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Ik wist het al
Nadat haar man Patrick tien jaar geleden omkwam bij een verkeersongeluk, was Kate zo diep in de rouw dat ze niet dacht ooit nog een nieuwe liefde te zullen vinden. Toch bleek de tijd inderdaad haar wonden te helen, en nu heeft ze het aanzoek van haar nieuwe vriend Dan geaccepteerd. Met een bruiloft in het vooruitzicht zou ze dus blij en vol verwachting moeten zijn. Waarom is ze dat dan niet echt?
Als ze steeds vaker droomt over Patrick – dromen waarin hij nog leeft en ze samen een dochter hebben – brengt de haast beangstigende echtheid van die dromen haar aan het twijfelen of ze wel op de goede weg is. Ze besluit dat ze eens iets heel nieuws moet proberen en geeft zich op voor een cursus gebarentaal. Het inspirerende contact met de dove kinderen, en hun enthousiaste begeleider Andrew, is een eyeopener: ze ervaart een veel grotere voldoening en verbinding dan ooit tevoren. Maar vindt ze ook de moed om haar leven drastisch om te gooien?
Als ze steeds vaker droomt over Patrick – dromen waarin hij nog leeft en ze samen een dochter hebben – brengt de haast beangstigende echtheid van die dromen haar aan het twijfelen of ze wel op de goede weg is. Ze besluit dat ze eens iets heel nieuws moet proberen en geeft zich op voor een cursus gebarentaal. Het inspirerende contact met de dove kinderen, en hun enthousiaste begeleider Andrew, is een eyeopener: ze ervaart een veel grotere voldoening en verbinding dan ooit tevoren. Maar vindt ze ook de moed om haar leven drastisch om te gooien?
383 pages, Paperback
First published December 30, 2014
888 people are currently reading
28404 people want to read
About the author
Kristin Harmel
28 books16.1k followersKristin Harmel is the New York Times bestselling, USA Today bestselling, and #1 international bestselling author of The Paris Daughter, The Forest of Vanishing Stars, The Book of Lost Names, The Winemaker’s Wife, and a dozen other novels that have been translated into more than 30 languages and are sold all over the world.
Kristin has been writing professionally since the age of 16, when she began her career as a sportswriter, covering Major League Baseball and NHL hockey for a local magazine in Tampa Bay, Florida in the late 1990s. In addition to a long magazine writing career, primarily writing and reporting for PEOPLE magazine (as well as articles published in numerous other magazines, including American Baby, Men’s Health, Woman’s Day, and more), Kristin was also a frequent contributor to the national television morning show The Daily Buzz. She sold her first novel in 2004, and it debuted in February 2006.
Kristin was born just outside Boston, Massachusetts and spent her childhood there, as well as in Worthington, Ohio, and St. Petersburg, Florida. After graduating with a degree in journalism (with a minor in Spanish) from the University of Florida, she spent time living in Paris and Los Angeles and now lives in Orlando, with her husband and young son. She is also the co-founder and co-host of the popular weekly web show and podcast Friends & Fiction.
Kristin has been writing professionally since the age of 16, when she began her career as a sportswriter, covering Major League Baseball and NHL hockey for a local magazine in Tampa Bay, Florida in the late 1990s. In addition to a long magazine writing career, primarily writing and reporting for PEOPLE magazine (as well as articles published in numerous other magazines, including American Baby, Men’s Health, Woman’s Day, and more), Kristin was also a frequent contributor to the national television morning show The Daily Buzz. She sold her first novel in 2004, and it debuted in February 2006.
Kristin was born just outside Boston, Massachusetts and spent her childhood there, as well as in Worthington, Ohio, and St. Petersburg, Florida. After graduating with a degree in journalism (with a minor in Spanish) from the University of Florida, she spent time living in Paris and Los Angeles and now lives in Orlando, with her husband and young son. She is also the co-founder and co-host of the popular weekly web show and podcast Friends & Fiction.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,671 reviews
May 2, 2015
::: FULL REVIEW NOW POSTED ::: 6 STARS!!!! :::
HOLY WOW. *wipes tears* WOW. WOW. WOW .
I can say with full certainty that this was one of THE BEST BOOKS I have ever read in my whole life, and it is easily one of the Top 10 most emotional ones too. I ugly cried . Tears pouring down my face. Crying with noise. Crying so hard I couldn't even see the page. But, don't be scared. This isn't a tragic story and it's not depressing (I'm going to come right out and say that it's a happy ending because I don't want to scare you away). It's just POWERFUL beyond words. Deeply powerful. As I read, I'd get these full body CHILLS (then tears) over and over and over again. The pure, raw intensity and depth of the emotions it evoked were overpowering. I absolutely LOVED it. For the first time this year, I'm giving 6 STARS !!
Have you ever had a dream so vivid that, for a little while, you weren't sure if maybe it was reality? Where you were aware it was a dream but it felt like the most real thing in the world? And maybe sometimes, you chose to stay there just a little bit longer instead of waking up?
If you've ever experienced that, then this synopsis should intrigue you...
After her beloved husband Patrick’s sudden death over ten years ago, Kate never expected to find love again. But now she’s planning her second walk down the aisle. So why isn’t she more excited? … When she starts seeing her late husband in her dreams, she begins to wonder if he’s trying to tell her something? Attempting to navigate between dreams and reality, she must uncover her husband’s hidden message. Her quest leads her to a sign language class and into the New York City foster system, where she finds rewards greater than she could have imagined.
That immediately intrigued me so I tried the first few pages of the book and was HOOKED. Instantly drawn into the story. The more I read, the more invested I became. And when she had the first dream, I got chills!!!! -- Holy freaking wow -- IT. FELT. REAL. I literally had goosebumps from head to toe, my eyes were filled with tears, and I was just overflowing with these intense FEELINGS for this story.
Just like Kate, my mind was spinning with questions and theories. What was going on in her dreams? How were they possible? How could they be happening? What was Patrick trying to tell her? Was it really him? Was it just her subconscious desperately clinging to the memory of the only man who she'd ever truly given her heart to? Was it just pre-wedding nerves? Was there a greater purpose to it all?
What was happening?!
I really felt Patrick's loss so strongly even though it happened in the first chapter and then we moved forward a decade to the present day. They'd had the kind of epic love that didn't let go no matter how much time had passed and even though they both were not still living. Regardless of that reality, Kate did have to go on with her life but sadly it left her feeling empty. Her soul mate had been stolen away and she was left feeling like she was settling for a life she wasn't intended for. Twelve years later and, even though she rationally knew she had to move on, it was a pain that would never truly heal.
So when she saw Patrick again in her dreams, she found herself torn -- that life she felt she was intended to live had been ripped away from her. She was very aware that her dreams of Patrick were not reality -- and that was made very clear in the story -- but between her dreams and reality, the dream life she caught only glimpses of was the life she wished she was living, the life she felt she was supposed to have lived.
I have to you... with each dream scene, I had the same reaction. It was just instant.
CHILLS.
TEARS.
FEELS.
My most favorite books are the ones that can produce (even once!!!) the level of emotion that this book pulled out of me over and over again. I was absolutely blown away by the writing. I think it takes incredible talent to make a reader feel that depth of emotion without directly using a tragedy to trigger it. So basically, even just in the middle of the story, a random scene could make tears cascade down my face only because I felt that deeply connected to the story. The emotions were literally just a direct result of the incredible reading experience itself. It is such a special talent to be able to create that.
There's a point in the story (maybe around the 70% (ish) mark where you might feel it gets a little bit slow, but just trust in the story. It's part of the journey. I'll admit that with as epic a build-up as this book had, I did honestly worry a little that the ending might not be able to deliver. But THIS ONE DELIVERED. Holy wow, did it ever deliver everything I could have hoped for and more. I was beyond impressed with how POWERFUL it turned out to be. Everything that happened in the entire story -- and I really, truly mean e.v.e.r.y.t.h.i.n.g -- happened for a reason. Everything she went through led her to the ending which I honestly did not see coming but loved SO much that at one point, I just stopped reading and sat there SOBBING my heart out. The tears wouldn't stop. It was pure UGLY CRYING. Such a BEAUTIFUL story. Gah, I just teared up now thinking back to it. It was one of the most impactful endings I've read.
And I want to reassure you again: it is uplifting , not tragic. I promise.
I feel like I didn't just read this book, I lived it along with Kate. Shock, happiness, confusion, elation, hope, despair, understanding, joy... I felt everything. Honestly, right now, I just want to go read it again!
While this is not specifically a romance, if I had to pick ONE word to tell you what this story was about, that word would be LOVE. Because Patrick literally dies in the first chapter of the book, it's clearly not set up to be a "traditional romance" but I promise you, there is a love story , a VERY strong one, that is the central component. I don't know how to explain it further without totally giving it away. The love they have is just EPIC and it is the core driving factor behind the story even though it's not "specifically" a romance. As a hard-core romance reader myself, I'd say this is a book I loved beyond words.
And... for the love of all movie gods, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE let this book get a movie deal. It would honestly make an absolutely amazing film. I could picture the whole story unfolding before my eyes as I read. It had this rich, vivid quality to it and a story I know would translate wonderfully to the big screen.
This is one of the very best books I've ever read in my whole life, and one of the most profoundly beautiful stories I've ever experienced. It's the kind of powerful, captivating story you read even once and then never forget. I recommend it for everyone. And, for the first time this year, I'm rating a book 6 STARS!!
Rating: 6 STARS! Standalone.
_______________________________________
For more of my reviews, book news and updates:
✦ Main blog: Aestas Book Blog
✦ Facebook Blog Page
✦ Twitter
✦ Subscribe by email
HOLY WOW. *wipes tears* WOW. WOW. WOW .
I can say with full certainty that this was one of THE BEST BOOKS I have ever read in my whole life, and it is easily one of the Top 10 most emotional ones too. I ugly cried . Tears pouring down my face. Crying with noise. Crying so hard I couldn't even see the page. But, don't be scared. This isn't a tragic story and it's not depressing (I'm going to come right out and say that it's a happy ending because I don't want to scare you away). It's just POWERFUL beyond words. Deeply powerful. As I read, I'd get these full body CHILLS (then tears) over and over and over again. The pure, raw intensity and depth of the emotions it evoked were overpowering. I absolutely LOVED it. For the first time this year, I'm giving 6 STARS !!
Have you ever had a dream so vivid that, for a little while, you weren't sure if maybe it was reality? Where you were aware it was a dream but it felt like the most real thing in the world? And maybe sometimes, you chose to stay there just a little bit longer instead of waking up?
If you've ever experienced that, then this synopsis should intrigue you...
After her beloved husband Patrick’s sudden death over ten years ago, Kate never expected to find love again. But now she’s planning her second walk down the aisle. So why isn’t she more excited? … When she starts seeing her late husband in her dreams, she begins to wonder if he’s trying to tell her something? Attempting to navigate between dreams and reality, she must uncover her husband’s hidden message. Her quest leads her to a sign language class and into the New York City foster system, where she finds rewards greater than she could have imagined.
