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While I Was Sleeping
'Dani Atkins is the undisputed queen of fiction that packs a huge emotional punch' heat
A brand new and brilliant emotional family drama for fans of Jojo Moyes and Dorothy Koomson, from the bestselling author of Fractured.
I don't remember what happened or what has changed.
I can still hear your voices but you can't seem to hear me.
I was about to be married and had everything to look forward to.
Now I have to find a way back - to you, to our family, to us.
Praise for Dani Atkins'
‘Heartbreaking and uplifting, stunningly insightful prose’ Penny Parkes
‘A heart-warming story of love and loss that will stay with you long after the last page’ My Weekly
‘A beautiful romance with a twist’ Woman
‘If you like Jodi Picoult then you’ll love This Love’ Lovereading
‘Such a beautiful book’ Brewandbooksreview
‘A true celebration of life, family and relationships’ culturefly
‘What a stunningly beautiful love story, I’m bereft that it’s over’ RatherTooFondofBooks
‘Heartbreakingly beautiful. A must-read’ blogsbybooksby
‘Flawless’ reabookreview
‘I wholeheartedly recommend this to anyone’ rachelsrandomreads
‘Poignant and heartfelt’ vivavoce
‘A heartbreaker of a book’ handwrittengirl
‘Heartbreakingly brilliant’ Daily Mail
'Truly magnificent storytelling’ Veronica Henry
'Fans of Me Before You will love this' Patricia Scanlan
‘For those of you who have ever wondered about you first love or thought about the one that got away, this story will speak to your heart. I read it in one sitting – and it’s heartbreakingly brilliant’ The Sun
‘This is easily one of the best books I have ever read, and I don’t say that often!’ thelunamayblog
‘A gripping and emotional family drama … With breath-taking plot twists, Dani explores themes of serendipity, friendship and love’ Fabulousbookfiend
A brand new and brilliant emotional family drama for fans of Jojo Moyes and Dorothy Koomson, from the bestselling author of Fractured.
I don't remember what happened or what has changed.
I can still hear your voices but you can't seem to hear me.
I was about to be married and had everything to look forward to.
Now I have to find a way back - to you, to our family, to us.
Praise for Dani Atkins'
‘Heartbreaking and uplifting, stunningly insightful prose’ Penny Parkes
‘A heart-warming story of love and loss that will stay with you long after the last page’ My Weekly
‘A beautiful romance with a twist’ Woman
‘If you like Jodi Picoult then you’ll love This Love’ Lovereading
‘Such a beautiful book’ Brewandbooksreview
‘A true celebration of life, family and relationships’ culturefly
‘What a stunningly beautiful love story, I’m bereft that it’s over’ RatherTooFondofBooks
‘Heartbreakingly beautiful. A must-read’ blogsbybooksby
‘Flawless’ reabookreview
‘I wholeheartedly recommend this to anyone’ rachelsrandomreads
‘Poignant and heartfelt’ vivavoce
‘A heartbreaker of a book’ handwrittengirl
‘Heartbreakingly brilliant’ Daily Mail
'Truly magnificent storytelling’ Veronica Henry
'Fans of Me Before You will love this' Patricia Scanlan
‘For those of you who have ever wondered about you first love or thought about the one that got away, this story will speak to your heart. I read it in one sitting – and it’s heartbreakingly brilliant’ The Sun
‘This is easily one of the best books I have ever read, and I don’t say that often!’ thelunamayblog
‘A gripping and emotional family drama … With breath-taking plot twists, Dani explores themes of serendipity, friendship and love’ Fabulousbookfiend
453 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 26, 2018
481 people are currently reading
2541 people want to read
About the author
Dani Atkins
25 books1,161 followersDani was born and brought up in Cockfosters- a small London suburb at the end of the Piccadilly Tube Line.
This served her well for commuting into the city, where from the age of 18 she worked in a succession of secretarial positions in companies as diverse as a BMW car dealership to the BBC. Dani spent her two hour commute avidly reading and dreamed that one day she would become an author herself.
When her two children grew up and left home, Dani set about turning this dream into reality and devoted her time to writing. She now lives in a rural Hertfordshire cottage with her husband, a soppy border collie dog and a haughty Siamese cat.
Her first novels FRACTURED (called THEN AND ALWAYS in the US) and THE STORY OF US published in 2014. In January 2016, her third novel, OUR SONG was published.
This served her well for commuting into the city, where from the age of 18 she worked in a succession of secretarial positions in companies as diverse as a BMW car dealership to the BBC. Dani spent her two hour commute avidly reading and dreamed that one day she would become an author herself.
When her two children grew up and left home, Dani set about turning this dream into reality and devoted her time to writing. She now lives in a rural Hertfordshire cottage with her husband, a soppy border collie dog and a haughty Siamese cat.
Her first novels FRACTURED (called THEN AND ALWAYS in the US) and THE STORY OF US published in 2014. In January 2016, her third novel, OUR SONG was published.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 442 reviews
March 6, 2019
Maddie and Ryan are days away from their wedding and are expecting a baby. Maddie is rushing around preparing for their big day when she is hit by a van, she wakes up in Hospital desperate to see her fiancé Ryan. Why is Ryan acting so peculiarly? She sees a newspaper and realises she has been in a coma for 6 years!!
The beginning of this book is from Maddie’s point of view, waking up after 6 years to find out you’re fiancé has not only moved on but has also married someone else.
I loved the way this book was written. I was definitely on Maddie’s side and then Dani Atkin very cleverly gives us the point of view of Chloe who I really wanted to hate but reluctantly sympathised with her.
This book has put me through an emotional mangle and I confess to trying to read this through a veil of tears. You had me enthralled from the very beginning and totally captured my heart. Although there were sad bits it was mixed in with humour and with lots of twists along the way to keep you addicted to this story.
A must read book but have the tissues ready just in case!!
The most moving story I’ve read this year so far and will stay in my thoughts long after finishing it.
Thank you to Netgalley for my copy in exchange for a review.
The beginning of this book is from Maddie’s point of view, waking up after 6 years to find out you’re fiancé has not only moved on but has also married someone else.
I loved the way this book was written. I was definitely on Maddie’s side and then Dani Atkin very cleverly gives us the point of view of Chloe who I really wanted to hate but reluctantly sympathised with her.
