Ok, confession time, every single book I have read, or attempted to read, put out by Blink, I just couldn't get into. I was a failed reader for Blink books. They all sounded AMAZING, but when I tried to read them, something just fell flat. So I expected this to be more of the same.

I couldn't have been more wrong. I LOVED this book. This is one you tear through in one sitting and experience ALL the feels. I actually had to put the book down at one point because my heart was pounding so fast from fear I couldn't read another word until I had calmed down some.

This book was BREATH-taking. Simply GORGEOUS.

WARNING: a character commits suicide (off page) in it and the premise is the MC h goes back in time to stop him from doing that. This doesn't dip deeply into mental health issues, but does touch on them. Also, the MC h is trying to save the MC H. Real life doesn't work like that all of the time, so if this is a topic that is sensitive for you, this may not be the book for you.

There is also a murder in it (flash backs and PTSD from it shown) and the MC H is bullied about it. The MC h is threatened by an otherworldly force that presents as an adult whereas she is a teenager, so the threatened violence might also be a bit much for certain readers.

There is some mention of the Christian religion, but it seemed rather cursory. Not preachy and it didn't really seem to fit into the story itself. It was just kind of there.

I loved the characters, the story, the writing, but due to the subject matter, I wouldn't recommend it to everyone. I do recommend it, but with the above mentioned warnings. The way it was written, it reminds me of 180 Seconds, which I also loved.

5, it worked for me and I will be seeking out more Blink books in the future I'm sorry I read the others wrong, stars.

My thanks to NetGalley and Blink for an eARC copy of this book to read and review.

In 27 Days has been a book on my TBR since April of 2017. As soon as I heard about it I knew it was a book I wanted to read. But as a book nerd tends to do, I kept pushing it off and pushing it off until it had been almost 3 years later and I finally decided it was time to read it. Since so much time had passed I really wasn’t sure what to expect. I had forgotten if there was any hype or buzz or even what other people had said about it. Instead I ended up jumping in with a clear frame of mind and when I finished my first thought was…WHY DIDN’T I READ THIS SOONER?!?! In 27 Days was good guys. It was really good.

In 27 Days is about Hadley Jamison, a high school student in New York that is saddened by the suicide of her classmate, Archer Morales. Hadley only knew Archer from a class years ago but something about his death breaks her up. So much so she decides to go to his funeral. While there she meets a name named Death that offers to send her back 27 days so she can try and stop Archer from doing what can’t be undone. Hadley agrees and soon finds herself in the past trying to navigate a world she knows with the unknown and trying to find a way to show a boy she barely knows that life is worth living. As the days pass Hadley finds herself immersed in Archer’s life and more invested in whether she can save him because know that she knows him she can’t imagine life without him.

I will say that In 27 Days was a slow start for me. It took a little bit for me to get into. It took until about page 75 for me to get invested and by page 100 I was really all in. Watching Hadley slowly become a part of Archer’s life, getting to know him and his story, getting to know Hadley, I was enthralled. Archer was this character you knew nothing about in the beginning and all of a sudden you couldn’t help but love him and his family. Especially after learning his story and why he was having such a hard time and just may have needed that one person to reach out. He became my favorite part of the journey and I found myself loving him the most out of all the characters. Don’t get me wrong, Hadley is great and Archer’s family is top notch, but Archer was the bees knees.

I was pretty anxious reading In 27 Days and I didn’t love how the last act of the story went, but all in all this was a fantastic reading experience I should have had years ago. It was one of those books you don’t want to put down. One of those books you want the characters to succeed in. One of those books you want to read again because you loved the people so much. I know this book has been out a while now, but if you haven’t picked it up yet don’t be like me and wait. Read it now,

Thank you to Netgalley for an ARC of "In 27 Days" in exchange for an honest review.

Summary: Hadley Jamison walks into school one morning with the feeling that something is awry. Her homeroom teacher reveals that her fellow classmate, Archer Morales, has committed suicide. Although Hadley only briefly knew Archer, she is very much affected by this event and is prompted to attend his funeral, where she meets Death. He offers her the deal of a lifetime: to go back in time, 27 days exactly, to try to save Archer from ending his life. And, so, Hadley begins a race against the clock. Saving a boy who doesn't want to be saved.

I liked this book a lot because it was paced out perfectly. It wasn't too slow and dragging and I appreciated that we meet Death right away.

I really loved Archer and the Incitti family. Archer may be sarcastic but I like that he isn't a typical pretty Prince Charming figure because that's just not real. And the family is super loud and boisterous and I love that too.

