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Crash Into You
Beth Hollis never imagined a future without her twin sister, Andy. But after a tragic accident takes Andy from her, Beth is left shattered, struggling to figure out how to live with a grief that feels impossible to survive.
Then Fia—the woman who was first at the scene of the accident—steps back into Beth’s life.
Steady, compassionate, and undemanding, Fia becomes a lifeline just when Beth needs one most. But as their connection deepens, Beth can’t ignore the painful truth that Fia is tied to the worst moment of her life.
How can Beth open herself up to the woman who makes her feel whole again, when that means facing the loss that broke her apart?
Then Fia—the woman who was first at the scene of the accident—steps back into Beth’s life.
Steady, compassionate, and undemanding, Fia becomes a lifeline just when Beth needs one most. But as their connection deepens, Beth can’t ignore the painful truth that Fia is tied to the worst moment of her life.
How can Beth open herself up to the woman who makes her feel whole again, when that means facing the loss that broke her apart?
298 pages, Paperback
Published May 19, 2026
About the author
E.J. Noyes
20 books2,052 followersE. J. Noyes is an Australian transplanted to New Zealand, which may be the awesomest thing to happen to her. She lives in the South Island with her wife and the world’s best and neediest cat, and is enjoying the change of temperature from her hot, humid homeland.
An avid but mediocre gamer, E. J. lives for skiing (which she is also mediocre at), enjoys arguing with her hair, pretending to be good at things, and working the fact she’s a best-selling and award-winning author into casual conversation.
If you want (very) sporadic emails about what E. J. is doing, you can sign up for the E. J. Noyesletter at: https://ejnoyesauthor.com/
An avid but mediocre gamer, E. J. lives for skiing (which she is also mediocre at), enjoys arguing with her hair, pretending to be good at things, and working the fact she’s a best-selling and award-winning author into casual conversation.
If you want (very) sporadic emails about what E. J. is doing, you can sign up for the E. J. Noyesletter at: https://ejnoyesauthor.com/
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews
May 31, 2026
Wow. Just wow. E.J. Is back in fine form, folks, and I’m thrilled to see it.
I hesitate to call this a romance because it’s more of a healing journey with romantic elements.
Chapter 0 of this listen was so terrific - in writing and performance - that I was instantly invested. And I stayed there throughout.
I loved that Beth wasn’t perfect. I loved that Fia was. I loved that the grieving and healing process wasn’t rushed. I love that Noyes left room to revisit these characters in the future.
Noyes’ most affecting books deal with tragedy and grief. She writes like she knows them well. And while that makes me sad - they feel so real. So genuine. So heartbreakingly beautiful.
This story is similar in quality to Ask, Tell. Not an easy journey but well worth it.
Abby Craden’s work on this is phenomenal. When it comes to digging deep emotionally, she is among the best.
I hesitate to call this a romance because it’s more of a healing journey with romantic elements.
Chapter 0 of this listen was so terrific - in writing and performance - that I was instantly invested. And I stayed there throughout.
I loved that Beth wasn’t perfect. I loved that Fia was. I loved that the grieving and healing process wasn’t rushed. I love that Noyes left room to revisit these characters in the future.
Noyes’ most affecting books deal with tragedy and grief. She writes like she knows them well. And while that makes me sad - they feel so real. So genuine. So heartbreakingly beautiful.
This story is similar in quality to Ask, Tell. Not an easy journey but well worth it.
Abby Craden’s work on this is phenomenal. When it comes to digging deep emotionally, she is among the best.
June 27, 2026
Oh you made me cry, EJ Noyes.
This is a different kind of love story you would expect, because it is not only the story of two women that meet each other after a horrible event, but it is mostly the story how a sibling, in this case a twin, shapes your life and viceversa, and the deep connection and love between them.
Everything clicked at the right moment in Crash into You.
It's a slowmotion and constant rewind of a person that can't go forward.
My heart ached for Beth, and my heart was devastated for Andy... that hand trying to reach... it broke me into huge sobs.
Death is a sensitive topic for me. Even writing this down, I have tears in my eyes.
Ps. I love how Andy will still live and support life. That was beautiful.
Oef... hard read, but I am glad EJ Noyes is back on angst... her first person dives into one's mind are always so deep and so truthfull.
Another ps. I have my theory about "Hands"
This is a different kind of love story you would expect, because it is not only the story of two women that meet each other after a horrible event, but it is mostly the story how a sibling, in this case a twin, shapes your life and viceversa, and the deep connection and love between them.
Everything clicked at the right moment in Crash into You.
It's a slowmotion and constant rewind of a person that can't go forward.
My heart ached for Beth, and my heart was devastated for Andy... that hand trying to reach... it broke me into huge sobs.
Death is a sensitive topic for me. Even writing this down, I have tears in my eyes.
Ps. I love how Andy will still live and support life. That was beautiful.
Oef... hard read, but I am glad EJ Noyes is back on angst... her first person dives into one's mind are always so deep and so truthfull.
Another ps. I have my theory about "Hands"
May 6, 2026
This was dark and pretty hard to read at times, but Noyes writes her characters so well. I think this story ended up being much more about Beth and the aftermath of losing her sister than it did about the romance, but I still really enjoyed the romance part of it.
May 23, 2026
this is not a romance. this is a book about grief. it's a character study of beth, dealing with the death of her twin sister, and finding connection with a woman who was there the night that andy dies (and beth is in a car accident) that eventually turns romantic. it's got romance IN IT, but it's not really about that, which i think is good to know going in. it's about grief. it's heavy. it def sucked me in. i really love that e.j noyes writes so many different types of books. not all of them have been favorites of mine, but a lot of them are up there and increasingly she takes swings that i really appreciate in a genre that can get a little repetative and formulaic. if you're in an angsty place, this is a great one, and fia is a very solid and dreamy love interest, but it's sad and honest read about dealing with death, learning to heal, and finding joy after.
