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When Lives Collide
It only takes one second to change a life. Loretta Davidson learns this the hard way when, on a rainy afternoon, her car crashes into another vehicle at an intersection. Loretta survives with only a few stitches. Her four-year-old son is not so lucky. Falling into a coma, he soon succumbs to his injuries, leaving Loretta and her husband devastated.
Emma Elliot’s four-wheel drive glanced off the car she hit, and she left the scene of the accident convinced no one was hurt. She could not be late running errands for her partner—or there would be hell to pay. He had hit her before, and he would do it again.
In the months following the accident, Loretta struggles to survive her grief as her marriage crumbles. Emma gets engaged—and then pregnant. But the twists and turns life throws at the two women have a way of balancing things out, sending them straight into one another’s paths one more time.
“The novel does what fiction does best: exploring the small moments that can change lives for good.” —
325 pages, ebook
Published September 27, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
September 28, 2022
BLOG TOUR REVIEW
Review for 'When Lives Collide' by Sarah Bourne.
Read and reviewed for Sarah Bourne, Open Road Media and DLM Book Tours.
Publication Date 27th September 2022.
This is the first book I have read by this author.
I was originally drawn to this book by its eye catching beautiful cover and intriguing as well as intriguing sounding synopsis and title. I must admit I was also biased due to the publisher being Open Road Media. I have yet to read a book published by Open Road Media that I haven't enjoyed. Hopefully this won't be the first... Watch this space! (Written before I started reading the book).
This novel consists of 44 chapters. The chapters are medium in length so possible to read 'just one more chapter' before bed...OK, I know yeah right, but still just in case!
This book is based in Surrey, England 🏴, UK 🇬🇧. The bonus for me of books that are partly or fully based in the UK is that I live in the UK and have sometimes visited places mentioned in the book which makes it easier to picture.
This book is written in third person perspective with the main protagonist being Emma Elliot and Loretta Davidson. The benefits of third person perspective with multiple protagonists are that it let's you see the bigger picture of what's going on and you get to know more characters more, what they are thinking and what they are doing. It feels like you get to see the whole picture and not miss out in anything.
'When Lives Collide' discusses some topics that may trigger or upset some readers or may not be suitable for others. I like to point this out ahead of time in my reviews so you can judge if this book is for you or not. In this book Sarah discusses/includes death of a child and domestic violence.
Well, well, well Wow!!! What an absolute cracker of a book!!! This book sucked me straight in from beginning to the shocking ending. It was very well written with excellent descriptions which put me straight into the storyline. The blog, title and the cover suited the book perfectly.
The storyline was very fast paced and filled with Drama, friendship, loss, abuse, love, tears, tension, suspense and an unexpected twist!! The first chapter had me hook,line and sinker and gives readers something to sink their teeth and imaginations into immediately! A very believable storyline which kept me on edge throughout. My heart was pounding at times and the hairs on my arms were raised while I was on the edge of my seat biting my nails reading this!! Sarah weaves the lives of Emma and Loretta together perfectly. The first time their lives collided changed each of their stories. My heart went out to both women for different reasons. What Loretta went through was absolutely heartbreaking and as a mum to three boys myself I couldn't even begin to imagine the pain and the heartbreak involved in such a tragedy. My twins are actually four at the moment so my heart was in my throat reading what she was going through and I had tears streaming down my face at times. My heart also went out to Emma who was stuck in an abusive relationship, something I have also had previous experience in and I can tell you now that Sarah has done an absolutely amazing job of portraying the realities of being in a relationship where violence is involved and being unable to leave or if you have escaped then ending up going back. A HUGE CONGRATULATIONS to Sarah. Domestic violence isn't an easy subject to talk or write about but the huge bonus of it being mentioned in fictional books is that women and men in these situations can read about it, pick up on the signs and hopefully get help before it is too late. The bonus of domestic violence being made the subject of a fictional book is that the abusive partner is unlikely to be aware of the subject they are reading. I would say that Sarah is either a survivor of domestic abuse or has done an absolutely amazing job of researching the subject either way WELL DONE, either for escaping the situation or for your excellent amount of research. There's not much worse than reading a book filled with errors as the author hasn't done any research on their topic.
