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Five Years Later
The only thing more powerful than truth is perception.
The only emotion stronger than hatred is hope.
When Portland sales girl, Elle Fox, takes some old friends up on an offer to join their group "zencation" to the Oregon Coast, she hardly expects their gathering to include her ex, Scott Darcy. Five years ago, Scott pulled Elle in like a rip tide. A rebel with a taste for adventure, he had swept her away from small town life into the beauty of the Pacific Northwest. They had plans to explore the world together, until he disappeared without a word.
Elle thought she understood what happened between them (he wanted to be with that leggy waitress from the brewery they used to go to) but when an old box surfaces in his truck she uncovers a different story, one that will flush out long-hidden secrets about him, her family, and - hardest and most surprising of all - herself.
Told in dual timelines, FIVE YEARS LATER explores the trials of true love, the ties of a family divided, and the challenges of forgiving those who unintentionally hurt us - including ourselves.
The only emotion stronger than hatred is hope.
When Portland sales girl, Elle Fox, takes some old friends up on an offer to join their group "zencation" to the Oregon Coast, she hardly expects their gathering to include her ex, Scott Darcy. Five years ago, Scott pulled Elle in like a rip tide. A rebel with a taste for adventure, he had swept her away from small town life into the beauty of the Pacific Northwest. They had plans to explore the world together, until he disappeared without a word.
Elle thought she understood what happened between them (he wanted to be with that leggy waitress from the brewery they used to go to) but when an old box surfaces in his truck she uncovers a different story, one that will flush out long-hidden secrets about him, her family, and - hardest and most surprising of all - herself.
Told in dual timelines, FIVE YEARS LATER explores the trials of true love, the ties of a family divided, and the challenges of forgiving those who unintentionally hurt us - including ourselves.
363 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 22, 2021
26 people are currently reading
816 people want to read
About the author
Sarah Kraft
5 books12 followersSarah Kraft is an author and designer in Oregon. Her writing career started as a YA paranormal writer in her early twenties, where she quickly gained attention on Amazon and various booksellers' sites.
When not writing, she can be found sipping wine at Oregon's premiere wineries or designing prints for her up and coming fashion line, KoutureDeLeKraft. Follow her on Instagram or Facebook for dog mom stories and fashion tips.
When not writing, she can be found sipping wine at Oregon's premiere wineries or designing prints for her up and coming fashion line, KoutureDeLeKraft. Follow her on Instagram or Facebook for dog mom stories and fashion tips.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
November 15, 2021
Book received from Author in exchange for honest review. Thank you Sarah Kraft for sending me a copy!!
2.75 stars
I struggled with how to rate this book. On one hand, I enjoyed it well enough. It was an easy read, I knew what to expect, and it delivered. On the other hand, it was lacking in a few ways. No one book is perfect, so of course there will be areas people dislike or want more of and that varies by reader. However, the areas I found to be lacking were those that were hugely critical to the overall storyline so they packed a bigger punch to the overall delivery.
Plot
MC Elle has had a rough few years.
Her plans to be a writer have been put on hold indefinitely, her family drama is weighing on her, she misses her friends, and GIRL HASN'T GOTTEN LAID SINCE A BREAK UP 5 YEARS AGO. She's... frustrated, and I think it's safe to say UNDERSTANDABLE.
But for real though, life is beating Elle down. It's like one jab after another agfter another. Poor thing. On top of life jabs, she's dealing with the early 20's complexities of coming into adulthood like wondering wtf she's doing, feeling like her life isn't going anywhere compared to others, and unsure of what she should be doing, questioning herself etc.
Her relationship with Scott, the love interest/Ex, ended abruptly. No one knows why, Elle never told anyone but her mom. Towards the end of book the reason is revealed, & it goes beyond what she knew. Life jabs her again, and then AGAIN, leaving her feeling betrayed. Poor thing.
