This story begins with one of the craziest families ever. Well maybe it could be any of our families at one point or another but anyhow it just seemed so dysfunctional but all things were supposed to be put aside for a 3 day mountain trip.

"In an Instant" there's a horrible accident leaving our main character Finn dead but she lingers and watches over the remaining family.

This story was heartbreaking and I had to have tissues to get thru it. I enjoyed how the author was able to express the different personalities of each family member.

Dollycas’s Thoughts

As soon as I read the synopsis for this book I knew I had to read it and OMG I am glad I did.

A long weekend and the Miller family along with neighbors that are like family, Finn’s best friend Mo, Chloe’s boyfriend Vance and Bingo, the family dog all load into the Miller Mobile to go to Big Bear for skiing, snowboarding, and family fun.

They arrive at their cabin to unload and unpack but soon hit the road again to go to Grizzly Manor for dinner. The snow started falling while they were inside and quickly turns into a full-blown blizzard.

Along the way, they stop to pick up Kyle whose car is now stranded in a snowbank. It is slow going but then a buck in the road has Finn’s dad hitting the brakes and the camper starts to slide and tumble over the side of the mountain.

Finn doesn’t survive, but she can see and hear everything. She is trapped between heaven and hell on earth as she watches her family deal with her death and try to save themselves.

_____

The story is told from Finn’s point of view so readers are able to see and feel everything that unfolds. The depth of each character evolves as we see how they react to the horrendous tragedy. It is a very emotional tale and I was completely riveted to the pages. Powerful, gripping and revealing.

I think this story really hit me in the heart because I have lost a child. Different circumstances but I always feel like he is with me every day even after almost 5 years. I will say I dealt with my grief and still deal with my grief differently that the characters in this story but everyone handles loss in their own way.

When I reached the end of the book I wiped the tears from eyes and read the Author’s Note and learned this book is based on a true memory she had. Thankfully no one died then but my tears started flowing all over again. She told this story in such an amazing way. As a reader, I could feel the cold, my heart ached with the pain, and anger flared more than once.

Ms. Redfearn also included a special needs child in this story. Again, my emotions rolled by the way this child was treated. Heartwarming to fierce anger to heartbreaking. His part of the story has stuck with me almost more than Finn’s.

In An Instant is a story that will make you think and may even leave you breathless at times.

This quote is one I want to keep and maybe have it etched permanently somewhere:

“Reach for the stars or the moon or another universe altogether, and shine so bright you blind everyone around you, and though I am gone, carry me with you, but only as lightness and never as weight.”

I look forward to reading more books by this author.

As I moved on to the author's note at the end of the book, the story continued to reverberate within me. Once I finished reading about where the author got the inspiration from, my understanding of the book felt like it had reached another secret level. It is not an easy book to read, and I actually did not read the blurb before going in, so I did not see the death coming. The story begins innocuously enough, the way the best ones do. We have a family at odds in the general way most families are, and they are planning a skiing trip on a long weekend. There are many characters involved in this, one is the main family- the Millers. The eldest daughter is set to get married in a couple of months and is not accompanying them but Finn's best friend and the mother Ann's best friend from two doors down and their trio is coming too as well as another sister and her boyfriend. Suffice to say, things suddenly change tragically as the title indicates, in an Instant. This 'instant' puts a sequence of events in motion that has everyone making decisions in the spur of the moment, and it belies what the world at large or even they thought of themselves.

There are quotes that effectively summarize the narrative than my review ever could

"..but even she knows the words are wrong. More was revealed in that single tragic night than most people reveal in a lifetime"

" We do not control our reactions only our actions"

On a more hopeful note "..that, sometimes humans surprise you"

Taken out of context, these may seem like more popular adages but to watch this extended family with their tenuous connections forged by the fire of their actions and reactions had my mind whirring. See, this conversation is one which I have had before when thinking back on any particularly odd situation, trying to analyze if I behaved a) appropriately. B) true to how I thought I would/should(this not the same as being appropriate, more related to what I believe in). I have never completely satisfied myself on all counts of being 'good' and 'just' in the purest of senses at crucial moments. That is the reason I found this entire narrative entirely fascinating. I do not rave like this often, but the writing was good enough to make you feel for all the people within its pages. None of them is ideal, and their behaviour sets them apart as individuals. It is a book about people and their thoughts and what makes them, them. I highly recommend this to anyone who finds any of the parts of my review even remotely appealing. 