If you pick this up make sure you clear your diaries as you will NOT be able to put it down until the explosive ending!!! I loved the storyline and just loved everything about it. It was all done perfectly!! This would make an absolutely amazing movie!!!
THE characters were fantastic, solid and completely believable, Sadly I can't say much more than this as I don't want to give anything away. I will say that there were several points where Emma did annoy me as she did seem to be quite self centered. If any of her friends had any problems she seemed to find it easier to accept the typical 'I'm OK' rather than make the effort to spend time with them. Needless to say I thought Derek was an absolute piece of cr@p and Emma's dad had the right idea wanting to kill him!! All of the characters were realistic and had such different and strong personalities and all suited the storyline perfectly.
I could not put this book down and read it in one sitting!!
Well done Sarah on an absolutely page turning success!! This may be the first of your books I have read but it certainly won't be my last!! Here is to your next addictive thriller 🥂
Overall a compelling, page turning psychological thriller that will keep you glued to the pages!
Genres covered in this book include Thriller, Mystery, Suspense , Psychological Literary Fiction, Women's Psychological Fiction Crime Thriller, Mystery, Thriller & Suspense Fiction and Psychological Fiction amongst others.
I would recommend this book to the fans of the above as well as fans
284 pages
This book is £10.44 to purchase on kindle via Amazon.
Rated 5/5 (I LOVED it ) on Goodreads, Instagram, Amazon UK and Amazon US and on over 30 Facebook pages plus my blog on Facebook.
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September 30, 2022
The story:
Following a traffic accident on a winter’s day, two women’s lives become entangled without either of them realising it. Loretta is about to experience the worst thing to ever happen to her, and Emma has her own trauma to deal with from her abusive boyfriend.
But when the two meet again, they are once again on a collision course, and the outcome is one that can only be disastrous.
My thoughts:
This is the first book I’ve read by Sarah Bourne, and she plunged us into the action straight away! Starting with the car crash, the consequences of which run throughout the rest of the story, we are immediately plunged into the lives of Loretta and Emma. I really liked the way the book was written, with alternating short chapters from the perspectives of the two women — although this did make it hard to put down (just one more quick chapter…)!
With both of the lead characters I found things to like and empathise with — of course, with both of them experiencing terrible trauma in their different ways, including the loss of a child and an abusive relationship. But it was also a hard read at times, watching Loretta’s life crumble and seeing Emma both realise the reality of her relationship with Derek but at the same time struggling to escape.
This book really kept me guessing to the end about how the story would resolve itself, and when the conclusion came it was a shocking one! “When Lives Collide” is a fast-paced and engrossing read, and I look forward to checking out some of the author’s other books!
Following a traffic accident on a winter’s day, two women’s lives become entangled without either of them realising it. Loretta is about to experience the worst thing to ever happen to her, and Emma has her own trauma to deal with from her abusive boyfriend.
But when the two meet again, they are once again on a collision course, and the outcome is one that can only be disastrous.
My thoughts:
This is the first book I’ve read by Sarah Bourne, and she plunged us into the action straight away! Starting with the car crash, the consequences of which run throughout the rest of the story, we are immediately plunged into the lives of Loretta and Emma. I really liked the way the book was written, with alternating short chapters from the perspectives of the two women — although this did make it hard to put down (just one more quick chapter…)!
With both of the lead characters I found things to like and empathise with — of course, with both of them experiencing terrible trauma in their different ways, including the loss of a child and an abusive relationship. But it was also a hard read at times, watching Loretta’s life crumble and seeing Emma both realise the reality of her relationship with Derek but at the same time struggling to escape.
This book really kept me guessing to the end about how the story would resolve itself, and when the conclusion came it was a shocking one! “When Lives Collide” is a fast-paced and engrossing read, and I look forward to checking out some of the author’s other books!
