all. The job, the boyfriend, the apartment, the fiancé.... a super bright future of loads of money, the crazy hot guy to wake up next to, and endless white picket fences. And then everything changes.
Most of her story takes place in some pretty gut-wrenching hospital situations. Her fiancé may not be as great as she thought, the bright future may not be as bright anymore, and her family has some pretty serious skeletons that are about to rock her world.

And then there's Ian {{swoon!}} - who doesn't want a brooding, rock hard, gorgeous man with a Scottish accent in their life? Yes, please! Ian is gruff and salty, and pushes Margaret to extremes that make her hate him but thankful for him all at the same time... who is this guy?! And what is his story?!

It's almost a journey of Margaret becoming Maggie. The so-called picture-perfect life she had all buttoned-up, just may have been buttoned too tight, and a major life-changing event could show a side of her she never imagined possible.

I adored this book. It's so inspiring and the end was not the typical end I imagined it would be. It was refreshing, and honest, and brutal at times, but a definite new favorite. I'm adding this to my top 5 of 2018. Great story, and highly recommend!

**Thanks to NetGalley for the digital copy!**

When I first started this book, it was really hard to read. It triggered some of my abandonment and accident fears. But it was so flawlessly written, engaging, and all that. I just had to see what happened with Margaret.

And she hasn't seen or talked to her sister in over 3 years, what on earth is up with that? Will Margaret walk again, how will she heal? What will happen then? And that title...who is walking away???

Loved it. It made me laugh and cry, and made the security guard at work think I'd lost it because I had a huge grin on my face as I finished this one. Book hangover for sure!

This was a brilliant book about survival. The main character, Margaret, is a portrait of valor in the face of adversity. This book is inspiring and uplifting!

Margaret was left paralyzed after a plane crash. Her boyfriend took her on a joyride in his company plane on Valentine’s Day. The night fun ride ended in a crash when they landed and strong winds pushed the little plane into a ditch. In a horrible turn of fate, the boyfriend didn’t suffer even a scratch, but Margaret ended up with useless legs.

The beauty of this book is how it portrays the different ways all the characters in the book faced this tragedy. Chip, the boyfriend, broke down under the guilt, turned alcoholic, and went into a downward spiral. Margaret’s parents were very supportive, but her mother turned military sergeant, demanding that Margaret work hard so that she may walk again. Margaret’s big sister Kitty, from whom they were estranged for the past three years, appeared to support her sister. Even though Margaret sent her away from her room, Kitty persisted and gained acceptance to stay during the nights. She turned into Margaret’s best ally.

Margaret herself was floating in a fog for the first weeks. Initially she was so numb from pain meds and the shock from the accident that she didn’t know what was going on. Little by little she started realizing the magnitude of her lesions and her road to acceptance started. She starts Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy and slowly gets her bearings. She went through all the phases when a person suffers such a huge loss; denial, anger, depression, helplessness, hopelessness. However, Margaret is a lot stronger than she thinks and starts to deal. She has a gorgeous Scottish PT by the name of Ian, who also adds a lot of encouragement and motivation to work her booty off.

I loved this book because it felt real. I haven’t met anyone in this situation, but the feelings and family interactions felt real. The road that Margaret took for her rehabilitation felt real with all the obstacles, downfalls, emotional trauma, and determination that is necessary to overcome. It never went into the deep negative end, but it did have some strong abysmal moments for Margaret. I think it’s a measure of a person’ caliber how they react under duress. Based on this, Chip was a wimp, Margaret a champion and Ian a keeper. Great reading, emotional, heartfelt and uplifting. Margaret’s family dysfunction was also an entertaining side plot and added a lot of substance to the main plot.

This book. Sigh. It broke me and then made me while again. The writing is phenomenal, the story is amazing. It really is the whole package. I look forward to more from this author, she is a master storyteller.

5 stars for How to Walk Away!
This beautiful story is about Margaret Jacobsen and her life that turned out completely different than she ever imagined. Margaret survives a tragic accident and you follow her journey as she puts herself back together....in a new way. Her strength, courage and determination were inspiring. The many other characters in the story were also wonderful, from hating Chip to adoring her sister Kitty, I enjoyed every page!

How to Walk Away is the first book I have read written by Katherine Center. In fact, this is a new author for me to have even heard of. With that in mind, I looked her other books up. Tragedy, despair, hope and resilient seem to b theme that Ms. Center explores in many of her books.

How to Walk Away is a serious look at all of the above. There is a life changing, almost life ending tragedy and then there is the slow rebirth of the main character, Margaret Jacobsen. Along with her are a cast of hospital workers, family and friends. Like real life some are helpful, and some should have stayed home, which would have been more of a help to Margaret.

Being in a professional field where ethics is a great concern these days, I have some questions about Ian’s behavior. Not so much with the hospital staff since having recently spent several weeks at the hospital in a supportive role for a family member. There I did find that there are many levels of professionalism just as there are in this book.

