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melshappylife's review
4.0
All 3 of Brown's novels have been page turners for me. I can't wait to see where the ride ends. They start out strong and finish strong. This story shows how not dealing with past traumatic experiences can carry over into our daily lives many many years later. Kudos for a non-sappy ending.
lisaeirene's review
3.0
Meg is a middle-aged married mother of a teen daughter. She's a realtor, her husband is a doctor. They seemingly have a good life in a nice town, albeit a bit hectic. Then a tragic accident happens right in front of Meg and her daughter, Audrey. The twin brother of Audrey's boyfriend, Jake, is crossing the street near the school when another car comes out of nowhere and hits him. The other driver was texting and speeding.
As you can imagine, both Meg and Audrey are traumatized. The description of the accident was fast but real and I found myself almost hyperventilating as I read it. It was very real, very scary and fast (like an accident would be)...it just came out of nowhere.
The book is about the guilt Meg feels about waving Jake across the street, thinking it was safe. It's also about Meg basically failing as an adult. She's having a hard time with the guilt she feels, it brings up a traumatic event from her childhood, she's drifting away from both her husband and her daughter, and she's making mistakes at work. The story is about making mistakes, dealing with big consequences and healing.
As you can imagine, both Meg and Audrey are traumatized. The description of the accident was fast but real and I found myself almost hyperventilating as I read it. It was very real, very scary and fast (like an accident would be)...it just came out of nowhere.
The book is about the guilt Meg feels about waving Jake across the street, thinking it was safe. It's also about Meg basically failing as an adult. She's having a hard time with the guilt she feels, it brings up a traumatic event from her childhood, she's drifting away from both her husband and her daughter, and she's making mistakes at work. The story is about making mistakes, dealing with big consequences and healing.
readwithmeemz's review
4.0
4 - 4.5 stars.
I am an Indigo Employee, and I received an advanced reading copy of this book from Indigo Books & Music, in exchange for my honest feedback.
Karma Brown is quickly growing into one of my go-to writers. I've read two of her books so far, and already can't wait to pick up more. She writes a Jodi Picoult kind of book, for a slightly younger audience.
Her books are dramatic and heavy, and they will make you cry, but they are also well written and honest, and unafraid to ask those difficult questions. Brown is really good at showing us that we are often our own worst enemies, and does so by featuring strong, complex, realistic, multi-layered, female leads. Although I did prefer 'The Choices We Make', Brown has definitely created a devoted fan in me.
In This Moment feels like a realistic portrayal of guilt and grief, and I was thoroughly impressed by Brown's writing. It's the kind of book where even when you disagree with what the protagonist, Meg, is doing, or feel like she's making the wrong choices, you also completely understand why she does what she does, and acts the way she acts because Brown did such a great job of getting you in her head.
This book is also great because it catches up with you during unexpected moments in real life - Lately, as I drive, I've become much more vigilant - as the consequences of one little action by Meg - waving at someone to cross the road - had unexpected and lifelong tragic consequences. On another note, every time I use my phone to put in a reminder, I think of this book, and really consider whether I should re-evaluate my organizational strategies.
Honestly, I really enjoyed this book. It was raw and complicated, and well-written, and emotional. This book felt so real, that you couldn't help but ask yourself about Meg's role in the accident - is she truly guilty? should she bear the weight of her past decisions for the rest of her life?
In This Moment is a gorgeously woven, emotionally draining book that sticks with you, long after you finish reading it.
I am an Indigo Employee, and I received an advanced reading copy of this book from Indigo Books & Music, in exchange for my honest feedback.
Karma Brown is quickly growing into one of my go-to writers. I've read two of her books so far, and already can't wait to pick up more. She writes a Jodi Picoult kind of book, for a slightly younger audience.
Her books are dramatic and heavy, and they will make you cry, but they are also well written and honest, and unafraid to ask those difficult questions. Brown is really good at showing us that we are often our own worst enemies, and does so by featuring strong, complex, realistic, multi-layered, female leads. Although I did prefer 'The Choices We Make', Brown has definitely created a devoted fan in me.
In This Moment feels like a realistic portrayal of guilt and grief, and I was thoroughly impressed by Brown's writing. It's the kind of book where even when you disagree with what the protagonist, Meg, is doing, or feel like she's making the wrong choices, you also completely understand why she does what she does, and acts the way she acts because Brown did such a great job of getting you in her head.
This book is also great because it catches up with you during unexpected moments in real life - Lately, as I drive, I've become much more vigilant - as the consequences of one little action by Meg - waving at someone to cross the road - had unexpected and lifelong tragic consequences. On another note, every time I use my phone to put in a reminder, I think of this book, and really consider whether I should re-evaluate my organizational strategies.
Honestly, I really enjoyed this book. It was raw and complicated, and well-written, and emotional. This book felt so real, that you couldn't help but ask yourself about Meg's role in the accident - is she truly guilty? should she bear the weight of her past decisions for the rest of her life?
In This Moment is a gorgeously woven, emotionally draining book that sticks with you, long after you finish reading it.
izzy_21's review
3.0
3.5
I was lucky to receive a copy of this book from a FB group giveaway. I normally gravitate to historical fiction, but enjoyed In This Moment. The decisions we make in the spur of the moment can have life altering consequences. The guilt of the role we played in the moment and the aftermath will linger with us. This book made me ponder those moments in my life as well as the near misses.
I was lucky to receive a copy of this book from a FB group giveaway. I normally gravitate to historical fiction, but enjoyed In This Moment. The decisions we make in the spur of the moment can have life altering consequences. The guilt of the role we played in the moment and the aftermath will linger with us. This book made me ponder those moments in my life as well as the near misses.
courtthebookgirl's review
4.0
I always love Karma Brown's books and this was no exception. I enjoy the way she writes and her books are generally page-turners. This was another fantastic book- I'll admit, it didn't end the way I wanted it to, but I am not holding that against her. It was a very "real" ending- but I will only say that, no spoilers. If you haven't read one of her books, be sure to check them out (I highly recommend Come Away With Me- personal favorite! But if you want a new book, this one is fantastic as well).
charmeezy's review
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
kristacapp92's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars
Not quite the guy wrenching story like her other books, but worth reading.
Not quite the guy wrenching story like her other books, but worth reading.
shelleyann01's review against another edition
3.0
A great read, and since I've recently been hit by a car myself I could relate! This is a mesmerizing story, drawing you into the lives of the characters until you feel like you know them. A story I'll never forget. The family name is Pepper and the father is a radiologist so he is Dr. Pepper: Cute 😀 ***Just a side note: I noticed, about halfway through, that Meg's phone breaks. A few pages later it says she looks at the clock on her phone, then four pages after that she goes out to buy a new phone. This kind of thing happened a few times during the book and kinda put me off. Am I being petty or does that drive other readers crazy too!?
a_lamb18's review against another edition
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
theocbookgirl's review against another edition
3.0
This has been on my TBR list for ages and I adore Karma Brown’s writing and In general her personal story! She is a gifted writer and In This Moment she analyzes a woman and her actions after a tragic accident. Meg is a relatable character and her suburbanite lifestyle/worries/busyness mirrors a lot of women I know. She makes some rotten choices and doesn’t communicate with the people who love her and instead denies any troubles and puts herself in awkward situations that normally she would never find herself in. I think the ending was realistic and sad.