Where Are You Now

by Jenny Hale

From the USA Today bestselling author of The Magic of Sea Glass comes a heartwarming story about second chances, family bonds, and the magic around us. Where Are You Now is the perfect escape for fans of Susan Wiggs, RaeAnne Thayne, and Susan Mallery.

Ava St. John is on her way to a client meeting when her car is hit from behind, landing her in the hospital. While she’s unconscious, a booming voice offers her two “Find Lucas Phillips and live out the rest of your life, or pass on peacefully—which will it be?”

She chooses to live. There’s just one She hasn’t seen Lucas Phillips since she was fifteen years old. In her search for Lucas, Ava questions everything she her faith, belief in herself, and her life choices.

But her biggest questions are, what will she do when she finds Lucas, and what happens to her if she doesn't?

A heartwarming story that will have you believing in fate. If you adored the movies based on Jenny’s books and are searching for more feel-good romance, look no further!

Genres: Romance, Fiction

280 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 5, 2025

About the author

Jenny Hale is a USA Today, Amazon, and international bestselling author of romantic contemporary fiction. Her books have sold worldwide, have been translated into multiple languages, and adapted for television. Her novels Coming Home for Christmas and Movie Guide Epiphany Award winner Christmas Wishes and Mistletoe Kisses are Hallmark Channel original movies.

She was included in Oprah Magazine’s “19 Dreamy Summer Romances to Whisk You Away” and Southern Living’s “30 Christmas Novels to Start Reading Now.” Her stories are chock-full of feel-good romance and overflowing with warm settings, great friends, and family.

Jenny is at work on her next novel, delighted to be bringing even more heartwarming stories to her readers. When she isn’t writing, or heading up her romantic fiction imprint Harpeth Road, she can be found running around her hometown of Nashville with her husband, two boys, and their labradoodle, taking pictures—her favorite pastime.

Visit www.itsjennyhale.com to get my latest book! You can also chat with me on Facebook: www.facebook.com/jennyhaleauthor, Twitter: www.twitter.com/jhaleauthor, and IG: www.instagram.com/jhaleauthor

See all my books on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Jenny-Hale/e/B...

Reviews

[Sheila · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free copy of, Where Are You Now, by Jenny Hale, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Ava St. John was in a car accident, and she got a choice, live or die, but the living option came with requests. Change is had, but good sometimes, as Ava finds out after her accident. I really enjoyed this book, all the talk about food made me hungry. Ava and Lucas are such lovely characters, I also enjoyed the religious undertones in this book.

[Gloria · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars
Where Are You Now is a lovely and touching story of healing, second chances, and evaluation of one's life. Ava is in an accident that she should not have recovered from but she did. In the near death experience, she hears a voice that leads her to find an old childhood friend Lucas. She works for a big marketing firm in NYC and is on the shortlist for a promotion. Now she is recuperating, spending some quality, healing time with her mom and reconnecting with her old friend Lucas, who has changed. This whole story is about a spiritual experience and realization that life is a gift, one to use for what is important. Heartwarming and poignant story.
I received a copy for the purpose of an honest review. These are my thoughts.

[Lori Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Where Are You Now by Jenny Hale is a warm hug of a book. The book will touch your heart and you'll look at your life differently after finishing it. Ava St. John is very good at her marketing job and is in competition at work to make partner in a huge firm. She lives life at a fast pace with little time for anything, but work. She loves her job and the creativity it takes to be successful at it, so she doesn't mind missing out on other things. One morning Ava is on her way to visit a client when her car is hit at high speed from someone behind her on the freeway. It's a very bad accident and Ava is unconscious in the hospital when she hears a voice. The voice gives her 2 choices: to find Lucas Phillips and live out the rest of her life or to pass on peacefully and die.

Ava chooses to live but she hasn't seen Lucas Phillips since he moved away when she was 15. They were best friends before he moved, but lost touch over the years. How will she find Lucas now? What will she do if she does find Lucas? Is that all she has to do is find him? The accident and the search for Lucas bring Ava to question everything she knows about what's important, faith, and what she wants out of life. If she doesn't find Lucas, will she die? Ava has a lot to deal with while recovering from her injuries. I absolutely loved Where Are You Now and feel like it's a gift to all readers to unwrap. I rate Where Are You Now 5 stars with my very highest recommendation. Get this book and enjoy every moment because it's magical. I'd like to thank NetGalley and Harpeth Road Publishing for an advanced copy of Where Are You Now in exchange for a fair review. #WhereAreYouNow

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jenny Hale’s books are always an automatic buy for me as you can always depend on a heartfelt and meaningful story!

