In an Instant

by Lorena Faundez Liberti

Sofia had always doubted the idea of finding a soulmate. Until she met Matteo. Convinced he was the one, she jumped into the relationship fast. But a tragic accident changed it all. Losing Matteo caused Sofia’s world to crumble. One lonely night, feeling the grief and despair consuming her, she packed up her things and drove to the airport. The only way to heal, she decided, was to leave it all behind. Finding refuge in a far away place, she begins a new chapter. But as time passes, she realizes the only way to get true closure is to go back to where it all happened. Determined to find it, she returns home. Being back felt good, for a brief moment that is. As luck would have it she finds herself falling for someone totally unexpected. Having decided a long time ago that love was no longer in the cards for her, Sofia must now decide whether to give herself another chance or let the past stop her from ever finding it again.

280 pages, Paperback

Published April 19, 2023

Reviews

[Mariette De kock · Rating 4 out of 5]

In an Instant by Lorena Faundez Liberti is a debut novel with Soulmates, He falls first, Friends to lovers, sworn off relationships and second chance.

The story is told by Sofies POV. She is loving, loyal and strong willed. Throughout this book Sofie goes through love, grief, motherhood and new love . She learn how to deal with it and be the version she needs to be.

We also get to know Matteo who is hard working, loyal and romantic as well as Luke. Luke is patient, fun and loving.

I wasn’t a fan of the writing style but the storyline more than made up for it. The book is a quick read and it made me cry and cry some more . I loved the ending and the unconditional friendship with Shadi.

I can’t wait to read another book by this author. Thank you Sunny Babe PR and Lorena Faundez Liberti for sending me this book for an honest review

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

First and foremost I’d like to congratulate Lorena Faundez Liberti on the recent release of her debut novel, In an Instant. A special thanks to Sunny Babe PR for the chance to read this book.

I’d give this book a Freshly Squeezed (4🍋), but I suggest you make sure you have a box of tissues handy.

The themes and tropes I say are:
🍋Emotional Romance
🍋Tragedy
🍋Mental Health
🍋Sworn Off Romantic Relationships
🍋Fate
🍋He Falls First
🍋Second Chance
🍋Friends to Lovers
🍋Soulmates
🍋No Spice

The format is different than most books, but that didn’t take me completely out of the book. Many of the emotions I found myself relating to deep down in my core. Thus tissues were necessary for me.

I just want future readers to be aware of the “continuation” formate style. If you give the book a real chance, you will fall in love with Sofia and the people in her life. It’s funny how life seems determined for her to have a second chance at love, almost like Matteo had something to do with it.

As Aaron (Matteo’s “step”father) said, “Life’s too short for me to be stubborn.” It seems that Sofia has to but the past trauma she suffered when she lost Matteo and realize he would want her not only to “live” her life but experience in every way possible.

I recommend this book as it really deals with many situations that many tend to stay away from, but leaves you feeling like Sofia is finally able to have the HEA that Matteo wanted for her.

[Fifi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I rated this book 4.5 stars . I really enjoyed reading it. I finished it in a day as once I started I couldn’t put it down. Reading it was like watching a movie. It was very fast pace once you start you keep going. I got a bit lost in some parts thou but it didn’t take away from the story.

I would describe it as a book in two halves before loss & after loss which I liked.

I was bawling my eyes the first half of this book I almost wanted to stop reading it and take a break .. but I’m glad I read it at all In one sitting .The second half of the book I was swooning for the MMC . The ending for me was just perfect 🤩.

I loved Shadi’s character, she added so much to the story for me and was definitely the bestest friend anyone could ask for.

This is a romance book but it’s also about a woman’s journey through loss and how she overcomes it and the choices that she makes along the way.

I’ll highly recommend this book if you are looking for a closed door contemporary romance with a HEA.

✨Contemporary romance
✨Love unexpected
✨Closed door
✨Love after loss
✨Found family
✨He falls first and hard
✨Friends to lovers
✨Second chance romance
✨Soul mates
✨No spice

Check trigger warnings as listed by the author.

I received an arc copy of this book . All reviews and comments are of my own views & opinions.

