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Shaken to the Core: A Novel
Not yet published
Expected 23 Jun 26When life is cut short, what do we do with the time we have left?
Joy Stern, a free-spirited photographer, thought she had it all together. She built a traveler’s life with her husband, Andre, an architect who designed their days like the buildings he created. Children weren’t part of the plan.
When Joy’s mom dies suddenly, everything changes. Being behind the lens, capturing photos of families, doesn’t feel like enough anymore—until Joy discovers a hidden key to her mother’s diary. One entry inspires a choice that could transform the trajectory of her life.
Then the unthinkable happens: Andre receives devastating news, which upends their carefully constructed world. As Joy struggles to pursue her own dreams while supporting the man she loves, Joy wonders: Can she do it all?
An uplifting story of hope amid heartbreak, Shaken to the Core explores motherhood, chosen family, and love that transcends life’s greatest hardships.
Joy Stern, a free-spirited photographer, thought she had it all together. She built a traveler’s life with her husband, Andre, an architect who designed their days like the buildings he created. Children weren’t part of the plan.
When Joy’s mom dies suddenly, everything changes. Being behind the lens, capturing photos of families, doesn’t feel like enough anymore—until Joy discovers a hidden key to her mother’s diary. One entry inspires a choice that could transform the trajectory of her life.
Then the unthinkable happens: Andre receives devastating news, which upends their carefully constructed world. As Joy struggles to pursue her own dreams while supporting the man she loves, Joy wonders: Can she do it all?
An uplifting story of hope amid heartbreak, Shaken to the Core explores motherhood, chosen family, and love that transcends life’s greatest hardships.
320 pages, Paperback
Expected publication June 23, 2026
90 people want to read
About the author
Dara Levan
2 books56 followersDara is an author, podcaster, and the founder of Every Soul Has a Story. What began as a weekly blog has expanded to include a podcast, an inclusive space in which she interviews inspiring guests from around the globe.
The greatest sources of inspiration come from her husband, two children, and finding meaning in everyday moments. When she’s not writing in South Florida, you'll find Dara with her family and fur babies, walking in nature, and talking to strangers who become friends.
Dara is a graduate of Indiana University with a B.A. in English and minor in journalism. She earned her M.S. in Communication Sciences and Disorders at Nova Southeastern University. Dara stopped practicing speech therapy to return to full-time writing, creating, and connecting.
She is currently a board member of the Community Foundation of Broward and board member of Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital Foundation/Memorial Hospital Foundation. Dara served as a board member of the Goodman Jewish Family Services (JFS) of Broward County and Junior Achievement of South Florida. She is a founding member of the Circle of Friends for the Alvin Sherman Library Research, Information, and Technology Center at Nova Southeastern University and a graduate of Leadership Broward Class XXI. Dara is also a member of the Women’s Fiction Writers Association and the Women’s National Book Association.
Dara lives her life with passion and on purpose. Her intention is to impact the world with integrity, love, and meaning…one word at a time.
The greatest sources of inspiration come from her husband, two children, and finding meaning in everyday moments. When she’s not writing in South Florida, you'll find Dara with her family and fur babies, walking in nature, and talking to strangers who become friends.
Dara is a graduate of Indiana University with a B.A. in English and minor in journalism. She earned her M.S. in Communication Sciences and Disorders at Nova Southeastern University. Dara stopped practicing speech therapy to return to full-time writing, creating, and connecting.
She is currently a board member of the Community Foundation of Broward and board member of Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital Foundation/Memorial Hospital Foundation. Dara served as a board member of the Goodman Jewish Family Services (JFS) of Broward County and Junior Achievement of South Florida. She is a founding member of the Circle of Friends for the Alvin Sherman Library Research, Information, and Technology Center at Nova Southeastern University and a graduate of Leadership Broward Class XXI. Dara is also a member of the Women’s Fiction Writers Association and the Women’s National Book Association.
