How to Walk Away
By: Katherine Center
Published Year: 2018
Publisher: St Martin's Press
Pages: 320
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This in no way shape or form influenced my opinion.
Summary (Provided by Goodreads): 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.
First Impressions
This cover! The bright red is so eye catching I absolutely love it! I then got just as sucked in by the summary. I didn’t initially realize that Center was the author of Happiness for Beginners, which I had enjoyed when I read it. All three of those items added up to a solid spot on my to-read list.
What I thought
Have you ever finished a book and then not been able to start a new one right after because you’re basking in the aftermath of said book? That is exactly what has happened to me after finishing How to Walk Away.
Margaret has just graduated business school as is starting her life. She has interviewed, and unofficially been offered, her dream job, she has purchased her dream condo, and she anticipates the love of her life is about to propose. But then, tragedy strikes and her whole life takes a sharp turn and nothing will ever be the same.
This book has a bit of a Me Before You feeling to it. Margaret’s life is suddenly changed forever and, while in the hospital, she meets and works with Ian. While working through these life changes, they form a bond.
I loved pretty much everyone in this story. Margaret was great. She was negative enough to be realistic, but not so much that it was hard to read. Ian was also one of my favorites from the beginning. In classic Hallmark Channel Movie fashion, Ian is a bit of a grump and Margaret has to work to melt his tough guy exterior. I also appreciated that Margaret’s parents weren’t perfect. Ok, maybe her dad was, but her mom has some serious issues to deal with. The familial drama added some great depth to the story.
I enjoyed this book from start to finish. When I started, I was anxious to find out what the tragedy was going to be (hence why I don’t want to spoil it for you guys). Then I got so nervous that I liked this book so much that the ending would ruin it for me. Luckily, I was not disappointed by the ending at all! I enjoyed every aspect of this book in a way that I haven’t enjoyed a book in a while. This is definitely going to become a go to recommendation!
As I stated earlier, I received a copy of this book for review. I received it via ebook format, and I must say I am so upset. I love this book so much that I wish I had received a hard copy so that I could pass it on to everyone! But, I guess that means I can buy a copy to support the author, and pass it along that way! J If you like romances with a bit of tragedy, I highly recommend this book. If you enjoyed Me Before you and have wanted something with a similar feeling to fill that void, I would also recommend this book. Basically, read this book!!