Set in the fictional town of Lake Haven, Maine, Evoke examines the complexities of love and loss among childhood friends after a tragic accident claims the lives of three, while leaving two behind. When five friends return home from college for the summer, it feels as if the friendship that has bound them together since childhood is stronger than ever. But when Laney Thomas wakes up two-months … later and discovers she is the sole survivor of the accident that has claimed the lives of three of her friends, Laney quickly realizes the world she awakened to is not the one she remembers. The one thing that hasn’t changed however, is Evan – one of their group of five not in the car that night. Laney and Evan have always been close. Children of best friends, their lives inextricable, connection unbreakable. He is the only person that understands her grief and can help her get through their shared nightmare. But when Evan disappears from her life, Laney’s very presence reminding him of all they’ve lost, Laney is left to manage through her new world alone. Dean Danvers, a former classmate, is more than happy to help her pick up the pieces of her broken life. But when Laney’s reckless behavior brings Evan crashing back into her life, he sets out on a course to help her remember the events that led up to that tragic night, including the truth of the friendships she’d cherished, and love coveted.
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What an amazing debut novel by DM Simmons. I didn’t just read this book, I devoured it. I was hooked from the first page and am now anxious to read the sequel. I experienced a full range of emotions while reading – from laughter to crying.
The writing is so atmospheric and makes me want to pack up & move to a coastal Maine town. The book has a bit of mystery, romance, suspense and characters who touch the reader’s heart. While this book is YA, there are themes that are relevant to all age groups. The main character, Laney, must deal with grief and tragedy as well as confront her denial about the reality of some of her friendships. The book shows that the path to healing is not easy but it is possible. And that growth can occur in some of our darkest moments.
DM Simmons is definitely an author to keep your eye on.
Simply put: Beautiful
Let me start by saying this isn’t the normal genre I read. I’m more into fantasy rather than sweet romances. But this book’s characters and premise did not disappoint!
I finished this book in less than two days. I couldn’t help myself from turning page after page. I needed to know more!
Even though I had not been in a situation like Laney, she still felt relatable. I could tell where her emotions were coming from.
This book gave me some If I Stay vibes, even though the character was very much awake and in the real world. Her constant flashbacks helped create a solid world of life before.
Part of me wants to go back and re-read the book. Now that I know the ending (which lived up to the books build up) I want to pick up on all the hints dropped throughout the beginning.
The amount of description in this book is wonderfully done. I always had a good sense of where I was and what was around me, but it wasn’t too much where I got bored in long passages.
I loved this book and do recommend to other readers.
First Off I have to say KUDOS to this book. I have not read a YA/NA book in a while and I have to say that this one grabbed me right from page one and kept me reading till the end and when the end came I wanted more. I need the second book like ASAP! This book has brought so many emotions out of me. I laughed and I cried but most off all I was curious what was going on and why we have such a tragic loss.
5 Friends come home for the summer from college. They are enjoying themselves and spending time with each other making their bond stronger. Then one night there is an accident and three of the friends die but Laney and Evan live. When Laney finally wakes up 2 months later she needs to know what happened to her and her friends.
This is where Evan comes in because he was not in the car that night of the accident and he knows what really happened but he acts a little skittish when Laney wants to know the truth. Laney and Evan have always shared a special bond so Evan knows he has to tell her the truth but he disappears on Laney and she must figure things out from her flash backs and memories she is remembering.
Soon Laney will learn the truth about her friendships she cherished all this time. When the truth comes out Laney will have to deal with the pain and loss of her friends. But where is Evan because she needs him more than ever right now.