May 1, 2026
3.5⭐️ this was a very tough read for me. Having experienced death of a close family member, I could somewhat understand and empathize with Beth. However her mental illness and depression were a huge part of the book until the very end and I couldn’t empathize with the extreme feelings. Noyes did a great job writing it as she always does in getting inside the head of her characters and making them real.
Noyes wrote the book with flashbacks at the start of every chapter and that didn’t work well for me. I would have rather gotten to know Andy as she was before the accident in a natural time sequence. The anecdotal story telling seemed isolated from Beth’s current feelings, I would have thought that the would connect better.
Noyes is one of my favorite authors and I’ll keep reading everything she writes. Thanks to Bella Books for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.
Noyes wrote the book with flashbacks at the start of every chapter and that didn’t work well for me. I would have rather gotten to know Andy as she was before the accident in a natural time sequence. The anecdotal story telling seemed isolated from Beth’s current feelings, I would have thought that the would connect better.
Noyes is one of my favorite authors and I’ll keep reading everything she writes. Thanks to Bella Books for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.
May 21, 2026
This is one of those books that you have to let sit with you for a bit before you can even attempt a review. I still won't do it justice but alas, here we are.
Boy am I glad to see E.J. back in her angst era. This book starts with ripping you wide open and then continues to rub salt in the wound. But like...not in a bad way? It's so eloquently and carefully done. The story lines are so beautifully woven together.
It starts with the loss of Andy and then backtracks throughout Beth's memories to let us get to know her in, what I feel, is a very unique way to tell this story and I think it paid off.
It's raw, it's unapologetic, it's painful AF....but it's also beautiful. Seeing Beth hit rock bottom and then begin to climb out of her grief and misery was rewarding.
And Fia....I think I love her. She rivals Rebecca Keene in the best way and I really want to get some of her POV.
I should also add that I listened to this and Abby Craden was remarkable. Give her a damned award!
Boy am I glad to see E.J. back in her angst era. This book starts with ripping you wide open and then continues to rub salt in the wound. But like...not in a bad way? It's so eloquently and carefully done. The story lines are so beautifully woven together.
It starts with the loss of Andy and then backtracks throughout Beth's memories to let us get to know her in, what I feel, is a very unique way to tell this story and I think it paid off.
It's raw, it's unapologetic, it's painful AF....but it's also beautiful. Seeing Beth hit rock bottom and then begin to climb out of her grief and misery was rewarding.
And Fia....I think I love her. She rivals Rebecca Keene in the best way and I really want to get some of her POV.
I should also add that I listened to this and Abby Craden was remarkable. Give her a damned award!
July 2, 2026
I finished this book a few days ago and I let it sit for a while to see if, after some time, I could stop feeling the sadness caused by seeing the story of Beth's grief over the loss of her twin sister, Andy.
From minute one of the book, you can already sense this anxiety, sadness, and anger. The stages of grief are crudely exposed, including the sheer injustice of the accident itself, which makes you reflect a lot.
This book is difficult to explain because it makes you feel, and that is very private and personal, so it will affect each person differently, also deeply connected to everyone's own background. For people with recent and painful losses, I don't know if it's highly recommended to read it; maybe it is, I'm no expert.
But it is not a book that leaves you indifferent.
From minute one of the book, you can already sense this anxiety, sadness, and anger. The stages of grief are crudely exposed, including the sheer injustice of the accident itself, which makes you reflect a lot.
This book is difficult to explain because it makes you feel, and that is very private and personal, so it will affect each person differently, also deeply connected to everyone's own background. For people with recent and painful losses, I don't know if it's highly recommended to read it; maybe it is, I'm no expert.
But it is not a book that leaves you indifferent.
May 22, 2026
Wow.
I'm not sure I have the words to properly explain how I feel about this book. It's heavy, let's start with that. Assuming you've read reviews, you already know this, but I want to reiterate this statement. I'll definitely need some lighthearted reads after this one. I wanted to put off reading it because I knew the subject matter and let's be honest, I'm a huge baby. Noyes has made me cry in multiple of her books and I knew this one would be no different-but I'm so glad I read it.
Noyes is easily one of my favorite sapphic authors and an insta-buy for me, personally. She always makes me *feel* so much with her writing and Crash Into You is no exception. I think she nailed everything with this book.
We start each chapter with a memory from Beth and Andy, which sets up the feeling/vibe of said chapter in present time. I think that's so well done! It gives us insight into the relationship between the twins and their unyielding love for one another. It's really beautiful. We get an easy way to view snippets of their life together and learn all about Andy as a human, when in present time, one is missing. It doesn't feel "cheap" or "lazy" in any way. It fits.
I felt so much with this book and the love between Beth, Andy, and Fia; even the complicated emotions their families went through: the twins have a brother and a mother and father, who are also dealing with the aftermath of losing Andy.
The relationship between Fia and Beth is complicated for obvious reasons. Fia was there when the accident happened and first on scene. She was with Andy during her passing and was there to keep Beth together and coherent, ultimately saving her life. It's beautifully sad and complicated and messy and heart wrenching.
The romantic progression between Beth and Fia seems fluid and unhurried. Beth has to get her shit together, needing: therapy for the loss and guilt of her sisters passing, to get through the stages of grief, and re-opening their restaurant, Gemini. By the end of the story, we see Fia and Beth just starting their brand new relationship and moving forward together. Being a constant for one another. It's something positive to look forward to and that's amazing-given everything they've gone through together and separately.
I really hope you give CIY a chance, just be gentle with yourself, give breaks when needed. and read the trigger warnings page. I don't think you'll be disappointed.
Thank you E.J., for giving us another fantastic novel.
I'm not sure I have the words to properly explain how I feel about this book. It's heavy, let's start with that. Assuming you've read reviews, you already know this, but I want to reiterate this statement. I'll definitely need some lighthearted reads after this one. I wanted to put off reading it because I knew the subject matter and let's be honest, I'm a huge baby. Noyes has made me cry in multiple of her books and I knew this one would be no different-but I'm so glad I read it.