I received an ARC thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, but this review is entirely based on my reading experience and my prior thoughts on the questions being handled in the book.

I think this book deserves way more attention than it has been getting. I had all the feels reading this amazing and brilliant story. Finn is a 13 year old girl in the Miller family that is falling apart, and provides the perspective for this narrative. The story begins as they brace themselves for a mountain adventure with the Miller Mobile, in what will shortly become a quest for survival in which they must all make choices and suffer the consequences. Finn journeys with us as we glimpse how each person deals with the aftermath of their ordeal. I absolutely loved (and hated!) these characters and felt so connected to them. I paused to reread many of the author’s beautiful sentences about grief and choices. This would provide a heated discussion in book clubs. In An Instant is my first book by Suzanne Redfearn and I am looking forward to more. I received an ARC of this book, all opinions are my own.

Loved this book! Hooks you from the beginning. Characters are intriguing to follow. The author made you feel like you were in the story.

I loved this book. Finns family heads out on a family trip to the cabin. Her father hopes this one last trip will bring them back together. On the way, a horrible accident occurs. After, it’s about survival, protecting and rescuing your family, love and betrayal. I loved the different story lines playing out in the background. The characters were great and you can’t help but love, or hate, them. Fast paced, beautifully written, and the ending was perfect. I loved the mystery playing along with sweetness of the story. Well balanced. Would definitely recommend, could be a great book club choice.

I guess I can see what people see in this but I just found it depressing. The people in it are perfectly ugly. The point of view is that of Finn as she dies. I just had to push myself through it. Really not my kind of thing.

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for a review.

This book is not what I expected, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. The title is the perfect one for this book, as it does show how life can change literally in an instant.

A family ski trip turns tragic after a car accident, killing the main character, Finn, and seriously injuring others. We then continue with the difficult narration from Finn's point of view, and like a fly on the wall, read about how the other characters are trapped in the camper. Her sister Chloe and Chloe's boyfriend Vance leave to find help, then Finn's mom and Kyle (a boy they picked up at his broken down car) leave to get help. Finn kind of "floats" from person to person observing and telling their story. Then, after they're rescued, Finn continues to go from person to person to describe their recovery.

I was beginning to wonder if Finn was ever going to finish her unfinished business on Earth and be able to Rest In Peace, when she kind of figured it out for herself (and the reader). Once she was sure each person was okay in their own way, she was able to go.

Overall this was a good, yet heartbreaking, story. There were a few things that bugged me - firstly, the violent nature and description of Finn's body. Also, the description of her brother Oz, and what happened to him.

I did like the questions that kind of overlays the plot - would you do the same thing if you were in their shoes? What would you have done differently to protect yourself, your child, your spouse, your friend? Would you regret your decisions later on?

I ended up enjoying it for the most part, but I don't think it's an easy read emotionally. I think it would be an interesting movie, kind of part Lovely Bones, part Before I Go. 3.5 stars, rounded up.

I really enjoyed this book! Main character Finn heads off with her family for a family bonding experience for the weekend. Everything changes In An Instant, and things will never be the same. Awesome book!

WoW! Breathtaking And Mesmerizing!

This is a book that will stay with me for a long time!

The story begins with a family happily planning a a daughter's wedding, teens making plans for their upcoming formal, another thinking of upcoming graduation and college while the father and son excitedly get their huge and old traveling van ready for a ski trip over the presidents holiday weekend bringing their lovable dog and longtime friends and daughter along also for this fun and carefree excursion. Unbeknownst to all of them, there will be an accident involving everyone and some will be severely injured and dying while a blizzard will challenge love, loyalty, stamina, heartache, betrayal with devastating conditions where survival means making choices that will eventually cause guilt and regret for some. The impact of the accident is only the catalyst for the aftermath of what is to come when they finally arrive home. Not one life will be left unscathed by this traumatic event and some will come to realize that the people you thought you knew and loved were capable of making very selfish decisions that will have debilitating consequences when the truth is finally revealed.

