Beautifully charming novel that shows hope can always be found in the unlikeliest of places.

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When an unfortunate and devastating accident lands Margaret Jacobson in the hospital on what should be one of the happiest days of her life, everything she’s come to know changes in an instant. Now facing a long road to recovery, everything she’s known, even her relationships, are in a state of uncertainty. On the cusp of landing her dream job, about to be engaged to the man of her dreams, everything else in her life running as smoothly as possible, How to Walk Away shows the strength of family, finding love in unexpected places, and the possibility of finding happiness in the darkest of times.

Every time I read a book labeled “chick lit”, I’m always reminded of how much I absolutely adore them. More often than not, they’re super quick reads that pack a lot of things into a short period of time. My very favorite part is unpacking all those “things”, right along with the characters. In How to Walk Away, Center confronts a myriad of emotional issues ranging from secrets that are enough to tear a family apart, to a once-solid relationship that’s slowly and painfully unraveling, to coming to terms that the word perfection is simply just that — a word, and trying to achieve it will always end in heartache. Center doesn’t hold back on almost breaking these characters, and there certainly isn’t any glossing over with the painful parts and more often than not, I found myself feeling those emotions right alongside Margaret.

While the plot carried an air of predictability, the story itself and the characters were so darn compelling that it was so incredibly easy to overlook. And while much of the story is painful and heart-wrenching, there’s humor and romance that helps to balance out the dark. And the romance was equal parts sweet and sad with the right amount of angst to keep readers on their toes.

In the end, How to Walk Away was such a delightful and charming read and one that shows that hope is always found in the unlikeliest of places. A perfect summer read, and certainly one that will make even the hardest of hearts melt a little.