Noyes is easily one of my favorite sapphic authors and an insta-buy for me, personally. She always makes me *feel* so much with her writing and Crash Into You is no exception. I think she nailed everything with this book.
We start each chapter with a memory from Beth and Andy, which sets up the feeling/vibe of said chapter in present time. I think that's so well done! It gives us insight into the relationship between the twins and their unyielding love for one another. It's really beautiful. We get an easy way to view snippets of their life together and learn all about Andy as a human, when in present time, one is missing. It doesn't feel "cheap" or "lazy" in any way. It fits.
I felt so much with this book and the love between Beth, Andy, and Fia; even the complicated emotions their families went through: the twins have a brother and a mother and father, who are also dealing with the aftermath of losing Andy.
The relationship between Fia and Beth is complicated for obvious reasons. Fia was there when the accident happened and first on scene. She was with Andy during her passing and was there to keep Beth together and coherent, ultimately saving her life. It's beautifully sad and complicated and messy and heart wrenching.
The romantic progression between Beth and Fia seems fluid and unhurried. Beth has to get her shit together, needing: therapy for the loss and guilt of her sisters passing, to get through the stages of grief, and re-opening their restaurant, Gemini. By the end of the story, we see Fia and Beth just starting their brand new relationship and moving forward together. Being a constant for one another. It's something positive to look forward to and that's amazing-given everything they've gone through together and separately.
I really hope you give CIY a chance, just be gentle with yourself, give breaks when needed. and read the trigger warnings page. I don't think you'll be disappointed.
Thank you E.J., for giving us another fantastic novel.
July 2, 2026
Thought provoking book which I lived rather than read. Very moving & hard to read at times, but rang true and was superbly written. Not usually a fan of continual flash-backs but worked well here. If in a good place, a highly recommended read.
June 15, 2026
Firstly, I don’t know if I should say Thank You or—in the nicest possible way—‘F You’ to E.J. for basically breaking me apart with this book. I genuinely need a lie down. I’ve been gutted, wrung out, and stitched back together. I was so absorbed I found myself holding my breath, and I cried for about 50% of this story.
I’m a huge fan of E.J.’s back catalogue, but she’s taken this one to the next level. I knew it would be good, but I’m blown away by the emotional depth running through this book. Beth’s grief is visceral. The stages of grief that show up as the story unfolds—anger, self‑destruct, survivor guilt, the reluctant decision to seek help because she knows she has to stop the spiral, the slow shift into self‑growth, and eventually trust and openness are written so gorgeously.
Andy… OMG I felt like I was physically grieving for Andy the entire time. The way E.J. weaves past and present together to introduce her makes you utterly fall in love with her enough to tap into the pain that Beth is feeling.
Beth’s complicated relationship with her mother in the throws of grief is so well written. The tension, the distance, the unspoken hurt, the way grief reshapes what they can and can’t say to each other, it all adds another layer to the story, and it’s handled with such nuance.
Then there’s Fia. What can I even say? Everyone needs and deserves a friend or partner like Fia. Calm, thoughtful, reassuring, patient, kind—I could list superlatives forever. I was really willing Beth to find some sort of comfort in the darkness, and Fia truly helped with that.
I loved this book, even though it left me a bit raw. E.J.’s writing is, as always, perfectly balanced and timed, with emotional depth and character development that is just excellent. What can I say… I’m such a fan. That was just outstanding!
I’m a huge fan of E.J.’s back catalogue, but she’s taken this one to the next level. I knew it would be good, but I’m blown away by the emotional depth running through this book. Beth’s grief is visceral. The stages of grief that show up as the story unfolds—anger, self‑destruct, survivor guilt, the reluctant decision to seek help because she knows she has to stop the spiral, the slow shift into self‑growth, and eventually trust and openness are written so gorgeously.
Andy… OMG I felt like I was physically grieving for Andy the entire time. The way E.J. weaves past and present together to introduce her makes you utterly fall in love with her enough to tap into the pain that Beth is feeling.
Beth’s complicated relationship with her mother in the throws of grief is so well written. The tension, the distance, the unspoken hurt, the way grief reshapes what they can and can’t say to each other, it all adds another layer to the story, and it’s handled with such nuance.
Then there’s Fia. What can I even say? Everyone needs and deserves a friend or partner like Fia. Calm, thoughtful, reassuring, patient, kind—I could list superlatives forever. I was really willing Beth to find some sort of comfort in the darkness, and Fia truly helped with that.
I loved this book, even though it left me a bit raw. E.J.’s writing is, as always, perfectly balanced and timed, with emotional depth and character development that is just excellent. What can I say… I’m such a fan. That was just outstanding!
May 21, 2026
This is definitely not your average romance, it’s both heartbreaking and beautifully written, E J Noyes is such a talented writer and Jen Lyon once again was amazing when it came to the narration.
On the way home from their parents anniversary dinner when identical twin sisters Andy and Beth are in a tragic accident which Andy doesn’t survive. Beth is consumed by grief and has to learn to live without her constant, her other half, the person she loved most in the world.
Then she connects with the woman who helped her at the accident, who talked her through the worst moment of her life, a connection develops but can it last when this person reminds her of her tragic past.
E J Noyes will always be an autobuy author for me, this is some of her best work and it’s definitely a story which will stay with me.
On the way home from their parents anniversary dinner when identical twin sisters Andy and Beth are in a tragic accident which Andy doesn’t survive. Beth is consumed by grief and has to learn to live without her constant, her other half, the person she loved most in the world.
Then she connects with the woman who helped her at the accident, who talked her through the worst moment of her life, a connection develops but can it last when this person reminds her of her tragic past.
E J Noyes will always be an autobuy author for me, this is some of her best work and it’s definitely a story which will stay with me.