That immediately intrigued me so I tried the first few pages of the book and was HOOKED. Instantly drawn into the story. The more I read, the more invested I became. And when she had the first dream, I got chills!!!! -- Holy freaking wow -- IT. FELT. REAL. I literally had goosebumps from head to toe, my eyes were filled with tears, and I was just overflowing with these intense FEELINGS for this story.
Just like Kate, my mind was spinning with questions and theories. What was going on in her dreams? How were they possible? How could they be happening? What was Patrick trying to tell her? Was it really him? Was it just her subconscious desperately clinging to the memory of the only man who she'd ever truly given her heart to? Was it just pre-wedding nerves? Was there a greater purpose to it all?
What was happening?!
I really felt Patrick's loss so strongly even though it happened in the first chapter and then we moved forward a decade to the present day. They'd had the kind of epic love that didn't let go no matter how much time had passed and even though they both were not still living. Regardless of that reality, Kate did have to go on with her life but sadly it left her feeling empty. Her soul mate had been stolen away and she was left feeling like she was settling for a life she wasn't intended for. Twelve years later and, even though she rationally knew she had to move on, it was a pain that would never truly heal.
So when she saw Patrick again in her dreams, she found herself torn -- that life she felt she was intended to live had been ripped away from her. She was very aware that her dreams of Patrick were not reality -- and that was made very clear in the story -- but between her dreams and reality, the dream life she caught only glimpses of was the life she wished she was living, the life she felt she was supposed to have lived.
I have to you... with each dream scene, I had the same reaction. It was just instant.
CHILLS.
TEARS.
FEELS.
My most favorite books are the ones that can produce (even once!!!) the level of emotion that this book pulled out of me over and over again. I was absolutely blown away by the writing. I think it takes incredible talent to make a reader feel that depth of emotion without directly using a tragedy to trigger it. So basically, even just in the middle of the story, a random scene could make tears cascade down my face only because I felt that deeply connected to the story. The emotions were literally just a direct result of the incredible reading experience itself. It is such a special talent to be able to create that.
There's a point in the story (maybe around the 70% (ish) mark where you might feel it gets a little bit slow, but just trust in the story. It's part of the journey. I'll admit that with as epic a build-up as this book had, I did honestly worry a little that the ending might not be able to deliver. But THIS ONE DELIVERED. Holy wow, did it ever deliver everything I could have hoped for and more. I was beyond impressed with how POWERFUL it turned out to be. Everything that happened in the entire story -- and I really, truly mean e.v.e.r.y.t.h.i.n.g -- happened for a reason. Everything she went through led her to the ending which I honestly did not see coming but loved SO much that at one point, I just stopped reading and sat there SOBBING my heart out. The tears wouldn't stop. It was pure UGLY CRYING. Such a BEAUTIFUL story. Gah, I just teared up now thinking back to it. It was one of the most impactful endings I've read.
And I want to reassure you again: it is uplifting , not tragic. I promise.
I feel like I didn't just read this book, I lived it along with Kate. Shock, happiness, confusion, elation, hope, despair, understanding, joy... I felt everything. Honestly, right now, I just want to go read it again!
While this is not specifically a romance, if I had to pick ONE word to tell you what this story was about, that word would be LOVE. Because Patrick literally dies in the first chapter of the book, it's clearly not set up to be a "traditional romance" but I promise you, there is a love story , a VERY strong one, that is the central component. I don't know how to explain it further without totally giving it away. The love they have is just EPIC and it is the core driving factor behind the story even though it's not "specifically" a romance. As a hard-core romance reader myself, I'd say this is a book I loved beyond words.
And... for the love of all movie gods, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE let this book get a movie deal. It would honestly make an absolutely amazing film. I could picture the whole story unfolding before my eyes as I read. It had this rich, vivid quality to it and a story I know would translate wonderfully to the big screen.
This is one of the very best books I've ever read in my whole life, and one of the most profoundly beautiful stories I've ever experienced. It's the kind of powerful, captivating story you read even once and then never forget. I recommend it for everyone. And, for the first time this year, I'm rating a book 6 STARS!!
“Tell me you love me, Patrick,” I whisper urgently, because I need to hear him say it before reality comes crashing back in.
Patrick pulls back a little to look me in the eye. “More than you could ever imagine,” he says. “I love you, Kate. I knew before I met you —“
“— that I was meant to be yours,” I murmur.
Rating: 6 STARS! Standalone.
_______________________________________
For more of my reviews, book news and updates:
✦ Main blog: Aestas Book Blog
✦ Facebook Blog Page
✦ Subscribe by email
August 3, 2020
What a book. WHAT. A. BOOK.
Beautiful. Poignant. Profound. PURE PERFECTION.
QUICK REVIEW:
Enjoyment: 5/5
Writing style: 5/5
Storyline: 5/5
Hero: 5/5
Heroine: 5/5
Secondary characters: 5/5
Hotness/steam: 1/5
Romance: 3/5
Angst: 5/5
Darkness level: 2/5
Humor: 2/5
Depth of the book: 5/5
POV: heroine, 1st person
Triggers:
May 8, 2022
Live on
The instrument is not yours if you don't play it. The rule of musicians!
When the heroine of "The Life that Didn't Become Mine" says this, she means only the literal meaning, without assuming a metaphorical meaning. Meanwhile, her own life has long turned into an instrument on which she stopped playing. Or rather, outwardly everything looks the best: a forty-year-old attractive, wealthy and self-confident woman is doing what she loves - she is a music therapist, lives in New York and is engaged to a rich, handsome Dan.
In fact, everything seemed to end for her on the morning when her beloved husband Patrick died. For twelve years Kate has not felt the taste of life. Like in a dream. Until, one fine morning, having had too much at an engagement party, she does not wake up in her life, which could have been without misfortune: a husband with whom they were created for each other, a teenage daughter, a talented young pianist, whose creative realization cannot be prevented by congenital deafness.
The brave new world is brighter and more resonant than the real one, and does not look like a dream or hallucination at all. That does not prevent him from melting away, leaving the heroine with a positive, but unloved fiance. However, it happened, that wonderful girl, daughter, in order to understand her and be able to communicate with her, when and if they happen to meet again, the heroine signs up for courses in the American language of the deaf. At the same time, the grain of doubt that has been dormant in her soul for years is watered and warmed, Kate is thinking more and more seriously whether Dan is the person who shares her aspirations, whether their basic values are the same.
While for the groom it is an opportunity to buy designer clothes, good wines, dine in restaurants, Kate is calm about the attributes of prestige, but it is important for her to bring real benefits, to help people. Therefore, he readily responds to a request to help in working with problematic deaf teenagers from the state care program - orphans and children of irresponsible parents.
This is volunteering, which does not involve payment, but in the modern world this is more widespread than it may seem. The opportunity to give your time and energy to those who need help brings much more serious satisfaction than the joys available for banknotes. So the ghostly reality grows into Kate's everyday life, further separating her from what most would call a strong anchor in the sea of life, a reliable support and a stone wall. But it is these things that make her much happier than being in a gilded cage of someone else's snobbery.
Жить дальше
Инструмент не твой, если ты на нем не играешь. Правило музыкантов!
Когда героиня "Жизни, которая не стала моей" говорит это, она имеет в виду, только буквальный смысл, не предполагая метафорического значения. Между тем, собственная жизнь давно превратилась в инструмент, на котором она перестала играть. Вернее, внешне все выглядит лучше некуда: сорокалетняя привлекательная обеспеченная и уверенная в себе женщина занимается любимым делом - она музыкальный терапевт, живет в Нью-Йорке и помолвлена с богатым симпатичным Дэном.
На деле, все для нее словно бы закончилось в то утро, когда погиб любимый муж Патрик. Уже двенадцать лет Кейт не чувствует вкуса жизни. Как во сне. Пока, одним прекрасным утром, перебрав на вечеринке по случаю помолвки, не просыпается в той своей жизни, какая могла бы быть, не случись несчастья: муж, с которым они созданы друг для друга, дочь-подросток, талантливая юная пианистка, творческой реализации которой не может помещать врожденная глухота.
Дивный новый мир ярче и звонче реального, и вообще не похож на сновидение или галлюцинацию. Что не мешает ему истаять, оставив героиню с положительным, но нелюбимым женихом. Однако свершилось, та чудесная девочка, дочь, чтобы понимать ее и уметь с ней общаться, когда и если им доведется встретиться вновь, героиня записывается на курсы американского языка глухих. Одновременно, зерно сомнения, годы дремавшее в ее душе, полито и согрето, Кейт все серьезнее задумывается, тот ли человек Дэн, который разделяет ее стремления, одинаковы ли их базовые ценности.
В то время, как для жениха это возможность покупать дизайнерскую одежду, хорошие вина, ужинать в ресторанах, Кейт спокойно относится к атрибутам престижа, но для нее важно приносить реальную пользу, помогать людям. Потому, с готовностью откликается на просьбу помочь в работе с проблемными глухими подростками из программы государственного попечения - сиротами и детьми безответственных родителей.
Это волонтерство, не предполагающее оплаты, но в современном мире подобное распространено шире, чем может казаться. Возможность подарить свое время и силы тем, кто нуждается в помощи, приносит куда более серьезное удовлетворение, чем радости, доступные за дензнаки. Так призрачная реальность прорастает в повседневность Кейт, все дальше разводя ее с тем, что большинство назвало бы крепким якорем в житейском море, надежной опорой и каменной стеной. Но именно эти вещи делают ее куда более счастливой, чем пребывание в золоченой клетке чужого снобизма.
Кристин Хармель, с романом которой "Забвение пахнет корицей" мне довелось познакомиться прежде, известна несколько избыточной, порой раздражающей, идеализацией романтики. Но сюжет выстраивает безупречно, каждая деталь становится его двигателем, и в конечном итоге приводит своего читателя вовсе не к любовным сюсю-мусю, а к самореализации, в ходе которой героиня решает множество проблем и выстраивает новые, более конструктивные отношения с миром и людьми, среди которых партнерские - одни из многих. Важные, но не основополагающие.
Интересная книга о том, что взамен грусти об идеальной жизни-которая-не-станет-твоей, можно что-то сделать с той-которую-живешь. Можно сделать многое.
The instrument is not yours if you don't play it. The rule of musicians!
When the heroine of "The Life that Didn't Become Mine" says this, she means only the literal meaning, without assuming a metaphorical meaning. Meanwhile, her own life has long turned into an instrument on which she stopped playing. Or rather, outwardly everything looks the best: a forty-year-old attractive, wealthy and self-confident woman is doing what she loves - she is a music therapist, lives in New York and is engaged to a rich, handsome Dan.
In fact, everything seemed to end for her on the morning when her beloved husband Patrick died. For twelve years Kate has not felt the taste of life. Like in a dream. Until, one fine morning, having had too much at an engagement party, she does not wake up in her life, which could have been without misfortune: a husband with whom they were created for each other, a teenage daughter, a talented young pianist, whose creative realization cannot be prevented by congenital deafness.