The ending was paced well, too. It didn't seem like it came to an abrupt happy ending, like a lot of YA books so I appreciate that.

I'm intrigued that this came up on Goodreads as part of series, or so it appears. Curious what this is about.

Oh, what a brilliant premise, what a fascinating topic, and what an ultimately mediocre book, I am sad to say.

Death was a character! There was another villain! And they both felt like caricatures and left more unresolved questions. I couldn't suspend disbelief because I was too busy saying "Really?" and pointing out holes.

I really disliked Hadley. She had parent problems, but I felt like these and the way that she just adopted Archer's family, though sweet, felt manipulative even to me. I wish she had had more of her own personality, or had maintained her old friendships, or had any attribute other than being a vessel for the story to happen.

I am extremely critical of books dealing with mental illness these days, having concluded that the simple addition of resources can go a far way. I felt like this treatment was very superficial, and like there was no real look into the deeper implications of Archer's mental health and bigger solutions. Boy meets girl, boy falls in love, everything's great again. Yay.

Though I really wish I could, I cannot honestly recommend this book.

I really loved this book. I read it in one day and wanted so much more from it. The concept of making a deal with the devil is nothing new to most of us readers, and getting the chance to go back in time to change something also isn't new but this book was so amazing and made the concept feel new to me.

There was something off. I couldn’t put my finger on what exactly it was, but it was definitely there.

Yes, something was out of balance, I decided as I stepped off the bus and onto the sidewalk outside John F. Kennedy Prep. The place looked like it did almost every other day, with its red bricks, bright-colored banners strung up everywhere, and the jumble of students lingering around outside the front doors. Nothing as ever out of the ordinary.

Yet the gray clouds rolling in across the sky felt smothering, bringing with them a feeling of suspicion…and sadness. An almost suffocating sadness. New York was the city that never slept, the place that had a thousand different attitudes. But I’d never felt one like this before.

This was originally on Wattpad (platform for original fiction, similar to fanfiction for those writing in a particular fandom) and had a massive following. I received an e-ARC from NetGalley in return for honest feedback. All quotes are from this proof, so there may be minor differences to the printed version.

The story started off slow, introducing the setting and the characters. At first I was wondering why so many readers had found this compelling reading.

However, with the introduction of Death, everything kicked up a notch. I couldn’t read quickly enough as I was so desperate to find out what would happen to the characters. It is the characters that give this story its strength. They are realistic, strong, relatable and flawed. I liked how the Chapter headings count down the days until Archer takes his own life and I could feel Hadley’s desperation as she tried to avert this outcome.

The relationship each teen has with their family is discussed – unlike some YA books where the parents are completely absent, ineffectual or downright harmful. I particularly loved all the characters in Archer’s family and could relate to the feeling of never being able to keep a secret because everyone knows everyone else’s business.

One of my least favourite things in books is insta-love where characters are suddenly infatuated with one another, despite having done none of the build-up to an actual relationship. In some ways, this obsessive behaviour can be portrayed as romantic, when in real-life it could be seriously problematic. Imagine my relief in this book when Archer and Hadley’s relationship is built up gradually and steadily, suffering setbacks and misunderstandings which eventually make their relationship stronger and more realistic.

While I have not read the original story on Wattpad, this seems to be a longer, more fleshed-out version and is a strong debut. I will be looking out for more from this author!

“Who are you?” I demanded.

Another wide, eerie smirk curled the man’s mouth as he took another drag on his cigarette. He shrugged a shoulder. “I’m know by a lot of names, actually. The Grim Reaper. The angel Azrael. Mephistopheles. But I suppose for simplicity’s sake, you can just call me Death.”

What I liked: The fast pacing, the character of Death, the family relationships, the gradual relationship between Archer and Hadley, the sensitive handling of a variety of issues, the importance given to each character’s feelings.

Even better if: Initially wondered why it had to be a romance, but the relationship was done well without any insta-love! Apparently there is a sequel so that fixes one suggestion for what could be better – will be reading that next.

How you could use it in your classroom: It would be an interesting discussion-starter for a number of issues you might touch on with teenagers during PSHE – depression and suicide, dealing with peer pressure, post-traumatic stress, etc. It could also be used to think about the impact of our actions on others – Hadley a difference to Archer’s decisions and therefore had a big effect on his family and her own.