[Destiny Imperati · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Review ✨️
☆Heartfelt Second Chance♡
After losing her soulmate Matteo in a tragic accident, Sofia is left grieving and decides it's time to move away to help the healing process. She quickly realizes that the only way to truly heal and move on, she must go back home and get closure. Little does she know she will soon find herself falling for someone and has to make the ultimate decision. Sofia has to decide if she wants to keep living in the past or open herself to a new opportunity to be happy again.
Omg this book had me in so many tears 😭😭 The title explains everything perfectly! Your life can change in an instant, and that's exactly what happened to Sofia. It really shows that we have to cherish everything we have. I thought Sofia was a very strong FMC. She navigated through her journey of grief, tried to run from it, then came back and got closure. I loved the writing and how intense the emotions were displayed. This author is new to me, but I'll be reading more of her writing, most definitely!

[Bri loves books · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tropes:
Friends to lovers
He falls first
Second Chance
Sworn off relationships
Soul mates

In An Instant is Lorena's debut novel and I would classify it as a clean romance. The story is told through the eyes of Sofia, the female main character. The book centres around the themes of love, loss, family and friendships. In An Instant has a 0 spiciness factor but the story was strong enough that I didn't miss it.
One of my favourite parts of the novel is the SPF crew ( Sweet Potato Fries crew) which consists of Sofia and her 3 best friends Shadi, Carla and Rebecca. I love the connection the group shares and how supportive they are throughout each other's lives.
Overall, for a debut novel I think Lorena did an excellent job. The characters were interesting and relatable and the storyline was engaging and enjoyable!
Thank you to@sunnybabepr and @lorena_indie_writer for providing me with this E-Arc in exchange for my honest opinion.

[Kaylene Ledger · Rating 4 out of 5]

In An Instant is a beautiful, emotional book about love, loss, and a reminder to cherish everything you have and to live in the moment! The writing style is heartfelt and the author portrays the characters emotions with grace and compassion.  

Sofia finds herself moving away after experiencing an unexpected loss. Years later, she realises that she needs to move back home to find closure and make peace with the past. Finding someone new is the last thing she expects, but she can't deny her feelings. Sofia's journey felt so honest and real. Her relationships with both male characters were very different, but I feel they both really fit where she was at in her life.  

Tropes:
✨ He Falls First
✨ Friends To Lovers
✨ Soulmates
✨ Second Chance

I really enjoyed this story and I'm looking forward to reading more from Lorena Faundez Liberti 💕

[Hayley Richell · Rating 3 out of 5]

I know this was a romance book so there was going to be a HEA, but for once I wished the the plot didn’t have to change and the first couple stayed together - feel they had far more chemistry and attraction.

Sofia and her friends change their dinner location one Friday night, and what a blessing that was as she met her first love of her life!

I loved the insta lust/love in this book as I never normally like that kind of trope so I was actually a bit emotional when the scene of how he died happened!

Fast forward five years, Sofia is back home with the kids and facing life back in the states as a single mum and no ..

Enter Luke, Matteo's half brother and the fun cool uncle.

I know this half of the book was a slow burn but I just wasn’t vibing with the relationship.
Also my kindle was messing up the formatting as for pages at a time there was no gaps etc so I felt like that was putting me off the relationship too!

But apart from me not being a fan of Luke, I absolutely loved this book and it was Lorena debut novel and will be defo reading more by her😍

[Kourtney · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an emotional read for me because I lost my first love too. After he passed away suddenly I didn't think I'd ever find someone who loved and accepted me like he did. Lucky for me I did find someone else who accepts all my flaws and still thinks I'm worthy. So I really related to this book!

Definitely recommend this book just make sure to have some tissues ready!

[Silvia Martinez · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this story. I cried, I side eyed, I was questioning so much. But in the end, I get what every review was saying. I thought I wasn't going to like the romance aspect (IYKYK) but I was invested. Sophia was a great character and even tho sometimes I was giving her the side eye especially towards the end, I loved her. Great book I highly recommend. Thank you to Sunny Babe PR and the author for an E-ARC of this book.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sofia found a great love in Matteo and when he was taken from her in a tragic accident she isn’t sure how to just carry on. So she decides to leave the place that reminds her of him behind for years. Wanting to be near her extended family again brings her back to San Diego though, where she meets and begins to fall for someone new.

This beautiful story is full of emotion! From the book blurb and the very first page of this book, you know Matteo is going to die. But following their love story from the moment the first meet through that time, you still ache for Sofia when it happens. You root for her to find any peace she can, you want to support her in the journey she now has to experience alone.

The way Lorena Faundez Liberti navigated grief, family bonds and mental health in this book was wonderful!

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Spice: no 🌶️

Thank you @Sunnybabepr for sending me an ARC of this book!

[Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think it’s hard to think about the future in the midst of tragedy. Opening your heart up again to experience that kind of pain again is so hard to do. I enjoyed this book. I love when people get second chances at love and life but I love even more getting to watch their walls slowly come down!