October 2, 2022
This really was a gripping read from the beginning with what appears to be a car accident caused by a careless driver, resulting in tragedy. But the further I got into the story, the more I became involved in the lives which it affected. The storyline is enthralling and as I found out more about Loretta and Emma I began to understand why they behave the way they do. Loretta’s story I found so sad and Emma’s so disturbing I was grimacing at places. Both characters are so believable that it is very easy to imagine you could, it for a turn of fate, become one of them. For about the first half of the book I wasn’t sure how the two stories were going to combine but as the story progressed tension and a feeling of dread slowly wormed it’s way into my brain and what began as an addictive read rapidly became a compulsive read, keeping me up late into the night to finish it.
When Lives Collide is the first book I’ve read by Sarah Bourne and definitely one of the best books I’ve read this year. And I know I will be going back to read her previous novels.
When Lives Collide is the first book I’ve read by Sarah Bourne and definitely one of the best books I’ve read this year. And I know I will be going back to read her previous novels.
October 6, 2022
I recently returned from my first overseas holiday in three years. It was lovely, thank you. The fact that I spent the best part of a week on a boat, with no mobile or internet signal was even better. It felt like spending some time in another, more pleasant world.
The only slight problem - and I admit, it's about as first-world as you can get - is that I had got quite a lot of reading done, but now had a lot of reviews to catch up on. But they would have to wait, because an overdue check of my emails reminded me that I had less than a week to read and review 'When Lives Collide' in time for my stop on the blog tour. What with also being back at work, and having some catching up to do there as well, was this book going to be one that I could read in the time?
You bet your life it was.
For me, some of the best books are those that can transport you into the lives of the main characters to the extent that you live through everything they do, and share every emotion they feel. This book does that effortlessly. From the very first chapter I was well and truly hooked, living the lives of Loretta and Emma in parallel. I raced through the pages and devoured the book in two sittings as it maintained a fast pace, and yet at the same time empathised with both women as the story conveyed - beautifully, and sensitively - the devastating heartbreak at losing a child, and the fear and self-loathing that stems from life in a violent and abusive marriage. I - thankfully - have no personal experience of either, but I believed and felt every word.
At about two-thirds in, the book was heading for a glowing five stars and then some, as I wondered how the story was going to end and at the same time, really didn't want it to. However, I reluctantly have to deduct that last star because I didn't feel that the concluding chapters worked quite as well as the earlier ones. I hope it's not a spoiler to say that the story relies on a character doing something different to what you might expect. And whilst an explanation is given, and it's not implausible, it's still a contrast to the earlier chapters in the book where no explanations are necessary, because everything that happens makes such perfect sense.
I'm not quite sure how I felt about the ending, either. It's one that I had sort of expected and yet it still managed to shock me, and that's great. But it also seemed to come so abruptly that I also thought 'is that it?' I wanted more. Indeed, I wonder if a sequel is planned because even I - who wouldn't have the imagination or the patience to write a novel if my life depended on it - can see that the stories of both main characters could continue for long enough to produce another book.
I can say right now that if Sarah Bourne does write a sequel that's as well-written as this book - a few little niggles notwithstanding - I'll be right at the front of the queue to read it.
My thanks to the author and to Donna Morfett for my inclusion on the blog tour. I will post my review on Goodreads, Amazon and my personal blog.
The only slight problem - and I admit, it's about as first-world as you can get - is that I had got quite a lot of reading done, but now had a lot of reviews to catch up on. But they would have to wait, because an overdue check of my emails reminded me that I had less than a week to read and review 'When Lives Collide' in time for my stop on the blog tour. What with also being back at work, and having some catching up to do there as well, was this book going to be one that I could read in the time?
You bet your life it was.
