Scan barcode
wynnie_reads's review
3.0
I found it a bit slow to get off the ground, I get the author was trying to build suspense but i don’t think it was quite managed.
We hear daily early on through Mo that there was an argument before the crash and the Harry the driver was very angry, this wasn’t explained enough for me. Some characters were introduced and forgotten again with no explanation...Cheryl?!
It was emotive and the description of the crash and the ripples something like that causes were well done. I especially liked the character of the man who was first on the scene and how he was affected by the nights events.
All in all it was enjoyable but I think it could have been made a lot better with a bit more to the plot.
Thanks to NetGalley for an e-copy in exchange for an honest review.
We hear daily early on through Mo that there was an argument before the crash and the Harry the driver was very angry, this wasn’t explained enough for me. Some characters were introduced and forgotten again with no explanation...Cheryl?!
It was emotive and the description of the crash and the ripples something like that causes were well done. I especially liked the character of the man who was first on the scene and how he was affected by the nights events.
All in all it was enjoyable but I think it could have been made a lot better with a bit more to the plot.
Thanks to NetGalley for an e-copy in exchange for an honest review.
juliette_21's review
3.0
The whole idea behind this book was interesting. You often read articles about car crashes, drunk driving and accidents leading to death and bad injuries. But you never get to read about the consequences on everyone.
This book started off in a bit of a confusion for me as there were so many people to get to know. It took me a few chapters to understand who was who and who was related to who.
Once that was understood, the book flew nicely and I really enjoyed seeing everyone's perspective and what the parents were going through as well and how they coped.
The ending though felt rushed but also really slow and it got to a point where I wasn't hooked anymore and I kept counting tb pages hoping to finish it quickly.
I did enjoy the different topics like grief, organ donation, death, forgiveness.
The last chapter felt useless even though I can understand why the author wanted to include it. It just didn't feel like it belonged in the book.
This book started off in a bit of a confusion for me as there were so many people to get to know. It took me a few chapters to understand who was who and who was related to who.
Once that was understood, the book flew nicely and I really enjoyed seeing everyone's perspective and what the parents were going through as well and how they coped.
The ending though felt rushed but also really slow and it got to a point where I wasn't hooked anymore and I kept counting tb pages hoping to finish it quickly.
I did enjoy the different topics like grief, organ donation, death, forgiveness.
The last chapter felt useless even though I can understand why the author wanted to include it. It just didn't feel like it belonged in the book.
nickymaund's review
5.0
Right from the start this had be hooked! Line and sinker. The plot, the writing, the pace, the characters, the depth of characterisation, the dynamics of familial relationships, the complexity of grief, the narration. Everything. I even had a book hangover after finishing this one. It goes without saying - this covers heaving subjects so affected readers/listeners approach with caution!
Ok, back to it. Did I say I liked this one? I loved it. The premise is every parents/loved ones nightmare - a crash that has life changing implications (and not just on those involved in the crash - but also their family members, friends, even a bystander who witnessed the immediate aftermath and helped out). I really liked how Bond focussed part of the story into the build up to the crash, the immediate after and then later as everyone adjusts. It was great to see how different characters, as in real life, deal with their grief and trauma in different ways.
The emotions run high in this book and Bond handles them really well - particularly so given the breadth of her character viewpoints; teenager, siblings, struggling parents, the bereaved. Definitely a recommended read!!!
Ok, back to it. Did I say I liked this one? I loved it. The premise is every parents/loved ones nightmare - a crash that has life changing implications (and not just on those involved in the crash - but also their family members, friends, even a bystander who witnessed the immediate aftermath and helped out). I really liked how Bond focussed part of the story into the build up to the crash, the immediate after and then later as everyone adjusts. It was great to see how different characters, as in real life, deal with their grief and trauma in different ways.
The emotions run high in this book and Bond handles them really well - particularly so given the breadth of her character viewpoints; teenager, siblings, struggling parents, the bereaved. Definitely a recommended read!!!
locket1981's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
5.0
Wow! This is so emotionally charged the impact that one event can have on so many lives is incredible. This is a heartbreaking story of how 5 teenagers, a party , an argument and car accident completely shakes the lives of them and their families. I have to admit I shed a tear at the end. As humans we are so strong and it take’s something drastic for us to see how strong!!
lucycatten's review
3.0
Wow - what a premise. 'When a car carrying five teenagers home from a party crashes into a brick wall, the consequences are devastating - not just for the young people directly involved, but also for their families, their friends and the wider community.' I couldn't resist this and was so pleased to be granted a copy by the publisher through NetGalley. Superb characterisation and a solidly plotted story meant that I read this in two sittings. It was my first Caroline Bond but it certainly won't be my last. A fantastic read.