The brave new world is brighter and more resonant than the real one, and does not look like a dream or hallucination at all. That does not prevent him from melting away, leaving the heroine with a positive, but unloved fiance. However, it happened, that wonderful girl, daughter, in order to understand her and be able to communicate with her, when and if they happen to meet again, the heroine signs up for courses in the American language of the deaf. At the same time, the grain of doubt that has been dormant in her soul for years is watered and warmed, Kate is thinking more and more seriously whether Dan is the person who shares her aspirations, whether their basic values are the same.
While for the groom it is an opportunity to buy designer clothes, good wines, dine in restaurants, Kate is calm about the attributes of prestige, but it is important for her to bring real benefits, to help people. Therefore, he readily responds to a request to help in working with problematic deaf teenagers from the state care program - orphans and children of irresponsible parents.
This is volunteering, which does not involve payment, but in the modern world this is more widespread than it may seem. The opportunity to give your time and energy to those who need help brings much more serious satisfaction than the joys available for banknotes. So the ghostly reality grows into Kate's everyday life, further separating her from what most would call a strong anchor in the sea of life, a reliable support and a stone wall. But it is these things that make her much happier than being in a gilded cage of someone else's snobbery.
Жить дальше
Инструмент не твой, если ты на нем не играешь. Правило музыкантов!
Когда героиня "Жизни, которая не стала моей" говорит это, она имеет в виду, только буквальный смысл, не предполагая метафорического значения. Между тем, собственная жизнь давно превратилась в инструмент, на котором она перестала играть. Вернее, внешне все выглядит лучше некуда: сорокалетняя привлекательная обеспеченная и уверенная в себе женщина занимается любимым делом - она музыкальный терапевт, живет в Нью-Йорке и помолвлена с богатым симпатичным Дэном.
На деле, все для нее словно бы закончилось в то утро, когда погиб любимый муж Патрик. Уже двенадцать лет Кейт не чувствует вкуса жизни. Как во сне. Пока, одним прекрасным утром, перебрав на вечеринке по случаю помолвки, не просыпается в той своей жизни, какая могла бы быть, не случись несчастья: муж, с которым они созданы друг для друга, дочь-подросток, талантливая юная пианистка, творческой реализации которой не может помещать врожденная глухота.
Дивный новый мир ярче и звонче реального, и вообще не похож на сновидение или галлюцинацию. Что не мешает ему истаять, оставив героиню с положительным, но нелюбимым женихом. Однако свершилось, та чудесная девочка, дочь, чтобы понимать ее и уметь с ней общаться, когда и если им доведется встретиться вновь, героиня записывается на курсы американского языка глухих. Одновременно, зерно сомнения, годы дремавшее в ее душе, полито и согрето, Кейт все серьезнее задумывается, тот ли человек Дэн, который разделяет ее стремления, одинаковы ли их базовые ценности.
В то время, как для жениха это возможность покупать дизайнерскую одежду, хорошие вина, ужинать в ресторанах, Кейт спокойно относится к атрибутам престижа, но для нее важно приносить реальную пользу, помогать людям. Потому, с готовностью откликается на просьбу помочь в работе с проблемными глухими подростками из программы государственного попечения - сиротами и детьми безответственных родителей.
Это волонтерство, не предполагающее оплаты, но в современном мире подобное распространено шире, чем может казаться. Возможность подарить свое время и силы тем, кто нуждается в помощи, приносит куда более серьезное удовлетворение, чем радости, доступные за дензнаки. Так призрачная реальность прорастает в повседневность Кейт, все дальше разводя ее с тем, что большинство назвало бы крепким якорем в житейском море, надежной опорой и каменной стеной. Но именно эти вещи делают ее куда более счастливой, чем пребывание в золоченой клетке чужого снобизма.
Кристин Хармель, с романом которой "Забвение пахнет корицей" мне довелось познакомиться прежде, известна несколько избыточной, порой раздражающей, идеализацией романтики. Но сюжет выстраивает безупречно, каждая деталь становится его двигателем, и в конечном итоге приводит своего читателя вовсе не к любовным сюсю-мусю, а к самореализации, в ходе которой героиня решает множество проблем и выстраивает новые, более конструктивные отношения с миром и людьми, среди которых партнерские - одни из многих. Важные, но не основополагающие.
Интересная книга о том, что взамен грусти об идеальной жизни-которая-не-станет-твоей, можно что-то сделать с той-которую-живешь. Можно сделать многое.
March 22, 2015
Kate is the center of this story..."connected to all characters"!
Kate's first husband, Patrick dies in a car crash just before he was about to tell her something important that night. (of course we never get to hear what Patrick was going to tell Kate). It doesn't take a brain surgeon to know what he was going to tell her.
Within in the first 8 pages --I knew the major plot & mystery. I continued reading another 320 or so pages to pretty much confirm what I already knew.
I appreciated 'parts' of this novel, yet felt it was dis-jointed --with too many topics introduced that were not fully developed. These topics were never part of the main plot to begin with.
Music Therapy, Autism, Foster Care system, (custody proceedings, parenting preparations, run-a-way kids, etc.), hearing impaired, Sign-language, infertility and adoption. (yet they are introduced to us).
One morning Kate wakes up to Dan..(the man she is newly engaged to). We can hear her inner thoughts -- Kate has reservations about this relationship.
Next day she wakes up to Patrick (her dream death -ghost- 'call-him-what you want' - *love*-husband). She also meets Hannah -'ghost deaf-child'! (pass daughter? ...future daughter? real daughter?)....I won't spoil anything!
Next morning its Dan again..."Hello darling"....Its REALITY! I'm your REAL MAN!!!
Next morning its back Patrick...."An ALTERNATE REALITY"! Awwwwwwww, "You look beautiful Katielie". Or...."you're being weird again".
Kate also meets Andrew at Sign-language class. He becomes her 'special-friend'
Kate meets Allie....(a 12 year old Foster child girl). Kate has good intentions --but what role does she play in this young girls life?
Kate loves Joan ...Her mother-in-law . They have a close relationship. Its simply a nice-cozy-connection!
Kate is friends with Gina...and Susan. We have other characters. ---but its all about KATE...
How does Kate feel? What does Kate need? What is Kate going to do? Will Kate move on? What choice will Kate make. "How is Kate" doing?"
My interest in Kate started to fade. (it happens)
I enjoyed the talented "Ghost-Child", Hannah, playing Beethoven's sonatas. I thought it was moving when she removed her cochlear implant processors and set them on the piano bench. Her inspiration was Beethoven --who was also deaf --like she was.
I also like this quote:
"So you can't compare the present with the past, not really, because you're a different person than you were when Patrick was alive. You have to look forward to the things you want, not back at the things you once had."
When you read a 341 page book --but can see the 'entire' by page 8 --its a little disappointing. This still had tender-heartfelt moments - its just that I didn't have a chance to be on-the-edge-of-my seat with anticipation. I saw too much. Others may absolutely love this novel.
Kristin Harmel's other book, "The Sweetness of Forgetting", is terrific!
Thank you to Gallery Books -- and Goodreads give-a-way -- I 'do' appreciate the generous offer to have received this book in the mail to read.
Kate's first husband, Patrick dies in a car crash just before he was about to tell her something important that night. (of course we never get to hear what Patrick was going to tell Kate). It doesn't take a brain surgeon to know what he was going to tell her.
Within in the first 8 pages --I knew the major plot & mystery. I continued reading another 320 or so pages to pretty much confirm what I already knew.
I appreciated 'parts' of this novel, yet felt it was dis-jointed --with too many topics introduced that were not fully developed. These topics were never part of the main plot to begin with.
Music Therapy, Autism, Foster Care system, (custody proceedings, parenting preparations, run-a-way kids, etc.), hearing impaired, Sign-language, infertility and adoption. (yet they are introduced to us).
One morning Kate wakes up to Dan..(the man she is newly engaged to). We can hear her inner thoughts -- Kate has reservations about this relationship.
Next day she wakes up to Patrick (her dream death -ghost- 'call-him-what you want' - *love*-husband). She also meets Hannah -'ghost deaf-child'! (pass daughter? ...future daughter? real daughter?)....I won't spoil anything!
Next morning its Dan again..."Hello darling"....Its REALITY! I'm your REAL MAN!!!
Next morning its back Patrick...."An ALTERNATE REALITY"! Awwwwwwww, "You look beautiful Katielie". Or...."you're being weird again".
Kate also meets Andrew at Sign-language class. He becomes her 'special-friend'
Kate meets Allie....(a 12 year old Foster child girl). Kate has good intentions --but what role does she play in this young girls life?
Kate loves Joan ...Her mother-in-law . They have a close relationship. Its simply a nice-cozy-connection!
Kate is friends with Gina...and Susan. We have other characters. ---but its all about KATE...
How does Kate feel? What does Kate need? What is Kate going to do? Will Kate move on? What choice will Kate make. "How is Kate" doing?"
My interest in Kate started to fade. (it happens)
I enjoyed the talented "Ghost-Child", Hannah, playing Beethoven's sonatas. I thought it was moving when she removed her cochlear implant processors and set them on the piano bench. Her inspiration was Beethoven --who was also deaf --like she was.
I also like this quote:
"So you can't compare the present with the past, not really, because you're a different person than you were when Patrick was alive. You have to look forward to the things you want, not back at the things you once had."
When you read a 341 page book --but can see the 'entire' by page 8 --its a little disappointing. This still had tender-heartfelt moments - its just that I didn't have a chance to be on-the-edge-of-my seat with anticipation. I saw too much. Others may absolutely love this novel.
Kristin Harmel's other book, "The Sweetness of Forgetting", is terrific!
Thank you to Gallery Books -- and Goodreads give-a-way -- I 'do' appreciate the generous offer to have received this book in the mail to read.
April 14, 2025
A stunning book that is hard hitting, emotional yet so, so raw with all of it all. I absolutely adored this novel.
A book about life, love, loss, moving on and staying put. Incredible. I could not put this book down, I was lost in the depths of it, it challenged my thinking, had me feeling just about everything and I was just glued to the pages until the very end.
After her husband’s sudden death over ten years ago, Kate Waithman never expected to be lucky enough to find another love of her life. But now she’s planning her second walk down the aisle to a perfectly nice man. So why isn’t she more excited?
At first, Kate blames her lack of sleep on stress. But when she starts seeing Patrick, her late husband, in her dreams, she begins to wonder if she’s really ready to move on. Is Patrick trying to tell her something? Attempting to navigate between dreams and reality, Kate must uncover her husband’s hidden message. Her quest leads her to a sign language class and into the New York City foster system, where she finds rewards greater than she could have imagined.
Kate thinks life is great, that it's all she wants and needs. Until one day things in her heart and head start to look around and question it all. The plot in this book is fascinating and really holds on to the reader, it is gritty and very deep. I loved Kate as a character, loved her very much.
