Book Review: Never Say Goodbye by Sarah Grace Grzy

They say time heals all wounds. But he was finding it a poor painkiller.

Tyler Collens has seen grief and loss in his years of experience as a paramedic—but he never expected it to touch his life in such a personal way. The death of his wife eighteen months ago shook his steady world and changed him in more ways than he can count. Time and routine have steadied his feet, and he looks toward the future as he raises his infant daughter—but the past has a tighter grip on him than he knows. 

Alyvia Emmerson has never been certain of who she is or where she belongs. Her dad’s abandonment as a teen broke a fragile piece of her heart, but ten years later, she has moved on. Living on her own, she at last has a project to devote herself to: revitalizing a shabby bookstore. But she didn’t count on her dream job revealing the shattered pieces of herself she thought mended long ago.

In this sophomore novel featuring beloved characters from Live Without You, Sarah Grace Grzy explores themes of grief, hope, and second chances in a story that touches both the heart and spirit.

My rating:

(4.5 stars, rounded up to 5)

Gahhhh, ya'll! This book is the sweetest thing!

I read Live Without You about a year ago and while it was good, the side character, Tyler, was my favorite. So when I heard that the author's next book was going to be about him, I was so super excited! I had sliiiiightly high expectations for this baby, and it didn't disappoint!

So, confession: I read this book and, while I try to take notes while I'm reading review books, I...put down about three during this one. There's really not much to say about it, haha! The story flows great. Writing style is great. Plot is great. Emotions are great. Characters are great.

So after realizing that I got sucked into the story so much that I didn't even really take notes, I, um, did something I don't think I've ever done: I picked it back up and started rereading it within a week.

And that right there tells me why five stars instead of four. ;) I'm almost done with it again, and y'all, this book is so good. The themes of hope, of forgiveness, of letting go . . .

(also Tyler's a fellow control freak so I FEEL)

Alyvia and Tyler both have to learn how to let go of the past and step into the future, but in two very different ways: Alyvia has to let go of bitterness and fear. And Tyler has to let go of fear and lost loved ones. 

The book didn't make me cry like everyone said it would, but it was still emotional. And it was still fantastic.

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author for promotional purposes. I was not required to write a positive review. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.

But wait—there's more!

The blog tour for Never Say Goodbye is still going!

You can find the book at Goodreads, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Book Depository, and Indie Bound.

About the author:

Sarah Grace Grzy is a voracious reader, and if it weren’t for this crazy thing called 'Life,' she’d be tempted to spend all her days in front of a wood stove, book in one hand, coffee mug in the other. A lover of learning, she finds enjoyment in many things and has more hobbies than she knows what to do with. Sarah Grace is a freelance web and graphic designer, and when not working, spending time with her ever-growing family, or reading, she can be found painting, playing the piano, or fangirling with her sisters and friends. Sarah Grace inhabits the State of Great Lakes, and wouldn’t want to live anywhere else—unless it meant she could have a baby penguin, in which case, she’d gladly move to the South Pole.

You can find Sarah Grace on Instagram, Pinterest, and Twitter.

Giveaway:

The host of the blog tour, Victoria Lynn, is also hosting a giveaway! You can find that here.

(Also, if you've read Never Say Goodbye, enter in The Great Review Race for a chance to win a $20 gift card to B&N!)

What are you waiting for?? Go read this book! ;)