Review: Diverging Cadence (Cadence #2) by Katie Hamstead

Book Blurb:

When Cadence Anderson woke to find her husband and infant daughter had been killed, she thought her life was over. Instead, she was offered a second chance and sent back in time to do it all again.

She’s made the most of this opportunity, repairing her relationship with the best friend she lost the first time, avoiding the romantic mistakes she made originally, and even bringing her family closer together. But she’s also done something she wasn’t planning on—she’s fallen in love with someone other than her future husband.

Stepping onto a plane and flying across country to attend university is the hardest decision she’s had to make. But unless she follows through with it, her future with Austin might never happen. And what becomes of her beautiful baby if she stays with James, the man she was never supposed to love?

The only thing she knows for certain is that she has to see Austin again, and she’s intent on reliving that part of her previous life exactly like she did the first time. Even if that means she has to lie to James to do it. Because, deep down, she can’t quite bring herself to let him go.

Now, past and future are about to collide, and Cadence has to make her final choice—follow the uncertain path of a life with James, or the one she came back to save . . . with Austin.

In this emotional conclusion to the story that began in Deceptive Cadence, relationships will be tested, identities revealed, and the past will overshadow the future, putting the finishing touches on an unforgettable tale of courage, sacrifice, and, above all, love.

My Review:

4 Out Of 5 Stars

Genre: Angels, Another-World, Romance, Supernatural--

Book 2 picks up right where book 1 left off, with Cadence having left her family and James behind to attend college across the country where she can resume the life she had previously lost with her future husband. Cadence throws herself into college life, making the same friends she had before so her life could be what she remembered. When she meets Austin the second time, she feels just as drawn to him as she had before. But her feelings for James still exist, and she has hard choices to make.

I have a love-hate relationship with this stupid stupid book (ok, the book wasn't stupid it just made me super sad pretty much the entire length of the story). I loved that the author could drag feelings out of me and so completely engage me in this fictional story that I read in one sitting because I had to know what would happen. I hated that the emotions the book filled me with pretty much from the first few pages were anxiety and depression. I got so caught up in Cadence's roller coaster emotions and I felt despair for what I was afraid was to come. The author did a great job of reeling me in, and honestly I am very glad the book is over because I don't think I could stand that level of emotional upheaval for very long. That being said, I would love to read more from this author in the future because I was impressed with what she accomplished. But can the next book be less depressing, please?

Austin seemed like a very nice person, but I did not know him or really care for him one way or another. I was ambivalent towards him, and sped through the pages about him to get to the parts where James was involved. I was wholeheartedly in love with James. I know who he is and I was not even a little bit disappointed by what I found. The fact that Cadence even thought for one second that anyone could be better blew my mind. Sure he was demanding and a little overbearing at times, but I loved his compassion, understanding and determination to make her happy even when she rejected him time and time. James grew up to be a much better person than anyone gave him credit for.

This review will be short and sweet because this was a conclusion that had been building and I don't want to give anything away. Read these 2 books back to back like I did because it is one story just housed in 2 volumes. Be aware that you are in for a gut wrenching emotional heartbreak/ roller coaster.

I received this title from the author in return for my honest review.