Reviews

Between Heaven and Earth by Michele Paige Holmes

saradavcamp's review against another edition

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5.0

Wow, this book was incredible! The main characters lives had been so hard with many struggles that not many of us will face in our lifetimes, and they truly used those experiences to become better people. They were both honorable and good. There was plenty of romance, which at times was agonizing and at others it was so perfect! I cried a couple times and laughed a few as well. A really great story overall.

christie_seiler's review against another edition

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3.0

*I received a free ebook for an honest review*

Between Heaven & Earth has Cassie Webb living in limbo while she waits for her husband to come back to her. While she waits however, life moves on around her as she takes care of her son Noah, coaches soccer, manages her career and falls in love.

The heartbreak of this novel is heavy right from the beginning. I just got that feeling that the happiness I felt at the beginning of the novel, wasn't going to last. At first when you learn of Cassie and Devon's situation, there is so much hope. But as the story reveals, hope slowly dwindles as you realize Devon has been unconscious for 6 years. Cassie does her best to be the best mom she can be to Noah, meanwhile thinking about Devon and visiting him on a regular basis and hoping daily for him to wake up and come home.

This novel brought a story that I haven't read before, that I hadn't even thought of before. The journey that Cassie had to go through, her struggle to be a single parent meanwhile she has a husband, her struggle to decide what is best for her unconscious husband and the best decisions for Noah, and in the end the best decisions for herself.

I found my heart conflicting all of the time- I wanted Devon to wake up so him and Cassie could go back to the way they were at the beginning of the novel and be happy again. However, I wanted Cassie to move on and be happy with Matt. I loved the dynamic and instant family that was created when Matt was introduced with his 2 sons, and I just couldn't help but silently root for this love story to blossom.

The novel was beautifully written, however I found it a bit long- but when I look back I negate my statement because it felt like it needed to be this long to fully understand how long Devon has been unconscious and how hard a decision Cassie had to make in the end.

I found the ending a bit predictable, but it was a typical happy ending which was great after such an emotionally charged novel.

momwithareadingproblem's review

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5.0

I received an eARC of this book via I Am a Reader in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of this review.

Between Heaven and Earth
by Michele Paige Holmes is a sweet, slow romance that takes place over the course of a year. Cassandra Webb’s life is on hold and has been for six years since her husband entered a Persistent Vegetative State after an injury on the job. Cassie lives a life of routine, staying in the one bedroom apartment she shared with her husband, working in a dead end job, and keeping his memory alive for their son. Matt is the new guy in town, a single dad to two boys after his wife died 8 months earlier, and is struggling to keep his family together.

This isn’t your typical romance book. Cassie has someone she loves, she’s married, but also alone, living the life of a single parent. She holds onto hope that her husband will make a miraculous recovery. It’s almost delusional the hope she holds, but if I was in her place I would feel the same. She’s weary and she fights and I hurt for her in the book. Matt is no different. He’s lonely, a single parent, and in desperate need of a companion. His struggles with his sons are real, I can only imagine what it would be like to have two small kids and try to explain why mom is never coming home…so heartbreaking!

The circumstances that bring Matt and Cassie together are unconventional, but heartwarming. I felt for them both as they fight their growing feelings and as Cassie realizes that despite the love she feels for Matt she cannot act on it with her husband still alive. She feels guilty and more alone than ever. It’s a difficult, gray area when discussing martial fidelity. Cassie makes the decision that we all know she will and my heart hurt for her. Letting go and moving on are the themes and it is so hard for the two characters. I loved getting the dual POV to see from both Matt’s and Cassie’s perspectives. And of course Miss Pearl plays an integral role.

Overall I really enjoyed this book. Cassie and Matt pulled at my heart strings and I read their story in one night. This is definitely one to read with a box of tissues on hand. If you enjoy clean, contemporary, second-chance romances, I highly recommend you pick up a copy.

aublar's review against another edition

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3.0

This was an interesting premise… interesting in a curious way. Cassie’s husband Devin has been in a care center for 6 years with PVS (basically he is a vegetable) but she is still holding on to hope that he will wake up. Meanwhile she meets Matt and she starts to fall for him but is determined to be faithful to her husband and resolves to just be friends with Matt. I didn’t think I’d like it but I kept reading and it ended up being pretty good. Different than other books in the same vein but that’s not a bad thing.

Content warning: kissing

ghumpherys's review against another edition

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5.0

This book packed an emotional punch and really tugged at my heartstrings. I was drawn into the story and these characters and kept asking myself "what if" and "what would I do?". The characters deal with a lot of heartbreak and sorrow and yet there is also hope and forgiveness. I wanted to cry and cheer right along with them.
This is part of the Power of the Matchmaker series, so Miss Pearl is featured in the story -- it's always interesting to see how much of a role she plays. I thought her involvement was just about right - a good mix of sage words of wisdom and a touch of magic. A beautiful story!
Note: I received a free ebook copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

literaryliz98's review against another edition

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4.0

I really enjoyed this book. It was a good, clean romance based on friendship first. The two main characters Cassie and Matt have both gone through some very traumatic events in their adult lives, and when they meet with their kids on the soccer field a friendship is born. I liked that they were respectful regarding marital vows and pre-marital relations. At times I thought the story was a little far-fetched, however it was a captivating story and made me think about how I would act if I were in either of their respective situations. I don't want to give anything away, but I often found myself wondering what took Cassie so long to figure things out. Overall it was a sweet, enjoyable book that I would recommend.

I was given a free ebook copy of this book for my honest review.

pandahead76's review against another edition

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4.0

Really well written, poignant, and bittersweet. The characters are fleshed out and engaging. I read several reviews before deciding to take a chance on this book. One of which challenged the believability of Cassandra Webb holding out hope for her husband's recovery for more than six years. I wholeheartedly disagree. It is absolutely believable, especially within the context of the history of their relationship.

This is a story about overcoming unthinkable hardships and finding healing. Definitely keep a box of tissues nearby when reading!

literaryliz98's review against another edition

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4.0

I really enjoyed this book. It was a good, clean romance based on friendship first. The two main characters Cassie and Matt have both gone through some very traumatic events in their adult lives, and when they meet with their kids on the soccer field a friendship is born. I liked that they were respectful regarding marital vows and pre-marital relations. At times I thought the story was a little far-fetched, however it was a captivating story and made me think about how I would act if I were in either of their respective situations. I don't want to give anything away, but I often found myself wondering what took Cassie so long to figure things out. Overall it was a sweet, enjoyable book that I would recommend.

I was given a free ebook copy of this book for my honest review.
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