I can not resist a sliding doors / time travel book. I hadn't heard of this book but it was in the lucky day sections of my library so I know it must have been popular at some point. This was breezy and pretty easy to read. I enjoyed the first half of it more than the second half - mostly because I think there seemed to be some pretty heavy lifting that went on to get everything sorted out by the end. Its definitely a little bit schlocky which goes hand and hand with most sliding doors type books. It was also a bit predictable and held off on things for so long after they were obviously going to happen that it was a little annoying. But basically a good easy beach book. ( )

This was a favourite read. There were just so many beautiful truths tucked amid a story of love and loss and self-discovery. ( )

This was a favourite read. There were just so many beautiful truths tucked amid a story of love and loss and self-discovery. ( )

4.5 stars.

The Life Intended by Kristin Harmel is an incredibly poignant but ultimately uplifting novel of healing. In this thought-provoking and beautifully written story about love and loss, lead protagonist Kate Waithman rediscovers what matters most to her. Through a series of exceptionally vivid and moving dreams, Kate experiences the life she would have had if her husband had not passed away, but is it the life she was supposed to live?

It has taken nearly twelve years, but Kate has finally moved on from the death of her husband, Patrick. She is engaged to Dan, a terrific man that her friends and family adore, and she has a fulfilling career as a music therapist. But her happiness is tempered by an unexpected medical diagnosis and she still deeply mourns Patrick's loss. On the night she accepts Dan's marriage proposal, Kate's dreams about Patrick begin and she is soon seeing her life from a different perspective.

The first thing that Kate begins to question is her relationship with Dan. He is a wonderful man and everyone agrees he is perfect for her. But Kate soon learns they have some fundamental differences and that maybe they are just coasting along. Kate is content with Dan but is she willing to settle for happy enough?

Another area of change in Kate's life begins with her enrollment in an American sign language class. A discussion with her instructor, Andrew Henson, leads to a volunteer opportunity that forces her to fully re-evaluate her future. It is Kate's friendship with Andrew that becomes the catalyst for many of the decisions she soon makes.

The Life Intended by Kristin Harmel is a mystical and heartwarming novel of love, family and friendship. Although sometimes a little predictable, it is nonetheless a captivating and emotional journey that will resonate with readers who have struggled to move on after losing a loved one. ( )

This book broke me. I started The Life Intended fully planning to finish it in one sitting. That didn't happen. Not because the book wasn't well written. It absolutely is. Not even because I couldn't love the characters or the story. Both of those items were instantly checked off my list after I'd finished the first chapter. No, this book took a long time for me to read because I couldn't stop crying. Every time I picked it up, and started to read, I'd start sobbing. I'm not talking teary-eyed, or even a few tears, I'm talking full out sobbing. Whew, kudos to Kristin Harmel.

For me, any book that deals with the death of a loved one is tricky terrain. It has to be done with a certain finesse, and feel realistic at the same time. With Kate, Harmel brought to life a character that I could understand and easily follow. A woman who had found the most perfectly imperfect man. Who truly believed that she'd grow old with that man, and that they had all the time in the world together. Except, they didn't. Watching Kate try to deal with her loss, watching her realize all the times that she took for granted, it hit hard right at the center of my being. This book didn't just pull at my heartstrings. It all out gutted me.

There are some beautiful messages in The Life Intended. Thoughts on living life, pursuing passions, and opening up your heart to the possibilities around you. Unlike most of the other "sliding doors" books that I've read, this one felt plausible. It felt like a story that I could get behind. Maybe it's just my sappy nature. Maybe it's because I know I've found my own perfectly imperfect man, and I'm realizing just how terrifying it would be to loose him, but I loved this.

All I know is, I'm going to do my best not to let the little moments escape. Thanks for that Kristin Harmel :). I don't even mind that I needed a box of tissues to finish this book. It was worth it. ( )