The Accident

by Gillian Jackson

A car crash claims three lives-but the survivors have not escaped unscathed, in this powerful novel by the bestselling author of Abduction and The Victim.

When a sudden blast of severe weather causes a traffic accident, the effects will ripple through the lives of many long after the scene is cleared . . .

Hannah has lost a leg, as well as her memory of the event, leading her to fear she may have been at fault. Struggling with recovery and anxiously awaiting the inquest results, she remains at home with her husband and kids.

Joe wants to take his own life after his wife died in the accident, leaving him injured and alone.

Meanwhile, the Joneses mourn their son and decide to embark on a project to honour him: opening a centre for rescued animals.

But when the survivors find their paths crossing again, there are consequences that no one could predict . . .

Genres: Audiobook, Thriller, Mystery, Fiction, Suspense, Friendship

274 pages, Paperback

Published November 14, 2022

About the author

Author of Abduction, Snatched, The Accident, and four more books published by Bloodhound books

Wife to Derek, mother to four and grandmother to nine.

Our lovely rescue dog Liffey completes my family and ensures that I take regular breaks from my desk!

Reviews

[Heather Adores Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

No idea why this is coming up in the feed again because I did not read it 2x, but figured I might as well update with my current review format.
4⭐
Genre ~ psychological fiction
Publication date ~ book ~ November 28, 2022, audio ~ April 4, 2023
Publisher ~ Bloodhound Books, Dreamscape Media
Est Page Count ~ 276
Audio length ~ 7 hours 43 minutes
Narrator ~ Jodie Harris
POV ~ multiple 3rd
Featuring ~ secrets, infidelity

Don't start out listening to this one while driving in a storm.

Hannah has lost her leg and Joe has lost his wife, Alison, in the accident.
Alan & Cassie lost their teenage son, Kerrin. I'm a super big animal lover, so I love what they did to honor his memory by creating Kerrin's Farm. (I tried to find the correct spelling in other reviews, but everyone refers to him as Timothy, so I'm guessing there was a name change since the book was published back in 2020? I don't think my ears can be confusing Timothy for Kerrin.)

About halfway through we get additional narrators:
Mike ~ Hannah's husband. Ugh with him!
David ~ Joe's brother. Ugh with him, too! I hated this whole story line and I'm not sure what it added to the overall story. Ugh with David's wife, Pam, too.
Speaking of additional characters, Phil & Diane ~ Joe's neighbors, while they were very helpful to Joe, did I really miss their purpose, or was it just so Joe had help?

Overall, despite all my ugh's I liked this one and how certain people came together in the end. I wouldn't categorize it as a thriller and there really isn't a mystery to the readers. The mystery lies within Hannah's brain since she can't recall the accident.

Narration:
She mostly a fine job, but she didn't even try to distinguish her voice for multiple characters.


*Thanks to the author, Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for the audio copy. I am voluntarily leaving my honest review*

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[Angel (Hiatus) · Rating 1 out of 5]

In order to make this a solid one-star review. I had to compare and skim through the e-book of the first edition and the newest edition of this book. And the reason why 'I had to?' You can find it inside this review.

Without further ado, let's begin this review...

SUMMARY:
Hannah, she is a wife and a mother, and she has quite a good life until there's one car accident that causes her to lose her leg along with her memory. Joe, he is a devoted husband to his wife, but a car accident cost her life, and her death makes his world crumble. On the other side, Keiron Lang was just fifteen and an only child when he left behind his devastated parents. The Langs mourn their son, and they decide to embark on a project to honor him and send an invitation to the survivors. But when the survivors find their paths crossing again, there are consequences no one could predict.

👁️‍🗨️ This story is told in third person POV

🕰️ There is only One Timeline in here (Present)

AUDIOBOOK REVIEW🔊:
Narrated by: Jodie Harris 👩
Length of audio: 7h 43m
She was very good at narrating this book, though she got an accent and her speed was a little bit slow (I encourage you to listen to it at 1.25x speed; it was far better). But I enjoyed her voice, and she expressed such great emotion and made you feel it too—their frustration, sadness, hope, and also desperation. I can give her 3.5 stars for her performance.

MY FIRST IMPRESSION WITH THIS BOOK:
It started very well, she began her story almost right up to the accident. It really flowed nicely from 1%~30% and I was ready to give it at least 3 or 4 stars. I liked everything until about 30% of the book. But then, after it hit 30%, the story started getting off track.

MY THOUGHTS:
📌 The premise was good, and I saw a lot of positive ratings, so that was why I picked up this book.

📌 The author did such a great job writing the dialogue that I did love some of the dialogue. because it was encouraging, warming, and funny (I laughed when Hannah's best friend (Rachel) made a joke about Hannah's husband).

