From Barbara Delinsky, the New York Times bestselling author of Blueprints and Sweet Salt Air, a brand-new novel about a woman in hiding finding the courage to face the world again. Mackenzie Cooper took her eyes off the road for just a moment but the resulting collision was enough to rob her not only of her beloved daughter but ultimately of her marriage, family, and friends–and thanks to the … family, and friends–and thanks to the nonstop media coverage, even her privacy. Now she lives in Vermont under the name Maggie Reid, in a small house with her cats and dog. She’s thankful for the new friends she’s made–though she can’t risk telling them too much. And she takes satisfaction in working as a makeup artist at the luxurious local spa, helping clients hide the visible outward signs of their weariness, illnesses, and injuries. Covering up scars is a skill she has mastered.
Her only goal is to stay under the radar and make it through her remaining probation. But she isn’t the only one in this peaceful town with secrets. When a friend’s teenage son is thrust into the national spotlight, accused of hacking a powerful man’s Twitter account, Maggie is torn between pulling away and protecting herself–or stepping into the glare to be at their side. As the stunning truth behind their case is slowly revealed, Maggie’s own carefully constructed story begins to unravel as well. She knows all too well that what we need from each other in this difficult world is comfort. But to provide it, sometimes we need to travel far outside our comfort zones.
From a multimillion-selling master of women’s fiction, Before and Again is a story of the relationships we find ourselves in–mothers and daughters, spouses and siblings, true companions and fair-weather friends–and what kind of sacrifices we are or aren’t willing to make to sustain them through good times and bad.
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Warm, rich, textured, and impossible to put down.
I have to admit that I am a long-time fan and have read nearly every book by Barbara Delinsky. So, when I had the chance to read an ARC of BEFORE AND AGAIN, I jumped at it. Ms. Delinsky writes unique, smart stories with interesting characters and plots. Her latest novel doesn’t disappoint.
Mackenzie Cooper is starting her life over again after suffering a tragedy that destroyed her marriage and former life. In her new town, she’s created an entirely new life with a new career, new friends, and a house that she loves. But when her friend’s life is suddenly turned upside-down, Mackenzie, now going by Maggie, is thrust back into the spotlight and slowly her safe new life begins to unravel. She must decide if she should hide away or begin to trust herself to take chances again.
BEFORE AND AGAIN should definitely be your next read.
Life changed in an instant for Mackenzie Cooper when she looked at her phone for a brief second, drove through a stop sign, and a speeding truck crashed into them, killing her 5 year old daughter Lily. In the months following Lily’s death, Mackenzie was put on trial that ended with probation, the Mackenzie Cooper Law came into effect, her father passes away, she divorces her husband, and strays from her mother and brother.
5 years later, Mackenzie is able to reinvent herself as Maggie Reid, in a new town where no one knows of her troubled past. Until that past walks into her life and buys the inn and spa she works at. Now Mackenzie is forced to confront the things she ran away from all while helping a friend with a court case of her own.
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This book took me a long time to read because, like the character of this story, I’ve been put through an emotional ringer having to think about my past that causes anxieties. But that’s what makes a good book right? Being able to relate to characters and put yourself in the story.
I was always getting frustrated with the Edward character. It felt like he was pushing Mackenzie into confronting her issues when she wasn’t ready and didn’t easily have her coping mechanisms available. And coming from anxiety issues, I know the importance of coping mechanisms.
Barbara Delinsky has been a name I’ve seen and heard about my entire life but this is one of the first books I’ve read of hers. I recommend this boom but with a warning of caution for people who are dealing with the loss of a child, might bring up unwanted emotions. I would definitely pick up more Delinsky books to read.
Barbara Delinsky did it again. This was a fantastic story of not just a woman trying to rebuild her life after a tragic accident, but of a town and its people. Once I started reading it, I had a hard time putting it down. I couldn’t wait to see the twists and turns that Maggie’s life took on. They story shows that family and true friends are there to help you through the tough times. I cried and cheered for Maggie, Edward, and even Grace. Barbara’s stories are written with so much heart. I loved it.
Excellent read! Couldn’t put it down. One of Barbara’s best!
“The past is part of what we are.” This line from the book is a lesson learned by so many characters in the story. Some felt strength in holding on to their past; while others found their strength in letting go.
A young woman trying to move on from a terrible disaster in her life finds peace, stability, and friendship in a new town. The events from her past begin to threaten as some parts of it are discovered. Yet, through this stress she comes to reconcile with the people in her life who were once dear to her.
Particularly touching are the scenes where the mother and father, after five years, are finally able to grieve their loss together. Also poignant are the words between mother and daughter as they reconcile from many years of estrangement.