nixmouse's review
5.0
One Split Second starts with a bang, literally - a fun night out for a group of teenage friends ends badly with a terrible car crash. The narrative then follows the victims and their families in the aftermath of the accident, and how they try to cope with the emotional and physical impact of that split second and how it changes all their lives. It's a very emotional and thought provoking story that raises questions about blame, responsibility and grief. The various characters are engaging and as the story unfolds, revealing more about the events leading up to the accident, you are really drawn into their world. I highly recommend this book, I thoroughly enjoyed it, definitely a five star read.
leemac027's review
4.0
Many people may have experienced a moment when a split second decision changed their life - either for good or bad. Such is the crux of this book.
Five teenagers are in a car which smashes into a brick wall and this moment changes everything. The lives of those in the crash takes on a new trajectory (and not all survive) while the narrative also explores the broader impact on the family and the witnesses.
The shifting alliances between the families is an interesting dynamic especially for the family of Harry, who was driving the car. The story is full of raw emotion, and it is too easy to put yourself into that situation and imagine what you would do in their shoes.
A novel that makes you think and reflect about what is important - the here and now. What is in the past we can't change, and we don't know what is in the future.
One thought that sprung to mind while reading the book was, please people keep your cats inside!
Five teenagers are in a car which smashes into a brick wall and this moment changes everything. The lives of those in the crash takes on a new trajectory (and not all survive) while the narrative also explores the broader impact on the family and the witnesses.
The shifting alliances between the families is an interesting dynamic especially for the family of Harry, who was driving the car. The story is full of raw emotion, and it is too easy to put yourself into that situation and imagine what you would do in their shoes.
A novel that makes you think and reflect about what is important - the here and now. What is in the past we can't change, and we don't know what is in the future.
One thought that sprung to mind while reading the book was, please people keep your cats inside!
chynaloud's review
2.0
I knew this book was going to be depressing, it is a book about a fatal car crash after all, but I wasn’t expecting it to be quite as depressing as it was. The glimmer of hope for the future, positivity and transformation following the tragedy comes in the last couple of chapters of the book - until then we are just following how grief manifests in each of the different characters. Reading about grief, anger and sadness for such a long time doesn’t make for a fulfilling read, and it just left me with a constant feeling of anxiety. Would not recommend for the empathetic soul.
thelibraryofimagination's review
5.0
Thanks to @pigeonholhq and @Bond2Caroline for the copy of this book.
This is an intense and emotional read.
The story follows the aftermath of a car accident involving a group of teenage friends.
Some parts of this book were challenging for me to read, it was so emotionally charged that it brought back memories of my own experiences with car accidents. Caroline wrote the characters so well you could not but feel as they feel; their anger, sadness, frustration, empathy and ultimately forgiveness. All the emotions were yours to experience alongside each and every character in this book. You just can’t help it.
One Split Second is an engaging read that has you guessing and wondering and speculating. You anxiously wait for the whole story. Emotions are at an all time high and shock taints interpretations of the accident so you don’t know what actually happened. As the story unfolds, the events of the night in question are revealed and so are the secrets, the lies and the deceit between family, friends and lovers.
Bond’s writing is creative and evokes an emotional response. I often found myself rereading passages to experience them again. They were beautifully written and needed to be fully appreciated. My emotional investment in this book was huge because the writing drew me in to each character's story and I held on tight. I highly recommend this book!
This is an intense and emotional read.
The story follows the aftermath of a car accident involving a group of teenage friends.
Some parts of this book were challenging for me to read, it was so emotionally charged that it brought back memories of my own experiences with car accidents. Caroline wrote the characters so well you could not but feel as they feel; their anger, sadness, frustration, empathy and ultimately forgiveness. All the emotions were yours to experience alongside each and every character in this book. You just can’t help it.
One Split Second is an engaging read that has you guessing and wondering and speculating. You anxiously wait for the whole story. Emotions are at an all time high and shock taints interpretations of the accident so you don’t know what actually happened. As the story unfolds, the events of the night in question are revealed and so are the secrets, the lies and the deceit between family, friends and lovers.
Bond’s writing is creative and evokes an emotional response. I often found myself rereading passages to experience them again. They were beautifully written and needed to be fully appreciated. My emotional investment in this book was huge because the writing drew me in to each character's story and I held on tight. I highly recommend this book!