This book has put me through an emotional mangle and I confess to trying to read this through a veil of tears. You had me enthralled from the very beginning and totally captured my heart. Although there were sad bits it was mixed in with humour and with lots of twists along the way to keep you addicted to this story.
A must read book but have the tissues ready just in case!!
The most moving story I’ve read this year so far and will stay in my thoughts long after finishing it.
Thank you to Netgalley for my copy in exchange for a review.
February 2, 2023
Fin historie
September 3, 2018
I’m perplexed on how I should feel after reading this one.
On one hand I loved the premise, I loved the relationships built, the characters...
But I felt like there were so many unanswered questions... what was the reason for the coma? Why was the ending the way it was? The ending left me hanging :(
I loved Ryan in the beginning..his love for Maddie but then I felt let down by him. And while I sort of liked Chloe I also didn’t because I felt like she started a relationship not being 100% genuine and really putting herself in the path of being at the right place at the right time... almost opportunistic.
Maybe it’s just me and I’m in the minority. Yes, this book was captivating-I read it in one sitting. Just some things didn’t work for me and made me sad.
Would I read this author again? Most definitely. The writing was well done... I just wished for a different ending.
On one hand I loved the premise, I loved the relationships built, the characters...
But I felt like there were so many unanswered questions... what was the reason for the coma? Why was the ending the way it was? The ending left me hanging :(
I loved Ryan in the beginning..his love for Maddie but then I felt let down by him. And while I sort of liked Chloe I also didn’t because I felt like she started a relationship not being 100% genuine and really putting herself in the path of being at the right place at the right time... almost opportunistic.
Maybe it’s just me and I’m in the minority. Yes, this book was captivating-I read it in one sitting. Just some things didn’t work for me and made me sad.
Would I read this author again? Most definitely. The writing was well done... I just wished for a different ending.
October 21, 2019
ONE NAUSEA INDUCING STAR... I REALLY THINK THIS IS THE worst ROMANCE NOVEL OF 2018 so far, the kind you finish with disgust & wish you had not spent so much time on ... To sum up the heroine was in a coma and her fiancé married the hospital volunteer ... The author whom I had never heard of before ( and whose books I definitely will not read in the future ) spent a long, long time describing the humilations and heartbreaks of the main character while sanctifying the other woman.
The so called "hero" is cheating pig & gutless moron... I will not recommend this read to my sworn ennemy because clearly : ROMANCE IS DEAD !! cheers
The so called "hero" is cheating pig & gutless moron... I will not recommend this read to my sworn ennemy because clearly : ROMANCE IS DEAD !! cheers
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 6, 2019
Maddie and Ryan are days away from their wedding and are expecting a baby. Maddie is rushing around preparing for their big day when she is hit by a van, she wakes up in Hospital desperate to see her fiancé Ryan. Why is Ryan acting so peculiarly? She sees a newspaper and realises she has been in a coma for 6 years!!
The beginning of this book is from Maddie’s point of view, waking up after 6 years to find out you’re fiancé has not only moved on but has also married someone else.
I loved the way this book was written. I was definitely on Maddie’s side and then Dani Atkin very cleverly gives us the point of view of Chloe who I really wanted to hate but reluctantly sympathised with her.
This book has put me through an emotional mangle and I confess to trying to read this through a veil of tears. You had me enthralled from the very beginning and totally captured my heart. Although there were sad bits it was mixed in with humour and with lots of twists along the way to keep you addicted to this story.
A must read book but have the tissues ready just in case!!
The most moving story I’ve read this year so far and will stay in my thoughts long after finishing it.
Thank you to Netgalley for my copy in exchange for a review.
The beginning of this book is from Maddie’s point of view, waking up after 6 years to find out you’re fiancé has not only moved on but has also married someone else.
I loved the way this book was written. I was definitely on Maddie’s side and then Dani Atkin very cleverly gives us the point of view of Chloe who I really wanted to hate but reluctantly sympathised with her.
This book has put me through an emotional mangle and I confess to trying to read this through a veil of tears. You had me enthralled from the very beginning and totally captured my heart. Although there were sad bits it was mixed in with humour and with lots of twists along the way to keep you addicted to this story.
A must read book but have the tissues ready just in case!!
The most moving story I’ve read this year so far and will stay in my thoughts long after finishing it.
Thank you to Netgalley for my copy in exchange for a review.
September 6, 2020
Overall, this story was okay. At parts, I couldn't put it down and at others, it dragged. The ending, however, was very unsatisfying. It brought down my overall enjoyment and left me wondering what the actual point was meant to be? I hated Ryan's character sooooooo much and even though Maddie was meant to be the main character, I didn't really feel like the reader was given that much insight into how she was feeling. I suppose that was due to the many time skips in the storyline.
February 8, 2020
I read a few books from this author before, so I should have known better... Each time I finish a book of hers, I vow never to read anything from her ever again; her stories are not my cup of tea... I prefer books that end well for the characters I’ve grown to like.
The premise of this book was interesting. When I came across it in the library, it got my imagination running instantly so against my better judgement I borrowed it.
The writing style is great. It’s easy to read. But there are a few things that I just can’t get over:
- Ryan was supposedly in love with Maddie (getting married, having a baby) yet 3 months after the accident, Chloe turns up on the scene and they slowly start getting together. I know they don’t actually date for a couple of years but some of the things Ryan does very early on feels like he is cheating on Maddie. He’s flirting with Chloe so soon, Hope is not even born yet...
- I have grown to like Chloe over the course of the book but at the start I felt like she was a scheming b***. Always in the right place at the right time...and then she has the audacity to resent Maddie when she is the one who took everything away from her... she knew full well that there was a chance Maddie would wake up...
- How could they tell Hope that Maddie died?
- How could they expect Maddie to be fine with it all (them getting married; telling Hope she’s dead; accepting that Chloe is Hope’s mother etc.)
Ryan was supposedly in love with Maddie yet she says to Chloe ‘You won’t lose her (Hope), I won’t let you’... surely he should respect who the actual mother of his child is...surely he should think of how it makes Maddie feel... he should have set boundaries...