Rating / Feedback
What I liked
- The pace
- The overall message of forgiveness without forgetting, healing, mourning (though not the delivery)
- The Nana. Omg GOAT of the book
What I didn't like
Elle's inner dialogue & banter with supporting characters was done well enough. However it was her dialogue & general demeanor when interacting with Scott that was hard to swallow.
She came off, IMO, as whiny, & VERY young and immature. That made it v difficult to feel chemistry beterrn the two... really broke the illusion for me. The love interest / romance IS the plot, so it was no small opportunity area, which is too bad. I think the emotions were right, but not so much the delivery.
Scott... he was a good enough love interest... but there was no real defining characteristics that would make him stand out, or help understand what it was that made these two so perfect for each other. There are times when he brings out her adventurous side, she mentions missing how he made her feel like every day could be an adventure - I feel like those small details, if they were to be built upon, would have made a *huge difference*
Constant excusing her fathers behavior.
This was another big one for me. Elle's dad, he's the stereotype of a dad who isn't sure how to show his family he cares for them outside of financing them.
He 'gave her mom a few hundred dollars a week & it was up to her to make it last'.
When Elle talks to him about spending time together at home, simply saying goodnight or I love you before bed, he automatically jumps to "maybe I should I quit my job & we can all spend our time in poverty together!'. Not to mention the event that I will not mention because *spoilers* but leads Elle to cut him off completely for a time being.
All the while, her brother is telling her to come over and forgive him. Her own mother is telling her his actions were done WITH LOVE in mind. No. No thank you vm. I hate this narrative. They should have been telling him how to change, be better, not expecing the daughter to accept terrible behavior. Talk about creating a dad complex.
Overall, I feel like this would be an excellent book for young YA readers. There are a lot of feelings, questions, moments where Elle feels lost, that would be easily relateable to that age group. Also, despite the characters being in their early 20's her feel is MUCH younger.
There is a lot of promise here and I look forward to watching this Authors growth, and what she puts out as she goes.
“Everybody’s love has limits.”
2.75 stars
I struggled with how to rate this book. On one hand, I enjoyed it well enough. It was an easy read, I knew what to expect, and it delivered. On the other hand, it was lacking in a few ways. No one book is perfect, so of course there will be areas people dislike or want more of and that varies by reader. However, the areas I found to be lacking were those that were hugely critical to the overall storyline so they packed a bigger punch to the overall delivery.
Plot
MC Elle has had a rough few years.
Her plans to be a writer have been put on hold indefinitely, her family drama is weighing on her, she misses her friends, and GIRL HASN'T GOTTEN LAID SINCE A BREAK UP 5 YEARS AGO. She's... frustrated, and I think it's safe to say UNDERSTANDABLE.
But for real though, life is beating Elle down. It's like one jab after another agfter another. Poor thing. On top of life jabs, she's dealing with the early 20's complexities of coming into adulthood like wondering wtf she's doing, feeling like her life isn't going anywhere compared to others, and unsure of what she should be doing, questioning herself etc.
Her relationship with Scott, the love interest/Ex, ended abruptly. No one knows why, Elle never told anyone but her mom. Towards the end of book the reason is revealed, & it goes beyond what she knew. Life jabs her again, and then AGAIN, leaving her feeling betrayed. Poor thing.
Rating / Feedback
What I liked
- The pace
- The overall message of forgiveness without forgetting, healing, mourning (though not the delivery)
- The Nana. Omg GOAT of the book
What I didn't like
Elle's inner dialogue & banter with supporting characters was done well enough. However it was her dialogue & general demeanor when interacting with Scott that was hard to swallow.
She came off, IMO, as whiny, & VERY young and immature. That made it v difficult to feel chemistry beterrn the two... really broke the illusion for me. The love interest / romance IS the plot, so it was no small opportunity area, which is too bad. I think the emotions were right, but not so much the delivery.
Scott... he was a good enough love interest... but there was no real defining characteristics that would make him stand out, or help understand what it was that made these two so perfect for each other. There are times when he brings out her adventurous side, she mentions missing how he made her feel like every day could be an adventure - I feel like those small details, if they were to be built upon, would have made a *huge difference*
Constant excusing her fathers behavior.