Suzanne Redfearn's brilliant writing is some of the best I have read. She doesn't overuse words and descriptions where you find yourself fidgeting and yawning, her writing had me hanging on the edge and eager for each new word, sentence and chapter. I was mesmerized and that doesn't happen too often. The story pulled so many emotions from me and sadness with crying was certainly one of them and that rarely occurs while reading a book. I felt myself cheering for some characters while saying out loud to others No, No or Please don't.

Each and every character, (likeable and despicable) were so well developed that I felt the realness and honesty of their personalities and that is powerful writing. I truly loved this book and I recommend it to all readers. Just be sure to have a box of tissues ready. I cannot wait to read another book by this fantastic author!

I want to thank the publisher "Lake Union Publishing" and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this wonderful ARC! This review was based on my own and unbiased opinion! The publication date is March 1, 2020.

Readers Don't Miss Out On Reading This Book!
I have given a rating on 5 Breathtaking and Stunning 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 Stars!!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an e-ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

16 year old Finn is on her way with her best friend and several family members to a weekend getaway when the unthinkable happens. The RV that her dad is driving them all in tumbles over the cliff and Finn dies. She's stuck in between worlds where she sees her family and friends struggling with her death.

As she watches each one of them deal with her death in their own way, she yearns to help them but needs to move on.

Written from Finn's point of view, this is a beautiful story of love, family, and learning to live with someone you love. Highly recommend!

In an Instant is a beautifully written story about grief, healing, and human nature. Told from the viewpoint of deceased 16-year-old, Finn, this book was emotional and thought provoking. How do you know what you would do if only given an instant to decide? For several of these characters, it only takes an instant decision to change their life and how they live with that decision. Loved this book, and am looking forward to reading more by Suzanne Redfearn. Thank you NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the digital arc of this title.

This was an amazing book: sad and enlightening.

The story is told from the character Finn's point of view ,, after her death.

On a family ski trip with 2 families the unthinkable happens in an instant that changes their lives forever.

A deer appears in the road ahead and Finn's father applies the brakes to avoid hitting it, thereby sending the van skidding across the road , hitting the guardrail and tumbling down the hillside.

When the vehicle comes to a stop, the occupants are in various stages of injury and Finn is dead..

Her mom takes off Finn's clothes and tells Finn's friend Mo to put them on since she isn't dressed for the cold and snow. This makes Karen (Finn's aunt) angry because she feels her daughter Natalie should be the one to have the clothes,

Cell phones don't work and no one will be looking for them for awhile.

Lines are drawn between the families, which isn't a good thing.

Finn's sister and her boyfriend decide to hike for hep and her other later decides she too will go to look for help.

Finn's younger brother Oz is simple minded and his Uncle Bob persuades Oz to go looking for hi8s mother and tricks him into giving Bob his gloves in exchange for 2 packages of crackers.

Oz and his dog set out to find his mother, unfortunately Bob tells Finn the wrong direction his mother was going in.

Finn's mother is able to make it to the roadway and to call for help.. The occupants of the vehicle are rescued and those with injurie and those suffering from frostbite are taken to the hospital.

Oz and his dog and Chloe and her boyfriend Vance are still out in the snow and aren't rescued as another storm sets in. Chloe seeks shelter in the hollow of a tree.. Oz and his dog are in the tundra.

Finn's uncle tell the sheriff that Oz got it into his head to go after his mother , Bob knows this isn't true and he doesn't know that he told Oz to go in the wrong direction.
'
The sheriff has suspicions about Bob's story..

Bob is asked to speak to the reporters about their ordeal and to his daughter he appears to be in his element.

Chloe is found and her boyfriend are found but another storm sets in and the search for Oz and his dog is halted and can't continue for a few days. but the searchers are looking for them in the wrong direction.

Oz's dog returns to the camper and is found. The search or Oz is unfortunately called off and he is never found.

Chloe and Mo will lose some fingers and toes due to frostbite, both suffer from their physical injuries as as well as their mental anguish ..