📌 I loved how the author can stir up your feelings and emotions. You will probably find yourself loathing some characters, wishing for them to die, and forever rotting in hell.

📌 Also, how the author made the scene, their thoughts, and their feelings sound realistic was excellent (truly). For example, the scene when Hannah lost her leg and she went to the hospital alone, having a breakdown, was good, or when Joe mourned his wife and held her funeral, and how he coped with those feelings was perfectly described and felt so realistic.

WHY IT DIDN'T WORK OUT FOR ME:
☠️ It was not a mystery, thriller, or suspense genre for me, why? Because I didn't find any of those feelings (thrill or suspense), but instead I got a lot of ANGST and DRAMA. I mean like family drama, for example: Hannah's husband's affair; Joe's brother had a money problem; and Joe had a wicked mother-in-law.

☠️ As I said in my first impression The story started getting off track, and what I mean here is that the story started to lose the main focus, which should be about the accident, Hannah's memory, the remaining survivors, and how they survived after this deadly accident. However the one I got none of those, but:

- How Hannah's husband (Mike) came clean about his affair and his mistress (Sarah) being pregnant, and he actually wanted to leave her a long time ago. Also talked about her husband's relationship with their children, his life with his mistress, after leaving his family, and the feelings and spark between Hannah's husband and his mistress. WOAH I HATE THIS!

- But hell yeah, it's not the end; this book also talked a lot about Joe's wife past (that didn't even relate to anything), about his brother (David) and his sister-in-law (Pam) wanting to kill him for his insurance money (It was not even related to the case, but it was damn long and very detailed), and about his mother-in-law being very annoying (that made me want to choke her to death already).

Those stories really drove me insane; it was like an endless river. It kept going on and on. Trust me, you will not like hearing those bunches of unnecessary stories either.

☠️ "But when the survivors find their paths crossing again, there are consequences that no one could predict..." That's what officially stated in the synopsis.

And I call it, BULLSHIT!!!!!!!,

They did not even cross paths until 90% of the book! I kept waiting and waiting, and it turned out not to be happening! And honestly, what kind of consequences are we talking about? Even when they crossed paths, it happened so fast! Like chop chop and done
(now I'm starting to lose my mind as I write this review).

☠️ Now finally.  Why? "I had to compare and skim through the e-book of the first edition and the newest edition of this book."
Because there are differences between those two editions, the author changed a lot of the characters' names.

And in the synopsis, I read, "Meanwhile, the Joneses mourn their son and decide to embark on a project to honor him: opening a center for rescued animals."
▪️ "The Joneses," which is one of the victims' family surnames (Jones), changed from Jones to Lang. So from Timothy Jones to Keiron Lang (he is one of three dead victims), his mother Casie Jones changed to Casie Lang, and his father Alan Jones changed to Alan Lang.
▪️ Hannah's neighbor and best friend, Rosie, changed to Rachel.
▪️ Hannah's daughter Mel changed to Kate

And I found it confusing because it didn't match the synopsis. So that's why I had to confirm it. Dear author or publisher, please do not forget to correct your synopsis! Because it's important, (True story: at first, I tried to type Jones' name, but nothing came up).

☠️ I don't need that kind of ending or epilogue. What I need is what 'I think' you promised me when I read the synopsis.

OVERALL:




CREDIT:
Thank you NetGalley and Dreamscape Media, for providing me with this audibook ARC in exchange for an honest review.

🐥

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

First and foremost, a large thank you to Gillian Jackson and Sapere Publishers for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.

Gillian Jackson is back with another thriller that takes the readers into the middle of a horrible event, then tells of the fallout from a number of perspectives. Sure to pique the interested of the open-minded reader, the story tackles loss bereavement, and new hope all at once. They dubbed this storm the Beast from the East, but Hannah Graham was determined to get to work. When her vehicle lost control on one of England’s motorways, it began a series of events that caused a horrible accident. Vehicles piled-up and injuries to many, including three fatalities, but Hannah can remember none of it. Sitting in her hospital bed, she must focus on her recovery, though is tossed a major set-back as well. Joe Parker was not as lucky, involved in the crash and having his wife, Alison, die almost instantly. Alan and Cassie Jones also lost their son and must pick up the pieces as best they can. As the story progresses, Jackson takes the reader into the lives of all three families to show how the accident drastically changes them, at times for the worse but also provided new and exciting opportunities. Still, that February 2, 2018 will forever be etched on the minds of these three families, as they come to terms with how their lives will never be the same. An interesting perspective for a thriller in this short novel that keeps the reader wanting to learn more. Recommended for those who enjoy these multi-perspective stories, as well as the reader who needs a short book to bridge two reading experiences.

