Title: In Five Years
Author: Rebecca Serle
Release Date: March 10, 2020
Length: 255 pages
Genre: General Fiction
***My Review***
In Five Years by Rebecca Serle is a captivating tale of love, friendship, loss, and self-discovery that leaves a profound impact on readers. Despite not being a typical genre preference, the author’s exquisite storytelling evokes strong emotions in readers, making them feel as though they are experiencing the story alongside the characters.
It is a poignant and emotional story that follows Dannie Kohan, a successful lawyer living in New York City. The novel starts with Dannie having a vivid dream about her life five years into the future, where she sees herself in a different apartment with a different man.
This dream leaves her feeling disoriented and confused, but she shrugs it off as just that, a dream. However, when she wakes up the next morning, she realizes that the man in her dream is none other than Aaron Gregory, her best friend’s boyfriend, who she has always disliked.
As the story progresses, Dannie tries to ignore her dream and continues with her life, but she can’t seem to shake off the feeling that something is going to happen. Her world is turned upside down when four and a half years later, Aaron suddenly appears in her life, and Dannie finds herself struggling with her feelings for him.
Despite being a reader who typically gravitates towards thrillers and mysteries, I found myself drawn into the story of Five Years. While the typical plot points of Conflict, Complication, Crisis, and Conclusion were not as pronounced as they might be in my usual reading material, the beauty of the prose and the captivating narrative voice carried me along on a wave of emotion.
Initially, I was concerned that the motivations were too firmly established and that the conclusion would be too predictable, given the premise. But the engaging prose and compelling voice kept me hooked throughout. In the end, I didn’t mind that the conclusion was somewhat foregone, as the story was brimming with emotions that teetered on the edge of melodrama without ever becoming overwrought.
The story of Dannie and Bella evoked such strong emotions in me that I felt as though I was experiencing it alongside them. Although it wasn’t my typical genre preference, I was completely engrossed in the narrative from the beginning.
The book touched me deeply, and I haven’t cried like that in a while. It dealt with themes of friendship, love, coping, loss, and self-discovery, and I was taken aback by the profound impact it had on me. This poignant and exquisite story will linger in my mind for a long time, as it was both sorrowful and magnificent.
The plot of In Five Years is gripping and beautifully crafted. The story is divided into two parts, ‘Then’ and ‘Now,’ and the transitions between the two are seamless. The ‘Then’ part of the story is heart-wrenching, and the ‘Now’ part is poignant and full of raw emotion.
The author does an excellent job of keeping the reader engaged throughout the novel, with unexpected twists and turns that keep you on the edge of your seat.
The author has managed to create such complex and relatable characters. Dannie is a strong and independent woman who has her life all planned out. However, as the story progresses, we see her vulnerable side, and we realize that even the strongest people have their weaknesses.
The story doesn’t have a clear antagonist, as all of the characters have their own flaws and frustrating behaviors. However, despite their imperfections, it is easy to understand their motives and relate to them on a personal level.
Aaron is charming and charismatic, and the chemistry between him and Dannie is palpable. The other characters in the story, especially Dannie’s best friend, Bella, and her fiancé, David, add depth and complexity to the plot.
The emotions in the novel are raw and real. The author does an excellent job of portraying the complexities of love and friendship, and how the two can often intertwine. The novel deals with themes such as grief, loss, love, and self-discovery, and the emotions are handled with sensitivity and care.
In conclusion, In Five Years by Rebecca Serle is a beautifully crafted novel that will tug at your heartstrings. The plot is gripping, the characters are complex and relatable, and the emotions are raw and real.
The novel is a testament to the fact that life is unpredictable, and sometimes, the things we plan for ourselves may not always come to fruition. If you are looking for a book that will make you laugh, cry, and leave you feeling inspired, then this is the book for you.
Overall, In Five Years is a beautifully crafted novel that will leave readers feeling inspired and moved. It is a reminder that life is unpredictable, and sometimes our plans may not come to fruition. If you are looking for a book that will make you laugh, cry, and leave you feeling emotionally invested, then this is a must-read novel.