This was another big one for me. Elle's dad, he's the stereotype of a dad who isn't sure how to show his family he cares for them outside of financing them.
He 'gave her mom a few hundred dollars a week & it was up to her to make it last'.
When Elle talks to him about spending time together at home, simply saying goodnight or I love you before bed, he automatically jumps to "maybe I should I quit my job & we can all spend our time in poverty together!'. Not to mention the event that I will not mention because *spoilers* but leads Elle to cut him off completely for a time being.
All the while, her brother is telling her to come over and forgive him. Her own mother is telling her his actions were done WITH LOVE in mind. No. No thank you vm. I hate this narrative. They should have been telling him how to change, be better, not expecing the daughter to accept terrible behavior. Talk about creating a dad complex.
Overall, I feel like this would be an excellent book for young YA readers. There are a lot of feelings, questions, moments where Elle feels lost, that would be easily relateable to that age group. Also, despite the characters being in their early 20's her feel is MUCH younger.
There is a lot of promise here and I look forward to watching this Authors growth, and what she puts out as she goes.
October 29, 2021
I graciously received a kindle copy of this book via the author, and since then have been really struggling to write this review….First, the story is set where I live, in the gorgeous “Upper Left”, PNW. I was so excited to read this, as the synopsis sounded just up my alley. Unfortunately, I struggle-bussed to push through. I don’t love dual timelines, but when it’s light-hearted or when the time gap is say, centuries, I can overlook it. BUT, when it’s simply telling the trauma in a drawn out way- it makes me want to stop reading. I think I’m in the minority here, so maybe this won’t be an issue for you. It was the angst and agony that killed it for me. If you enjoy Colleen Hoover- this book is for you. I just could not sympathize with any of the characters and ultimately skimmed over most of the “then” storyline unless it was to read the description of the hiking and nature scenes. The book felt like a teen drama Netflix movie. Do with that what you will.
November 11, 2021
This story and its characters have conquered me little by little.
Elle Fox and Scott Darcy had a great love story when they were 18 years old, together they created unforgettable moments and they share a passion for nature, both complemented each other perfectly despite the fact that she and Scott come from different worlds.
Scott works for Elle ‘s father, and although they don't get off on the right foot, they begin a relationship that will mark them for life.
Things between them do not work and they break and they meet again 5 years later and the reunion is full of resentment, pain and reproaches.
But with each discussion, she discovers things that she didn't know and, thanks to a great advice from Nana(I loved her story about change), she begins to see things from a different point of view.
I have to admit that at first I did not think I was going to like it so much, but I have loved discovering this beautiful story and its author.
Elle Fox and Scott Darcy had a great love story when they were 18 years old, together they created unforgettable moments and they share a passion for nature, both complemented each other perfectly despite the fact that she and Scott come from different worlds.
Scott works for Elle ‘s father, and although they don't get off on the right foot, they begin a relationship that will mark them for life.
Things between them do not work and they break and they meet again 5 years later and the reunion is full of resentment, pain and reproaches.
But with each discussion, she discovers things that she didn't know and, thanks to a great advice from Nana(I loved her story about change), she begins to see things from a different point of view.
I have to admit that at first I did not think I was going to like it so much, but I have loved discovering this beautiful story and its author.
October 19, 2021
Special thanks to Sarah Kraft for the Kindle copy of this cute and very realistic portrayal of the ups and downs of young love and heartbreak, as well as the realities of growing up and starting new chapters.
Based on the synopsis, my initial thoughts were: is this going to be similar to Jenn Bennett’s Starry Eyes book? Or Simone Elkeles’s Return to Paradise book? Something with passion and conflict and a misunderstanding with people eventually finding their way back to one another? Either way, sign me up!
Not only did I receive the HEA and drama I was hoping for, but I also took away the very important lesson of being able to change and grow as a human being and look through surface level feelings to the true feelings they have been masking.
We meet our main character, Elle, and see through her eyes in two separate timelines: One in the current timeline where she is not living up to any of her expectations of life and one five years before where we watch her and Scott fall in love and fall apart.