Ava St John hardly has time for herself, since her job is all-consuming. When Ava ends up in the hospital from a near-death car accident, Ava hears a voice that tells her she has to find Lucas Phillips or pass peacefully. So Ava chooses to find him. Will she be able to reconnect with Lucas? Ava is worried about her job. Can she recover and still make partner?

A story of family, friendships, love, and second beginnings! I loved the relatable characters and entertaining storyline. A heartfelt story that brings out all kinds of emotions, but in the end leaves you feeling satisfied and hopeful! Be sure to add this one to your TBR list! A great book for book clubs as well!!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[Branita J · Rating 4 out of 5]

What if you died but got a second chance? God gives Ava a choice, stay in heaven or return and find her childhood best friend, and live the rest of her life. However, she hasn't seen him in years.

This book will make you think about choices and how small ones can affect your life in large ways. It also makes you think about second chances. Jenny Hale does a wonderful job telling this sweet story. It's thought-provoking and will keep you interested until the last page.

Thank you to NetGalley, BooksGoSocial, and Jenny Hale for the opportunity to read this ARC.

[Marian Sherry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Where Are You Now by Jenny Hale delves into one’s faith and also fate in this uplifting story about how life can change in an instant. Ava is involved in a horrific car accident and ends up in the hospital. Ava hears a voice giving her a choice to pass on peacefully or live. If she chooses to live she must find Lucus Phillips, a childhood friend she hasn’t seen since they were 15. Ava makes her choice though they are many questions and so begins her journey.

A story of faith, family, friendships and second chances. The author’s faith shines in this beautifully written story. Highly recommend for those who love small town stories with emotional depth.

Thank you Netgalley, BooksGoSocial and Jenny Hale for the advanced readers copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

[Kylie Stedam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Where Are You Now By: Jenny Hale

An ARC Review
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

A heartwarming, comforting, relatable Christian Contemporary Romance. This book is so beautifully written and truly incapsulates emotions that most people have felt with loss and what happens when we question what truly happens when we or our loved ones pass on. Whether it be sad emotions or happy, this novel checks all boxes.

When Ava St. John has a near death experience, she starts to question if a voice she heard was God or whether she simply experienced psychological trauma and her mind was just playing tricks on her. Deciding to listen to the voice, she is brought back from her big city life to her hometown in Tennessee and back to her mother. Ava and her mother share in a loss and this near-death experience brings them together after many years of grief and avoided feelings. Ava begins to remember more and more of her childhood as she spends time in her old hometown and starts to wonder what God really has planned for her and what she should do after this big life altering event while also doing what she believes God told her to do during her brief moment with death, which is to find her old childhood friend Lucas.

Where Are You Now is so beautifully written. Anyone can pick this book up. It is truly for any audience. I loved that this book made me realize the importance of slowing down in a fast paced world and cherishing every person that comes into your life whether it be for a brief moment or a lifetime. We often take advantage of our loved ones, friends, and acquaintances and do not take the time to thank God for the amazing people that he has placed in our paths and often for very good reasons. This book does a very good job of explaining what it’s like to feel that you are no longer connected to someone who has passed and that often they are right there with you. You just need to slow down, listen and truly open your eyes to what he has placed in front of you!

ONE MORE AMAZING THING IN THIS BOOK!!
At the end of this book, Jenny Hale adds the recipes that Ava's mom makes throughout the book. She also included a book club reading guide with questions that you can answer when finishing the book. This was such a cute addition and I have absolutely saved these recipes to make this upcoming fall!

To conclude my review, I highly suggest taking the time to read this beautifully written book. I was chosen to review this book as an ARC reader. I am so glad that I was chosen. I can truly say that this is by far one of my favorite ARC books that I have read and one of my top favorite books I have read this year.

[Bev Walkling · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good twenty years or more ago, there was a TV show that featured characters who had died, but were given a chance to go back to life to see if they could fix some mistake they had made. This popped into my mind when I started reading Jenny Hale's book "Where Are You Now?"

