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Thank you to St. Martin’s Press & Wednesday Books for sending me the ARC of In Another Life by C.C. Hunter in exchange for an honest review.

In Another Life by C.C. Hunter

What would you do if your whole life was a lie and learning the truth could cost you your life? 

From New York Times bestselling author of the Shadow Falls series comes C. C. Hunter’s new YA thriller about a girl who learns that she may have been kidnapped as a child, and must race to uncover the truth about her past before she winds up a victim.

Chloe was three years old when she became Chloe Holden, but her adoption didn’t scar her, and she’s had a great life. Now, fourteen years later, her loving parents’ marriage has fallen apart and her mom has moved them to Joyful, Texas. Starting twelfth grade as the new kid at school, everything Chloe loved about her life is gone. And feelings of déjà vu from her early childhood start haunting her. 

When Chloe meets Cash Colton she feels drawn to him, as though they’re kindred spirits. Until Cash tells her the real reason he sought her out: Chloe looks exactly like the daughter his foster parents lost years ago, and he’s determined to figure out the truth. 

As Chloe and Cash delve deeper into her adoption, the more things don’t add up, and the more strange things start happening. Why is Chloe’s adoption a secret that people would kill for?

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Review

There’s something eerie about In Another’s Life’s synopsis that I was drawn to it right away. The story follows the story of Chloe Holden who was adopted when she was three years old. She then moved to Joyful, Texas after her parents’ separation and she had to start new in this new city with her mum. In her new school, she met Cash Colton, who tried to get close to her. Turned out that Cash sought her out because she looks like his foster parents’ long-lost daughter. Cash is convinced that she’s their daughter and wanted to find out the truth. Chloe, on the other hand wasn’t convinced at all until she started to remember little details, she started to realise that there are things that don’t add up.

Although I was intrigued by the synopsis, I still read the book with a degree of skepticism. Based on my experience reading mystery/thriller books, when you start a book with high expectations, chances are certain aspects of the book will disappoint. Fortunately, In Another Life was a great read.

You’re wrong about me not liking you. I thought you were beautiful from the time you slammed into me and spilled my slushie. And you did slam into me. Then I saw who you looked like and I tried not to think you were beautiful. But it didn’t work. Then I got to talking to you and you were funny, and smart, and still beautiful and I couldn’t help but like you. The only reason I didn’t kiss you first was because I was scared it could get messy with what I was about to tell you. And it did get messy. But I still like you. And I want to kiss you again. And again.

There are many different tropes presented in this book. Cash and Chloe’s budding romance, Chloe being her mum’s main caretaker, Chloe’s fight with her dad, and put the adoption mystery on top of it – so many things are going on and somehow C.C. Hunter made it work. I love that she could make the stories flow effortlessly and her characters to develop well. The mystery aspect only appear on the later half of the book, though. While I could still feel the suspense and mystery in the book, it still felt like a primarily YA book. For some reason, the romance and family issues take centre stage in the book for me. Despite all that, In Another Life was truly an enjoyable read.

In Another Life is my first C.C. Hunter book but it made me want to read more of her books. I actually requested the book from NetGalley and didn’t get it. However, I got an email few weeks later informing me that I was given the chance to receive the ARC as I’ve read books from Wednesday Books previously. Also, if you are curious about the book, you can read the excerpt below. Once again, thank you St. Martin’s Press & Wednesday Books for introducing me to a wonderful author!