Read
May 16, 2026(rounded down from 4.25)
This was less a romance and more a story about grief. Beth was in the car with her twin sister, Andy, on the worst day of her life. An accident kills Andy almost immediately while a kind stranger named Fia helps Beth stay calm till help arrives. The rest of this story is moving and a slow working through of the ebb and flow of grief and particularly losing your other half, as only a set of identical twins who are also incredibly close can be. I enjoyed the flashbacks to establish the twins' relationship and the current day despair and emotional turmoil Beth is left with (although this woman needs therapy SO BADLY, MY GOD). A moving story about finding your way forward.
This was less a romance and more a story about grief. Beth was in the car with her twin sister, Andy, on the worst day of her life. An accident kills Andy almost immediately while a kind stranger named Fia helps Beth stay calm till help arrives. The rest of this story is moving and a slow working through of the ebb and flow of grief and particularly losing your other half, as only a set of identical twins who are also incredibly close can be. I enjoyed the flashbacks to establish the twins' relationship and the current day despair and emotional turmoil Beth is left with (although this woman needs therapy SO BADLY, MY GOD). A moving story about finding your way forward.
May 25, 2026
Really well written novel. It's not an actual romance novel but there's a romance on the side. Most of the story is about grief and losing your best friend/identical twin sister.
4.5⭐
4.5⭐
June 11, 2026
This book was quite different from what E.J Noyes usually writes. I had mixed feelings about this book while I was listening to it. By the end of it, I was more certain about how did I feel about this book. So when I read the summary and started this book, I was expected a regular intense story with a romantic line but this book was more about grief, loss, mental health, childhood trauma, anxiety, avoiding emotions and feelings, importance of taking therapy and then at last a little bit of romance so this book ended up becoming more about mental health than a regular E.J Noyes kind of a book. (If you know what I am talking about).
Nonetheless, being a mental health professional I do appreciate this book and how it portrayed stages of grief and importance of taking therapy. Also, dealing with a big loss with a lot of trauma involved. As usual, Noyes does a phenomenal job at writing the details and as usual Abby Craden just brings any book to life.
Thank you E.J Noyes for another book. I always look forward to reading your books.
Nonetheless, being a mental health professional I do appreciate this book and how it portrayed stages of grief and importance of taking therapy. Also, dealing with a big loss with a lot of trauma involved. As usual, Noyes does a phenomenal job at writing the details and as usual Abby Craden just brings any book to life.
Thank you E.J Noyes for another book. I always look forward to reading your books.
June 3, 2026
Wow
I can honestly say that this novel was not what I thought it was going to be and I am glad. it was so profoundly written that I felt like I was going through the same stages of grief as Elizabeth and I was crying along with her but also feeling hopeful. E.J. Noyes continues to amaze me.
I can honestly say that this novel was not what I thought it was going to be and I am glad. it was so profoundly written that I felt like I was going through the same stages of grief as Elizabeth and I was crying along with her but also feeling hopeful. E.J. Noyes continues to amaze me.
June 15, 2026
This book is intense! It deals with Beth's grief after losing her twin sister Andy in a car accident, with Beth in the car. But Fia,an angel of a woman saw the accident, went to Andy first, and knew she died. But was there for Beth after she gained consciousness.
We watch the raw emotions that Beth goes through.
This isn't an easy book to get through, but you find yourself picking it back up, to find out how Beth is doing and if Fia can help her. It's not a typical romance,but there is some.
A FAVORITE, because it makes you think! 5 stars!
We watch the raw emotions that Beth goes through.
This isn't an easy book to get through, but you find yourself picking it back up, to find out how Beth is doing and if Fia can help her. It's not a typical romance,but there is some.
A FAVORITE, because it makes you think! 5 stars!
May 24, 2026
Of course this is a work of fiction but the grief and loss and anxiety are so painfully written. The loss of a twin is like struggling to breathe and E. J. Noyes is a champion at bring depth to the characters. I loved the patience and understanding of Fia, brought so well to the front by the voices of Abby Craden This tale stays and stays
May 24, 2026
Came for romance, left with emotional damage
May 31, 2026
Bring tissues
May 21, 2026
I found it quite hard to read at times. I guess when the subject matter is about the death of a close family member... It's to be expected. Ej noyes explores all the steps of grief and learning to live with survivors guilt in this book.
What I struggled with was to not find the book predictable at times. It's not like the subject matter was awfully original either. I understood where the book was going at all times so I found it hard to care.
I do wish there were significantly less flashbacks as it's something that continues throughout the entire book and towards the end I ended up skipping those parts as I found it didn't make a difference to the present story being told...
In the romance department I found that Fia was really convenient and almost too good to be true. Her mere existence in the story seemed to exist only to serve the MC rather than her being an individual.
Overall if you're a fan of E j Noyes this might be a skip rather than a read.
What I struggled with was to not find the book predictable at times. It's not like the subject matter was awfully original either. I understood where the book was going at all times so I found it hard to care.
I do wish there were significantly less flashbacks as it's something that continues throughout the entire book and towards the end I ended up skipping those parts as I found it didn't make a difference to the present story being told...
In the romance department I found that Fia was really convenient and almost too good to be true. Her mere existence in the story seemed to exist only to serve the MC rather than her being an individual.
Overall if you're a fan of E j Noyes this might be a skip rather than a read.
June 23, 2026
4.5. This is not a book that should be read lightly. I had no idea how much I needed to read this until I got started. I had so much pent up angst that it freely flowed out of me as I read this (which was cathartic). I think I cried through at least 60-70% of this book.
I am still not sure what is wrong with Beth (besides her twin dying). Well before that she had a past issue with substance abuse as well. Not that it's required but she genuinely had basically no angst in her past. Not even for being a lesbian. In fact, it seems like Andy was the one with way more angst and had a fairly average tragic life for a straight woman. All of the woes of what women tell me about dating men are featured here. Even rape (which was unnecessary to add and especially so late into the story). So with all that, what drove Beth to turn to cocaine and other drugs and alcohol? Just life working as a chef was that bad she needed to self medicate?
