SYNOPSIS
Jamal's best friend, Q, doesn't know he's about to die... again.
He also doesn't know that Jamal tried to save his life, rescuing him from drowning only to watch Q die later in the hospital. Even more complicated, Jamal and Q haven't been best friends in two years - not since Jamal's parents died in a car accident, leaving him and his sister to carry on without them. Grief swallowed Jamal whole, and he blamed Q for causing the accident.
But what if Jamal could have a second chance? An impossible chance that would grant him the opportunity to say goodbye to his best friend? A new health-care technology allows Q to be reanimated - brought back to life like the old Q again. But there's a catch: Q will only reanimate for a short time before he dies... forever.
Jamal is determined to make things right with Q, but grief is hard to shake. And he can't tell Q why he's suddenly trying to be friends with him again. Because Q has no idea that he died, and Q's mom is not about to let anyone ruin the miracle by telling him. How can Jamal fix his friendship with Q if he can't tell him the truth?
REVIEW
I have now spent a little time after reading this book trying to find the best way to highlight how much this story is quite simply a life-changer. Or how I like to describe it, a heart-breaking story with a lot of heart.
When we think of death in all its forms, we tend to think of our loved ones that have passed on. The conversations that we had with them, the times that we have spent together, but most of all, what we would say to them now that they are no longer with us. Our minds constantly hover over the concept of what ifs and how we would have made that possible. This is where this story comes into the picture.
I have read many a books throughout my life so far, but nothing compares to this powerful piece where the author is using a genre to highlight what it means to be human and how we are able to leave a piece of us that will always be remembered by those who know us most - that we are never forgotten no matter how hard we try to.
Yes, it is probably something that most of us probably don't want to hear about at the moment, but somehow I found this story strangely comforting. Death is not the end - it is simply a beginning in so many ways. I think this is something that modern society forgets, as we are constantly looking towards our own goals. So when we think about death, this becomes something fear-inducing as it is not something we planned, not something that we know of. But that is ok. That is why we have people around us to make it a little better, just like Q does with his family and friends.
If there is anything that this book is able to teach its readers is to grasp every moment, try and do the things that you really want to do, sooner than later, talk to people, whether making new friendships or reigniting old ones. We are all on the same journey, so be kind to one another.
I'm very glad that I stopped for one sitting to read this book - this is definitely a story which I will keep in my heart forever. So thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with a copy.
RATING: **** (FOUR STARS)
WHERE TO BUY
Bookshop.org: https://uk.bookshop.org/a/3917/9781509881024
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