I have read a few Gillian Jackson novels in the past and enjoyed them. Their quick story and fast-paced narrative keeps the reader on top of things as the characters rush through a series of events. While the story does switch throughout, protagonist roles would have to go to Hannah Graham and Joe Parker, whose lives are front and centre throughout. Their losses and new approaches to life are highlighted and keep the reader wanting to know a little more. That they cross paths, first at the coroner’s inquest and then in public, allows for a personal connection between them, particular as they process the events of that day. Others make a lesser impact on the reader, but help to enrich the larger narrative and give the protagonists something towards which they strive. The story was not what I expected at the beginning, expecting the accident to be something entirely sinister and perhaps planned. However, it turned into something of a healing piece, as the fragments are picked up and families seek to pull themselves together. Jackson writes in such a way that the reader races through these chapters to get some answers, many of which remain unattainable. Well done for a short reading experience and I am pleased to have been handed a copy!

Kudos, Madam Jackson, for a great piece. I like how you bring things together and keep the reader wondering at the same time.

Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/

A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...

[Marilyn (not getting notifications) · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Accident by Gillian Jackson was an engaging and suspenseful domestic drama. It definitely was not a thriller or a mystery as described. Regardless, it was fast paced and kept my attention throughout the entire book. I listened to the audiobook that was well narrated by Jodie Harris. Gillian Jackson did a wonderful job developing the characters in this book. They were relatable and likable for the most part. However, there were some secondary characters that I did not care for. The Accident was the first book that I had ever read by Gillian Jackson but it will not be my last. It took place in England during February 2018.

The weather had proven to be the most severe weather England had seen in decades. On a morning in February of 2018, three unassuming motorists were headed to their desired destinations. None of the motorists knew one another but they all ended up taking the same ramp that fateful day to get onto the freeway. As each vehicle made their way down the ramp, they were faced with the iciest road conditions any of the motorists had ever encountered. Hannah Graham was the first driver to cautiously drive down the ramp. She immediately realized that she had no control of her car on the untreated icy road. Her car barreled into a lorry and came to a complete stop. Hannah would loose consciousness but before she did she watched with horror as another car came full force into her car. She watched Joe and Allison Parker’s terrorized faces from her rear view mirror as they plowed uncontrollably into her car. Another car that met a similar fate that day had been driven by Alan Jones. His fifteen year old son had had an orthodontist appointment that fateful morning. Alan Jones tried to talk his son out of going but there he was maneuvering onto the icy ramp as well. He was driving his son to the appointment when he also lost control of his car and became one of the eleven cars involved in the accident. Hannah Graham ended up having her leg amputated. She had no recollection of the events of the accident. Hannah’s greatest fear was that she was somehow at fault for causing the accident. Her recovery after the accident was long, difficult and emotional. Joe Parker lost his wife Allison in the accident. He was told that she died instantly. Alan and Cassie Jones lost their fifteen year old son on that tragic day as well.

The Accident explored how that horrific accident affected the people that were victims of it. It looked closely at how the victims were coping with their injuries, trauma and losses. These surviving victims came face to face during the inquest. The accident brought these people together where under other circumstances they would never had had the opportunity of being involved in each other’s lives. Of all the people affected by the accident, Cassie and Alan Jones made the biggest and most meaningful contribution to honor the memory of their son who had died in the accident. Cassie and Alan Jones’s son was born with Down syndrome. His love for all animals was his passion. Cassie and Alan Jones created a farm to shelter animals that they dedicated to their son’s memory. It was created out of love and proved to be enjoyed by all that visited it. It was a true tribute to everything their son adored. The Accident was told from alternating POV’s in a third person format. The epilogue brought the story to a satisfying conclusion. I really enjoyed listening to the audiobook of The Accident by Gillian Jackson and highly recommend it.

Thank you to Dreamscape Media LLC for allowing me to listen to the audiobook of The Accident by Gillian Jackson through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[Jayne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Have you ever been to a restaurant and ordered chocolate cake for dessert?

Instead of receiving the chocolate cake that was ordered, you are given an extra-large dish of vanilla ice cream.

The vanilla ice cream was delicious, but it was not what you ordered.

You were craving chocolate cake and that was what you wanted.

After listening to "The Accident", I had a "chocolate cake deja vu".

If you view the book's cover, you'll see that "The Accident" was positioned as a "Three people are dead.  Was it a mistake?" thriller.

Even if you are a very creative person with an overactive imagination, you would not categorize this book as a thriller.   (Not even close)

The book is a readable and pacey domestic drama about the devastating impact of a horrific fatal car accident on survivors, families, and loved ones.   One woman loses her leg in the accident.

Even though the book was not what I ordered, it was well-written with an absorbing storyline.