- But what I hate the most is his final comment. WTF was that??? How can he say such a thing? Maddie was really good to them, very accepting, helpful, reliable. She just got on with everything they threw at her, befriended Chloe, she was there for her in the time of her need, she even prioritised Chloe over her own well-being and for what????
Ryan plainly, heartlessly used her... he should have been at least upset about what happened to Maddie but no...
Maddie deserved a happy ending, she should have ended up with Mitch... I don’t know what the twitching fingers at the end mean... will she wake up? will she slip back into a coma again? The sunflowers make me think Mitch is waiting for her, but is he? Or did he marry that girl Maddie picked for him?
I really don’t like how Maddie was treated in this book and I don’t like open story lines especially when there is no sequel... I am never reading Dani Atkins again; always upsets me....
The premise of this book was interesting. When I came across it in the library, it got my imagination running instantly so against my better judgement I borrowed it.
The writing style is great. It’s easy to read. But there are a few things that I just can’t get over:
- Ryan was supposedly in love with Maddie (getting married, having a baby) yet 3 months after the accident, Chloe turns up on the scene and they slowly start getting together. I know they don’t actually date for a couple of years but some of the things Ryan does very early on feels like he is cheating on Maddie. He’s flirting with Chloe so soon, Hope is not even born yet...
- I have grown to like Chloe over the course of the book but at the start I felt like she was a scheming b***. Always in the right place at the right time...and then she has the audacity to resent Maddie when she is the one who took everything away from her... she knew full well that there was a chance Maddie would wake up...
- How could they tell Hope that Maddie died?
- How could they expect Maddie to be fine with it all (them getting married; telling Hope she’s dead; accepting that Chloe is Hope’s mother etc.)
Ryan was supposedly in love with Maddie yet she says to Chloe ‘You won’t lose her (Hope), I won’t let you’... surely he should respect who the actual mother of his child is...surely he should think of how it makes Maddie feel... he should have set boundaries...
- But what I hate the most is his final comment. WTF was that??? How can he say such a thing? Maddie was really good to them, very accepting, helpful, reliable. She just got on with everything they threw at her, befriended Chloe, she was there for her in the time of her need, she even prioritised Chloe over her own well-being and for what????
Ryan plainly, heartlessly used her... he should have been at least upset about what happened to Maddie but no...
Maddie deserved a happy ending, she should have ended up with Mitch... I don’t know what the twitching fingers at the end mean... will she wake up? will she slip back into a coma again? The sunflowers make me think Mitch is waiting for her, but is he? Or did he marry that girl Maddie picked for him?
I really don’t like how Maddie was treated in this book and I don’t like open story lines especially when there is no sequel... I am never reading Dani Atkins again; always upsets me....
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 2, 2018
Wow! A real emotional rollercoaster of a read & very beautifully written. I love how Dani Atkins structures the book & how she manages to keep the reader from taking ‘sides’ as we become very emotionally invested in all four main characters. Such an impossible situation & incredibly sad & poignant throughout, though she somehow manages to inject humour too. So many twists & turns, it’s probably the most unpredictable book I’ve ever read. I have to say I was disappointed with the sad turn of events for Chloe half way through & certain parts are rather far fetched. I loved the ending which gave me goosebumps. A riveting read which has also given me black shadows under my eyes after a 3am finish!
PS I always write my reviews as soon as I finish a book & while it’s still fresh in my mind. However, I’ve been reflecting on this one for 24 hours & it’s left a deep impression on me. I’ve popped back to upgrade my rating from 4 to 5 stars as despite a couple of niggles it’s a brilliant read & extremely well written.
PS I always write my reviews as soon as I finish a book & while it’s still fresh in my mind. However, I’ve been reflecting on this one for 24 hours & it’s left a deep impression on me. I’ve popped back to upgrade my rating from 4 to 5 stars as despite a couple of niggles it’s a brilliant read & extremely well written.
May 2, 2021
I put this book on-hold because I just knew my heart couldn’t handle it. And I’m right, my heart is broken. This book didn’t go as I hoped, but that’s life, isn’t it? I think this story was the perfect example of that. This book was such an emotional rollercoaster, it was so well-written and the characters were extensively portrayed. Even though my heart is broken right now, this story was beautiful!
December 4, 2019
It was such agony reading this that I had to skim the last few chapters.
Now, I’m not even going to pretend I would know how to handle/parent(because I’m not one) this situation but with that said, so much of this just didn’t sit right with me;
- Ryan not only marrying somebody else but the f*cking volunteer who looked after Maddie?
- Ryan misleading her time/date wise
- Them not telling Maddie about her daughter for three to four months and letting her believe she lost her baby
- Hope being led to believe her mother was dead
- Them introducing Maddie as a distant relative
- Ryan letting Chloe and Chloe allowing herself to so easily slip into the mother role while there still being a possibility maddie would wake up
- Not having a single f*cking plan for when she did wake up
- Chloe’s resentment towards Maddie for a situation Chloe put herself in
- Ryan being SO detached from his feelings for Maddie and his overall attitude towards her (especially his comment when she goes back into a coma)
The list could go on and on but my point is, it just all felt unnecessarily cruel on both Maddie and Hope which left very little room to warm to or feel any sympathy for Ryan or Chloe
(definitely going to talk to some friends to get different perspectives on this one)
I also hope/want to remember to read this in 10 years to see if I have a different reaction
Now, I’m not even going to pretend I would know how to handle/parent(because I’m not one) this situation but with that said, so much of this just didn’t sit right with me;
- Ryan not only marrying somebody else but the f*cking volunteer who looked after Maddie?
- Ryan misleading her time/date wise
- Them not telling Maddie about her daughter for three to four months and letting her believe she lost her baby
- Hope being led to believe her mother was dead
- Them introducing Maddie as a distant relative
- Ryan letting Chloe and Chloe allowing herself to so easily slip into the mother role while there still being a possibility maddie would wake up
- Not having a single f*cking plan for when she did wake up
- Chloe’s resentment towards Maddie for a situation Chloe put herself in
- Ryan being SO detached from his feelings for Maddie and his overall attitude towards her (especially his comment when she goes back into a coma)
The list could go on and on but my point is, it just all felt unnecessarily cruel on both Maddie and Hope which left very little room to warm to or feel any sympathy for Ryan or Chloe
(definitely going to talk to some friends to get different perspectives on this one)
I also hope/want to remember to read this in 10 years to see if I have a different reaction
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 12, 2018
Hmm . . . What to say. I liked this story for the most part. It was well-written and it was most certainly thought provoking. I felt so much empathy for Maddie. I have to say I began to dislike Ryan and Chloe, Ryan for basically letting Maddie down, Chloe for taking Maddie's place. I was most definitely Team Maddie! I didn't like the ending. I prefer Dani Atkins' earlier work. Her last two books haven't been as enjoyable in my opinion. I guess I just wanted a different ending - I'm not exactly sure what would have been the right ending actually. It's a good read, but it left me feeling sad on behalf of Maddie, and I prefer to feel more positive when I've finished a book. A question of preference.
