Review: HOW TO WALK AWAY by Katherine Center

Thank you so much St. Martin’s Press for providing my free copy – all opinions are my own.

Book Description: 

Margaret Jacobsen is just about to step into the bright future she’s worked for so hard and so long: a new dream job, a fiancé she adores, 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 a brief, tumultuous moment. In the hospital and forced to face the possibility that nothing will ever be the same again, Maggie must confront the unthinkable. First there is her fiancé, Chip, who wallows in self-pity while simultaneously expecting to be forgiven. Then, there’s her sister Kit, who shows up after pulling a three-year vanishing act. Finally, there’s Ian, her physical therapist, the one the nurses said was too tough for her. Ian, who won’t let her give in to her pity, and who sees her like no one has seen her before. Sometimes the last thing you want is the one thing you need. Sometimes we all need someone to catch us when we fall. And sometimes love can find us in the least likely place we would ever expect.

My Review: 

This is such a beautiful, lovely, and inspiring book. I wasn’t sure if I’d like it because I’m very particular when it comes to this genre, which means…it all comes down to the writing. Center’s writing is exquisite, humorous, and natural. I loved these characters so much, especially Maggie and her sister, Kitty. This book reminds me a great deal of Me Before You by JoJo Moyes.

Margaret Jacobsen is terrified of flying, but reluctantly agrees to go on an airplane flight with her boyfriend Chip, who is a pilot-in-training. While in the air, Chip proposes marriage and now Margaret has it all: an MBA, the dream job, and the perfect fiancé. But then tragedy strikes and Margaret’s life is changed forever.

This book is an emotional journey about a woman who thought her life was set in stone, but one day everything dramatically changes. She’s lost everything and has to rely on other people for help. This may sound rather dire or sad, but there are a lot of happy and humorous moments. It never felt like “too much” for me. I’m a realist and this story and these characters felt organic and real. I absolutely fell in love with Maggie’s character; she’s funny, flawed, brave, and honest. Also, I love any story that has a surly Scottish man named Ian. I devoured every page right down to the epilogue. The underlying message is you can face anything and still find happiness, and that it’s okay to have a bad day. HOW TO WALK AWAY is evocative, compelling, and superbly written.

My rating is 5 out of 5 stars!

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