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How to Save a Life
The bestselling authors of The Good Widow deliver a modern, suspenseful twist on Groundhog Day that asks the How far are you willing to go to save the life of someone you love? Dom is having a very bad day―one he literally can’t escape. When Dom bumps into Mia, his ex-fiancée whom he hasn’t seen in almost a decade, he believes they’ve been given a second chance and asks her out. When Mia dies tragically on their date, Dom makes a desperate to be given the chance to save her life. And when he wakes the next morning to the shock that she’s alive, he thinks his wish may have been granted. But day after day, no matter what he changes about their time together, she still meets a terrible fate. Dom frantically searches for answers to save his beloved Mia and rekindle their former love. But the further he digs, the more obsessed he becomes, making him realize that slowing down time may be the only way to see things clearly. As he’s forced to confront the truth about himself and those he’s closest to, Dom vows that he’ll watch Mia die a thousand times if it means he can save her once.
303 pages, Paperback
First published July 14, 2020
534 people are currently reading
9280 people want to read
About the author
Liz Fenton
11 books1,683 followersLiz Fenton and Lisa Steinke have been best friends for over thirty years and survived high school and college together. They’ve co-authored nine novels, including the Amazon Charts bestseller, The Good Widow.
In addition to writing books, they created a podcast, We Fight So You Don’t Have to: Lessons from a thirty-year friendship.
They both reside in San Diego, California with their families and several rescue dogs.Connect with Liz and Lisa on Instagram at @lisaandliz or at www.lizandlisa.com.
Connect with Liz and Lisa on social media: www.lizandlisa.com
Instagram: @lisaandliz
FB: Liz Fenton & Lisa Steinke
Substack: lizandlisa
In addition to writing books, they created a podcast, We Fight So You Don’t Have to: Lessons from a thirty-year friendship.
They both reside in San Diego, California with their families and several rescue dogs.Connect with Liz and Lisa on Instagram at @lisaandliz or at www.lizandlisa.com.
Connect with Liz and Lisa on social media: www.lizandlisa.com
Instagram: @lisaandliz
FB: Liz Fenton & Lisa Steinke
Substack: lizandlisa
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 604 reviews
September 6, 2020
A brain cell destroying, heartbreaking, tear jerking and emotional version of Groundhog Day!
Welcome to the never ending nightmare of Dominic. He let go his love of his life, Mia, 10 years ago! Because he was dump, he was only 24, he was afraid of commitment and he was just a guy who hated to leave his secured cocoon. He never liked to take risks. But for ten years, he couldn’t find anyone to love as much as he loved Mia!
Now he has a chance to make things right but how you can compensate the time you have lost when the love of your life keep dying and you cannot do anything to stop or change it, when you live the same day over and over again!
I watched so many time loop stories: starting from Groundhog Day, 90’s TV movie “12:01”, Netflix’s “Russian Doll” and Blumhouse’s “Happy Death Day” and Supernatural’s season3 episode 11: “ Mystery Spot” (Brother stuck in same day: Dean dies thousand times and Sam cannot do anything to save his brother!)
Most of the stories start with a song from 50 cents or Asia, Harry Nilsson (didn’t you keep singing “Gotta Get Up” song like a broken record after watching “Russian Doll”: Natasha Lyonne finds herself washing her hands, looking at the mirror at her friend’s bathroom as the song blasts out!) or Sony and Cher’s “I got you babe”. This book also stayed loyal to this tradition and our hero’s day starts with the same and meaningful song: “How To Save A life” as like an omen how his entire day meant for!
Dom wakes up every god damn June 11th suffering from hangover, chatting with his best friend Lance how he feels so stressful because today is the day he’ll go on a date with Mia and he still loves her but he may have unrequited feelings. Then he goes outside, sees homeless guy Chuck ( just like Bill Murray does, he connects with the man and learns his back story, trying to help with him!), then he runs away from his old insurance policy salesman friend played by Stephen Tobolowsky! Okay, I was just teasing! There was no salesman. I wanted to make sure you keep reading. Instead of stepping into mud puddle or seeing a salesman, Dominic saves Amanda from being hit by a car instinctively, getting her email address and moves to his workplace.
This is his routine every nine version of June 11th (at some parts he also visited the psychiatrist like Groundhog day’s Phil did and he also had MRI but nothing is wrong about his health and he is not delusional!)
Here is the million dollar question: Could Dominic get himself out of this time loop and save his love of his life? Could he finally learn Mia’s big secret? Could the lovers have second chance for their HEA?
The ending of the book was predictable and I’m not gonna tell more. I think I already told enough!
Overall: I only cut my one point because of obvious conclusion but I have to admit this was truly meaningful time loop story tells us how you seize your days and how important to have people you may hold on in your lives. I liked the message of the story even though it broke my heart into tiny little pieces. I’m giving my emotional, gripping, surprising, heartfelt four stars!
This duo surprised me a lot with their brilliant writing and their amazing tribute to Groundhog Day.
I already read their thriller books but I think they are also good at writing beautiful, poignant, romantic stories. I have to congratulate them for their creative skills to write at different genres adroitly.
So much thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for sharing this remarkable ARC with me in exchange my honest review.
Welcome to the never ending nightmare of Dominic. He let go his love of his life, Mia, 10 years ago! Because he was dump, he was only 24, he was afraid of commitment and he was just a guy who hated to leave his secured cocoon. He never liked to take risks. But for ten years, he couldn’t find anyone to love as much as he loved Mia!
Now he has a chance to make things right but how you can compensate the time you have lost when the love of your life keep dying and you cannot do anything to stop or change it, when you live the same day over and over again!
I watched so many time loop stories: starting from Groundhog Day, 90’s TV movie “12:01”, Netflix’s “Russian Doll” and Blumhouse’s “Happy Death Day” and Supernatural’s season3 episode 11: “ Mystery Spot” (Brother stuck in same day: Dean dies thousand times and Sam cannot do anything to save his brother!)
Most of the stories start with a song from 50 cents or Asia, Harry Nilsson (didn’t you keep singing “Gotta Get Up” song like a broken record after watching “Russian Doll”: Natasha Lyonne finds herself washing her hands, looking at the mirror at her friend’s bathroom as the song blasts out!) or Sony and Cher’s “I got you babe”. This book also stayed loyal to this tradition and our hero’s day starts with the same and meaningful song: “How To Save A life” as like an omen how his entire day meant for!
Dom wakes up every god damn June 11th suffering from hangover, chatting with his best friend Lance how he feels so stressful because today is the day he’ll go on a date with Mia and he still loves her but he may have unrequited feelings. Then he goes outside, sees homeless guy Chuck ( just like Bill Murray does, he connects with the man and learns his back story, trying to help with him!), then he runs away from his old insurance policy salesman friend played by Stephen Tobolowsky! Okay, I was just teasing! There was no salesman. I wanted to make sure you keep reading. Instead of stepping into mud puddle or seeing a salesman, Dominic saves Amanda from being hit by a car instinctively, getting her email address and moves to his workplace.
This is his routine every nine version of June 11th (at some parts he also visited the psychiatrist like Groundhog day’s Phil did and he also had MRI but nothing is wrong about his health and he is not delusional!)
Here is the million dollar question: Could Dominic get himself out of this time loop and save his love of his life? Could he finally learn Mia’s big secret? Could the lovers have second chance for their HEA?
The ending of the book was predictable and I’m not gonna tell more. I think I already told enough!
Overall: I only cut my one point because of obvious conclusion but I have to admit this was truly meaningful time loop story tells us how you seize your days and how important to have people you may hold on in your lives. I liked the message of the story even though it broke my heart into tiny little pieces. I’m giving my emotional, gripping, surprising, heartfelt four stars!
This duo surprised me a lot with their brilliant writing and their amazing tribute to Groundhog Day.
I already read their thriller books but I think they are also good at writing beautiful, poignant, romantic stories. I have to congratulate them for their creative skills to write at different genres adroitly.
So much thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for sharing this remarkable ARC with me in exchange my honest review.
June 28, 2020
One of the things I love most about when Lisa and Liz release a new book, is that you never know exactly what to expect. They don't fall into the rut of predictability; there's always some new take on a genre, a new twist, and a new level of enjoyability. This time, the dynamic duo has taken the Groundhog Day plot and thrown in some romantic suspense to create an emotional multiple chance romance for the ages.
Please, do yourself a favor and go into this one blind. You truly do not want the big reveal of How to Save a Life spoiled for you, because this book includes a delicious build up of tension until you finally figure out the why behind it all. I think I'll leave me review here, because I want you to read this one for yourself if this is your kind of book. Just know that this is a departure from the type of books that the author team has written recently, and I think they handled it exceptionally well.
*Many thanks to the publisher for providing my review copy.
Please, do yourself a favor and go into this one blind. You truly do not want the big reveal of How to Save a Life spoiled for you, because this book includes a delicious build up of tension until you finally figure out the why behind it all. I think I'll leave me review here, because I want you to read this one for yourself if this is your kind of book. Just know that this is a departure from the type of books that the author team has written recently, and I think they handled it exceptionally well.
*Many thanks to the publisher for providing my review copy.
July 16, 2020
*** Happy pub day**** I loved this book!! Just FYI if you look on their website they have some zoom book events that you can attend! It was so much fun! I loved hearing all about the authors and the writing of the book. I promise there were no spoilers!
I have never met a Liz and Lisa book I didn't like and this one is no exception. Although I must say this one did seem a bit "deeper" and managed to evoke a few tears from me. I must admit I was a little skeptical about this "groundhog" day premise, but it did work. It got the message across and kept me glued to the pages.
Dom broke things off with Mia ten years ago. As they have both gone their separate ways, Dom thinks about Mia...every...single ...day...In fact he talks about her so much that his family and friends thinks he is obsessed with her. I must agree. Yet, I think that Dom is not entirely happy with his life and he thinks that Mia is the thing that would have made his whole life perfect. I think many of us do that. You think to yourself- well if I had done this in life, my life would be perfect. When in fact it may be just the same. SO I got you Dom, I understand.
Then ten years later, by chance Dom runs into Mia on the street. Do they have a chance to live happily ever after? It is as if the universe wants a say in this as Dom is forced to relive Mia's death- over and over again. OMG my heart broke each time for Dom. I just kept holding out hope that Dom can change the outcome...just one time...
Will Dom get his happily ever after? Will Mia make it to see another day? Can Dom literally save a life? I loved this book even though it tore my heart out many times! As for the title...well it is perfect! Not only do I LOVE this song by The Fray...it fit in perfectly with this book. Although, I am going to be singing this to myself for weeks to come...thanks Liz and Lisa...HAHAHAHA...at least I love the song.
Huge shoutout to Lake Union Publishing for sending me a finished copy of this gorgeous book for a honest review. I loved it! Pub date is 7/14/2020
I have never met a Liz and Lisa book I didn't like and this one is no exception. Although I must say this one did seem a bit "deeper" and managed to evoke a few tears from me. I must admit I was a little skeptical about this "groundhog" day premise, but it did work. It got the message across and kept me glued to the pages.
Dom broke things off with Mia ten years ago. As they have both gone their separate ways, Dom thinks about Mia...every...single ...day...In fact he talks about her so much that his family and friends thinks he is obsessed with her. I must agree. Yet, I think that Dom is not entirely happy with his life and he thinks that Mia is the thing that would have made his whole life perfect. I think many of us do that. You think to yourself- well if I had done this in life, my life would be perfect. When in fact it may be just the same. SO I got you Dom, I understand.
Then ten years later, by chance Dom runs into Mia on the street. Do they have a chance to live happily ever after? It is as if the universe wants a say in this as Dom is forced to relive Mia's death- over and over again. OMG my heart broke each time for Dom. I just kept holding out hope that Dom can change the outcome...just one time...
Will Dom get his happily ever after? Will Mia make it to see another day? Can Dom literally save a life? I loved this book even though it tore my heart out many times! As for the title...well it is perfect! Not only do I LOVE this song by The Fray...it fit in perfectly with this book. Although, I am going to be singing this to myself for weeks to come...thanks Liz and Lisa...HAHAHAHA...at least I love the song.
Huge shoutout to Lake Union Publishing for sending me a finished copy of this gorgeous book for a honest review. I loved it! Pub date is 7/14/2020
July 8, 2020
Do you truly get over your first love? What if you were given a chance to win them back?
Dom lost the light of his life, Mia, ten years ago after calling off their engagement. And he’s been unable to move on since. Regret has flooded his heart. Destiny intervenes, and a chance encounter at a coffee shop brings Mia back into his life. But can he re-capture and hold on to the love of his life this time? Or is he doomed to lose her forever?
Sometimes you have to face your fears head on!
The less you know going into this read the better. Blind is best!
It’s fun! It’s quirky! It will give you hope to believe in the power of love!
Though I didn’t care much for Mia, I did want Dom to finally find joy and happiness!
You might find yourself rooting for him too!
A buddy read with Susanne
Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for granting my wish.
Dom lost the light of his life, Mia, ten years ago after calling off their engagement. And he’s been unable to move on since. Regret has flooded his heart. Destiny intervenes, and a chance encounter at a coffee shop brings Mia back into his life. But can he re-capture and hold on to the love of his life this time? Or is he doomed to lose her forever?
Sometimes you have to face your fears head on!
The less you know going into this read the better. Blind is best!
It’s fun! It’s quirky! It will give you hope to believe in the power of love!
Though I didn’t care much for Mia, I did want Dom to finally find joy and happiness!
You might find yourself rooting for him too!
A buddy read with Susanne
Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for granting my wish.
June 29, 2020
Imagine living the same day over and over again.
Little details change but the outcome remains the same. The love of your life dies at the end of it. Every night Dom tries to save Mia and every night, he fails no matter what he does. Dom of course is devastated and each day he tries again. No one in his life comprehends what he is going through because he is the only one going through it.
"How to Save a Life” is a novel with a fairly original premise. I really wanted to love this novel - unfortunately, something was missing for me here. If I had to put my finger on it, I would say that I didn’t buy into the romance between Dom and Mia. As each day repeated itself, I felt less and less for the characters as the time loop made it impossible for me to feel invested. In my opinion, neither Dom or Mia appeared to be well suited for the other as each wished the other would change in some way and that left me wanting. That aside, the writing here is well done. The suspense, Dom’s distress over reliving each day, the tension which kept me engaged even though I didn’t quite buy into the romance. I loved the storyline between Dom and Chuck and Dom and Amanda, the woman whose life Dom saved every morning. The book’s message is also one that I truly appreciate.
This was a buddy read with Kaceey.
Thank you to NetGalley, Lake Union Publishing and Liz Fenton and Lisa Steinke for the arc.
Published on Goodreads on 6.28.20.
Little details change but the outcome remains the same. The love of your life dies at the end of it. Every night Dom tries to save Mia and every night, he fails no matter what he does. Dom of course is devastated and each day he tries again. No one in his life comprehends what he is going through because he is the only one going through it.
"How to Save a Life” is a novel with a fairly original premise. I really wanted to love this novel - unfortunately, something was missing for me here. If I had to put my finger on it, I would say that I didn’t buy into the romance between Dom and Mia. As each day repeated itself, I felt less and less for the characters as the time loop made it impossible for me to feel invested. In my opinion, neither Dom or Mia appeared to be well suited for the other as each wished the other would change in some way and that left me wanting. That aside, the writing here is well done. The suspense, Dom’s distress over reliving each day, the tension which kept me engaged even though I didn’t quite buy into the romance. I loved the storyline between Dom and Chuck and Dom and Amanda, the woman whose life Dom saved every morning. The book’s message is also one that I truly appreciate.
This was a buddy read with Kaceey.
Thank you to NetGalley, Lake Union Publishing and Liz Fenton and Lisa Steinke for the arc.
Published on Goodreads on 6.28.20.
July 13, 2020
I have been reading Liz and Lisa’s books since they wrote contemporaries through some tense summery mystery thrillers, and I have loved following along on their journey. With How to Save a Life, they have returned to contemporary with a touch of whimsy or fantasy, like Groundhog Day. Don’t let me lose you on that note. Go with it for a bit.
Dom runs into Mia, his ex fiancé he hasn’t seen in several years. He wants a second chance with her and asks her out. This sounds perfect and hopeful but ends tragically when Mia dies on their date together. Dom makes a wish for Mia to come back, and she does. But then she dies again. And the same thing happens the next day. She’s alive and dies again the same way. Dom is desperate to save her.
I loved this. It reminded me of Lisa and Liz’s The Year We Turned Forty in its fantasy element. Not stretched too far, but hopeful. This book made me cry big, big tears. It’s every bit as heartbreaking and tragic as you imagine, but I was along for the ride because I loved Dom to bits, and his love for Mia, and that whole “what if” storyline I never tire of. Even though this one isn’t billed as a mystery thriller, it has nice tension and suspense as you wonder what will happen with Mia and Dom. Overall, I highly recommend this one for anyone looking for their next emotional summer read.
I received a gifted copy. All opinions are my own.
Many of my reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com and instagram: www.instagram.com/tarheelreader
Dom runs into Mia, his ex fiancé he hasn’t seen in several years. He wants a second chance with her and asks her out. This sounds perfect and hopeful but ends tragically when Mia dies on their date together. Dom makes a wish for Mia to come back, and she does. But then she dies again. And the same thing happens the next day. She’s alive and dies again the same way. Dom is desperate to save her.
I loved this. It reminded me of Lisa and Liz’s The Year We Turned Forty in its fantasy element. Not stretched too far, but hopeful. This book made me cry big, big tears. It’s every bit as heartbreaking and tragic as you imagine, but I was along for the ride because I loved Dom to bits, and his love for Mia, and that whole “what if” storyline I never tire of. Even though this one isn’t billed as a mystery thriller, it has nice tension and suspense as you wonder what will happen with Mia and Dom. Overall, I highly recommend this one for anyone looking for their next emotional summer read.
I received a gifted copy. All opinions are my own.
Many of my reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com and instagram: www.instagram.com/tarheelreader
July 23, 2020
3.5 stars
Where did I go wrong?
I lost a friend
Somewhere along in the bitterness
And I would have stayed up with you all night
Had I known how to save a life
-The Fray
Dom is having a bad day alright. A day he is living repeatedly but with enough variations and minor changes that these repetitive days do not become tedious. You see, Dom bumped into his ex-fiancé (the one he has never gotten over and still holds a torch for) and asks her out and she says YES! What could go wrong? Well she dies. Not once, not twice, but over and over - you get the picture.
This is Groundhogs day with a little bit of Final Destination and Happy Death Day thrown in (you might think twice before going to an amusement park - just saying). Each day he learns something new but is it enough to save Mia's life?
Caught in a time loop, can Dom save the woman he loves? Will Thursday ever end? Is he destined to re-live that day over and over again?
Reading about the same day many times does sound tedious, but again, there are enough changes, more information, new things happen, we learn more about the things that happen and each day she dies in a different death. Sounds morbid, I know. Yet, there is a lesson here. Although it's not the more original premise i.e. Groundhogs day, it is an engaging and thought-provoking book. Now, if only I can get The Fray out of my head! "Step one, you say we need to talk..."
So, talking about the book...It's enjoyable (this feels weird to say as Mia dies repeatedly) but I enjoyed the lesson here and I did enjoy how the authors cleverly told their story about Dom, the love of his life, second changes, and......(this is where you read the book to find out for yourself).
So good read the book, kiss your loved ones, dance in public, and enjoy your life.
Thank you to Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Where did I go wrong?
I lost a friend
Somewhere along in the bitterness
And I would have stayed up with you all night
Had I known how to save a life
-The Fray
Dom is having a bad day alright. A day he is living repeatedly but with enough variations and minor changes that these repetitive days do not become tedious. You see, Dom bumped into his ex-fiancé (the one he has never gotten over and still holds a torch for) and asks her out and she says YES! What could go wrong? Well she dies. Not once, not twice, but over and over - you get the picture.
This is Groundhogs day with a little bit of Final Destination and Happy Death Day thrown in (you might think twice before going to an amusement park - just saying). Each day he learns something new but is it enough to save Mia's life?
Caught in a time loop, can Dom save the woman he loves? Will Thursday ever end? Is he destined to re-live that day over and over again?
Reading about the same day many times does sound tedious, but again, there are enough changes, more information, new things happen, we learn more about the things that happen and each day she dies in a different death. Sounds morbid, I know. Yet, there is a lesson here. Although it's not the more original premise i.e. Groundhogs day, it is an engaging and thought-provoking book. Now, if only I can get The Fray out of my head! "Step one, you say we need to talk..."
So, talking about the book...It's enjoyable (this feels weird to say as Mia dies repeatedly) but I enjoyed the lesson here and I did enjoy how the authors cleverly told their story about Dom, the love of his life, second changes, and......(this is where you read the book to find out for yourself).
So good read the book, kiss your loved ones, dance in public, and enjoy your life.
Thank you to Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
July 12, 2020
How To Save a Life, what a wonderfully fun
After 10 years Dom runs into his ex-fiancé Mia in a coffee shop. She was the one that got away and he never stopped thinking about her. He takes the chance and asks her out and she agrees. But on that date Mia dies. Dom is devastated and wishes that he could have saved her. When he wakes the next morning he realises that he is reliving the same day again but the same thing happens despite his attempts to change the outcome. He gets stuck in a Groundhog Day situation, trying to save Mia.
I love this book and high recommend. It made me laugh and it made me cry. Thanks to Lake Union Publishing and Netgalley for my advanced copy of this book to read.
After 10 years Dom runs into his ex-fiancé Mia in a coffee shop. She was the one that got away and he never stopped thinking about her. He takes the chance and asks her out and she agrees. But on that date Mia dies. Dom is devastated and wishes that he could have saved her. When he wakes the next morning he realises that he is reliving the same day again but the same thing happens despite his attempts to change the outcome. He gets stuck in a Groundhog Day situation, trying to save Mia.
I love this book and high recommend. It made me laugh and it made me cry. Thanks to Lake Union Publishing and Netgalley for my advanced copy of this book to read.
August 18, 2020
Sometimes saving the person you love is harder than you think. That's the concept behind
How to Save a Life
by Liz Fenton and Lisa Steinke.
Dom and Mia had what seemed like a storybook romance, culminating in a magical engagement. But shortly afterward, things fall apart, and they never see each other again.
Almost 10 years later, Dom runs into Mia at a coffee shop. He can’t believe he might have a second chance to try and build a relationship with her, and she seems interested, too.
On their first date, he’s determined to show her how much he’s changed from the overly cautious guy she used to know, but when Mia tragically dies, he is devastated. How could his second chance at happiness end so quickly?
But when he wakes up the next morning and discovers he’s repeating the same day, he thinks maybe fate has intervened. Yet no matter what he tries to do, Mia’s fate remains the same. He keeps living the day over and over again.
Dom’s desperation increases as he tries to figure out a way to save Mia. Can you actually control fate, or are we doomed to repeat life’s tragedies? Can he save Mia?
This is an interesting and thought-provoking story a la Groundhog Day . It definitely keeps you guessing and you feel for these characters, so you root for things to work themselves out.
This is the second book of Liz and Lisa I’ve read and I enjoyed their storytelling once again. I did think the storyline took a little too long to play itself out, but I still was pretty invested in how things unfolded.
And now I have the song by The Fray stuck in my head...
Check out my list of the best books I read in 2019 at https://itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com/2020/01/the-best-books-i-read-in-2019.html.
Check out my list of the best books of the decade at https://itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com/2020/01/my-favorite-books-of-decade.html.
See all of my reviews at itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com.
Follow me on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/the.bookishworld.of.yrralh/.
Dom and Mia had what seemed like a storybook romance, culminating in a magical engagement. But shortly afterward, things fall apart, and they never see each other again.
Almost 10 years later, Dom runs into Mia at a coffee shop. He can’t believe he might have a second chance to try and build a relationship with her, and she seems interested, too.
On their first date, he’s determined to show her how much he’s changed from the overly cautious guy she used to know, but when Mia tragically dies, he is devastated. How could his second chance at happiness end so quickly?
But when he wakes up the next morning and discovers he’s repeating the same day, he thinks maybe fate has intervened. Yet no matter what he tries to do, Mia’s fate remains the same. He keeps living the day over and over again.
Dom’s desperation increases as he tries to figure out a way to save Mia. Can you actually control fate, or are we doomed to repeat life’s tragedies? Can he save Mia?
This is an interesting and thought-provoking story a la Groundhog Day . It definitely keeps you guessing and you feel for these characters, so you root for things to work themselves out.
This is the second book of Liz and Lisa I’ve read and I enjoyed their storytelling once again. I did think the storyline took a little too long to play itself out, but I still was pretty invested in how things unfolded.
And now I have the song by The Fray stuck in my head...
Check out my list of the best books I read in 2019 at https://itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com/2020/01/the-best-books-i-read-in-2019.html.
Check out my list of the best books of the decade at https://itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com/2020/01/my-favorite-books-of-decade.html.
See all of my reviews at itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com.
Follow me on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/the.bookishworld.of.yrralh/.
July 3, 2020
There isn't a doubt in my mind that How to Save a Life is going to be an incredibly well-loved novel in 2020.
It has all the necessary elements...lovable characters, an engaging plot, and a beautifully done love story. Unfortunately, for me, it also felt repetitive and slightly cheesy. And readers won't need to be stuck in a time loop (haha...see what I did there?), to intuit the conclusion.
This is my third Liz Fenton/Lisa Steinke novel, and though none have particularly wowed me, Girls' Night Out was my favorite...not necessarily because it was so much better this one, I just tend to prefer suspense novels to romance.
I will say this about these two talented authors...they definitely don't get stuck in a writing rut. Each of their novels is very different from the one before. For that, I give major kudos.
Bottom line: If you like romance novels and Groundhog's Day with Bill Muray...you'll likely love this story.
Pick up your copy July 14th.
**My sincere and wholehearted appreciation to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for my review copy.
It has all the necessary elements...lovable characters, an engaging plot, and a beautifully done love story. Unfortunately, for me, it also felt repetitive and slightly cheesy. And readers won't need to be stuck in a time loop (haha...see what I did there?), to intuit the conclusion.
This is my third Liz Fenton/Lisa Steinke novel, and though none have particularly wowed me, Girls' Night Out was my favorite...not necessarily because it was so much better this one, I just tend to prefer suspense novels to romance.
I will say this about these two talented authors...they definitely don't get stuck in a writing rut. Each of their novels is very different from the one before. For that, I give major kudos.
Bottom line: If you like romance novels and Groundhog's Day with Bill Muray...you'll likely love this story.
Pick up your copy July 14th.
**My sincere and wholehearted appreciation to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for my review copy.
March 20, 2020
Lisa and Liz are back in action everybody! Sound the alarm because whenever these two come back in town, nobody knows what to expect. Liz Fenton and Lisa Steinke are my favorite duo writers and they always know how to entertain us. When I finally met them in person last summer during their book tour for their 2019 release The Two Lila Bennetts, they told me that their 2020 release would be vastly different than what I’d ever expect from them.
How to Save a Life is being called a romantic suspense with a Groundhog’s Day twist. I can guarantee that this is indeed a valid way to describe this book. I was hesitant to pick up a book that is normally out of my comfort zone, because I tend to be stricter with my reviews, but honestly, this book was so refreshingly different. I read this book in one sitting and I loved the way that the story was mapped out for the readers. I don't think there was one character I disliked. In fact, I think I was rooting for all of them. If you liked Rebecca Serle's In Five Years, you'll love How to Save a Life .
How to Save a Life is being called a romantic suspense with a Groundhog’s Day twist. I can guarantee that this is indeed a valid way to describe this book. I was hesitant to pick up a book that is normally out of my comfort zone, because I tend to be stricter with my reviews, but honestly, this book was so refreshingly different. I read this book in one sitting and I loved the way that the story was mapped out for the readers. I don't think there was one character I disliked. In fact, I think I was rooting for all of them. If you liked Rebecca Serle's In Five Years, you'll love How to Save a Life .
December 20, 2019
Dear Reader,
In November 2018, we were on vacation and tossing around ideas for our Summer 2020 release. We'd recently finished reading The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton, a novel where a man wakes up the same day in someone else's body, and must use the different information he gleans from his time with each body to solve a complex mystery. And it got us thinking about other ways we could tell a Groundhog Day-like story. (It's a great book, btw--add it to your Goodreads Shelf!)
At first, we saw the story as a mystery. We wanted to narrate from a male point of view, something we'd never done. Maybe a man who must figure out who is killing his wife each day? Maybe they are on holiday in Grand Cayman, the beautiful island where we were vacationing? But the more we discussed possible plot points, we came to a surprising conclusion: Neither of us was excited about writing another suspense novel. We wanted to get back to our roots.
With that epiphany, we were quickly able to imagine Dom, a young man who has become paralyzed by regret over a woman named Mia he broke up with ten years prior. When she appears back in his life unexpectedly, time literally stops as he tries to figure out not only how to save her life, but how to right the wrongs from the past. It's a story for anyone who has ever secretly thought about the one that got away.
We love Dom & Mia, and we can't wait for you to meet them!
We love to hear from readers. Please come find us on Instagram @lisaandliz and on Facebook at Liz Fenton & Lisa Steinke. And you can always swing by our website: www.lizandlisa.com.
Thank you so much--we appreciate every single one of you! xoxo, L&L
In November 2018, we were on vacation and tossing around ideas for our Summer 2020 release. We'd recently finished reading The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton, a novel where a man wakes up the same day in someone else's body, and must use the different information he gleans from his time with each body to solve a complex mystery. And it got us thinking about other ways we could tell a Groundhog Day-like story. (It's a great book, btw--add it to your Goodreads Shelf!)
At first, we saw the story as a mystery. We wanted to narrate from a male point of view, something we'd never done. Maybe a man who must figure out who is killing his wife each day? Maybe they are on holiday in Grand Cayman, the beautiful island where we were vacationing? But the more we discussed possible plot points, we came to a surprising conclusion: Neither of us was excited about writing another suspense novel. We wanted to get back to our roots.
With that epiphany, we were quickly able to imagine Dom, a young man who has become paralyzed by regret over a woman named Mia he broke up with ten years prior. When she appears back in his life unexpectedly, time literally stops as he tries to figure out not only how to save her life, but how to right the wrongs from the past. It's a story for anyone who has ever secretly thought about the one that got away.
We love Dom & Mia, and we can't wait for you to meet them!
We love to hear from readers. Please come find us on Instagram @lisaandliz and on Facebook at Liz Fenton & Lisa Steinke. And you can always swing by our website: www.lizandlisa.com.
Thank you so much--we appreciate every single one of you! xoxo, L&L
July 22, 2020
4 stars!
Dom continues to have the same day over and over and over again. He just can't seem to get away from Thursday, June 11th. A few days before that, Dom runs into his ex-fiance, Mia, and can't believe she is at the same coffee shop as him. He has spent the last 10 years thinking about her because she is the one that got away. Dom decides to see if things can work again with Mia but she dies on their date, to his surprise she is alive again the next morning and he's reliving the day all over again. Dom spends his week of June 11th trying to figure out what the secret is to keeping Mia alive and along the way learns a lot about himself.
Every summer I get really excited when a new Lisa and Liz book comes out. What I love most about these two is they give me something that's unique and different. How To Save A Life is so different from what I've been reading and it felt refreshing when I started to dig in. Most people compare this to the movie Groundhog Day meets Serendipity and I totally agree.
This is definitely a story about learning to slow down, accept fate and appreciate what you have in front of you. Although Dom may not have had each day they way he had expected or he was getting annoyed with repetitive actions, he needed to realize there was always a purpose for them. Mia may have been his number one priority and focal point but in the end I felt like he had recognized that he needs to pay attention to more of what's around him and how he can evolve into a better person.
Oh - and one more thing every time I looked or picked this book up, I got How to Save a Life by the Fray stuck in my head for hours 😊
Thank you to Lake Union publishing, Lisa and Liz (the authors) and Kathleen Carter for my advanced copy of this book!
"You saved my life. Now maybe it's my turn to save yours." Amanda extends her hand out to me, a life preserver to a drowning man. I take it.
Dom continues to have the same day over and over and over again. He just can't seem to get away from Thursday, June 11th. A few days before that, Dom runs into his ex-fiance, Mia, and can't believe she is at the same coffee shop as him. He has spent the last 10 years thinking about her because she is the one that got away. Dom decides to see if things can work again with Mia but she dies on their date, to his surprise she is alive again the next morning and he's reliving the day all over again. Dom spends his week of June 11th trying to figure out what the secret is to keeping Mia alive and along the way learns a lot about himself.
Every summer I get really excited when a new Lisa and Liz book comes out. What I love most about these two is they give me something that's unique and different. How To Save A Life is so different from what I've been reading and it felt refreshing when I started to dig in. Most people compare this to the movie Groundhog Day meets Serendipity and I totally agree.
This is definitely a story about learning to slow down, accept fate and appreciate what you have in front of you. Although Dom may not have had each day they way he had expected or he was getting annoyed with repetitive actions, he needed to realize there was always a purpose for them. Mia may have been his number one priority and focal point but in the end I felt like he had recognized that he needs to pay attention to more of what's around him and how he can evolve into a better person.
Oh - and one more thing every time I looked or picked this book up, I got How to Save a Life by the Fray stuck in my head for hours 😊
Thank you to Lake Union publishing, Lisa and Liz (the authors) and Kathleen Carter for my advanced copy of this book!
May 9, 2020
Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free, electronic ARC of this novel received in exchange for an honest review.
Expected publication date: July 14, 2020
“How to Save a Life” by Liz Fenton and Lisa Steinke is the seventh novel by the dynamic author pair, and it is the best of the bunch. A powerful and thought-provoking “Groundhog Day”-type novel, with hints of “The Time Machine”, it hits all the right chords.
Dom’s biggest regret is walking away from Mia ten years ago. After proposing, he ended their relationship out of fear and doubt. Now, she has come back into his life and he is determined to make sure they last. Tragically, Mia dies after a fall on their fast date and Dom is paralyzed with grief. When he wakes up the next day, and it is the morning of the previous day, Mia is alive and Dom is determined to keep her that way. Each and every day Dom wakes up after watching Mia die in a number of different ways, and she is once again alive and Dom is left wondering- how can he truly save Mia?
Not only did “How to Save A Life” get the Fray stuck in my head for days on end, it also left an indelible mark on my emotional soul. What would you do if you could live the same day over and over again? Would you take a risk, or play it safe? Would you change your behaviours, or stay exactly the same? And, most importantly, if you had the power to save the love of your life, how far would you go to accomplish it?
