Imagine releasing your biggest secret into the universe via a balloon, and that secret being found by a boy in France. This boy would later become youImagine releasing your biggest secret into the universe via a balloon, and that secret being found by a boy in France. This boy would later become your best friend, and you would fall in love with him. He would announce his impending marriage, and your world will begin to crumble. But maybe something even better would emerge from the rubble.
My heart was breaking for Emmie right there in chapter one. I got emotional and choked up just imagining having to stand by and watch the man I love marry someone else, while being completely oblivious to my feelings.
So, yeah, mission accomplished Lia Louis. You broke my heart in chapter one. NOW WHAT! Let me tell you, what happens over the course of the rest of the book really makes up for the pain I endured. The author created this character, who I couldn't help but embrace. She had suffered so much, but she never gave up. She withstood her less than ideal family situation, but still believed she could find love. She pushed on despite a rather scarring event in high school. She continued to show kindness to others, even when she was treated thoughtlessly. For all these reasons, I loved Emmie, and I was cheering her on and hoping she could see things in a different way, because she deserved happiness and all her heart's desires.
I have to say, her relationship with Lucas was up and down for me, and overall, quite frustrating. Their lives had been intertwined for so long, but I felt like she viewed him through rose-colored glasses. He wasn't the worst, but he also wasn't worthy of the pedestal she put him upon.
And then there was Elliot, Lucas' brother. He wasn't so easy to read, but I was happy to see him rekindling his friendship with Emmie. They had a falling out in their teens and had been estranged for many years. It was nice to see them getting to know each other as grown ups, and I actually grew to really like Elliot as the story played on.
I had talked about up-lit a while back, and I would say, this book falls into that category. My heart kept breaking over and over again as I read this story until it didn't. These little wonderful moments kept popping up, and I could see Emmie's story taking a turn for the better. And obviously, I started crying again, but these were the good tears, the happy tears.
Emmie had a bit of an uphill journey, but I was so proud of all the progress she made. I adored this lovely, charming, and heartwarming story, because it left me with a whole lotta sunshine in my heart.
What an incredible story! Annabelle may have set out to runaway from her pain and guilt, and "the taker", but somewhere along the way, she was able toWhat an incredible story! Annabelle may have set out to runaway from her pain and guilt, and "the taker", but somewhere along the way, she was able to reclaim some of what he stole from her. This book had some difficult parts, but I found it ultimately encouraging.
I have always heard so much about Melina Marchetta's books, and after loving Saving Francesca, I was ready for more. This is one of her books, that haI have always heard so much about Melina Marchetta's books, and after loving Saving Francesca, I was ready for more. This is one of her books, that has been heaped with praise, so I thought it would be a great next book.
I must say, the book was a journey, for both me and the characters. I went from "this is weird" to "what the heck is happening" to "THIS IS AMAZING!".
There was this beautiful story of connection, forgiveness, love, and friendship wrapped up in a mystery. Taylor had been abandoned on Jellicoe Road at age eleven, and more or less, cared for by Hannah, whose disappearance set the whole story in motion. In her search, Taylor found Hannah's manuscript, and though it seemed random at the time, she was soon able to draw parallels between the fictional lives of the characters and her own.
At the same time, Taylor was leading her team in the annual boundary battle between her school, the townies, and the cadets. Alliances formed, and grew into something quite wonderful. These unlikely friendships brought me so much happiness, and it meant a lot to me, that Taylor found her people.
As Taylor found more and more clues in her search for Hannah, I watched all the pieces fall into place, and then, all the feels were unleashed on me. Once it started, I couldn't stop the avalanche of emotions that began filling me up. There were lots of tears as it all became clearer, but there was a lot of joy in there too.
I had to be patient, and let Marchetta lay the foundation for this wonderful tale. And, let me tell you, I was rewarded ten-fold as all the seemingly separate threads began to weave themselves together. To quote The Dead, "what a long strange trip it's been", and it's one I don't regret taking.
Sloan was drowning in her grief, and then, a dog jumped through her sunroof. She tracked down the dog's owner, and found herself surprised by how muchSloan was drowning in her grief, and then, a dog jumped through her sunroof. She tracked down the dog's owner, and found herself surprised by how much she enjoyed talking and texting with him. This could be the start of something wonderful, but would Sloan be able to open her heart to the possibility of love?
I met Sloan in The Friend Zone, WHICH I LOVED!!!! And, it was her storyline, which left me a sobbing hot mess. I cannot express to you, how grateful I am that Abby Jimenez continued Sloan's story. I have tears running down my cheeks just thinking about how heartbreaking her loss was. Needless to say, there were some tough, emotional parts in this book as well. Sloan had to work though her loss, and learn how to live with that hole in her heart. It was sad, but beautiful, and I really appreciated that her grief was part of this story too.
