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Reviewed by Manik Chaturmutha for Readers' Favorite
Life’s Like A Book by Christina McKenzie follows Kloey, a young woman whose life is shaken by chronic illness, heartbreak, and the devastating loss of her best friend, Brandi. At twenty-seven, she is caught between finishing law school, leaving a toxic long-term relationship, and rediscovering herself after years of just surviving. Brandi’s sudden death leaves her with an urn of ashes and a promise to carry out the adventures her friend never got to take. Alongside her grandmother Ann, who is herself recovering from a life-altering accident, Kloey confronts grief, loneliness, and fragile hopes for love. The novel traces her journey through breakdowns and breakthroughs, showing how she slowly learns to let go, embrace change, and create her own next chapter.
In Life’s Like A Book, Christina McKenzie delivers an intimate, raw story that blends grief, healing, and self-discovery. The title itself is fitting: every event in Kloey’s life, from Brandi’s vibrant friendship to her disappointing kiss with Brandon, feels like a chapter that must be lived before turning the page. The novel leans on familiar tropes, grief as a catalyst, found family, awkward attempts at new love, but twists them into something fresh. For instance, instead of a smooth friends-to-lovers shift, Kloey and Brandon’s kiss falls flat, proving not every bond has to change into romance. The cast is the strongest part of the book: Kloey feels real and layered, Ann brings warmth and wisdom, and Brandi stays alive in memory even after she’s gone. The pacing balances heavy scenes with lighter humor, and the simple style of writing makes the emotions land. At times, Kloey’s thoughts circle back often, which slows the story, though this technique effectively mirrors how grief often works in real life. Honest, heartfelt, and unpolished in a good way, this book stands out for its authenticity. Ideal for readers of women’s fiction who enjoy emotional journeys with imperfect but real characters, it earns five stars for its depth and emotional resonance.