Dara lives her life with passion and on purpose. Her intention is to impact the world with integrity, love, and meaning…one word at a time.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
Shaken to the Core is a beautiful rendering of love and loss, capturing the quiet, devastating ways each reshapes who we are. With emotional precision and deep compassion, Dara Levan traces how grief can fracture a life-and how love, even in its absence, continues to transform us.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This had a strong emotional core, and I appreciated how it explored grief, identity, and complicated relationships. It was genuinely sad at times, and watching Joy struggle through her grief felt very real and heavy in a way that stuck with me.
That said, it leaned a bit too heavily on introspection for me. The pacing dragged at times, and I didn’t always connect with her choices. I kept wanting a little more momentum and payoff.
That said, I do think this will really work for the right reader—especially if you love character-driven stories that sit in emotion rather than plot.
For me, it was meaningful in parts, just not as impactful as I hoped overall.
Thank you to NetGalley for the advance copy!
That said, it leaned a bit too heavily on introspection for me. The pacing dragged at times, and I didn’t always connect with her choices. I kept wanting a little more momentum and payoff.
That said, I do think this will really work for the right reader—especially if you love character-driven stories that sit in emotion rather than plot.
For me, it was meaningful in parts, just not as impactful as I hoped overall.
Thank you to NetGalley for the advance copy!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Joy Stern is a photographer, and wife, who has recently lost her beloved mother suddenly. She is dealing with grief, while noticing some concerning changes in her husband, Andre. Joy is at a crossroad in her life. She's trying to learn how to live without her mother, who she was extremely close to. Joy is trying to find her purpose in life, when she gets the idea of opening a summer camp from a diary entry in her mother's diary.
This book exemplified grief, marriage challenges, changes, yearning, and making a difference. Joy, the FMC loved photography, and making a difference through her photographs. She has a warm heart, and opening a camp was near and dear to her. We see a husband struggling with health issues, and wanting to face them head on. This can be very common, especially in males who want to be strong for their loved ones. The grief in this book hit hard, but so does the message of life after losing a loved one. It's normal and ok to grieve, but your loved ones would want you to continue to live to honor their memory.
I really enjoyed this book, especially the Jewish representation, mixed in with Latino Jews. Dara writes in a beautiful way that you can tell comes straight from her heart, and you can feel her warmth flowing out into the pages.
This book exemplified grief, marriage challenges, changes, yearning, and making a difference. Joy, the FMC loved photography, and making a difference through her photographs. She has a warm heart, and opening a camp was near and dear to her. We see a husband struggling with health issues, and wanting to face them head on. This can be very common, especially in males who want to be strong for their loved ones. The grief in this book hit hard, but so does the message of life after losing a loved one. It's normal and ok to grieve, but your loved ones would want you to continue to live to honor their memory.
I really enjoyed this book, especially the Jewish representation, mixed in with Latino Jews. Dara writes in a beautiful way that you can tell comes straight from her heart, and you can feel her warmth flowing out into the pages.
Review of advance copy received from Author
When a daughter is inspired by her mother’s diary, her own dreams come true in the form of found family and hidden strength. SHAKEN TO THE CORE, Dara Levan's sophomore novel, is a love letter to mothers in all shapes and forms. A beautiful, moving, and surprisingly uplifting story about moving forward through grief and hardship. The perfect book club read!
May 1, 2026
Many thanks to NetGalley and Dara Levan for the ARC of Shaken to the Core. For her sophomore novel, Levan has hit it out of the park once again. Her writing resonates deeply with me because she captures real-life struggles and emotions with such authenticity. This is a beautiful story about navigating grief and the unexpected challenges life throws your way.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This story moved me to laugh and tear up. All the feels. 💜 The characters are incredibly relatable, dealing with real-world struggles. I could feel myself nodding along. With its raw energy and palpable sense of grief, Shaken to the Core is a beautiful testament to finding meaning in the wake of loss.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
copy received from netgalley
it was sad. I dipped in the middle but power through. overall a good book.
it was sad. I dipped in the middle but power through. overall a good book.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A tender story of grief and loss and the transformative power of love by the founder of the famed podcast, Every Soul Has a Story. Highly recommended!
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews