ARC Review: One Moment by Kristina McBride - Blog Tour

Title: One Moment
Series/Standalone: Standalone
Author: Kristina McBride
Available: Now
Reading Level: YA
Genre: Contemporary
Source: ALA










Synopsis via Goodreads:


"This was supposed to be the best summer of Maggie's life. Now it's the one she'd do anything to forget."

Maggie remembers hanging out at the gorge with her closest friends after a blowout party. She remembers climbing the trail with her perfect boyfriend, Joey. She remembers that last kiss, soft, lingering, and meant to reassure her. So why can't she remember what happened in the moment before they were supposed to dive? Why was she left cowering at the top of the cliff, while Joey floated in the water below-dead? 

As Maggie's memories return in snatches, nothing seems to make sense. Why was Joey acting so strangely at the party? Where did he go after taking her home? And if Joey was keeping these secrets, what else was he hiding? 

The latest novel from the author of "The Tension of Opposites," "One Moment" is a mysterious, searing look at how an instant can change everything you believe about the world around you.


My thoughts:

One Moment was not a novel I could devour in one sitting. It took me the better part of two weeks to plow through this story with tear filled eyes. This is a book that had me breaking out the "ugly cry" (don't pretend you don't know what I'm talking about). Having lost a close friend to a car accident while I was a sophomore in high school, I found I connected with One Moment on a very personal level. This may also be one of the reasons I had to read in moderate doses. The author does a beautiful job of capturing the voices of teens struggling with a devastating loss and it all just felt so real.

The plot was paced perfectly with a mystery that makes you want to keep reading. I enjoyed getting to know Maggie as she discovered the secrets Joey was hiding, as well as tried to process the grief and guilt she was struggling to contain. The secondary characters added a nice element. I loved the idea of childhood friends growing up together and was fascinated by the author's take on how they would react when a member of their close-knit group was suddenly taken from them. This was one intense read and can still easily conjure residual emotions even weeks after I finished reading. It isn't often I encounter books that have such staying power. One Moment isn't a book I'll forget anytime soon (if ever).

Oh contemporary genre, how I love you and loathe you almost equally. You make me want to read even as you break my heart into tiny little pieces. This is not a genre I venture into often, but I'd do it again with no hesitation if Kristina McBride's name was on the cover. If you haven't read this talented author's work you really must!

My Rating:

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