In an Instant

• Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ • General Overview: The novel follows the story of two families who are caught up in a serious, tragic accident high in snowy mountains and the lengths that each individual go to to survive. The book takes the ingenious idea of narrating the aftermath of the crash from sixteen year old Finn’s PoV. It’s ingenious because Finn dies in the crash and therefore she takes on an almost omniscient role and the book becomes a sort of fly-on-the-wall exposé of the crash victim’s broken lives. •What did I think?: This book was an absolute page turner for me! I picked it off of the recommended shelf on Kindle Unlimited and I am so glad that I did! ‘In an Instant’ is such a beautifully written novel that tackles grief and how different people cope with traumatic events. Everyone reacts differently and this book shows the gambits of emotion from all sides and the emotions hit the reader as you read it. I was intrigued to find out that Suzanne Redfearn had inspiration from an event in her childhood when writing this novel. You can tell that her raw emotion from her memories really helped fuel the tone of all the characters as they navigate through the traumatic events that unfold. There are so many characters in this book and the author does an amazing job at going into detail of how each character is feeling emotionally and coping with the traumatic events they all just went through. Because of this, it is so easy to become attached to these characters and feel the emotions that is being portrayed by their thoughts and actions. There are also some plot twists in the story that I personally didn’t see coming and I’m a sucker for plot twists. There were moments where I was mad, sad, and shocked at some of the outcomes. Suzanne Redfearn did such a great job at using suspense to keep us locked in and turning the pages to see how everything would turn out. This is a novel that really asks questions about what we as humans are capable of doing to each other. It dares to look at our darkest thoughts of purely self preservation and asks the reader do you know what you would do in these most bleak of moments? No one character in this book is left guilt free. They all experience shame on some level at how they survived and because they survived. • Do I recommend this book?: Yes! This is one of those books that really the less you know about it the better. While the prose may not be that beautiful with an awkward narrative initially, this is still definitely worth a read if you’re in the mood for a character study type novel as the most thought provoking themes truly reveal themselves after approx 1/3 the way through.

An extremely emotional novel told with such purity of spirit from the main character, a 16 year old girl. At the heart of this novel is a horrific tragedy, but it shows how each person is affected differently and reacts is ways that could be questionable. It show such resilience of spirit, a search for the truth and justice, and most of all the care and love that exists in the most fractured relationships. Be prepared for a rollercoaster of emotions and have a hanky handy.

This author was new to me but this particular book is more about being able to write from a unique POV. There are several characters in this book, but the author wrote each with a clear purpose to the story, made each one very human and relatable, and brought each one’s story to a close. Not necessarily packaged with a nice bow bc that’s not real life. But each found a resolution where you exhaled and said, “ok”, and might even shed a tear for them. The overall message was if you were in a treacherous situation, would you put yourself/your family first? Or another person? A child? An injured person? A weak person? Asks the question, is there a time where you sacrifice one to save the many? It was refreshing to have a book that didn’t jump back and forth to a different year or character with each chapter; so many are like that now. And I don’t mind that IF it is truly necessary to the story, but sometimes it feels like a gimmick. This book was very pure. Ok so SPOILER ALERT… we are guided through this story by the main character who is alive-adjacent lol. And I think some author’s could have totally ruined this POV… made it all about her anger, or sadness or pain, or even her fear about what plane she is on. But this author wrote it beautifully so the character uses this time to see these people she loves in a different light. And tries to leave them with a bit of peace. And make sure to read the Author’s Notes at the end, the author tells you where the idea for this book came about and how this lesson of putting others first is close to her heart. ❤️ Just fabulous reading. I’m so excited to read more by this author!

A truly gripping story. Each character in the book is deeply affected by an accident and, subequently, the variety of repercussions that will change their lives forever. The author weaves a powerful tale based on a tragedy that affects each character in a different way and it makes the reader question "what would I have done?" I was mesmerized by this story, a true work of literary excellence. It is right up there with the best novels I have ever read. Poignant. Believable. Surprising. Tear-jerking. Smile making. Breathtaking. This book made me feel every emotion known to humanity. It quickly awakened my emotions and immediatlely pulled me in. Thank you, Ms. Redfearn for a great read. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well-written novel that illustrates multiple facets of human interaction and behavior. I will keep this one.

There aren't a lot of books that will draw me in like this one did, where I will read the full story "cover to cover" (I had an early Kindle release book) in one sitting, but that is exactly what this one did. I don't leave a lot of reviews, but I found this story very heart wrenching and yet it still managed to leave you feeling hopeful and fulfilled at the end of the story. It has truly influenced my outlook and has brought about my own reflection on who I am, which to me is a true accomplishment for any book - fiction or non-fiction. This is why I chose to write this review. While I did have some issues with some of the concepts that the story allowed - such as the parent allowing their child to walk out into a blizzard, I understood that this and other aspects were necessary to the plot, and I was able to overlook this. I did appreciate that the author was able to write a story that spoke about both "planes" of life - the afterlife as well as the life of the loved ones left behind, in a beautiful and connected way. The flow between the one who had died and those she left behind was seamless. I also appreciated that, despite the story's afterlife element, the author was able to write this story in such a way as to be inclusive of most faiths, and I in no way felt that her concepts really went against my personal belief system (Christian and Buddhist). I do recommend this book to any who would enjoy the story it brings to life. It is one I would read again - I believe it is a fiction book that you can still learn a lot from, if you wish. I believe the story is strong enough to be enjoyable and moving on its own as well, for those who prefer fiction to be easier reads without bringing about inner reflection.