BUT, it was just that - part of the story. The rest of the book was filled with fun, romance, friendship, and a lovable dog. I smiled, laughed, swooned, and cheered, and I swore my heart was going to explode from all the quality goodness I was experiencing.
The Dog
Dog lovers, be prepared to meet and fall in love with Tucker. He was this big ball of love, and I couldn't get enough of him. The fact, that he brought Sloan out of a deep depression, and let her find love again, made this dog top notch in my book. I also adored how Jimenez featured him in the story. He just fit so well, and I got excited every time he appeared on page.
The Friendship
Sloan is the best friend of Kristen, the heroine from The Friend Zone. Therefore, I was happy to see so much of Kristen in this book, because their friendship was something celebrated in the previous book, and it was fantastic to see it still growing strong. These two shared many touching moments in here, as well, and I found myself jealous of their bond. Can I just say, Jimenez made me beyond happy with that ending, which really showed the importance of Kristen and Sloan in each other's lives.
The Romance
Maybe it's me, but there is something so special about a relationship that starts before the couple ever set eyes on each other. It's built on falling for their mind, their heart, their inner beauty, and not their outer beauty. Watching Sloan and Jason grow closer and closer with every text and phone call had me all sorts of happy, and I couldn't wait to see it take off.
Sloan was still struggling with her grief, and taking those steps towards a relationship with another man was very difficult for her. Jason's patience and willingness to move at her pace was very sweet, and just made me love him more. There are some ups and downs later in the story, but they all prepared these two for something so special, that I thought it was worth the pain.
There were a million other things to love about this book, but I think I loved it most for the way it made me feel. I ached a bit, but I also felt such a tremendous amount of joy and happiness as I read this story. It's that experience, which made this book special to me.
This book! Seriously, it was a feelsplosion! I suspected I needed to buckle up, when I read the dedication, and started getting all emotional. It was This book! Seriously, it was a feelsplosion! I suspected I needed to buckle up, when I read the dedication, and started getting all emotional. It was touching and beautiful, and I am so grateful I got to spend a year with Cass as she filled in some of her missing pieces.
• Pro: The format of this book was a win. I loved alternating between Cass in present time and her birth mother in the past. I always like, when I know part of the story, and slowly learn the rest. I like the build and anticipation, and Hand did an amazing job bridging the past and the present in this book.
• Pro: Cass's parents were phenomenal. Their love and affection was unquestionable, and there were so many hankie moments with these two. I loved them to pieces.
• Pro: It was interesting seeing an adoption from multiple points of view. Not only did I learn about Cass and her birth mother's experience, I also got to hear from her parents, and even her best friend, Nyla, whose circumstances were quite different.
• Pro: Though I keep talking about all the crying I was doing, there were a lot of happy, fun, and joyful moments in this book too. There, of course, was Cass's search for her birth mother, but she was also a teen visiting colleges, starring in the school play, and maybe falling in love. Hand deftly blended these elements to produce something really special.
• Pro: I loved how Hand kept me on my toes throughout the story. I was collecting pieces, left and right, and had quite a few amazing AHA! moments.
• Pro: The ending! The ending! The ending! I was crying and clapping, and it was just perfection.
Overall: This book held me in its grip from beginning to end, while burrowing its way into my heart. It was simply stupendous!
One more year. Muir just had to keep her head down for one more year, and then, freedom. What Muir wasn't planning on was being placed with Francine, One more year. Muir just had to keep her head down for one more year, and then, freedom. What Muir wasn't planning on was being placed with Francine, or meeting Kira, or finding Sean. Attachments were never part of the plan, and now she must decide what her next steps will be.
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Seriously! My heart just kept exploding, over and over, as I read this beautiful book. And, then when I read Longo's note at the end of the book, I was a hot mess of happy tears. I believe you should just read this book so you can feel all the feels, but I am going to share some other reasons why I loved it so much.
1. John Muir - You may have noticed the interesting spelling of Muiriel's name. The spelling is a nod to the naturalist, John Muir. Muiriel was very dedicated to John Muir's teachings, and cited him often when explaining her own beliefs and lifestyle choices. I loved the way Longo wove Muir into this story. It was fascinating and enlightening.
2. Environmental Ethics - One of the things that Sean and Muiriel bonded over was their shared love of the environment. However, they had different idols, with very different philosophies. I enjoyed the arguments they got into, and loved how they challenged the established record and ideas of each naturalist. Between their discussions and getting to spend time at the wilderness camp, I learned a lot of new things.
