“Like a seabird, she was bound by neither land nor water.”
I loved it, absolutely loved it! This is the first David Arnold book I've read, and I will definitely be checking out his other books. The story follows two teens who are trying to navigate life while dealing with loss and grief. Evan’s dealing with the aftermath of his father leaving the family, while also trying to be there for his mother and his wonderful, sensitive younger brother Will, whom Evan loves with his whole heart. The bond between Evan and Will was beautiful and felt so genuine and real. I just wanted to watch E.T. with them and give them both a big hug.
Shosh's family is grieving the loss of her sister, Stevie. For Shosh, it's not just her sister she's lost, but also the whole way her family used to be. Stevie was her “moon,” her guiding star, and her future was always tied to her sister. She’s feeling lost and doesn’t know how to move on without her.
Evan and Shosh had big plans for the future, but now it all feels like a distant dream. Evan's ready to set his future plans aside to be there for his family, while Shosh's self-destructive behavior poses a threat to hers.
On one of those quiet, lonely nights, they both start hearing the beautiful singing of a mysterious woman. They decide to follow it, not knowing it’s guiding them to each other, and that their newfound (is it though?) bond will give them the strength they both need to keep moving forward, with or without each other.
“For a second, we stare at each other like that, so close I can hear her breathe. And then her eyes change, the air turns thick, and I don’t know how to explain what happens next, but it feels like one of those children’s books where a kid stumbles into a portal and finds themselves in a whole other world. And it’s not just her eyes, but her smell, her lips, the beauty spot on her cheek – she is a world I want to explore, and yet, somehow, a world I already know.”
I absolutely loved this book! It’s a beautiful, heartfelt story about two souls who keep finding each other and falling in love again across different times – present, past, and future. The writing in this book was beautiful, dreamy, and poetic, and there are so many quotes that have stayed with me long after I finished reading. I also liked the inclusion of song lyrics scattered throughout the story. They served as a gentle reminder that every now and then, all we need to do is pause and simply "listen."
I understand that some people might not be fond of the main characters not meeting until the second half of the story. However, I believe this decision was intentional, as the story primarily centers on what transpires before that moment – the allure of deep longing, the anticipation, and the waiting. The author captures these feelings really well. If more emphasis were put on their "in-person" relationship, it would probably overshadow the beauty of this underlying feeling that defines the story. I think it's what sets it apart, making it unique and special.
I highly recommend this beautiful story to anyone who enjoys poetic prose and wishes to explore themes of longing, grief, destiny, and soulmates. There's something about this book that immediately drew me in, almost as though fate had a hand in bringing us together (fate – get it?). That, or I am still just under its spell. Either way, this book will definitely stay with me for a long time.
Thank you, BookishFirst, the publisher Penguin Teen, and author David Arnold for the ARC! I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. My review is based on an uncorrected text. I Loved You in Another Life by David Arnold is due to be released on October 10, 2023.
Shosh's family is grieving the loss of her sister, Stevie. For Shosh, it's not just her sister she's lost, but also the whole way her family used to be. Stevie was her “moon,” her guiding star, and her future was always tied to her sister. She’s feeling lost and doesn’t know how to move on without her.
Evan and Shosh had big plans for the future, but now it all feels like a distant dream. Evan's ready to set his future plans aside to be there for his family, while Shosh's self-destructive behavior poses a threat to hers.
On one of those quiet, lonely nights, they both start hearing the beautiful singing of a mysterious woman. They decide to follow it, not knowing it’s guiding them to each other, and that their newfound (is it though?) bond will give them the strength they both need to keep moving forward, with or without each other.
“For a second, we stare at each other like that, so close I can hear her breathe. And then her eyes change, the air turns thick, and I don’t know how to explain what happens next, but it feels like one of those children’s books where a kid stumbles into a portal and finds themselves in a whole other world. And it’s not just her eyes, but her smell, her lips, the beauty spot on her cheek – she is a world I want to explore, and yet, somehow, a world I already know.”
I absolutely loved this book! It’s a beautiful, heartfelt story about two souls who keep finding each other and falling in love again across different times – present, past, and future. The writing in this book was beautiful, dreamy, and poetic, and there are so many quotes that have stayed with me long after I finished reading. I also liked the inclusion of song lyrics scattered throughout the story. They served as a gentle reminder that every now and then, all we need to do is pause and simply "listen."
I understand that some people might not be fond of the main characters not meeting until the second half of the story. However, I believe this decision was intentional, as the story primarily centers on what transpires before that moment – the allure of deep longing, the anticipation, and the waiting. The author captures these feelings really well. If more emphasis were put on their "in-person" relationship, it would probably overshadow the beauty of this underlying feeling that defines the story. I think it's what sets it apart, making it unique and special.
I highly recommend this beautiful story to anyone who enjoys poetic prose and wishes to explore themes of longing, grief, destiny, and soulmates. There's something about this book that immediately drew me in, almost as though fate had a hand in bringing us together (fate – get it?). That, or I am still just under its spell. Either way, this book will definitely stay with me for a long time.
Thank you, BookishFirst, the publisher Penguin Teen, and author David Arnold for the ARC! I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. My review is based on an uncorrected text. I Loved You in Another Life by David Arnold is due to be released on October 10, 2023.