The chapters are short and there are a total of 94 chapters. The first 14% (ch.1-5) of the story were days leading up to their trip before the accident occurs. When the accident hit, it really picked up. I couldn't read fast enough. There is a huge "omg" moment that happens while they are fighting for survival. I was astounded, angry, and my jaw dropped when this happened. At 38 % the rescue is complete but not all survive. (Meaning only 14-38% or ch. 6-35 of the novel was their survival story, the rest is what happens after they get back home.) From this point on the family is drowning in blame, grief, and hate. Guilt radiates the life and relationships of those who survived and a secret is kept about that fateful night. This is the bulk of the story, so for most of the book it is not very happy. Paranormal aspect- The narrator is dead and narrates all of the story for the family/characters. Included a photo so you can see what I mean. She watches them while lingering in limbo. Towards the end this narration style got repetitive. There is some minor mundane stuff that happens like watching baseball games, rescuing kittens...to help them cope with their grief. There are hard parts to read, but there are also some cheesy parts. Definitely would classify this as a young adult novel. There is cussing and sex, but not the sexy details. The ending Author's Note is a must read which explains the real story that inspired this fictional novel.

Wow. What an excellent read! Beautifully written and great characterization. Loved Finn. Sad and heart wrenching as well as uplifting and spiritual.

I loved this book - it's primarily a human nature study yet reads like a thriller. What I liked best is the depth in which each character is explored and revealed. You care about them and root for them. You enjoy getting to know Finn, Mo, Oz, Jack, Ann, Chloe, Vance, Kyle, and Eric. Bob, Karen, and Natalie are absolutely necessary to the story, but suspicion rises early. What I loved best is how the writer shows how flawed good people are, how true character is exposed in a crises, how much harder it is to forgive ourselves than it is to forgive others. This is actually an intelligent, complex, layered story. Many life lessons here with no preaching. I felt the characters were treated with compassion and it was rewarding to see how some of them grew - especially Mo and Chloe. Although those two are easy to love, my heart went out to the Dad, Jack, and we actually ride a roller coaster of emotions with him - actually ache for him. The Mom, Ann, was a difficult person to love, as her flaws seem to overshadow her virtues - it felt like work to accept her, then like her, then start to root for her too. There are no easy characters - every single one struggles - and even the minor ones like Mrs. Kaminsky are given depth. I think it takes major talent to depict so many characters this well, to really let us feel them, and feel them with sympathy. I also loved that there was a satisfying ending - each character left in a different place than where they started and you can't help but feel some lives will be much richer because of having lived through this experience. I am a new fan of Suzanne Redfearn and will definitely read her other books.

This book is WOW. It delivers in every way; storytelling, characters who evolve on the page, empathy, compassion, ego, warmth and grief in absolute bucket load.. So perfectly and cleverly narrated by the wonderful Finn. I loved it and have already recommended it to friends and my daughters. I bought on kindle but I will also be buying copies for my book shelf! Which is a rare occurrence - reserved for books that have left a lasting impression on me. Well done Suzanne!

The fact that immediately takes you aback and even disappoints you is the choice of a dead person as onniscient narrator: obviously a ghost sees everything from above and knows everything. Too easy! Also, the part of the survival should have been better developed: the idea was good. All the rest is basically a " morality play" based on the central idea of guilt, regret, punishment, redemption, but....Coleridge did it much better. Pity, because the writer has good skills.

Beautiful, heartbreaking, sad. The tragedy happened in the beginning, and it’s the after, how everyone deals with what happened. From a very unexpected and interesting point of view, a psychologically perfect story. I devoured it in one day!

Well-developed and emotionally-charged "In An Instant” opens when a disastrous camper accident on a snow-covered mountain road kills sixteen-year-old Finn Miller and leaves her father seriously injured. With biting cold winds, snow falling and daylight gone decisions are made that have Finn’s sister Chloe and her boyfriend struggling through the storm looking for help, and when they don’t return her mother Ann and Kyle following them into the night. The Gold family; Finn’s friend Maureen (aka Mo); mentally challenged Oz Miller; and his dog Bingo are left behind to care for the injured Jack and will make tragic life and death decisions that will haunt their lives until the truth of that night is revealed. Told from sixteen-year-old feisty and stubborn Finn Miller’s perspective, as her spirit lingers on after her death, intensity and suspense escalate not only with the hazardous struggles to find help; the negligence causing a young boy’s death, but also in the decisions made to survive. Yet the most poignant and evocative part of the story lies in the choices made by friends and families who afterwards are guilt-ridden and searching for the truth of that night as they struggle to put the pieces of their lives back together. In a plot filled with anger, guilt, self-loathing, vengeance and lies, judgements will be made that will heal or destroy the lives of those affected. Intriguing with an affair, a search in the mountains, and a friend determined to make the truth known, the story quickly winds flawlessly to a compelling climax. Among a host of complex and fascinating characters are lawyer and mother Ann Miller who’s determined and relentless in a tough situation but domestically neglectful of her children’s needs; former yacht captain and stay-at-home dad Jack Miller who’s calm and caring until angry and vengeful after the accident; the self-absorbed Bob and Karen Gold; their haughty, self-centered daughter Natalie; overweight, mentally challenged thirteen-year-old Oz Miller; and the eighteen-year-old smart, tough, haunted Chloe Miller. All these personalities and others infuse this plot with emotional tension, heart-provoking power that captures the reader from the first page to the last. I thoroughly enjoyed “In An Instant” a story of tragedy, survival, and family love.

This was so good! I cried throughout the whole book. Great characters, my heart aches for all of them. It speaks to the sensitivity and care behind every journey. What a masterclass in writing! Well done, Suzanne Redfearn.