I really enjoyed this story but do want to make it known, I also believe in angels. I wasn’t sure what to expect from this one, it does take a bit to get into the real story, but once it does, it was hard to put down.
I’ve heard stories from friends and family that say they believe their loved ones “stayed around” for a bit until they felt all was taken care of and then moved on toward the light, so this one was completely believable to me. I can’t imagine having to go thru what this family had to endure during this terrifying accident. I came to care about Finn, Oz and especially Mo. If you enjoy a heartfelt tale of love and loss, this is one for you.
I was allowed an ARC from Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for my honest unbiased review. This one gets 5 stars.

This was my first book by this author and this story was heartbreaking and amazing! I will differently look up more of her books.. highly highly recommend

I enjoyed this book. It was a quick read and moved at a quick pace. Overall the writing was great and the characters were well developed. 3/5 for me.

Thank you NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the ARC!
Finn is your typical, average teenager. She sometimes gets along with her parents, has a wonderful best friend and is trying to figure out how to ask the cute boy in cowboy boots to the dance. On a family trip to their cabin, everything in Finn’s life comes to an end. After a tragic car crash, Finn now watches down on her family as they try to escape the side of a mountain in a blizzard. The moments after the crash set the foundation for what is about to come. Choices are made, people are chosen, and mistakes are made. Friendships are severed and people’s true character is shown. When Finn’s family tries to go back to normal life, nothing is the same for them again.


This story was very heartbreaking and tragic, yet not so much that you’re crying till the end. Finn does die, and it’s horrible and sad, but it’s also the main point of the story. It is so interesting how the story then turns and everything is based on what Finn is watching from her afterlife. She watches how her family and friends tear apart and rebuild. You get into her frustration at their actions and her heartache at their pain. It was a new type of story I haven’t read before and I liked how different it was. It’s also very smooth and easy to read, there are no skipping in events and narratives that sometime get confusing. I will say the majority of the action does end right in the middle of the book and the second half can get a little bit boring. Some more turns in the plot would have really brought this book home, but it was still enjoyable nonetheless.

Rate: 3.5/5
Fiction
Author: Suzanne Redfearn

I love it when the ARCs I choose end up on my favorites of the year list. It doesn’t matter how many of them might not be the best, and how many I might DNF during the year, because there are always a couple that will stand out in the best way possible.

After reading «In an Instant», I will read anything Suzanne Redfearn publishes in the future. Atmospheric and utterly heartbreaking, the story of the Millers family made me cry a dozen times, the tears of sadness and joy.

«In an Instant» wasn’t my first book about a car accident or about survival. But it was definitely the most memorable one. Only because Suzanne Redfearn created the most heartbreaking story, where in just over 300 pages she managed to unfurl a large cast of characters showing everyone’s weaknesses and strengths.

No one can read this book and stay indifferent. I’m 100% certain that even people who rarely cry when reading a book will tear up at some point while reading «In an Instant». Emotionally intense, this was a story about family, love and what people are capable of in the most extreme situations.

Even those this is not a thriller or mystery, it’s better to go into this book without knowing too much about the plot. This way you won’t see those emotional punches coming your way!

The way Suzanne Redfearn decided to tell this story was told was a very ingenious writing choice. I can’t say too much about it, but it was a creative way of showing everyone who was involved in the accident and also allowed for a more emotional approach.

Another highlight of this book, besides all of the feelings, was the atmosphere. The accident and survival felt very dark, and I could almost feel everything the characters were going through. Suzanne Redfearn did an amazing job describing the setting, and also getting to the bottom of human emotions. She dug very deep to find all of their fears, regrets, and desires.

P.S. Don’t forget to read the author’s note at the end of the book!

I cannot stop thinking about this book! It really makes you think about how you would behave in a life or death situation. What choices would you make? What would you do to survive? I really liked that the author told the story from Finn's perspective - so the reader "sees" everything that happens in the aftermath of the accident as Finn watches over her family and friends. I think the characters were well done and made me, as a reader, feel exactly how the author wanted to me feel about them (I was NOT a fan of Uncle Bob...). Finn was, by far, my favorite character, though. Even in death, she tries to help those who are struggling the most after the accident - sending encouragement and offering words or warning. This would be an excellent book club pick as I think it could inspire a lot of good discussion.

Thank you to Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for providing a copy for review.

I just read this book straight through. In about 4 or so hours. The first half of the book had me on edge. Wondering what would happen, who would survive, and anger for the way Oz was treated.
Then the last half of the book I was following Finns family with her as she visits them. It was wild to see it in that perspective.
Nonstop reading. It’s been a while since I’ve done that.

