In an Instant

This author was new to me but this particular book is more about being able to write from a unique POV. There are several characters in this book, but the author wrote each with a clear purpose to the story, made each one very human and relatable, and brought each one’s story to a close. Not necessarily packaged with a nice bow bc that’s not real life. But each found a resolution where you exhaled and said, “ok”, and might even shed a tear for them. The overall message was if you were in a treacherous situation, would you put yourself/your family first? Or another person? A child? An injured person? A weak person? Asks the question, is there a time where you sacrifice one to save the many? It was refreshing to have a book that didn’t jump back and forth to a different year or character with each chapter; so many are like that now. And I don’t mind that IF it is truly necessary to the story, but sometimes it feels like a gimmick. This book was very pure. Ok so SPOILER ALERT… we are guided through this story by the main character who is alive-adjacent lol. And I think some author’s could have totally ruined this POV… made it all about her anger, or sadness or pain, or even her fear about what plane she is on. But this author wrote it beautifully so the character uses this time to see these people she loves in a different light. And tries to leave them with a bit of peace. And make sure to read the Author’s Notes at the end, the author tells you where the idea for this book came about and how this lesson of putting others first is close to her heart. ❤️ Just fabulous reading. I’m so excited to read more by this author!

What I initially thought was going to be just a coming of age/family drama turned out to be so much more. It would be wrong to give away any plot details. The story needs to be read and experienced firsthand by the reader. Some of the factors I liked best were the perspective from which the story was told; the depth of realistic emotion and scarcity of sentimentality; the overall quality of the writing; and the believable portrayals of people coping with grief, anger, and guilt. Upon reading the author’s comments at the end of the story, the realism and honesty in which it is told becomes even more apparent and understandable. Perhaps because of the perspective of the character who tells the story, the book is very visual and would make a compelling movie but only if the depth of purpose is maintained and it’s not turned into something lesser.

A truly gripping story. Each character in the book is deeply affected by an accident and, subequently, the variety of repercussions that will change their lives forever. The author weaves a powerful tale based on a tragedy that affects each character in a different way and it makes the reader question "what would I have done?" I was mesmerized by this story, a true work of literary excellence. It is right up there with the best novels I have ever read. Poignant. Believable. Surprising. Tear-jerking. Smile making. Breathtaking. This book made me feel every emotion known to humanity. It quickly awakened my emotions and immediatlely pulled me in. Thank you, Ms. Redfearn for a great read. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well-written novel that illustrates multiple facets of human interaction and behavior. I will keep this one.

I loved this book - it's primarily a human nature study yet reads like a thriller. What I liked best is the depth in which each character is explored and revealed. You care about them and root for them. You enjoy getting to know Finn, Mo, Oz, Jack, Ann, Chloe, Vance, Kyle, and Eric. Bob, Karen, and Natalie are absolutely necessary to the story, but suspicion rises early. What I loved best is how the writer shows how flawed good people are, how true character is exposed in a crises, how much harder it is to forgive ourselves than it is to forgive others. This is actually an intelligent, complex, layered story. Many life lessons here with no preaching. I felt the characters were treated with compassion and it was rewarding to see how some of them grew - especially Mo and Chloe. Although those two are easy to love, my heart went out to the Dad, Jack, and we actually ride a roller coaster of emotions with him - actually ache for him. The Mom, Ann, was a difficult person to love, as her flaws seem to overshadow her virtues - it felt like work to accept her, then like her, then start to root for her too. There are no easy characters - every single one struggles - and even the minor ones like Mrs. Kaminsky are given depth. I think it takes major talent to depict so many characters this well, to really let us feel them, and feel them with sympathy. I also loved that there was a satisfying ending - each character left in a different place than where they started and you can't help but feel some lives will be much richer because of having lived through this experience. I am a new fan of Suzanne Redfearn and will definitely read her other books.

In an Instant is a beautifully written novel that offers a unique perspective by narrating the story through Finn, even after her death. This approach provides profound insights into the experiences of those left behind, capturing their grief, guilt, and resilience in the aftermath of tragedy. The character development is exceptional, with each individual’s journey thoughtfully explored, allowing readers to connect deeply with their struggles and growth. The inclusion of the author’s note and discussion questions at the end enriches the reading experience, offering context and prompting meaningful reflection. These additions make the book an excellent choice for book clubs or classroom discussions. I believe this novel is particularly suitable for readers aged 12 and up, as it encourages the development of emotional intelligence and empathy. It challenges readers to consider complex moral dilemmas and the impact of split-second decisions, making it a compelling and thought-provoking read for young adults and adults alike. Absolutely recommend!!!