What stood out to me was the author’s ability to turn a phrase, to give words to feelings that we all have felt but have been unable to explain and to portray a character that is stronger than she thinks she is. Beautifully written even if you know where the story is going you simply want to keep reading.

I just turned the last page in this very special book and my head and my heart are just so full of all of its loveliness.

This is the reason I read - for books like this, that carry me away to someone else’s world and leave me feeling like a better person for having entered it.

I will never forget Maggie and her life experience. She gave Courage new meaning to me, and I will remember her and this book for a very long time.

I highly recommend this one to lovers of books about personal struggle and triumph in the face of adversity. And to lovers of beautifully written characters who you will just fall head over heels in love with. I adored every page.

Margaret is on the verge of great, exciting things: a new, high profile job, an expensive condo, and a proposal of marriage from her longtime boyfriend Chip. Everything seems to be going well for her, until an airplane crash changes everything. Margaret finds herself in the hospital, burned and paralyzed from the knees down. She is ready to give up now that all of her plans have been taken away from her, but her family and physical therapist Ian refuse to let her give up. As Margaret starts to put the pieces of her life back together, she will learn that there is a life beyond her accident and that she can embrace it with enthusiasm if she chooses to. Along the way, her family and Ian will also learn how to walk away from disaster.
This book made me cry and laugh often, sometimes at the same time. I was cheering for Margaret as she stood up for herself in the face of extreme selfishness (like Chip and his mother, who were absolutely despicable), and as she tried to put the pieces of her life back together. I liked how the book explored different relationships and the effect a life changing incident has on them, as well as the struggles that paralyzed people go through. We can definitely use more books like this! The only thing that bothered me was the frequent use of profanity, especially the f-bomb. I really enjoyed the ending of the story, and I recommend it to anyone looking for a good read.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. A positive review was not required, and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.

This book is fantastic! It is witty, heartbreaking, and so charming I could not put it down. How does one have the best thing and the worst thing happen to them on the same day? That is what Margaret Jacobsen wonders as she wakes up in a hospital after what she thought would be the best night of her life. It was and it wasn't. Unsure of what her future holds, she is resilient, tougher than she thinks she is, and just an overall warm and loving woman. I loved her and cheered her on. I feel I can't say too much about the book as I don't want any spoilers for other readers. I just have to say that the writing was so very well done. It touched my heart and had me laughing and crying. This one is definitely going on my Favorites List for 2018. It's just a wonderful, wonderful book and one I will be recommending to everyone.

I received an advance reader's copy from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

This book is very different than previous Katherine Center books, but I mean this the best of ways. I wasn't prepared for the emotional roller coaster Maggie would take. I was shocked by the accident she had, every detail pulling at my heart, wanting to cry out, this feels wrong, don't get in that plane. I believe my anger at her current boyfriend was bigger than hers. I wanted to pummel him! What must it be like to be in shock, to not know the pain and horror of your injuries? Katherine Center has dug down and found those answers, as we the reader experience what Maggie realizes bit by bit, it's gut wrenching.
Day by day she learns how she's going to refocus her life, rebuild it, or try to. Her family which is loving by slightly dysfunctional is there for her, and there are laughs along the way, unexpected smiles and nudges for Maggie to try, try anything.
I truly loved this book, it made me feel sad, and then hopeful but with reservations. I loved the journey I was able to travel with these characters and I won't soon forget them.
I highly recommend How to Walk Away.

Margaret's boyfriend Chip ignores her fear of flying and takes her for a ride in a Cessna to romantically propose even though he hasn't earned his pilot's license yet (WTF, CHIP?). A strong storm blows the plane arse over teakettle. Badly injured, Margaret has a long road to recovery in the hospital, where in addition to attempting to walk again she will have to deal with her sister Kit's antics, trying to figure out if she still has the dream job she just landed, and her demanding but handsome Scottish physical therapist. And of course Chip, who escapes uninjured, will have to deal with the consequences of his dumbassery. How much can Margaret endure, and how will she put her life back together? How to Walk Away by Katherine Center is chicklit at its best.

I don't want to dig in too much on the plot, because you should discover it for yourself. It's a worthwhile read for anyone who enjoys reading about family relationships, finding your feet again after trauma, and hot Scottish physical therapists. It's also quite funny, and wraps up with some hilarious and sweet escapades in Belgium. The theme of recovering after trauma is heavy, and Center doesn't flub it or make it saccharine-sweet. Being in the hospital sucks, and it's hard, and that is all there in the book. Center also handles the issues of disability very well, and is not complimentary to her characters who engage in ableism. I don't think it's too much of a spoiler to say that we have a happily ever after in this book. It's a 5-star chicklit book. Pick it up! It's romance but it is totally closed door.

Margaret Jacobsen has never liked flying but her boyfriend convinces her to go with him as he takes her for a surprise flight during which he proposes to her. That would be life changing enough but he then loses control of the plane on landing, leaving her with truly life changing injuries . . . . changing what should have been one of the best days of her life to one that is a living nightmare.