For me, some of the best books are those that can transport you into the lives of the main characters to the extent that you live through everything they do, and share every emotion they feel. This book does that effortlessly. From the very first chapter I was well and truly hooked, living the lives of Loretta and Emma in parallel. I raced through the pages and devoured the book in two sittings as it maintained a fast pace, and yet at the same time empathised with both women as the story conveyed - beautifully, and sensitively - the devastating heartbreak at losing a child, and the fear and self-loathing that stems from life in a violent and abusive marriage. I - thankfully - have no personal experience of either, but I believed and felt every word.
At about two-thirds in, the book was heading for a glowing five stars and then some, as I wondered how the story was going to end and at the same time, really didn't want it to. However, I reluctantly have to deduct that last star because I didn't feel that the concluding chapters worked quite as well as the earlier ones. I hope it's not a spoiler to say that the story relies on a character doing something different to what you might expect. And whilst an explanation is given, and it's not implausible, it's still a contrast to the earlier chapters in the book where no explanations are necessary, because everything that happens makes such perfect sense.
I'm not quite sure how I felt about the ending, either. It's one that I had sort of expected and yet it still managed to shock me, and that's great. But it also seemed to come so abruptly that I also thought 'is that it?' I wanted more. Indeed, I wonder if a sequel is planned because even I - who wouldn't have the imagination or the patience to write a novel if my life depended on it - can see that the stories of both main characters could continue for long enough to produce another book.
I can say right now that if Sarah Bourne does write a sequel that's as well-written as this book - a few little niggles notwithstanding - I'll be right at the front of the queue to read it.
My thanks to the author and to Donna Morfett for my inclusion on the blog tour. I will post my review on Goodreads, Amazon and my personal blog.
September 29, 2022
‘When Lives Collide’ is a compulsive psychological thriller that fast-paced and packed with content. Trigger warnings need to be advised of domestic abuse and child death. Both topics are dealt with empathy and understanding though. The action starts in the first chapter and doesn't let go until the last sentence! I devoured in two sittings and stayed up late to finish it as I couldn't see where it was going.
When two women are involved in a car crash their lives are changed instantly! Loretta is hardly hurt but her four-year-old son Ethan is hurt and eventually dies. Emma in the other car thinks no one is hurt and leaves the scene of the accident as she needs to pick up her partner's dry cleaning and if she doesn't there will be hell to pay. Her partner abuses her emotionally and physically and she is scared it might happen again. Loretta and her husband struggle to cope after their son’s death. Emma is still being abused but when she falls pregnant things come to a crescendo. Eventually the two women’s lives intertwine again leading to answers and surprises!
I really liked Emma’s character and felt that the author handled the topic of domestic violence brilliantly. There was a lot of empathy but also information was given on the topic which if one of her readers were in this situation would find helpful! Books can be educators and in this case they are both on domestic violence and grief. Please read Bookworm86’s review on Goodreads as she explains how good this aspect of the book is much better than I can!
Loretta, I hate to say I didn't actually like that much even from the start - I just couldn't gel with her. Yes, I found the situation to be heartbreaking but there was just something I couldn't put my finger on.
Let me know if you read this one!
When two women are involved in a car crash their lives are changed instantly! Loretta is hardly hurt but her four-year-old son Ethan is hurt and eventually dies. Emma in the other car thinks no one is hurt and leaves the scene of the accident as she needs to pick up her partner's dry cleaning and if she doesn't there will be hell to pay. Her partner abuses her emotionally and physically and she is scared it might happen again. Loretta and her husband struggle to cope after their son’s death. Emma is still being abused but when she falls pregnant things come to a crescendo. Eventually the two women’s lives intertwine again leading to answers and surprises!
I really liked Emma’s character and felt that the author handled the topic of domestic violence brilliantly. There was a lot of empathy but also information was given on the topic which if one of her readers were in this situation would find helpful! Books can be educators and in this case they are both on domestic violence and grief. Please read Bookworm86’s review on Goodreads as she explains how good this aspect of the book is much better than I can!
Loretta, I hate to say I didn't actually like that much even from the start - I just couldn't gel with her. Yes, I found the situation to be heartbreaking but there was just something I couldn't put my finger on.
