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    How to Walk Away: A Novel
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    How to Walk Away: A Novel
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    How to Walk Away: A Novel
    Ebook407 pages6 hours

    How to Walk Away: A Novel

    By Katherine Center

    4/5

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    About this ebook

    From the author of Happiness for Beginners comes the instant New York Times bestseller (May 2018), an unforgettable love story about finding joy even in the darkest of circumstances.

    Margaret Jacobsen is just about to step into the bright future she’s worked for so hard and so long: a new dream job, a fiancé she adores, and the promise of a picture-perfect life just around the corner. Then, suddenly, on what should have been one of the happiest days of her life, everything she worked for is taken away in a brief, tumultuous moment.

    In the hospital and forced to face the possibility that nothing will ever be the same again, Maggie must confront the unthinkable. First there is her fiancé, Chip, who wallows in self-pity while simultaneously expecting to be forgiven. Then, there's her sister Kit, who shows up after pulling a three-year vanishing act. Finally, there's Ian, her physical therapist, the one the nurses said was too tough for her. Ian, who won't let her give in to her pity, and who sees her like no one has seen her before. Sometimes the last thing you want is the one thing you need. Sometimes we all need someone to catch us when we fall. And sometimes love can find us in the least likely place we would ever expect.

    How to Walk Away is Katherine Center at her very best—a masterpiece of a novel that is both hopeful and hilarious; truthful and wise; tender and brave.

    Praise for How to Walk Away:

    "A heartbreak of a novel that celebrates resilience and strength." —Jill Santopolo, bestselling author of The Light We Lost

    "If you just read one book this year, read How to Walk Away." —Nina George, New York Times bestselling author of The Little Paris Bookshop

    "Warm, witty, and wonderfully observed." —Emily Giffin, New York Times bestselling author of First Comes Love

    "Sympathetic and refreshing!" —Elinor Lipman, bestselling author of The Family Man

    "I can't think of a blurb good enough for this novel...poignant, funny, heartbreaking." —Jenny Lawson, bestselling author of Furiously Happy

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherMacmillan Publishers
    Release dateMay 15, 2018
    ISBN9781466847705
    Author

    Katherine Center

    BookPage calls Katherine Center “the reigning queen of comfort reads.” She’s the New York Times bestselling author of over half a dozen books, including How to Walk Away, Things You Save in a Fire, and What You Wish For. Katherine writes laugh-and-cry books about how life knocks us down—and how we get back up. She’s been compared to both Jane Austen and Nora Ephron, and the Dallas Morning News calls her stories, “satisfying in the most soul-nourishing way.” Her books have made countless Best-Of lists, including RealSimple’s Best Books of 2020, Amazon's Top 100 Books of 2019, Goodreads' Best Books of the Year, and many more. Bestselling author Emily Henry calls her summer 2022 book, The Bodyguard, “a shot of pure joy.” The movie adaptation of Katherine’s novel The Lost Husband (starring Josh Duhamel) hit #1 on Netflix, and her novel Happiness for Beginners is now a Netflix original starring Ellie Kemper. Katherine lives in her hometown of Houston, Texas, with her husband, two kids, and their fluffy-but-fierce dog.

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    Reviews for How to Walk Away

