In Five Years by Rebecca Serle is a story about friendship and finding one’s self. The main character is perfectly flawed and the writing is captivating. The book is an unforgettable and moving love story that is a perfect read for fans of One Day in December.
Title: In Five YearsAuthor: Rebecca Serle
Publisher: Atria Books
Genres: Adult Fiction, Contemporary
Publication Date: March 10, 2020
Rating:
Perfect for fans of Me Before You and One Day—a striking, powerful, and moving love story following an ambitious lawyer who experiences an astonishing vision that could change her life forever.
Where do you see yourself in five years?
When Type-A Manhattan lawyer Dannie Cohan is asked this question at the most important interview of her career, she has a meticulously crafted answer at the ready. Later, after nailing her interview and accepting her boyfriend’s marriage proposal, Dannie goes to sleep knowing she is right on track to achieve her five-year plan.
But when she wakes up, she’s suddenly in a different apartment, with a different ring on her finger, and beside a very different man. The television news is on in the background, and she can just make out the scrolling date. It’s the same night—December 15—but 2025, five years in the future.
After a very intense, shocking hour, Dannie wakes again, at the brink of midnight, back in 2020. She can’t shake what has happened. It certainly felt much more than merely a dream, but she isn’t the kind of person who believes in visions. That nonsense is only charming coming from free-spirited types, like her lifelong best friend, Bella. Determined to ignore the odd experience, she files it away in the back of her mind.
That is, until four-and-a-half years later, when by chance Dannie meets the very same man from her long-ago vision.
Brimming with joy and heartbreak, In Five Years is an unforgettable love story that reminds us of the power of loyalty, friendship, and the unpredictable nature of destiny.
❃ I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. ❃
Book Review: In Five Years by Rebecca Serle
Dannie and Bella have been friends since childhood and although they are complete opposites, their friendship is one that is everlasting. They make a great pair and it is enjoyable to discover how each woman has helped the other to grow over time. As well, it is refreshing to read a book about women who lift one another up. While there is a similar love triangle to One Day in December in this novel, it is actually a book about friendship and not a romance.
❀ A Theme of Self-Discovery
Another theme that Rebecca Serle has woven into In Five Years is self-discovery. Dannie is a character with quite a few weaknesses, including her Type A personality. She has her entire life plan mapped out and it seems as though things are going according to plan until she has a strange glimpse into the future. It is interesting to watch how Dannie reacts to the shifts in her world and comes to a realization about herself. Although Dannie has an experience at the beginning of the book where she travels in time, the story is not one that I would consider a time travel book. The step into the future merely shapes the rest of the story.
❀ Fast-Paced and Surprising
This novel has beautiful writing and it is a very quick read. The descriptions of New York are vivid and will give any reader a sense of wanderlust. Also, the book has an ending that will surprise most and completely catch them off guard.
❀ Flawed Characters
In Five Years by Rebecca Serle is an interesting book that digs deep into the themes of friendship and discovering one’s true self. The characters are uniquely flawed and the story is well-written. Definitely a novel that requires a box of tissues close by.
About Rebecca Serle
Rebecca Serle is an author and television writer who lives between New York and Los Angeles. Serle most recently co-developed the hit TV adaptation of her young adult series Famous in Love, now on Freeform. She loves Nancy Meyers films, bathrobes, and giving unsolicited advice on love.
About Lori
Avid reader. Contributor to The Candid Cover. Educator.
Sounds like a really well done novel. I like that it focuses a lot on friendship and finding oneself.
-Lauren
ShootingStarsMag recently posted…Read the Alphabet: Catch a Ghost + Diary of a Mad Mom-To-Be
Yes! I enjoyed that it was a bit of a different theme
I’ve been seeing this one around, but had no idea what it was about. I just read the blurb and have to admit I was a little turned off of it by the time travel stuff. Then I read your review and let out a sigh of relief that you wouldn’t classify it as a time travel book. That has put this on my list of books to grab if I see it at the library. Great review!
It does have a bit of time travel at the very beginning, but that is where it ends. Almost like a flash forward. So if you aren’t bothered by the sound of that it might be enjoyable for you as well. 🙂
I haven’t read this author’s works but it really sounds like a great read. Nice review!
I am curious about her other books now!
This sounds wonderful. I love books set in New York anyway, but this story definitely sounds like one I would enjoy. Great review!
It really took me by surprise!
I love when a novel is a quick read! This looks and sounds delightful!
Genesis @ Whispering Chapters recently posted…Whisper Reviews (1) | Fake-Relationship, Rom-Com Pranks,Teaching Dynamics
So do I and it really is a great story!
Lovely review! But ..I hate love triangles 😉
I can understand that. This particular story is not what you would expect, though. 😉
Great review! It sounds so good!
I really loved this one.
This one sounds interesting. Thank you for the great review.
Thanks for stopping by, Debra!
This is a book that I really, really can’t wait to read! Great review!
Christine @ Captivated Reading recently posted…House of Earth and Blood (Excerpt): Review
I hope that you love it as much as I did!
I can’t wait to read this one – the premise is so interesting! Part of me would love a glimpse into my future, but part of me wouldn’t!
I feel that! It is a fantastic concept.
I like many books and movies about friendship, good theme to this one, that’s for sure.