The story opens with Ava St. John in hospital after a devastating car crash which has left her with multiple injuries and a questionable future. As a reader, I had glimpses into her thoughts as she moved in and out of consciousness. She had no sense of the passage of time or the severity of her injuries. She was concerned that she would lose a hard-worked for promotion to partner in an advertising agency and wanted to just get up and leave to sort that out if only her body would allow. It didn't. Instead she had what most experts call an out of body or near death
experience while she was undergoing resuscitation. While there, she heard a voice which told her she had a choice to make - move on to peace or return to life find her old friend Lucas and live her life. She chose to give it a try.

This is a novel which challenges one to consider what their future holds or may hold after death. The Christian faith provides the lens to look at that. It is also a story of how the loss of a father affected both Ava and her mother. In her efforts to find Lucas, happenstance, or maybe God's will, makes the job easier than expected, but what does Ava need to do next? Lacking clarity, she does what her body needs to rest and recover all while trying to rebuild what was once an extremely close friendship with Lucas. He has his own issues to face, but is reluctant to open up and share.

I liked the way the author chose to tell the story. Her description of scenes and nature drew me in very early on and I like all the main characters. I shed some tears at some really heartwrenching moments. There was one little spot that made me stop and think perhaps the editor missed something. Ava and Lucas are preparing to take a canoe to go fishing with her dad's poles when Lucas apparently grabs "oars" to paddle them out. As a person who enjoys using paddles to canoe, this struck me as a blip. It was the only one though, and not a major distraction to my enjoyment of the story.

Over all, this book was one which made me think and reflect back on life choices and the what-if's that might surround them. It is not all doom and gloomy and has a happy ending (which I pretty much expected from early on.) Life can lead one in many directions. This book helps put that in perspective.

Many thanks to #NetGalley and #BooksGoSocial for allowing me an advanced readers copy. All opinions are my own.

[Isabell]

DNF

Where Are You Now by Jenny Hale tells the story of Ava St. John, a woman who deeply values her career and the life she has built for herself. On the way to an important business meeting, her world changes in an instant when she is involved in a devastating car accident. While unconscious in the hospital, Ava encounters a powerful, otherworldly voice that offers her two stark choices: to let go and pass away peacefully, or to return to life with the mission of finding Lucas Phillips.

Determined to live, Ava chooses the latter—yet this decision forces her to revisit the past. She hasn’t seen Lucas since her teenage years, and now her path forward becomes a personal journey of rediscovery, testing everything she thought she knew about both herself and Lucas.

I’ve read and loved many of Jenny Hale’s earlier books, but I’ve struggled to connect with some of her more recent releases. For that reason, I hesitated before requesting this one. In the end, it was probably a mix of curiosity and a sense of not wanting to miss out that convinced me to give it a try. Unfortunately, I have to admit with a heavy heart that this book was another miss for me.

Despite several attempts, I couldn’t immerse myself in the story. I even waited for the audiobook, hoping the narration would help me engage more fully, but I found the voices grating and couldn’t continue. Ultimately, I made the decision to set the book aside and not finish it.

My biggest struggle was connecting with the main character. Ava’s voice, choices, and inner reflections never resonated with me, making it hard to feel invested in her journey. On top of that, the religious undertones throughout the story weren’t to my taste and created a barrier between me and the narrative. As others have pointed out, the novel seems especially suited to an American audience, and I would agree with that observation.

While I know many readers will find meaning, comfort, and inspiration in Where Are You Now, it simply wasn’t the right fit for me.

I kindly received this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you so much Harpreth Road / Books Go Social

[Jennifer Ritter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Where Are You Now is a soul searching story by Jenny Hale. Ava St. John, a New York marketing exec, is well on the way to partner and hopes for the announcement soon. Ava has devoted her life to her career, having little time for herself or her ex-husband. On her way to a very important client meeting, fate takes Ava’s plans in a very different direction when a speeding motorist crashes into the rear of her car sandwiching her. Although Ava was talking hands free with her friend Rachel when it happened and the accident was reported immediately, backed up traffic made the rescue difficult. In fact, there was a point when Ava technically died but miraculously was brought back from the brink in better condition than would have been expected.