I was in bits reading her story, wondering where she would end up, what choices would she make. Which life path ahead? It was pretty tense in places. A great book, recommended highly. A book to curl up with and tell everyone to leave you alone until it's finished.
And just what is Patrick, her ex-husband trying to tell her?
I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley, many thanks for the opportunity to review.
::~~~~~~:::::~~~~~:::::~~~~~:::::~~~~~~::
Thanks so much for reading my review!
I hope you enjoyed it, if you did I’d be delighted if you leave me a “like” and I love to read your comments. If you’d like to connect you can follow me or please send me a friend request.
You can also find me on Amazon U.K. where I am a Top 500 Reviewer.
If you are an Author or Publisher and you’d like me to consider reading and reviewing your book(s) please just message me.
A book about life, love, loss, moving on and staying put. Incredible. I could not put this book down, I was lost in the depths of it, it challenged my thinking, had me feeling just about everything and I was just glued to the pages until the very end.
After her husband’s sudden death over ten years ago, Kate Waithman never expected to be lucky enough to find another love of her life. But now she’s planning her second walk down the aisle to a perfectly nice man. So why isn’t she more excited?
At first, Kate blames her lack of sleep on stress. But when she starts seeing Patrick, her late husband, in her dreams, she begins to wonder if she’s really ready to move on. Is Patrick trying to tell her something? Attempting to navigate between dreams and reality, Kate must uncover her husband’s hidden message. Her quest leads her to a sign language class and into the New York City foster system, where she finds rewards greater than she could have imagined.
Kate thinks life is great, that it's all she wants and needs. Until one day things in her heart and head start to look around and question it all. The plot in this book is fascinating and really holds on to the reader, it is gritty and very deep. I loved Kate as a character, loved her very much.
I was in bits reading her story, wondering where she would end up, what choices would she make. Which life path ahead? It was pretty tense in places. A great book, recommended highly. A book to curl up with and tell everyone to leave you alone until it's finished.
And just what is Patrick, her ex-husband trying to tell her?
I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley, many thanks for the opportunity to review.
::~~~~~~:::::~~~~~:::::~~~~~:::::~~~~~~::
Thanks so much for reading my review!
I hope you enjoyed it, if you did I’d be delighted if you leave me a “like” and I love to read your comments. If you’d like to connect you can follow me or please send me a friend request.
You can also find me on Amazon U.K. where I am a Top 500 Reviewer.
If you are an Author or Publisher and you’d like me to consider reading and reviewing your book(s) please just message me.
June 23, 2016
This book had such an interesting blurb that got my attention but it turned out to be a total disappointment for me.
OK, I am a bit angry so I might not be able to explain myself without spoilers, so sorry about that.
Kate couldn't get over her husband's early death for many years and only after 12 years, she is engaged again. And she is still not sure about it. Then she starts to see dreams that are very vivid, like real. In those dreams, she is still married to Patrick, her husband, and they have a daughter Hannah. But her job is not the same. Her sister doesn't live in the same house or her mother-in-law is ill in that dream whereas she is fine in real life. Blah bla bla...
So, these dreams continue every now and then and she believes that these dreams are telling her something or helping her to find the right way to be happy again. She breaks up with her fiancé because of them, she starts to help children that are hard of hearing because of these dreams as her daughter had this condition in the dream. Whatever she learns in the dreams, she goes and checks in real life and these dreams tell her things that normally she shouldn't know. Paranormal things happen. Even, in one occasion, she cuts her finger in the dream and when she wakes up, her finger is bleeding ! Wow, right! How interesting!
Hmm, so I started to think about many scenarios from parallel universes to other paranormal explanations. As many supernatural things happened, I assumed there would be an explanation for it, right? Because, in our dreams, we normally aren't granted some factual information that we aren't supposed to know, right?
Well, how was it all explained? Or "was it explained at all" would be a better question...
Having finished to read the book, I still don't know how the finger she cut in her dream was bleeding in real life. I still don't know how her dreams showed her who she needed to find with such detailed information?
So, see? Such waste of time...
And by the way, did I say how boring it was? Well, I think I just did :)
It is good to shock the reader with paranormal things so that the reader goes on reading wondering what it is all about but it isn't fair if you aren't going to explain them at all in the end, so I feel kind of being cheated.
OK, I am a bit angry so I might not be able to explain myself without spoilers, so sorry about that.
Kate couldn't get over her husband's early death for many years and only after 12 years, she is engaged again. And she is still not sure about it. Then she starts to see dreams that are very vivid, like real. In those dreams, she is still married to Patrick, her husband, and they have a daughter Hannah. But her job is not the same. Her sister doesn't live in the same house or her mother-in-law is ill in that dream whereas she is fine in real life. Blah bla bla...
So, these dreams continue every now and then and she believes that these dreams are telling her something or helping her to find the right way to be happy again. She breaks up with her fiancé because of them, she starts to help children that are hard of hearing because of these dreams as her daughter had this condition in the dream. Whatever she learns in the dreams, she goes and checks in real life and these dreams tell her things that normally she shouldn't know. Paranormal things happen. Even, in one occasion, she cuts her finger in the dream and when she wakes up, her finger is bleeding ! Wow, right! How interesting!
Hmm, so I started to think about many scenarios from parallel universes to other paranormal explanations. As many supernatural things happened, I assumed there would be an explanation for it, right? Because, in our dreams, we normally aren't granted some factual information that we aren't supposed to know, right?
Well, how was it all explained? Or "was it explained at all" would be a better question...
Having finished to read the book, I still don't know how the finger she cut in her dream was bleeding in real life. I still don't know how her dreams showed her who she needed to find with such detailed information?
So, see? Such waste of time...
And by the way, did I say how boring it was? Well, I think I just did :)
It is good to shock the reader with paranormal things so that the reader goes on reading wondering what it is all about but it isn't fair if you aren't going to explain them at all in the end, so I feel kind of being cheated.
October 6, 2015
Kate’s husband Patrick died twelve year ago. She never expected to meet another man she could love but Dan has been in her life now for a couple of years. Is she ready to make it a more permeant arrangement and commit to marriage again? And if she is why doesn’t she feel more as she did with Patrick? Everyone else seems to like Dan and think he is perfect for her. The reader may have other ideas about that, as I did.
Then Kate starts experiencing what she can only surmise are dreams where she is back in her life with Patrick. But not the life they had early but the life they should have had if he hadn’t died so young. There is also a child, Hannah in this other life. But are they dreams? And if they aren’t what is happening? This is where the reader needs to suspend disbelief. Provided you accept this and you like romance and relationship stories you should enjoy this book. It also covers aspects of childlessness, music therapy, helping others especially the hard of hearing, parenting, fostering and adoption what constitutes a family. I did. Maybe I was just in the mood for something light and whimsical. Despite the fact it also deals with loss and grief, somehow this book manages to mostly pull it off. Only occasionally did I feel I was given a little too much information about sign language.
That aside, I enjoyed this novel. It won’t be everyone’s cup of tea, but I suspect a lot of people will thoroughly enjoy this charming novel and be fully involved in Kate’s story as I was. I do remember telling my husband at one stage I couldn’t wipe up because I had to finish the book. That is always a sign I am completely involved with the characters and the story.
Then Kate starts experiencing what she can only surmise are dreams where she is back in her life with Patrick. But not the life they had early but the life they should have had if he hadn’t died so young. There is also a child, Hannah in this other life. But are they dreams? And if they aren’t what is happening? This is where the reader needs to suspend disbelief. Provided you accept this and you like romance and relationship stories you should enjoy this book. It also covers aspects of childlessness, music therapy, helping others especially the hard of hearing, parenting, fostering and adoption what constitutes a family. I did. Maybe I was just in the mood for something light and whimsical. Despite the fact it also deals with loss and grief, somehow this book manages to mostly pull it off. Only occasionally did I feel I was given a little too much information about sign language.
That aside, I enjoyed this novel. It won’t be everyone’s cup of tea, but I suspect a lot of people will thoroughly enjoy this charming novel and be fully involved in Kate’s story as I was. I do remember telling my husband at one stage I couldn’t wipe up because I had to finish the book. That is always a sign I am completely involved with the characters and the story.
August 31, 2021
3.5 (I am never going to reach my reading goal this year if it takes me four days to read a book) stars.
Honestly, a little bit too clichéd for me. Started off interesting enough and it did hold my interest enough to finish it but … I don't know, something was missing from it. It was a little too sappy. Don't get me wrong, I love a sappy "feel-good" book but, towards the end I was throwing in some eye-rolling, which is never a good sign!
I wonder is this one of this author's earlier books. She is quite prolific now. Some very well known books out there that are on my TBR list. I will probably check out some more by her ...
In one way, there was a bit too much going on. Too many characters, too much happening. I see some reviewers "cried a river of tears" while reading this one. Oops. Didn't realise it was a heartbreaker!
It dragged a bit and then the ending was a bit too quick! I know, never happy, am I?
“So you can't compare the present with the past, not really, because you're a different person than you were … You have to look forward to the things you want, not back at the things you once had.”
Honestly, a little bit too clichéd for me. Started off interesting enough and it did hold my interest enough to finish it but … I don't know, something was missing from it. It was a little too sappy. Don't get me wrong, I love a sappy "feel-good" book but, towards the end I was throwing in some eye-rolling, which is never a good sign!
I wonder is this one of this author's earlier books. She is quite prolific now. Some very well known books out there that are on my TBR list. I will probably check out some more by her ...
In one way, there was a bit too much going on. Too many characters, too much happening. I see some reviewers "cried a river of tears" while reading this one. Oops. Didn't realise it was a heartbreaker!
“The bumps in the road have a funny way of turning into stepping stones”
It dragged a bit and then the ending was a bit too quick! I know, never happy, am I?
July 13, 2017
Ho appena chiuso questo libro e sono in trance.
È il primo libro della Harmel che leggo, ma già so che non sarà affatto l’ultimo! Appena voltata l’ultima pagina sono scoppiata in un bel pianto liberatore, e no non sto scherzando e non sto parlando di lacrime che si limitano a rigare le guance, sto parlando di veri e propri singhiozzi, tanto che mi sono beccata un’occhiata da mia madre come a dire “sicura di stare psicologicamente bene”. Rassicuro tutti: sto bene!
È solo che l’autrice è stata così abile a risucchiarmi nel suo mondo, o meglio nel mondo di Kate, che è impossibile non immedesimarsi! E la storia di Kate è bella tosta!
Kate ha 40 anni, sta per sposarsi con un uomo perfetto, ma una notte in un sogno che sembra splendidamente reale si ritrova di fianco a Patrick. Patrick il suo grande amore, la sua anima gemella, il suo primo marito che le è stato strappato via ormai 12 anni prima in un incidente stradale. Kate è sconvolta, emozionata, confusa. Come può essere Patrick? Perché sembra tutto così reale, vivido, meraviglioso?
