Then and Always by Dani Atkins REVIEW 

Absorbing, surprising, and heart-rending, Dani Atkins’s debut novel follows a young woman who, after an accident, gets a second chance at life … just not the one she remembers.

Rachel Wiltshire has everything she’s ever wanted: a close group of friends, a handsome boyfriend, and acceptance to the journalism program at a top-choice college. But one fateful evening, tragedy tears her world apart.

Five years later, Rachel returns home for the first time to celebrate her best friend’s wedding. Still coping with grief, she can’t stop thinking about the bright future she almost had, if only that one night had gone differently. But when a sudden fall lands her in the hospital, Rachel wakes to find that her life has completely changed. Now she has her dream job as a writer and a stylish apartment, but the people she loves most are not the way she remembers them. Unable to trust her own recollections, Rachel tries to piece together what really happened, and not even she can predict the astonishing truth. -GOODREADS

REVIEW

I was hooked from the beginning! I was pulled in the story and the characters. It’s a beautiful story about love and heartbreak.  I couldn’t put the book down. The beginning will shock you and then will pull you in with mystery. You will be moved with the love and passion. At least that is how I felt whilst reading this novel.

From the beginning I could feel and sense the love and friendship amongst the group of friends. I really like how the author built the layers. I really like how detailed the author is with the characters in this book. They come to life right away. I also love the sense of mystery. It’s not only the mystery that kept me reading but the love and the relationship with the two main characters.

From the beginning of the book I got a clear picture of all the characters. They are very well developed. The story unfolds brilliantly. As I was reading I was trying to piece and figure out what happened to the main character along side her. This story made me curious, made me laugh, smile and get all giddy. This story made me cry and cry. Yes! I admit it and I don’t care! Now for the ending….I can’t go into detail without spoiling the story….Just….I wish it stayed on page 278!! My heart hurts and aches! I just wanted to scream noooo! I screamed but at the end I calmed my self down and accepted the situation with a lot of tissues in hand.

This is one of those novels that stay with you for ever and is never forgotten! It moved me emotionally in so many ways!

I totally recommend this book and I feel it is a must read!

I give this book a 5/5