**Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions on this book are my own.**
Tara Jenkins and Justin Westcroft used to be childhood BFFs. Now in high school, Justin’s a popular, all-star athlete, and Tara spends her days admiring him from afar. But when Tara saves Justin from nearly drowning in a freak accident, he’s unable to get her out of his mind. In no time at all, Tara and Justin fall deeply in love. And even though it’s only high school, they seem destined for a Happily Ever After.
Until tragedy strikes—and this time, Justin’s not so lucky. Tara passes through her days as a shell of her former self: Justin’s dead, but she can still feel his presence, and she can’t seem to let him go.
But there’s a reason for that, and it’s not just grief: Justin is In Between, and he’s still holding on.
They say that when someone saves you, you’re tied to them for life. But what about in the afterlife?
Until tragedy strikes—and this time, Justin’s not so lucky. Tara passes through her days as a shell of her former self: Justin’s dead, but she can still feel his presence, and she can’t seem to let him go.
But there’s a reason for that, and it’s not just grief: Justin is In Between, and he’s still holding on.
They say that when someone saves you, you’re tied to them for life. But what about in the afterlife?
The In Between is a very poignant story about how deep true love really is and how far someone in love is willing to go to keep their love safe. Even though this is written for young adults, young and old can benefit from this tale of love and sacrifice. Reading about Tara and Justin's love takes you back to that first teenage love when you thought that being in love was enough and that everything in the world was possible. Their passion for each other is heartwarming and inspiring. Their separation is heartbreaking.
Following Justin through his time In Between and his trip to Heaven and Hell, while seeing Tara coping with his death is like being on an emotional roller coaster ride. Justin has to form allies with people he's not even sure he can trust just so he can attempt to get back to Tara. Tara has to fake her emotions in order to keep people from thinking she is crazy. Olivia Pierce really brings love and loss to life in the pages of The In Between.
I did think that the book seems to drag on a little too long. This may be because of the changing point of view or just Pierce trying to make sure that you got an accurate depiction of the In Between in your mind. That seems to be where it drags the most. The ending was a pleasant surprise. I thought for sure that I knew where the story was going and how it was going to end but by the time I got there, it was completely different from what I expected.
Overall, I would recommend this book for anyone interested in a YA romance. And if you're a worry-wart type of parent like myself, it's age appropriate for tweens and teens. It's engaging for adults as well but it leaves out all of the unnecessary adult "stuff" that seems to find it's way into books like this. I loved it and I'm hoping that you will pick up a copy and love it too!
I did think that the book seems to drag on a little too long. This may be because of the changing point of view or just Pierce trying to make sure that you got an accurate depiction of the In Between in your mind. That seems to be where it drags the most. The ending was a pleasant surprise. I thought for sure that I knew where the story was going and how it was going to end but by the time I got there, it was completely different from what I expected.
Overall, I would recommend this book for anyone interested in a YA romance. And if you're a worry-wart type of parent like myself, it's age appropriate for tweens and teens. It's engaging for adults as well but it leaves out all of the unnecessary adult "stuff" that seems to find it's way into books like this. I loved it and I'm hoping that you will pick up a copy and love it too!