    4/5

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    • 3/5
      I really enjoy Katherine Center's writing style. She is terrific at creating characters who feel real and are relatable and usually pretty likable. I had a little trouble with this book - I think I had a hard time with the premise - but her writing makes reading go quickly and I will look forward to her next book!
    • 5/5
      I received this book as an ARC and couldn't wait to start it as all the reviews were great! I agree with the reviews. You go through all the emotions while reading this from beginning to end. I did find the book a little predictable except for the end. The end was really good and didn't leave you wondering. I would recommend this book to everyone I know. I read this book in 3 days.
    • 5/5
      Such a sweet book. Not great literature but a wonderful story and good message.
    • 4/5
      One of the best take-away messages from a book that I can remember: "When you don't know what to do for yourself, do something for somebody else."
    • 4/5
      Yes, this book may have some parts that might seem a bit unlikely or even impossible to be real, but I found it a delightful and pleasant distraction. In Margaret, we find a smart, beautiful, but pliant woman character. She is willing to put up with somewhat less than in her man, but is ready to begin her dream life and seems well on the way. That dream comes literally crashing to an end when her brand new fiancee finds that his flying experience isn't quite as skillful as he thinks.Most of the book deals with Margaret's time in the hospital recovering, and her relationships as well as those within her family. One of the most interesting relationships is that between Margaret and her sullen yet intriguing Scottish physical therapist. Her family's relationships are also put to the test during her recovery. The book follows a tried and true story line in a way that worked well for me. I enjoyed the read from start to finish and reveled in the ending as karma once again comes out the winner.The characters were well fleshed out and in most cases appealing, which is one of the reasons I found the book so readable. In reference to the title, the whole premise of Margaret's recovery was to be able to walk away. She ends up doing so, not with her feet, rather with her heart which leads her straight into her best life.I definitely recommended this book. It is an interesting love story that deals with so much more than a simple boy-girl connection. If you enjoy rooting for the underdog, this might be the book for you. In the end you will walk away happy just like the characters.My thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this title.
    • 4/5
      CONTEMPORARY FICTIONKatherine CenterHow to Walk Away: A NovelSt. Martin’s PressHardcover, 978-1-2501-4906-0, (also available as an e-book, an audiobook, and on Audible), 320 pgs., $26.99May 15, 2018Margaret Jacobsen has her fingertips on the brass ring. She’s the beautiful, dutiful younger daughter of Anglo, upper-middle-class strivers in Austin, Texas, possessor of a brand-new MBA degree, favored candidate for a dream job, and certain her longtime boyfriend, Chip, is going to propose to her today. The only clouds in Margaret’s sky are an estranged older sister and an intense fear of flying, which is unfortunate because her phobia may limit their choice of honeymoon destinations and Chip is in the process of earning a pilot’s license.Margaret was right; Chip did propose to her—after bullying her, in that jocular but insistent manner every woman on the planet will recognize, into the cockpit of the Cessna he had been training in and promptly crashing it, the plane cartwheeling before wedging in a ditch and catching fire. Chip escapes but Margaret must be cut out of the wreckage, requiring skin grafts, questioning whether she’ll walk again.How to Walk Away: A Novel is the latest work of contemporary fiction from Houston’s Katherine Center. A graduate of the University of Houston’s renowned creative writing program, Center has published six novels. As is Center’s specialty, How to Walk Away is sweet without the sap, an uplifting, feel-good tale without being predictable.Initially I thought Margaret’s wisecracking in the immediate aftermath of a spinal cord injury incongruous (“They say everybody loses time in the ICU. It’s basically Vegas in there, minus the showgirls and slot machines.”), but then I realized her first-person narrative is a fictional memoir, told from the remove of a decade. In the beginning, Margaret is a likeable enough character—if lacking in backbone—a generic yuppie aspiring to McMansion-hood, but she tells her story from the future as a transformed woman, a nuanced, sympathetic character.The remainder of the cast have fewer dimensions than Margaret and don’t receive the same opportunities for growth, but are interesting and entertaining, nevertheless. Margaret’s father is understood to be active behind the scenes; her mother is almost insufferable (“[Mom] could always find the downside. And she had no filter, so once she found it, everybody else had to find it, too.”); Chip proves to be an asinine coward of breathtaking selfishness (“Do you know I escaped that crash without a scratch?” Chip said … “the plane is totaled. You … are totaled.”); Ian the Scottish physical therapist is appropriately brooding and mysterious; older sister Kit makes her energetic, grand re-entrance as a breath of fresh air.Center’s writing is markedly emotionally astute—I suspect she was a psychoanalyst in a former life. Her families are authentically complicated, her characters’ interactions fraught with the disconnect between heart and mind. Center is particularly good at conveying shock and grief, employing a blend of sardonic nonchalance that should be patented. Center’s technique allows the devastation to sneak up on you. When you begin feeling too relaxed, understand that you’re about to get smacked with a doozy of a plot twist.How to Walk Away is quickly and evenly paced. Subplots involving the estranged sister, a difficult mother, the hospital edition of office politics, and the possibility of new romance service the main plot line instead of distracting from it.How to Walk Away is recommended reading for your summer vacation, whether you take it to the beach or your backyard hammock.Originally published in Lone Star Literary Life.