With thanks to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
With thanks to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
December 29, 2018
A beautifully written and highly emotive story. I knew this was going to be an incredibly sad book but there were many uplifting moments too. I totally believed in the characters and felt sympathy for them all in different ways. The ending was a surprise, not sure if I liked it or not, but it made a change to leave some loose threads rather than have them conveniently tied up.
December 30, 2018
Some books you know that you’ll be recommending to people for ever. This is one of them
You start reading this thinking ‘I’m going to hate Chloe, how dare she take Maddie place’. Then Chloe is introduced and she is lovely and you can understand.
I didn’t really get Ryan but I really liked the mums.
When a book makes you cry you know it’s a good one
Loved it
You start reading this thinking ‘I’m going to hate Chloe, how dare she take Maddie place’. Then Chloe is introduced and she is lovely and you can understand.
I didn’t really get Ryan but I really liked the mums.
When a book makes you cry you know it’s a good one
Loved it
December 22, 2024
My first Dani Atkins' book, but definitely not my last. Cried myself to sleep at 1am finishing this book. It's so emotional and so HAUNTING. If you read it, you will think about the characters for days because it's impossible not to empathize with each one of them the way the story is written, with multiple 1st-person POVs.
September 11, 2018
Liked this book but as always with Dani, it does tug at the heart strings. Was team Maddie all the way and had mixed feelings about Chloe. Liked Ryan at the beginning but he lost all respect towards the end particularly at his last sentence in the book. Wish it had a different ending in a way.
September 30, 2018
Review to come.
June 11, 2019
Mijn arme hart... Wat een prachtig boek was dit! Ik heb er intens van genoten en baal er echt heel erg van dat het boek uit is. Dani Atkins heeft een erg fijne schrijfstijl en ik zat meteen middenin het verhaal. De personages leer je erg goed kennen, omdat er een aantal sprongen in de tijd zijn, waardoor je ze door en door kent. Wat een goed boek!
May 29, 2018
~Received from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I am not associated with the author or publisher in any way. My opinion is completely unbiased and entirely my own~
While I Was Sleeping is a contemporary novel about a 28 year old woman who wakes from a coma after 6 years to discover that life has moved on without her.
I found certain events that transpire a little far-fetched at times, but ultimately I was enthralled with this story and these characters.
I know this is cliche but it genuinely was a thought-provoking read. I am a 28 year old woman in the early stages of building a life with my partner and raising our toddler and baby together, and the experiences that were taken from Maddie are heart-breaking to consider.
I particularly liked that the POV changed after Maddie's perspective had been established. I utterly sympathized with her up until that point but then we're provided with an other perspective that really rounded out the complex nature of the relationships that are explored.
My biggest criticism is that I felt that the last chapter was really random and didn't make sense in terms of the kind of future that was being established for the characters up until that point. Without giving anything away I'll just say that I felt that Maddie deserved more than that and it wasn't really a satisfying conclusion.
Regardless, this was a really enjoyable read, and I will definitely be seeking out more from this author in the future.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to review this title.
While I Was Sleeping is a contemporary novel about a 28 year old woman who wakes from a coma after 6 years to discover that life has moved on without her.
I found certain events that transpire a little far-fetched at times, but ultimately I was enthralled with this story and these characters.
I know this is cliche but it genuinely was a thought-provoking read. I am a 28 year old woman in the early stages of building a life with my partner and raising our toddler and baby together, and the experiences that were taken from Maddie are heart-breaking to consider.
I particularly liked that the POV changed after Maddie's perspective had been established. I utterly sympathized with her up until that point but then we're provided with an other perspective that really rounded out the complex nature of the relationships that are explored.
My biggest criticism is that I felt that the last chapter was really random and didn't make sense in terms of the kind of future that was being established for the characters up until that point. Without giving anything away I'll just say that I felt that Maddie deserved more than that and it wasn't really a satisfying conclusion.
Regardless, this was a really enjoyable read, and I will definitely be seeking out more from this author in the future.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to review this title.
January 24, 2020
What an emotional rollercoaster.
I struggled with my feelings throughout this book. It’s a credit to the author that I felt as deeply as I did. To everyone around me, I had them emphasise with Maddie.
Imagine being engaged, newly pregnant and being in an accident which causes you to be in a coma for 6 years and when you wake up, life is very different.
My heart broke over and over for Maddie. She had to be reasonable and understanding with her new reality. Her husband had married and his wife was the mother to Maddie’s daughter.
I felt for the new wife, Chloe, too but she had Ryan and the love of Hope, the daughter. It was Maddie who got the raw end of the deal and she handled it so much better than I think I would have.
The ending-argh.
Ryan lost me with his last sentence. Why even say that? He was going to marry Maddie and had a baby with her. It is probably to highlight his love for Chloe but seriously, I’m struggling with why his character would say that.
Brilliant writing but incredibly stressful journey for me as a reader.
I struggled with my feelings throughout this book. It’s a credit to the author that I felt as deeply as I did. To everyone around me, I had them emphasise with Maddie.
Imagine being engaged, newly pregnant and being in an accident which causes you to be in a coma for 6 years and when you wake up, life is very different.
My heart broke over and over for Maddie. She had to be reasonable and understanding with her new reality. Her husband had married and his wife was the mother to Maddie’s daughter.
I felt for the new wife, Chloe, too but she had Ryan and the love of Hope, the daughter. It was Maddie who got the raw end of the deal and she handled it so much better than I think I would have.
The ending-argh.
