Hey guys! Welcome to my stop on THE REPLACEMENT blog tour hosted by Xpresso Book Tours. Click here for the full tour schedule. :D
Title: The Replacement
Author: Rachael Wade
Publication date: January 27th 2014
Genres: Contemporary, New Adult
Source: Review copy
Synopsis
*Contains sexually explicit content and mature subject matter, including language and elements of abuse.*
A gritty New Adult drama about a young woman's self-destructive quest to find purpose, self-worth, and love in a broken world.
My name is Elise Duchamp. I'm twenty-three years old and I'm known as the town whore.
No, not the kind who exchanges sexual favors for money. The other kind. The kind who gives it all away for free, whenever and however she likes. I am that girl. The one everyone whispers about and the one none of the girls seem to like, because all of their boyfriends either want to sleep with me or already have. Promiscuity is my thing - the kind that slowly, violently turns my insides black, but gives me something I need.
All things considered, I'm not completely reckless. I'm safe, and contrary to popular opinion, I do have a heart. I live in a world of careless choices, and with those choices come careless people. I cannot judge them, because I am one of them. I too bow down to the altar of the self-serving. I am not a good friend. I am not and never could be anyone's girlfriend. I'm convinced any goodness in me shriveled up and died long ago.
But I am a replacement. That is something I know how to be, and this is a story of the lengths I'd go to in order to keep it that way.
My Review
My Rating: 5 / 5
I went into THE REPLACEMENT looking for an emotional read and was given so much more than I was expecting. When I read the synopsis, I knew I had to find out more about Elise, this girl known as the town whore. And why is she so desperate to keep this reputation? What is she afraid of? Something must have happened to her, I reasoned, but when I was given glimpses into her childhood, I couldn't even have imagined what I'd find there. Her mom? Worst advice giver ever. Her dad? Well, let's just say I had to keep reminding myself during his scenes that this book doesn't take place in the 50's. And that's just the tip of the iceberg.
THE REPLACEMENT emotionally affected me much more than I had anticipated. I had to stop and put the book down because I couldn't see to read through my tears. It was as if a dam inside me had broken. I cried for the girl Elise could have become had she been given loving parents and cried for the girl Elise had become - someone who believes she poisons people and doesn't deserve to be loved by anyone. The scenes from her childhood are absolutely heartbreaking.
I could identify with Elise's need to self destruct, and I think that's what broke open the floodgates for me. For completely different reasons, I know what it's like to want to destroy myself while everyone else watches helplessly. One of the people watching Elise self destruct? Jay. He's a much needed father figure for Elise - he cares about her and shows it unlike her own father. Scenes with him made me cry, too!
Ryder was amazing. I couldn't believe how he refused to give up on Elise no matter how much she tried to push him away. He didn't care about her past - he wanted a future with her. On the other hand, she felt she was broken and undeserving of that kind of future. One of my favorite scenes between Elise and Ryder was when they first kissed - she thought to herself that must be what a real kiss was like, and all this time she had been duped into thinking she'd been kissed before. That was a magical moment I was happy she experienced. Every girl needs a Ryder!
After finishing the book, I was emotionally exhausted, but it was worth it. Reading THE REPLACEMENT was cathartic for me - I've been needing a good cry, and this definitely brought it out of me. Elise's story will captivate you and bring out a wide range of emotions. You'll become so immersed in her story you won't even notice anything going on around you. And grab a box of tissues - you're gonna need them!
About the Author ~ Rachael Wade
Rachael Wade is the Amazon bestselling author of The Preservation Series, The Resistance Trilogy, and the upcoming sci-fi series, The Keepers Trilogy. When she's not writing, she's busy learning French, watching too many movies, and learning how to protect animals and the environment. Visit her at http://www.rachaelwade.com and http://www.lightsonoutreach.com, or come chat with her on Twitter via @RachaelWade.
Author Links
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Wow this sounds so intense and definitely a book I'd need to mentally prepare for and buy a case of tissues lol. so happy you loved it you make me want to pick it up right now!!
ReplyDeleteIt's super intense. I cried buckets!! It makes you think about what we all want from life and the choices we make to get there. I cried not just for Elise and her pain but mine also. Our situations are different, but I can identify with the desire to self destruct to deal with the pain. Thanks so much, Giselle! I hope you get a chance to read this very soon! :D
DeleteJennifer, I cannot thank you enough for being a part of the tour today and for this amazing review. I'm so happy to hear you connected with Elise's story in some way - that is always the most rewarding thing for a writer. :)
ReplyDeleteMuch love,
Rachael
xo
You're very welcome, Rachael. I'm proud to be a part of your tour! Thanks so much! Gosh, I cried buckets! Once I started, I couldn't stop, but I did need to cry. I was sad not just for Elise but also for me, too. I also lost my mom to cancer. My childhood was completely different from that of Elise, but since my mom's death, I've always found various ways to self destruct though it's been almost nineteen years.
