This Is Not The End - Chandler Baker

Who do you choose when given the option to save your brother or one of your two best friends. With the deadline for your decision racing at you, who will you save, and who will you say goodbye to?

Lake is faced with this impossible decision. In the beginning her options seem to be narrowed down very quickly. Who in their right mind would choose their brother who since his accident has done nothing but push you away in every way humanly way possible. Alternatively, Lake's two best friends both have been stolen from her only a few weeks before her birthday, the one day she has to make her decision. Left with a seemingly impossible decision, who will Lake save? The further I got into this book, the more the author began to play with my mind. I originally was reading thinking there are only two choices, Penny her bestfriend, or Will her bestfriend/boyfriend. However, chapter by chapter, the deeper into this story I got, the correct choice slowly drifted farther from my grasp. Through the introduction of new yet old characters (you will know what I mean if you read the book), and the surfacing of some decision altering secrets, Lake's decision only becomes more difficult. How the story developed throughout the chapters left me with nothing but anticipation for what would come next.

Without spoiling the ending, but also to push you over the edge if you weren't already itching to read this book, here is one more reason you should go to your closest library and check out this book. You know that question that always gets presented at the beginning of any mystery/sci-fi movie/book? The "what if it was all fake or just a dream and that completely changes how you interpret everything". All I will say is this book constantly urges you to ask yourself that question and rethink everything you thought you knew or would decide if you were in Lake's position.

I would honestly give this piece a solid 4 out of 5. In small ways, this book could have hinted at the ending a little bit more, just to make the reader feel like the ending was earned properly. There are also a few other additions that may vary from reader to reader that I myself would have liked to see, but opinions are subjective.

Overall, 'This Is Not The End' has worked its way into my reread list. Maybe this is because I have a soft spot for the relatable stories that make it almost too easy to substitute yourself with the main character. On the other end, maybe this book was just so easy to be immersed in and constantly had me on the edge of my seat, eager for a resolution. If not already, I would highly recommend this book to anyone who is a connoisseur of romance, sci-fi, tear jerking, what would I do in this situation books/movies.

For now, that is all I have to say. I hope you enjoyed reading and were inspired to pick up this book and give it a read or listen if you're into audio books!