I listened to the audiobook and Jodie Harris did an outstanding job with the narration.

I am a fan of author Gillian Jackson and I look forward to listening to future titles by this talented author.

Hopefully, the next time around, the publisher's blurb and book cover will be accurate.

Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Linda Strong · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's in the middle of winter with below-freezing temperatures. Snow mixed with rain is making driving a real hazard. With the icy conditions on the roads making navigating rush hour more perilous than ever, it only takes a moment for an accident to occur.

One car starts sliding on the ice .... and it becomes a multiple pile up of cars and trucks.

Hannah Graham wakes up in the hospital, minus a leg. Joe Parker has minimum injuries, but his wife is dead. Alan and Cassie receive news that their 15-year-old son, riding as a passenger, has been killed in the same accident.

This is a story of the aftermath of a life-altering accident. These families will grapple with putting their lives back together ... if they can. If they are lucky, some will find a way to go on ... to put the past behind them. Some will not be so lucky.

THE ACCIDENT is billed as a thriller. I would not describe it as such. The suspense is second in this character-driven thought-provoking story. It showcases the people who help their families, friends, neighbors in their time of need .... and those who don't.

Many thanks to the author / Sapere Books / Netgalley for the digital copy of this emotional novel. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.

[Marialyce · Rating 4 out of 5]

Driving when the weather is poor is often a dangerous situation. When the storm huge proportions later entitled "The Beast From The East", occurs there are three families whose lives will be forever changed.

Hannah Graham was one of the people involved in a horrific accident which took the lives of three people. However, Hannah can't remember anything about the accident. Joe Parker lost his wife and soon learns to value life, although he nurses feelings of committing suicide. Allen and and Cassie Jones lost their son, a happening that is beyond tragic.

The stories of these three families, show many aspects of the aftereffects of trauma and how people must learn new ways to survive. In Hannah's case, can she go on with her life with her leg missing and her husband Mike showing signs of unhappiness in their marriage. Joe, must reconcile his life without his beloved wife, and the Jones' strive to make sense of losing their boy.

I did enjoy this story as it put forth the resiliency of people and the ability to take that beginning step forward from tragedy wit some heavy surprises!

Thank you to Gillian Jackson, who while I was expecting a different type of story delighted me with the one she wrote, Dreamscape Media Narrated by Jodie Harris with fine narration, and NetGalley for the ability to listen to this story.

[Melissa Borsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautifully written book about three families and what happens to their lives after a terrifying fatal accident on an icy highway that takes something away from each of them. Heartbreaking and heartwarming. Well worth the read. I thank Bloodhound Books for the opportunity to read and review this book.

[StinaStaffymum · Rating 4 out of 5]

The premise sounded interesting but this book was nothing like I expected. Billed as a thriller, THE ACCIDENT really isn't a thriller. It's more like a suspenseful drama...but definitely NOT a thriller. As it was billed as such, I kept expecting something to jump out of nowhere with a shock surprise...but nothing like that happened. In fact, the story was a little predictable. But it was still a good quick read.

It's February 2018 and the UK is gripped by a deep winter freeze with snow and rain creating icy conditions on the road and making driving a real hazard. Navigating rush hour traffic is even worse with bumper to bumper traffic and snow, rain and black ice...it only takes a moment for an accident to occur.

Hannah Graham is on her way to a meeting and is on the on-ramp to the motorway. Joe Parker, also on his way to work, is driving his wife Alison to her mother's on the way. Alan Jones is driving his 15 year old son Timmy to his orthodontist appointment. All three families are about to have their lives changed forever in the blink of an eye.

Hannah is navigating the icy ramp when her car suddenly loses control and as she tries to correct it, the car turns swiftly into the rear end of a lorry. Facing back the way she came and in a daze, Hannah sees a Range Rover barrelling towards her, the shocked expressions of Joe and Alison Parker a mirror of her own as their car rams into hers. Hannah is knocked unconscious while Joe feels the thump, thump, thump of the cars behind him hitting his and each other.

The result...a multi-car pile up leaving three dead and Hannah in a coma.

Hannah wakes up in hospital three days later, her husband Mike by her side. She has no memory of the accident and her leg so badly damaged it had to be amputated. She is shocked to learn of the devastation of the accident and secretly wonders if she were at fault. After all, she can't remember what happened so who's to say she wasn't to blame? Then when her husband announces he wants a divorce to marry his pregnant girlfriend, Hannah is shocked and their teenage twin children angry at their father. With the help and support of her children and her good friend and neighbour Rosie, Hannah attempts to put the past behind her and move on with her life. But at the back of her mind she still wonders if she was to blame for the accident.

Joe Parker suffered minor injuries and a fracture collarbone but his wife Alison was killed instantly. He is devastated and cannot imagine a life without her. If not for the kindness and care of his neighbours, Phil and Helen, and the love of his dog Liffey, Joe may not have overcome the grief of losing his wife. Then life takes on a more complicated turn when his estranged brother David and his wife Pam turn up at Alison's funeral with a strange request, setting of a sequence of events so far out of his control.

Alan and Cassie Jones's son Timothy was the apple of their eye. Having been unsuccessful at falling pregnant in the past when Timmy came along he was like a gift to them. When early tests revealed he had Downs Syndrome early in her pregnancy, Alan and Cassie refused to terminate and the end result was a beautiful, loving and happy boy. Timmy had such a love for animals that after his death Alan and Cassie chose to honour their son's memory by creating an animal sanctuary for abandoned and abused animals called "Timmy's Farm".

It was at the open day for "Timmy's Farm" that Hannah and Joe meet again for the first time since they were both in hospital. They talk about the accident which changed both their lives dramatically and find an ease with each other as only those involved could understand.

Then comes the inquest which ultimately returns its verdict.

Told from two perspectives, Hannah and Joe's, THE ACCIDENT is a story of the aftermath of a life-changing trauma as the families wrestle with the emotional turmoil of putting their lives back together. There is a lot going on for all involved as the lives of each family come together and intertwine in the wake of their grief.

A short quick read, THE ACCIDENT is an addictive page turner with a steady pace about ordinary people in an extraordinary life changing situation. It is predictable and yet it is still enjoyable. It certainly wasn't what I was expecting!

It is not an action-packed thriller with unreliable narrators and shocking plot twists. It is a story about the lives of three families that are infinitely changed forever in the blink of an eye and its aftermath. There are a few twists but nothing shocking, some predictable and overall enjoyable. I liked pretty much everyone except for Mike and Joe's witch of a mother in law Ethel.

My second book by Gillian Jackson, THE ACCIDENT is definitely not what I expected. It is not a thriller...more of a suspenseful drama. The ending was wrapped up nicely in the Epilogue giving it that satisfying sense of closure.

Enjoyable short read that could be read in one sitting. Recommended.

I would like to thank #GillianJackson, #NetGalley and #SapereBooks for an ARC of #TheAccident in exchange for an honest review.

This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.

[Eve · Rating 3 out of 5]

Women's Psychological Fiction / Domestic Thrillers
Narrated by: Jodie Harris
Length: 7 hrs and 42 mins
Publication date ‏ : ‎ November 28, 2022

As the title of this book says, there will be an accident that will change many lives forever A car crash claims three lives and the survivors won't escape unscathed either - one of the survivors will loose her leg and have to use the wheelchair from now on; another driver gets serious injuries and his wife dies in the accident. .
At first it was interesting. I wanted to see how Hannah will cope with the accident, her serious injuries, her inability to remember the moment of the accident, and her husband's cold behaviour. But instead of following her, author suddenly started to add different POVs from people which made story fragmented and disjointed. Suddely Hannah was pushed away from the center of the story. This story wasn't very long, so adding so many different character's perspectives, many of those I didn't enjoy to read at all, made me loose the focus.

It was a bit annoying that Hannah was treated like she was to blame for the accident...hello, when the roads are slick with ice, then accidents sadly tend to happen! At the same time I didn't understand why the drivers didn't reduce their speed, drive according to the weather conditions? An accident described in this book was so deadly and injuries so serious that this made me wonder what were the car speeds when the collisions started to happen...

Overall not bad story but I didn't enjoy it. It was warning story but could have been better and more focused.

[Chanel Lindsay · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would firstly like to thank Netgalley and the publishers for allowing me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

This is my favourite book from this author so far!
While this may be not be a thriller - instead a traumatic event followed by the consequences -, it still instantly had my attention.
The accident that happens truly is devastating and the ripple effect that followed had me feeling a ton of emotions and empathy for those involved.
Main character pov's, Hannah and Joe, were excellently written and both I felt a lot for.
However, while Alan and Cassie Jones' story was equally as touching and emotional, I would of liked to read more from them. The story mainly focused on Hannah and Joe, and while I liked those characters, I think the Jones' story would of definitely given the story a bit more depth and emotion.
It may of been a short read, and there were certain missed character developments, but I still would highly recommend this book!
A must-read thought-provoking drama!

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC audiobook provided in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed the narration of this book! Most of the time with so many main characters speaking in first person I like to hear different voices to differentiate, but I had no problems realizing who was speaking. I went into this book completely blind and honestly thought it was more of a thriller, but it was so much more than that and I wasn’t disappointed in the slightest. I highly recommend to anyone who likes redemption stories and dealing with the unexpected challenges that life brings.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think it is inaccurate to describe this book as a ‘thriller’ simply because there is no ambiguity, no guesswork and no mystery to solve. It is more of a drama which explores the aftermath of a devastating car accident.

In this way, I did not find it to be a the pacy narrative I was hoping for. Jackson rotates between the different victims, exploring life before and after the crash. Alan and Cassie don’t feature much air time for whatever reason, but become the catalyst to help Joe and Hannah to move on. Hannah’s life is pretty mundane and her marriage is in the doldrums; it was quite obvious what would happen after she is discharged from hospital.

But it was Joe’s story that was the most entertaining. Perhaps it was not intended to be but there was a turning point in the novel where I found myself questioning out loud in disbelief… really?! When Joe’s brother arrives on the scene, I thought Joe’s story moved from being an exploration of grief to something a bit surreal and far-fetched. At points it was more comedic over anything and I was really surprised by the direction that Jackson took his story. I guess that on reflection, it was one of my more favourite parts – but not necessarily for the right reasons.

Otherwise, this story was quite slow and the plot development obvious. It is a sad story and one I would not recommend reading when you are about to embark on a car journey. I think the writer captures how a single moment can change so many lives forever, but I don’t think there was any question of a doubt about the cause of the event. Indeed, from the blurb, I found myself reading the book and searching for mysterious suspects – but this was not that type of story. The characters are meant to be relatable but I think Joe’s story was too far-fetched for my liking.

With thanks to Sapere books for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Arna · Rating 2 out of 5]

One icy cold day in the middle of winter, on a seemingly normal day, the unthinkable happens. A car accident leaves 3 people dead and 2 seriously injured. Is someone to blame or was it out of everyone’s control? The accident follows the lives of those affected in the aftermath of the collision.

For those you love plot twists, you will enjoy this book. There is A LOT going on, for every character, it’s crazy. It’s interesting to see how something that happens in a matter of seconds can have such devastating results and intertwine lives of those involved. I enjoyed reading about that aspect because it’s something I haven’t read about previously.

This book is labelled as a thriller which I don’t really agree with after reading the book. There are plenty of twists and turns which could be how it got the label, though it got a bit too much for me, I like plots that are somewhat believable.

This is a short read and is told from multiple points of view so would be an ideal choice for someone who looks for these aspects.

Thank you to Netgalley and Sapere Publishers for providing a review copy for exchange for my honest review.

[Joyce · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars

Hannah and Mike Graham have two eighteen-year old twins, a boy and a girl. Hannah was on her way to work when she lost control of her car on the ice. She has no memory of the accident, but carries a very vivid reminder. Joe Parker is forty-three and is married to Alison. They were on their way to Alison's mother's house. Alan and Cassie Jones lost their almost fifteen-year old son Timothy in the accident. He was being taken to the orthodontist by his father. All told, several vehicles were involved in the icy road accident and three lives were lost. The winter storm was called the Beast from the East by the English population.

This story is told from three points of view: Hannah, Joe and Timothy's parents. Joe and Timothy's father remember all too well, while Hannah remembers nothing about that fateful morning.

The inquest returned its verdict.

Ms. Jackson competently and compassionately treats the issues of loss, grief and hope. Her writing style is compassionate, but tells the truth at the same time. I enjoyed the glimpses of the individual lives that were portrayed in the book. We all deal with grief and loss in our own unique ways and this short novel clearly illustrates that. The day to day struggle in these people's lives was shown, as well as the (very), slow healing process. I truly enjoyed reading this story. This is my first Gillian Jackson book and I immediately went to Amazon to look at her other novels. Well done, Ms. Jackson.

I want to thank NetGalley and Sapere Books for forwarding to me a copy of this very good book for me to read, enjoy and review.

[Theweebarrell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was given this book to read by bloodhound books in exchange for an honest review .

I have read Gillian Jackson's book snatched previously and was looking forward to reading this .

This book was well written with a good storyline that caught my attention from the beginning . It was fast flowing and had a few characters in it but was so well written you were able to get to know them all . The story line was realistic and emotional . It had good characters I liked and some I loathed . It shows you how life can be perfect one minute and shattered the next . It kept me hooked and I recommend this as a must read

[Wendy G · Rating 4 out of 5]

I started listening to this story thinking it was a suspense/thriller and mystery. It wasn't any of those things. Instead, I found the story to be about a bad car/truck accident where a woman lost a leg, a man lost his wife and a couple lost their teenager. The story was about how these three families healed from their losses and how they moved on. The chapters traded off between the three families and I was hoping they would all come together somehow. Great character development and great narration made this one a fast-paced good read.

[Judy Collins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gillian Jackson's latest, THE ACCIDENT, is an emotional, beautifully written, yet haunting tale of one car accident in which the ripple effects change lives forever, both good and bad. Readers see how their lives intersect in remarkable ways AFTER the accident and their healing process.