During the resuscitation, Ava found herself in a place of complete darkness enveloped in immeasurable love. While in this place she was given a choice; find Lucas Phillips, her childhood best friend, and live out her days or pass peacefully now. Her choice was to live. But how best to interpret what she has chosen?

After days in the hospital, the first time Ava awakens it is to see a doctor with the name tag saying he is Lucas Phillips. Ava swiftly slips back to sleep with no chance to ask. When Ava fully awakens and does ask she learns Lucas has left the hospital and moved elsewhere.

When Ava is discharged in her mother’s care, rather than recuperate in her small apartment they decide to fly to her mother’s cabin on Marrowbone Lake near Nashville. Ava’s aftercare has been transferred to Vanderbilt, where once again she encounters Lucas. But Lucas barely resembles the boy she once knew, carrying a heaviness he isn’t willing to share, but then Ava isn’t sharing about her recent experience either.

As the story unfolds, and Ava and Lucas reunite over shared memories, especially fishing, discoveries for each begin to pave the path forward. In this story the author’s strong faith is forefront and the questioning of her main characters becomes an important storyline factor. I did enjoy this novel and do recommend it!

[Caroline|Page~Turners · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ava St. John, a woman who cherishes her life and job, finds herself in a life-altering car accident on her way to a work meeting. She ends up in the hospital, unconscious, and is confronted by a booming voice that presents her with two options: to find Lucas Phillips and continue her life or to pass on peacefully.

Choosing to live, Ava awakens to the realization that she hasn’t seen Lucas since she was a teenager. Fueled by this newfound determination, she embarks on a journey to find him, which leads her to question everything about her life and Lucas’s.

“Where Are You Now,” written by Jenny Hale, is a captivating tale of faith, second chances, and new beginnings, an absolute gem. From the moment you lay eyes on the beautiful cover to the very last page, you’re enveloped in its enchanting world.

This inspiring and heartwarming romantic story is a perfect blend of elements that make it truly unforgettable. Ava’s character is portrayed with such depth and compassion that you can’t help but root for her. When she finally finds Lucas, her life takes an extraordinary turn, and she embraces a newfound courage and openness to new possibilities.

The search for Lucas becomes an integral part of Ava’s journey, and her unwavering focus on God adds a layer of spiritual significance to the story. It’s an unputdownable read that keeps you on the edge of your seat, captivated by the amazing storyline.

I highly recommend “Where Are You Now” to anyone who loves a heartwarming and inspiring romantic story. It’s a testament to the transformative power of faith and the enduring strength of the human spirit.

[Sue Negrillo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nashville Tn. In the fall, loved all the autumn references.
Ava gets into a car accident and codes. While she is out she hears a voice to find Lucas Phillips. He was her childhood friend. Was the last Doctor to see Ava in NYC. She saw that he was her doctor and began to look for him. Found out he was no longer at that hospital. She goes to Nashville to be with her mom. She is bummed as she is missing work. Work work work was her life. When she gets to Nashville she goes to PT and guess who her dr is Lucas! He is happy to see her but very guarded. Ava knows something is up. As she has apt she pushes a little and he gets upset and runs out, Ava runs after him and asks him to come fishing. He follows her to her mom’s lake cottage. It’s fall and it’s beautiful peaceful all the things he hadn’t been able to find. They set by the fire and talk. It’s good they go right back to how they were as if no time had past.
She finally get it out of him that a patient died on the table at his hands. She tells him God told her to find him and all the things that had brought her to him. They go to church they both get revelations. She’s not so much into work and he’s not happy being a doctor he was raised on a farm and that’s what he loves. He take Ava to see some land he might. Buy. Ava starts helping her mom with her little purse quilting business and she grows it.
Now it time to go back to NYC she gets there and is worn out. The bell rings and it’s Lucas. He want her in his life and shouldn’t have let her go. Ava is overjoyed and jumps at him.
Beautiful loved it!

[Andrea Blindt · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a sweet read that had my eyes watering on multiple occasions.

The book follows Ava, a creative blank as she navigates her busy life in New York City. She easily handles her near constant work demands, traffic, crowded streets, and her newly renovated apartment space that overlooks a park until it all comes to a screeching halt. Well more accurately it comes to a sudden banging halt after she is hit by a car traveling at high speed. She codes on the way to the hospital and is in a coma for days. When she wakes up she remembers the near death experience and learns to follow the voice she heard during that event without looking like a crazy person.