(Thank you to Netgalley and Blink for my review copy)

When Archer Morales commits suicide, Hadley Jamison is shocked. Attending his funeral, she meets a man who calls himself Death and offers her a deal. She can go back 27 days and try to prevent Archer’s death. Agreeing to Death’s terms, she goes back and attempts to develop a relationship with Archer, who is an attractive loner with a dark past. To complicate things a series of dangerous accidents begin occurring, which thwart Hadley’s attempts. As she begins to fall in love with Archer, she is determined to risk everything to keep him safe.

A hard hitting, emotional roller coaster that will leave readers pulling at their heart-strings and wiping a tear from their eyes by the last page.

When Archer Morales commits suicide, his classmate Hadley Jamison is surprised by how much it affects her. She knew him from freshman English class, but that’s about it. He was the kind of guy that pretty much kept to himself. Hadley decides to attend Archer’s funeral for some closure. As she is leaving the funeral, she runs into a man who calls himself Death. Death offers Hadley a deal; he will send her back in time twenty-seven days to try and stop Archer from killing himself. It doesn’t take much to convince Hadley that this is something she must do. She agrees but finds that it is not going to be an easy task. Archer has kept himself isolated for several reasons, none of which he is especially eager to share with anyone. As Hadley works to gain his confidence, strange accidents start to occur that keep Hadley and Archer farther from each other and make Hadley wonder if she is really ready to risk everything, including her own life, to accomplish her mission.

All I can say is WOW!. When I started In 27 Days, I had no idea where it would lead me. It was one of the most raw, real, and amazing books I have read in a very long time. The way these characters and their storyline laid out was unbelievable. This is the kind of writing I would expect from someone with decades of experience. Alison Gervais is an author that has the potential to take off and never look back at where her writing can take her and her readers. The way the story of Hadley and Archer came together was absolutely beautiful. I never once felt as if anything was forced or rushed between the characters or with their actions. Out of all the books I have read this year, this is going quickly to the top of my list. With the rampant amount of bullying going on in our society, this is a story that needs to be read by many. I highly recommend this to all readers, especially anyone that might be struggling with feeling alone or how to help someone in that position.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

To be honest, the blurb of this book had me a little hesitant but the prospect of a book involving a component of death and time travel was too much to ignore. (And in a small part, I was also intrigued by the cover). Anyway, the basic plot of the book is that Hadley is sent back 27 days in time, by Death, to stop her classmate from committing suicide. Considering the subject matter of suicide, I was mostly wondering if the romance would be a factor in the prevention of that (which is a problematic theme) but I was pleasantly surprised to discover that while there is romance, it focuses more on their friendship, and the fact that they can rely on each other and brighten each others' day. Hadley becomes a support for an Archer who is still recovering from events in his past.

When Hadley is first sent back to save him, she barely knows him. All she knows is she doesn't want a fellow student to give up on his life - but Archer is quite closed off in the start. He frequently shuts down her attempts to befriend him, but she keeps persisting because she sees it as a defense mechanism. And while she gets to know him and his family, she finds a sense of belonging with them. They become like her family, and while her own is not bad, her parents are quite absent from her lives. The experience of their friendship changes Hadley and Archer both, with Hadley starting to realize to demand more of her life, and Archer finding some light (I would like to add -I would have liked this book better if we also had some Archer POV chapters)

Now, on the supernatural aspect, it is not entirely clear why she is sent back to save him, or why Death even cared to save one boy's life. And with Havoc, I was also a bit disappointed on the resolution of his presence. It is definitely not a major plot point of the book, but just to add stakes to her mission, which kind of cheapens it.

In all, it is a good book about relationships, finding a support system and family.

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Hadley, after hearing the news that a boy, Archer, from her school has committed suicide attends the funeral, where she meets Death who sends her back, 27 days to change Archers mind.
I started and stopped this book a few times before finally buckling down to make it through the whole book, and I'm glad I did. The story was easy to follow, there wasn't too much complicated facts about the time travel and the romance that bloomed between the couple made it easy to get sucked in. Nothing about the book specifically wowed me but I still enjoyed it. Looking forward to reading Face Your Fears now, but I was pleasantly surprised by this one.

3/5 stars

THIS BOOK, THOUGH. While I was prepared to not like this book, my preparations were uncalled for. I ADORED this book and this plot hit me right in the feels. Thank you so much, Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this ARC!

Plot holes and questions throughout, but an intriguing idea and a nicely developed relationship

Not quite the average high school story, a girl is approached by 'Death' just after hearing about a fellow student's suicide and given the chance to go back in time to try and stop him from taking his own life. Accepting, Hadley finds herself back 27 days in the past, and must befriend Archer before the date of his suicide. A tattoo on her arm counts down the days... can she change his mind in time and show him there may be something worth living for?

One aspect of this is obvious - you KNOW the pair will start as strangers, become friends, and quite possibly fall for each other, that's pretty standard. And while the story does follow this, I really liked both characters' personalities and was happy to get swept up in their romance.

The supernatural/time travel element of the book felt a little less well thought through. Why does Hadley never seem to relive her 27 days and be in the same situation as she's experienced before - she has arguments with her never-present wealthy parents but never mentions that this has happened before, she never uses her knowledge of the past to help her.

And why exactly did Archer commit suicide? This was a big plot hole for me, I just couldn't see any reason for him to do it - much poorer financially than Hadley, his family is rolling in love and support, there doesn't seem to be any 'trigger' that sets him off, the threat never seems to climax and offer a sense of danger and impending decision for him.

Yet I enjoyed the book - the idea of Death (and other supernatural characters, a great addition to add an element of danger that felt missing) so unusual in this genre that it carried the story. Loved Hadley's burgeoning romance, Archer's eccentric family.

Lovely to see writings from WattPad getting attention, publication and their author's public recognition. Definitely one to recommend to teenage audiences, maybe for those who've enjoyed such books as 'Thirteen Reasons Why' or 'Demon Road'.

With thanks to Netgalley for the advance reading copy.

As evidenced by a group conversation in a reading group on Facebook this weekend, it’s hard to find good, clean YA sometimes. There’s are a couple bloggers out there who cover it but for the most part, it’s an area that needs improvement.
Today, I’m happy to share a book that fits that category with you. In 27 Days by Alison Gervais made a huge splash on Wattpad. After reading the book, there’s no question in my mind as to why.
The concept may be a little out there for some readers (Hadley is offered a chance to go back 27 days in order to save someone’s life) but if you can get past that, there is an amazing message in this book.
Despite the clouds of urgency and imminent doom hanging over them, Hadley and Archer are fun together. Archer’s insistent pushing Hadley away and her equal determination to spend time with him, to save him, make for some sweet moments in this story.
There are lots of twists and turns to keep you guessing and moving the story along at a brisk pace. While Archer’s family and Hadley’s parents are different, these two teenagers face the same thing. As their friendship begins to take roots, obstacles are thrown in their way meant to derail it as well as Hadley’s success in completing her mission.
A well-written reminder that sometimes all it takes is a word or a smile to turn someone’s day around, that you have to spend time with someone to really know them, and that taking that time is worth every minute, In 27 Days is a must-read.

Disclosure statement:
I receive complimentary books for review from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including NetGalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

The concept is great; it just needs work. Full review on Goodreads.

The premise of this book caught my attention right away. Go back in time, a chance to save a life? I'm in. Although, from the beginning, we all assume Hadley can persuade Archer not to end his life, this book is anything but predictable.
Which leads me to...
On pace: it was hard to put down. Once the contract is signed, you're sold...Don't pick it up unless you want to stay up late.
On story plot: The urgency of Hadley's mission to befriend Archer and the building/development of their relationship was by far the heart of the story and what kept me turning pages and hoping. The backstory and present haps provoke more questions and mystery, and the transformation for Hadley, Archer, and even other characters felt genuine whether a scene was simple or complex.
On Voice: Hadley's voice seemed authentically teen, which I feel is actually hard to come by! Her insecurities, curiosities, and honesty came through just as genuinely as Archer, who had a unique voice and attitude all to himself. Archer is a teenage boy! Which means, he totally didn't have the right thing to say and it made his character real.
On theme: I love that this book makes us think about the people around us, and reach out, be kind, and not give up. That we can be the change we want to see.

Great premis, engaging characters and a thoroughly enjoyable read!

I really enjoyed this quick read. It makes you think about the values we place on things and people in our lives and it also serves as a reminder of how a small act of love and kindness can truly make an impact on others.

Rating: 3.5 Stars

I think everyone has had a moment, when they wish they could go back in time and change the outcome of a particular situation. In 27 Days, Hadley gets the opportunity, and the stakes are high. She gets 27 days to prevent Archer from taking his own life. The concept is so beautiful, and I was in love with the idea of this book.

Gervais does a respectable job with this story, and there were so many things I really loved and thought she did well.

- I liked that Gervais hinted at some sort of previous connection between Hadley and Archer. It was a brief connection, but it made it seem more believable that she would feel some sort of loss with Archer's death.

-I found myself smiling, when Hadley finally made a breakthrough with Archer. It was hard fought, and she didn't give up - on him, or herself.

-Both Archer and Hadley were quite complex, and I really appreciated the way their backstory was revealed, and I cannot lie, I got really emotional the more I learned about Archer.

-The Morales family and extended family! I loved them all so much, and had wished I was invited to dinners with them. They had suffered some great losses, but they had each other to ease the pain. I wanted to reach through my kindle and smack Archer, because he could not see what was right in front of him. He was surrounded by so much love. #FamilyGoals

-I was so happy to see Hadley's relationship with her parents grow and improve. She was the poor little rich girl in every sense of the cliche, but the author made an effort to move past that, and show that with effort, things can change and improve. I think that is a big overarching idea in this book, and I am onboard with that.

I actually had no problems with the parts of the story that leaned more contemporary. It was the paranormal portions that left me with so many questions. I loved the inclusion of these characters and the magic they wielded, but Gervais did not give me enough information regarding particular things with respect to the supernatural portions. For example, why mention a contract with some sort of terms should Hadley fail, if you are never going to mention the stakes? Since this is billed as book #1, I can forgive the few holes that left me wondering. And, yeah, I peeked at the synopsis for book 2, and I think it will answer those questions.

Overall: a solid start to a series I am interested in reading more of.

HOLY COW!

I feel like that's enough of a review without having to elaborate. That OOMPH factor is all you need to know, in order to know that this is a book that is a must-read!
SUCH a great book!
This is the kind of book where you find yourself saying just one more page...just one more...and BAM! you're done!
It's an amazingly easy read, and well written aside from a few small spelling errors here and there which I didn't find take away from the story by any means.
I really don't want to give too much away - as this is one that really should be experienced in full.

In short, Hadley is our main character, pretty much your average teenage girl. A boy at her school ends up committing suicide - and she decides to travel back in time to save him - with only 27 days to do so (hence the title!)
I really loved everything about the story, but be warned...You're going to want a new box of tissues hanging out nearby!

I read this when it was just a little story on Wattpad. Ever since, it has always stuck with me and I think about it quite a lot. It has always been a part of my heart, and I was sad (as I wasn’t able to re-read it) but also proud when it was announced in Wattpad that it was going to be published. I’ve kept my eyes out all these years, and so being able to get a hold of an arc copy is something that I will forever be grateful for, and I will obviously buy a physical copy.

I accidentally read this in a whole day, and I think that tells you exactly what kind of book this is. It’s funny, yet deals with a serious issue in a way that really hasn’t been explored before. There’s something so beautiful and captivating about this book, which I feel like the YA community, and those who want a story which will forever stick with them will love. And as if it couldn’t get as beautiful, there’s this twisted supernatural element which will have you gripping at the copy in your hands.

Realising how quickly I had read this, and how close I was reaching the end – I didn’t want it to come. Not only do you not want to find out if he will commit suicide again, but you also don’t want to leave the characters which you fall so easily in love with. There’s Carlos – the ever so funny and cheeky cousin, as well as the beautiful dynamic between Archer and Hadley. Gervais created such a strong bond between the character and the reader so quickly, as soon as you realise you’re in the last 100 or so pages you instantly start putting it down only to then pick it up instantly. It’s an internal battle: wanting to finish it and be with the characters or potentially losing Archer again and being away from the quirky family.

Each character has been created with expertise. Ask me who my favourite character is? I couldn’t tell you. I have so much respect for all of them. They are so well crafted, each with their own quirks and strengths that really shine through. It’s impossible to choose your favourite out of Archer’s family. Except quite possibly his cousin… or cute little sister… or his caring mother. It’s hard.

But even the other characters, such as Death himself, is solidly built. He’s the sassy addition that every book needs. Hadley is hilarious. She’s stubborn and doesn’t take no as an answer. And that’s why it’s so funny seeing the first interactions between her and Archer, the quiet one. The interactions that start to begin with (especially to start with) have this weird magical element to it, that whilst there’s humour and sarcasm, you can just feel the magical element.

Overall,
It gets the 5 stars. A contemporary style book but with this twisted supernatural element is just fantastic. It’s a top recommend for those who want a read that will make them sit and reflect, as well as it be a quick read. But that does come down to the fact that you cannot put it down. At all. I cannot recommend this enough, especially if you don’t read too often. Or even if you read ten books a month. This book is open to everyone. It will haunt you for the rest of your life, but in a way that you enjoy it. And then you will never be able to look at penguins in the same way… So once again, a massive thank you to the publishers. And I can’t wait to buy a physical copy to re-read all the time. Save the date for 25th July, because you need this one!