Before I Let Go by Marieke Nijkamp
Hardcover, 358 pages
Published January 2nd 2018 by Sourcebooks Fire
Best friends Corey and Kyra were inseparable in their snow-covered town of Lost Creek, Alaska. When Corey moves away, she makes Kyra promise to stay strong during the long, dark winter, and wait for her return.
Just days before Corey is to return home to visit, Kyra dies. Corey is devastated―and confused. The entire Lost community speaks in hushed tones about the town’s lost daughter, saying her death was meant to be. And they push Corey away like she’s a stranger.
Corey knows something is wrong. With every hour, her suspicion grows. Lost is keeping secrets―chilling secrets. But piecing together the truth about what happened to her best friend may prove as difficult as lighting the sky in an Alaskan winter…
I can’t articulate how much I loved this book. The world. The dialect. The words. The characters. It was heartbreakingly sad, but beautiful.There is so much beauty to be found within these pages. Wisps of hope, faith and reminders of why this life is so beautiful.
Mental illness serves as both a protagonist and a villain in the story. As it does in life. It doesn’t define us, it just simply is there as a part of us.
Alaska is a stunning setting for this world. The metaphors that exist within a world of extremes – light and dark are perfect.
I cannot recommend this book enough.
Lisa Loves Words 