As she recovers she moves back home to be cared for by her mother. While there she surrenders into the stillness that life away from the constant hustle and bustle of the city provides. She spends her days reading on the deck or fishing on the lake, evenings sipping cocoa by the fire reconnecting with her mom, and soon after her childhood crush and best friend.

The story is heartwarming, insightful, and filled with honest tender moments. I loved how much God was talked about in this book. It was refreshing to see, read, and hear! Kudos to the author!!!

I did find the book a bit repetitive at times, but if you look at the storyline through Ava’s lens after a traumatic life event and brain injury the repetitiveness is easier to accept.

Overall it was a quick sweet read, and I typically enjoy Jenny Hale’s books.

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ava St. John is sure she has died. She hears a voice and it tells her she has two options, find Lucas Phillips and live out her life, or pass peacefully. Surely she is in heaven, but is sad she can not see her father who passed before her. Ava wants to live, but how can she find Lucas, her best friend from childhood. When Ava awakes, she finds out a doctor named Lucas had looked after her. Is this her Lucas?

Ava goes back to where she grew up to stay with her mother while she recuperates. Ava is anxious that her promotion at work might be affected, but there is little she can do now. While she is healing, she makes it her mission to find Lucas. She even thinks she saw him on the street the other day. When she starts her therapy, guess who is running the clinic? Is it fate or just luck? Should she share what the voice told her? Ava can not figure out why she has to find Lucas, but when she does, her fate just might be revealed to her.

Jenny Hale brings us another heartwarming, tender story of healing, family, love and second chances. I adored the characters and the storyline so much that it was easy to get wrapped in the warmth of the book. My thanks to author Jenny Hale, Harpreth Road Publishing and Books Go Social for my advanced copy which I read and reviewed voluntarily. A solid five star read my friends.

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Where Are You Now, by Jenny Hale is a contemporary Christian story. This well written story is very inspirational and references of spending time between life and death. Ava was seriously injured in a car accident, before regaining consciousness, she is suspended in time and must make a decision to stay or go back to her life. As she chooses to go back, she is told to find her childhood friend, Lucas.

This is such a good story. It grabbed my attention right away and held it to the very end. I appreciate the parts in the story of Ava, Lucas and Ava’s mother talking of their faith. I especially enjoyed the part of the story of how Ava’s mother has made a life for herself after the death of Ava’s father. Her truthfulness of her feelings of being alone is so pure. I like how she has found a way to turn her talent into a way to supplement her income. One of the things that stands out to me is how Ava helps Lucas see he a different side of the incident that changed his career. This story is so good, it covers many different tough subjects while showing there is a way to move forward from even the hardest situations. It is also a reminded that God’s timing is perfect.

I voluntarily received a complimentary copy of this story; this is my honest review.

[Jodi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a novel that might drive the reader back to faith. Ava St. John is very good at her marketing job and is in competition at work to make partner in a huge firm. She lives life at a fast pace with little time for anything, but work. She loves her job and the creativity it takes to be successful at it, so she doesn't mind missing out on other things. One morning Ava is on her way to visit a client when her car is hit at high speed from someone behind her on the freeway. It's a very bad accident and Ava is unconscious in the hospital when she hears a voice. The voice gives her 2 choices: to find Lucas Phillips and live out the rest of her life or to pass on peacefully and die. A story of faith, family, friendships and second chances. As the story unfolds, and Ava and Lucas reunite over shared memories, especially fishing, discoveries for each begin to pave the path forward. In this story the author’s strong faith is forefront and the questioning of her main characters becomes an important storyline factor. The author’s faith shines in this beautifully written story. Highly recommend for those who love small town stories with emotional depth. Many thanks to the author, publisher and Netgalley.

[Victoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book’s intriguing plot pulled me in from the first chapter as Ava, the ambitious, workaholic FMC is introduced, suffers a terrible car accident in which she codes, and she has an out of body experience. She feels the presence of the greatest love she has ever felt and hears a voice which says “Find Lucas Phillips and live out the rest of your life, or pass on peacefully—which will it be?” Ava chooses to live. Lucas was her childhood best friend whom she hasn’t seen in 20 years and she has no idea how to contact him or what to do if she does find him. What a journey she goes through in her search for Lucas and the insights she gains once she finds him effect a great change in her perspectives on life. I found myself considering my own priorities and how well my actions reflect them. I loved the MMC, Lucas, who was suffering a traumatic experience and greatly needed to hear Ava’s story. He and Ava were such an amazing pair even after the passing of so many years. Highly recommend! I received a complimentary copy from the publisher and NetGalley. All opinions expressed are strictly my own.

[Barbara Selman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley for this very special ARC for my honest review. Jenny Hale once again you didn’t disappoint. I know when I read a book you’ve written, I will love the story. I love how God is the center of this book. Ava is on her way to a meeting and hoping to be a partner soon when she is involved in an accident that should have ended her life. But that didn’t happen as God wasn’t done with her story. In fact, while she was unconscious, she hears a voice telling her to find Lucas who was her best friend and he moved away whe she was 15. Her Mom rushes to her side to care for her. So while she is recovering, her Mom convinces her to come back home with her and little did she know she would find Lucas and it would shape the rest of her life. You will love this heartwarming story which shows how second chances can happen if you lean on your Faith and allow God to guide you. I promise you will not be able to put this book down it’s a heartwarming, feel good, emotional, follow your heart, family kind of story.

[Julie Parks · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved "Where Are You Now" from the first pages. I'm a huge sucker for ambitious career-focused women. And Ava St. John's POV is so sincere and relatable - she's worked so hard to get to her position at a top marketing company, and she's hoping to make partner with her next pitch.

Except, fate has other plans and she ends up in a hospital with a completely different choice to make - die or live and find Lucas Phillips, a boy she knew when she was 15.

I love these tiny bits of magic realism that make you question how far one's love or longing could go, and if the concept of "meant to be" is real.



This is a very emotional and heartfelt story about second chances in life and in love, and about everything else that's beautiful in between.

Thank you, Netgalley and BooksGoSocial, for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Anna Fowler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simba gives this book 4 paws!

Jenny Hale wrote a beautiful novel about life, love, family. Ava, the main female character, is in a near fatal accident and given the choice to either die and spend eternity in a love greater than anything she has ever experienced or go back to life and find Lucas, her childhood best friend. What follows is a beautiful amd timeless story of how God can use us to reach out to many people (sometimes we dont even know). I found this to be a beautiful picture of God's sovereignty and how he is slowly writing our story and how he uses us in the story of others. It also is a great reminder how important love and family are. Not only is it a great romance, Jenny expertly touches on the fragility and complexity of adult mother/daughter relationships. This novel touched me on so many levels and I so can not wait to Simbas review on my blog.

I was able to read this amazing novel courtesy of netgalley for an honest review.

[Terri · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a spiritual novel of a woman who has a near death experience and is sent on a journey to find a man from her past. Ava wakes up in the hospital after hearing a voice tell her to "go find Lucas". The book is full of second chances, faith, family and the chance to maybe become more than friends. It brings up the question of what comes after death and how the choices we make can affect the rest of our lives. Ms. Hale has done a wonderful job making the reader think and ponder, all the while giving a lovely romance.

The romance between Ava and Lucas was slow moving and deliberate and delightful. The bonding again between Ava and her mother was also very special. Ava was a busy business type who needed to learn to slow down and actually live. Her accident was the turning point for this and her mother was her biggest cheerleader.

A lovely book.

Thanks to Books Go Social and NetGalley for the copy. All thoughts are my own.

[RubieReads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ok, my girl Jenny Hale has done it again! Bringing us another heartwarming contemporary romance story about second chances, family bonds, and the magic around us.

Where Are You Now by Jenny Hale is a warm, heartfelt read that will leave you smiling—and maybe even a little misty-eyed.

Sooo heartwarming and endearing.
Jenny writes a great contemporary romance. She knows how to build characters, create real relationships and a story that will leave an impression.
I really loved the charcters, the plot and the way the story developed!
Her character development in her books are rich. Her descriptive writing puts you right into the scenes with her characters.

Romance readers better be ready for this second chance, unputdownable small town romance story.

