Surviving Regret by: Megan Smith (Review)

Title: Surviving Regret
Author: Megan Smith
Genre: New Adult/ Drama
Publisher: Indie
Release Date August 25th, 2016
My Rating: 5 Stars

Synopsis from goodreads.

One devastating night leaves friendships and relationships irrevocably changed.

Landon Hayes, an all-star wide receiver, is spiraling out of control after one shattering night that altered everything for him. He has one shining star left in his life but he knows he doesn’t deserve it.

Macy Thomas, a college sweetheart trying to find her way, is holding on to the boy who stole her heart. She’s stuck on the sidelines watching as he throws his life away though. The guilt is pulling him into the blackness threatening to take her and everything he has going for him along with it.

When the heartbreaking reality sets in, can Macy still be Landon’s guiding light or is the past too cloudy to help them find their way back to each other?

** This was previously released as Forever Light in October 2014. Surviving Regret has a new cover, has been fully reedited from cover to cover and over 20,000 words have been added.

My Review

**I received a copy of surviving Regret from the author through Sassy Savvy Fabulous PR in exchange for an honest review**

Surviving Regret is a story about how one bad decision can multiply into a web of regret, lies, and betrayal. A once unbreakable bond between six friends is shattered when a tragic accident takes place and a life is lost.

Landon Hayes is living his life in a haze and has been since the fateful night caused by bad decisions that in the long run led to his best friends death. Drugs and alcohol are the only thing that helps numb the pain and removes the screaming voices from his thoughts.

Macy Thomas was there that night. She witnessed everything as it was happening. She can’t get the images out of her mind. For three years Macy has watched Landon slowly spiral out of control and watches as he builds walls around his heart to block out everyone and everything.

Surviving Regret broke my heart. I can’t get over the fact that this novel felt so real. It was as if i was witnessing this tragic story unfold. watching Macy and Landon’s once strong bond unravel and turn into dust was heartbreaking. There were times i wanted to reach into my Kindle and strangle Landon for being such a dick. Then there were times i wanted to shake Macy for being Landon’s doormat. I realized though it takes strength and guts to stand by someone that doesn’t want anyone to stand next to them. It took a lot for Macy to stand next to Landon even through all the hurt he put her through she still stood tall knowing this wasn’t Landon but the guilt he had built up over the years talking.

I loved Cash. He was the shoulder for Macy to lean on even though he was dealing with the pain of that night. He focused on the pain and made good out of the situation by excelling himself to be great. To be a man his now deceased best friend would be proud of. He lived everyday for his friend knowing he was giving a chance at life and he wasn’t going to waste it.

I loved Surviving Regret even though at some points it was heartbreaking to read i felt like the message came across loud and clear.

Your actions have consequences and whether you try to fix the issue at hand or bury it deep down is on you. Only you can make things right in your life.

Now is where i get to my favorite part of the novel. As i stated above, i loved how real this novel felt. I loved the real life issues the characters had to face head on. This novel literally sent chills down my spine do to the realism.

My heart broke for Alexa when the tragic scene was unfolding and throughout the novel. I just wish she was mentioned a little more throughout the novel. I get why she wasn’t though because that led to the BAM moment that in the end forced the group of friends to reunite and face each other again.

Seriously, i feel like you all should read Surviving Regret. It  has a lot of angst and moments that will no doubt cause you to shed some tears but i wouldn’t change a single thing or a single emotion that it pried out of me. The realism of this novel will no doubt put you in a book hangover!

Peace, Love, and Happy Reading,

Alecia @ The Staircase Reader