    • 5/5
      The premise here is a young lady is taken by her not yet licensed boyfriend up in a plane that crashes during a storm leaving her badly burned and paralyzed. He was asking her to marry him at the time. This changes everything. This is a pretty intricate plot for a romance novel with many twists and turns Usually a cliched plot like this would strike me as corny. This book is pretty corny (ending) but I liked it anyway. It all goes to the author's ability to get the reader vested in the characters which the author does quite well.
    • 5/5
      This book reminded me a little of "Me Before You" with the paraplegic story. However, the details and story are very different. Maggie has everything going for her. The perfect job is said to be hers, she's got a great boyfriend, and a very rosy future. Then on the same day she gets engaged, she is involved in a plane crash. The results are life changing, forever.I loved going on this journey with Maggie as she tries to figure things out during the 5 1/2 weeks of hospital stay that the insurance will pay for. Her whole life has changed and she's not really in the best of moods or abilities to consider what will happen in the future.I laughed, I cried, I was thoroughly entertained. I would recommend this to anyone who enjoyed the aforementioned book and to anyone who likes to read a really good story.As for the fiancee, Yuck, is the only nice word I can think about calling him right now. Ha!!Thanks to St. Martin's Press and Net Galley for providing me with a free e-galley in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
    • 5/5
      This book is more than a love story. It is about courage, strength and overcoming all which life throws your way. And believe me, Margaret has just taken a huge hit. She has just been in a plane crash. And yes she survived, but her back and her life as she knew it, did not.There is a double meaning in the title of this book. Margaret has been paralyzed, so she can't just "walk" away. But she learns to deal with walking away from all she knew and discovering the new path her life is now headed.I love this book! I love Margaret and her family, especially her sister, Kitty. Kitty is a straight shooter, rough around the edges and she definitely has her sister's back plus, she has her own little story line through out this read. Then, there is Margaret and Ian, her Scottish physical therapist. These two have a chemistry not to be ignored. I enjoyed the way the author intertwined all these story lines. There are several running through this read and they all intersect to create a sad, courageous, love-filled tale.I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.
    • 3/5
      With 'How to Walk Away', Katherine Center expertly places us in a nightmare situation. Most writers give us broad brushstrokes, but Center also captures the tiniest details that trigger all our senses. I have no doubt that a ton of research went into the writing of this book, yet at no point did I feel overwhelmed by detail. Instead, details are sprinkled throughout as needed, in a way that brings the story to life without weighing it down.The story is written in first person, from Margaret's viewpoint. We get to know her well, and the first person writing allows us to really experience the vast emotions along with her. Most of the other characters feel a little flat. I loved Kit, Margaret's sister, who is quirky and full of life. For me, she is the star of the supporting cast. The other characters fill a role but don't stand out on their own. I never felt romance between Margaret and her fiance Chip. For Margaret, marrying Chip appeared to be more about winning a prize. I'm not sure what Chip got out of it, though it felt more like a conquest than actual love for him. I would have liked a better connection within their relationship, so I could feel the emotion behind all the events playing out. As it stands, Margaret's mother appears more distraught by the situation than the couple themselves.I don't want to give any spoilers, so I'll just say the serious nature of Margaret's struggle feels downplayed by the fluff of relationships surrounding and including her. Overall, this is an entertaining read with powerful content that is sometimes overpowered by a chick-lit feel.*I received an advance copy from the publisher, via BookishFirst, in exchange for my honest review.*
    • 3/5
      2.5 If you look at the average rating and glowing reviews of this book, you will soon realize I am definitely in the minority with my opinion. Excepting for one friend in the sisters group, everyone else loved it. Fluffy reads, feel good reads, they definitely have a place for many, after a heavy read, or sad read, we all need something to lighten our day. I can't say I didn't enjoy parts of this, I did. Some of the characters were great and I am always drawn to a good looking Scotsman. The author has z natural, easy flowing talent with words.I felt, however, that the jovial tone didn't match some of the tragic happenings in the plot. Even in my lighter reads I need a certain amount of credibility, realism, need things to make sense and I had serious questions about some of the happenings here. For me this went beyond feel good, to over the top, it was just too, too everything.....The ending so beautifully packaged, tied in a big bow. Seriously, whose life follows this pattern? So, yes I may be in the minority, but it's just how I felt. Don't let my review put you off reading this,unless your name is Irene, lol, I am probably just not the right reader for this type of book. ARC from Netgalley.
    • 5/5
      #WalkAwayGirlfriend #HowToWalkAwayI was so lucky to receive this book from St. Martin's Press.I started reading it in the evening and without realizing it, was 100 pages in. I don't even remember turning the pages. I didn't so much read the book as flow into the book.Such a moving, tragic, lovely, sad, happy, beautiful story. The writing is so authentic, so smooth. The characters are wonderful, the good and the bad. It is realistic. It is uplifting. I want to read it again right now. I can honestly say that this book will make my top five list of forever. If you can only read one book this summer, read this one. Then read it next summer again....you will want to.