Il cuore di Kate palpita, scalpita, viene strizzato in un mix di gioia, angoscia e senso di colpa soprattutto per Dan, il nuovo fidanzato. I sogni però ritornano così potenti da lasciare ogni volta Kate stordita, in più Patrick, nei sogni, non è mai solo con lui c’è sempre una bambina bellissima…
Kate è finita in un universo alternativo? Si tratta solo di agitazione prematrimoniale o quei sogni così dolceamari, stanno cercando di dire qualcosa a Kate?
Mai avrei pensato che un libro del genere avrebbe potuto colpirmi così tanto, in fondo di libri simili ce ne sono a milioni! Eppure l’autrice è stata capace con una semplicità e una dolcezza disarmante, di dar vita a qualcosa di profondo e bellissimo, qualcosa che mi ha colpito al cuore come una palla di cannone! Sono affondata all’istante nel mondo di Kate, nel suo dolore e nel suo amore, nella sua voglia di vivere e di andare avanti, di essere felice nonostante tutto.
Un libro che non parla di morte, dolore e perdita, bensì di vita, di seconde possibilità, di speranza e gioia. Con una storia ben strutturata e mai banale, sempre fluida ed emozionante, con risvolti brillanti e che sciolgono il cuore. Questo libro è dolcezza e musica!
CONSIGLIATISSIMO!
È il primo libro della Harmel che leggo, ma già so che non sarà affatto l’ultimo! Appena voltata l’ultima pagina sono scoppiata in un bel pianto liberatore, e no non sto scherzando e non sto parlando di lacrime che si limitano a rigare le guance, sto parlando di veri e propri singhiozzi, tanto che mi sono beccata un’occhiata da mia madre come a dire “sicura di stare psicologicamente bene”. Rassicuro tutti: sto bene!
È solo che l’autrice è stata così abile a risucchiarmi nel suo mondo, o meglio nel mondo di Kate, che è impossibile non immedesimarsi! E la storia di Kate è bella tosta!
Kate ha 40 anni, sta per sposarsi con un uomo perfetto, ma una notte in un sogno che sembra splendidamente reale si ritrova di fianco a Patrick. Patrick il suo grande amore, la sua anima gemella, il suo primo marito che le è stato strappato via ormai 12 anni prima in un incidente stradale. Kate è sconvolta, emozionata, confusa. Come può essere Patrick? Perché sembra tutto così reale, vivido, meraviglioso?
Il cuore di Kate palpita, scalpita, viene strizzato in un mix di gioia, angoscia e senso di colpa soprattutto per Dan, il nuovo fidanzato. I sogni però ritornano così potenti da lasciare ogni volta Kate stordita, in più Patrick, nei sogni, non è mai solo con lui c’è sempre una bambina bellissima…
Kate è finita in un universo alternativo? Si tratta solo di agitazione prematrimoniale o quei sogni così dolceamari, stanno cercando di dire qualcosa a Kate?
Mai avrei pensato che un libro del genere avrebbe potuto colpirmi così tanto, in fondo di libri simili ce ne sono a milioni! Eppure l’autrice è stata capace con una semplicità e una dolcezza disarmante, di dar vita a qualcosa di profondo e bellissimo, qualcosa che mi ha colpito al cuore come una palla di cannone! Sono affondata all’istante nel mondo di Kate, nel suo dolore e nel suo amore, nella sua voglia di vivere e di andare avanti, di essere felice nonostante tutto.
Un libro che non parla di morte, dolore e perdita, bensì di vita, di seconde possibilità, di speranza e gioia. Con una storia ben strutturata e mai banale, sempre fluida ed emozionante, con risvolti brillanti e che sciolgono il cuore. Questo libro è dolcezza e musica!
CONSIGLIATISSIMO!
December 31, 2014
At the start of a new relationship, a young widow begins to have vivid dreams about her dead husband. The dreams make the woman begin to doubt her decision to get married again. They also make her question some parts of her current career and lead her to a new dimension of her work. Kristin Harmel gives readers this plot in the somewhat touching but mostly lopsided novel The Life Intended.
Kate Waithman has spent the last 12 years mourning her husband. His death in an accident left her reeling, and in some ways she still hasn’t regained her balance in life. Still, life has moved on without her. At some point she meets Dan, and she lets him in to her life and her heart. Or so she thinks.
When Dan proposes Kate accepts with some reservation. She can’t forget Patrick, her first husband, and soon after agreeing to marry Dan the memories get stronger. Kate begins having vivid dreams about Patrick. The dreams, however, aren’t about times past. They’re about Kate’s present—an alternate present in which Patrick is alive and he and Kate have a child.
The dreams shock Kate and they make her miss Patrick. When she receives the news that she can’t have children, Kate feels an ache for the daughter in her dreams. Dan, her new fiancé, feels indifferent toward children, but Kate’s diagnosis and her dream child make her want them. These differences and her dreams increase Kate’s stress. When a new friend introduces her to a different element of her career, Kate starts questioning all of her life choices.
Author Harmel gives readers a story that, to an extent, is touching. Kate’s grief and loss ring true, exhibiting the loss of normalcy a person experiences when a spouse dies at a young age. Because Harmel chose to use the first person point of view for the book, however, Kate’s grief becomes a liability about a third of the way through the story. Readers never get to spend time with other characters, and as a result the only ideas and thoughts that take precedence are Kate’s.
Dan, her new fiancé, comes across as a stock character, the jerk who doesn’t care about her personal desires or professional goals. The memories of Patrick reveal an ideal, almost saintly, husband who puts Kate’s feelings ahead of his own. The other supporting characters fall into line, revealing nothing new or interesting. As a result the book comes across as heavy on emotion and light on feeling.
Kate’s dreams, while intriguing at first, soon morph into one long boring diatribe. Every dream follows exactly the same pattern, and all of them start and end with heavy-handed descriptions of Kate’s grief. In those moments when she should revel in the “return” of her husband, all she can think about is how he isn’t a part of her life anymore.
The one redeeming factor comes in the form of Kate’s work as a music therapist. Unfortunately her career in its positivity sticks out as an unnatural portion of the book; Kate finds some solace in her work but doesn’t find it anywhere else. Because she spends so much time thinking about Patrick and her dreams, the career portions of the story feel light on heft and importance.
I would recommend readers Bypass The Life Intended.
Kate Waithman has spent the last 12 years mourning her husband. His death in an accident left her reeling, and in some ways she still hasn’t regained her balance in life. Still, life has moved on without her. At some point she meets Dan, and she lets him in to her life and her heart. Or so she thinks.
When Dan proposes Kate accepts with some reservation. She can’t forget Patrick, her first husband, and soon after agreeing to marry Dan the memories get stronger. Kate begins having vivid dreams about Patrick. The dreams, however, aren’t about times past. They’re about Kate’s present—an alternate present in which Patrick is alive and he and Kate have a child.
The dreams shock Kate and they make her miss Patrick. When she receives the news that she can’t have children, Kate feels an ache for the daughter in her dreams. Dan, her new fiancé, feels indifferent toward children, but Kate’s diagnosis and her dream child make her want them. These differences and her dreams increase Kate’s stress. When a new friend introduces her to a different element of her career, Kate starts questioning all of her life choices.
Author Harmel gives readers a story that, to an extent, is touching. Kate’s grief and loss ring true, exhibiting the loss of normalcy a person experiences when a spouse dies at a young age. Because Harmel chose to use the first person point of view for the book, however, Kate’s grief becomes a liability about a third of the way through the story. Readers never get to spend time with other characters, and as a result the only ideas and thoughts that take precedence are Kate’s.
Dan, her new fiancé, comes across as a stock character, the jerk who doesn’t care about her personal desires or professional goals. The memories of Patrick reveal an ideal, almost saintly, husband who puts Kate’s feelings ahead of his own. The other supporting characters fall into line, revealing nothing new or interesting. As a result the book comes across as heavy on emotion and light on feeling.
Kate’s dreams, while intriguing at first, soon morph into one long boring diatribe. Every dream follows exactly the same pattern, and all of them start and end with heavy-handed descriptions of Kate’s grief. In those moments when she should revel in the “return” of her husband, all she can think about is how he isn’t a part of her life anymore.
The one redeeming factor comes in the form of Kate’s work as a music therapist. Unfortunately her career in its positivity sticks out as an unnatural portion of the book; Kate finds some solace in her work but doesn’t find it anywhere else. Because she spends so much time thinking about Patrick and her dreams, the career portions of the story feel light on heft and importance.
I would recommend readers Bypass The Life Intended.
November 20, 2014
I would like to begin my review by thanking Net Galley and Gallery Books for an ARC of Kristin Harmel's amazing book!
Where do I begin...I have been mesmerized by this book for days. If I hadn't been working and taking care of children, I would have just read it straight through beginning to end.
She grabbed me at the beginning, had me in tears practically in the first few pages. This book has tugged at my heartstrings from page one. In some ways I feel that I have a real connection to Kate and what she has been through. I may not have had the tragedy she had with losing her husband suddenly, but I have had loved ones disappear from my life for one reason or another and have often wondered where my place was in this life and what I was really meant to do.
I feel as if I was meant to find this book and read it and make connections to my life and where I need to go and what I need to do. I need to move on as well and be happy and live my life, the one that I was Intended to Have.
Kate has these dreams about Patrick that she can't understand and she tries to get passed them but they are so real. She at first thinks it's stress or her not so perfect relationship leading her to imagine this other life. The life she knew she was supposed to have if had been turned upside down over ten years ago.
Are these dreams trying to tell her something? She weaves through different events from ASL Sign Language classes, to new hard of hearing clients and so on trying to find where she is suppose to be in life.
This is an amazing story that you won't be able to put down, actually you won't want to put it down.
I highly recommend this book!
Where do I begin...I have been mesmerized by this book for days. If I hadn't been working and taking care of children, I would have just read it straight through beginning to end.
She grabbed me at the beginning, had me in tears practically in the first few pages. This book has tugged at my heartstrings from page one. In some ways I feel that I have a real connection to Kate and what she has been through. I may not have had the tragedy she had with losing her husband suddenly, but I have had loved ones disappear from my life for one reason or another and have often wondered where my place was in this life and what I was really meant to do.
I feel as if I was meant to find this book and read it and make connections to my life and where I need to go and what I need to do. I need to move on as well and be happy and live my life, the one that I was Intended to Have.
Kate has these dreams about Patrick that she can't understand and she tries to get passed them but they are so real. She at first thinks it's stress or her not so perfect relationship leading her to imagine this other life. The life she knew she was supposed to have if had been turned upside down over ten years ago.
Are these dreams trying to tell her something? She weaves through different events from ASL Sign Language classes, to new hard of hearing clients and so on trying to find where she is suppose to be in life.
This is an amazing story that you won't be able to put down, actually you won't want to put it down.
I highly recommend this book!
February 23, 2015
Can I just say firstly that this book made me cry exactly 3 times? That's 3 times more then I usually cry over books. I cried at the first chapter, I cried at the second chapter and I cried at the epilogue. And the rest of the time I was just heartbroken. I was wrecked with this book and now I have a serious book hangover.
Okay. Calm down Cam. Professional mode: ON.