As fate would have it, time flashes before their eyes. Hannah is driving; it is icy and snowy. The car slides, and a pile of cars. A dreadful tragedy, and it was really no one's fault.

However, grief, guilt, blame, revenge, remorse, and many emotions exist. Second-guessing their activities or what they could have done differently that day to eliminate this accident.

THREE DEATHS.

~Hannah Graham wakes up in the hospital and discovers she has no leg or memory of what happened.

~Joe Parker has minimum injuries, but his wife is DEAD.

~Alan and Cassie Jones receive news that their 15-year-old son, Timothy riding as a passenger, has been killed in the same accident. The back story of their son is heartbreaking yet beautiful.

There is an inquest that is stressful, and no charges are filed. What happens next is the aftermath of the accident.

Three families' lives are changed in an instant. These families try to put their lives back together. A new normal. However, some stay positive, and some do not.

Can they put the past behind them and allow the tragic event to change their lives for the better of those around them? However, some families fall apart. One husband leaves his wife for another woman, one mother-in-law is not so nice, and a brother is not supportive.

However, Hannah is a trooper even with the loss of her leg and an unsupportive through all of this, as well as Joe and the Jones family. They do not hold grudges or try and get revenge. But channel their grief and loss positively as the accident survivors come together.

In this gripping novel, you will see the good and the bad of human nature.

The two main protagonists are Hannah and Joe. Their cross paths, as does Cassie. It is amazing how their lives connect and offer a satisfying conclusion. It is hopeful, which ends on a positive note.

The author handles the loss and grief with sensitivity and compassion. We all deal with grief and loss in our individual ways. Some are destructive and revengeful, and some try to do something to honor their loved ones in productive ways —we see examples of both sides here.

I thoroughly enjoyed this story and hope it lands in the right reader hands, who will appreciate her writing and its critical takeaway message. My first book by the author, and I look forward to reading more.

This is not a THRILLER. You will be disappointed if you go into it thinking it is. However, the novel is more of a character study and an introspective of grief, loss, and life after tragedy. I would classify it as psychological fiction or family life fiction. The novel is well-done, and I look forward to reading more by this author. The storyline was both realistic and emotionally charged.

I listened to the audiobook, and the narrator, Jodie Harris, delivered an engaging performance and listening experience. I enjoy being introduced to new authors through audiobooks. The book reminded me of Jodi Picoult and Emma Robinson's books.

Thank you, #DreamscapeMedia, for an ALC gift via #NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Blog review posted @
JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
Audio Pub Date: April 4, 2023
My Rating: 4 Stars
April 2023 Must-Read Books

[Jennifer (JC-S) · Rating 3 out of 5]

‘The day that changed everything for Hannah Graham began in exactly the same way as any other.’

England, February 2018. A deadly storm, a terrible accident. The lives of three families changed in an instant. Hannah Graham wakes up in hospital after suffering a life-changing injury. Joe Parker escapes with relatively minor injury, but not his wife Alison. Alan and Cassie Jones lose their son, Timothy.

What happens next? Is anyone to blame for this accident?

In this novel, Ms Jackson follows the lives of these three families – especially Hannah Graham and Joe Parker. Hannah has no memory of the crash and worries that it might have been her fault. Joe struggles to find purpose in his life without Alison. Alan and Cassie Jones are determined that the memory of Timothy will live on.

I can’t write more about the story without potentially ruining the page-turning excitement which is a big part of Ms Jackson’s writing. Suffice to say there’s plenty of drama. Some (but not all) of it is predictable and while the ending was a little too neat for me, I am sure many readers will find it satisfying.

Note: My thanks to NetGalley and Sapere Books for providing me with a free electronic copy of this book for review purposes.

Jennifer Cameron-Smith

[Debbie Oxier · Rating 4 out of 5]

This wasn't anything like I expected but I enjoyed it. An auto accident alters the lives of those involved and we meet those people and follow what happens next. I especially liked Hannah and her story. If you're looking for something with a lot of fast paced action then this isn't for you but if you enjoy a good drama with more characterization then you can't go wrong with this. Very well written.

[Lisa Baillie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic read. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Mix of characters all thrown together after an accident and seeing where that accident would take them. It was well written and flowed well. Easy to read. Just wasn’t long enough that’s my only complaint. Will definitely be on the lookout for this author again

[Kay Oliver · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the story of multiple people who were involved in a life changing and severe car crash and the aftermath. Is it a thriller? No, not really. Is it dramatic? Yeah, but not in a twisty way. It wasn't bad but it was mis-genered which sucked. This wasn't a book I would have picked up had it been correctly genered.

