I loved this book.
The story follows Kerry, Tim and Joel from new year's eve 1999, a day that changed their lives forever and how it continued influence their life choices over the next 18 years.

I love how this book just starts, from the first chapter you're thrown into the whirlwind of events stemming from Kerry saving Joel's life, after he collapses at new year Kerry preforms CPR for 18 minutes, while Tim just stared frozen unable to help.

The story throughout shows how all actions have consequences even the 'right choices' may have negative effects on peoples lives but also how with the right help there's always second chances.

There's so much that happens in this book however it manages to keep a steady flow. With many short chapters written from the POV of the three main characters it shows the perspective from all sides, really bringing the story to life. The pace of the story runs well and the main storyline is present throughout while also creating personal storylines for the main characters.

I really liked Kerry and sympathised with her character, she wants to help people so much that her own life and happiness is often set aside to help others. With reading simultaneously all three pov I felt myself wanting to shout at Kerry so many times to tell her 'thats not how it is'. I was really rooting for her to be happy.

The book itself covers a lot of topics very well. Touching on addiction, depression, anxiety, loss and mental health, all of which had realism to them; nothing seemed far fetched. I particularly enjoyed how well the medical aspects came across, it was very factual, realistic and was evident that the author had put time in to researching.

Being a similar age myself during the time period the book is set, I loved how the author tied in events of the time and made reference to the little things that you'd have enjoyed, it adds a whole other element to the story.

Overall this book is beautifully written and sympathetic to the nature of the story while not shying away from difficult topics.
As a negative I would say it took me a little bit of time to really get into the story, I did feel like it was almost a little too 'teenage' at the start and wasn't sure if it was going to mature, however I'm so glad I persevered it quickly turns into a read I found difficult to put down.

As people gather to celebrate the Millennium, Joel's heart suddenly stops while playing football. Nearby are Kerry and Tim from his year at school, both wanting to become doctors and trained in first aid. The first aid saves Joel's life, and ties the three of them together as they all learn to cope with the fallout from that night.

The characters are all sympathetic, even Tim, who is arguably the most frustrating of them all - you can still understand his motivations even while thinking he should have done something differently. They are all 18 as the story begins and over the next 15 years grow into adults with very different, intertwined, paths in life. Kerry is the heroine of the scenario at the beginning, and remains the most complex character throughout. It's an engaging read, and one I won't hesitate to recommend.

The novel opens with one of the main characters experiencing a cardiac arrest. The actions of the other two main characters have a lasting impact and change the lives of all involved.

The medical side of the plot has been thoroughly researched and I learned a few things which I plan to investigate further. By providing this information throughout the story and also between chapters throughout the book, Carter helps educate the audience and raise awareness of a vitally important matter.

I enjoyed that the story was written from the differing perspectives of the three main characters and follows them throughout their lives - from their ups and downs to their reappearances in each others lives - this allows for the development of the characters and to see their varying point of views. Certain plot points were frustrating as I disagreed with decisions the characters made as they interpreted situations wrongly or crossed wires so to read the reasons for misunderstandings from a differing viewpoint was interesting and added to the story.

How To Save A Life is an easy, gripping read, with a nice pace, wonderful writing and is one of the best books I have read for a while. Highly recommended!

Thanks to NetGalley and Pan Macmillan, Mantle for the ARC.

This book was fantastic, and the ending made me cry.

The structure of the book, based around the four points of life saving, works really well. The way these are worked in at the end of the book and are revealed to be Joel's videos tied the book together excellently and draws a nice conclusion.

The medical aspects contained within the book are clearly well researched and are really interesting - I appreciate the adherence to medical facts rather than simply relying on making things up and hoping they pass as realistic.

The story itself flows at a nice pace, speeding up at the right point honorary thereafter through the eighteen years over which the novel is set, without becoming tedious or dragging too much.

Writing from the different perspective s of the threw main characters enhances the story, allowing the reader to see the conflicting interests and misconceptions.

My only slight issue is that I don't like Tim as a character, although he has undeniably suffered he seems to be nearly constantly whining while simultaneously getting his own way, often at others expense. But this is a minor thing.

Overall, this is a fantastic and interesting read, which I would definitely recommend to others.

The idea of this story, the repercussions of saving someone's life through CPR provides the story with an interesting, different starting point. The events of one evening on Hove Lawns in Brighton continue to echo through the lives of the main characters through the course of the novel. which spans 17 years. Although there is love and romance and the inevitable break-ups, it is the focus on how the characters' decisions affect the lives of those around them that makes this novel so readable. I found this book difficult to put down and finished it in the early hours of the morning, being determined to find out what happened to everyone at the end. I would certainly recommend it. One of the best books I have read for a while. As it is due for publication in March 2021, i will set a reminder on my calendar so that I can tell people to go out and buy it when it is released.

I started reading this straight off the back of the really taut, thrilling end to another forthcoming title, so I was prepared for a bit of a comedown. But the first chapter was just the right length to introduce some of the characters and create a situation that meant I had to read on.
It’s an easy read; each chapter is narrated by one of the three main protagonists so you don’t have to wonder whose perspective you’re seeing. The story spans a number of years, taking Kerry, Joel and Tim from sixth-formers on Millennium Eve on into adulthood as they criss-cross in and out of each other’s lives. It’s punctuated with real-life events which tether the story in time. People make mistakes. Actions have consequences. Second chances are granted.
One unexpected side effect of reading this is that I’ve found out how to donate my body to medical science, something I had previously only thought idly about. This isn’t the kind of story I normally go for but it kept me reading, wanting to find out just how many more twists of fate there would be, how many more times a life would be saved.

I couldn't put this book down - I had to know how it ended.

How To Save A Life follows the story of a wannabe-doctor and the person who's life she saves after a freak medical incident. You see the ups and downs of their friendship and all the other relationships in their lives. I empathised with the characters, often wanting to shake some sense into them when they made choices I didn't agree with.

Lovely writing, however I didn't always agree with the characters' decisions or motives.

The opening is staggering. You are really drawn into the centre of the characters and get a feel for what they are like right away. It was rather eye opening because I wouldn’t know what to do if someone dropped down dead in front of me. I would probably be like the character Tim, frozen in place, aware of my surroundings but unable to move which is of no use to anyone.

This is a book with a rollercoaster of emotions ranging from sadness to rage. Bittersweet moments and drama aplenty, combined with elegant storytelling shows the talents of this incredible author. The ending made me tingle all over, so full of emotion. I loved every second of reading How To Save A Life and have zero doubt that everyone else will too.

Just finished reading How to Save a Life by Eva Carter - couldn’t put it down. Gripping, unflinching, honest and dramatic, it’s twistier than spaghetti.

Wonderful read enjoyed from beginning to the last page .Will be recommending this novel for a really enjoyable read.#netgalley#textpublishing

Really good read. Would recommend to friends and family. I could sympathise with characters (important for any fiction novel!) and looked forward to picking it up and reading the next few chapters! Interesting plot line and a good ending. Will look out for more novels by the author. Thank you.

This delightful novel made a huge impression on me. I enjoyed every page of it and recommend it. The twists and turns were fun and unexpected.