This is What Goodbye Looks Like

Book: This is What Goodbye Looks Like Author: Olivia Rivers Rating: 5 Out of 5 Stars

I would like to thank NetGalley and Red Sparrow Press for providing me with this galley in exchange for an honest review.

I was really shocked with this! I really had not expectations coming into this book, but the summary sounded promising. I had never heard of Olivia Rivers or her books until I was flipping through the books on Netgalley. What made me click on the book was its beautiful cover-yes, I do judge books based on their covers, bite me. The cover made me think this was going to be a super-lovely book with characters who were so fake and a plotline that was so cheesy that I would not be able to stand it. I was so wrong!

I fell in love with the plot right away. It was complex, but, yet, simple enough to follow. There is just something gripping about reading books that start out with a tragedy or are going to end in one. Think If I Stay and The Fault in Our Stars. (Also, Lurlene McDaniel fans will love this one as well!) This one has a lot of the same elements that make those two books mentioned above great. The plot was so gripping and so emotional that I found myself sitting down and reading for hours on end. I really enjoyed all the flashbacks too and how we didn't get feed everything at once.

The characters made it really special. I loved their relationships with each other and just how they leaned on each other whenever they needed it the most. I also love how they acted their age, but at the same time, were really mature. Lea and Seth are the perfect leads and the supporting characters really bring out the best and worst in them. What I really love about the relationships between the characters is how Olivia takes the time to show the reader just how the bonds come together. For example, we don't learn Brie's secret until about halfway through the book nor do we see Lea and Seth actually kiss until about sixty percent. I just love it whenever the author makes character development slow, but well paced in order for the reader to actually develop a relationship with the characters.

I guess that this book just made me feel. I was actually kind of glad that we had some pretty nasty storms and knocked my internet out for days. (I shouldn't feel that way because are really bad for a lot of people.) It reminded me of the goodness and forgiveness that we often forget about in humans. It shows us that there is hope in what is a very, very dark world. Overall, a really, really good book. I would recommend this one to anyone who enjoyed/enjoys The Fault in Our Stars, If I Stay, and Lurlene McDaniel.

This book is out, I believe, so you can buy it. If not, sorry, PREORDER IT! :)

Olivia Rivers's "This is what goodbye looks like" is a beautiful story of loss, redemption and healing. Lea, the main character, is a young woman whose mother drunk drove, killing a young man, placing her younger sister in a coma, and making it hard for Lea to walk. In an effort to piece herself and her family back together, she travels to attend the private school at which Seth, the (blind) brother of the man her mother killed, attends. Lea holds herself together with lies and begins to fall in love with Seth, both of them healing in the process.

It's a beautifully written novel which tackles some big themes, including honesty, loss, what it means to be a family etc. It is an all around amazing story and difficult to put down. The plot flows well and the writing is very well done. I'd highly recommend this book to anyone who wants a deep and heartfelt story (not just young adults). The ending left me wishing for more, but it's positive and open ended-probably the right place to leave their story.

Please note that I received this novel from the publisher through netgalley for my honest review.

Most novels sweeten thinks at the end of the book, this one hits the main character with a reality check!
When it comes to family it is always hard to make a decision, especially when you can her one member for the others safety. I enjoyed this novel in so many ways! It brings to reality real struggle that family goes through and how hard it is to keep things together! A great book that makes you wonder what would you pick: to do the right thing or to protect your family?

(I received a copy via Net Galley in exchange for an honest review)

After a car accident Lea, her family and the family of the other people involved in the crash are left in despair as they try to pick up the pieces.

From the moment I started reading it I was sucked into the story and I read the entire thing in one sitting. I think it's best to go into the story not knowing too much hence my vague summary of the book. But this book was beautifully heart breaking. It deals with grief, pain, hope, love, friendship, guilt and so much more.

Lea was such a strong character and I loved her relationship with Seth (who I adored) and their interactions with the rest of their friendship group. Whilst these characters are going through such grief and pain they are able to find some hope and happiness in each other. There was always something happening and I had no idea what would happen in the end and now that I know what happens, I want more! This was a moving, well written book which I'm glad I picked up!