Dom is fixated on Mia, the “one who got away”, and everyone in his life tells him to move on. Desperate and obsessed, at first even I wanted to tell him to “get over it”. However, as he is reunited with Mia (again and again), the intensity of their relationship is revealed, and I began to slowly root for them. I expected this story to be repetitive, but it manages to describe the same day being played over and over again, without being boring or tedious. The ending is both sad and uplifting, but thoroughly engaging and enjoyable.
Powerful characters, deep and thought-provoking plot, and intense emotion inundate “How to Save a Life” and I must say, I loved every second. How this author pair continues to publish story after story with entertaining plots and dynamic characters is beyond me but frankly, I just want them to keep doing it.
Expected publication date: July 14, 2020
“How to Save a Life” by Liz Fenton and Lisa Steinke is the seventh novel by the dynamic author pair, and it is the best of the bunch. A powerful and thought-provoking “Groundhog Day”-type novel, with hints of “The Time Machine”, it hits all the right chords.
Dom’s biggest regret is walking away from Mia ten years ago. After proposing, he ended their relationship out of fear and doubt. Now, she has come back into his life and he is determined to make sure they last. Tragically, Mia dies after a fall on their fast date and Dom is paralyzed with grief. When he wakes up the next day, and it is the morning of the previous day, Mia is alive and Dom is determined to keep her that way. Each and every day Dom wakes up after watching Mia die in a number of different ways, and she is once again alive and Dom is left wondering- how can he truly save Mia?
Not only did “How to Save A Life” get the Fray stuck in my head for days on end, it also left an indelible mark on my emotional soul. What would you do if you could live the same day over and over again? Would you take a risk, or play it safe? Would you change your behaviours, or stay exactly the same? And, most importantly, if you had the power to save the love of your life, how far would you go to accomplish it?
Dom is fixated on Mia, the “one who got away”, and everyone in his life tells him to move on. Desperate and obsessed, at first even I wanted to tell him to “get over it”. However, as he is reunited with Mia (again and again), the intensity of their relationship is revealed, and I began to slowly root for them. I expected this story to be repetitive, but it manages to describe the same day being played over and over again, without being boring or tedious. The ending is both sad and uplifting, but thoroughly engaging and enjoyable.
Powerful characters, deep and thought-provoking plot, and intense emotion inundate “How to Save a Life” and I must say, I loved every second. How this author pair continues to publish story after story with entertaining plots and dynamic characters is beyond me but frankly, I just want them to keep doing it.
July 16, 2020
The whole time while reading this I had “How To Save A Life” stuck in my head. I’m pretty sure that was the authors intention but then I got other songs from The Fray stuck in my head . Anyway.
I wanted to love this but I just didn't. I thought the idea wasn’t that original and fairly predictable. Dom and Mia just didn't click for me, I didn't believe in their romance and didn't feel anything for the characters. I liked it but it just wasn't anything mind blowing and I didn't shed any tears like a lot of other people did so that was disappointing. I did like the end message and the story line with Chuck. I also really love that the authors, Liz and Lisa are best friends who write books together <3
Thank you to netgalley and to the publisher for a copy!
I wanted to love this but I just didn't. I thought the idea wasn’t that original and fairly predictable. Dom and Mia just didn't click for me, I didn't believe in their romance and didn't feel anything for the characters. I liked it but it just wasn't anything mind blowing and I didn't shed any tears like a lot of other people did so that was disappointing. I did like the end message and the story line with Chuck. I also really love that the authors, Liz and Lisa are best friends who write books together <3
Thank you to netgalley and to the publisher for a copy!
January 11, 2020
You might think you know what's going on in HOW TO SAY A LIFE, the latest fast-paced read from Fenton & Steinke, but you'd be wrong. Dom might be living the same day over and over again, trying to save his first love, Mia, but this time loop has more to teach Dom than he knows. And in the end, maybe the life that needs saving is his own. Highly recommend!
September 6, 2020
4 Time Loop Stars
My family is a huge fan of the movie “Groundhog Day” and that’s the underlying premise of this book. Can you ever get past your first love? Dom and Mia were engaged, but things didn’t work out. Now, ten years later they’ve run into each other again and Dom wants to give things another go.
Their first date doesn’t end well when Mia dies in a freak accident and that’s when the Groundhog effect kicks in. Dom keeps trying to save her as the day starts over for him with the alarm clock playing the Fray song “How to Save a Life.” Dom keeps trying different things with the hopes of getting to the next day. Will he finally figure out how to save Mia’s life?
This one was a fun escape read. It would have been a five-star read for me if I got more invested in Dom and Mia’s relationship. They didn’t seem like an amazing match. I did like the story of how this time loop ends up changing Dom’s outlook on things. Don’t we all wish we could have a do-over?
This was my first read from the pair of writers – Liz Fenton and Lisa Steinke – but this was the seventh book they’ve written together. Thanks to my local library for the loan.
My family is a huge fan of the movie “Groundhog Day” and that’s the underlying premise of this book. Can you ever get past your first love? Dom and Mia were engaged, but things didn’t work out. Now, ten years later they’ve run into each other again and Dom wants to give things another go.
Their first date doesn’t end well when Mia dies in a freak accident and that’s when the Groundhog effect kicks in. Dom keeps trying to save her as the day starts over for him with the alarm clock playing the Fray song “How to Save a Life.” Dom keeps trying different things with the hopes of getting to the next day. Will he finally figure out how to save Mia’s life?
This one was a fun escape read. It would have been a five-star read for me if I got more invested in Dom and Mia’s relationship. They didn’t seem like an amazing match. I did like the story of how this time loop ends up changing Dom’s outlook on things. Don’t we all wish we could have a do-over?
This was my first read from the pair of writers – Liz Fenton and Lisa Steinke – but this was the seventh book they’ve written together. Thanks to my local library for the loan.
July 4, 2020
Flawless and irresistible, profoundly moving and endlessly emotional. How To Save A Life is a truly unique and beautiful reimagining of Groundhog Day, asking if life and death are preordained, if our destiny is predetermined, and if some lives are meant to be saved.
Dom is paralyzed with regret over breaking up with his girlfriend, Mia, ten years ago. When she unexpectedly appears back in his life, only to die that very same night, he becomes caught in a Groundhog Day-like time loop in which he tries desperately to save her life over and over again, only to fail each time. This crazy time loop turns his life upside down, but teaches him important lessons about life: to look beyond yourself, to live life to the fullest, to love unselfishly. But in the end, will Dom be able to save Mia?
I loved this book and had all the feels throughout. Poignant, bittersweet and yet ultimately uplifting, I found myself re-reading certain passages again just so I could fully absorb their beauty.
Thank you so much to Netgalley for an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
Dom is paralyzed with regret over breaking up with his girlfriend, Mia, ten years ago. When she unexpectedly appears back in his life, only to die that very same night, he becomes caught in a Groundhog Day-like time loop in which he tries desperately to save her life over and over again, only to fail each time. This crazy time loop turns his life upside down, but teaches him important lessons about life: to look beyond yourself, to live life to the fullest, to love unselfishly. But in the end, will Dom be able to save Mia?
I loved this book and had all the feels throughout. Poignant, bittersweet and yet ultimately uplifting, I found myself re-reading certain passages again just so I could fully absorb their beauty.
Thank you so much to Netgalley for an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
September 5, 2020
Groundhog’s Day meets Happy Death Day meets Always Be My Maybe.
Emotional and cathartic!
This book is hard to describe in genre—I think I’d call it contemporary fiction with suspense as the subgenre.
I love how Liz and Lisa continue to surprise and stretch their writing boundaries with each book. This is very different from their other books, most notably because it is much more of an emotional read than a psychological thriller. It actually made me tear up several times!
It has all of the gripping, hard-to-put down qualities of a thriller, but it is a book about the heart, love, loss, and moving on. It is about learning to let go of the past and live in the present. And most notably, it is about how experiences and people can change us for the better.
I wasn’t sure how they’d get into the head of a male narrator since I tend to think writers do better with their own gender than the opposite when narrated first person. Dom is a great mix of serious, rigid, thoughtful, and sensitive. They nailed it! The only way I could tell this book was written by two incredible women was that Dom identified one of the characters as wearing a “black bandage dress”! (How many straight, single men in this world do you think know exactly what a bandage dress is??)
When Dom happens to run into the one-who-got-away ten years earlier, he can’t believe it. He has been looking for Mia in every woman he meets. It was a mistake to let their engagement go, and he isn’t over it. As the story progresses, Dom begins to relive the day of their first date after the ten year gap over and over again, unable to stop the loop. Even worst, despite everything he tries to do to change the outcome, Mia dies at the end of the day each time.