Ryan lost me with his last sentence. Why even say that? He was going to marry Maddie and had a baby with her. It is probably to highlight his love for Chloe but seriously, I’m struggling with why his character would say that.
Brilliant writing but incredibly stressful journey for me as a reader.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 22, 2018
I don’t usually write reviews but this book totally pissed me off and I can’t stop thinking about it so here goes.
I loved the first 3 quarters or so. I really felt for the characters and the way the women bonded etc. But holy hell. Ryan was trying to be painted as some kind of poor soul, but his last sentence of the book? Seriously? I didn’t buy that his character would say that anyway, he couldn’t have been so cold to someone he was supposedly in love with for so long.
The way the entire book ended was trash and lazy in my opinion. If you want a heart tugging story with a bitter, disappointing end, this is for you.
I loved the first 3 quarters or so. I really felt for the characters and the way the women bonded etc. But holy hell. Ryan was trying to be painted as some kind of poor soul, but his last sentence of the book? Seriously? I didn’t buy that his character would say that anyway, he couldn’t have been so cold to someone he was supposedly in love with for so long.
The way the entire book ended was trash and lazy in my opinion. If you want a heart tugging story with a bitter, disappointing end, this is for you.
May 14, 2018
Omg I’m emotionally drained!! A fantastic book.
May 29, 2019
"Dat was het moment, het énige moment waarop ik mijn toekomst misschien nog in eigen hand had kunnen nemen." ~ p11.
Eerste tranen vielen al op pagina 60, daarna nog enkele keren naar de tissues gegrepen, tot ik aan het einde niet meer was dan een snikken en snotterend hoopje mens. Wat een prachtig verhaal...
"Natuurlijk was ik blij dat ik mijn leven weer terug had, maar ik wilde het helemáál terug, precies zoals het was geweest en ik wilde niet een nieuwe en minderwaardige versie ervan." ~ p58.
Zonder mij verteld het verhaal van Maddie. En jonge vrouw die druk bezig is met de voorbereiding van haar aankomende huwelijk en geniet van het kleine leven dat sindskort in haar groeit. Geluk alom. Tot een ongeluk haar leven onderste boven keert, ze wakker wordt in een ziekenhuiskamer, en geen idee heeft van de wereld die 6 jaar lang zonder haar verder is gegaan. Hoe bevat je de realiteit terwijl gisteren zo lang geleden blijkt?
Na het lezen van de flaptekst wist ik dat ik dit boek moést lezen. Dat het me echter zo zou aangrijpen had ik niet verwacht. Dani Atkins is echt een meester in het vangen van emoties, en geeft daardoor dit verhaal zoveel meer. Maddie voelt als een vriendin, die je alles gunt. Je voelt haar pijn, haar verdriet, maar ook haar vechtlust en levenskracht. De overige personages, hoe klein gun rol ook, laat ze stralen in hun aanwezigheid en voegen allemaal op hun eigen manier iets toe aan het verhaal. En hoewel het een zwaar en beladen verhaal is, is de schrijfstijl luchtig en afgewisseld met de nodige humor. Wat het, wat mij betreft, tot een geweldig geheel maakt.
"Ze was de betere versie van wat ik van plan was geweest - of gehoopt - te worden. Ze was een betere versie van mij dan ik waarschijnlijk ooit had kunnen zijn." ~ p240
Dit is een verhaal dat ik voorlopig nog niet los kan laten, en ik écht iedereen kan aanraden om te lezen. 5 gouden, glimmende sterren zijn nog niet genoeg om dit boek te laten stralen, zoals het verdiend.
www.facebook.com/thebookbabecisz
Eerste tranen vielen al op pagina 60, daarna nog enkele keren naar de tissues gegrepen, tot ik aan het einde niet meer was dan een snikken en snotterend hoopje mens. Wat een prachtig verhaal...
"Natuurlijk was ik blij dat ik mijn leven weer terug had, maar ik wilde het helemáál terug, precies zoals het was geweest en ik wilde niet een nieuwe en minderwaardige versie ervan." ~ p58.
Zonder mij verteld het verhaal van Maddie. En jonge vrouw die druk bezig is met de voorbereiding van haar aankomende huwelijk en geniet van het kleine leven dat sindskort in haar groeit. Geluk alom. Tot een ongeluk haar leven onderste boven keert, ze wakker wordt in een ziekenhuiskamer, en geen idee heeft van de wereld die 6 jaar lang zonder haar verder is gegaan. Hoe bevat je de realiteit terwijl gisteren zo lang geleden blijkt?
Na het lezen van de flaptekst wist ik dat ik dit boek moést lezen. Dat het me echter zo zou aangrijpen had ik niet verwacht. Dani Atkins is echt een meester in het vangen van emoties, en geeft daardoor dit verhaal zoveel meer. Maddie voelt als een vriendin, die je alles gunt. Je voelt haar pijn, haar verdriet, maar ook haar vechtlust en levenskracht. De overige personages, hoe klein gun rol ook, laat ze stralen in hun aanwezigheid en voegen allemaal op hun eigen manier iets toe aan het verhaal. En hoewel het een zwaar en beladen verhaal is, is de schrijfstijl luchtig en afgewisseld met de nodige humor. Wat het, wat mij betreft, tot een geweldig geheel maakt.
"Ze was de betere versie van wat ik van plan was geweest - of gehoopt - te worden. Ze was een betere versie van mij dan ik waarschijnlijk ooit had kunnen zijn." ~ p240
Dit is een verhaal dat ik voorlopig nog niet los kan laten, en ik écht iedereen kan aanraden om te lezen. 5 gouden, glimmende sterren zijn nog niet genoeg om dit boek te laten stralen, zoals het verdiend.
www.facebook.com/thebookbabecisz
February 2, 2020
Meine Meinung zum Buch
Gestaltung: Bereits mit ihrem damligen Debüt "Die Achse meiner Welt" konnte mich Dani Atkins für sich gewinnen. Ihre poetische und dramatische Ader gefiel mir vom ersten Moment. Auch in ihren folgenden Romanen blieb sie ihrer Art treu. Mit "Sag ihr, ich war bei den Sternen" steht nun mein mittlerweile vierter Roman der Autorin im Regal. Optisch passt dieses Buch sehr schön zu den anderen Romanen, was mir gleich positiv auffiel. Es ist schlicht gehalten und dennoch strahlt es eine gewisse Poesie aus. Gerade der Titel verstärkt das Poetische ganz besonders.
