In This Life

By: Christine Brae

Narrated by: Anna Kasabian

Length: 8 hrs and 46 mins

Publisher's summary

Lovers don't finally meet somewhere, they're in each other all along. -Rumi

It starts out so simply. Anna runs away to Thailand, drags her best friend Dante with her and spends a few weeks away, taking on other people's problems while getting away from her own. She meets the enigmatic Jude Grayson, and for as long as it's clear to both of them that it ends when they leave, she thinks she's got the perfect fling planned out.

Or does she?

Anna returns home to find that her life is no longer the way it once was, and that she can't stop thinking about him. She learns through tragedy that nothing she's ever believed in has turned out to be true. The worst part? The people she loved were keeping a secret from her. And that no matter what she does, no matter how hard she fights against it, every path she takes keeps leading her back to Jude.

This is a story about love, found in a faraway place by two very unlikely people. It is also a story about friendship and loyalty and fighting for what you have despite the illogical mystery of fate. With the struggle between morality and guilt, faith and acceptance, there comes a learning that even the best-laid plans are powerless against the alignment of the universe.

From the beaches of Thailand to the streets of New York, three friends, Anna, Dante, and Jude will learn the hard way that once providence steps in, there is nothing in the world that can change what is truly meant to be.

©2016 Christine Brae (P)2016 Christine Brae

An OK read

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

3.5 Stars

This was my first audible read so i'm not sure if that effected my rating of the book or if it would be the same. I didn't really connect with the characters or story. Anna was really annoying most of the book to me. This might have something to do with the narrators voice though. I also had a hard time keeping track of what was going on. the POV changed half way and i didn't realize which was confusing. I felt like the scenes jumped around with no good transistions. there was one part where i didn't even know they were in a entirely different country until half way through. Again, this may just be because this was my first time listening to a book on audible.

*******MAJOR SPOILERS*************

The rest of the review is spoilery and I rant a little lol. I felt like Anna was so back and forth throughout the whole book. I liked Jude up until part 2, when we found out he basically stalked Anna for 5 years through Dante but never went to her (even though her mother just died and she was super depressed and missing him). I think it was BS that he kept tabs on her but never approached her until she ran into him at his church 5 years later. Then all of a sudden he "can't stay away" and loves her so much. Then he's going to have the nerve to be pissed at her because she's moved on with her life and married Dante. Them being separated for 5 years was stupid. Jude was a dick for not contacting her. And Anna should have just looked him up. She knew they both lived in NYC. Shit they even went to the same college! It's not hard to google him and find out his contact information.... I also didn't like that Anna and Jude slept together even though she was married. Plus it was literally the second time she'd seen him in 5 years and this is after she found out he knew she was there the whole time and just chose not to contact her... I actually felt really bad for Dante. He was there for Anna through everything and I think she took him for granted. I hated the part where he talks about wanting kids and asking for a compromise and Anna said "I married you didn't I". That was such a hurtful thing to say. She half assed their whole relationship and the second she saw Jude she just dropped Dante. Like literally 2 days after she saw Jude she slept with him and asked Dante for a separation -_- Anna just picked up with Jude like everything was great. Jude was a little Blah for me. I liked him in Part 1 but when we got to the 5 years later part i didn't really care either way. I honestly didn't understand him wanting to be a priest. Like if they never mentioned him about to take the next step to priesthood, i never would have guessed it about him. And Part 4 of the book was so unnecessary. Dante dying...really.... It was just so out of nowhere. Last we hear of him he's in Germany moving on and seeing other people sounding happy. Then all of a sudden he's rushing to Thailand to win her back and he dies in a plane accident???? I also didn't like the hospital scene where she's talking to his ghost. I know it's all in her head so therefore the comments are what she wants to hear, but nothing about the scene felt like anything Dante would say. He was pissed about Jude and apparently was ready to fight to get you back, but now his "ghost" is so happy for you ad Jude... And the whole brain tumor thing was stupid. Like what was the point of saying he had a brain tumor if he just died in a plane crash. It was so random.

Anyway, regardless of my rant, I still stand by my 3 stars because at least it interested me enough to finish the 9 hour audible. This book was heavy on religion but I didn't mind. I don't regret listening to it so it was a ok read.