Review: Powerful, Realistic Love Story After A Devastating Loss
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 04 30, 2014
How We Lived is a powerful, realistic tale of life changing loss and finding the way back. As someone who has experienced a loss similar to the devastating loss Kelsey faces in this book, How We Lived really hit home with me. Everyone reacts differently to the loss of Kyle, which is so true to human nature and the way everyone experiences grief and loss differently. Kelsey has been living in the shadows since her brother died, and the only one who may be able to cast the light back into her life is the one that caused her grief in the first place.Kelsey and Chase’s story is not an easy one, not when everyone around them blames Chase for that night, that one mistake. The power behind this story is forgiveness, and choosing to move on. Trust me when I say to make sure to keep the tissues ready, because the way Erin Butler writes Kelsey’s and Chase’s journey though grief is going to make even the driest eyes tear up. Grief is dark, gritty, and can swallow a person whole, and Erin Butler portrays that and she does it with grace, beauty, and true understanding.I have to say that How We Lived is going to stick with me for a while, and it will defiantly be something I could see myself re-reading even though I do not re-read that often. While Kyle’s death is a main plot point in the story, the beauty comes from watch how Chase and Kelsey deal with their grief and the friendship and love that starts to blossoms out of the aftermath.How We Lived is a realistic romance that deals with some of the toughest emotions, and I think any fan of a good dramatic romance is going to love How We Lived. For anyone who has loss a sibling or close family member especially at a young age, this book is not going to be an easy read, but it is completely worth giving it a chance.