"Are we born with our strength? If so, then should we condemn those who don't have it?" A family trip gone wrong. An awful accident in a blizzard. The fight for survival is put to the test in this moral pushing thriller. Told by a unique point of view of someone who is a fly on the wall, Finn, misses nothing as she watches her family struggle with surviving, grief, anger, betrayal, love, and jealousy. This story was not what I expected going into it. I will say that I did not read the synopsis so one of the plot 'twists' for me wasn't really a plot twist. This novel had an interesting perspective of the aftermath of a tragedy. It isn't very often that a thriller makes me tear up but this one certainly did. The story is medium paced and written clearly and concise. At the same time, it is also thought-provoking. I would recommend this novel for anyone who loves survival stories and can appreciate character growth. I think this novel was very well written and I will read more book by the author.

Every so often a book comes along and stamps itself on your soul, and this story definitely did that to me. If I could rate this one a million stars, I would. Wow. This book. This. book. I'm just going to say that even though we're only about two and a half months into the year, this one will be on my best of the year! It's so hard to completely discuss this book without giving away spoilers, and you really want to go into this one with very little information. Masterfully written and with such glorious prose, you'll find yourself mesmerized and so caught up in this family's tragic saga that you will not be able to let go until you know the end. This story is powerful and poignant, begging readers to question everything they ever thought they knew about themselves and others even those they trust. "Nothing is as it was. The pretense of valor, her own and others', has been decimated and the ugly truth of human nature revealed." This is a heartbreaking and truly unforgettable exploration of our own humanity. Split second decisions are made all the time, yet some of those result in ramifications that leave a legacy built on the consequences of those choices. As characters confront their own survival, the ultimate healing comes with forgiveness and not just to others, but to oneself as well. The road is not the same for everyone, but it is a breathtakingly emotional journey, especially as readers travel that path with them. "Like everyone else, she is stumbling forward, one foot in front of the other, not always in the right direction but staggering on just the same." The narrative is incredibly spiritual. There are so many moments scattered throughout that ask us to question our mortality and an afterlife, especially for Finn as she lingers between two worlds. Ultimately, Finn helps us to understand that it's okay to feel sad, but always remember to celebrate the time you had together with a loved one so their presence is never forgotten. "Carry me inside you as a light that brightens your world and makes everything better." This is one of those perfect reading experiences that will always hold a special place in my heart. I have so much love, respect, and appreciation to the author for sharing this story (be sure to read the Author's Note at the end). As hard as it was to pick up the next book on my schedule, we learn so gracefully from In an Instant that life marches on, so onward I go, but the memory remains. Many thanks to Great Escapes Book Tours and the author for providing me with a free copy of the book for review. I loved it so much I purchased my own physical copy. This is my honest and thoughtful opinion.

• Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ • General Overview: The novel follows the story of two families who are caught up in a serious, tragic accident high in snowy mountains and the lengths that each individual go to to survive. The book takes the ingenious idea of narrating the aftermath of the crash from sixteen year old Finn’s PoV. It’s ingenious because Finn dies in the crash and therefore she takes on an almost omniscient role and the book becomes a sort of fly-on-the-wall exposé of the crash victim’s broken lives. •What did I think?: This book was an absolute page turner for me! I picked it off of the recommended shelf on Kindle Unlimited and I am so glad that I did! ‘In an Instant’ is such a beautifully written novel that tackles grief and how different people cope with traumatic events. Everyone reacts differently and this book shows the gambits of emotion from all sides and the emotions hit the reader as you read it. I was intrigued to find out that Suzanne Redfearn had inspiration from an event in her childhood when writing this novel. You can tell that her raw emotion from her memories really helped fuel the tone of all the characters as they navigate through the traumatic events that unfold. There are so many characters in this book and the author does an amazing job at going into detail of how each character is feeling emotionally and coping with the traumatic events they all just went through. Because of this, it is so easy to become attached to these characters and feel the emotions that is being portrayed by their thoughts and actions. There are also some plot twists in the story that I personally didn’t see coming and I’m a sucker for plot twists. There were moments where I was mad, sad, and shocked at some of the outcomes. Suzanne Redfearn did such a great job at using suspense to keep us locked in and turning the pages to see how everything would turn out. This is a novel that really asks questions about what we as humans are capable of doing to each other. It dares to look at our darkest thoughts of purely self preservation and asks the reader do you know what you would do in these most bleak of moments? No one character in this book is left guilt free. They all experience shame on some level at how they survived and because they survived. • Do I recommend this book?: Yes! This is one of those books that really the less you know about it the better. While the prose may not be that beautiful with an awkward narrative initially, this is still definitely worth a read if you’re in the mood for a character study type novel as the most thought provoking themes truly reveal themselves after approx 1/3 the way through.