    • 5/5
      My Review of “How to Walk Away” by Katherine Center St. Martins Press Publishing Date, May 29,2018“How to Walk Away” by Katherine Center is an amazing, captivating, riveting, intriguing and intense novel. I appreciate Katherine Center’s detailed descriptive writing, that makes this story feel so very real.The Genres of this story are Fiction, Women’s Fiction, with an essence of Romance. The timeline for the story is mostly in the present, and goes back a few years when it pertains to the characters of events.The author describes the characters, their problems and their emotions vividly. A few of the characters are not likable, but shallow, and capable of betrayal. A few of the characters are courageous, strong, loyal, and brave. There are some deep secrets that can destroy everyone involved.Margaret Jacobson, seems to have everything in life that she has wanted. Margaret has recently graduated college, and has a fantastic job, a fiancée, and all great things to look forward to. Until she doesn’t. The night that her boyfriend proposes to her becomes the best and worst night of her life.After a tragic accident, Margaret realizes that nothing is the same at all. As she fights for her life, she realizes that she will have to have hope, faith, and be strong in her journey to get well. I love the way the author describes the importance of family , love, emotional support, hope, faith, and forgiveness. I received an ARC from NetGalley for my honest review. I would recommend this heart-breaking , and heartwarming novel for readers of Women’s Fiction.Share
    • 4/5
      I received an ARC of this book for free from the publisher (St. Martin’s Press).This book tackles the heavy subject of ending up paralyzed after an airplane crash. When I first started reading this I felt very sad for the main character, Margaret. Her situation was very depressing. But luckily the book didn’t continue down that path. It got pretty uplifting about a 1/3 of the way in. I really enjoyed seeing Margaret’s state of mind change throughout her recovery. It was really inspiring. Often times I stopped and thought about what I would do in her situation. I loved the love interest, Ian. I liked that he did have his faults, which made him feel real. So many times books like these have a “Mr. Perfect” type of love interest, so I was very happy to see that Ian was different. As for the other characters, I really liked Margaret’s sister, Kitty. She was such a fun character. I also really liked that the book was realistic. Like I mentioned previously, Ian felt like a realistic love interest, but besides that, the way Margaret’s condition was handled felt very realistic as well. It could have gone down the “miracle” route, but didn’t. The author did a great job highlighting the reality of Margaret’s injury and did it proper justice. The writing style was also superb. It was written in a very easy-going, conversational manner, which made it a joy to read.Overall, I really enjoyed this book. The realistic characters and realistic portrayal of life in a wheelchair combined with great writing makes this book a hit!
    • 5/5
      I received a free advance e-copy of this book and have chosen to write an honest and unbiased review. I have no personal affiliation with the author. Margaret has a tragic life altering accident. The author walks us through her struggles, fears, and emotions as she fights to continue on and shape a new life for herself with strong support from the sister from whom she has been estranged for three years. She falters but never loses hope or her will to continue on her own terms. At times this story is heartbreaking. There are surprises and laugh out loud moments. A family secret that has been buried for years surfaces and nearly tears the family apart. This is a well-written story about how we falter and fall down at times and then how we pick ourselves up and continue on. This is a book everyone should read. I look forward to reading more from Katherine Center in the future.
    • 5/5
      I do not know what it was that initially drew me to this book, How to Walk Away. I think I was just looking for a good book in the genre of Women’s Fiction. Regardless of the reason, I am extremely glad that I did request an early reviewer’s copy of this story because I enjoyed it immensely! At the start of this story the main character describes in detail one of her fears and that makes it plain what is going to come next which I was not too fond of. There were no shocking twists in this story to keep the reader “glued” to the pages, which may be a turn off to some readers. What really engaged me was the attention to detail in this story and the relationships between characters.Margaret Jacobson’s life took a tumultuous turn and everything that she hoped and dreamed for seemed to be gone in an instant. The story is told from Margaret’s point of view and I appreciated that she didn’t quite understand the ramifications of what had taken place right away. She understood what had happened but the expectations of how that would affect her life took time to unfurl because there was a period of time that she had to progress through before she truly knew what her new “reality” was going to be. This book focuses mostly on that period of time.This book made me feel. I felt for the main character because what she had to endure was nightmarish and I am not just talking about her recovery but the emotional parts of it as well. There were characters who were pretty awful at the start but grew to be quite wonderful by the time the story ended. There were also a couple of characters that I would have appreciated getting their “just deserts” because they were loathsome. My favorite character was Margaret’s sister Kit and I loved the relationship that developed between them. Although they were estranged at the start, Kit was there when she was needed even though she was not wanted and I loved her for everything she did despite her initial reception. I also liked the relationship that developed between Ian and Margaret. He seemed like a real jerk but he never pitied her and he was exactly what she needed, even if he was nothing like what she wanted.I was surprised by the ending because it was not what I expected. It was bittersweet in its own way but very, very lovely as well. This story touches on many tough subjects but is witty in its telling. Many times, I found myself laughing at the banter between the characters or at Margaret’s internal monologuing. I cannot tell you how much I loved the humorous sarcasm that is sprinkled throughout this story! There are so many wonderful moments in How to Walk Away that this story just called to me! I was not expecting to love this story but I absolutely did and it is a book that I highly recommend to all readers!This review is based on a complimentary book I received from NetGalley. It is an honest and voluntary review. The complimentary receipt of it in no way affected my review or rating.
    • 5/5
      How to Walk Away by Katherine Center is an absolutely amazing book and nearly impossible to adequately describe or characterize. When I received an ARC in the mail from St. Martin’s Press I didn’t really know what the story was about. A break up, an abusive marriage? I thought it would be the usual entertaining, run-of-the-mill chick lit. Well, entertaining – mesmerizing, actually – it most definitely was. But run of the mill it most definitely was not.On the surface it’s the story of a terrible accident and what happens in the aftermath. But it’s so much more than that. Parts of it are so sad you want to sob, but then again parts of it are happy. Not fairy-tale she-got-the-prince-and-lived-happily-ever-after happy, but happy. And full of droll humor, wit, a bit of sarcasm and scenes to make you so mad you could spit.Margaret was always the good girl, the smart one, the one who tried hardest, and it seemed like she had everything including the dream job she was just about to start and the perfect boyfriend she was just about to become engaged to, and it was all changed in the blink of an eye, or the crash of an airplane she had been terrified to get into in the first place. So now what? Layers peel away, and as they do she begins to see that what she thought was perfect and what she thought she wanted maybe wasn’t what she needed in the first place. But now, after the accident, can she have anything? How far below happy will she have to settle?We learn about ourselves and other people in the tough times. But sometimes what we learn is not we wanted to see. And sadly we sometimes learn that some people just cannot cope with tough times. Some are just thoughtless and cruel and say whatever comes to mind. Chip’s comment to Margaret about her appearance had me bursting into tears and almost shouting for him to shut up. Even her family didn’t know what to do and reacted in unexpected ways. It is heartbreaking in the beginning when she doesn’t yet realize what has happened to her and thinks she just needs to rest before she can get up and walk away, and later when she has a question the nurses say, "Now that's a question for the doctor."How to Walk Away is all about Margaret’s condition after the accident, but it’s not about that at all. It’s about her strength and determination and the days when she totally gives up. It’s about how life goes on for the characters that surround her. I got so caught up in the story and the people that I really did forget about Margaret’s accident a good part of the time. Ian was totally unlikeable and mean on the one hand and totally vulnerable and sweet on the other. Many of the scenes between him and Margaret were touching – and heated. And then you would think how can this be? This is after the accident, remember? And he’s just that silent, grumpy therapist.This was truly unlike any other book I have ever read. Sometimes it seemed so real to me that I had to remind myself I wasn’t reading an autobiography. How to Walk Away makes you think about assumptions we make. Not how we take our health for granted, but how we just slide along in life sometimes thinking this is supposed to be and telling ourselves, and believing, that it’s perfect. And when that perfect is no longer possible, what is there? This amazing (did I already say amazing?) story tells you what’s left. In this age of the quick, easy fix, this is a story about something that can’t be fixed, but that must be faced head-on and endured. And how you must truly move on if you are to be happy.How to Walk Away was a very satisfying story. I laughed out loud when Margaret described herself as a desiccated, noodle-legged spinster, and when she and her sister Kitty planned to “Parent Trap” their parents. And I cried – a lot. This book was beautifully written and one I won’t soon forget. I highly recommend it. Thanks again to St. Martin’s Press.
    • 5/5
      How to Walk Away: A Novel by Katherine CenterStory starts out with Margaret and she's excited about her date with Chip.Things are going really well for her-a new job prospect and she thinks he's going to pop the question on the date.The day starts out well, even the date til they arrive at the airplane hanger=he's a pilot, just gotten his hours in and he wants to share it all with her.She's skeptical and terrified of going in the pane but she goes anyways and things don't all go according to plan. He takes her near the beach where he's done some prior work down there and then head back and is told a surprise is in the glove box-the family ring-for her!Problem is bad weather plays a bad trick on them. The story follows what happens after the accident and how she struggles everyday to do everything. She's got a determined PT and she does succeed. She is also brought back in touch with her sister Kitty and she even comes to visit and she learns so many secrets from the past.Troubling times are still arising from others around her circle and she's taken on a vacation to the cabin and Ian the PT comes to her resuce and things get out of hand.She has a solution but he heads back to Europe without her. Kit has a plan and the girls and their mom head overseas to the wedding of Chip. She remembers him visitng her at the hosptial...Loved reading this story, all the medical terms made easy for us to understand and it all falls into place. Twists and turns along the way and a lot of surprises.Love the locations and so descriptive details. Didn't see this ending, very surprising! Would like to read other works by this new author to me.Received this review copy via St. Martins Press via Netgalley and this is my honest opinion.#HowToWalkAway #NetGalley