Thank You NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

[Nana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Life can change in an instant, and that is what has happened to Ava. She was on her way to work, and was hit and ended up in the hospital. While there she coded and, she heard a voice say, “Find Lucas Phillips and live out the rest of your life, or pass on peacefully—which will it be?” She makes the difficult decision, and we join her on her journey. There are many questions to be answered, she has no idea what she is supposed to do if and when she finds him. She hasn't seen him since they were 15. It is a story that, as you read, that will make you think about what is happening, wonder about what you would do, and by the end of this part of her journey, I was glad I went along as it unfolded.
I received an ARC from BooksGoSocial through NetGalley.

[Jeanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Where Are You Now 
By Jenny Hale

Ava St. John is faced with two options after an accident: 

“Find Lucas Phillips and live out the rest of your life, or pass on peacefully"

The undertones of this book are much more religious than I first thought. I went in thinking it was a near death scenario, but it's woven into the story more than I anticipated. Honestly it kept taking me out of the story itself, maybe that's just me. I pushed on as I'm not a quitter, but the excess definitely brought my overall enjoyment down.

At the heart of the story is reevaluating life after a traumatic event. Finding solace in family and returning to simpler times. Reconnecting with those from your core childhood memories and determining what brings fulfillment to your life. 

[Ashley Bidon · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️ for Where Are You Now

Ava St. John is in an accident to start off the story and is given a choice to find an old friend and continue to live her life or pass peacefully from the accident. She chooses to find Lucas and continue to live her life. She does find Lucas in Nashville, their home town where she reevaluates her life with the help and comfort of her mother.

Ava has choices to make regarding her past and future and how to make peace with both. Lucas has to do the same and the story follows their journey of love, remembrance, finding peace and saving not only themselves but each other.

This story was well written and was a 3.5 ⭐️ contemporary read for me! Thanks NetGalley and Jenny Hale for the read!

[Nessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m a huge fan of Jenny Hale books and so I am always excited to read her new books as and when they come out.

So this latest story is somewhat different to her other novels, don’t get me wrong it was good and really well written as with all her books, but to be honest if I’d know there was a heavy Christian story element within the story, I might not have read it.

I did enjoy the story but not so much the heavy religious Christian element and references to God, I think there should have been a tag for this, so as the reader knew before heading into the story.

I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know the characters, seeing how they interact with each other and especially liked the mother/daughter close bond.

[Jacki van de Schoor · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed Where Are You Now. It was clever, unique, romantic, and quirky.
I really loved both Ava and Lucas. They were both interesting, charismatic, smart, and complex.

The storyline was compelling and emotional, I was drawn in immediately, and I honestly couldn't put it down.

This is the first book I've read from Jenny Hale, and it definitely won't be the last. She writes beautifully.
I love how she gave her characters faith and how that faith was tested at times, but it didn't fail. There are not many authors I've come across that have added that element to their writing. It was refreshing to see.

I highly recommend.

4 stars from me.

Thanks to Netgalley, BooksGoSocial, and Jenny Hale for the chance to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Resting Book Face · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book I've read by this author, and I found the story uplifting. I needed a break from some of the darker romantic suspense that I usually read, and this definitely fit the bill. The two leads, who were best friends as teens but lost touch, are both struggling with life as adults for different reasons, and they find their way back to each other and give each other the support and strength they need to forge a new path according to God's plan. I didn't realize until the notes at the end of the book that several of this author's works have been made into movies. I can understand why; this one would make a great movie as well.

[Leigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jenny Hale has done it again with Where Are You Now—a heartwarming, faith-filled story that beautifully blends hope, destiny, and the quiet magic of finding love when you least expect it. This uplifting summer read captures the power of trusting in life’s timing and letting go enough to let fate step in. I love how Hale’s writing always leaves me with a full heart, and this one was no exception. It’s a quick read, but its message of love, faith, and second chances lingers long after the final page. Perfect for anyone looking for a feel-good escape with depth and warmth.

Thank you NetGalley for the preview.

[Cindi_loves_to_read · Rating 5 out of 5]

Where Are You Now by Jenny Hale. I love Jenny Hale's books. She knows exactly how to tell a story and this one weaves faith, hope and fate into a beautiful story.
The main character, Ava, is involved in a horrific car accident and ends up in the hospital. Ava hears a voice.
The voice is giving her a choice to peacefully pass on or live.
This begins her journey.

An amazing story of family, faith, friendships and second chances.
I will definitely be recommending this book.

Thank you Netgalley, the Publisher and Jenny Hale for this advanced readers copy in exchange for my honest review.