Einstieg: Die Autorin beginnt hier direkt mit der eigentlichen Geschichte und dem Leser wird das perfekte Leben unserer Protagonistin Maddie erzählt. Sie ist mitten in den Hochzeitsvorbereitungen, trägt das Kind ihres Zukünftigen unter dem Herzen. Eine nahezu perfektes Leben. Tatsächlich muss ich sagen, dass mir Maddie gerade in den ersten Seiten extrem eingebildet und überheblich vorkam. Dies erschwerte meinen Einstieg etwas. Der Schreibstil dagegen ist poetisch und trotzdem bekommt man gleich zu Beginn die Dramatik zu spüren. Als Leser und Fan der Autorin wartet man nur auf den großen Knall, der dann wenig überraschend auch so eintraf.
Charaktere: Beinahe durchgängig wird die Geschichte aus der personalen Ich-Perspektive aus Maddies Sicht erzählt. Wie Eingangs erwähnt, hatte ich gerade zu Beginn einige Probleme, aber diese verflogen zum Glück schnell und je weiter ich vorankam, umso mehr konnte ich ihr Handeln nachvollziehen. Schnell entwickelte sie sich durch all die Schicksalsschläge, die sie hier bewältigen muss zu einer unglaublich starken Persönlichkeit. Dafür ziehe ich hier meinen imaginären Hut, denn Maddie ist ein klares Stehaufmännchen und das bewunderte ich die ganze Zeit. Eher untypisch für die Autorin, ist, dass die Geschichte aus einer weiteren Sicht erzählt wurde. Chloe, die mehr oder weniger die Rolle von Maddie einnahm, ist mindestens genauso stark. Zu ihr hatte ich von Beginn an eine ganz andere Bindung als noch zu Maddie. Beide sind wie Tag und Nacht und dennoch verbindet sie etwas ganz besonderes. Dani Atkins ist es hier gelungen ihren Figuren so unglaublich viel Leben einzuhauchen, dass ich mich nicht nur in sie hineinversetzen konnte und Mitleid und Freude empfand, sondern beide für mich wie Freunde waren, die ich auf ihren Weg begleiten durfte. Aber nicht nur die unglaublich starken weiblichen Figuren hinterließen einen bleibenden Eindruck, sondern auch Ryan, der hier nicht nur das Bindeglied zu beiden bildete, sondern so aus der Masse herausstach, dass er selber beinahe der Held der Geschichte sein konnte. Er hatte hier wohl das größte Päckchen von allen zu tragen und meisterte all dies dennoch sehr souverän.
Handlung: Dani Atkins beginnt ihre Geschichte zunächst ruhig und harmonisch. Für die Protagonistin könnte das Leben gerade nicht perfekter sein. Allerdings ist die Autorin ein unglaubliches Talent, diese heile Welt von einem zum nächsten Moment in eine ganz andere Welt zu wandeln. So ließ die erste Weichenstellung der Geschichte nicht lange auf sich warten. Und diese sollte nicht die letzte sein. Immer wieder wurden die liebgewonnenen Figuren mit einem neuen Schicksalsschlag konfrontiert. Das ist so typisch Dani Atkins, und auch wenn es in ihren Büchern immer wieder um ähnliche Themen geht, verpackt sie es dennoch wieder ganz anders. Durch die vielen unerwarteten Wendungen wurde es zu keinem Zeitpunkt langweilig und das Spannungslevel war konstant hoch. Zudem hängt eine gewisse Dramatik wie ein Damoklesschwert über der Geschichte, die phasenweise sehr ausgeprägt zu spüren war. Auf der anderen Seite gibt es die kleinen Lichtblicke in der Geschichte, die neben den sensiblen Themen immer wieder präsent wurden. So schuf Dani Atkins ein wunderbares Maß an Drama, Gefühl, Hoffnung und Mut, was mir unglaublich gut gefiel. Das Buch gipfelt in einem hochdramatischen Finale, welches nicht nur unvorhersehbar war, sondern auch absolut realistisch. Mit der endgültigen Auflösung des Buches bin ich nicht ganz einverstanden, aber das tat meiner Lesefreude zum Glück keinen Abbruch.
Schreibstil: Gefühlvoll, authentisch, berührend, so würde ich den Schreibstil von Dani Atkins in drei Worten beschreiben. Auf der einen Seite spricht sie hochsensible und auch traurige Themen an, die einfach nur ans Herz gehen, andererseits schafft sie so viele Momente des Muts und des Weiterkämpfens, dass ich nicht nur einmal meinen imaginären Hut ziehen musste. Ihr angenehmer und gefühlvoller Schreibstil, hat mich direkt abgeholt, mitgerissen und Emotionen in mir ausgelöst, die ich lange nicht mehr bei einem Buch hatte. Seit langem mal wieder ein Buch bei dem nicht nur einmal die Tränen kamen.
Mein Urteil
Mit der richtigen Portion an Drama, Spannung und Harmonie, schuf Dani Atkins mit „Sag ihr, ich war bei den Sternen" erneut einen Roman, der unter die Haut geht. Gezeichnet mit unglaublich starken Figuren, die ich allesamt ins Herz schloss, der richtigen Menge an Überraschungen und heftigen Wendungen, so wie dem poetischen und berührenden Schreibstil, war auch dieser Roman ein absoluter Lesegenuss. Einzig mit der endgültigen Auflösung bin ich nicht ganz einverstanden. Dennoch bin ich froh, dieses Buch gelesen zu haben. Ich vergebe 5 von 5 Welten!
Gestaltung: Bereits mit ihrem damligen Debüt "Die Achse meiner Welt" konnte mich Dani Atkins für sich gewinnen. Ihre poetische und dramatische Ader gefiel mir vom ersten Moment. Auch in ihren folgenden Romanen blieb sie ihrer Art treu. Mit "Sag ihr, ich war bei den Sternen" steht nun mein mittlerweile vierter Roman der Autorin im Regal. Optisch passt dieses Buch sehr schön zu den anderen Romanen, was mir gleich positiv auffiel. Es ist schlicht gehalten und dennoch strahlt es eine gewisse Poesie aus. Gerade der Titel verstärkt das Poetische ganz besonders.