Beth also seemed to never care about her relationships outside of Andy until Fia comes along. It's a little bizarre to be that detached from romance and friendships altogether (in particular with no trauma associated with it and not being aro/ace). Especially as someone who seems to come across women interested in her regularly. Is this angst she has because Andy has her own life she lives? I don't think Andy enabled Beth's bad behaviors but her existence sort of did anyway.
I think Fia is extremely underdeveloped as well. We never learn much about how long she even dated her cheating ex. Why she had that bad day at work once. If she ever thought about dating anyone else while waiting on Beth. We're not even given that many descriptors for her besides her hair color and that she's pretty buff and tall. Her hair is long enough for a pony tail. She appears to pass the time playing video games at work. She seems to like the outdoors but doesn't seem to hike or anything like that. That's about the extent we know about her.
Beth and Fia don't even exchange ILYs in the story, which I suppose is fine for this and would have been forced but... I don't know it feels like something was missing there. I'm still quite glad I read this and it captured my attention immediately. I only stopped reading to eat twice before I finished it in one day.
I genuinely hate a story moving from flashbacks to the present and back. It got a little old in this story later on (in particular having to read about Andy's straight sex life) but I think it ultimately works for this story. The flashbacks are not chronological. They are meant to be memories that Beth is having in the context of the chapter they are featured in. I've read reviews of others skimming or outright skipping them and I think that's doing the story a disservice. So if you're like me and hate flashbacks intruding on a story, I hear you but I think you should still give it a shot and read them.
I am still not sure what is wrong with Beth (besides her twin dying). Well before that she had a past issue with substance abuse as well. Not that it's required but she genuinely had basically no angst in her past. Not even for being a lesbian. In fact, it seems like Andy was the one with way more angst and had a fairly average tragic life for a straight woman. All of the woes of what women tell me about dating men are featured here. Even rape (which was unnecessary to add and especially so late into the story). So with all that, what drove Beth to turn to cocaine and other drugs and alcohol? Just life working as a chef was that bad she needed to self medicate?
Beth also seemed to never care about her relationships outside of Andy until Fia comes along. It's a little bizarre to be that detached from romance and friendships altogether (in particular with no trauma associated with it and not being aro/ace). Especially as someone who seems to come across women interested in her regularly. Is this angst she has because Andy has her own life she lives? I don't think Andy enabled Beth's bad behaviors but her existence sort of did anyway.
I think Fia is extremely underdeveloped as well. We never learn much about how long she even dated her cheating ex. Why she had that bad day at work once. If she ever thought about dating anyone else while waiting on Beth. We're not even given that many descriptors for her besides her hair color and that she's pretty buff and tall. Her hair is long enough for a pony tail. She appears to pass the time playing video games at work. She seems to like the outdoors but doesn't seem to hike or anything like that. That's about the extent we know about her.
Beth and Fia don't even exchange ILYs in the story, which I suppose is fine for this and would have been forced but... I don't know it feels like something was missing there. I'm still quite glad I read this and it captured my attention immediately. I only stopped reading to eat twice before I finished it in one day.
I genuinely hate a story moving from flashbacks to the present and back. It got a little old in this story later on (in particular having to read about Andy's straight sex life) but I think it ultimately works for this story. The flashbacks are not chronological. They are meant to be memories that Beth is having in the context of the chapter they are featured in. I've read reviews of others skimming or outright skipping them and I think that's doing the story a disservice. So if you're like me and hate flashbacks intruding on a story, I hear you but I think you should still give it a shot and read them.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
This is a very different book that I expected from this experienced author. I would categorize this as general (women’s) fiction with a romance. The story is hard and emotional to read at times. It deals with death, grief and the raw pain following the death of a loved one.
The story is told through Beth's (Elizabeth) POV and begins with a tragic car accident. Her identical twin sister is sitting beside her but already gone. They were driving home together after celebrating their parents' wedding anniversary. Beth has never been so alone in her entire life and it is almost too much to bear.
Each chapter comes with some passage of time. Sometimes days or weeks. Every chapter also begins with an interstitial story featuring Andy. They are not chronological but they show the deep relationship between the sisters. I enjoyed these once I got used to the format. It was a way to really get to know Andy, but it was sad too because I was learning about a wonderful character where I already knew her ending.
Fia, was the first person on the scene of the accident and coincidentally she is a lieutenant and fire fighter/paramedic. Beth reaches out to Fia at first to return a jacket that was used to cover and warm Beth. Fia is a safe space to open up about her feelings. I don’t want to get into the details because that is part of the journey of the book.
Noyes is able to walk that line where there are light moments even while going through stages of anger, grief and hopelessness. I never thought it over the top with emotions and appreciate that Beth couldn’t really recover entirely on her own. The friendship to beginning romance is lovely and it comes organically. I could see the two becoming friends even if it didn't become more. But I wanted more for both of them.
This is thoughtful and well written. Trigger warnings for accidental death, grief, SA, drug use and overuse of alcohol. E.J. Noyes has surprised me yet again with her storytelling. This is the kind of story that will stay with me and I imagine like many of the authors books I will revisit it again. Thank you to Bella Books and the author for a digital copy and I am leaving an honest review.
The story is told through Beth's (Elizabeth) POV and begins with a tragic car accident. Her identical twin sister is sitting beside her but already gone. They were driving home together after celebrating their parents' wedding anniversary. Beth has never been so alone in her entire life and it is almost too much to bear.
Each chapter comes with some passage of time. Sometimes days or weeks. Every chapter also begins with an interstitial story featuring Andy. They are not chronological but they show the deep relationship between the sisters. I enjoyed these once I got used to the format. It was a way to really get to know Andy, but it was sad too because I was learning about a wonderful character where I already knew her ending.
Fia, was the first person on the scene of the accident and coincidentally she is a lieutenant and fire fighter/paramedic. Beth reaches out to Fia at first to return a jacket that was used to cover and warm Beth. Fia is a safe space to open up about her feelings. I don’t want to get into the details because that is part of the journey of the book.