The novel is well told, leaving the reader guessing about the many possible outcomes to the plot. As it unfolds, it highlights the need for friendship, for healing, for hope, for sharing- all in one very interesting story. Aren’t these values needed in our own lives?
Wonderful book!
Life can change on a dime. Irrevocably. And the changes, welcome or not, often leave scars. The worse ones are those you can’t see, and it is both that Barbara Delinsky explores in Before and Again. Rich in the complexities of a woman who has had much and lost more, struggled to rise from the ashes with so little left and rebuild, is moving and inspiring.
Before and Again by Barbara Delinksy was a heart wrenching, soul crushing life changer that left my chest aching in all the right ways.
Imagine you take your eyes off the road for just a moment and your entire life is turned upside down. That’s what happens to Mackenzie. The life she had cannot be put back together so she runs away from what she knows to try and rebuild a new existence where no one recognizes her. Her marriage is over and her family doesn’t speak to her, so she finds a small town and makes new friends under the name Maggie, with other like-minded people who prefer to live under the radar for one reason or another.
Maggie spends her time working as a makeup artist by day and dabbling in pottery occasionally on the side, which was how she used to make a living before her past life came tragically crashing down. Her newly created life was going really well until a friend’s son is accused of hacking into a high profile Twitter account and everyone’s small town lives become public. As Maggie is thrown back into the public spotlight, she fears her past may come back to haunt her after all these years in hiding. Can Maggie continue to support her friend while keeping her true identity hidden?
This book dug deep, provoking a gamut of feelings including sadness, loss, love, forgiveness and survival. There was a beautiful thread of hope woven throughout the story that kept Maggie holding on throughout the struggles, pain and guilt that she carried. She proves that if you persevere there is hope for those who are willing to give life a second chance.
In addition to all the feels be ready for few unexpected twists that will make you gasp. The only downfall of this story was that parts of it seemed to drag just a little. It is well written and a great storyline, but I had to push through a few parts that were a little slow going. That said, this is a box of tissue kind of book so get ready to experience a heartbreaking emotional read with this one.
i loved the writing in this book. It’s a book that you won’t want to put down, a keeping you up late book. i highly recommend it
Before and Again by author Barbara Delinsky is filled with heartrending emotions for Mackenzie Cooper, The author has written the emotional angst of the characters so well. I was totally into this book and once I started reading, I did not stop until the ending. This is a book about love, family, loss, grief, and trying to begin again with a heart full of hurt but a very wise spirit.
Mackenzie’s world suddenly crashes to a devastating plummet the afternoon she runs a stop sign and is hit by a speeding driver. Because she was clearly in the wrong by failing to see the stop sign and yielding to any oncoming vehicles, she is now branded as a killer. The death of her five-year-old daughter Lily and the driver of the other vehicle is proof, right? The media coverage is so widespread until Maggie is withdrawn from friends and family. Her husband Edward is silent and soon they divorce.
Maggie makes a new start in the tiny little town of Devon, Vermont. She has healed from her physical scars, but will never get over losing her sweet Lily. She has adjusted to being without the love of Edward and the understanding of her mother. Maggie has a new name and has not shared any of her past with the people she has met in Devon. She is alone except for her little cabin, two cats, one dog and a few friends who work at the spa and pottery studio in Devon. She can make it the remaining four months of her court-ordered probation and then she will be free. Or maybe not!
Maggie comes to the aid of her best friend Grace when her teenage son is accused of hacking into sensitive information regarding the Spa’s private clients. She never dreamed her face would be in the public again. Maggie is terrified that her life and secrets before she moved to Devon will be revealed. But that is not the most serious issue, her probation officer is threatening her freedom because she is associating herself with someone facing a felony charge. It is a very real dilemma for Maggie, to be a true friend to Grace in a time of need, or turn silent and protect herself from the possibility of prison and her past being known.
This women’s fiction novel is a story of Mackenzie Cooper who has a life changing event after an accident she loses her daughter and her marriage. She changes her name and is in jeopardy of losing her freedom after being accused of computer hacking cover-up. I really enjoyed reading this book by Barbara Delinsky and rate it a 5 out of 5.
One of my favorite authors.
Started out good…progressively went down hill. No thanks!
One of my favorite authors
Plot dragged. Too much extranious information.
I loved this book — especially the relationship between Edward and Mackenzie. Oh, to experience such tragedy and such love…
Always enjoy Delinsky’s books, and this was no exception.
I absolutely enjoyed Barbara Delinsky’s BEFORE AND AFTER. It is a story of heartbreak, struggle, friendship, and redemption so beautifully told that you are rooting for these characters. I truly was sad to have it end. I promise I will be reading more novels by this author.
nice development of characters, believable as well as touching.
This was an easy read with an interesting plot. While the storyline was slightly removed from ordinary people, there were themes we can all identify with.