One Moment by Kristina McBride Review

Title: One Moment
Author: Kristina McBride
Publisher: EgmontUSA
Publish Date: June 26, 2012
Genre: YA, Contemporary
Pages: 272
Source: Publisher

Maggie Reynolds remembers hanging out at the gorge with her closest friends after a blowout party the night before. She remembers climbing the trail hand in hand with her perfect boyfriend, Joey. She remembers that last kiss, soft, lingering, and meant to reassure her. So why can’t she remember what happened in the moment before they were supposed to dive? Why was she left cowering at the top of the cliff, while Joey floated in the water below—dead?

As Maggie’s memories return in snatches, nothing seems to make sense. Why was Joey acting so strangely at the party? Where did he go after taking her home? And if Joey was keeping these secrets, what else was he hiding?

Maggie's memory is scattered, to say the very least. The last time her memory and her psyche were whole, she was standing at the top of a cliff preparing to jump on a dare with her perfect boyfriend. She doesn't, however, remember why she remained on the cliff while Joey died that day. Trying to piece her fractured memories back together, Maggie must discover the truth of what happened that day, why Joey had changed and what left her at the top of the cliff while he died that day. Finding out the truth might just be more painful than losing her memory altogether though.

I remember the first time I saw this cover, I was immediately in love. There's something so serene about the title and cover that imply a sense of peace, but the synopsis promises a tumultuous journey to the truth and self-discovery. One Moment didn't disappoint in that respect, whatsoever. Kristina McBride's newest novel bares its heart on its sleeve, or the pages so to speak, giving the reader unique access into grief, coping and discovering a sense of peace and closure. Sweetly written, softly poetic and just a touch heartbreaking, One Moment doesn't skimp on the emotion and never fails to tug at your heartstrings.

First and foremost, I love the characterization within One Moment. Maggie is a complex character, in large part because of her broken memory. At the same time, however, I could always sense what was below the surface for her. Despite her confusion and her desperate need to discover the truth in that tragic day, her deep-seeded pain and grief always broke through. There was a genuine vulnerability to her, as well, that made it easier to relate to her situation and made me want to empathize with her further. I'll admit I thought it was going to be a bit more of a whodunit sort of thing, but uncovering the truths in that day was actually a bit more simplistic, as it was simply woven into and enmeshed in the story of six friends who've known one another their whole lives. The best part of One Moment for me was being able to grow through Maggie's journey, as well. Watching her heal and find peace definitely soothes the soul. I did, unfortunately, guess Joey's secret from the start, so the predictability threw me a bit, but when I overlook that detail, the story soared. It wasn't entirely riveting, having known some key details simply by guessing, but it was good, sweet and definitely powerful read.

Overall, I quite enjoyed One Moment despite the predictability. I think it's a strong addition to the YA market. I give it a 3.5 out of 5, and I definitely recommend it to all fans of YA, especially those who enjoy contemporary fiction.

I received this book free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.