Let me know if you read this one!
October 6, 2022
This is an engaging tale with a fantastic premise. Two women’s lives collide after a terrible accident involving a fatality of a child. Emma is the younger of the two women. She is blindly in love and foolish in her choice of abusive partner, Derek. Loretta, the older and more assertive of the two takes Emma under her wing after an estrangement from her partner but is initially unaware of how their lives are so cruelly entwined.
There are several crucial similarities between the two women and a web of unspoken words envelopes them both hiding the shocking truth.
Whilst I was sympathetic to Emma’s plight, and her loss and Loretta’s tragedy I found it difficult to like Emma, though I sympathised with her. Her actions and her struggle to walk away do show just how powerful an abuser’s control can be on a woman and how hard it is to escape and behave and think logically. Both women had undoubtedly suffered so much.
I enjoyed this and would read this author again.
Recommended for readers who enjoy psychological thrillers about women’s lives, abuse, and female relationships.
The clever ending wrapped everything up in a convincing way.
I found this a difficult one to rate. The more I thought about the subtle intricacies in the story the more I liked it. Cleverly done.
September 30, 2022
What a compulsive read this was. It starts with a fairly common trope of a two car road accident with one driver leaving the scene but then the book continues with the two drivers own stories until their lives collide! Written in alternating chapters from the POV of the main protagonists Emma and Loretta I found this a really compelling and emotional read.
Briefly, after the collision Emma drives home to her husband. She can’t be late or there will be a price to pay; either physical or verbal abuse. Meanwhile Loretta and her four year old son Ethan are taken to hospital where Ethan succumbs to his injuries. As time passes both women start to drift apart from their husbands and their lives meet again.
Two very different women - I liked Emma and really hated her husband but Loretta I wasn’t so sure of, she was obviously very damaged by Ethan’s death and her actions after this were at times irrational, her husband was ‘nice’ but unable to cope with her grief as well as his own. Plenty of twists and turns and I barely put the book down until the ending and what an ending. I’m still not sure if it was brilliant or if I needed to know more! I may need to ponder on that.
Briefly, after the collision Emma drives home to her husband. She can’t be late or there will be a price to pay; either physical or verbal abuse. Meanwhile Loretta and her four year old son Ethan are taken to hospital where Ethan succumbs to his injuries. As time passes both women start to drift apart from their husbands and their lives meet again.
Two very different women - I liked Emma and really hated her husband but Loretta I wasn’t so sure of, she was obviously very damaged by Ethan’s death and her actions after this were at times irrational, her husband was ‘nice’ but unable to cope with her grief as well as his own. Plenty of twists and turns and I barely put the book down until the ending and what an ending. I’m still not sure if it was brilliant or if I needed to know more! I may need to ponder on that.
February 11, 2023
The book was interesting though I found myself skimming through some of the chapters.
I didn’t really like either of the main characters. I was very sympathetic towards Emma and her domestic violence issues but with every chapter she proved to be more and more unlikeable.
Similarly with Loretta. I understood her pain of losing a child but I found her cruel towards her husband who had also lost a child. Furthermore, there were hints that she was to blame for the car accident that lead to her child’s death - she was speeding, likely texting and driving plus the boy wasn’t in the correct car seat. She refuses to accept blame and in the end even steal’s Emma’s baby after figuring out she was the other driver.
I have to say that I didn’t like this secretiveness of both characters. It felt very deliberate in order to have a shocking ending. Or maybe I’m just the type of person who wouldn’t be able not to tell their roommate about something as big and important as having lost a child.
I did enjoy the ending though, it was the right amount of unhinged. I wouldn’t have liked a story where they live happily ever after little house on the prairie style.
I didn’t really like either of the main characters. I was very sympathetic towards Emma and her domestic violence issues but with every chapter she proved to be more and more unlikeable.
Similarly with Loretta. I understood her pain of losing a child but I found her cruel towards her husband who had also lost a child. Furthermore, there were hints that she was to blame for the car accident that lead to her child’s death - she was speeding, likely texting and driving plus the boy wasn’t in the correct car seat. She refuses to accept blame and in the end even steal’s Emma’s baby after figuring out she was the other driver.
