Planning to Live by Heather Wardell

I have been a big fan of Heather Wardell since her first book, and her latest novel cements my place as an admirer as both a reader and a writer. Planning to Live has a simple plot structure: Rhiannon, a thirty year old overweight perfectionist flees from her parent’s house on Christmas Day simply to avoid the temptations of food. But while driving on the icy roads, Rhiannon loses control of her car and slams into a tree. Trapped in her car, bleeding, and with no way to reach her phone to call for help, Rhiannon reflects on her life up until that moment. She thinks about her obsession with food, her relationship with her parents, the death of her first love. When hours go by and she is still not found, Rhiannon faces the reality that she may not get out of the accident alive. Her laptop is her last source of possible communication with her family and friends, and Rhiannon writes out her thoughts, hopes, and goals. While she thinks about her life, she realizes that it is the journey, not the destination that is so important. A motto for everyone to live by.

Even with a simple plot, girl stuck in car, this novel is powerful. While Rhiannon thinks about her life and the decisions she has made, I thought about my life and the decisions I had made. When Rhiannon realized it is the journey, not the destination, I thought of how true that statement is. And while the entire novel takes place in one night, with a few flashbacks along the way, I felt that I knew Rhiannon for years. I won’t give away the ending, and I won’t because I really want everyone to read this book.  I know it will be just as rewarding for you as it was for me. Thank you Heather for another great read!

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