This book has definitely made my list as being one of the best books of 2014. It was engaging, sweet, honest and the characters were lovable and real. I enjoyed the storyline so incredibly much. It almost felt like I was reading a true story. Which is strange because the book has so many coincidences that you would never imagine would happen in real life. Yet the book still felt surprisingly real and not at all like a fantasy novel or anything like that. Not that it even is in the fantasy genre.
I really enjoyed watching Kate struggle to get over Patrick and learning through the dreams how to finally be happy. I think my favourite part was the epilogue. When she had that final dream of Patrick but how she was so contented with her own life that she no longer felt that burning desire to stay like she did when she first got the dreams.
This book is not yet published but it will be incredibly soon. I would advise everyone to grab a copy as soon as it goes on sale because you don't want to miss this incredible read.
Okay. Calm down Cam. Professional mode: ON.
This book has definitely made my list as being one of the best books of 2014. It was engaging, sweet, honest and the characters were lovable and real. I enjoyed the storyline so incredibly much. It almost felt like I was reading a true story. Which is strange because the book has so many coincidences that you would never imagine would happen in real life. Yet the book still felt surprisingly real and not at all like a fantasy novel or anything like that. Not that it even is in the fantasy genre.
I really enjoyed watching Kate struggle to get over Patrick and learning through the dreams how to finally be happy. I think my favourite part was the epilogue. When she had that final dream of Patrick but how she was so contented with her own life that she no longer felt that burning desire to stay like she did when she first got the dreams.
This book is not yet published but it will be incredibly soon. I would advise everyone to grab a copy as soon as it goes on sale because you don't want to miss this incredible read.
January 27, 2021
This is a well-written, fast paced, entertaining novel of love, loss, and finding love again. It is a tear-jerker with likable, engaging, well-developed characters, heartbreak, a heart warming romance, and a happily ever after ending.
April 10, 2015
What an amazing and beautiful story... loved every word! This is one of those books that makes you stop and think about all of the little moments in your life that matter most. Moments that we usually take for granted until they are gone. I knew this was going to be an emotional read. Yes, I definitely shed a few tears. But, it was also surprisingly suspenseful. The dreams/visions Kate was having with her deceased husband had me on edge and quickly turning the pages. What did they mean??
Kate lost her husband Patrick twelve years ago. In an attempt to finally move on with her life she decides to settle into a relationship with Dan with the nudging encouragement of her friends and family. She begins having very vivid dreams of an alternate life with her deceased husband Patrick... the life she was intended to have. The dreams are upsettingly painful and real. Kate found herself wanting to stay in this alternate world where everything was playing out as it should have. Or, at least that's what she thought. These dreams reveal situations and truths to her that would be impossible for her to know and forces her to take a closer look at the life she is presently living. Kate finds herself questioning everything about her present life and whether or not she is doing what would make her feel happy and fulfilled.
I loved how the author so beautifully tied the dreams with reality. The progression of the suspense was perfect and had me guessing all the way to the end of the book. And, the way everything came full circle in the end was utter perfection!
My favorite part of the story was the inclusion of the silver dollars. The way the silver dollars ended up being one of the biggest signs of all in the end made my heart happy. Don't think I'll ever look at a silver dollar again without thinking about this book. It was so touching...
This is a book I would definitely recommend to anyone who likes to read stories that touch on the emotions and makes you look at life with a new set of eyes. My favorite lesson I learned from this book??
Sometimes bumps in the road lead you to better places. :)
This book was provided for review by the XOXpert Street Team!
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Kate lost her husband Patrick twelve years ago. In an attempt to finally move on with her life she decides to settle into a relationship with Dan with the nudging encouragement of her friends and family. She begins having very vivid dreams of an alternate life with her deceased husband Patrick... the life she was intended to have. The dreams are upsettingly painful and real. Kate found herself wanting to stay in this alternate world where everything was playing out as it should have. Or, at least that's what she thought. These dreams reveal situations and truths to her that would be impossible for her to know and forces her to take a closer look at the life she is presently living. Kate finds herself questioning everything about her present life and whether or not she is doing what would make her feel happy and fulfilled.
I loved how the author so beautifully tied the dreams with reality. The progression of the suspense was perfect and had me guessing all the way to the end of the book. And, the way everything came full circle in the end was utter perfection!
My favorite part of the story was the inclusion of the silver dollars. The way the silver dollars ended up being one of the biggest signs of all in the end made my heart happy. Don't think I'll ever look at a silver dollar again without thinking about this book. It was so touching...
This is a book I would definitely recommend to anyone who likes to read stories that touch on the emotions and makes you look at life with a new set of eyes. My favorite lesson I learned from this book??
Sometimes bumps in the road lead you to better places. :)
This book was provided for review by the XOXpert Street Team!
Follow us on
KT Book Reviews
September 14, 2015
A warm-hearted, feel good kind of book, which, if you can put your cynicism aside and suspend your disbelief for long enough, is very enjoyable to read. I also liked learning about musical therapy and deafness. The ending was a bit over the top and far fetched, but somehow, it worked. A great palate cleanser between more 'serious' books.
March 12, 2015
Originally posted on This Chick Reads
*Copy provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review*
WHAT A BOOK!
What a brilliant, poignant yet uplifting, thought-provoking story!
I was thrilled to see a copy of ‘The Life Intended’ in my post and it was one of the best surprises ever. This book was out in the US at the end of last year, so I’ve heard many of my US blogging friends say it’s a book not to be missed! I actually have read one of Ms Harmel’s books before, ‘After’ back in 2012 and boy, I remember I cried buckets while reading.
In my opinion, ‘The Life Intended’ is simply perfect. It’s one great package of brilliant writing, characters who feel so real, detailed scenes, lots of research, beautiful cover and a great title which suits the whole story.
Ever imagined what your life would turn out to be if that THING never happened? If you didn’t meet your husband, picked a different college, bought the house next door? Choices, life is all about choices. Each thing we do leads our life on a certain path, even the teeny tiny choices as choosing our favorite coffee shop.
Kate Waithman is happily married to Patrick, sweetest, kindest man. They are deeply in love and so supportive of each other. But one car accident, one single moment of the driver not paying attention to the road, changes it all. Patrick is found dead at the scene and Kate is left to morn the loss. It takes her a lot of effort, and even years (actually decade) to move on and try to let someone in her life again. Of course, she still thinks of Patrick and often wonders what her life would have been like if he didn’t die.
Especially when she starts having these dreams seeing Patrick and what appears to be her daughter, the child they didn’t have in this life. Is she going insane? Is Patrick trying to tell her something? What about the sweet girl, the daughter who’s bringing out all these motherly feelings out of her?
That is the life she was intended to have, she was supposed to be with Patrick and her daughter. Bit by bit, with every dream of her family she was supposed to have, Kate starts reevaluating her life and where it’s headed. As a music therapists she searches for a new way to help hard of hearing children, thinking she owes at least that much to her own daughter who’s hard of hearing.
Oh boy, this is one beautiful and heart breaking book. It’s definitely one of the best books I’ve ever read and one that stays with you long after you close its pages. The writing is so rich, so detailed, and everything simply flows. It’s thought-provoking and even life changing. Each of us could be Kate, what is the life we were intended to have? Beautiful and emotional, prepare to be swept off your feet from page one. Just incredible!
February 11, 2015
This is one hell of a read. I can't tell you too much, as I want you to experience this roller coaster of emotions yourself. You will laugh, you will cry, you will get frustrated, you will sometimes think, "where is this author going with this" but let me tell you, she does a unique storyline that kept me hooked over the Christmas season.
This is mixed emotions at its highest, at its apex.
When Kate lost her first husband, she never expected to find true love again. The thing is, can you escape from your last love. How do you not take some of it with you into a new relationship? When Kate gets these dreams, premonitions, or whatever you want to call it, she gets to a stage where she is totally mixed up.
At times I thought Kate would just give up on life.
These "dreams" she keeps having, she needs to understand them. Is she reading them right? Is she understanding what she is dreaming? Is it her first husband sending her messages?
Death, love and loss.
All of us have experienced it in one depth or another.
There is no time limit on grief. There is no right way to do it, wrong way to do it, there is no schedule, no book to tell you what you should feel, how you should feel or how you should act.
I have to say that Kristin Harmel is an author I need to seek out more, this book had me entranced throughout. I know a lot of reviewers say "I couldn't put this book down" I read all the cliches too LOL, but I really and truly had to stick with this book. Yep, I had to put it down to go to sleep, but I needed to get back to it with an urge that I haven't had for a few weeks now, where a book stays open in your mind all day eventhough you can't get to it until later!
I must thank Gallery, Threshold, Pocket Books via Net Galley for allowing me to read and leave a review of this book. I truly loved it.
This is mixed emotions at its highest, at its apex.
When Kate lost her first husband, she never expected to find true love again. The thing is, can you escape from your last love. How do you not take some of it with you into a new relationship? When Kate gets these dreams, premonitions, or whatever you want to call it, she gets to a stage where she is totally mixed up.
At times I thought Kate would just give up on life.
These "dreams" she keeps having, she needs to understand them. Is she reading them right? Is she understanding what she is dreaming? Is it her first husband sending her messages?
Death, love and loss.
All of us have experienced it in one depth or another.
There is no time limit on grief. There is no right way to do it, wrong way to do it, there is no schedule, no book to tell you what you should feel, how you should feel or how you should act.
I have to say that Kristin Harmel is an author I need to seek out more, this book had me entranced throughout. I know a lot of reviewers say "I couldn't put this book down" I read all the cliches too LOL, but I really and truly had to stick with this book. Yep, I had to put it down to go to sleep, but I needed to get back to it with an urge that I haven't had for a few weeks now, where a book stays open in your mind all day eventhough you can't get to it until later!
I must thank Gallery, Threshold, Pocket Books via Net Galley for allowing me to read and leave a review of this book. I truly loved it.
June 23, 2016
Br with dilek and this book is a first which we totally disagree about the rating:)))
This was a nice and captivating read for me even its epilogue was not satisfyin enough.
This plot is becoming my favorite day by day. Sliding doors was a perfect movie and this book made me want to watch it again.
This book was about kate and patrick mostly. Patrick died in a car accident when he was in his late twenties. After 12 years kat couldnt left her past behind. She knew sth is off. When her boyfriend Dan proposes her she starts seing a parallel universe where she still married with patric and they have a daughter. And those dreams although everyone around her worried about those dreams and they thought all those dreams are because of her lack of sleep and stress kat knew patrick tries to show her sth else. And those dreams of her lead her to a totally different and happy life:)
I think this book needs a different epilogue. But i loved the writers writing style and plot alot :)))
I think this book worth a try:)))
This was a nice and captivating read for me even its epilogue was not satisfyin enough.
This plot is becoming my favorite day by day. Sliding doors was a perfect movie and this book made me want to watch it again.
This book was about kate and patrick mostly. Patrick died in a car accident when he was in his late twenties. After 12 years kat couldnt left her past behind. She knew sth is off. When her boyfriend Dan proposes her she starts seing a parallel universe where she still married with patric and they have a daughter. And those dreams although everyone around her worried about those dreams and they thought all those dreams are because of her lack of sleep and stress kat knew patrick tries to show her sth else. And those dreams of her lead her to a totally different and happy life:)
I think this book needs a different epilogue. But i loved the writers writing style and plot alot :)))
I think this book worth a try:)))
February 2, 2015
I found this book so trite, so cliche, and so lacking in sophistication. It seems to be written for a middle schooler with such simplistic a writing style. I am really perplexed to see all the positive reviews. Just not for me at all . So predictable and basically soap opera content and worse…Sorry ...
May 3, 2015
3.5 I Was Meant To Be Yours Stars
When Katie meets Dan after the loss of her husband Patrick he is so perfect for her, her family tell her that she is so lucky. Katie loves him and he loves her and adores her. So when he proposes with a beautiful Tiffany ring she should be ecstatic but something doesn't feel right....
Because..... from that night of the proposal Patrick returns. But how can that be possible Patrick was killed 12 years ago.
These dreams are so real for Katie, because thats what it is just a dream? Its like Katie and Patrick are living a life in another dimension and then theres Hannah!!!
But is it that Patrick is trying to tell her something?
As the dreams start to take over, Dan and her family worry that its just wedding nerves but slowly it takes her down a path where reality and the rewards waiting will change her life forever.
My thoughts...
I've waited a few days before doing this review as I have very mixed emotions of this story.
Let me start out and say this is a beautiful story. Its a story of loss, love and a happy ever after.
The first part of the story I was blown away, I had permanent chills. I felt this small tear escaping as I read but please note this is not a sad book. Its very uplifting.
I so wanted to give it 5 Stars I just didn't get that WOW!!!! feeling I was hoping to get by the time I finished it...
But I take nothing away from this wonderful tale of love, loss and love again.
“I knew before I met you— ” he adds, looking into my eyes. “— that I was meant to be yours,”
When Katie meets Dan after the loss of her husband Patrick he is so perfect for her, her family tell her that she is so lucky. Katie loves him and he loves her and adores her. So when he proposes with a beautiful Tiffany ring she should be ecstatic but something doesn't feel right....
Because..... from that night of the proposal Patrick returns. But how can that be possible Patrick was killed 12 years ago.
These dreams are so real for Katie, because thats what it is just a dream? Its like Katie and Patrick are living a life in another dimension and then theres Hannah!!!
But is it that Patrick is trying to tell her something?
As the dreams start to take over, Dan and her family worry that its just wedding nerves but slowly it takes her down a path where reality and the rewards waiting will change her life forever.
My thoughts...
I've waited a few days before doing this review as I have very mixed emotions of this story.
Let me start out and say this is a beautiful story. Its a story of loss, love and a happy ever after.
The first part of the story I was blown away, I had permanent chills. I felt this small tear escaping as I read but please note this is not a sad book. Its very uplifting.
I so wanted to give it 5 Stars I just didn't get that WOW!!!! feeling I was hoping to get by the time I finished it...
But I take nothing away from this wonderful tale of love, loss and love again.
“I knew before I met you— ” he adds, looking into my eyes. “— that I was meant to be yours,”
April 18, 2015
Harmel has depicted a wonderful story about exploring the what-if's, dealing with loss, learning how to move on, and finding what matters most. The story line also centers on foster care and hearing impaired children. I am pleased with the surprise ending and how it wrapped the book up nicely. Lots of great quotes in this novel but I chose this one to share: “Maybe life isn’t suppose to be a cakewalk. Maybe the greatest things in life come from the greatest challenges.”
May 17, 2020
5 Stars!
I am truly speechless over this book.
Quite simply a perfect read. This book will make you grieve and feel sadness and then will slowly bring you to a place of such peace and rest. It's very magical, heart-warming, and hopeful.
Any other words will only get in the way of it's impact. Go in blind.
The Life Intended receives my highest recommendation.
I am truly speechless over this book.
Quite simply a perfect read. This book will make you grieve and feel sadness and then will slowly bring you to a place of such peace and rest. It's very magical, heart-warming, and hopeful.
Any other words will only get in the way of it's impact. Go in blind.
The Life Intended receives my highest recommendation.
December 13, 2014
A Recommended Read! Will also be posted at TBRMountainRange.com with other Recommended Reads.
This book begs to be read and interpreted by the reader without telling you why, other than you need to experience it, if not for its amazing journey, then maybe because it is so unusual and ingenious. It's that special.
Kate remembers that fateful day as if it was yesterday. The day her husband Patrick came home late without calling her and she realized he had met up with an ex-girlfriend. Of course she was jealous and hurt, even though Patrick claimed innocence and was extremely excited about something he wanted to share with her at dinner the next night. As tragic fate steps in, the very next morning, before they can have that dinner the next day, Patrick is killed by a drunk driver on his way to a client meeting.
Twelve years later, Kate is still grieving the loss of her husband and their life as it was intended to be. She's trying to move on, has a steady boyfriend who loves her and proposes marriage. Can she accept her life as it is now and marry the man who seems perfect in every way?
Kate is a music therapist who works with kids with special needs. She hopes to be a mother someday herself but finds out she's infertile from her doctor the day Dan proposes in front of her family and friends. Will this change her relationship with Dan, or will they work out their future around this major life obstacle?
As she's contemplating how her life has changed since she married Patrick and how it is about to change once again when she marries Dan, Kate begins to have vivid dreams of Patrick who died twelve years ago. If she thinks too hard about her reality, the dream fades away and she's once again in her real life and not in the dream life that feels so very precious. What do the dreams mean, and can she face real life without wishing she was living in her dream world, forever?
This is one of those very unusual plots that is hard to categorize. Some may think of it as spiritual, while others may think of it as having paranormal elements, and then some may think of it as intuitive. There may even be some who will stop reading too soon because they have doubts and can't extend their belief long enough to get to the point of the story. I hate to classify this book or even review it at all because I don't want to give you any preconceived notions, or keep you from reading this book with my effort at describing it. It's that special but also difficult to explain without you experiencing it in the order and the way it is written. It begs to be read and interpreted by the reader without telling you why, other than you need to experience it, if not for its amazing journey, then maybe because it is so unusual and ingenious.
There were some moments when I couldn't help but wonder where this plot was going, or how author Kristin Harmel was going to get us there, as well as if I'd find it believable and satisfying. I can't tell you why I had these feelings because I don't want to spoil the story for you. It's really better if you know nothing going in so you can feel it as it happens. The best part of this novel is trying to guess what you think will happen next and why the character is experiencing what she does, and whether you can even grasp her reasoning. Even though you think you know what's going to happen, there are some details that are surprising as well as emotionally gripping. This book delves into the numerous aspects of love and its many glorious renderings, from love to loss to loving again. Beautiful and poignant—the tears will flow in sadness and joy and the impact of this well-layered, multifaceted novel will stay with you for a very long time after reading the last page.
I cried like a baby for Kate. She's a hot mess and yet, she's trying so hard to figure out the meaning behind all the circumstances that seem to tie her to what could have been her future. So beautiful. I also sometimes wanted to shake her because I was so afraid she was about to give up on life. Kate is complex and yet, she has so much to say to each of us about dealing with loss in the most compassionate way without losing part of ourselves in the process. Also, even though there are some heart-breaking moments, this novel is joyful with a romantic element that makes so much sense when it's finally revealed.
THE LIFE INTENDED is an excellent and powerful portrayal of conflicted emotions. The plot is unexpected and very clever, as well as emotionally riveting. If you love to experience a moving, mystifying, effervescent story based on the diversity and intensity of love, then try THE LIFE INTENDED. I highly recommend it.
Reviewed by Dorine, courtesy of Romance Junkies. ARC provided by NetGalley.
This book begs to be read and interpreted by the reader without telling you why, other than you need to experience it, if not for its amazing journey, then maybe because it is so unusual and ingenious. It's that special.
Kate remembers that fateful day as if it was yesterday. The day her husband Patrick came home late without calling her and she realized he had met up with an ex-girlfriend. Of course she was jealous and hurt, even though Patrick claimed innocence and was extremely excited about something he wanted to share with her at dinner the next night. As tragic fate steps in, the very next morning, before they can have that dinner the next day, Patrick is killed by a drunk driver on his way to a client meeting.
Twelve years later, Kate is still grieving the loss of her husband and their life as it was intended to be. She's trying to move on, has a steady boyfriend who loves her and proposes marriage. Can she accept her life as it is now and marry the man who seems perfect in every way?
Kate is a music therapist who works with kids with special needs. She hopes to be a mother someday herself but finds out she's infertile from her doctor the day Dan proposes in front of her family and friends. Will this change her relationship with Dan, or will they work out their future around this major life obstacle?
As she's contemplating how her life has changed since she married Patrick and how it is about to change once again when she marries Dan, Kate begins to have vivid dreams of Patrick who died twelve years ago. If she thinks too hard about her reality, the dream fades away and she's once again in her real life and not in the dream life that feels so very precious. What do the dreams mean, and can she face real life without wishing she was living in her dream world, forever?
This is one of those very unusual plots that is hard to categorize. Some may think of it as spiritual, while others may think of it as having paranormal elements, and then some may think of it as intuitive. There may even be some who will stop reading too soon because they have doubts and can't extend their belief long enough to get to the point of the story. I hate to classify this book or even review it at all because I don't want to give you any preconceived notions, or keep you from reading this book with my effort at describing it. It's that special but also difficult to explain without you experiencing it in the order and the way it is written. It begs to be read and interpreted by the reader without telling you why, other than you need to experience it, if not for its amazing journey, then maybe because it is so unusual and ingenious.
There were some moments when I couldn't help but wonder where this plot was going, or how author Kristin Harmel was going to get us there, as well as if I'd find it believable and satisfying. I can't tell you why I had these feelings because I don't want to spoil the story for you. It's really better if you know nothing going in so you can feel it as it happens. The best part of this novel is trying to guess what you think will happen next and why the character is experiencing what she does, and whether you can even grasp her reasoning. Even though you think you know what's going to happen, there are some details that are surprising as well as emotionally gripping. This book delves into the numerous aspects of love and its many glorious renderings, from love to loss to loving again. Beautiful and poignant—the tears will flow in sadness and joy and the impact of this well-layered, multifaceted novel will stay with you for a very long time after reading the last page.
I cried like a baby for Kate. She's a hot mess and yet, she's trying so hard to figure out the meaning behind all the circumstances that seem to tie her to what could have been her future. So beautiful. I also sometimes wanted to shake her because I was so afraid she was about to give up on life. Kate is complex and yet, she has so much to say to each of us about dealing with loss in the most compassionate way without losing part of ourselves in the process. Also, even though there are some heart-breaking moments, this novel is joyful with a romantic element that makes so much sense when it's finally revealed.
THE LIFE INTENDED is an excellent and powerful portrayal of conflicted emotions. The plot is unexpected and very clever, as well as emotionally riveting. If you love to experience a moving, mystifying, effervescent story based on the diversity and intensity of love, then try THE LIFE INTENDED. I highly recommend it.
Reviewed by Dorine, courtesy of Romance Junkies. ARC provided by NetGalley.
April 11, 2015
This was such a sweet, thoughtful book. It's been 12 years since Kate's husband, Patrick, died, and Kate's kind of been going through the motions of life without truly feeling happy. After she gets engaged to Dan, a guy who everyone agrees is great (albeit very different from Patrick), Kate begins having vivid dreams that feel like reality - dreams of an alternate life where Patrick never died and they have a daughter, Hannah. At first Kate thinks these dreams are simply the product of stress, but soon she begins thinking that maybe they're not dreams at all but the life she was meant to live. In the dreams, Hannah is deaf, so Kate begins to learn sign language in real life, hoping to better communicate with Hannah in the dreams, and this leads her to get to know a nice social worker, Andrew, and become involved with deaf foster children.
There was so much I loved about this book! Kate's emotions were so well drawn and seemed so realistic, and it was so easy to fall into her life and believe that her two lives (in the dreams and in reality) were real. All the characters in here were so well rounded; there were no "good" nor "bad" characters, simply people. The comparison between Patrick in Kate's dreams and Dan is her life was very striking - Kate seemed so happy with Patrick, like everything simply fit, whereas she holds Dan a little further away, almost scared to truly be herself because of how it ended with Patrick. The emotions in here were so strong, and I felt like the author did an amazing jobs at capturing what life in general felt like. Even the minor supporting characters were well done.
I really liked Kate's journey in here, not just trying to figure out what her "real" life was but also the way that she grew internally and kind of came to terms with a lot of things she'd been attempting to ignore. Her journey was paced perfectly and seemed completely authentic. I enjoyed seeing her learn sign language and expand her horizons (and comfort zones!) by doing something completely new and different. There were also a lot of really nice thoughts throughout the book about how she'd changed and the ways in which the version of herself in her dreams was great because she had Patrick and Hannah, yet also not quite as fulfilled in other ways because she hadn't changed from Patrick's death and wasn't nearly as aware of how every moment was something to be savored. The author did a great job at showing how single events changed the course of lives in so many ways, both expected and unexpected.
The only part of the book that didn't feel quite realistic to me was when Kate worked with some of the foster kids and they all seemed to warm up to her very quickly. I felt like it happened too easily and that there really wasn't a struggle; it was too simple. This kind of took me out of the story because the progress with the kids was just so quick. It was especially disconcerting because the rest of Kate's progress seemed so balanced and this was just not nearly as complex.
Despite this one complaint, I really did enjoy the rest of the book a lot. The author did an amazing job making the entire thing feel so realistic and heartfelt. I had a very hard time putting the book down once I started and am very glad I read this. Very enjoyable!
There was so much I loved about this book! Kate's emotions were so well drawn and seemed so realistic, and it was so easy to fall into her life and believe that her two lives (in the dreams and in reality) were real. All the characters in here were so well rounded; there were no "good" nor "bad" characters, simply people. The comparison between Patrick in Kate's dreams and Dan is her life was very striking - Kate seemed so happy with Patrick, like everything simply fit, whereas she holds Dan a little further away, almost scared to truly be herself because of how it ended with Patrick. The emotions in here were so strong, and I felt like the author did an amazing jobs at capturing what life in general felt like. Even the minor supporting characters were well done.
I really liked Kate's journey in here, not just trying to figure out what her "real" life was but also the way that she grew internally and kind of came to terms with a lot of things she'd been attempting to ignore. Her journey was paced perfectly and seemed completely authentic. I enjoyed seeing her learn sign language and expand her horizons (and comfort zones!) by doing something completely new and different. There were also a lot of really nice thoughts throughout the book about how she'd changed and the ways in which the version of herself in her dreams was great because she had Patrick and Hannah, yet also not quite as fulfilled in other ways because she hadn't changed from Patrick's death and wasn't nearly as aware of how every moment was something to be savored. The author did a great job at showing how single events changed the course of lives in so many ways, both expected and unexpected.
The only part of the book that didn't feel quite realistic to me was when Kate worked with some of the foster kids and they all seemed to warm up to her very quickly. I felt like it happened too easily and that there really wasn't a struggle; it was too simple. This kind of took me out of the story because the progress with the kids was just so quick. It was especially disconcerting because the rest of Kate's progress seemed so balanced and this was just not nearly as complex.
Despite this one complaint, I really did enjoy the rest of the book a lot. The author did an amazing job making the entire thing feel so realistic and heartfelt. I had a very hard time putting the book down once I started and am very glad I read this. Very enjoyable!
April 10, 2021
I think fans of heartfelt women’s fiction are going to wholeheartedly embrace Kate’s emotional journey. Her struggle with grief is universal and something we can all understand. A highly recommended read.
December 23, 2014
4.5 stars.
The Life Intended by Kristin Harmel is an incredibly poignant but ultimately uplifting novel of healing. In this thought-provoking and beautifully written story about love and loss, lead protagonist Kate Waithman rediscovers what matters most to her. Through a series of exceptionally vivid and moving dreams, Kate experiences the life she would have had if her husband had not passed away, but is it the life she was supposed to live?
It has taken nearly twelve years, but Kate has finally moved on from the death of her husband, Patrick. She is engaged to Dan, a terrific man that her friends and family adore, and she has a fulfilling career as a music therapist. But her happiness is tempered by an unexpected medical diagnosis and she still deeply mourns Patrick's loss. On the night she accepts Dan's marriage proposal, Kate's dreams about Patrick begin and she is soon seeing her life from a different perspective.
The first thing that Kate begins to question is her relationship with Dan. He is a wonderful man and everyone agrees he is perfect for her. But Kate soon learns they have some fundamental differences and that maybe they are just coasting along. Kate is content with Dan but is she willing to settle for happy enough?
Another area of change in Kate's life begins with her enrollment in an American sign language class. A discussion with her instructor, Andrew Henson, leads to a volunteer opportunity that forces her to fully re-evaluate her future. It is Kate's friendship with Andrew that becomes the catalyst for many of the decisions she soon makes.
The Life Intended by Kristin Harmel is a mystical and heartwarming novel of love, family and friendship. Although sometimes a little predictable, it is nonetheless a captivating and emotional journey that will resonate with readers who have struggled to move on after losing a loved one.
The Life Intended by Kristin Harmel is an incredibly poignant but ultimately uplifting novel of healing. In this thought-provoking and beautifully written story about love and loss, lead protagonist Kate Waithman rediscovers what matters most to her. Through a series of exceptionally vivid and moving dreams, Kate experiences the life she would have had if her husband had not passed away, but is it the life she was supposed to live?
It has taken nearly twelve years, but Kate has finally moved on from the death of her husband, Patrick. She is engaged to Dan, a terrific man that her friends and family adore, and she has a fulfilling career as a music therapist. But her happiness is tempered by an unexpected medical diagnosis and she still deeply mourns Patrick's loss. On the night she accepts Dan's marriage proposal, Kate's dreams about Patrick begin and she is soon seeing her life from a different perspective.
The first thing that Kate begins to question is her relationship with Dan. He is a wonderful man and everyone agrees he is perfect for her. But Kate soon learns they have some fundamental differences and that maybe they are just coasting along. Kate is content with Dan but is she willing to settle for happy enough?
Another area of change in Kate's life begins with her enrollment in an American sign language class. A discussion with her instructor, Andrew Henson, leads to a volunteer opportunity that forces her to fully re-evaluate her future. It is Kate's friendship with Andrew that becomes the catalyst for many of the decisions she soon makes.
The Life Intended by Kristin Harmel is a mystical and heartwarming novel of love, family and friendship. Although sometimes a little predictable, it is nonetheless a captivating and emotional journey that will resonate with readers who have struggled to move on after losing a loved one.
March 6, 2015
The Life Intended is the story of Kate, a thirty-something who is still struggling with her husbands death 12 years prior. He was the love of her life, and their time together was cut extremely short. After so many years, Kate has become engaged again. This causes a great amount of stress, and her problems are compounded when she begins having very vivid dreams of her late husband. Is she getting married again because she really wants to or because it simply something she is supposed to do. Things definitely don’t feel right, and Kate has some decisions to make.
I enjoyed this book for the most part. I really liked the aspect of Kate working with children through music therapy. I loved her relationship with her former mother in law. The relationships she develops through her work are great. However, I could not stand Dan, her new fiancé. He was a complete arrogant jerk, but I think that was the point. There were also times that Kate was annoying, and seemed to have conflicting stances on certain things. The real shining part of the story is Kate’s relationship with Andrew, her sign language instructor. Their friendship was easy and comforting. I also really enjoyed the dream sequences with her deceased husband, Patrick. They were purposeful, and added a great element of paranormal without being too over the top.
The book overall makes you think about what you would do if you lost someone so close to you. How can you ever move on from something like that? It would be so easy to get caught up in the what ifs, wondering how the rest of your life would have turned out if that person hadn’t died. This is an enjoyable read, Not just a typical love story, but one that is multilayered and really makes you think.
4 stars and lots of champagne for this one! Enjoy!
Buy the book – The Life Intended
I enjoyed this book for the most part. I really liked the aspect of Kate working with children through music therapy. I loved her relationship with her former mother in law. The relationships she develops through her work are great. However, I could not stand Dan, her new fiancé. He was a complete arrogant jerk, but I think that was the point. There were also times that Kate was annoying, and seemed to have conflicting stances on certain things. The real shining part of the story is Kate’s relationship with Andrew, her sign language instructor. Their friendship was easy and comforting. I also really enjoyed the dream sequences with her deceased husband, Patrick. They were purposeful, and added a great element of paranormal without being too over the top.
The book overall makes you think about what you would do if you lost someone so close to you. How can you ever move on from something like that? It would be so easy to get caught up in the what ifs, wondering how the rest of your life would have turned out if that person hadn’t died. This is an enjoyable read, Not just a typical love story, but one that is multilayered and really makes you think.
4 stars and lots of champagne for this one! Enjoy!
Buy the book – The Life Intended
January 23, 2015
http://www.chicklitcentral.com/2015/0...
Also has a review of The Look of Love.
Also has a review of The Look of Love.
December 30, 2014
4.5'Stars, nearly perfect in every way. I found myself crying big goofy tears!! This is a beautiful story about finding yourself, accepting others as they are and letting go. Go buy the book...its that good.
March 28, 2015
3.5.
This book was interesting. I enjoyed reading it very much.
I don't want to say anything else.... This is a book you have to read.
Readers who like a plot with emotion will really enjoy this one. It'll be a great book club book too-I can envision MANY deep conversations on it.
This book was interesting. I enjoyed reading it very much.
I don't want to say anything else.... This is a book you have to read.
Readers who like a plot with emotion will really enjoy this one. It'll be a great book club book too-I can envision MANY deep conversations on it.
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