    • 4/5
      I will admit that this was a book that I did not want to like. Yes, that is right – I did not want to like it. It seemed to be pure romance – no mysteries, no murders, no other story line than pure romance. But it hooked me! That, to me, a sign of good writing. The characters drew me in. They entertained me. They made me feel such a variety of emotions. I pretty much knew how most of the story was going to go, but I still enjoyed the ride. Life had been so perfect for Margaret. She was beautiful and had a handsome charming boyfriend who was soon to propose to her. She had landed her dream job. But then her life changed, and nothing would ever be the same again. Margaret now faces obstacles she has no idea how to contend with.Beyond the romance, this book is about not giving up on yourself, or others. It is about your loved ones not letting you give up on yourself. It is about finding the strength in yourself to carry on. There is a quote I am sure will be popular from this book – it is quoted several times. “When you don’t know what to do for yourself, do something for somebody else.” Great advice when you are consumed with self-pity and/or overwhelmed. Get outside yourself and look at others. Sometimes this will help you forget – even if only for a moment- that others suffer too. Others also feel isolated and helpless. And sometimes when you aren’t looking Love finds you.The dynamics of the relationships are very relatable. There’s the boyfriend who wallows in self-pity himself and can’t “man up”. It can’t be complete without the domineering mother who steamrolls her way through her daughters’ lives. My favorite part of the book was the bond between Margaret and her sister Kitty. There had been a rift in the family and Kitty had had no contact with any of her family for the last three years. But she returns to be at Margaret’s side. Kitty is the kind of sister you want, you need, when you are at your lowest. No matter how dark things got Kitty could make Margaret laugh. Thank you to St. Martin’s Press for the advance copy of the book.
    • 5/5
      How to Walk Away is Katherine Center’s best book yet. She has crafted a beautiful, heartbreaking, and thoroughly romantic novel that is sure to be a hit with everyone who reads it. Soon after the book opens, Margaret Jacobsen’s world changes in an instant, and she must learn to forge ahead while trying to move on from the past. Margaret is tougher than she thinks and with the help of her sister and her physical therapist Ian, she slowly begins to create a new path for herself while learning to adjust to newly discovered family secrets and heartbreak. The story is clever, unpredictable, devastating, and ultimately unforgettable. Center has crafted fabulous, genuine characters that I loved and rooted for (Margaret, Kit, and Ian) and others that I wanted to throttle (Chip and his mother). And most importantly, the ending is outstanding.How to Walk Away is thought-provoking and handles a tough subject effectively and realistically, refusing to sugarcoat Margaret’s predicament which I appreciated. I find it frustrating when an author includes a tough topic only to downplay or gloss over the difficulty of the situation. Moreover, Center has clearly done her research on Margaret’s condition which adds depth and authenticity to the story – I learned so much that I didn’t know. I think my favorite part of the book is Center’s message that people do not always control what happens to them, but they do control how they handle the issues that arise, whether the issues are significant or simply a blip on the screen of life. That message certainly resonates with me and is a good reminder that while certain things cannot be changed, I can alter how I approach responding to those things.How to Walk Away is a fantastic book that I will continue thinking about for a long time. I highly recommend it, and when you sit down to read it have tissues ready. Clear your schedule before you start it, because you will not be able to put it down. I received a copy to read and review. All opinions are my own.
    • 5/5
      I loved Happiness for Beginners and was excited to read this book. It definitely didn't disappoint. The book had a lot of funny parts for being about such a sad subject.Margaret had a picture perfect life with a new dream job and a fiance. Then it came all crashing down around her, literally. Waking up in the hospital, Margaret's whole life had changed. Her overbearing mother wants her to be fixed, Chip loves the old Margaret and Margaret's sister, Kitty, shows up back into her life after being out of touch for three years. Throw into the mix a sexy Scottish physical therapist. I absolutely loved the characters. Maybe I didn't love Chip or his mother, but they were necessary for the plot. But I loved Kitty and Margaret. The way they talked and the stuff that came out of their mouths was hilarious. I found myself smiling and laughing with them. How can you not love Kitty, Margaret thought she looked like a bull with her nose ring and she had a boyfriend called The Mustache and loved a guy she called Fat Benjamin. Along with the characters, I loved the story line and writing style. I definitely recommend the book and look forward to reading the next. Thanks to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press and the author, Katherine Center, for a free electronic ARC of this novel.
    • 5/5
      What an unexpected surprise this book gave me! I, typically, do not read these types of romancey, feel good, lovey-dovey types. WELLLLLLL, this really isn't any of that. It is a story about a woman that must do a lot of hard work to get back to what she is meant to have/be. I laughed right out loud and cried without shame (sometimes at the same time).

      My thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for this advanced readers copy.
    • 5/5
      "You can't fix everything. Not even close. But you can look for reasons to be grateful."This is one of those books that you won't put down once you start reading it. It's extremely well written with characters that are easy to love (and a few who are easy to dislike). The author did extensive research and I learned new things as well as enjoying this novel. Margaret has the perfect life - a new MBA, a great chance at a dream job and a wonderful boyfriend, Chip, who she is sure will propose to her any minute. The only sad part of her life is her estranged sister but she refuses to think about her. Margaret's perfect life is torn away from her in a tragedy that almost kills her. She has to learn to negotiate a completely different world than the one she had planned for. As the reality sets in, her moods change from hopeful to despair over and over. How she handles her new life and how the people in her life help her will cause some tears (have tissue close) and you'll be rooting for her success on every page.I loved Margaret and Ian and the way they worked together. I didn't like Chip or his mom and at times, I didn't like Margaret's mom but realized that she was trying to fix things for her daughter, even when she was being difficult. This is a fantastic book and one of the best that I've read all year. Thanks to Bookish Firsts for a copy to read and review. All opinions are my own.
    • 5/5
      Everything. All the emotions from terrifying sad hopeful loving funny.Loved it. Great read ??
    • 5/5
      Absolutely loved it! The characters felt so true, very emotional.
    • 5/5
      Oh this is a must read! What a awesome dive into the hardship of trauma and depression. It covers the good the bad and the in between, with a side of romance!
    • 5/5
      Excellent book. ... If you have some great stories like this one, you can publish it on Novel Star, just submit your story to hardy@novelstar.top or joye@novelstar.top
    • 2/5
      Fluff. Formulaic. Maudlin. Fun to read but forgettable. A distraction z
    • 5/5
      Loved the story! My only problem was with Ian's "voice" in my head. Unfortunately, the way it was written he sounded like every other English speaking man instead of having that sexy Scottish brogue. I was sad.
    • 4/5
      This book has tropes I normally don’t like and a totally predictable plot. So who do you think is most surprised that I enjoyed this so much?? I have to give full credit to the author for getting me hooked on these characters right from the beginning. I really, really liked this!