Avery Beckett is in shock when Jude Masters proposes to her at work and she doesn’t know what to say. Jude is a widower, he has three children Elle, Henry and Milo and she didn’t think he was ready to get married again. Avery hasn’t told Jude about her former life, the longer she left it, the harder it’s become and how can she possibly marry him?

Avery has to return to Crystal in North Carolina Mountains, to see her father who’s had a fall and face her tragic past. Jude is confused by Avery’s behavior, he thought she would react very differently to his proposal and he thinks they should take a break. He’s a busy doctor, a single parent, his daughter Elle is being a real handful and getting into all sorts of trouble.

Avery begins the long car ride home, when she discovers she has a stowaway and it’s Elle. What is she going to do with Elle at the farm, Avery wants to concentrate on her father’s recovery and try and repair her relationship with her estranged sister Willow.

Avery and Elle’s relationship has been rocky from the start, Elle’s going through her teenage years without her mother, and she misses her and doesn’t know how to deal with her emotions and the last thing she wants is an interfering stepmother. Avery, Elle and Willow form an unexpected kinship, Avery decides to tell Jude what happened to her, things don’t go as planned and she's pushed him away again.

I received a copy of When We Let Go from NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing in exchange for an honest review. A well written story by Rochelle B. Weinstein about loss, grief, mental health, secrets, being truthful, accepting, healing, finding the courage and moving on from the pain of the past. Five stars from me, I didn’t see the big twist coming in the story, I gasped in shock and I enjoyed this book just as much as This Is Not How It Ends.

When We Let Go by Rochelle Weinstein is a pull at your heart-strings story about loving yourself enough to let go of your past. It’s also about mothers and daughters, love with a romantic partner, sisterly love, accepting loss, grief, mental illness, forgiveness and moving forward. I’ve yet to read a book by Weinstein that doesn’t leaves me in a pool of tears that also fills my heart with hope.

This story starts with what should be a perfect proposal, but we soon learn that Avery has a secret from her past she that can’t let go of. How can she marry a man that isn’t aware of her secret? It’s a heartbreaking choice because she hasn’t only fallen in love with Jude, but also his three kids. Many people carry secrets (baggage) with them and this book, as the title suggests, reminds us to let go. Letting go of regret, shame, hurt, fear or whatever it is that holds us back is crucial to move forward. This story thrums with this theme throughout the book.

When Avery travels to the North Carolina mountains to be with her ailing dad, she’s aware that going home will kick her in the ass. Memories and the secrets that she wants buried are sure to surface and like all good fiction, they pop up with twists and revelations that kept me flipping the pages. This is a testament to Weinstein’s pacing, knowing when to drop bits and pieces of past history to keep the present moving forward.

The major and minor characters are relatable, flawed and fleshed out just enough that the reader truly cares for them. Weinstein can impart a lot of wisdom through her conversations with her dad, her sister and surprisingly with Elle. I hope to see some of these characters make a cameo into another of Weinstein’s books. I will miss them.

Overall, this is the perfect anytime read, it’s excellent storytelling and will keep you hooked from start to finish.

Avery should have been thrilled when Jude proposed but there's a secret she hasn't shared with him. Then there's his daughter Elle. When her dad falls, Avery heads for North Carolina not suspecting that Elle for her own reasons, has more or less stowed away in her car. This is very much about the family we make. There are nice small town atmospherics (the gardens!) and the characters (especially Elle) are very realistic. Thanks to netgalley for the ARC. The twist is a tad trope-y but this is still a good read.

Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free, electronic ARC of this novel received in exchange for an honest review.
Expected publication date: May 17, 2022
Avery Beckett should be over the moon when the love of her life, Jude, proposes. But secrets and details from her past make it impossible to move forward, and she rejects Jude’s proposal, crushing him. When Avery’s father takes a fall and ends up in the hospital, Avery rushes to his bedside in her hometown of Crystal, North Carolina, a town she ran away from many years ago with hopes of never looking back. Avery is surprised when Elle, Jude’s teenage daughter, turns up unexpectedly, after stowing away in Avery’s car. Now, Avery is left with the bitter, angsty, teenage daughter of the man whose heart she just broke, for ten hours in a cramped car. But that’s not her only problem Avery faces as she is forced to return to the town where her life was drastically changed forever.
Rochelle B. Weinstein is the author of five previous novels and “When We Let Go” is her newest. A powerful story of love, loss, grief, guilt and step-parenting, it is heart wrenching, emotional, and utterly sweet.
“When We Let Go” focuses on female relationships (mother-daughter, stepmother-daughter and sister-sister). In fact, there are very few male characters in the novel (unless they are the partner of one of the female protagonists) and this is a unique feat Weinstein pulls off well. Avery, Elle and even Avery’s sister Willow, have all suffered immeasurable loss, at different levels, and each are affected in a different way. As the story unfolds and their bond grows, there is no heartstring left untugged.
The story is easy to read through, with each chapter leaving just enough bait for me to want to jump into the next. I loved the endearing, heartwarming plot, and although I guessed the twist with Ollie (Elle’s former partner), it did not make the story any less enjoyable.
Of course “When We Let Go” had a positive ending, although there was a moment there when I was worried it would run a different course. Weinstein highlights tragic loss with a realistic lens, and yet manages to keep the story itself uplifting and positive.
This novel was my introduction to Weinstein, and I am so glad I took a chance with “When We Let Go”. The beautiful settings, broken and flawed characters and flowing plot completely enraptured me and I so look forward to more from this author.

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and the author, for an ARC of this book, in exchange for an honest review.
I usually read Mystery/Thriller/ Suspense books but every now & then something different catches my eye & I must read it.
"When We Let Go" by Rochelle B. Weinstein was a beautifully written
story.
It was heartbreaking & funny at the same time.
It was a story about second chances, finding love again & letting go of heartbreak.
I would definitely read another book by Ms. Weinstein.

When We Let Go is a story about Avery, a woman who needs to learn how to let go of regret and open her heart to the prospect of loving openly and fully again before she can move on from an unfathomable loss. Beautifully crafted, and soul grabbing story telling, it was impossible not to be carried along on this remarkable journey of healing and self-forgiveness. I really loved this book.

This is a wonderful book and I nearly read it in one sitting. It exceeded my expectations.

Avery has a second chance at love, but her past won't allow her to fully accept the new life she would like to have. For years she has held a secret and is afraid of loving and losing again. But now it is time to go home and face her past.

I adore the relationship between Avery and Elle. They fill the void of what each has lost. I didn't expect Elle to play a big role in the story, but it was so fitting. Having a ten year old daughter myself I could relate to what they were going through and seeing what the next few years will hold for us.

This is a heartfelt read story. I smiled and cried, especially toward the end.

Thank you to Rochelle B. Weinsein and NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this story.

A Delightfully Moving Story of Grief and Hopefulness.

SUMMARY
When Jude proposes to Avery Beckett in Miami’s Vizcaya Gardens, Avery doesn’t respond. She didn’t say no, but she certainly didn’t say yes either. She’s scare to commit when she knows she is carrying secrets on her heart. Avery know before she can commit to Jude, she must come clean about her past.

Avery is called to return to her childhood farm in the North Carolina mountains to help with her father who has taken a fall. She’s surprised to be saddled with a companion along the way. Jude’s angst-ridden teenage daughter, Elle, who’s grappling with the loss of her mother was hiding in the backseat. Avery and Elle unexpectedly form a bond along the way giving them the courage to confront the past and move forward.


REVIEW
When We Let Go is a delightfully moving novel about family, forgiveness, and is full of feelings of healing and hopefulness. Avery’s secrets started with Jude the day she dropped her purse in the hallway outside the grief counseling class. One lie led to another. Her truth was just to hard for her to admit, because admitting it would make it real.

The story is heartbreaking and emotionally driven. It’s relatable for anyone who has experienced the loss of a loved one. Weinstein’s emotive writing makes you feel the various layers of grief portrayed in the story. The three main female characters, Avery, Elle, and Willow, Avery’s sister are the strength of the story. All three characters are well developed but Willow’s spunk in handing Elle’s rebelliousness was very much applauded.

Rochelle Weinstein Is a bestselling author of several novels including This is Not How it Ends (2020), What We Leave Behind (2020) and Somebody’s Daughter (2018).

Thanks to Netgalley for an advance reading copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Publisher Lake Union Publishing
Published May 17, 2022
Review www.bluestockingreviews.com

𝘞𝘰𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘧𝘶𝘭 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘺 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘨𝘪𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘧, 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨, 𝘴𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘥 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘴, 𝘧𝘢𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘺 𝘣𝘰𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦. 𝘏𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘭𝘺 𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘥!

This book really took me by surprise in the best way, I had never read anything by Rochelle Weinstein prior to this one and pretty much was only drawn to it because of the beautiful cover.

I don't even know how I'd categorize this book other than just a great story. There was heartbreak, romance, family drama, hilarious one-liners, and heavy grief all somehow blended together perfectly in an honestly moving and heart-warming story.

I recommend going in blind and just letting the story unfold. I was hooked by the first chapter and felt the pace was pretty even. There were a couple surprises that I wasn't expecting and the ending had me tearing up!

If you enjoyed Things You Save in a Fire, this would be the book for you. She gave me Katherine Center meets Kristin Hannah vibes.

Thanks so much to Lake Union Publishing for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This book will be available on May 17th!

Rating: 4.5 Stars

Thank you, @suzyapprovebooktours @rochellebweinstein and @lakeunionauthors for a spot on tour and a gifted ebook.

After I read 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐬 𝐍𝐨𝐭 𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐢𝐭 𝐄𝐧𝐝𝐬, I knew Rochelle Weinstein had a gift for writing about hurting, broken people. Once again, her giftedness shone through, and then some, in 𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐖𝐞 𝐋𝐞𝐭 𝐆𝐨.

When Jude proposes to Avery, she can’t say yes. It’s not that she doesn’t love him. She has kept too many secrets from him; she has too much haunting her.

As Jude and Avery need time to figure out what comes next, Avery returns to her childhood farm, a place of painful memories. But as she’s on the road, she realizes she has a stowaway - Jude’s teenage daughter Elle. Elle has been cruel at times to Avery, but she is still not over her mother's death.

This trip becomes an opportunity for Avery to bond with Elle, but both have a lot of grief to let go of, and Avery must finally be willing to say goodbye to some ghosts and forgive herself.

So hold on to your heart. It was hard enough to see Avery and Jude walk away from the proposal, but both are hurting, and these are people who have suffered loss. But then the waves of emotion just keep coming. This is a story about grief and healing. But it’s also about relationships: sisters, mothers, lovers, and of course, Avery trying to move on from the past.

𝘜𝘨𝘩, 𝘺𝘦𝘢𝘩, 𝘴𝘶𝘤𝘩 𝘢 𝘣𝘦𝘢𝘶𝘵𝘪𝘧𝘶𝘭 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘭𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘨𝘰 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘨𝘢𝘪𝘯.

This one opens with a proposal. Yay right?⁣
⁣
She loves him. Their relationship is pretty wonderful. ⁣But… she says no.⁣
⁣
Avery knows that she can’t commit to Jude. She still hasn’t told him about her past - the secret life she left behind.⁣
⁣
But when she returns to the family farm for some space and to help her ailing father she discovers a hitchhiker in her car - Jude's surly, cranky, teenage daughter. And these two could not butt heads worse.⁣
⁣
I love Rochelle Weinstein’s stories because they are such compulsive reads and you can’t bear to put them down until the very end. And by then - you just don’t want to. The way she connects her characters, the relationships, the relatability - make her words joy to read - even with the most emotional of stories.⁣
⁣
I loved the relationship that forms between Elle and Avery and the snarky banter between these unlikely allies. It’s a great balance of heartbreaking and heartwarming moments, with just the perfect amount of sassy teen sprinkled in - that any mother or daughter can relate to.

The author has given a read that is full of love and loss, the hard part of moving on after devastation.
Be ready for this book to grab you, full of emotions, and the outcome is unknown until the end.
The young woman, Avery, has suffered the loss of her love and child, gone, and she blames herself. She also has become estranged from her sister, the woman who raised her beginning at age 8.
We are also given Luke, a man who has lost his wife and mother of his three children, two boys, and a young teenage daughter Elle.
After reacting badly when Jude proposes, Avery receives devastating news, and has to head home to NC, not realizing she has a stowaway!
This is a journey to healing and forgiveness. In the end it is forgiving yourself before you can move on.
I received this book through Net Galley and Lake Union Publishing, and was not required to give a positive review.

Oh, this book was just beautiful! "When We Let Go", by Rochelle B. Weinstein, was an emotional, well written, thoughtful and reflective novel about grief, forgiveness and moving forward. A relatable cast of characters, with an interesting backdrop of farmland in NC as well as Miami, I really enjoyed (and cried with) this novel. Thank you NetGalley, the author and publisher for the early release copy. All opinions are my own.

This book is beautifully written. It really touched me on a deep level. It's soulful, heartbreaking, but also hopeful. I couldn't put it down. What the main character went through is tragic and how she deals with her past is believable. Everything flowed so perfectly. I wouldn't be surprised if this hits the bestseller list day one.

4.5 stars

I love when you learn the backstory of characters in pieces and not all at once. It kept me interested from the beginning and wanting to keep picking the book up. The connections made and character growth was a huge part of why I loved this book. The author did a great job tackling some more heavy topics. At first, I wasn’t really a fan about how Avery went about talking about her past and I still don’t condone what she did, but I loved getting to know. An emotional read with some shocking discoveries that I did not see coming.

Thank you @suzyapprovedbooktours @amazonpublishing @rochellebweinstein and @netgalley for my gifted copy.

While I can not gush over this book, I can see where the appeal will be for many. The main character Avery was not relatable to me, but as more of her backstory unfolded I was sympathetic to her. The secondary character Elle was relatable even in her obstinance!

I think many will enjoy this book while on summer vacations in either the beach or the mountains. There was enough of a rooted storyline to keep me reading, know what was going to happen next.

I'm not sure how to rate this book- I hated it, and I loved it! It had a roller-coaster of emotions and feelings - hate, love, insecurity, lies (or not admitting to everything), and the inability to talk things out and make assumptions. This book also had a huge twist at the end.

I couldn't connect with anyone in this book, no matter how tragic their lives were. And maybe that was my problem, tragedy abounded, and my stomach clenched with every page I turned.

Yes, we did get a twist, and we did get a 'happily ever after,' but was it enough for me? Well, I did finish the book, so that rates a star. I did keep turning the pages to see just how mean, naive, tragic, bitchy, etc . the characters were going to be with each other. So this rates another star. Everyone transformed into the perfect people - I had to stretch my imagination for that, but I'll give it another half a star.

Definitely an emotional and deep women's read. -A half star for being true
So this is what I have two whole stars, two half stars.

A three-star read, although if I were being true to myself, I would rate it 2 stars because it is an overly emotional and over-wrought beach read. So I'm going to compromise since all of these people who loved this book can't all be wrong! 2.5 stars rounded down.

This is a story about a young woman who has been through a traumatic life event, had an opportunity to live a good life, and struggled with joining those two dichotomous paths. I didn’t appreciate the writing, over-drought with anxiety with a lot of repetition. However I can see how it would appeal to many others. Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Great read! A story of Avery & Jude, who have been together for quite some time, however each of them have some hidden secrets/scars from their past. Jude’s daughter Elle also has some animosity towards Avery, which makes for a tricky relationship too.

I loved following the characters as they grew into themselves and made peace with their past. Avery continually struggles with the idea of ‘what could have been’ which is a struggle most people have had in their lifetime.

Thanks to the publisher & NetGalley for the ARC! Will definitely be reading more from Rochelle Weinstein.