3. The Foster Care System - Longo is personally acquainted with the foster care system having served as a foster parent, and included a lot of information about the system in this story. It was also easy to see, that she considered being a foster parent a special privilege, and it shows in this story. Her thoughts come through in the most wonderful ways via Francine, Muir's foster mother, while we learn a lot of the stigmas associated with being a foster child from Muir.
4. Found Family - I am trash for found family, and Muir lucked into a stupendous bunch of people. I already mentioned how Sean and Muir was tailor-made for each other, and how Francine was simply one of the best people ever! Then, there was Kira, who would become Muir's "person". I loved them all so much, and wait until you learn how Kira and Francine are linked. It's top-notch hankie sort of stuff. I found myself rooting for these three to break Muir, because I wanted her hard shell to crack. I wanted her to let people love her, to let people in, and I believed these were the right people for her.
5. Terry Johnson - Terry Johnson was Francine's dog, and I fell in love with him. First of all, he was always address by his full name, which never failed to make me smile. He also was a great source of joy for so many, especially Muir, and obviously, I fell in love with him too.
6. The Things She Carried - Muir had a bag of items she ferried from placement to placement. Many of the items were small, and represented significant memories. Throughout the story, Muir digs these items out of the bag, and flashes back on the memory it holds. These were very telling moments, and many cracked my heart in half. I thought it was a fantastic way to help me, the reader, connect with and understand Muir on a deeper level.
This was one of those books, which I feel I cannot fully explain my love for. All I know is that it made me so, so happy, and filled me with all sorts of joy. It was a such a beautiful story, and I just want everyone to experience it.
Aven Green is now a member of my favorite literary character list. I just love everything about her. My heart went out to her as waded her way throughAven Green is now a member of my favorite literary character list. I just love everything about her. My heart went out to her as waded her way through the cesspool that is high school. She still had Zion by her side, and also gained an ally in his brother, Lando. Bowling hit me in the feels, over and over again as I read this book. The family, the friendship, the little touch of puppy love - it all hit me in the feels in the best way. This duology was stunning, and showed how we all have it in us to be strong, decent, and good people.
It had been three years since Lily watched her husband die, and though she was better, her grief still cast a shadow over her. As parRating: 4.5 Stars
It had been three years since Lily watched her husband die, and though she was better, her grief still cast a shadow over her. As part of a work assignment, Lily had to attend a gardening class, and new life sprouted both in the garden and in Lily.
My love for Waxman's books is unending. She is a solid member of my list of authors, who never fail to bring me joy. I have now read four books by this author, and every one of them was relatable and full of humor, warmth, and heart.
Lilian was a woman, who had to rebuild her life after suffering a mental breakdown in the wake of her husband's death. With support from her sister, she was able to regain some stability, but it was evident, that she never really got past his death. Though the story was filled with tons fun and wit, it was accompanied by some really tender and beautiful moments shared between Lilian and her girls, as well as between Lily and her sister. Waxman had me laughing one minute, and near tears the next, because I could feel Lilian's pain and loss.
Lilian was definitely the star of this book, but Waxman assembled an outstanding supporting cast. Her sister was phenomenal. Rachel was a pillar of support for her sister. Not only did she assume responsibility for her young nieces, when their mother was recovering, but she continued to be there for Lilian, and wasn't afraid to give her a push in the right direction.
There was also Lilian's garden family. What. A. Crew. Each person in this group was so special, and I loved the way they formed such an incredible found-family. I had such an amazing time with them in the garden, and liked seeing their friendship grow outside of the garden. There were some unexpected connections among that group, and it just warmed my heart seeing them mesh, and fill out each other's lives.
And, don't forget the girls. Lilian had one daughter, who remembered bits about her father, and another, who was too young to remember much. Though most of the time, these two were just balls of adorableness, there were these moments, where they reflected on the loss of their father, and cracked me in two. I don't think Lilian fully realized the impact her husband's death had on her daughter's, and the older one, in particular, really opened up the conversation. Some really special moments.
There was a touch of romance in this book, as well. It's a very small part of Lilian's story, but an important part. She was shocked to find herself attracted to someone, who was not her husband, and grappled with many emotions associated with this part of moving forward. I have to say, Waxman crafted a lovely man to be the first to creep his way into Lilian's heart. He was kind, sweet, intelligent, and good with the girls. I absolutely adored Edward, and found myself cheering for these two the whole time.
This book was near perfect for me. By the end, I knew Lilian had made some headway with her grief, but I must admit, I would have liked to have seen a bit further past the ending. Nonetheless, I found this story funny, witty, sometimes wise, and so heartfelt.