DeleteElise's pain tore me to shreds. I just loved her and wanted her to see that though she had really messed up parents, she deserved to be loved. Most of all, I wanted her to learn to love herself.
Your book made me think about the path we choose to take in life - what we want from life and how we try to get there. I love it when a story can do that, when it gets me thinking about the bigger picture. Thanks so much for your kind words. :)
What a review. I tell you it was an emotional experience just reading it. I've sought out heart wrenching movies, but I haven't reached that point with my reads. I'm so wussy! But the first kiss scene does wonderful! Oh, this Ryder guy, mmm. You're right, we all need a Ryder. Happy awesome football weekend, Jennifer!!
ReplyDeleteGosh, it was an emotional experience writing it. I couldn't stop crying, really I couldn't. I wasn't quite prepared for the range of emotions I felt. Elise's pain was like experiencing my own. Though we went through completely different situations and dealt with those in completely different ways, I also have found every way I can to self destruct. It's been almost nineteen years since I lost my mom to cancer, and I still want to destroy myself. Last night, it just all came out and wouldn't stop.
DeleteThe abuse Elise was put through was just horrifying. This story will really make you think about the big picture - what do we want from life and how can we go about achieving that? And things aren't always what they seem on the outside. You can't look at a person who engages in behavior such as Elise and assume she lives like that just because. There's always a deeper reason, a deeper meaning behind it all. Like that say, walk a mile in someone else's shoes. Even when I read the synopsis, I didn't judge her because the therapist in me knew something awful had happened to her. No one wakes up one day and says, "Hey, I think I'll turn myself into a whore." No way.
She wasn't happy even though she tried to convince herself she was okay with the way she was living her life. Then Ryder came along and changed all that. Made her question herself, which was the push in the right direction that she needed.
Thanks, Robyn! I'll be tweeting you on Sunday! If you happen to be there! :D Go Seahawks! :D
I think we could use an outdoor activity where we actually get to beat the crap out of other people besides ourselves...paintball? Boxing? Rollerderby (you have the hair for it)?
DeleteI'll have my laptop with me as my security blanket during the game, so I'll check out twitter.
Roller derby sounds like the excitement we need! I'm super short, so I could probably zoom in and out pretty easily, lol. Paintball would be fun - I've never done it. I'll give boxing a shot if you do. ;) That game was crazy cakes! Wow! I don't think the Broncos even showed up, just like Brandee said. 0.0 I still find it entertaining that both teams that made it to the Super Bowl are from states where grass is legal, lmao!
DeleteEmotionally exhausted? Love that. There really is nothing better than a book that takes you by surprise and gives you all the feels. I have this one and really can't wait to get to it! Great review, luv!
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh, yes! I agree with you - it was an experience like no other I've had after finishing a book in a long, long time. I love books that make you think about the big picture in life, and this book definitely does that. It had me thinking about my own life...where I've been and where I'm going. And I really love when a story makes me think about things like that.
DeleteThat's awesome!! Can't wait until you get a chance to read it, and then we can start group therapy or something, lol. Thanks so much, Ali! :D
Awesome review, Jennifer! I had to finish the book and my review before I could read your review. I have to say I completely agree with you! The Replacement seems to have touched me in the very same ways it did you. Elise - yeah, she broke my heart at times. I couldn't believe how much I connected with her - understood the feelings and reasons behind what she was doing. Her parents...I don't want to get started there. Her dad was a total a$$hole! I can, however, relate to his treatment of his daughter. Ryder...totally swoon-worthy. That's the kind of guy that's a keeper! And that first kiss - that scene was a doozy, wasn't it? I cried for Elise then. Wow. Just wow!
ReplyDeleteAnyway, I'm glad you loved this as much as I did. And you delivered a lovely review!! :)
Thanks, Brandee! Whew, I went through every emotion there is and then some. 0.0 LOL I can't stand her dad! That's putting it mildly, too. I'm sorry you can relate. No one should have to go through treatment like that. I cried during their first kiss, too! Ryder is awesome and all dreamy and stuff, lol. Awww, thanks, Brandee! <3
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