Once Upon a Twilight!: Audiobook Review: In Her Wake by K.A. Tucker

In Her Wake
Ten Tiny Breaths #0.5
Author: K.A. Tucker
Narrator: Sebastian York
Reading Level: New Adult
Genre: Romance
Released: September 1st 2014
Review Source: Simon & Schuster Audio

Before you knew him as Trent in Ten Tiny Breaths, he was Cole Reynolds—and he had it all. Until one night when he makes a fatal, wrong decision…and loses everything.

When a drunken night out at a Michigan State college party results in the death of six people, Cole must come to terms with his part in the tragedy. Normally, he’d be able to lean on his best friends—the ones who have been in his life since he could barely walk. Only, they’re gone. Worse, there’s the shattered body of a sixteen-year-old girl lying somewhere in a hospital bed, her entire life ripped from her because of a case of beer and a set of keys.

Everyone assures him that they know it wasn’t intentional, and yet he can’t ignore the weight of their gazes, the whispers behind his back. Nor can he shake the all-consuming guilt he feels every time he thinks of that girl who won’t so much as allow him near her hospital room to apologize. As the months go by and the shame and loneliness festers, Cole begins to lose his grip on what once was important—college, his girlfriend, his future. His life. It’s not until Cole hits rock-bottom that he can begin to see another way out of his personal hell: forgiveness.

And there’s only one person who can give that to him…

Before starting this story, I knew I was in for a heartbreak. We learn from the first book, Ten Tiny Breaths, of Cole’s biggest regret. In Her Wake is Cole’s side of the story. His pain, his sorrow of the night his life and Kasey changed. Needless to say, this was very hard for me to continue. Knowing the consequences of drinking and driving can cause… I could think of was of my dear friend I lost to a drunk driver. So excuse me for saying this - when it comes to drink and drive, I can be very judgmental. Though Cole was not the one driving, he felt guilty of letting his friend drive. It triggered a cord. Please people, do not let anyone drink and drive.

I must say, I learned that one shouldn’t judge no matter what. Not knowing the other half of the story doesn’t make one right. From reading Cole’s perspective, I can guarantee that he doesn’t need more people to be judgmental. His regret alone is consuming. Cole’s a walking dead. This tragedy impacted him to a whole new level one can never thought of. I know forgiving is hard, but one cannot live life with such sorrow. I was glad he found his happily ever after. It is true, love conquers all.

Cole destroyed Kasey’s life but was caught in her wake. This was his journey of forgiveness, a road to love. In Her Wake is a story that I will always remember.

Fans of Ten Tiny Breaths, I highly recommend that you start this right now.