Noyes is able to walk that line where there are light moments even while going through stages of anger, grief and hopelessness. I never thought it over the top with emotions and appreciate that Beth couldn’t really recover entirely on her own. The friendship to beginning romance is lovely and it comes organically. I could see the two becoming friends even if it didn't become more. But I wanted more for both of them.
This is thoughtful and well written. Trigger warnings for accidental death, grief, SA, drug use and overuse of alcohol. E.J. Noyes has surprised me yet again with her storytelling. This is the kind of story that will stay with me and I imagine like many of the authors books I will revisit it again. Thank you to Bella Books and the author for a digital copy and I am leaving an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
First, let me say that this book is very different from the author’s other books. It’s not your typical romance, but a very emotional and challenging read dealing with grief, loss, and depression just to name a few.
The novel is itself a representation of grief. It opens on the scene of the accident, and the reader is privy to everything Beth is experiencing. It’s traumatic. As the story continues, the reader is taken along on Beth’s journey, and it’s heartbreaking and frustrating and overwhelming at times, especially at the beginning. But as Beth begins to accept and heal, the story becomes a bit lighter, more optimistic. Much like a healing journey. Noyes takes the reader through all these emotions in the span of 372 pages, and that is quite the feat!
Beth and her twin sister Andy’s bond is so special and Beth’s heartbreak is so tangible; don’t be surprised to experience a lot of feelings while reading. The “romance” in this story really is secondary to Beth’s journey through grief, but I think that’s what makes it all the more beautiful. The fact that Fia allows Beth time and space to heal is such a beautiful expression of love. Fia acts as an anchor in this story filled with such dark and turbulent emotions; she shows Beth what healthy communication and connection looks like, and that is so important for both Beth and the reader.
This book is easy to read but difficult to process. Especially when Beth is really deep in her sorrow. The confusion she feels, the overwhelming feelings, is all very palpable through the writing, and I think that is what makes this book so special. Definitely have your tissues ready; Andy and Beth and Fia will break your heart and heal it up again.
Thank you to Bella Books for the opportunity to read this advanced reader copy of Crash Into You.
TW for suicidal thoughts, drug use, rape
The novel is itself a representation of grief. It opens on the scene of the accident, and the reader is privy to everything Beth is experiencing. It’s traumatic. As the story continues, the reader is taken along on Beth’s journey, and it’s heartbreaking and frustrating and overwhelming at times, especially at the beginning. But as Beth begins to accept and heal, the story becomes a bit lighter, more optimistic. Much like a healing journey. Noyes takes the reader through all these emotions in the span of 372 pages, and that is quite the feat!
Beth and her twin sister Andy’s bond is so special and Beth’s heartbreak is so tangible; don’t be surprised to experience a lot of feelings while reading. The “romance” in this story really is secondary to Beth’s journey through grief, but I think that’s what makes it all the more beautiful. The fact that Fia allows Beth time and space to heal is such a beautiful expression of love. Fia acts as an anchor in this story filled with such dark and turbulent emotions; she shows Beth what healthy communication and connection looks like, and that is so important for both Beth and the reader.
This book is easy to read but difficult to process. Especially when Beth is really deep in her sorrow. The confusion she feels, the overwhelming feelings, is all very palpable through the writing, and I think that is what makes this book so special. Definitely have your tissues ready; Andy and Beth and Fia will break your heart and heal it up again.
Thank you to Bella Books for the opportunity to read this advanced reader copy of Crash Into You.
TW for suicidal thoughts, drug use, rape
July 1, 2026
Crash Into You hit me hard from the very beginning. I wasn't even through the first chapter—actually, chapter zero—before I was already in tears.
It is a deeply emotional story about grief, loss, and learning to live after unimaginable heartbreak. Beth's twin sister, Andy, dies in a car accident, and the novel follows Beth as she struggles to cope with a loss that feels impossible to survive.
I've always thought having a twin sister would be wonderful—always having someone by your side who understands you completely. This book made me see the other side of that bond, and I could vividly imagine how devastating it would be to lose someone who has been part of your entire life. Beth's grief is portrayed so vividly that I felt it to my core.
Each chapter opens with memories of Andy, which makes the loss feel even more tangible. Although Fia appears early on and eventually becomes a light in Beth's darkness, this is very much Beth's story. The focus remains almost entirely on her pain, her memories, and her journey through grief.
This is not a light or feel-good read. It's dark, raw, and emotionally heavy from beginning to end. That doesn't make it a bad book—quite the opposite. E.J. Noyes captures Beth's emotions beautifully, and the writing is both compelling and heartfelt. I just wasn't entirely in the mood for something this sad, which made parts of it difficult for me to get through.
Thankfully, there is a happy ending, offering a much-needed sense of hope after so much sorrow. If you're looking for a summer read that leaves you smiling, this probably isn't it. But if you're in the mood for a poignant and well-written exploration of grief, Crash Into You delivers exactly that. 4+⭐️
It is a deeply emotional story about grief, loss, and learning to live after unimaginable heartbreak. Beth's twin sister, Andy, dies in a car accident, and the novel follows Beth as she struggles to cope with a loss that feels impossible to survive.
I've always thought having a twin sister would be wonderful—always having someone by your side who understands you completely. This book made me see the other side of that bond, and I could vividly imagine how devastating it would be to lose someone who has been part of your entire life. Beth's grief is portrayed so vividly that I felt it to my core.
Each chapter opens with memories of Andy, which makes the loss feel even more tangible. Although Fia appears early on and eventually becomes a light in Beth's darkness, this is very much Beth's story. The focus remains almost entirely on her pain, her memories, and her journey through grief.
This is not a light or feel-good read. It's dark, raw, and emotionally heavy from beginning to end. That doesn't make it a bad book—quite the opposite. E.J. Noyes captures Beth's emotions beautifully, and the writing is both compelling and heartfelt. I just wasn't entirely in the mood for something this sad, which made parts of it difficult for me to get through.
Thankfully, there is a happy ending, offering a much-needed sense of hope after so much sorrow. If you're looking for a summer read that leaves you smiling, this probably isn't it. But if you're in the mood for a poignant and well-written exploration of grief, Crash Into You delivers exactly that. 4+⭐️
May 27, 2026
Andy and Beth are twins sisters who have always had a powerful connection... one that's severed when Andy dies in a car accident with Beth in the passenger seat and Beth is left to cope. First on the scene is fire fighter and paramedic Fia Basurto, who keeps her calm and does her best to keep her from seeing Andy's body.
Mild gripe: i am just not a fan of all the flash backs and forwards. I get you need it to fill in Andy as a person, but it kills the forward momentum.
Two months pass, and Beth is barely functional. She goes to return Fia's jacket, which had accidentally been included in the bag of hospital stuff. Fia is kind and gently, and reveals that Andy died soon after she got there, with no last words.
Beth is a former addict who was saved from OD by Andy. Who helped her get clean. But now she buys both coke and shrooms, to try to kill the pain.
Dinner with the parents, argument, Mom pretty much admits she wishes Beth died, THEN slaps her. Beth tells off Mom, mostly ignores Dad, leaves.
Beth brings the lasagna to Fia's firestation to be shared by the crew. She tends Beth's cut, who then stays in the firestation till morning..They nearly sleep together, but Fia pulls back. Beth asks why later, Fia says she doesn't want to add to Beth's problems. They fight.
Third Act breakup, but it sparks Beth doing therapy.
Beth reopens her restaurant Gemini, that she co-owned with Andy. Two months later she mskes up with Fia. Wrap up...
3.5 stars, rounded to four. Beth's grieving is just... damn. Really well written. Liked Fia and Andy, despite the damn flashbacks. Also ended pretty abruptly, IMHO.
Mild gripe: i am just not a fan of all the flash backs and forwards. I get you need it to fill in Andy as a person, but it kills the forward momentum.
Two months pass, and Beth is barely functional. She goes to return Fia's jacket, which had accidentally been included in the bag of hospital stuff. Fia is kind and gently, and reveals that Andy died soon after she got there, with no last words.
Beth is a former addict who was saved from OD by Andy. Who helped her get clean. But now she buys both coke and shrooms, to try to kill the pain.
Dinner with the parents, argument, Mom pretty much admits she wishes Beth died, THEN slaps her. Beth tells off Mom, mostly ignores Dad, leaves.
Beth brings the lasagna to Fia's firestation to be shared by the crew. She tends Beth's cut, who then stays in the firestation till morning..They nearly sleep together, but Fia pulls back. Beth asks why later, Fia says she doesn't want to add to Beth's problems. They fight.
Third Act breakup, but it sparks Beth doing therapy.
Beth reopens her restaurant Gemini, that she co-owned with Andy. Two months later she mskes up with Fia. Wrap up...
3.5 stars, rounded to four. Beth's grieving is just... damn. Really well written. Liked Fia and Andy, despite the damn flashbacks. Also ended pretty abruptly, IMHO.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Identical twins, on their way home from their parents’ anniversary dinner. Beth was supposed to be driving, but she’d had too much wine, so Andy was driving when the tragic accident happened. Beth was screaming, desperately needing to hold Andy’s hand, but couldn’t because she was pinned in. Fia, an off-duty paramedic/firefighter, was first on the scene, trying to calm Beth. Andy was dead.
This was an emotional, gut-wrenching story, and so began the long road Beth would have to take to find peace again. I cried, mostly for Beth and how much the tragic loss devastated her. She didn’t get to tell Andy goodbye and that she loved her.
E.J. Noyes orchestrated this masterful telling of Beth’s long journey back to normalcy. The story switches back and forth in time, from reminiscing the life and connection of being an identical twin and reliving their shared-twin-memories, to covering the post-accident realities and challenges that Beth was facing. She experienced so much anger, even at Andy for dying first when they had vowed to die together in their nineties.
Beth needed to talk, so she reached out to Fia because Fia was someone she didn’t have to pretend with. Fia became a life saver, so patient, empathetic and understanding. She listened without judgment and always continued with her support. Spending more and more time together, their bond eventually turned into passion as they grew closer and Beth began to find her light again.
This book is so incredible and I want to thank Bella Books and the author for the arc.
This was an emotional, gut-wrenching story, and so began the long road Beth would have to take to find peace again. I cried, mostly for Beth and how much the tragic loss devastated her. She didn’t get to tell Andy goodbye and that she loved her.
E.J. Noyes orchestrated this masterful telling of Beth’s long journey back to normalcy. The story switches back and forth in time, from reminiscing the life and connection of being an identical twin and reliving their shared-twin-memories, to covering the post-accident realities and challenges that Beth was facing. She experienced so much anger, even at Andy for dying first when they had vowed to die together in their nineties.
Beth needed to talk, so she reached out to Fia because Fia was someone she didn’t have to pretend with. Fia became a life saver, so patient, empathetic and understanding. She listened without judgment and always continued with her support. Spending more and more time together, their bond eventually turned into passion as they grew closer and Beth began to find her light again.
This book is so incredible and I want to thank Bella Books and the author for the arc.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Having finished reading Crash Into You by E.J. Noyes I feel like I've been on an emotional rollercoaster. My eyes started leaking almost from the first page and didn't stop until I was almost at the end of the book. This is one of the most compelling stories of the journey through grief that I've ever read and it is going to sit with me for a long time to come.
Crash Into You tells the heartbreaking story of Beth who loses her identical twin sister in a tragic motor vehicle accident. Beth survives the crash relatively unscathed physically but spirals into a world of grief and despair and becomes increasingly isolated from everyone including her family. The only shining light in her life is the budding connection with Fia, the woman who was first on the scene of the crash. Fia's steady, compassionate and undemanding support for Beth as she fights to come to terms with her loss provides a potential lifeline provided Beth can find the strength to hang on.
I loved the format of this story where each chapter includes a flashback showing the extraordinary twin bond between Beth and her sister, Andy, followed by a current day scene showing Beth's personal journey towards working through her grief. E.J. Noyes has done an extraordinary job with this book and I know it is one that I will come back to read again in the future.
I am grateful to E.J. Noyes and Bella Books for providing me with an ARC copy of Crash Into You and am leaving this review voluntarily.
Crash Into You tells the heartbreaking story of Beth who loses her identical twin sister in a tragic motor vehicle accident. Beth survives the crash relatively unscathed physically but spirals into a world of grief and despair and becomes increasingly isolated from everyone including her family. The only shining light in her life is the budding connection with Fia, the woman who was first on the scene of the crash. Fia's steady, compassionate and undemanding support for Beth as she fights to come to terms with her loss provides a potential lifeline provided Beth can find the strength to hang on.
I loved the format of this story where each chapter includes a flashback showing the extraordinary twin bond between Beth and her sister, Andy, followed by a current day scene showing Beth's personal journey towards working through her grief. E.J. Noyes has done an extraordinary job with this book and I know it is one that I will come back to read again in the future.
I am grateful to E.J. Noyes and Bella Books for providing me with an ARC copy of Crash Into You and am leaving this review voluntarily.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
This is probably the most useful book I have ever read. Useful as in, good for me. It is also very, very good.
It is an unusual storyline – centred on a death and loss. It follows the grieving journey of Beth whose identical twin is killed in a car accident that she (Beth) survives. She doesn’t know how to go on living without her. Her family are also grieving but their grief is different and seems to Beth not to allow her space. The first person on the scene is an off duty firefighter (Fia) and she helps calm Beth while they are being rescued. She also later helps her through her grief.
It’s a very unconventional type of romance – but there gradually by offering support they build friendship then a relationship. Fia acknowledges Beth’s grief and uses some of the things she found helpful herself in the loss of her mother.
I’m not a twin. But I have been through the loss of my younger sister. There was nothing in this book that I couldn’t relate to. I wish I had been able to read this closer to the time of her death. My mother recently died. This book helped me process feelings I didn’t even know I had! And it was still a very good read. Thank you.
And it is definitely not all doom and gloom.
But this is a book that everyone should read.
Thanks to the author and Bella for an ARC - this is an honest review
It is an unusual storyline – centred on a death and loss. It follows the grieving journey of Beth whose identical twin is killed in a car accident that she (Beth) survives. She doesn’t know how to go on living without her. Her family are also grieving but their grief is different and seems to Beth not to allow her space. The first person on the scene is an off duty firefighter (Fia) and she helps calm Beth while they are being rescued. She also later helps her through her grief.
It’s a very unconventional type of romance – but there gradually by offering support they build friendship then a relationship. Fia acknowledges Beth’s grief and uses some of the things she found helpful herself in the loss of her mother.
I’m not a twin. But I have been through the loss of my younger sister. There was nothing in this book that I couldn’t relate to. I wish I had been able to read this closer to the time of her death. My mother recently died. This book helped me process feelings I didn’t even know I had! And it was still a very good read. Thank you.
And it is definitely not all doom and gloom.
But this is a book that everyone should read.
Thanks to the author and Bella for an ARC - this is an honest review
May 23, 2026
I didn’t expect when starting this book that one of the characters whose story is told in detail is the one who dies in the first chapter. So, this isn’t just Beth’s story of losing her identical twin Andy, it’s also very much Andy’s story too. I also didn’t expect that it would make me cry as much as it did! But I fairly sobbed my way through lots of sections! The romance aspect definitely takes a back seat as Beth suffers through the grief of losing the most important person in her life. Maybe my reaction was so extreme because I completely related to the losing the most important person in your life issue (without the extremity of that person being your ‘other half’). When my father died when I was 24, he was the most important person in my life at the time, and his loss ripped me to pieces. Accordingly, so many of Beth’s emotions resonated deeply with me, even 36 years later. You never get over a loss like that; you just learn to live with it. All in all, this isn’t something to enjoy, but it does very evocatively show how Beth very slowly emerges from profound loss to being able to at least function. It took me 5 years before I didn’t think of my dad every day and even now, sometimes his loss will hit me just as much as it did then. Not often, but just sometimes…5 stars simply for the emotional involvement.
May 29, 2026
Beth, when you keep telling yourself things are fine and you know they aren’t; that’s grief. But when you didn’t get to say goodbye; that’s pain. And this is a story about both.
A tragic story about twins, Beth and Andy, whose existence is in each other’s presence. A car accident claims Andy’s life and now Beth is faced with questions about her existence. When you move forward, there are things/people left behind. That hurts. There’s guilt. You can’t help but feel that you are erasing their existence. Their life. Their memory. It isn’t true. But it fu*king feels like it.
This is a place where both Beth, and you, the reader, will hold grief. The agony she feels is constant. There is no relief and you may want to rush through it to get to the other side. It doesn’t work that way. The only choice Beth cared about is the one she can no longer make. Carrying this causes her to care even less about all the choices she can make. I wanted to yell, in frustration. Each page that I turned seemed further away from possibilities. E.J. Noyes reminds us that growth is painful. Change is painful. But nothing is as painful as staying stuck somewhere you don’t belong. Carry the love with you.
A tragic story about twins, Beth and Andy, whose existence is in each other’s presence. A car accident claims Andy’s life and now Beth is faced with questions about her existence. When you move forward, there are things/people left behind. That hurts. There’s guilt. You can’t help but feel that you are erasing their existence. Their life. Their memory. It isn’t true. But it fu*king feels like it.
This is a place where both Beth, and you, the reader, will hold grief. The agony she feels is constant. There is no relief and you may want to rush through it to get to the other side. It doesn’t work that way. The only choice Beth cared about is the one she can no longer make. Carrying this causes her to care even less about all the choices she can make. I wanted to yell, in frustration. Each page that I turned seemed further away from possibilities. E.J. Noyes reminds us that growth is painful. Change is painful. But nothing is as painful as staying stuck somewhere you don’t belong. Carry the love with you.
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