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Icy conditions on an English motorway lead to an accident that forever changes the lives of three families. Hannah Graham wakes up in the hospital and is left with no memory of the accident but must deal with a life-changing injury. Joe Parker survives the accident with a broken collarbone but loses the person most dear to him. Alan and Cassie Jones are physically uninjured but must deal with a devastating loss. Can these families move on from this horrific accident?

Hannah, Joe, Alan, and Cassie all deal with some type of loss resulting in the accident. Hannah also deals with feelings of guilt because she’s afraid something she did while driving may have caused the accident, but she can’t remember what happened. Most of the story focuses on Hannah and Joe. In addition to dealing with the aftermath of the accident, each must face other serious family issues. Each has a lot of drama in their lives, but Hannah’s circumstances are more believable than Joe’s. I like both characters and was hopeful they could overcome their individual tragedies.

“The Accident” is a fast-paced interesting story about ordinary people dealing with life-altering changes that happen in the blink of an eye. As long as that is what readers are anticipating when beginning the book, most people will enjoy this well-written story. However, it is described as shocking and categorized as a thriller which sets false expectations. This is NOT an action-packed thriller with unreliable narrators and/or shocking plot twists. It IS an enjoyable story with main characters you can relate to and root for. The book was not what I was expecting, but I did enjoy it and would read other books by this author.

I received this book through the courtesy of Sapere Book. The book was provided to me in exchange for an honest review.

[Angie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Gillian Jackson for this advanced copy in exchange for my review.

This is a story about several characters thrown together by a tragic accident on an icy snowy day.
The plot was very familiar to me, and I kept questioning if I had read the book before or just the premise?
I enjoyed the individual story lines that were portrayed but also linked to the other characters. The ending brings closure to the reader, and while satisfied with the ending, it was a bit too sugary and neat for me.

[CoCo 🇬🇭 · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75⭐️
This is a story of how the lives of so many people were affected by one traggic Accident and the aftermath of it. A story of love, loss and hope after a tragedy. This is enjoyable, very fast paced. The narrator did an amazing job. Though the story was predictable and some part were repetitive it was still good. I Recommend this. Thank you NetGalley & Dreamscape Media for this Audiobook

[Joanie222 · Rating 2 out of 5]

2 1/2

[Angie · Rating 1 out of 5]

1.5 stars. I can’t remember the last book I rated so low. You get what you pay for and in this instance what you get for free from Kindle Unlimited. This book was laughably bad in almost every way. The obligatory car accident, a commonly overused sub plot device, in this case takes center stage, occurring early morning on an icy road in England killing the wife of one main character and maiming the main female character. It is not a thriller, despite being billed so, but more of a domestic drama focusing on the repercussions and ripple effects of the accident on the characters and their families but not in any thoughtful or substantive way. The prose is a perfect example of all tell and no show. I found myself asking where the editor of this book was because it’s riddled with grammatical errors and incorrect word usage. An absurd subplot left me shaking my head in disbelief. I will give the author some credit for character development, but then it was required given the plot. However, I predicted the ending right off the bat and although I’m a bit embarrassed to admit I finished it, the book was short so not too much time was wasted.

[Danielle · Rating 2 out of 5]

One sudden traffic accident changes the lives of so many in the blink of an eye. In the accident Hannah lost a leg, Joe lost his beloved wife and the Jones family mourn the loss of their teenage son with a disability. All three must realize their lives as they knew it to be has changed and will never be the same. After the accident each character’s circumstance is explored and eventually come back together.

This was not as well written as it could have been. I understood what the author was trying to do because the premise was solid but it became convoluted quickly. The aftermath of the accident was nothing overly shocking and really lacked a wow factor. The book is listed as a thriller, and there was nothing thrilling about it or mysterious.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read and review the book. All opinions are my own.

[Coffee&Cliffhangers · Rating 4 out of 5]

One tragic night and everything changes, Icy weather conditions cause a multi car accident that will forever alter their lives. Joe loses his wife, Alan and Cassie their 15 year old son, and Hannah wakes up with no memory and a missing leg. This engrossing story shines a spotlight into each of their lives, the heartache, the fallout, and even some unexpected consequences that you couldn't have seen coming. This book broke my heart, made me angry, all the while rooting for Hannah to overcome each and every obstacle that came her way,
I loved the Narration by Jodie Harris who brought the story to life.
Thanks to NetGalley for allowing me to read this book for an honest review.

[Caroline 'relaxing with my rescue dogs' · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very emotionally charged and interesting read, at time difficult. All the threats fitted together and I do admire Gillian Jackson as an author- very talented. I am always worried when I go driving in the snow and ice.

I was given an advance copy by Bloodhound books but the review is entirely my own.