I have to say that I didn’t like this secretiveness of both characters. It felt very deliberate in order to have a shocking ending. Or maybe I’m just the type of person who wouldn’t be able not to tell their roommate about something as big and important as having lost a child.
I did enjoy the ending though, it was the right amount of unhinged. I wouldn’t have liked a story where they live happily ever after little house on the prairie style.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 10, 2022
Sarah Bourne’s latest novel, When Lives Collide starts with a bang when a hit-and-run puts two strangers, Loretta and Emma, on a collision course with fate.
In the months following the accident, Loretta struggles with grief following her son’s death and the disintegration of her marriage. Meanwhile Emma gets engaged and then pregnant to her abusive partner.
From the title, I knew that eventually the women’s paths would cross again despite no interaction at the accident.
The characters meet plausibly, neither of them knowing the impact the other has had on their lives so far, and neither comprehending what fate will now thrust their way as we hurtle towards the climax.
The author’s writing is nuanced, with believable and compelling characters placed in shocking situations and struggling with grief, guilt, abuse and regret.
When Lives Collide with have you turning pages (or in my case, swiping left on Kindle) until well past bedtime. I was hooked from the first page. Gripping.
In the months following the accident, Loretta struggles with grief following her son’s death and the disintegration of her marriage. Meanwhile Emma gets engaged and then pregnant to her abusive partner.
From the title, I knew that eventually the women’s paths would cross again despite no interaction at the accident.
The characters meet plausibly, neither of them knowing the impact the other has had on their lives so far, and neither comprehending what fate will now thrust their way as we hurtle towards the climax.
The author’s writing is nuanced, with believable and compelling characters placed in shocking situations and struggling with grief, guilt, abuse and regret.
When Lives Collide with have you turning pages (or in my case, swiping left on Kindle) until well past bedtime. I was hooked from the first page. Gripping.
November 11, 2024
much longed for and loved son dies. But life brings Loretta and Emma together some months later, to meet for the first time...
I thoroughly enjoyed this dark, taut, psychological thriller. Sarah Bourne does an impressive job of creating two very likeable yet flawed main characters. She writes sensitively about death, loss, and domestic abuse, giving a compelling glimpse into the minds of Emma and Loretta as they navigate their devastating circumstances.
I found myself thoroughly invested in what happened to Emma and Loretta, and satisfyingly surprised by the twists and turns the story takes. I read When Lives Collide very quickly becasue I was desperate to know what happened next! Well written, gripping, and expertly plotted, this is a fantastic book.
I thoroughly enjoyed this dark, taut, psychological thriller. Sarah Bourne does an impressive job of creating two very likeable yet flawed main characters. She writes sensitively about death, loss, and domestic abuse, giving a compelling glimpse into the minds of Emma and Loretta as they navigate their devastating circumstances.
I found myself thoroughly invested in what happened to Emma and Loretta, and satisfyingly surprised by the twists and turns the story takes. I read When Lives Collide very quickly becasue I was desperate to know what happened next! Well written, gripping, and expertly plotted, this is a fantastic book.
January 31, 2024
When Lives Collide by Sarah Bourne explores the impact of a car accident on the two drivers: Loretta and Emma. Loretta’s 4-year-old son ends up in critical condition. Emma drives away, unaware of the unfolding crisis.
Fate plays its hand and draws the women back together as the ramifications of the accident traumatize Loretta while Emma faces a different form of trauma at the hands of her violent husband.
Sarah dives into the heads of her characters to show readers the impact of trauma while delivering a gripping read.
Highly recommended.
Fate plays its hand and draws the women back together as the ramifications of the accident traumatize Loretta while Emma faces a different form of trauma at the hands of her violent husband.
Sarah dives into the heads of her characters to show readers the impact of trauma while delivering a gripping read.
Highly recommended.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews