I received an advanced copy of WITH OR WITHOUT YOU from my writer friend Caroline Leavitt and literally couldn’t put it down until I finished. Character-driven, the story moved along at a pace that kept me turning pages into the wee hours of the morning.
Leavitt masterfully depicts Simon, Stella and Libby both in their raw and heartbreaking situations as well as in their courage to change and heal. Because of their struggles and their capacity to untangle their messes, I couldn’t help but appreciate and empathize with each of them.
The idea that a woman can go into a coma and come out of it with an unexpected gift is definitely appealing. During these hopeless times in our history, WITH OR WITHOUT YOU certainly gives the reader hope and/or the idea that you can come out of tough situations as a new and better human with a new appreciation of life.
Thought-provoking and sad at times “I’m here, she wants to say to Simon. I’m right here,” it’s also full of unexpected twists and turns, and while the relationships may not turn out the way you might anticipate, you’re left with hope that there will be a sequel.
Bravo, Caroline Leavitt!