When a spring of the moment vacation during Fourth of July brings the surprise twist of spending time with her ex, Elle is faced with the lingering feelings of love that never quite went away, as well as secrets and misunderstandings from her past rising to the surface. Meanwhile, complicated feelings in her family rise to a head and leave her questioning her true feelings there as well.
Like the significant artwork tattooed on her shoulder, she realizes through love and growth she can leave her past behind in the dusk while embracing all the changes and unknown for the dawn of her future.
Beautifully written and very realistic struggles portrayed. I seriously growled in frustration at one point when everything was going perfectly and then my heart was ripped out again! Kacey and Scott, I’m looking at you two.
My only real criticism of the book is that there were so many characters that I wish we knew more about. I would love to have additional spin off books or even short novellas surrounding Kacey, Rena, and Jordan, maybe even something from Scott’s point of view.
Definitely worth the read. 4-stars
Based on the synopsis, my initial thoughts were: is this going to be similar to Jenn Bennett’s Starry Eyes book? Or Simone Elkeles’s Return to Paradise book? Something with passion and conflict and a misunderstanding with people eventually finding their way back to one another? Either way, sign me up!
Not only did I receive the HEA and drama I was hoping for, but I also took away the very important lesson of being able to change and grow as a human being and look through surface level feelings to the true feelings they have been masking.
We meet our main character, Elle, and see through her eyes in two separate timelines: One in the current timeline where she is not living up to any of her expectations of life and one five years before where we watch her and Scott fall in love and fall apart.
When a spring of the moment vacation during Fourth of July brings the surprise twist of spending time with her ex, Elle is faced with the lingering feelings of love that never quite went away, as well as secrets and misunderstandings from her past rising to the surface. Meanwhile, complicated feelings in her family rise to a head and leave her questioning her true feelings there as well.
Like the significant artwork tattooed on her shoulder, she realizes through love and growth she can leave her past behind in the dusk while embracing all the changes and unknown for the dawn of her future.
Beautifully written and very realistic struggles portrayed. I seriously growled in frustration at one point when everything was going perfectly and then my heart was ripped out again! Kacey and Scott, I’m looking at you two.
My only real criticism of the book is that there were so many characters that I wish we knew more about. I would love to have additional spin off books or even short novellas surrounding Kacey, Rena, and Jordan, maybe even something from Scott’s point of view.
Definitely worth the read. 4-stars
October 22, 2021
Five Years Later is a cute romance told in two timelines, the main characters' past and the present. It makes for an interesting juxtaposition of backstory and current turmoil. It helps to build the tension between the characters in a clever way that isn’t just one big info-dump of the characters' history together. We get to see their story play out in real time. Sometimes the jumps did get confusing and I had to remind myself which timeline I was reading. I also found myself far more invested in the present storyline rather than the past and enjoyed that much more, seeing their dislike for each other change over time.
There was a lot happening for our MC, Elle. From a father with an abusive past to a divorced mother living far too close, Elle has a lot of family issues to deal with besides a sexy ex. As Elle and Scott spent more time together the truth begins to reveal itself as to why Scott walked out of her life all those years ago. Unfortunately, the past comes back to haunt Elle when she goes away for a nice relaxing vacation, and who else shows up but Scott himself?
Elle is a spitfire with a bit of a temper. She was a great MC and I enjoyed her. I also loved her two best friends and Scott’s friend Jordan.
Scott makes a great leading man. He starts off as kind of a jerk but he has his reasons. He is caring and sweet. He shows his true colors when Elle gets injured in a freak accident.
This was an enjoyable, easy beach read. It was long enough to set the stage but short enough to get through in a day. The dialogue was decent, the romance was sweet and mostly clean with enough buildup and tension to make the final scenes worth waiting for.
There was a lot happening for our MC, Elle. From a father with an abusive past to a divorced mother living far too close, Elle has a lot of family issues to deal with besides a sexy ex. As Elle and Scott spent more time together the truth begins to reveal itself as to why Scott walked out of her life all those years ago. Unfortunately, the past comes back to haunt Elle when she goes away for a nice relaxing vacation, and who else shows up but Scott himself?
