Compelling and engrossing story. In 27 Days completely surprised me and swept me off my feet. Couldn't put it down. Bittersweet yet heartwarming, the book is a reminder of the power in kindness and compassion for one another.

After one of her classmates, Archer Morales, commits suicide, Hadley makes a deal with Death: she goes 27 days into the past for a chance to save his life. Death's motivations for this bargain are never explored. Hadley reads as an overly naive, simpering poor-little-rich-girl -- she's lived these 27 days before, but she doesn't remember that it was an unusually cold November or that her parents went on a surprise business trip and left her by herself on Thanksgiving (though she later says she's used to spending the holiday alone, she makes a big fuss about it being the first time this has happened). She doesn't know what flashbacks are, nor does she understand what PTSD stands for. The writing leans heavily on cliches, and the romance itself is both predictable and unbelievable. The tired, borderline-stereotypical depictions of Archer's Italian family further drag down an already unremarkable book.

Hadley Jamison attends the funeral of her classmate Archer Morales, who has committed suicide. Hadley's not really sure why she felt the need to attend the funeral and meet Archer's family, because it's not like they were friends. They had a class together freshman year, but Hadley was too shy to ever talk to Archer. After the funeral, Hadley is approached by a man who calls himself Death, and he offers her an interesting proposition--the ability to go back in time 27 days to try to prevent Archer's suicide.

An interesting premise and well developed plot makes for a great read!

There are a lot of YA books out there about suicide. Most writers have no clue what they are taking on when choosing this topic. Most writers are careless and wallow in excess drama. Their characters as deep as a raindrop. Hadley is totally different. Nothing typical about this girl. She actually has a heart (that in itself is refreshing for a YA book!). Sure, her family is rich but she has absent parents who seem to care about their careers than parenting. The fact that money doesn't buy everything is one of the messages here. Archer's life is totally different from hers including a big loving family. The friendship that grows between these two is easy to believe. I can't recommend this book enough. It's so well done - this author (Alison Gervais) is one that I will continue to watch. Will be recommended to both adults & young adults!

I've read stories with this premise before. That said, I've never read any that have lingered with me afterwards so profoundly.

I raced through the first 70% of this book in one sitting. Gobbled it. Ignored people. Stayed up until the early hours. The last 30%, however, I stretched over a week.

Why?

I was scared to finish the book.

Gervais has created such tangible characters that as Hadley fell in love with the Incitti family, I found myself falling wholeheartedly for Hadley and Archer's family. I couldn't bring myself to finish the book because I was terrified about what was going to happen to them.

Now I have read the last page, I miss them and I want them back. Only two other writers have made me feel quite like this: JK Rowling and Suzanne Collins. That isn't to say this book is like a wizarding world or dystopian future but Gervais has the same skilled command of her pen, creating real, flawed characters with whom the reader has an inexplicable connection.

I wish I hadn't read it just so I could have the pleasure of reading it for the first time, again.