Einstieg: Die Autorin beginnt hier direkt mit der eigentlichen Geschichte und dem Leser wird das perfekte Leben unserer Protagonistin Maddie erzählt. Sie ist mitten in den Hochzeitsvorbereitungen, trägt das Kind ihres Zukünftigen unter dem Herzen. Eine nahezu perfektes Leben. Tatsächlich muss ich sagen, dass mir Maddie gerade in den ersten Seiten extrem eingebildet und überheblich vorkam. Dies erschwerte meinen Einstieg etwas. Der Schreibstil dagegen ist poetisch und trotzdem bekommt man gleich zu Beginn die Dramatik zu spüren. Als Leser und Fan der Autorin wartet man nur auf den großen Knall, der dann wenig überraschend auch so eintraf.
Charaktere: Beinahe durchgängig wird die Geschichte aus der personalen Ich-Perspektive aus Maddies Sicht erzählt. Wie Eingangs erwähnt, hatte ich gerade zu Beginn einige Probleme, aber diese verflogen zum Glück schnell und je weiter ich vorankam, umso mehr konnte ich ihr Handeln nachvollziehen. Schnell entwickelte sie sich durch all die Schicksalsschläge, die sie hier bewältigen muss zu einer unglaublich starken Persönlichkeit. Dafür ziehe ich hier meinen imaginären Hut, denn Maddie ist ein klares Stehaufmännchen und das bewunderte ich die ganze Zeit. Eher untypisch für die Autorin, ist, dass die Geschichte aus einer weiteren Sicht erzählt wurde. Chloe, die mehr oder weniger die Rolle von Maddie einnahm, ist mindestens genauso stark. Zu ihr hatte ich von Beginn an eine ganz andere Bindung als noch zu Maddie. Beide sind wie Tag und Nacht und dennoch verbindet sie etwas ganz besonderes. Dani Atkins ist es hier gelungen ihren Figuren so unglaublich viel Leben einzuhauchen, dass ich mich nicht nur in sie hineinversetzen konnte und Mitleid und Freude empfand, sondern beide für mich wie Freunde waren, die ich auf ihren Weg begleiten durfte. Aber nicht nur die unglaublich starken weiblichen Figuren hinterließen einen bleibenden Eindruck, sondern auch Ryan, der hier nicht nur das Bindeglied zu beiden bildete, sondern so aus der Masse herausstach, dass er selber beinahe der Held der Geschichte sein konnte. Er hatte hier wohl das größte Päckchen von allen zu tragen und meisterte all dies dennoch sehr souverän.
Handlung: Dani Atkins beginnt ihre Geschichte zunächst ruhig und harmonisch. Für die Protagonistin könnte das Leben gerade nicht perfekter sein. Allerdings ist die Autorin ein unglaubliches Talent, diese heile Welt von einem zum nächsten Moment in eine ganz andere Welt zu wandeln. So ließ die erste Weichenstellung der Geschichte nicht lange auf sich warten. Und diese sollte nicht die letzte sein. Immer wieder wurden die liebgewonnenen Figuren mit einem neuen Schicksalsschlag konfrontiert. Das ist so typisch Dani Atkins, und auch wenn es in ihren Büchern immer wieder um ähnliche Themen geht, verpackt sie es dennoch wieder ganz anders. Durch die vielen unerwarteten Wendungen wurde es zu keinem Zeitpunkt langweilig und das Spannungslevel war konstant hoch. Zudem hängt eine gewisse Dramatik wie ein Damoklesschwert über der Geschichte, die phasenweise sehr ausgeprägt zu spüren war. Auf der anderen Seite gibt es die kleinen Lichtblicke in der Geschichte, die neben den sensiblen Themen immer wieder präsent wurden. So schuf Dani Atkins ein wunderbares Maß an Drama, Gefühl, Hoffnung und Mut, was mir unglaublich gut gefiel. Das Buch gipfelt in einem hochdramatischen Finale, welches nicht nur unvorhersehbar war, sondern auch absolut realistisch. Mit der endgültigen Auflösung des Buches bin ich nicht ganz einverstanden, aber das tat meiner Lesefreude zum Glück keinen Abbruch.
Schreibstil: Gefühlvoll, authentisch, berührend, so würde ich den Schreibstil von Dani Atkins in drei Worten beschreiben. Auf der einen Seite spricht sie hochsensible und auch traurige Themen an, die einfach nur ans Herz gehen, andererseits schafft sie so viele Momente des Muts und des Weiterkämpfens, dass ich nicht nur einmal meinen imaginären Hut ziehen musste. Ihr angenehmer und gefühlvoller Schreibstil, hat mich direkt abgeholt, mitgerissen und Emotionen in mir ausgelöst, die ich lange nicht mehr bei einem Buch hatte. Seit langem mal wieder ein Buch bei dem nicht nur einmal die Tränen kamen.
Mein Urteil
Mit der richtigen Portion an Drama, Spannung und Harmonie, schuf Dani Atkins mit „Sag ihr, ich war bei den Sternen" erneut einen Roman, der unter die Haut geht. Gezeichnet mit unglaublich starken Figuren, die ich allesamt ins Herz schloss, der richtigen Menge an Überraschungen und heftigen Wendungen, so wie dem poetischen und berührenden Schreibstil, war auch dieser Roman ein absoluter Lesegenuss. Einzig mit der endgültigen Auflösung bin ich nicht ganz einverstanden. Dennoch bin ich froh, dieses Buch gelesen zu haben. Ich vergebe 5 von 5 Welten!
January 19, 2020
Ik lees Dani Atkins graag, maar vrees dat ik met deze uit te lezen me door al haar boeken heen gewerkt hebt. Ook dit was een mooitje. Ik bleef maar gissen hoe het zou aflopen en zat er uiteindelijk helemaal naast.
May 3, 2020
Wow wow wow! Ik ben helemaal ondersteboven van dit verhaal! Wat een prachtverhaal! En net dat ik dacht dat alles goed zou komen, gebeurt er weer iets! Echt wow! Wat een rollercoaster.