Seven years ago, Chelsea had to abandon her post-college year abroad as her mother's health took a turn for the worse. It was then that she left behinSeven years ago, Chelsea had to abandon her post-college year abroad as her mother's health took a turn for the worse. It was then that she left behind the free-spirit she once was. When her father announced his upcoming nuptials, she began to realize that since her mother's death, her life had been at a standstill. In an effort to find the fun and fancy free woman she once was, she booked a trip to recreate her European adventure. Though things didn't go quite according to plan, Chelsea rediscovered herself and so much more.
This book had me experiencing every imaginable feeling, and I just couldn't get enough of it. It was comical and warm and sweet and swoony. I laughed, I cried, I yelled at the book, but most of all, I smiled.
EUROPEAN TRAVELS
It's always fantastic taking a trip via a book, but this was even more fun for me given the fact that we really haven't been able to go anywhere for so long due to the corona virus. McKinlay did a wonderful job taking me back to Ireland and France, and bringing me to Italy for the first time. She incorporated popular attractions, activities, and food, and I felt like I was there with Chelsea.
THE EXES
Each stop on Chelsea's tour brought with it an ex-boyfriend, aka the one she left behind. I loved meeting these men from her past, well most of them at least. Each reunion was quite humorous and filled with great anticipation for me wondering if he would be the "one". But it was those moments of reflection she experienced which I really appreciated, and it was great to see Chelsea discovering so much about herself as she reconnected with her past.
THE PERSONAL JOURNEY
Chelsea embarked on this trip because she was stuck. After her mother's death, she buried herself in her work. She never really grieved properly, and this trip ended up being an outlet for her. It was in Europe, seven years later, that she finally confronted her pain and let herself come to terms with the profound loss she had suffered. I would say it was equal parts heartwarming and heartbreaking.
THE CO-WORKER
One source of comfort came from a very unlikely source. While Chelsea was in Europe finding herself, her co-worker and nemesis, Jason, sought her help with their latest donor. Needless to say, she didn't expect him to intrude on her trip, but I was so glad he did. I loved their interactions! All of them were so much fun, involving witty banter and lots of heat. Watching both Chelsea and Jason slowly putting down their weapons and removing their armor was so satisfying for me.
OVERALL
I had an incredible time reading this book. I loved the characters, the settings, the antics, and the romance. McKinlay did an incredible job taking me on this journey and it was wonderful to see Chelsea rediscover herself and reclaim her life.
Four years ago, Norah's life came to a standstill. She was once a "normal girl". She went to school, and had friends, but that was then. Now, h[image]
Four years ago, Norah's life came to a standstill. She was once a "normal girl". She went to school, and had friends, but that was then. Now, her life was ruled by her fears and her OCD, and her only friend was her mother. Enter Luke, handsome, kind, and wonderful, Luke. The boy next door, and a person, who has the patience to see the funny and witty young woman, who is more than her illness.
I know what you're thinking! You think this is the boy-cures-her kind of book, but it isn't. UNDER ROSE-TAINTED SKIES is a wonderful examination of what it's like to live with mental illness, and a good reminder that people are more than their diagnoses.
I absolutely loved this book! It was so good, that I simply swallowed it whole. From the very first page, I was #TeamNorah. There was just something so magnetic about her, which took hold of me and didn't let go. First of all, I loved her sense of humor. Her observations and musings often had me laughing, and there were these moments, where the grip of her OCD loosened up, and she was just funny. Since the story was told exclusively from her point of view, I got to bear witness to all of Norah's thoughts, good and bad. Seeing these intimate pieces of her, made me want her to win those battles, big and small. I was rooting for her, and celebrating her successes, no matter what they were.
I also adored her relationship with her mom. It had pretty much been just the two of them against the world, and they had a rather beautiful relationship. You could tell, that Norah's illness was tough on her mom, but the woman loved her unconditionally, and made any and all sacrifices without complaint.
Luke was such a wonderful part of this story, too. I didn't only love him, because I adore a good romance, but I loved the way he saw past the illness. He accepted Norah whole, including all her limitations and boundaries, and he didn't try to change her. He was patient and kind, and just the sweetest unicorn of a boy.
I have read some rumblings about the ending, but I don't quite understand why. There is no "I'm cured!" moment, or anything like that. I had no problem thinking it was plausible given my experience with agoraphobics and those with OCD, and also the fact that this is an OwnVoices novel. I actually thought the exploration of mental illness was really well done.
Regardless, I found this to be quite an lovely and uplifting read. It was about facing those challenges, that life throws at you, digging deep to find the strength that you always possessed, and it left me in a state of utter happiness.
Parker was practically perfect in every way. Straight As, top of her class, cheer captain, and dating the most popular boy in school - she appeared toParker was practically perfect in every way. Straight As, top of her class, cheer captain, and dating the most popular boy in school - she appeared to have it all. But, that was before the party, before what happened.
I put this book on my TBR, because I was so impressed with Sadie, and vowed to read Summers' backlist. Not only did I like this book, I LOVED this book.
Summers wrote a foreword about how Parker was this unlikable character, but I didn't find her unlikable. Yes, she did many things I did not like, but it was easy to see that this was a young woman having some sort of crisis. She was intentionally alienating any and all people, who cared for her, and she was sabotaging herself, left and right. The whole time I kept wondering WHY? Why was she pushing people away? Why did she break up with a boy, who obviously still loved her? Why wouldn't she let herself enjoy anything? Why was she setting fire to her life?
Well, that answer was slowly revealed to me, and it was heartbreaking. I knew she was dealing with an immense amount of guilt about what transpired, because I did get to spend time in her head. That time was well used by Summers, because it was one of the main reasons why I didn't hate Parker. Those glimpses into her thoughts showed me that she still wanted to live and succeed, and she still cared about things, even if her outward actions didn't reflect those desires. I also saw flashes of her good nature and humor, and though brief, they made me care for her.
I also ached for Parker. Her pain was palpable, and it was easy to see through the mask of indifference she wore. But, she was fortunate to be surrounded by some people, who didn't give up on her. The most surprising of her supporters was her ex-boyfriend, Chris, who she had abruptly broken up with. She pushed him away, time and time again, and he kept coming back for more. Even when she sent another girl to fill the void she left in his life, he still was there for her. I found their relationship odd, but comforting.
I lost myself in Parker's problems, and was fully invested in her working through them. This book was emotional, but had many beautiful and even lighthearted moments, and I was glad that it ended on a hopeful note. I enjoyed these characters so much, and would love a follow up with them. It would be a treat to see how things worked out for Parker, but until then, I can rest easy with the ending Summers gave her.
Sal was kind and sweet, and Pip never believed that he could kill Andie. Therefore, she set out to prove his innocence, but as she dug deeper and deepSal was kind and sweet, and Pip never believed that he could kill Andie. Therefore, she set out to prove his innocence, but as she dug deeper and deeper, she got closer and closer to not only exonerating Sal, but discovering the true killer's identity. The closer she got, the more dangerous it became. Would she uncover the killer or would she become his next victim?
It's been a while since I read a good YA mystery, and this, my friends, was a great YA mystery. It had twists and turns galore, and I loved the way Jackson laid out the story for me. It gripped me from page one, and kept me fully engrossed until the very end. I was eager gather clues, and found myself asking question after question, as we got deeper into the case.
The actual telling of this story was fantastic. There was the regular narrative, but there were also transcribed interviews, graphics, news clippings, and journal entries. Pip's journal entries were particularly impactful for me, because they let me into her head as she puzzled through all the pieces she was picking up as she searched for the truth, and I liked being led through her process.
There was lots of sleuthing, subterfuge, and even some precarious situations along the way, but peppered throughout were some really average teen moments, which is why I think this book was so successful for me. Yes, there was a clear focus on the mystery at hand, but I liked getting to know Pip, Pip's family and friends. I was a fan of the connection she made with Ravi, Sal's younger brother, and this allowed me to see Pip as a whole person.
Jackson did a great job scattering the clues. Leading me down this path and that path until the killer's identity was fully revealed. I wouldn't say I saw it coming. I suspected certain parts of it, but not all of it, and I love when an author can keep me guessing.
This was a wild ride, and I was glad I got to take it with such a character as amazing as Pip. I found this to be a stupendous debut, and I am really looking forward to catching up with Pip and Ravi in the sequel.
Though her reasoning was solid, Liv should not have thrown that punch, or as she liked to call it, "the punch heard round the world." She acted impulsThough her reasoning was solid, Liv should not have thrown that punch, or as she liked to call it, "the punch heard round the world." She acted impulsively, and now, she might have lost everything. But, she had a plan. She was going to prove, that she could be a leader, a teammate, and someone who could be relied on. With the help of the current QB, and support from some likely and unlikely sources, Liv was ready to set her plan in motion.
This was pretty much love at first page for me. Henning immediately immersed me in Liv's world, and her head, giving me keen insight into who this young woman was. I knew right then and there, that I was #TeamLiv. Throughout the story, I saw how dedicated Liv was to so many things. She sacrificed for her team and family, and she constantly pushed herself to her physical and mental limits. Drive and determination are things I admire about many elite level athletes, and Liv had a seemingly limitless supply of both.
Aside from Liv, there were many other things I loved about this story, but three stood out: sports, family and friends, and romance.
I have a unending love for sports books. Oddly enough, as a non-sporty-sport, I get frustrated, when the book features no actual sports play. That was not a problem with Throw Like a Girl. Not only did I get to attend some championship softball games, I also got to monitor Liv's progress via her grueling workouts, and catch some of her football games. I read Henning's bio, and was not surprised to discover, that she was a sportswriter, because she did an incredible job bringing me into the action and excitement of a game, the pain and suffering of injury, and the agony of defeat.