In an Instant by Suzanne Redfearn is a full length standalone romance novel that had me in twists and knots.
In an Instant is told in a single pov, Finn, a young girl tells a gripping heart-wrenching story about family, love and loss, that had me in tears more than one time. I literally just finished the book and I'm sitting here and can't get the book out of my head. The characters and the storyline stubbornly stay with me. I will not spoiler here, only so much, what a ride!
In an Instant is an beautifully thought out, beautifully told and excellent written story. I read the book, cover to cover in one sitting, I couldn't put it down, I simply couldn't and who needs sleep anyway.
It's a tragic story, a tearjerking, nailbiting pageturner. S. Redfearn is a new to me author and I'm more than happy I gave her book a try - I was in for a big surprise. This won't be my last read by her.
I recommend In an Instant and give 5 Stars.

Now and again a certain story comes along that just wows the reader - and this was one of those stories. Funny, tender, heartbreaking, full of warmth and pathos. Finn is the narrator and from the outset we know she's dead. The remainder you will have to read for yourself as to reveal any more would spoil the book....Suffice to say ... I cried and laughed in equal measure. Thought-provoking and ultimately redemptive. I freely admit to having read this book in 2 sessions, so loathe was I to put it down. Beautiful writing, remarkable story. Unputdownable! Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion. Take my advice - read this book!

The story of a car crash and its aftermath as told by a teenager, Finn, who died in the crash. The survivors of the crash make some impossible choices in order to do their best to survive. A novel that made me really think about the actions of each of the survivors from their perspectives. Using Finn as a kind of witness to all of the decisions and the aftermath was an interesting decision as she gained a different point of view about all of the family members and friends involved in, or most affected by, the crash. Not an easy read due to the subject matter but a thought-provoking and challenging read nevertheless. A good book for mid-late teens as well as adults because it does shock the reader out of their bubble. Definitely recommended.

I've been a fan of Suzanne Redfearn's ever since I read her books Hush Little Baby and No Ordinary Life several years ago. She is a gifted author who writes well-rounded characters and sets them within stories that are poignant, engaging and thought-provoking.

In her latest book, In An Instant, Redfearn focuses her story on a horrific accident and how its aftermath affects a family and their close friends. The story is told from the POV of a teenage girl named Finn, with the first third of the book focusing on the car accident and the bulk of the book tackling the aftermath. Redfearn pulls out all the stops in this emotional book that shows the different ways people deal with grief and fear - their choices, their sacrifices and how they find the strength to move on. Some scenes will shock you; others will have you grabbing a Kleenex, but all will give you food for thought.

This is an emotional, powerful and insightful story that should not be missed. I found it to be engaging from the start which helped me to connect to the characters quickly. Emotions are kept high throughout but Redfearn also introduces compelling issues that will keep readers riveted until the final pages. Put this book on your Spring 2020 'must-read' list and look for it March 1st.

Note: Please ensure you read the author's note at the end of the book. In it, she reveals the personal experience that influenced the writing of this book.

Disclaimer: My sincere thanks to the publisher, Lake Union Publishing, for providing me with a complimentary digital copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. Thank you NetGalley..

Holy cow... this book is amazing. This author is SO talented. I can't even put into words how amazing she is. This book was everything I didn' tknow I needed in my life. You won't regret reading this.

A tragic story of a family after a deathly car accident - told from a unique perspective. I really loved how the narrator’s point of view allowed us to get inside the minds of all major characters. I found this to be a deep and thought provoking read, which I thoroughly enjoyed!

Thanks to Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

In An Instant by Suzanne Redfearn is a book that I won’t soon forget. It haunted me in a way other books have not. It’s a story in which the characters experience a tragic event, but each has their own version of the reality of what happened and it’s that version that eventually heals or tears them apart.

When the Miller and Gold families leave for a ski weekend they never dreamt a weekend of fun would end in such tragedy. When the RV they’re driving ends over an embankment, Finn Miller’s life is ended, but her spirit hovers over those she loves and leaves behind. Finn watches as Mo, Finn’s best friend, goes into survivor mode and selflessly cares for Finn’s injured father, while trying to maintain some semblance of calm and order. Chloe, Finn’s sister and her boyfriend Vance unsuccessfully set out for help, but when they don’t return their mother Ann follows with a young man named Kyle to seek help. As the hours drag by and desperation sets in, decisions are made by both parties that have consequences that will forever change the course of their lives. As Finn watches helplessly as her family and friend falls apart, she prays for the truth to be revealed and peace to be restored for herself and well as those she loves.

In An Instant was hard to put down. Reading it, I felt like an observer at a train wreck. I didn’t want to watch the tragedy unfolding before me, but kept one eye open anyway because I couldn’t look away. The tension in the storyline and the characters, both flawed and good, kept me turning the pages. Finn was such a wonderful character. Her love for Mo and her family was remarkable making her frustration at being unable to help them all the more evident. Mo was so courageous and her ability to keep her head when she was needed most was amazing. I particularly liked her need to pursue the truth of those days before their rescue. The adult characters that the author created were so complex that I found myself cheering when certain realities are finally revealed and justice and redemption sought. One of my favorite scenes in the book was the confrontation between Mo’s mother and Karen Gold. I read that passage more than once because the tension was palpable. Great writing throughout the book left me turning the pages and I couldn’t wait till the end, and I am happy to say I wasn’t disappointed.

