Book Review: It Happens All the Time

By Melissa Amster

Ever since I picked up Safe With Me and found myself glued to the pages, I have been a fan of Amy Hatvany's writing. Even with my full TBR, I have managed to read all but two of her books so far. (I still plan to!) Having said that, I was eagerly awaiting her latest novel and devoured it in a short amount of time. Once again, she didn't disappoint!

"I want to rewind the clock, take back the night when the world shattered. I want to erase everything that went wrong."

Amber Bryant and Tyler Hicks have been best friends since they were teenagers—trusting and depending on each other through some of the darkest periods of their young lives. And while Amber has always felt that their relationship is strictly platonic, Tyler has long harbored the secret desire that they might one day become more than friends.

Returning home for the summer after her college graduation, Amber begins spending more time with Tyler than she has in years. Despite the fact that Amber is engaged to her college sweetheart, a flirtation begins to grow between them. One night, fueled by alcohol and concerns about whether she’s getting married too young, Amber kisses Tyler.

What happens next will change them forever.

In alternating points of view, It Happens All the Time examines the complexity of sexual dynamics between men and women and offers an incisive exploration of gender roles, expectations, and the ever-timely issue of consent. (Synopsis courtesy of Amazon.)

Hearing that this novel was personal to Amy Hatvany made the impact of the story even more powerful than it already was to begin with. I found it so interesting that she chose to write from two perspectives. Not only does she use them to build up to the situation at hand, but also to share their thoughts on the aftermath. This gives the story a Jodi Picoult feel, as some gray area begins to trickle in. The reader feels awful for what Amber went through, but then Tyler tries to plant that seed of doubt by also sharing what he thinks happened. He even makes the reader feel sorry for him, as well. (Yes, Amy is that incredible with her writing.)

I really have no complaints over this novel, but I would like to point out that it is not told in a linear fashion, so what happens is revealed before it actually occurs. Even so, there's an adrenaline kick during the build-up and when the actual situation happens. Both Amber and Tyler seem so genuine that it's hard to dislike either of them, while sometimes you'll also want to be mad at them in equal measures.

I do want to warn readers that there are triggers, in case they have ever been in an unwanted sexual situation of their own. I would be remiss to not give such a warning, as some parts do get intense and upsetting.

With It Happens All the Time, Amy has outdone herself once again and I am already awaiting her next novel.

Movie casting time!
Amber: Vanessa Marano 
Tyler: Max Thieriot 
Daniel: Justin Baldoni
Helen: Maura Tierney
Liz: Katherine LaNasa
Jason: Neal McDonough
Mason: Joe Manganiello

Thanks to Atria for the book in exchange for an honest review. Thanks to BookSparks for sharing a copy with one lucky reader!

How to win: Use Rafflecopter to enter the giveaway. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us. If you have trouble using Rafflecopter on our blog, enter the giveaway here. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Giveaway ends April 12th at midnight EST.