However, I am not sure Liv would have survived her season as QB without the love and support of her family, friends, and community. Liv really did have a wonderful family, and though they were dealing with a LOT, and maybe didn't have as much as they needed in terms of material things, they had so much love, and this was evident throughout the story. Sharing moments with Liv and her brother, as well as with her whole family, brought me so much joy. These were some very special moments, and I am glad Henning gave them to me. Liv also had a stellar best friend, and the support of her teammates. I was glad Henning didn't go the sexist route, and have the team resist her as QB. It was actually refreshing to see a female in a male dominated sport being respected for her skill, instead of opposed because of her sex.
And, the romance. Grey was a great and swoon-worthy love interest for Liv. They were such a power couple, and I really enjoyed watching their friendship blossom. I wouldn't say I was a fan of some of the drama encountered by these two, but I did like the pairing, and watching them grow and change together was fantastic for me.
Overall: This was the feel-good story I was looking for. I wholeheartedly rooted for Liv, as she fought for the the people and things she loved, while also finding her way back to herself. Henning delivered the perfect balance of drama, romance, and sports, which left me feeling like I, myself, had won a championship.
Katherine Center may make me a lover of women's fiction. I immediately ran out to get my hands on this book after being blown away byRating: 4.5 Stars
Katherine Center may make me a lover of women's fiction. I immediately ran out to get my hands on this book after being blown away by Things You Save in a Fire, and once again, she told me a story that messed with each and every one of my emotions.
She really made me reflect on how I would feel, if my whole life was changed in a heartbeat. Margaret was facing a future, which was drastically different from what she had planned, and Center took me through her ups and downs, which were understandable, but I was so proud of every step she took towards learning to navigate her way through this new life.
Margret was fortunate to have family rally around her. Her parents were pretty wonderful. Her mom's approach wasn't always perfect, but she meant well. But, I really adored her sister, Kitty. She hadn't seen her sister in three years, and Margaret was angry with her, but Kitty slowly worked her way back into Margaret's life, and it was really heartwarming to see them renew their bond.
Center really knows how to blend the happy with the sad, when to give us those light hearted moments, and when to bring on the pain. I absolutely loved every second of this, and have now added Center to my list of auto-reads.
Now that I have collected myself, I must say, that was spectacular.
As I first began reading Things You Save in a Fire, I immediately fell in l[image]
Now that I have collected myself, I must say, that was spectacular.
As I first began reading Things You Save in a Fire, I immediately fell in love with this buttoned up, serious, driven woman. She was strong and amazing, and when the Rookie referred to her as a superhero, I couldn't disagree with him, but I knew there was more below that neat and tidy surface.
Cassie had been stuffing down her pain of betrayal and abandonment for a decade, but when her mother's request for live-in assistance came right around the same time Cassie was dealing with a bit of a situation at work, she moved across the country, and the wall she had built around her heart began to falter.
She found herself not only attracted to, but also interested in a man. She found herself wanting to spend time with her mother and sharing her feelings. She found herself embracing forgiveness and letting herself enjoy life again. It was beautiful watching her come alive, and I was rooting for her to only enjoy successes as she attempted to love more and live more.
But, at about the 70% mark, I found myself in a constant fit of tears. I was either crying because it was painful or crying because it was wonderful. Whatever the case, there were tears, many tears. There was also a lot of happiness, hope, love, and peace. And, I am telling you right now, that was one of the BEST epilogues I have read in a really long time. It was a special blend of beauty and pain, but so, so wonderful.
Things You Save in a Fire broke my heart at times, but mostly, it filled me with hope and joy, and it served as a reminder of how precious life and the people we care about can be. This story was about love and forgiveness and making every moment matter, and I am so glad I had the chance to read it.
At first, I was won over by the humor. I audibly laughed so many times, and laughing is one of my favoritI absolutely loved EVERY second of this book!
At first, I was won over by the humor. I audibly laughed so many times, and laughing is one of my favorite pastimes. Then, the romance took a hold of me, and I was swooning and smiling and just enjoying watching Evvie finally know what it's like to be properly loved by someone. And, finally there was all the deep emotional stuff. Some of it was really painful, but I was so proud of Evvie and the way she finally conquered her past and starting making her future.
It wasn't easy being the introvert of the family, but Mary was happy to live her life within the pages of her favorite 19th-century books. However, whIt wasn't easy being the introvert of the family, but Mary was happy to live her life within the pages of her favorite 19th-century books. However, when she is forced to switch schools, she finds herself shunned by her former friend. She is lucky enough to find a trio of young women, who appreciate Mary's bookish leanings, but will she be able to fully navigate high school, her new friendships, and a maybe romance by the book?
In a word, this book was DELIGHTFUL! It put a smile on my face from the very first page, which never faded.
Mary captured my heart from our very first meeting. I can totally relate to being undone by any life change, big or small, but having to start over in a new school sophomore year is far from easy. To make it worse, her frienemy from her previous school decides to "unburden" herself, and cuts Mary loose. So, obviously my heart broke for her, but I was also proud of the way she dusted herself off, and took a chance by talking to Terry, Lydia, and Arden. This trio became such an important part of Mary's being, and I simply adored the friendship they shared.
Arden was probably my favorite of the friends. She was personality plus, and I loved the enthusiasm she had for just about everything. The fact that she planned a "season" for Mary, for her high school coming out, endeared her even more to me, and I had a great time attending each "event" with this bunch.
I also loved Mary's family. She had this big, bookish family, which was chaotic and wonderful! Sellet did such a incredible job pulling us into the Porter-Malcolm home. I had such a fantastic time getting to know all Mary's siblings, and getting to see the dynamic in her family. Mary often pointed out how money was tight, but let me tell you, there was no shortage of love or attention. They sat down at dinner together almost every night, and actually talked to one another. They supported each others passions as well, by attending matches and plays. I also had a stupendous time at quiz night with the Get Lit team. By the end of the book, I was so enamored with them, that I was ready to claim my spot in the Porter-Malcolm family.
Alongside all the family fun and friendship antics was a charming romance. I guess you would call it hate-to-love, and it was precious. The banter between Mary and Alex was delectable, and I could not get enough of them. I was pleased that there was a lot more to Alex than met the eye, and was glad Mary was able to see it too.
This book kept me in a constant state of elation! The strong focus on family and friendship coupled with an absolutely adorable romance will always win me over. And, although I am not a big 19-century lit reader, I thought the references were so fun. I mean, WWJAD - What Would Jane Austen Do? FANTASTIC!
For me, there were no flaws in this book. The story was fun and sweet, and it filled me up with so much mirth. This was a lovely and enchanting read, and I hope Sellet has a LOT more stories like this coming our way.
Layla entered her life at time when Cleo really needed her, and now, as her family was falling apart, she was gone. Once she was Cleo's everything, buLayla entered her life at time when Cleo really needed her, and now, as her family was falling apart, she was gone. Once she was Cleo's everything, but now, they were veritable strangers.
I am so happy to be seeing more and more of these friend breakup stories. I bet many people have experienced a painful end to what they thought was a lifelong relationship, and therefore, many will be able to relate to what Cleo was going through. In fact, my heart ached, often, as I read this book, because I have been there, and it wasn't any easier watching it happen to someone else.
Cleo was this "old soul", who I instantly loved. She adored The Bard, and was often found listening to classic jazz due to the influence of her beloved grandmother. Cleo was happy living in her bubble with Layla, but unfortunately, Layla was changing, and wanted to expand her social circle. This was a case of two people growing apart, and though there's no crime in that, both Layla and Cleo committed quite a few missteps, until their friendship reached a rather irreparable point.
I loved the way Woodfolk took me back and forth, between the past and the present. I watched as, bit by bit, this once solid friendship unraveled until the bond was lost forever. Present Cleo spent a lot of time reflecting on what had happened, and what she did wrong, as she tried to rebuild her life without Layla. I felt like I was going through the stages of grief with her, which seemed really appropriate, as the death of a friendship can be such a profound loss for many.
I found myself more sympathetic towards Cleo, since I was always the one left behind, but I also understood Layla's need to stretch her wings. Needless to say, Cleo's loss was deep, but it also led to some wonderful new things for her.
Without Layla to rely on, Cleo began forming new friendships. She found people, who shared her passions, and appreciated her view of the world. She began to push herself, to put herself out there, working in the diner, and even finding some romance. This was not a smooth journey for Cleo. She was wounded and gun-shy. She was struggling with trusting and understanding why these people would want to be her friend. It was parts like these that pained me, but I understood her need for self preservation.
I read another friend breakup story, not too long ago, and I feel like Woodfolk's was more successful for me, because of the amount of time spent on the post mortem part of the relationship. It was also more hopeful, and acknowledged that, though, a relationship had ended, it could still be an important part of your life.
Overall: A relatable story of the demise of a relationship, which was painfully honest, but hopeful.
Michigan was so excited for this season. She was finally going to be leading her hockey team along side her best friend, Brie, but her dreams were cruMichigan was so excited for this season. She was finally going to be leading her hockey team along side her best friend, Brie, but her dreams were crushed, when the girls' team was disbanded due to budget cuts. As each of her teammates explored new opportunities, Michigan was not ready to give up her hockey dreams. After a successful try-out, she was awarded a spot on the boys' team, but it seemed this group of young men weren't willing to share the ice with a strong female player. They planned to torment Michigan until she quit the team, but that was one plan she would not be going along with.
I think my love of sports books is well-known. These books never fail to get my adrenaline pumping and my spirit soaring, but this story made all that happen for very different reasons. There was the euphoria I felt as this young woman boldly attempted to go where she was at a disadvantage, the pride I felt as I watched her succeed, and then there was the fury I experienced seeing her "teammates" harass, abuse, debase, and assault her. Let's just say, I experienced a lot of emotions as I read Michigan's story, but I was so engrossed and involved and regret not one second of it.
I was a Michigan fan from the very beginning. Here was this young woman, who just wanted to play the sport she loved. She was willing to put in the blood, sweat, and tears, and seeing all her accomplishments on the ice just filled my heart with joy. I didn't only experience her highs, though. Allen did a magnificent job depicting her isolation, inner struggle, and self-doubt as well.
The hardest parts were when her own team waged a war against her. My heart ached as I watched her tormented by the so-called leaders of her team. They started small, but it escalated quickly. And, yes, I was yelling things like, "Your dad is a cop!", and "Tell SOMEONE!", but Michigan was determined to stick it out. The way she reasoned with herself as to why she shouldn't tell followed that oh, so familiar teen logic. I may not have agreed with her, but I sort of understood her reasoning, to some extent, and I felt it was realistic.
Michigan was sort of lucky though, because even when things looked really bad, she had some fantastic people on her side. The girls' team may have drifted a bit, but when push came to shove, they were there for her. The support her former teammates gave her was wonderful, and women supporting women will always score big points in my book.
I also was really grateful, that Allen included some positive male characters. First and Foremost, there was Jack, the star of the swim team, who encouraged Michigan to take that chance and try out for the boys' team. He was that wonderful unicorn kind of boy I cannot resist, and I simply adored him. I also had much love for Michigan's younger brother, Trenton. He was simply an amazing source of inspiration and strength for his sister. There were all these little things he did throughout the story, which summed up to a heck of a lot of support for her, especially when her belief in herself seemed to be waning. Michigan's also shared a lovely relationship with her dad, and it was fantastic to see a grown man displaying the sorts of emotions he did with his daughter.
Not to worry, though, because this story ended on a high note for me, which made up for all my pain and anguish throughout this story.
Though I am sad, that in 2019, stories like this are still relevant, I was appreciative of the way Allen told this tale and handled the issues.
Overall:
A wonderfully told story of one girl's battle with the toxic norms and double standards plaguing society, as she fought to attain her dream.
Sorry For Your Loss was such an exquisite portrait of a family caught in the throes of grief. The emotions, at times, Wow! All I have to say is [image]
Sorry For Your Loss was such an exquisite portrait of a family caught in the throes of grief. The emotions, at times, were so palpable, I actually found myself rubbing my chest, because my heart physically ached.
Pup, my dear sweet Pup. As the youngest of the Flanagan clan, he was often overlooked. You had the sister moms, his older sisters, who were so much older than him, they never even lived under the same roof. And, then there was the second wave of kids - Annemarie, Patrick, and Luke. Though Pup enjoyed a closer bond with his three younger siblings, there was only one, who really saw him - Patrick, which was why Patrick's death was such a profound loss for him.
Pup was floundering in his grief, and continuing to let all these people in his life sort of treat him as an after thought. But, then he got a little nudge, and that push Pup needed came from an unlikely source. After almost a year of trying different artistic mediums, Pup's teacher put a camera in his hands, and Pup was able to finally find his voice. It was really wonderful the way he was able to see things and share his feelings and pain via his art. I loved that this was part of his story for many reasons. One, because I really wanted Pup to find his thing. Two, because the drama with his unrequited love was awful, and he needed something to feel good about. Three, because it brought Abrihet into his life, and she was phenomenal for him.
This was definitely the story of Pup's coming of age, but it was also about family. The Flanagans were stuck in their grief. Some seemed ok, but many were suffering and dealing with the loss in unhealthy ways. It was Pup, with his newfound voice, who pushed the family to take those steps towards "getting through". Some of the things he was forced to do were excruciating, but necessary. His family may have been very avoidant, but the one thing they didn't lack was love for each other, and there was a lot of warmth in this story because of it.
I was so touched and impressed by this book, I immediately went to the library to check out more books by Foley. She did such a beautiful job painting these characters and crafting their story, and I know I am grateful to have had the opportunity to take this journey with Pup and his family.
Samantha (WLABB)
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