En dat einde! De mensen die dit boek uitlezen zonder zakdoek, lijkt mij onmogelijk.
Lees aub niet de spoiler als je het boek nog niet gelezen hebt! (Anders is écht alles verpest)
En dat einde! De mensen die dit boek uitlezen zonder zakdoek, lijkt mij onmogelijk.
Lees aub niet de spoiler als je het boek nog niet gelezen hebt! (Anders is écht alles verpest)
August 23, 2018
The last book I read by this author left me in floods of tears, it took soooo long to get over the emotion and has lingered in my mind ever since. So when this book dropped through my letterbox I had a feeling I’d need to stock up on tissues.
The first chapter raised so many questions, it got my heart pounding and left me desperate to know what happened next for Maddie. It’s unusual for me to become so emotionally invested in a story so quickly but the author’s words pulled my emotions from me with ease. It was devastating and wonderful all at the same time!
Maddie’s story was so incredibly powerful, it literally gave me chills. I was surprised but intrigued to switch to Chloe’s perspective, I didn’t particularly like her to begin with and at this point I was torn in two because she seemed so likeable. I guess reading from both perspectives meant that I was able to understand things from both sides.
Bereft is the only way I can describe the way I felt as I closed the book for the last time. I wanted more and I still want more, this family found their way into my heart and left a lasting impression. I’d love to know what’s next for them.
Fate and an unlikely friendship played a big part in this tearful, touching and totally addictive read. I can’t recommend it enough!
The first chapter raised so many questions, it got my heart pounding and left me desperate to know what happened next for Maddie. It’s unusual for me to become so emotionally invested in a story so quickly but the author’s words pulled my emotions from me with ease. It was devastating and wonderful all at the same time!
Maddie’s story was so incredibly powerful, it literally gave me chills. I was surprised but intrigued to switch to Chloe’s perspective, I didn’t particularly like her to begin with and at this point I was torn in two because she seemed so likeable. I guess reading from both perspectives meant that I was able to understand things from both sides.
Bereft is the only way I can describe the way I felt as I closed the book for the last time. I wanted more and I still want more, this family found their way into my heart and left a lasting impression. I’d love to know what’s next for them.
Fate and an unlikely friendship played a big part in this tearful, touching and totally addictive read. I can’t recommend it enough!
November 21, 2018
I am honestly torn about this book. I definitely enjoyed it and when I wasn't reading, I felt like I wanted more time with it, as in I was excited to return to it. However, I really didn't like the story. Maybe it's a completely personal interpretation but the story was a little bit of implausible mess. No spoiler alerts needed as that's not fair but I didn't think that it fit into romance, comedy or chick lit. It seems as though no got a happy ending and every single story line that was opened was never closed in the end leaving an unsatisfying finish to a bit of a tome of a book. Essentially it was too believable to be fiction and not believable enough to be true. Not sure that I would recommend because of the open endedness of the book.
June 8, 2020
Dieses Buch war anfangs sehr mitreißend und hat mich emotional gefordert.
Mit dem Ende bin ich überhaupt nicht zufrieden und die medizinischen Gegebenheiten hauptsächlich bei Maddy (wobei es auch einen Sache bei Chloe gibt) ....damit kommt mein Fachkrankenschwesterherz und ich überhaupt nicht damit klar! Es gelingt mir nicht darüber hinwegzusehen!
Mit dem Ende bin ich überhaupt nicht zufrieden und die medizinischen Gegebenheiten hauptsächlich bei Maddy (wobei es auch einen Sache bei Chloe gibt) ....damit kommt mein Fachkrankenschwesterherz und ich überhaupt nicht damit klar! Es gelingt mir nicht darüber hinwegzusehen!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 14, 2019
Dani Atkins schrijft echt hele mooie boeken vind ik.
Deze vond ik niet zo hardverscheurend als andere titels van haar, maar hij was wel weer heel erg mooi.
De emoties die in het eerste hoofdstuk door het hoofdpersonage heen gaan voel ik ook heel erg. Dat is echt heel goed geschreven, ik leefde meteen helemaal met haar mee. Heel veel heftige en emotionele momenten en gebeurtenissen ook in het begin, meerdere traantjes gelaten.
Dan komt het boek als verhaal op gang, en krijgt het een hele mooie diepe laag. Ik vind het heel mooi .
Daarnaast vind ik het ook heel mooi hoe
In de boekenclub hoorde ik dat veel mensen een beetje teleurgesteld zijn door het einde, en dat snap ik wel. Ik vond de epiloog wel bijzonder mooi, maar ik snap dat de laatste alinea geen hoge ogen gooit.
Maar ik zou ook niet goed weten welk einde ik wel bij dit verhaal vindt passen, maar ik ben dan ook geen schrijver (:
Dit boek is vertaald in het Nederlands, die titel is Zonder mij.
Deze vond ik niet zo hardverscheurend als andere titels van haar, maar hij was wel weer heel erg mooi.
De emoties die in het eerste hoofdstuk door het hoofdpersonage heen gaan voel ik ook heel erg. Dat is echt heel goed geschreven, ik leefde meteen helemaal met haar mee. Heel veel heftige en emotionele momenten en gebeurtenissen ook in het begin, meerdere traantjes gelaten.
Dan komt het boek als verhaal op gang, en krijgt het een hele mooie diepe laag. Ik vind het heel mooi .
Daarnaast vind ik het ook heel mooi hoe
In de boekenclub hoorde ik dat veel mensen een beetje teleurgesteld zijn door het einde, en dat snap ik wel. Ik vond de epiloog wel bijzonder mooi, maar ik snap dat de laatste alinea geen hoge ogen gooit.
Maar ik zou ook niet goed weten welk einde ik wel bij dit verhaal vindt passen, maar ik ben dan ook geen schrijver (:
Dit boek is vertaald in het Nederlands, die titel is Zonder mij.
November 28, 2018
I’ve read and enjoyed all of Dani’s books but this one is by far my favourite. I was hooked from the very beginning and I loved how beautifully it was written. It made me laugh and cry and I adored how Maddie and Chloe’s relationship developed throughout the book. The way it was written felt like I was right there inside the story and the whole book just captivated me. I think this would make an amazing film if done properly. I think this is probably my favourite chic lit book I’ve read this year. A thousand times recommended.
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