If you like novels that are unpredictable, emotional and intense then In An Instant is the book for you. It’s a great read with complex characters and a storyline that you will appreciate and find hard to put down.

I want to thank the publisher Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for a complimentary copy of this book In An Instant by Suzanne Redfearn. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Thank you, Lake Union Publishing, and NetGalley for a copy of In an instant by Suzanne Redfearn. I didn’t know what to expect when I requested this book. But I am so glad I did.
Finn Miller goes on a skiing trip with her parents, her brother and sister and her best friend Mo. Also, her Uncle Bob and Aunty Karen and her cousin that Fin despises. As they drive along the freeway the weather takes a turn for the worse, they come across a deer which trying to avoid it causes them to have an accident. Finn dies instantly. But that’s not the end of the story for Finn. While the rest of her family and friends try and takes terms of what is happening and trying to get help. Finn’s soul stays with them. In the struggles not only during the accident but after, until they come to terms with the accident and her death, she is set free.
In an Instant by Suzanne Redfearn is a very emotional, thought provoking story. I thought this was beautifully written, had a great original plot and characters and I liked that it was written in POV which made it different to other books that I have read due to you could see both sides of the story. It’s very clever. 5 stars from me.

On a snowy night everything changes for Finn. Her family and family’s friends get in an accident. Finn is killed and her family and friends must try to get help and survive the night. Finn stays as a spirit and watches everyone deal with the aftermath of the accident.

I loved this story. Almost everyone is hiding something from the accident and Finn’s perspective helped me to see everyone. The mystery was if everyone would find out the full story. I thought the story was beautifully written. My favorite character was Finn because even though she could not change the outcome she tried to help and comfort her family and friends as much as possible. The story also had a large element of who would you save if you were in the same situation? There were two families and they had several times where they had to chose to do something to help one of their family members or the other family. Many people would like to think they would help every equally but is that always the case? And all actions have consequences.

In an Instant....thank goodness I had tissues on hand.

In an Instant, lives are changed forever. Sixteen-year-old Finn is dead after a tragic car accident. Finn keep vigil, watching as those she loves struggle to survive and move on with their lives.

Add me to the list of people who sat down and read this in one day. Whew! I won’t tell you anything else about the book except that it is a moving, thought provoking look at what loss does to an individual and to a family. The choices and sacrifices people make to survive. The tears shed and the grief that comes after tragedy. For me this was a tearjerker. I didn't want to put this book down as I wanted to know what would happen next. How these people and families would cope. This is also a character study on human nature - what will people do to survive. Will they go against their nature or will their true nature be shown? When ordinary people are put in extraordinary situations, what choices will they make?

Grab some tissues and a comfy spot to read as this is absorbing, emotional, engrossing, moving, and thought provoking. It is well written, and nothing felt rushed or drawn out. Don't stop reading when the book ends, the Author's note is informative and tells her own childhood story of survival.


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 expressed in this review are my own.

Amazing! This book was everything. It generated so much raw emotion and was a brilliant example of the many ways that people deal with life's traumatic events. You hope that in certain situations, you would behave a particular way but I don't believe you can truly know what your reaction would be unless you actually walk in those shoes.

Ms. Redfearn's writing was able to shine a light on the way that scary, and sometimes tragic, events pull different reactions from people. This story of loss vibrated with grief and pain. It also shows how poor decisions can be made in stressful situations. In an Instant gave me a little of The Lovely Bones vibe in that you are seeing the book's events unfold from the viewpoint of someone who is strictly an observer and can't interact directly with anyone else. Given this situation, you are only able to watch the people make decisions that you know will lead to more emotional trauma and can't prevent any of the devastation.

I was emotionally exhausted when I finished reading In an Instant - - but it was totally worth it!

Thank you to NetGalley, Lake Union Publishing and Ms. Redfearn for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you to Net Galley for providing an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

In an Instant brought to mind one of my greatest fears, that something catastrophic would happen while my children are with anyone other than family. No one can predict how they will respond when faced with a disaster, like driving off a cliff in the middle of a blizzard. While I was not impressed with the writing or the fact that the whole story seemed rushed, this book definitely made me think, and I will not forget it anytime soon.

The novel is about two families who are caught up in a serious accident and how each one of them is going to survive in the snowy mountains. And I don't want to tell you more about it because this is one of those books that really the less you know about it the better.
The writing isn't the best or outstanding, but it isn't bad too. The novels beauty is more about it's characters, atmosphere and the feelings. It is getting quite dark and there is so much guilt in it, I wasn't expecting it. It is truly thought provoking and I am glad, that I had the chance to read it.