I don’t want to say too much about the outcome because it is so wonderful experiencing what Dom goes through as a relives the same day over and over. I loved seeing him try to find and piece together clues to save Mia and break the cycle. I also loved how Dom changed by each of these experiences, as he breaks his routine life to try to understand how to save his love.
Beautiful with a lot of thought-provoking moments and lessons, and enough suspense to keep you glued to the book until the very last page!
Thank you to Lake Union Publishing for my copy. Opinions are my own.
Emotional and cathartic!
This book is hard to describe in genre—I think I’d call it contemporary fiction with suspense as the subgenre.
I love how Liz and Lisa continue to surprise and stretch their writing boundaries with each book. This is very different from their other books, most notably because it is much more of an emotional read than a psychological thriller. It actually made me tear up several times!
It has all of the gripping, hard-to-put down qualities of a thriller, but it is a book about the heart, love, loss, and moving on. It is about learning to let go of the past and live in the present. And most notably, it is about how experiences and people can change us for the better.
I wasn’t sure how they’d get into the head of a male narrator since I tend to think writers do better with their own gender than the opposite when narrated first person. Dom is a great mix of serious, rigid, thoughtful, and sensitive. They nailed it! The only way I could tell this book was written by two incredible women was that Dom identified one of the characters as wearing a “black bandage dress”! (How many straight, single men in this world do you think know exactly what a bandage dress is??)
When Dom happens to run into the one-who-got-away ten years earlier, he can’t believe it. He has been looking for Mia in every woman he meets. It was a mistake to let their engagement go, and he isn’t over it. As the story progresses, Dom begins to relive the day of their first date after the ten year gap over and over again, unable to stop the loop. Even worst, despite everything he tries to do to change the outcome, Mia dies at the end of the day each time.
I don’t want to say too much about the outcome because it is so wonderful experiencing what Dom goes through as a relives the same day over and over. I loved seeing him try to find and piece together clues to save Mia and break the cycle. I also loved how Dom changed by each of these experiences, as he breaks his routine life to try to understand how to save his love.
Beautiful with a lot of thought-provoking moments and lessons, and enough suspense to keep you glued to the book until the very last page!
Thank you to Lake Union Publishing for my copy. Opinions are my own.
September 6, 2020
Imagine being stuck in a Groundhog’s Day where you relive your first love’s death over and over, unless you can save her! 😱
I was very intrigued by the premise of this book. Don feels like he’s getting a second chance at true love when his ex-fiancée Mia shows up in his life again. Unfortunately their carnival date ends in tragedy when Mia dies in a freak accident. Don finds himself in the hospital, inconsolable and wishing things had gone differently. His wish comes true, when he finds himself in a loop of the fated day. Can he alter events and save Mia?
We go through numerous re-dos with Don, each time finding out a bit more about Mia and why she’s suddenly returned. I enjoyed this aspect of the story though the mystery reader in me probably spent way too much time trying to figure out each new way she would die. I couldn’t help it though - it was fun to try to guess her mode of demise! 🤣
I didn’t really get why Don was so stuck on Mia. 10 years had passed and it felt like he was obsessively stuck in place. I wish we had more of a backstory for their relationship that supported this huge inability to move on - it felt forced and I just couldn’t get on board with it.
Overall, this was an interesting premise although the story was a bit of a slow burn as it unfolded. I enjoyed how it all turned out but I don’t exactly know how I’d categorize this book. It wasn’t a rom-com, suspense or second chance romance in the traditional sense. I think it was more about learning to let go, making peace with the past and finding a way to move on.
3.5 stars (rounded up)
I was very intrigued by the premise of this book. Don feels like he’s getting a second chance at true love when his ex-fiancée Mia shows up in his life again. Unfortunately their carnival date ends in tragedy when Mia dies in a freak accident. Don finds himself in the hospital, inconsolable and wishing things had gone differently. His wish comes true, when he finds himself in a loop of the fated day. Can he alter events and save Mia?
We go through numerous re-dos with Don, each time finding out a bit more about Mia and why she’s suddenly returned. I enjoyed this aspect of the story though the mystery reader in me probably spent way too much time trying to figure out each new way she would die. I couldn’t help it though - it was fun to try to guess her mode of demise! 🤣
I didn’t really get why Don was so stuck on Mia. 10 years had passed and it felt like he was obsessively stuck in place. I wish we had more of a backstory for their relationship that supported this huge inability to move on - it felt forced and I just couldn’t get on board with it.
Overall, this was an interesting premise although the story was a bit of a slow burn as it unfolded. I enjoyed how it all turned out but I don’t exactly know how I’d categorize this book. It wasn’t a rom-com, suspense or second chance romance in the traditional sense. I think it was more about learning to let go, making peace with the past and finding a way to move on.
3.5 stars (rounded up)
May 4, 2020
Liz and Lisa return to their roots with this irresistible Groundhog Day’s with a twist. How to Save a Life stars Dom, who has been in love with Mia for as long as he can remember…until she’s involved in a fatal accident. This time loop story will give you all the feels for Mia and Dom while you ponder bigger, life-and-death questions. A stunner with heart.
July 9, 2020
I adore Liz and Lisa's books...I've been a fan for quite some time and have even met the writing duo a few times in person. So of course, I was quite thrilled to get their latest book. But, I have to say, I was a little skeptical when I saw that it had a Groundhog Day theme...I'll be honest - that's not exactly my favorite movie BUT rest assured, I ended up enjoying the book despite it's similarities.
This book is more in style with the authors earlier books, but still with just a little hint of suspense that they have recently been writing. It's a refreshingly beautiful love story that reminds us that we don't always see what is in front of us as we are busy rushing around to get to the next thing.
This writing duo has such a way of creating characters that you cannot help but completely fall in love with. As we relive day after day with Dom, it's hard not to become attached to him and want things to work out. I thought I had worked out how this book was going to end, but I was absolutely not prepared for the ending.
This whole book is such a pleasant surprise and I enjoyed the entire journey. It's emotional, it's thought-provoking and it's inspiring. I highly recommend picking this one up - you won't be disappointed!
Audio thoughts: I listened to this book and thought Timothy Andres Pabon did a fantastic job with the narration. He really brought this book to life and gave each character their own unique voice. Being that the whole story is narrated from Dom's point of view, it made sense to have a male narrator and Timothy Andres Pabon was a great choice. His pacing and intonation were spot on and he really infused just the right amount of emotion and tension in his voice when needed.
You can see all my reviews at: http://alwayswithabook.blogspot.com/
This book is more in style with the authors earlier books, but still with just a little hint of suspense that they have recently been writing. It's a refreshingly beautiful love story that reminds us that we don't always see what is in front of us as we are busy rushing around to get to the next thing.
This writing duo has such a way of creating characters that you cannot help but completely fall in love with. As we relive day after day with Dom, it's hard not to become attached to him and want things to work out. I thought I had worked out how this book was going to end, but I was absolutely not prepared for the ending.
This whole book is such a pleasant surprise and I enjoyed the entire journey. It's emotional, it's thought-provoking and it's inspiring. I highly recommend picking this one up - you won't be disappointed!
Audio thoughts: I listened to this book and thought Timothy Andres Pabon did a fantastic job with the narration. He really brought this book to life and gave each character their own unique voice. Being that the whole story is narrated from Dom's point of view, it made sense to have a male narrator and Timothy Andres Pabon was a great choice. His pacing and intonation were spot on and he really infused just the right amount of emotion and tension in his voice when needed.
You can see all my reviews at: http://alwayswithabook.blogspot.com/
July 27, 2020
Fast-paced read that kept me riveted, even if the characters were lukewarm
Dom called off his engagement with Mia nearly ten years ago--and he's regretted it ever since. She's the one that got away and the standard by which he's measured every relationship after. So when he bumps into her in a coffee shop, he believes it's fate. They've been given a second chance. He asks her out on a date. But on their outing, Mia dies tragically. As an injured Dom watches Mia's body being taken away, he makes a wish: to be given a chance to save her life. So imagine his shock when he wakes the next day to discover it's Thursday: again. He seems to be reliving the same day over again, giving him a chance to save Mia. But as these Thursdays continue to happen, Dom has to confront his intense feelings for Mia. Why have they lasted all these years? Why is he reliving the same day over and over, unable to save her?
"The more things that happen like this, the more it feels like I'm reliving the same day all over again."
This was an incredibly fast read that kept me hooked, that's for sure. The Groundhog Day aspect of this book was fascinating. It's also a bit strange and completely stressful. Knowing Mia is pretty much guaranteed to die over and over--in different ways--freaked me out. I'm not sure how Dom didn't totally lose it. (I'm going to say that he definitely lost it a little bit!)
The book is certainly repetitive in some ways. I think you can't totally avoid this when you're writing a "relive the same day over and over" story. What frustrated me was the constant emphasis put on Dom's obsession with Mia: his repeated telling that she was an impulsive and different sort of person and that's why he fell for her, but also why he was wary of marrying her in the beginning. This point was hammered home far too much for me. We get it.
