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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?
370 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 19, 2026
About the author
E.J. Noyes
20 books2,033 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 - 17 of 17 reviews
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 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!
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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 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.
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
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
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
would like to thank bella books for letting me read this amazing thought provoking book
beth and andy are indentical twins and after a meal out celebrating with their parents they were driving home when the worst thing that could happen happens.... they are caught up in a car crash and only one of them will survive.....
beth is distraught she cant get to her twin sister but as hard as she tries she can not reach andy... and andy isnt responding
fia we learn later is a firefighter/paramedic and is on hand right away trying to help.....
there is so much to love about this book but its also a hard read for anyone in the grieving process after you have lost someone.... it will trigger you but man its a compelling read watching and reading how beth navigates her lose and learns how to live again without her sister... her close companion she had in life
it was also nice to learn about andy in between chapters
compelling read that wont release you until you finish the book.... but man what a book
beth and andy are indentical twins and after a meal out celebrating with their parents they were driving home when the worst thing that could happen happens.... they are caught up in a car crash and only one of them will survive.....
beth is distraught she cant get to her twin sister but as hard as she tries she can not reach andy... and andy isnt responding
fia we learn later is a firefighter/paramedic and is on hand right away trying to help.....
there is so much to love about this book but its also a hard read for anyone in the grieving process after you have lost someone.... it will trigger you but man its a compelling read watching and reading how beth navigates her lose and learns how to live again without her sister... her close companion she had in life
it was also nice to learn about andy in between chapters
compelling read that wont release you until you finish the book.... but man what a book
May 22, 2026
A brilliant exploration of grief, remembrance and love
From the first page this book hit me with a full emotional jackhammer! The opening is pure brilliance and already wrecked me. And EJ Noyes relentlessly presses on: We experience full-on the roller-coaster of emotions Beth has to survive after her twin sister Andy, her closest friend and confidante, died in an accident right beside her.
Each chapter deepens the despair and lets us readers experience the depth of Beth‘s grief: scenes of life and love before and after the loss are intertwined. A genius approach which is hard to withstand without a big box of tissues.
Fia who was first responder at the accident slowly seeps into Beth‘s life and their journey through the deep morass of Beth‘s bleakness is realistic and challenging.
The writing and the structure of this books are set out for maximum emotional impact. A hard but rewarding read. At the end we can see grey at the end of the dark tunnel and it‘s hard earned by Beth and the reader alike.
I received an ARC. The review is left voluntarily.
From the first page this book hit me with a full emotional jackhammer! The opening is pure brilliance and already wrecked me. And EJ Noyes relentlessly presses on: We experience full-on the roller-coaster of emotions Beth has to survive after her twin sister Andy, her closest friend and confidante, died in an accident right beside her.
Each chapter deepens the despair and lets us readers experience the depth of Beth‘s grief: scenes of life and love before and after the loss are intertwined. A genius approach which is hard to withstand without a big box of tissues.
Fia who was first responder at the accident slowly seeps into Beth‘s life and their journey through the deep morass of Beth‘s bleakness is realistic and challenging.
The writing and the structure of this books are set out for maximum emotional impact. A hard but rewarding read. At the end we can see grey at the end of the dark tunnel and it‘s hard earned by Beth and the reader alike.
I received an ARC. The review is left voluntarily.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Let me start this review with saying EJNoyes is one of my favorite authors. She captures emotion like no other author. Her characters are real and interesting. Her dialog is real and interesting. All of her books are different. You can never guess what subject she will be writing on next.
That being said...I did not enjoy this story. It took me a very long time to finish. About half way through, instead of dnf, I started bi-passing the Beth/Andy exchanges at the beginning of each chapter. I got it...they were close. And I skimmed to get to the healing part. And I didnt feel any chemistry between Beth and Fia. And I didnt like Beth much. Especially during the cocaine phase.
I dont know how Noyes wrote this? She must have been in a constant state of depression to conjure up the feelings and dialog.
Its well written but oh so depressing.
I was given this ARC in exchange for an honest review
That being said...I did not enjoy this story. It took me a very long time to finish. About half way through, instead of dnf, I started bi-passing the Beth/Andy exchanges at the beginning of each chapter. I got it...they were close. And I skimmed to get to the healing part. And I didnt feel any chemistry between Beth and Fia. And I didnt like Beth much. Especially during the cocaine phase.
I dont know how Noyes wrote this? She must have been in a constant state of depression to conjure up the feelings and dialog.
Its well written but oh so depressing.
I was given this ARC in exchange for an honest review
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
This was one of the most depressing books I have ever read, I had a knot in my stomach the whole time while reading and I who read fast and normally finish a book in a day, had to pause and read the 2nd part of the book the day after. I had planned to also listen to the audiobook when available, but there isn’t a chance I will cope with that, this is not a book I can revisit in a near future.
With that said it is an amazing book, if I feel like that while reading the writing is exquisite and so powerful. It was however so hard to get through the book when every chapter started with a time when Andy was still alive and then back to Beth after the accident without her twin, her absolute best friend and her support all her life. Fia comes in after a while, I would have loved to have so much more of her early on, but I get that the reading experience would not have been as strong then. This is for sure not a romance, but a love story between Beth and Andy.
With that said it is an amazing book, if I feel like that while reading the writing is exquisite and so powerful. It was however so hard to get through the book when every chapter started with a time when Andy was still alive and then back to Beth after the accident without her twin, her absolute best friend and her support all her life. Fia comes in after a while, I would have loved to have so much more of her early on, but I get that the reading experience would not have been as strong then. This is for sure not a romance, but a love story between Beth and Andy.
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.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Beth Hollis and Andy are identical twin sisters in their thirties. Beth is a CIA (not that CIA, but the Culinary Institute of America) trained chef and Andy is a businesswoman. Together they run a restaurant appropriately named Gemini. It has been open between one to two years. Following Andy's divorce, she and Beth live together in Beth's home. One evening they are returning home from their parent's anniversary dinner with Andy driving and Beth in the passenger seat. They are involved in a horrific accident where Andy is pronounced dead at the scene and Beth is injured. A bystander, Fia, is the first person at the scene of the accident. She offers Beth a compassionate and unwavering presence until the fire and emergency crew arrive to extricate Beth and Andy from the vehicle.
This was a book about grief and the profound loss, of not only a sister and a daughter, but an identical twin sister. These two were in the womb together and have a high level of emotional closeness, they are built in best friends, and they maintained what was thought to be a lifelong attachment. They had even discussed wanting to die together. But that does not happen when Andy passes away in a gruesome way in the car accident. Beth is left to relive the accident and left in a state of deep emotional sorrow. Beth finds it hard to deal with daily life, her parents who are less than supportive, and Gemini (their restaurant). Beth cannot even get out of bed most days. She even returns to her past life of abusing drugs. But one steady, compassionate influence in Beth's life is Fia from the accident scene. The reader learns that Fia is actually a firefighter/paramedic for Station 11 in town. They begin their connection post-accident with some texts and phone calls. Fia is a phone call type person. Eventually they share some meals and feelings about Andy's death. Over time their relationship progresses even further, but it isn't without its challenges.
From my perspective this book was a top read of 2026. The writing was strong and there was an emotional pull that had me crying a few pages into the story and many times thereafter. The format of the story kept the relationship between Beth and Andy at the forefront and slowly added Fia into the mix. Each chapter began with a story about a past event between Beth and Andy and ended with a current part of the journey of Beth's grief and her slow, slow healing process. This was an extraordinary book by an extraordinary author, E.J. Noyes. 5 ⭐
I thank Bella Books and E.J. Noyes for the privilege of being able to read this Advanced Reader Copy.
This was a book about grief and the profound loss, of not only a sister and a daughter, but an identical twin sister. These two were in the womb together and have a high level of emotional closeness, they are built in best friends, and they maintained what was thought to be a lifelong attachment. They had even discussed wanting to die together. But that does not happen when Andy passes away in a gruesome way in the car accident. Beth is left to relive the accident and left in a state of deep emotional sorrow. Beth finds it hard to deal with daily life, her parents who are less than supportive, and Gemini (their restaurant). Beth cannot even get out of bed most days. She even returns to her past life of abusing drugs. But one steady, compassionate influence in Beth's life is Fia from the accident scene. The reader learns that Fia is actually a firefighter/paramedic for Station 11 in town. They begin their connection post-accident with some texts and phone calls. Fia is a phone call type person. Eventually they share some meals and feelings about Andy's death. Over time their relationship progresses even further, but it isn't without its challenges.
From my perspective this book was a top read of 2026. The writing was strong and there was an emotional pull that had me crying a few pages into the story and many times thereafter. The format of the story kept the relationship between Beth and Andy at the forefront and slowly added Fia into the mix. Each chapter began with a story about a past event between Beth and Andy and ended with a current part of the journey of Beth's grief and her slow, slow healing process. This was an extraordinary book by an extraordinary author, E.J. Noyes. 5 ⭐
I thank Bella Books and E.J. Noyes for the privilege of being able to read this Advanced Reader Copy.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 19, 2026
JFC what an incredible written book. Will it make you cry? Yes it will. Will it be worth it? Yes it will. Did I put the book down several times and watch baby goats in pajamas videos? Yes, yes I did. But I couldn’t wait to pick the book back up. The flash backs added so much to this story, not only were Beth and Andy twins but they were yin and yang. And having that understanding of Beth and what she needs made me root for her and Fia. The over all arc of Beth becoming her better self like Andy always wanted for her just worked for me.
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