ARC Review: The Code of Us by Liv Evans

About the Book:

Title: The Code of Us

Author: Liv Evans

Page Length: 174

Publication Date: July 11, 2021

Synopsis: “Some things are worth breaking for…”

When Mia and Arden Drew are in a horrific car accident, the dreams they shared for their future balance on a precipice. As a talented neuropsychologist working for one of the world’s foremost experimental human research facilities, Mia uses the resources at her fingertips to save her husband’s life.

Mia’s grief-fuelled decision catapults her into the depths of a messy court case where her actions are subjected to intense public scrutiny. Her intentions, relationships, and career are put to the ultimate test as the people around her question how far she should have gone to save her husband, and whether he is still the man she fell in love with. Now, she must face the truth of what she’s done and try to piece together the shards of her shattered dreams, or risk losing her husband once and for all.

LINKS: Goodreads

My Review:

I read The Code of Us in one day and then spent several days thinking about it before I wrote this review. It’s the kind of book that you just want to sit with and reflect upon for a while before sharing your thoughts. It generated several conversations in my house because of its thought-provoking premise (plus I couldn’t stop talking about it), and I found myself thinking about it even after I moved on to other books. It is such a poignant and thought-provoking novel!

The story focuses on Mia and Arden, a married couple involved in an unprecedented court case that will change their already changed lives forever. After a tragic accident pushes Mia to use her work resources to save Arden’s life, Mia’s marriage, job, and morals are scrutinized as people question her desperate decisions and what happened to Arden. Did Mia make the right decision? Is Arden still the man she fell in love with? How will her decisions affect their relationship?

Mia is a fascinating protagonist, and I continually put myself in her shoes as I read. Even though I didn’t agree with everything she did, I totally understood her reasons. As I read the story, I kept thinking of the show WandaVision because Mia reminded me of Wanda (minus the powers). Like Wanda, Mia’s feelings are so deep and so fierce, and the thought of losing the love of her life is too much, especially after the loss she already suffered. Losing someone you love is the ultimate pain, and if I had the chance to save a loved one, I would certainly take it, regardless of the ethical dilemma it might put me in. I think Evans did a fantastic job of creating sympathetic, relatable, and dynamic compelling protagonists, especially Mia.

Even with all the lies and stretched truths my decisions have forced me to make over the past few months, I can’t bring myself to regret them, if they allow us precious moments like this.

Arden is also well-developed, and like Mia, he is faced with a difficult and complicated situation. He is an artist, and his beautifully described creations are great symbols throughout the story. The story really highlights his love for Mia. It is beautiful and profound, and their chemistry from the beginning is fantastic. Arden is so proud and supportive of Mia, and his unwavering love and desire for her is everything. I love the chapters that explore their relationship before the accident, as you can really tell how deeply he cares for his wife and she for him.

The chapters are not told chronologically and instead jump from past to present, giving the reader a well-rounded view of Mia and Arden’s relationship. And their relationship is wonderful – realistic and layered, the chapters offer snapshots of Arden and Mia’s love story before and after the accident. From their first meeting to their present encounters, their love for each other is deep, true, and complex, and it is as beautiful as it is heartbreaking. They face so many challenges, and when their love is put to the ultimate test, it’s interesting to see how their choices and actions change them and their relationship. They and their love story are deeply developed, and the non-sequential order of the story only highlights the strength of their bond throughout their time together.

I am the bright, burning flame and he is a moth. He can’t help but cast himself upon my searing intensity.

The story is a unique mix of science fiction, romance, and courtroom drama, all of which are interesting. I also like that there are several unexpected revelations throughout the story. This is not a predictable read, and I was surprised many times as I read, especially towards the end. Ultimately, The Code of Us is a love story that explores the lengths one is willing to go to save their soul mate, as well as the ramifications of those decisions. It’s the kind of book that you don’t want to put down until you reach the end because you become so invested in the characters and their stories.

Thought-provoking, deep, intriguing, and a little heartbreaking, The Code of Us is a story that I know I’ll think about for a long time. It’s the type of story that you feel compelled to discuss with other people, as it focuses on provocative topics that don’t seem too far from reality. I’m so thankful to Liv Evans for providing me with a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review, and I would recommend the story to readers who like speculative science fiction with a complex and unique love story.

Rating:

Favorite Parts:

The love story.

The thought-provoking premise.

The dynamic character development.

Favorite Lines:

This sculpture is more than just a pile of broken pottery. It is every woman I have ever known. Every person, for that matter. In my twenty-seven years, I am yet to meet a single person who has not been broken by life in some way. Who wasn’t forced to rebuild themselves from the pieces of some painful past. Sure, some were left with larger pieces to work with, and others had holes where they just could not fit any new patches, but it was all captured in the piece of art before me.

When the things you love can be ripped away from you in a heartbeat, letting yourself enjoy them means being vulnerable.

I have said it before, and I will say it a million more times if I need to, but there is nothing I love more in this world than kissing Arden.

It’s funny how so many people come out of the woodwork to pay their respects to the dead, when they couldn’t be bothered to stop by when the person was alive. Everyone gets so caught up in their own life that they forget to visit the people around them, until it is too late. Part of me wishes they weren’t here. Their sadness is nothing but a veneer, set in
place to veil morbid curiosity and a desire to assuage their own regrets

The worst pain isn’t the kind that stabs. It doesn’t have claws. It doesn’t scratch, or burn, or pulse. The worst pain is the kind you don’t feel, because you can’t.