While I actually really loved the plot of this book--it was something new and I needed that--I couldn't fully embrace it because I just didn't adore Dom and Mia as a couple. Dom was a doormat and a bit annoying. Take control of your life! Mia's impulsive, carpe diem came across more as rude and too much. Overall, they didn't seem to be a good match.
I enjoyed the fact that this book had one narrator: Dom, even if he drove me a little crazy sometimes. I honestly couldn't grasp his infatuation with Mia and wanted to shake him and tell him to move on. The book also threw in some weird tangent plot pieces that just didn't seem to need to be there. They wound up as distractions or loose ends.
Overall, though, this was an enjoyable read. While I couldn't fully warm to Dom and Mia, this was a fast-paced read and something different. It had an interesting ending--nothing predictable here. 3.5 stars.
I received a copy of this book from Lake Union Publishing and Netgalley in return for an unbiased review.
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Dom called off his engagement with Mia nearly ten years ago--and he's regretted it ever since. She's the one that got away and the standard by which he's measured every relationship after. So when he bumps into her in a coffee shop, he believes it's fate. They've been given a second chance. He asks her out on a date. But on their outing, Mia dies tragically. As an injured Dom watches Mia's body being taken away, he makes a wish: to be given a chance to save her life. So imagine his shock when he wakes the next day to discover it's Thursday: again. He seems to be reliving the same day over again, giving him a chance to save Mia. But as these Thursdays continue to happen, Dom has to confront his intense feelings for Mia. Why have they lasted all these years? Why is he reliving the same day over and over, unable to save her?
"The more things that happen like this, the more it feels like I'm reliving the same day all over again."
This was an incredibly fast read that kept me hooked, that's for sure. The Groundhog Day aspect of this book was fascinating. It's also a bit strange and completely stressful. Knowing Mia is pretty much guaranteed to die over and over--in different ways--freaked me out. I'm not sure how Dom didn't totally lose it. (I'm going to say that he definitely lost it a little bit!)
The book is certainly repetitive in some ways. I think you can't totally avoid this when you're writing a "relive the same day over and over" story. What frustrated me was the constant emphasis put on Dom's obsession with Mia: his repeated telling that she was an impulsive and different sort of person and that's why he fell for her, but also why he was wary of marrying her in the beginning. This point was hammered home far too much for me. We get it.
While I actually really loved the plot of this book--it was something new and I needed that--I couldn't fully embrace it because I just didn't adore Dom and Mia as a couple. Dom was a doormat and a bit annoying. Take control of your life! Mia's impulsive, carpe diem came across more as rude and too much. Overall, they didn't seem to be a good match.
I enjoyed the fact that this book had one narrator: Dom, even if he drove me a little crazy sometimes. I honestly couldn't grasp his infatuation with Mia and wanted to shake him and tell him to move on. The book also threw in some weird tangent plot pieces that just didn't seem to need to be there. They wound up as distractions or loose ends.
Overall, though, this was an enjoyable read. While I couldn't fully warm to Dom and Mia, this was a fast-paced read and something different. It had an interesting ending--nothing predictable here. 3.5 stars.
I received a copy of this book from Lake Union Publishing and Netgalley in return for an unbiased review.
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August 25, 2020
4.5 Stunning Story of Learning to Love Life Unrestrained -Watch out Nicholas Sparks!
You can read the publisher's synopsis on your own. I want to express what made this a stellar read for me. As well as, why I hope you enjoy it too.
Liz Fenton knocked my socks off with this twist on the movie, "Groundhog Day", which I watched at least a dozen times. I wasn't expecting to like this as much since I assumed the premise would be to similar but I was wrong. She woven a tale told by Dom Suarez, a moderately successful man pursuing his dream of producing the news in San Diego. Unfortunately, he is hung up over his decision to terminate a three year relationship with his girlfriend from college, Mia. When Mia reenters his life, he sees fate giving him a second chance. However, the chance to reunite with Mia is not the only lesson that the universe delivers to him. As Murray learned some critical life lessons in his experience, likewise Dom sees the big picture and how our choices deeply impact those around us. How dreams can be transformed when we take a step back and really examine what is important.
I rarely award 5 stars but this tale is highly deserving. Fenton's provides a deeply gratifying love story. She also undertakes the ambitious goal of challenging us to pay attention on how we view our choices in the less significant moments in the day to day activities of life. In that sense, it reminded me a lot of Nicholas Sparks's, "A Walk to Remember".
Her objective includes the challenge, " Do we choose to see others as we desire to be seen?" It something that I think a lot about but I know that I will ponder these critical matters even more. Fenton's points will continue to percolate in my brain long after I've closed the book. Though not a typical seeker of love stories, this one was exceptional and worthy of reading.
For those who love rom-coms, this has a few dashes of tenderness and is well seasoned with insight (every woman's fantasy)... Keep a few tissues close by, you might just need them.
You can read the publisher's synopsis on your own. I want to express what made this a stellar read for me. As well as, why I hope you enjoy it too.
Liz Fenton knocked my socks off with this twist on the movie, "Groundhog Day", which I watched at least a dozen times. I wasn't expecting to like this as much since I assumed the premise would be to similar but I was wrong. She woven a tale told by Dom Suarez, a moderately successful man pursuing his dream of producing the news in San Diego. Unfortunately, he is hung up over his decision to terminate a three year relationship with his girlfriend from college, Mia. When Mia reenters his life, he sees fate giving him a second chance. However, the chance to reunite with Mia is not the only lesson that the universe delivers to him. As Murray learned some critical life lessons in his experience, likewise Dom sees the big picture and how our choices deeply impact those around us. How dreams can be transformed when we take a step back and really examine what is important.
I rarely award 5 stars but this tale is highly deserving. Fenton's provides a deeply gratifying love story. She also undertakes the ambitious goal of challenging us to pay attention on how we view our choices in the less significant moments in the day to day activities of life. In that sense, it reminded me a lot of Nicholas Sparks's, "A Walk to Remember".
Her objective includes the challenge, " Do we choose to see others as we desire to be seen?" It something that I think a lot about but I know that I will ponder these critical matters even more. Fenton's points will continue to percolate in my brain long after I've closed the book. Though not a typical seeker of love stories, this one was exceptional and worthy of reading.
For those who love rom-coms, this has a few dashes of tenderness and is well seasoned with insight (every woman's fantasy)... Keep a few tissues close by, you might just need them.
December 21, 2019
Dear Reader,
In November 2018, we were on vacation and tossing around ideas for our Summer 2020 release. We'd recently finished reading The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton, a novel where a man wakes up the same day in someone else's body, and must use the different information he gleans from his time with each body to solve a complex mystery. And it got us thinking about other ways we could tell a Groundhog Day-like story. (It's a great book, btw--add it to your Goodreads Shelf!)
At first, we saw the story as a mystery. We wanted to tell the story from a male point of view, something we'd never done. Maybe a man who must figure out who is killing his wife each day? Maybe they are on holiday in Grand Cayman, the beautiful island where we were vacationing? But the more we discussed possible plot points, we came to a surprising conclusion: Neither of us was excited about writing another suspense novel. We wanted to get back to our roots.
With that epiphany, we were quickly able to imagine Dom, a young man who has become paralyzed by regret over a woman named Mia he broke up with ten years prior. When she appears back in his life unexpectedly, time literally stops as he tries to figure out not only how to save her life, but how to right the wrongs from the past. It's a story for anyone who has ever secretly thought about the one that got away.
We love Dom & Mia, and we can't wait for you to meet them!
We love to hear from readers. Please come find us on Instagram @lisaandliz and on Facebook at Liz Fenton & Lisa Steinke. And you can always swing by our website: www.lizandlisa.com.
Thank you so much--we appreciate every single one of you! xoxo, L&L
In November 2018, we were on vacation and tossing around ideas for our Summer 2020 release. We'd recently finished reading The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton, a novel where a man wakes up the same day in someone else's body, and must use the different information he gleans from his time with each body to solve a complex mystery. And it got us thinking about other ways we could tell a Groundhog Day-like story. (It's a great book, btw--add it to your Goodreads Shelf!)
At first, we saw the story as a mystery. We wanted to tell the story from a male point of view, something we'd never done. Maybe a man who must figure out who is killing his wife each day? Maybe they are on holiday in Grand Cayman, the beautiful island where we were vacationing? But the more we discussed possible plot points, we came to a surprising conclusion: Neither of us was excited about writing another suspense novel. We wanted to get back to our roots.
With that epiphany, we were quickly able to imagine Dom, a young man who has become paralyzed by regret over a woman named Mia he broke up with ten years prior. When she appears back in his life unexpectedly, time literally stops as he tries to figure out not only how to save her life, but how to right the wrongs from the past. It's a story for anyone who has ever secretly thought about the one that got away.