Told from Margaret’s point of view, this emotive story explores her hopes, dreams, fears, struggles and victories as she becomes aware of the impact of the crash on her life. It also shows how different people react to the effects of it, some being supportive, others avoiding her and her Mum – well, you’ll have to read about her yourself! It also shows how Margaret’s attitudes and relationships change as she discovers more about herself, her abilities and makes decisions about her future. The hospital team supporting and treating her are brought to life and I particularly liked witnessing how one of her physical therapists, Ian, was changed by their interactions.

Don’t assume the story is doom and gloom, it is anything but! Yes, it does show readers how such injuries make patients go through all the stages of grief whilst mourning the loss of their previous life plans but it also shows how they can move on, learning how to walk away from their old life to move on to a possibly even more fulfilling future, despite their injuries. It has a liberal dosage of humour, too!

The research the author must have done to write this books is tremendous. The emotional rollercoaster of life after severe injuries is portrayed brilliantly, making it easy for the reader to empathise with all the characters – well, all except one of them! It is a thought provoking, poignant story with family secrets and a new love added to the mix making this a story that I suspect will stay with me for years to come. It is a well paced story, a real page turner and one that I have absolutely no hesitation in highly recommending – I’ll definitely be looking out for more by this talented author in future.

I requested and was given a copy of this novel, via NetGalley, with no obligation. This is my honest review of the book after choosing to read it.

An engaging contemporary romance about a young woman whose life is turned upside after an accident. While some developments were a bit predictable, I enjoyed the characters, especially main character Margaret and her outlook after learning her life would be much different than she'd expected. Recommended for fans of family dramas, romance, and overcoming adversity.

I fully went into this story expecting it to be dark and depressing but it is actually quite funny any many places! There are sad times but it is also a great story about courage, love and family that will make a great summer read.
I really liked Margaret, the main character, and many of the other characters are just as enjoyable and funny. Chip, the boyfriend, and Margaret's mom were super annoying and I really wanted to smack both of them but everyone else was great. But sister, Kit? She is a long lost breath of (hilarious) fresh air that the family needs.
There were times when a new secondary plot line would pop up that I would stop and think "really? this might be too much" but honestly, I ended up not caring. This book was touching, hilarious and will give you just the right amount of romance for your summer reading.

Fans of women’s fiction novels will find a lot to like in <i>How to Walk Away</i>.

Margaret Jacobsen’s fiancée crashes the small plane he’s piloting after coaxing her into a flight she didn’t want to take. He walks away without a scratch, but she’s left with third degree burns and a fractured spine. Faced with the possibility that she might never walk again, Maggie has to figure out how to pick up the pieces of her life. Chip turns out to be useless. Instead, it’s her estranged sister Kit who becomes her strongest supporter. Also in her corner is Ian, her physical therapist, who challenges Maggie both physically and mentally.

Women’s fiction novels are built around the transformative journey of a main character dealing with life changes, and Maggie is certainly goes through a big change. It’s not just a physical one, either, although a lot of the book has to do with rehabilitation from her injuries. I really liked the way the author handled that aspect of the story, giving Maggie a form of paralysis that I wasn’t familiar with and detailing the ins and outs of coping with that kind of injury. But I also liked the way the author handled the mental aspects of her journey. Maggie has always lived her life striving to succeed, to overcome every obstacle and be the best, but her paralysis is not something she can power through. She has to learn to accept that she may not ever have the picture-perfect life she imagined, but she can still find the good in living.

Obviously there’s a lot of pain in this novel, but it’s not all sad. In fact, it’s quite funny at times, and Maggie’s relationship with her sister is a definitely a bright spot. And there’s also romance, in the form of Ian, who just happens to be a handsome Scot as well as a PT.

Recommended for anyone who enjoys well-written women’s fiction.

A copy of this book was provided through NetGalley for review; all opinions expressed are my own.

Margaret is a good and kind person and so far life has treated her well. She is young, educated, beautiful and in love. She is about to start a dream job and envisions a happy life with her boyfriend Chip. Unfortunately, fate has other plans and Margaret's entire world changes in ways she could never have imagined.
This was a heartbreaking life-altering story. I personally don't know if I possess the inner strength and fortitude that Margaret demonstrated, but I do know I was rooting for her every step of the way. I have a good friend who suffered a similar injury and I witnessed first hand the absolute best and the absolute worst behaviors from his family and friends. Every word and every page of this story felt real and I didn't stop reading until the last page. This isn't the type of book I've been reading lately, but I am so glad I did read How to Walk Away. It was a beautifully written reminder that even when everything you know changes in the blink of an eye, a meaningful life is still possible.
I first read an excerpt from this book in Buzz Books 2018 Spring/Summer addition and immediately put it on my TBR list. Thank you Katherine Center, St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the complimentary digital ARC. This is one book that really made me think about life and I won't forget Margaret's story.