[jennifer langdon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book will have you in tears, a tragic love story.

She falls hard and fast in love, only to lose it all in a tragic accident.
To then find love again in the most unexpected place.

This was a great read. The story and the characters were all very relatable.
It was a book that definitely makes you define your own choices and think about times/people you cherish the most.
It shows you that life can change in an instant

And if it's meant to be, it will be

[Paperhearts.xx · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was such a short,cute and lovable book🥹I’ll forever love second chance romance 💕

[Lamya k · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adorable!

No spoilers!

This was such a cute book and I don't really have the proper words to describe it. I just loved it and loved the characters. If it meant to be its meant to be 🤍

[Tanisha Belohlavek · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book! It was so fun to meet the characters and get to know them. I loved Sofia! She was such a strong FMC. I felt like she was always making decisions that best benefitted her, and not always ones that she would have preferred! You follow Sofia as she finds a new normal following a tragic accident and working through her emotions. She ends up falling for someone totally unexpected and I did not love that right away. As I kept reading and this portion of the story began to develop, I really did enjoy these two together! Reading this book makes you feel like you’re in the California sun. ☀️

[Hanat reads_ · Rating 4 out of 5]

So glad to have been able to receive an arc from sunnybabepr

First of all, these book bring out all emotions I had in my entire life from happy to sad to crying to all….. I don’t have anything to say than to tell you to expect your tissues because emotions are rolling in.

[Chantal · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a tragic love story. The first part of the story had my heart beating fast, the love of as so beautiful! Then had my heart breaking, tears streaming… I couldn’t imagine going through this. The resilience of Sofia was astounding. Her redemption, her self-discovery and knowing exactly what she wanted and followed through with it was inspiring. It took a bit of getting used to with the time jumps, but it was overall great to see the longevity of Sofias story.

*thank you sunnybabepr for the ARC

[Erin Bischof · Rating 4 out of 5]

In An Instant ARC review

First off thank you Sunny Babe PR and Lorena Faundez Liberti for the opportunity to read this ARC.

When everything in life seems perfect would you wait for tragedy? Neither would Sofia. Until it happened. She was the happiest she’s been, the love of her life that she just so happens to meet at a new restaurant, friends she can always count on and a family anyone would wish for. Until tragedy struck..

In an Instant is a story about a girl whose life changed… In An Instant.

I was in tears, I was smiling, I was cheering on the growth and transformation of the FMC. This was definitely a heartfelt read and a book that will definitely make you think about moments you will cherish.

- He falls first
- Friends to Lovers
- Soulmates
- Sworn off relationship
- Second Chance

[Kate Blake · Rating 5 out of 5]

Trigger warnings for those who have lost someone they love.
This story was wonderful and I lived the first half.


My husband died when I was 7 mo the pregnant with my son. I thought my love life was over. I didn't want anyone else to be my son's father I was so grief stricken... I thought "who would want to be with a widow and at kid at 27 years old".... then a year and a half after I had my son I met Brandon... we've been together for almost three years, married for 6 months and he adopted my son and I genuinely couldn't be happier... sometimes things just happen and the only thing you can do is survive and look for the joy ♥️


If you want to cry, laugh and yell at your phone/kindle this story is for you ♥️♥️♥️

[Lily Torres · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
#️⃣ of pages: 208
Genre: Romance
Tropes: He falls first, debut novel, soulmates, second chances, friends to lovers, sworn off relationship

Beautiful debut book! This book is a beautiful, emotional book about love, loss, and a reminder to cherish everything you have and to live in the moment! This book will have you falling in love with characters and tears.

The writing style is heartfelt and the author portrays the characters emotions with grace and compassion.
Sofia finds herself moving away after experiencing an unexpected loss. Years later, she realises that she needs to move back home to find closure and make peace with the past. Finding someone new is the last thing she expects, but she can’t deny her feelings.

Sofia’s journey felt so honest and real. Her relationships with both male characters were very different, but I feel they both really fit where she was at in her life.

I finished it in a day as once I started I couldn’t put it down. Reading it was like watching one of Nicolas sparks movies . It was very fast pace once you start you keep going.

I would describe it as a book in two halves before loss & after loss which I liked.