We love Dom & Mia, and we can't wait for you to meet them!
We love to hear from readers. Please come find us on Instagram @lisaandliz and on Facebook at Liz Fenton & Lisa Steinke. And you can always swing by our website: www.lizandlisa.com.
Thank you so much--we appreciate every single one of you! xoxo, L&L
July 17, 2020
Wow! Wow! Wow! What a book! I’m honestly at a loss for words because this book was such a nice little surprise for me. How To Save A Life is so different from the majority of the books that I have been reading lately, and it was nice to take my mind off of a lot of things going on in the world right now.
This story is about a man named Dom, who keeps reliving the same day over and over to save the woman he loves. There is so much hope, love, and of course a ton of anticipation throughout the pages. I must say my anxiety was a little high while reading this! I feel that the authors did a great job of creating this story without overdoing it. If you’re like me you will be singing the song How To Save A Life by The Fray all day, everyday until you finish this book. Until then, read this book and enjoy!! You will love it!
This story is about a man named Dom, who keeps reliving the same day over and over to save the woman he loves. There is so much hope, love, and of course a ton of anticipation throughout the pages. I must say my anxiety was a little high while reading this! I feel that the authors did a great job of creating this story without overdoing it. If you’re like me you will be singing the song How To Save A Life by The Fray all day, everyday until you finish this book. Until then, read this book and enjoy!! You will love it!
July 15, 2020
3.5 Stars
July 14, 2020
What would you do if you could live the same day twice? What if every day you wake up was the same day over and over again? Call it a time loop. Call it "Groundhog's Day." Call it a good theme to write an interesting love story.
The story follows Dom, a broadcast news producer who accidentally stumbles across his ex-fiancee, Mia, in a small coffee shop in Southern California. While they were engaged over 10 years ago, Dom seeing Mia for the first time since then not only brought back old memories, but old feelings. He decides to spend time with her in hopes of possibility starting up where they left off. When they finally meet for their date, it's almost as if no time has passed. Dom is just as in love with Mia as he was before. But everything comes crashing down when Mia tragically dies.
The next morning, Dom wakes up to relive that same day again. While living the same day over and over again, he works to figure out what happened to Mia, why the time loop happened, and how he can get himself out of this mess. But everyday is the same and despite his attempts at changing his day, Mia always ends up dying at the end.
I'm a huge fan of Lisa and Liz's work and I love that they're branching off from thrillers. This book doesn't read like the thrillers they're usually writing. In fact, this book seemed a cross between science fiction and a love story. I loved that it's set in San Diego county. Having that beachy backdrop especially when they go to the San Diego county fair feels like summer written in a book.
I can definitely see that Liz and Lisa were influenced by Blake Crouch. I think this is their first book with science fiction elements. I love when people deploy sci-fi into their contemporary books. I think that's just personally something that makes me happy.
But of course, Lisa and Liz provides a little mystery as they keep the truth about Mia close to the chest. It's not until the very end that you finally see the reality of what's happening, but you'll get subtle hints that not everything is fine in their world.
I also really loved the nod to homelessness especially in San Diego and Southern California. As Dom mentions, this group is stereotyped to being drug addicts and mentally ill people. However, there are many homeless folks who were down on their luck at one point and never could get themselves back up. I really loved that they brought in this little tidbit to the story because the fact is that many homeless folks either 1) couldn't pick themselves back up after something happened in their lives 2) don't want to be a part of society (a very valid position especially if you read books like Mole People).
I will note that the ending felt rushed. I didn't anticipate there to be so much happening at the very end with a literal countdown! I was hoping for another day after Dom found out the truth to get some understanding of what just happened and come to terms with the final repeated day.
Overall, I really liked this one. I love the science fiction components and I loved how the story keeps you guessing until the very end.
The story follows Dom, a broadcast news producer who accidentally stumbles across his ex-fiancee, Mia, in a small coffee shop in Southern California. While they were engaged over 10 years ago, Dom seeing Mia for the first time since then not only brought back old memories, but old feelings. He decides to spend time with her in hopes of possibility starting up where they left off. When they finally meet for their date, it's almost as if no time has passed. Dom is just as in love with Mia as he was before. But everything comes crashing down when Mia tragically dies.
The next morning, Dom wakes up to relive that same day again. While living the same day over and over again, he works to figure out what happened to Mia, why the time loop happened, and how he can get himself out of this mess. But everyday is the same and despite his attempts at changing his day, Mia always ends up dying at the end.
I'm a huge fan of Lisa and Liz's work and I love that they're branching off from thrillers. This book doesn't read like the thrillers they're usually writing. In fact, this book seemed a cross between science fiction and a love story. I loved that it's set in San Diego county. Having that beachy backdrop especially when they go to the San Diego county fair feels like summer written in a book.
I can definitely see that Liz and Lisa were influenced by Blake Crouch. I think this is their first book with science fiction elements. I love when people deploy sci-fi into their contemporary books. I think that's just personally something that makes me happy.
But of course, Lisa and Liz provides a little mystery as they keep the truth about Mia close to the chest. It's not until the very end that you finally see the reality of what's happening, but you'll get subtle hints that not everything is fine in their world.
I also really loved the nod to homelessness especially in San Diego and Southern California. As Dom mentions, this group is stereotyped to being drug addicts and mentally ill people. However, there are many homeless folks who were down on their luck at one point and never could get themselves back up. I really loved that they brought in this little tidbit to the story because the fact is that many homeless folks either 1) couldn't pick themselves back up after something happened in their lives 2) don't want to be a part of society (a very valid position especially if you read books like Mole People).
I will note that the ending felt rushed. I didn't anticipate there to be so much happening at the very end with a literal countdown! I was hoping for another day after Dom found out the truth to get some understanding of what just happened and come to terms with the final repeated day.
Overall, I really liked this one. I love the science fiction components and I loved how the story keeps you guessing until the very end.
April 14, 2020
I've enjoyed all of Liz Fenton and Lisa Steinke's novels, but my favorites tended to be the surreal ones. They did something surreal with last year's thriller and now they've not only gone back to the romantic route, but they've also done it from a male perspective. And they did a great job of getting into a man's head.
The story was entertaining and captivating throughout. I had to keep reading to see what would happen. Even though it was not a thriller, it was still suspenseful. I felt like I was along for the ride with Dom and had no idea what was in store. I like how there was variety to each version of the day and how, in a Groundhog Day fashion, he kept trying to make things right for others. It made me wonder what I would do if I had to live one day over and over.
The supporting characters were a great fit to the story, whether or not they were likable. The descriptions made it easy to visualize people and settings.
I only had two small concerns with this novel. The first being that Dom seemed weak to me in the beginning and it took a me a few chapters to warm to him. Once I did, he was easy to love the rest of the way through. The other is more about originality. A few years ago, Kristin Harmel published a novella with the same title and a similar concept (living one day over and over). While this story was completely different from hers, I kind of wish they had chosen a different title so I didn't make the connection so easily. I get why they chose this title, however.
Overall, I really enjoyed this novel and am excited for everyone to read it this summer.
Movie casting suggestions:
Dom: Oscar Isaac
Lance: David Giuntoli
Mia: Bryce Dallas Howard
Amanda: Jaimie Alexander
Chuck: Mark Menchaca
The story was entertaining and captivating throughout. I had to keep reading to see what would happen. Even though it was not a thriller, it was still suspenseful. I felt like I was along for the ride with Dom and had no idea what was in store. I like how there was variety to each version of the day and how, in a Groundhog Day fashion, he kept trying to make things right for others. It made me wonder what I would do if I had to live one day over and over.
The supporting characters were a great fit to the story, whether or not they were likable. The descriptions made it easy to visualize people and settings.
I only had two small concerns with this novel. The first being that Dom seemed weak to me in the beginning and it took a me a few chapters to warm to him. Once I did, he was easy to love the rest of the way through. The other is more about originality. A few years ago, Kristin Harmel published a novella with the same title and a similar concept (living one day over and over). While this story was completely different from hers, I kind of wish they had chosen a different title so I didn't make the connection so easily. I get why they chose this title, however.
Overall, I really enjoyed this novel and am excited for everyone to read it this summer.
Movie casting suggestions:
Dom: Oscar Isaac
Lance: David Giuntoli
Mia: Bryce Dallas Howard
Amanda: Jaimie Alexander
Chuck: Mark Menchaca
April 23, 2020
My favorite Liz and Lisa novel yet—and this is coming from someone who’s loved all of their books. HOW TO SAVE A LIFE is a heartrending story about one man’s attempt to finally get it right with the woman he loved and let go of before realizing his mistake. The ending was bittersweet and nothing like I expected, which made the story even more compelling. Highly recommended for fans of page-turning love stories.
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