Mo visits the sheriff to gain an understanding /co oberation of how the aftermath events of the crash occurred.

The sheriff arrests Finn's uncle and charges him with the negligent homicide of Oz.

Eventually the two families try to heal but their interactions are never the same

Such a profound book.

5 Stars! Gripping and emotional- a group of family and friends struggle to deal with the aftermath of a horrible accident that takes place on a ski trip. There is guilt, denial and life changing consequences - those involved are forever changed!
I could not put this book down. I could almost feel the words & emotions as I read them... and it gave me a lump in my throat, a knot in my belly and brought me to tears more than a few times. Its a very thought provoking & powerful story, one that you can't help but wonder what you would do in the same situation? Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC, in exchange for my honest review.

In an Instant will capture you immediately and not let you go until long after you've turned the last page. Kudos to the author, Suzanne Redfearn for sharing this treasure of a read with us!

Unique, mesmerizing, heart-rending, emotionally charged, this book will bring home just how much so many peoples' lives can be permanently altered in just a blink of an eye. It will also have you question what you would do in a similar situation, and how much right do we have to judge another's decision when so many of our own are faulty.

I am purposely being vague so as not to ruin a wonderful read. I loved every minute of it, and was sorry to see it end! A 5 star read for me.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for allowing me to read a copy of the book in exchange for an unbiased review. All opinions stated here are my own.

I really liked this book, it was intriguing and thought provoking. I definitely recommend this book!

More Tragic if i stay. Probably the singular best way to describe this book is to take a fairly well known book/ movie that has a very similar overall narrative structure - if i stay - and point out that this is a survival tale that is even more tragic than that tale. Going into this blind, I thought from the prologue that something would happen to a particular character (and that this tale would thus become more similar to Catherine McKenzie's I'll Never Tell), but the expected tragedy strikes an unexpected character instead. The rest of the book is then a tale about the fight to survive the tragedy, both in the immediate physical fight to live and in the aftermath of dealing with the consequences of that fight. Overall a very powerful, very raw, look at human nature and just what happens in the face of true imminent peril. One made even more powerful by the afterword, where the author reveals a stunningly tragic episode from her real life. Very much recommended.

Stunning, thought-provoking, poignant. This story explores the aftermath of tragedy, and does so brilliantly.

Stars: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 | 5

Synopsis

Finn, her family and close friends are off up into the mountains for a long weekend away. But it's not long before tragedy strikes.

In an accident, sixteen year old Finn dies in an instant.

Told from her point of view whilst she is stuck somewhere in between the here and now and her afterlife, we see how others act in a crisis and in grief.

What did I think?

I've never read anything from Suzanne Redfearn so I went in with no expectations. But instantly I was hooked.

I honestly don't want to say too much about this book because I don't want to ruin it for others, but it was told beautifully.

First up - it passed my two bug bears test. It had short chapters and a great ending. Yay!

Now onto the other stuff.

I'm often overwhelmed with lots of characters, which this book does have, but I found it quite easy to distinguish between them all and their personal stories. All of the characters had enough depth for you to feel like they were real people and through Redfearn's writing, I felt exactly how Finn would want me to feel about each of the people in her life. I loved Mo. I didn't trust Uncle Bob. I felt her Mother's pain.

The style of the writing in this book reminded me a lot of The Lovely Bones, however the plotline itself bears no resemblance. It's a unique story in its own right.

I really would urge others to read this. It's a great read and I felt so immersed in the story being told.

This was a really unique and heart-wrenching story, and the way in which it was narrated was so creative.

Life can change in an instant and that’s exactly what happened to Finn Miller’s family and best friend. After a tragic accident, Finn’s life ended abruptly and she was left stuck between worlds while those around her fought to survive. It was really interesting reading this story from Finn’s POV while she wasn’t physically there, and it also broke my heart for her to have to watch them suffer through it all and not be able to help them.

But this was also a story of redemption and much more is revealed about Finn’s family in the aftermath of the accident. The truth about what really happened during their time of survival slowly comes to light, bit by bit, and they could either let it divide them further or help them find peace as they attempt to get closure and move on.

Highly recommend!

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3165772352