#194 Book Review: Between the Lives [ARC]

Between the Lives [ARC]
Release Date: 1 May 2013
Author: Jessica Shirvington
Publisher: Harper Collins Australia
Source: Publisher for Review
Format: Paperback
Where to Buy:  Fishpond | Booktopia
More Info: Goodreads

Summary:

For as long as she can remember, Sabine has lived two lives. Every 24 hours she Shifts to her ′other′ life - a life where she is exactly the same, but absolutely everything else is different: different family, different friends, different social expectations. In one life she has a sister, in the other she does not. In one life she′s a straight-A student with the perfect boyfriend, in the other she′s considered a reckless delinquent. Nothing about her situation has ever changed, until the day when she discovers a glitch: the arm she breaks in one life is perfectly fine in the other.

With this new knowledge, Sabine begins a series of increasingly risky experiments which bring her dangerously close to the life she′s always wanted... But just what - and who - is she really risking?

Cover:
I like how there is a thin line, dividing the girl as if the girl has 2 sides in her and the blurry background effect. I think it suits the book quite well!

Story:

What if you had to live 2 different lives?

As a huge fan of Jessica Shirvington's The Violet Eden Chapters, I was really excited for Jessica's newest book that is not set in the world of The Violet Eden Chapters. I am still anxiously waiting for book 5 in the series, particularly after what happened in Endless (book 4), but I'm glad that Jessica wrote a new book which I really enjoyed!

Between the Lives is a story about a girl living 2 different lives. Sabine, our main protagonist, 'shifts' every 24 hours to her other life where she still has the same name, but surrounded by different family and friends. This concept sounds absolutely interesting. It's unique and I love the way Jessica explored this concept in the book. But of course, living 2 different lives in itself is strange so when Sabine experiences a glitch, she becomes determined to unravel the mysteries behind the 'shift', to the point that she might end up having the ability to simply choose living in one life and forsake her other life. Jessica's writing is as usual, gripping and I really enjoyed the way she explores the concept of the 'shift'. The romance, on the other hand, balances the mystery so well. The ending was bittersweet and I'm not sure if this is a series or a stand-alone but I'd be incredibly happy if Jessica decided to write a sequel!

Characters:
Sabine is a character I can easily relate to. Her suffering, her pain of living 2 different lives and her need to keep up appearances even though she hates it make her desperate to find out how the 'shift' truly works when the glitch happens. Sometimes the things she does are quite extreme and this is where I introduce you to Ethan, the guy who keeps Sabine balanced, 'sane' and believes her concept of living in 2 different lives. Ethan is an amazing character who truly cares for Sabine although he himself is a mystery. The relationship between Ethan and Sabine is sweet, beautiful and can be quite intense at times. When I found out the truth about Ethan, I was really surprised. It wasn't what I expected at all and it broke my heart. But all is well in the ending and I am completely thankful for that!

Overall:
Can you imagine living 2 different lives? Between the Lives explores this intricate concept with a touch of romance and mystery. If you love Jessica Shirvington's The Violet Eden Chapters, then you should check out Between the Lives! It's different to the series but still has Jessica's amazing writing that you will love!

4 Forget-Me-Not flowers for Between the Lives!

Thank you Harper Collins Australia for the review copy!

PS: Keep an eye out for teasers that I will post on Twitter ;)