Amazon.com.au:Customer reviews: In an Instant

Reviewed in Australia on 3 February 2021

Didn’t think I was going to like this book at first, but it becomes more interesting after the accident. Two families plus two others are in a van heading for some fun in the snow when a stag on the road sends them crashing down the mountain side. The driver father is badly injured. His daughter in front dies and from then on becomes a ghostly fly on the wall reporter on the aftermath. Some good and some bad choices are made. Some truth is fudged. There is guilt and self recrimination as well as bravery and we can’t help but consider what we would do in such a situation. The two marriages are severely tested and the author makes the point that - sadly - it is the people with the least amount of conscience who suffer the least, unburdened by regret. The author has made good choices in her characters and the psychic lines that tie them together. (Or which loosen.)

Other points raised: is one death better than two? What is it okay to do when your own biological instinct to survive is running you, especially if you’re a parent? How would our beloved dead prefer us to react? If you’re in loco parentis, what obligations do you have to the child who is not your own? The author tells us in an afterword that in a similar situation in her young life, her father ran to get help. The remaining father rubbed the hands and feet of his own children but not hers and her brother’s, which led to her brother losing some digits to frostbite, as in this story. An interesting and thought provoking read.

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clare burns

an instant of time is longer than you think

Reviewed in Australia on 15 November 2021

Verified Purchase

Who wants to ugly cry as you've never done before? I'm talking full-blown, gut-wrenching sobbing, snot in your mouth, tears running uncontrolled, horrific painful there is nothing in the world that will help me get over this, ugly crying?

Who wants to try to describe the story you just read, only to find your voice cracking with the need to cry again? Who wants to read a story that will stay with you in such a way that when you think about it while driving your car, you can't help the tears that start to burn your eyes?

This is pretty much the hardest. most heartbreaking book I've read in a long time, possibly ever and I couldn't wait to share it with you. stumbled across this book buried in my kindle TBR list and mistakenly started it at 8 pm on Sunday night... 1 am I had to force myself to put it aside in order to get a few hours of sleep before work. I dove back in during my lunch break - bad idea because I barely ate and had to lock myself in my office so no one could see my tears. After work, I was back in again and now I feel wrung out and utterly heartbroken after reading this story. The story is so painful, and yet so compelling and magnificent to read that you're never going to want to put it down. Now I've finished it, all I want to do is go back and start again in the hope of changing just one little thing and saving everyone, characters, other readers and definitely myself the pain that they are about to experience. This story quite frankly is like nothing I've ever read before and this author has a truly amazing gift.

Do yourself a favour, stock up on tissues, lock the family out of the house for a day or two, take the phone off the hook, pull on your daggy t-shirt and leggings and prepare to torture yourself and destroy your own heart and soul. You'll be glad you did - eventually.

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Leonie Lynch

So So Good!!

Reviewed in Australia on 12 February 2020

Verified Purchase

What a great story. I enjoyed every minute I spent reading it. Generally I would not think that writing from a teenage point of view would be something I would like but wow.........this was excellent. The fall out after an accident was incredible and I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a story about the dynamics within families. A truly wonderful read - did not want it to end.

2 people found this helpful

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Rhonda Hudson

The best book I have ever read.

Reviewed in Australia on 9 March 2021

Verified Purchase

The most amazing book I have ever read, and I read a lot! I’m recommending this book to everyone I know who enjoys a good read. Daughter in law couldn’t put it down and read it in a weekend. Do yourself a favour and read it. If aliens landed from another planet I would hand them this book to understand humans.

One person found this helpful

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deerose

Beautiful and thought provoking

Reviewed in Australia on 23 March 2021

Verified Purchase

This was a sad and beautiful story. I loved the perspective of Finn who hovered between life and death and gave her perspective on events and people. I also liked the author’s personal story at the end. It will really make me think twice with leaving my kids in others hands.

One person found this helpful

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Dave Morrison

Moving and Thought Provoking

Reviewed in Australia on 7 June 2021

Verified Purchase

I don’t usually read this type of story but its reviews sparked my interest and I’m glad they did. Well written from the deceased character’s point-of-view, the narrative explores the way in which different individuals react to adversity and trauma and forces the reader to question how they might react in similar circumstances. The storyline made me laugh and at times, moved me close to tears. Nobody knows what awaits us after this life but the writer portrays a place where those that are taken before their time can eventually be at peace. I highly recommend this book.

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Amazon Customer

Captivating read

Reviewed in Australia on 27 June 2021

Verified Purchase

This book captured me instantly and I couldn’t put it down, I loved the way it was written and from the view point of Finn. It gave a perspective of the other characters you wouldn’t normally see which I found really interesting.
My only slight issue with the book is that I don’t feel Oz character was represented well and at points didn’t feel comfortable with what was written about him .

Overall a great book

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Aunty Spud

Compelling

Reviewed in Australia on 12 February 2020

Verified Purchase

I found it difficult to put this book down, and was looking for ways in my day to sneak a few extra minutes with it, although I didn't want it to end. Everyone handles grief and adversity differently and it was shown here. It made me smile and it made me cry. It will stay with me for a while, I think. The author's own experiences from which the events were drawn makes it even more real.

One person found this helpful

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Lisa Bacon-Hall

Ghostly

Reviewed in Australia on 20 January 2021

Verified Purchase

Loved this book, it reminded me of The Lovely Bones...a death and then the dead person becomes the narrator. Relationships are handled well, great insight into trauma after an accident. It was sad but also uplifting.

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Meryl Clarke

I Am With You Still

Reviewed in Australia on 5 June 2020

Verified Purchase

Do you ever wonder how you would behave in a time of danger? Would you think of others or just concentrate on your own survival? And if you have lost someone you love, do your memories of them make you sad? Or do you laugh out loud when you remember who they were? This story reminds me to talk about those who are no longer with me but not with sadness - with happiness - because their presence in my life would’ve brought me much happiness.

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5 star		57%
4 star		31%
3 star		9%
2 star		1%
1 star		1%

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