I Let You Go

I Let You Go by Clare Mackintosh
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Due to the subject matter--the death of a 5-year-old boy--I was wary of reading this book. But I kept hearing such amazing things about it that I decided to go ahead and give it a try. Although the first few chapters were emotionally hard to get though, I continued reading, and I am very glad that I did; I finished this book in one day.
Jenna leaves Bristol after the death of Jacob in a hit and run accident and finds herself in Wales, trying to escape her grief, her past, and what she sees as her guilt in Jacob's death. When her past literally catches up with her she is forced to come to terms with what her decisions and actions have brought about.
I heard a lot about the twist in this book, and must admit that I did not see it coming. I found myself saying, "Wait. That's not right... No... What?!?!" I went back and read the first half of the book again, and it just made it twist that much better. After that I had to keep reading to find out what happens to Jenna and how her past has created her present, not to mention what her future will hold. As a reader, I thought I understood the poignancy of the phrase "I let you go," throughout the first part of the book. But as I kept reading, I learned it also meant something entirely different.
The author's choice of narration and use of timeline help reinforce the tension in the book, and it is easy for the reader to identify with Jenna. One can feel the cold of the Welsh winds, smell the salt of the sea, and see the sun glinting off the sand.
My only issue with the book was the ending--it was just a touch too convenient and a little hard to believe. Also, the last several paragraphs were a little cliched. It certainly did not take away from my enjoyment of the book, however, and I will definitely recommend it. I Let You Go was an amazing read.


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