The most brazen terrorist attack in history. A country bent on revenge. A love affair cut short. A heart that never truly heals.

I knew on the day of the attack that our lives were changed forever. What I didn’t know then was that I’d never see John again after he deployed. One day he was living with me, sleeping next to me, making plans with me. The next day he was gone.

That was five years ago. The world has moved on from that awful day, but I’m stuck in my own personal hell, waiting for a man who may be dead for all I know. At my sister’s wedding, I meet Eric, the brother of the groom, and my heart comes alive once again.

The world is riveted by the capture of the terrorist mastermind, brought down by U.S. Special Forces in a daring raid. Now I am trapped between hoping I’ll hear from John and fearing what’ll become of my new life with Eric if I do.

From a New York Times bestselling author, Five Years Gone, a standalone contemporary, is an epic story of love, honor, duty, unbearable choices and impossible dilemmas.

Five Years Gone by Marie Force is one of this rare books that reminds me why I love reading. This is a 5 star 💫 Top Pick for me.  The world Ms Force crafts will suck you in from the first words and the multiple POV’s will have you forgetting these characters are fictional.

Five Years Gone should be a major motion picture.

I wish I could just say read this book and you would…. but I know I have to find words to convey this literary genius without revealing too much about the story and it’s conclusion. So here goes….

Ava’s journey to happy was laced with emotions, ups and downs and set back all while the author made grief and longing tangible.  On that topic the use of grief and the swirling emotions around loss speak to the depth of this author’s talent.

Ms Force’s ability to create a world where world events and events the characters lives and secondary characters lives weave into this story as they impact all characters was literary genius. The terrorist attack, the use of it throughout the book, Eric’s parents, Miles’ loss and well so much more all comes together to create what feels like a moment in time of the lives of these real feel characters.

I adored Eric and his vulnerability and his unwavering support of Ava.  His love is never in question nor is his desire for her emotional well being.

John oh John……..how to relay my thoughts without a spoiler. Let’s just say John’s struggles are tangible.

This story is Ava’s journey to happy and the how she gets there is filled with high’s and low’s and support, support from friends and family and her therapist (I really like this element). As Ava gains her footing and voice the end of the book revealed a woman who knew what she wanted and how she wanted to be loved all while having the grace to be a friend in the darkest moments.

I was ecstatic to read that readers will get to read more in this world when Ms Force release One Year Home next year.  I do wish I didn’t have to wait until the summer of 2019 but that’s just because this story feels so real and I will miss them.

Please do not fret, Ava’s gets her happy in Five Years Gone. The next book, One Year Home, is about another character’s happy.

I was so touched as I read this book I went live on Shh Moms Reading Instagram Account. I saved the video and it is now on Shh Moms Reading IGTV channel.  Here is were my thoughts as I lived in the middle of this engrossing story.

Side Note: This was a big step for me, I think like  most of people, I don’t love myself on video but I pushed all of that down and found gratitude in my voice and spoke from the heart.

As the video mentioned I am not naming this segment as I will probably only do these when a book really moves me. But make sure to follow us Shh Moms Reading Instagram for when those books do some along.