Member Reviews

I personally really enjoyed this! :) it was a little slow in places but the writing was beautiful. I loved the characters and the story was nice and engaging.

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I found this book very difficult to review. In parts I absolutely loved it, an epic love story with wonderful characters. In other parts I found myself drifting, it did not hold my attention and I felt it lost its direction.
Some beautiful prose and very lyrical in parts but for me not always easy to understand.

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A mesmerising, sweeping tale about star-crossed lovers that spans time and death itself in an epic story about fate and endless love.

Whilst I loved getting to know the characters and seeing their many stories grow over the pages in a carefully curated way in a uniquely poetic, dreamlike style that felt more like a stream of thoughts that a set narrative - it has to said the pacing felt unusually slow throughout, with it taking a while to get into the characters and to progress them that meant I was waiting a little impatiently at time for something to connect to and to even learn how our two characters are entwined together.

The story meandered slowly through different parts of our lovers lives with beautifully descriptive and eco coat I’ve prose, giving us their own views and memories of their love story and adding in some beautiful lyrics to accompany their journey which was a very sweet touch to add.

Fans of heartbreaking, epic love stories are absolutely going to adore this dreamy, delicate tale.

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3.5 ⭐️

Thank you NetGalley for providing me with the ARC of this book.

I genuinely feel bad for giving this book under four stars, but I just couldn’t connect to it. The writing is absolutely gorgeous-at times lyrical and poetic, at others modern and comical.

Personally, I just didn’t bond with any of the characters. None of them felt fully fleshed out, and with underdeveloped characters, its hard to care what happens to them. That being said, the storyline (particularly the flashback storylines) is really beautiful, and I felt more emotion towards the characters from the years past.

There is a lot of potential with this author who is very clearly talented, but this book unfortunately fell flat for me.

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I have never been more confused as to what to rate a book in my life. I was 150 pages in when I thought "oh I don't like this" because the story of Shosh and Evan was just really depressing me with no prospects of getting better, it was slow and it was affecting me emotionally.
After around page 170, things started to move. At this point I found it difficult to put it down. I love how the characters interact and the recovery process from the dark places they are in. It reads philosophical and like a romance at once. I do wish some things were different, but I think this is one of those reads I need to sit with to really understand how it made me feel and how much I liked or disliked it.
Overall, this book is an interesting read and different from anything I would have naturally picked up at a book store and for that, I decided to rate it three stars

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I loved this novel!

I really enjoyed the duel pov throughout the book and I loved the characters too. I found the plot really interesting and complex and it was just such a beautiful novel to read.

'She's a tarantino film, I'm Judd Apatow on a good day'. 💖🌟💕✨

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DNF at 36%. This book has felt slow and I have struggled to keep my attention on it. This might be better for a younger audience such as YA and Teens but I found it too simple and immature, lacking in complexity in the writing style.

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Well this was not at all what I expected.
Beautifully written and great characters.
Slow paced but the writing is so stunning that didnt bother me in the slightest I couldn’t put it down

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The story follows the lives of two teens Evan and Shosh who both experience their own heartbreaks. A celestial bird brings the pair together and they travel through time to different places including Paris in the 19th century. Will Evan and Shosh be destined to be together.

A great read! I really enjoyed reading this book and learning more about the characters.

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A beautifully written book which draws you in and captivates your attention, the characters are amazingly structured and have a beautiful complexity to them

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The characters and their stories throughout this book’s multiple timelines were enough to make up for the slow pace of this romantic, poetic novel.
At times I was not sure if I would continue but the writing is so beautiful and the characters so complex that it continued to draw me back in and give me reason to conclude their stories with them.
On the whole the writing is empathetic and honest providing realism to an unusual and interesting storyline.
I will be recommending this to teens in my library.
Thank you to NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Penguin Young Readers Group/Viking Books for Young Readers for providing me with a digital reviewer copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.

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"I Loved You In Another Life" by David Arnold is a captivating and heartwarming love story that spans across time and space. Evan Taft and Shosh Bell, two teenagers with their own dreams and challenges, find their souls connected throughout various ages, as a celestial bird weaves their destinies together.

Evan's plans for a gap year in Alaska and his desire to support his family are shaken when his mother receives an unexpected diagnosis. Amidst the uncertainty, he starts hearing a mysterious singer's voice—a song that no one else can hear, hinting at a connection beyond the ordinary.

Shosh, a theater legend with dreams of shining in performing arts college, faces tragedy when her sister is killed by a drunk driver, leaving her life shattered. But amidst the darkness, she too hears a soft voice singing in her ear, bridging the gap between souls.

David Arnold's lyrical prose adds a poetic touch to the narrative, enhancing the emotional depth of the story. The inclusion of original songs, written and recorded by the author, adds another layer of beauty to the novel, creating a unique and immersive experience for readers.

The novel beautifully explores the concept of love transcending time and space, with the celestial bird acting as a mysterious thread that weaves the lives of strangers together. From an escaped murderer in 19th-century Paris to a Norwegian kosmonaut in low-earth orbit, the connection between souls is both magical and enduring.

"I Loved You In Another Life" delves into the history of love and the profound idea that some souls are meant for each other, irrespective of time or place. The narrative gracefully navigates themes of loss, healing, and the unbreakable bond that connects kindred spirits.

For fans of Nina LaCour and Matt Haig, this poignant love story offers a truly mesmerizing reading experience. David Arnold's storytelling shines through the characters' emotions, struggles, and growth, making it a memorable and touching journey for readers of all ages. Whether exploring the depths of sorrow or the heights of joy, this novel is a testament to the enduring power of love, reaffirming the belief that some connections are destined to last forever.

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Such a unique book, I loved the plot, and oh my god the characters were so amazing!! I definitely will be recommending it!!

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Unfortunately one that I didn’t love as much as I hoped. Whilst it was a nice read, it didn’t pull me like others I’ve read recently have.

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This was one of them books you build up to be great, due to the synopsis but I couldn't get into it, I tried until 20%.

The writing is beautiful but the story didn't grab me as I'd hoped.

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I did enjoy this but I got slightly confused at times.
It felt like I was reading some lovely poetry, very well written and it made my mind wander.
All in all 4 stars. Would recommend if it's your genre or if you fancy something different x

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I loved this story.

Although I found it slow to start with, the poetic nature of the writing kept me hooked. It was so descriptive and you really could feel what they were feeling throughout.

Its a love story presented in the most beautiful and sometimes heart wrenching way. And I cried a lot. It so easy to see where David put his own vulnerabilities into the story which makes the emotional impact even greater,

Overall, I would definitely recommend this book to readers but bring tissues!

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Thanks for the opportunity to read this book. Started this book but found it difficult to get into the story. I generally don't give up and keep going but this one I struggled to keep going.

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what a loveable read, i fell in love with the characters in this book and loved how the story progressed, felt like i was there in this book and i love when a book and author can make me feel like that, like im living that story.

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A beautiful and poetic love story. You may roll your eyes at two teenagers falling in love as the storyline but this one had a little more edge to it.

Evan and Shosh find themselves at a crossroads in life. Tragedy and family life has taken them both off of their intended life courses. When they begin to hear a song that nobody else can hear, they are drawn together. Do you believe in soul mates? I do after reading I Loves You in Another Life.

A tale of love, strength, family and friendship. So very beautifully written.

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