Elle is a spitfire with a bit of a temper. She was a great MC and I enjoyed her. I also loved her two best friends and Scott’s friend Jordan.
Scott makes a great leading man. He starts off as kind of a jerk but he has his reasons. He is caring and sweet. He shows his true colors when Elle gets injured in a freak accident.
This was an enjoyable, easy beach read. It was long enough to set the stage but short enough to get through in a day. The dialogue was decent, the romance was sweet and mostly clean with enough buildup and tension to make the final scenes worth waiting for.
August 27, 2021
Stunning
This is one of those books you can't put down ,you don't want to put down because you have to know what happens next .
Moving forward,finding truth , sometimes painful truths and eventually embracing the truth and working on becoming a better person and building a better life are some of the themes .
Sarah doesn't hold back about the pain and confusion we go through in life because the ones we love aren't always who we think they are.
Amazingly well written ,the places described come alive and the characters in the story are as real as your own family .
One of those books you'll read over and over again because the lessons learned are something we all need.
This is one of those books you can't put down ,you don't want to put down because you have to know what happens next .
Moving forward,finding truth , sometimes painful truths and eventually embracing the truth and working on becoming a better person and building a better life are some of the themes .
Sarah doesn't hold back about the pain and confusion we go through in life because the ones we love aren't always who we think they are.
Amazingly well written ,the places described come alive and the characters in the story are as real as your own family .
One of those books you'll read over and over again because the lessons learned are something we all need.
October 29, 2021
“Five Years Later” by Sarah Kraft is one hearth gripping story that will have you laughing out loud and crying big ugly tears as you read this great story. It has a little of everything for everyone as you read it you can not help but connect with what’s going with the main character of this book, Elle. But beware it does have a few triggers that can jump at you. None the less, it is a very sweet story, that I really recommend. The story is just like real life, just when you think you got everything figured out, theirs a twist and a turn that has you at the edge of your seat.
November 4, 2021
I won this book from the author via Goodreads Giveaways.
I wanted to love this book. I'm a native Oregonian with roots to the earliest days of Oregon City (where the story begins). But I couldn't get into it. The writing had that snarky tone that is popular in young adult fiction but I find it annoying and insulting to the intelligence of young adults. The story showed some promise, for readers who don't mind the writing style.
I wanted to love this book. I'm a native Oregonian with roots to the earliest days of Oregon City (where the story begins). But I couldn't get into it. The writing had that snarky tone that is popular in young adult fiction but I find it annoying and insulting to the intelligence of young adults. The story showed some promise, for readers who don't mind the writing style.
April 15, 2022
I love this book! It was witty, emotional, relatable, and a well rounded story. The time-lines were clearly defined and related to the main story as it went along. This was a fun, quick-read romance and I will definitely be recommending this to my friends that love to read too! Great work Sarah Kraft! I can't wait for more!!
August 25, 2021
Would rate it less if I could
You are not in a fowl mood, since that is a bird. You are in a foul mood after reading this mess of a book with too many characters and too much alcohol
You are not in a fowl mood, since that is a bird. You are in a foul mood after reading this mess of a book with too many characters and too much alcohol
December 30, 2021
I received a copy of this book in exchange of an honest review. Because of certain aspects in life, it took me a long while to finish it. I liked some aspects of the book (the friendships and NANA tbh) but I couldn’t connect with the characters as fast as I would want to.
Overall, entertaining ✨.
Overall, entertaining ✨.
August 26, 2021
An honest and powerful look at the cycle of grief and the realities of true love. 5 stars
February 20, 2025
I could not put this book down.
