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pb06's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
rhidee's review
4.0
Interesting concept
The beginning was a bit choppy, feeling more like a scattered montage than storyline, but it improved when we caught up to present day. Would have liked more plot and less sex/impossibly romantic repetitive scenes and thoughts as well. But extra points for an interesting concept and the nanites thread which ran through it.
The beginning was a bit choppy, feeling more like a scattered montage than storyline, but it improved when we caught up to present day. Would have liked more plot and less sex/impossibly romantic repetitive scenes and thoughts as well. But extra points for an interesting concept and the nanites thread which ran through it.
goddessofwhatnot's review
5.0
*4.5 stars*
More angst than I ever could have imagined possible.
Lost half a star bc MC is an asshole
More angst than I ever could have imagined possible.
Lost half a star bc MC is an asshole
kaitlin_durante's review
3.0
So unpopular opinion coming out here but this book didn't click for me.
Both characters were meh and I just kind of kept tilting my head and going huh?
Both characters were meh and I just kind of kept tilting my head and going huh?
alexisisreading's review
3.0
Ok!!! So the concept of this was really interesting to me which is why I wanted to read it. This was more of a 3.5 rounded down just because in the beginning the timeline sort of confused me?? I hate having to remember years/dates when reading and trying to piece it all together but that’s just a me thing so if that doesn’t bother you, you’ll probably be okay!!
The reason I couldn’t round up was because the slow burn was too slow for me. I understand why everything had to happen the way it did but I wished I could have had more moments of Neil and Joshua together both in this lifetime and the past one.
There were a lot of cute one liners though so I enjoyed that part!
“I love you,” Neil said. “I’ve always loved you. And I’ll love you….” He trailed off and swallowed hard. Joshua’s hand came up and brushed against the side of his face before moving into his hair. “I can’t ever stop loving you. I tried. It didn’t work.”
The reason I couldn’t round up was because the slow burn was too slow for me. I understand why everything had to happen the way it did but I wished I could have had more moments of Neil and Joshua together both in this lifetime and the past one.
There were a lot of cute one liners though so I enjoyed that part!
“I love you,” Neil said. “I’ve always loved you. And I’ll love you….” He trailed off and swallowed hard. Joshua’s hand came up and brushed against the side of his face before moving into his hair. “I can’t ever stop loving you. I tried. It didn’t work.”
karentje's review
5.0
A truly extraordinary love story about a love so strong it can even cheat death.
One of the most original love stories I've ever read! A great twist on the popular May/December trope and an incredibly unique second chance at love story. It nearly broke my heart, but luckily the author stitched it back together!
Leta Blake has an incredible gift with words and shows true excellence in weaving together Neil and Joshua's almost epic tale. The emotions in this story soar to great heights, but there is also a lot of sadness and loss to overcome. And it's all written in such a beautiful and moving way, as if she's writing on our hearts instead of on the pages of the book.
I don't think anyone could read this story and not feel touched by it.
I love the way she uses dreams and their symbolism to help the characters deal with everything that happens, and also gives them a way to connect with each other when that doesn't seem possible in real life.
Neil is a strange and complex character, in both his lifetimes. He doesn't make friends easily, so I was glad to see him form a friendship with Derek. Neil's so intense and focused, so dedicated to his research, and to Joshua's happiness. Absolutely amazing guy. I was so impatient for him to grow up so he could finally reconnect with Joshua. But the author knew better than to rush that, and she builds up the tension and emotion very skillfully.
Joshua has built a life for himself, though he never really stopped loving Neil or grieving for him.
I loved how the author gave him a way to be (mostly) happy during the years it takes Neil to grow up, again. A bittersweet interlude, that afterwards connects with Neil in the most wonderful way. Can't say more about that, but absolutely loved it.
Alice, Neil's "second" mother, is amazing. She loves her little boy with all her heart, knowing and accepting who he truly is, however far-fetched it must have seemed. She struck me as really special and precious, and I was glad to be given a glimpse of her HEA as well. I simply adored that we got scenes from her perspective too.
This is a must-read! Must, I tell you!
One of the most original love stories I've ever read! A great twist on the popular May/December trope and an incredibly unique second chance at love story. It nearly broke my heart, but luckily the author stitched it back together!
Leta Blake has an incredible gift with words and shows true excellence in weaving together Neil and Joshua's almost epic tale. The emotions in this story soar to great heights, but there is also a lot of sadness and loss to overcome. And it's all written in such a beautiful and moving way, as if she's writing on our hearts instead of on the pages of the book.
I don't think anyone could read this story and not feel touched by it.
I love the way she uses dreams and their symbolism to help the characters deal with everything that happens, and also gives them a way to connect with each other when that doesn't seem possible in real life.
Neil is a strange and complex character, in both his lifetimes. He doesn't make friends easily, so I was glad to see him form a friendship with Derek. Neil's so intense and focused, so dedicated to his research, and to Joshua's happiness. Absolutely amazing guy. I was so impatient for him to grow up so he could finally reconnect with Joshua. But the author knew better than to rush that, and she builds up the tension and emotion very skillfully.
Joshua has built a life for himself, though he never really stopped loving Neil or grieving for him.
I loved how the author gave him a way to be (mostly) happy during the years it takes Neil to grow up, again. A bittersweet interlude, that afterwards connects with Neil in the most wonderful way. Can't say more about that, but absolutely loved it.
Alice, Neil's "second" mother, is amazing. She loves her little boy with all her heart, knowing and accepting who he truly is, however far-fetched it must have seemed. She struck me as really special and precious, and I was glad to be given a glimpse of her HEA as well. I simply adored that we got scenes from her perspective too.
This is a must-read! Must, I tell you!
intheblackout's review against another edition
4.0
Any Given Lifetime is a unique and interesting romance. It tackles loss and grief, and had me tearing up at multiple moments. It's spans a amount of time, also jumping from present day to the past. The author did this really well, I was never confused about what time we were in and it made for an even more engaging read.
It goes beyond 2023 and has a slight sci-fi aspect with the interesting aspect of nanites. These nanites are able to help slow down the physical aspects of aging and are game changing in medical procedures. The book doesn't go into too much detail, which is good as I think it would've bogged the story down.
The love story between Joshua and Neil was beautiful. We essentially get a 2-for-1 deal with their romance due to the reincarnation element. The side character's were also a treat to read. Their love for our main duo was palpable, and from how it reads I think some of them have their own books which I'm looking forward to reading.
It goes beyond 2023 and has a slight sci-fi aspect with the interesting aspect of nanites. These nanites are able to help slow down the physical aspects of aging and are game changing in medical procedures. The book doesn't go into too much detail, which is good as I think it would've bogged the story down.
The love story between Joshua and Neil was beautiful. We essentially get a 2-for-1 deal with their romance due to the reincarnation element. The side character's were also a treat to read. Their love for our main duo was palpable, and from how it reads I think some of them have their own books which I'm looking forward to reading.
sarful's review
3.0
For what it was, it was wonderful actually. But, despite thinking the author did a good version of a reincarnation love story, it’s still reincarnation. And it’s just not my cup of tea. If it were, this book would be a solid 4 star, but it’s not.
If reincarnation works for you, it’s pretty great.
This was a new to me author, but based on this, I will definitely read more.
If reincarnation works for you, it’s pretty great.
This was a new to me author, but based on this, I will definitely read more.