Yesterday, I was giving my mini opinion to the author and she gave me a fact. I loved to interacting her because I understand more of the book! 🫶🥹

[Kami · Rating 5 out of 5]

Trope:
✧ Second Chance in love( with a different person)
✧ Closed-door Romance
✧ Single Mother
✧ Found Family
My thoughts :
It's a clear five-star read for me, I loved the story and how it was written. I feel like if the books makes you feel the emotions of the character correctly it is a great book. I cried my eyes out on some parts of the book, it portrayed the emotions and the struggle so,so beautifully, that I actually have no words. This book was beautiful! looking forward to more books by this author! I a 100% recommend you to read this book.
Please check out the trigger warning before reading the book, I completely understand some topics in this book can be a trigger.

[Alyssa Mohring · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this novel. This being a debut, Lorena did an awesome job. The only thing I had a problem with was the writing style. Lorena more than made up for that with the plot. The plot was everything.

The characters were the best. Sofia is the MFC. The book is told through her pov. She is loving and strong-willed. Poor Matteo! That is all I can say about him without spoiling anything. Luke is a very fun person. He also has a lot of patience and is very loving. I wish we had Luke's pov also.

You will need tissues for this book. I know I needed a few. I can't wait to see what Lorena comes up with next.

[Riss 🫶🏻☕️ · Rating 4 out of 5]

In an Instant is a he falls first, friends to lovers kind of romance! Sofia left behind everything and everyone she knew after a tragic accident caused her to lose it all. She thought leaving would help her grieve and heal, but her only closure would come with coming home. Sofia’s second chance at love came with in the form becoming friends with someone totally unexpected. I loved this story, the author displays such deep emotions through her characters and it really stuck with me. There’s so much I could write, but I’ll end with this; books that touch upon loss and grief and healing always hold a place in my heart! I won’t be forgetting this story for a while!

[Rinny Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Thoughts:
————————-
This closed door romance takes you through the emotions of first loves, heartbreak and the opportunity for second chances when you’re least expecting it. Journey with Sofia as she loves fiercely and loses heartbreakingly and discovers her strengths and ability to love again. If you’re like me you may get frustrated with her decisions but yet totally understand where she’s coming from. Such lovable characters and a great story about the realities of grief and love.

Overall a great love story, actually two love stories, that you should read. Just keep tissues near by.

[Kaytee Pergentile · Rating 4 out of 5]

💭 𝕄𝕪 𝕋𝕙𝕠𝕦𝕘𝕙𝕥𝕤:

🧁I am so impressed that this is Lorena's debut novel. I loved the mixture of slow burn vs fast burn romance and how the two held their own beautiful moments. Bravo!

🇪🇸 The tradegy in this novel brought all the feels. I could feel the pain oozing out of the pages with the words. The same went for the love. You could really feel how deep it was, in every instance.

👫 The person to person dialogue being in paragraph format seemed a bit new to me but it wasn't hard to follow.

[Bookish Lady Night · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book Review: In An Instant by: Lorena Faundez Liberti

This is Lorena’s debut story and it’s told by the FMC Sofia it’s a clean, romantic story with a rich plot! How cute are the SPF crew!!! Aka Sweet Potato Fries crew. Really well done characters, all the feels and emotions! A very nice story about how in a moment it can all change! Definitely look forward to more by this author!

💕Friends to lovers
💕He falls first
💕Second Chance
💕Sworn off relationships
💕Soul mates

[WhatbookamIreading · Rating 4 out of 5]

💖 In An Instant 💖
Lorena Faundez Liberti

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This is a debut novel by Lorena, and it was so good.
Sofia is a strong FMC, and the story is told from her POV. In this story, you can really feel all of Sofias' emotions. It's really a story of two halves, but most important is about following your heart and doing what's right for you and your family. I enjoyed that this is a romance story with no spice. I can see this been turned into an amazing movie. Just a warning, have tissues ready.

[Trista · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫/5

Super quick read. Cute storyline, wasn’t a fan of the writing style…something just didn’t click for me. ARC didn’t come with TW at the beginning which could definitely be detrimental to some readers. Overall, a basic story but a little too heavy on the “fate” and “insta-love” for me.


I received an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Alex · Rating 1 out of 5]

Sadly this book was not for me. Based on the blurb and the tropes I was really expecting to enjoy it, but I did not. I wasn’t a big fan of getting to see Sofia and Matteo’s perfect romance blossom and then getting pregnant just to have Matteo die in a freak accident in the first third of the book. While I loved Luke and how good he was with the kids, I just couldn’t get past the fact that he is Matteo’s half brother.

The pacing of the book was a little confusing. It felt like every couple of paragraphs there was a time jump and we were just getting the highlights of Sofia’s life.