November 2, 2021
3.5
Ok Sarah Kraft!!! For a first book, I was super impressed! Definitely kept me interested, I read it all the way through without having to force myself or wanting to put it down. I thought the relationship between the two (friends-lovers-complete enemy-cordial-lovers again) was completely believable. I felt for them and wanted them to reconcile. I never felt a connection with the back characters/friends and at times just didn’t really like them at all. Although the drunk, blackout scenes were a little carried away I did enjoy reading this book, it was a light easy read that had a lot of funny moments thrown in between!
Ok Sarah Kraft!!! For a first book, I was super impressed! Definitely kept me interested, I read it all the way through without having to force myself or wanting to put it down. I thought the relationship between the two (friends-lovers-complete enemy-cordial-lovers again) was completely believable. I felt for them and wanted them to reconcile. I never felt a connection with the back characters/friends and at times just didn’t really like them at all. Although the drunk, blackout scenes were a little carried away I did enjoy reading this book, it was a light easy read that had a lot of funny moments thrown in between!
March 3, 2022
✨ARC REIVEW✨
Rating:
Plot: 3.4/⭐
Characters: 3/⭐
Writing: 2.5/⭐
*************************************
Over-all rating: ⭐⭐⭐.5
Review:
I have mixed feelings...
Overall I liked the book a lot however I had a few problems too. One was the plot it was really good and was on par of becoming a 4 star read, although, it was rushed at the end, if there was an epilogue it would have ended the book on a better tone. The book could have been a little bit longer because after reading it I feel like the story is incomplete.
Also the characters I found it strange that almost everyone had similar issues or had something dramatic happen to them, whether it was with them or their parents. It made me feel like the author was not sure how to make each character unique in their own way.
*************************************
Genre:
Young Adult | Romance | Fiction
Tropes:
Stuck together |Fast Pace |
Misunderstanding | Miscommunication
*************************************
Would I re-read this book? Maybe
Would I recommend this book? Possibly
Would I read more books by this author? Maybe
Rating:
Plot: 3.4/⭐
Characters: 3/⭐
Writing: 2.5/⭐
*************************************
Over-all rating: ⭐⭐⭐.5
Review:
I have mixed feelings...
Overall I liked the book a lot however I had a few problems too. One was the plot it was really good and was on par of becoming a 4 star read, although, it was rushed at the end, if there was an epilogue it would have ended the book on a better tone. The book could have been a little bit longer because after reading it I feel like the story is incomplete.
Also the characters I found it strange that almost everyone had similar issues or had something dramatic happen to them, whether it was with them or their parents. It made me feel like the author was not sure how to make each character unique in their own way.
*************************************
Genre:
Young Adult | Romance | Fiction
Tropes:
Stuck together |Fast Pace |
Misunderstanding | Miscommunication
*************************************
Would I re-read this book? Maybe
Would I recommend this book? Possibly
Would I read more books by this author? Maybe
December 23, 2021
I was provided a copy of Five Years Later, a book about romance, loss, grief and re-acquaintance, for an honest review. First of all, it's not my usual genre of reading so hit differently with me.
It's written across two time lines... five years apart, however the later time line doesn't cover many days (mainly lead-up to 4th July weekend). There seemed to be a lot happening with Elle, in particular in the later time line due to this (being crammed in a few days). It makes the descriptions and plot development at times seem a bit bland. On the other hand, it's extremely genuine, especially Elle's monologue - As a fellow natty brunette, the turd brown hair really got me... And just seeing Elle's unintentional ungraceful movements all the time was refreshing and relatable.
I do feel as though it was left unfinished, or not quite at the point where it should of finished - I would have liked to have seen a more definitive ending...
It's written across two time lines... five years apart, however the later time line doesn't cover many days (mainly lead-up to 4th July weekend). There seemed to be a lot happening with Elle, in particular in the later time line due to this (being crammed in a few days). It makes the descriptions and plot development at times seem a bit bland. On the other hand, it's extremely genuine, especially Elle's monologue - As a fellow natty brunette, the turd brown hair really got me... And just seeing Elle's unintentional ungraceful movements all the time was refreshing and relatable.
I do feel as though it was left unfinished, or not quite at the point where it should of finished - I would have liked to have seen a more definitive ending...
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews