Book Blitz: Giveaway & Book Excerpt ~ Curve by Nicola Hudson

Welcome to the Blitz for Curve hosted by Irresistible Reads Book Tours. Please click here for a list of the participating blogs. :)

Below you'll find the book info plus an excerpt. I think Curve sounds fabulous! It sounds like a thrilling read packed with tension and suspense. Read on and you'll see what I mean! 

Title: Curve

Author: Nicola Hudson

Release date: October 25th 2013

Genre: New Adult

Blitz organized by: Irresistible Reads Book Tours

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~ Synopsis ~

A New Adult novel suitable for readers aged 15+, due to strong language, sensitive themes and sexual content. 

Cass is seventeen and never been kissed, let alone touched, when two boys become interested in her. Flynn is the older brother of her best friend, yet Cass has never considered him as anything other than that. Rob is the school sports star and becomes obsessed with Cass when he loses a bet because of her. As the relationship between Cass and Flynn develops, Rob's interest becomes increasingly malevolent. One night changes Cass's life and threatens to destroy her relationship with Flynn, as well as her future.

~ Purchase Links ~ 

Amazon

* On sale from December 27th to January 3rd! * 

~ Excerpt ~

Things like this don't happen to me. 

As we swayed slightly awkwardly in time with the warblings of a ballad being sung by one of those manufactured boybands, I tried to enjoy the moment for what it was: me, Cass Jones, dancing with Rob Meadows at the Sixth Form Christmas party.

Rob Meadows, star of the school rugby team.

Rob Meadows, blonde god of gorgeousness. 

Me. 

The evening was coming to an end and, after the rowdy jump-dancing of earlier, the DJ was playing the compulsory slow numbers that signalled the end of the party for some but just the start of the evening for others. And there I was, still dancing.

The Sixth Form Christmas party was a highlight of the school social calendar, especially as it usually provided significant fodder for the yearbook. All of Year 13 had started to think about lives beyond school, our small town, even our friends, as part of the university application process. Consequently, there was a sense of desperation to our attempts to create some happy memories to take with us. There we were, on the cusp of legal adulthood, yet not really sure of our place in the world.

Neve and I had debated whether or not to even bother going to the party. As habitual residents of the social periphery, we didn't really belong to any of the usual cliques found in most high schools. And we were OK with that, enjoying the sense of irony in watching those cliques shift and re-shape, occasionally even imploding. 

I'm not trying to suggest that the evening was some sort of Ugly Duckling transformation story. I am definitely not Cinderella.

But it was clear that others, as well as me, were surprised to see me there, doing that. I was dressed in some black lace concoction that Neve had assured me was 'a little bit sexy, but definitely not slutty,' opaque tights and a pair of ballet flats. It had been a nightmare trying to find something to wear that looked dressy enough, covered enough and didn't look like it should be worn by my mum. Neve had managed to cajole my hair into a side sweep of loose waves and hide the couple of spots that had appeared, as if on cue, that morning. I knew I didn't look like most of the other girls, especially those with their fake tans, fake hair and fake nails, but I was OK with that.

Usually I was happy with the office-wear rules that made up the dress code for Sixth Form: black trousers, a plain tee shirt and a cardigan had become my own unofficial uniform. So maybe people were surprised to see me in a dress. Or maybe it was because Rob was dancing with me. 

That was more likely the cause. 

About half an hour earlier, Rob Meadows had come over to our table, drink in hand, sat down and started chatting like we were long-time friends. He joked about some of the teachers, and recalled some of the funny moments from when we had lessons together in main school. As the conversation continued, he had moved his chair closer to mine, as though he was struggling to hear what I was saying. At one point, when he touched my arm to point out the drunken antics of one of the other rugby team players, I finally got the message. 

Rob was flirting with me.

When he asked me to dance, I looked across at Neve, who was bravely trying not to look like a fifth wheel. I knew she was as surprised as me at what was happening; this had not even been considered in the endless discussions we had had about the evening before tonight. She shrugged her shoulders and I got up to follow Rob to the area where a few couples were in varying stages of becoming physically acquainted with each other. My heart was pounding. I had never danced with anyone other than Neve, and never like this! I decided that I just had to follow his lead; clearly this wasn't going to be his first time. 

As we moved together in time with the music, I felt the tautness of Rob's waist beneath my hands. I had worried about what to do with my hands but he had gently taken them and placed them on his hips before gathering his own around my neck, pulling me close. His thumb was softly rubbing my nape, the tiny movement sending shivers up and down my spine. My breath became shallower with each tingle.

Was this what all the fuss was about? If so, I finally got it. 

One sway brought us closer together and I was sure that I could feel him pressing into my hip. I'd never been that close to a boy before, well, not in that way, and I didn't have the foggiest about what to do. I was sure that most of the girls would be able to laugh it off with some innuendo-laden joke, some might even have moved in closer. But I wasn't one of those girls and the last thing I wanted was to mess up what could be the best night of my life by handling it wrong. What if he ended up laughing at me? 

Within seconds though his one hand ran down my spine, leaving a line a line of warmth that went straight to my very core. Of course I'd been turned on before but never like this; never from the real-life touch of a real-life boy. The tingling feeling spread through me, taking my disbelief hostage along the way. Rob's hand lingered at the curve of my bum and pulled me closer to him. There was no way I could pretend not to know what it was pressed against me. 

"Can I cut in?" What? I was convinced it must be a joke; Neve's brother Flynn was trying to ruin my perfect moment? I gave him a withering look and held on tight to Rob. "Can I have this dance?" Flynn persisted, like he was a character out of a bloody Jane Austen novel. 

"Uh, sure mate. I'll go get us another drink, Cass." Rob gave me a long look, full of meaning I couldn't decipher, and walked to the end of the room where his friends were rowdily clustered around the bar. Meanwhile I was stood like a statue in the middle of the dancing couples. When Flynn tried to take hold of me, in a bizarre repeat of Rob's earlier move, I squirmed away. 

"What the hell are you doing?" I demanded, unsure whether I was angry, frustrated, or both. Flynn's shoulder shrug added to my fury. "Can't you see that the last thing I want at this precise moment is what has just happened?" Flynn smirked and put his arms on my shoulders. "I mean it, Flynn!" I didn't want to make even more of a spectacle of myself but I couldn't remember feeling that angry before.

"Just hold me and pretend that you're having the best time of your life," he whispered into my ear, so close I felt him inhale.

~ About the Author: Nicola Hudson ~

I am a new British writer. 

Obviously, I love reading and reading about reading. My taste goes from Shakespeare to John Green...and much of what lies between! Dickens, check. Austen, check. Atwood, check.

Over Christmas 2012, I discovered the joy of new adult fiction and, inspired by Colleen Hoover and Tammara Webber, I decided to try my hand at writing my own NA novel. 

I love the friendliness of the Indie writer community and have been overwhelmed by the support of followers interested in my journey. Please feel free to monitor my publishing progress via my Facebook page :-) 

~ Social Links ~

     Goodreads | Facebook | Twitter 

~ Giveaway ~

Signed paperback of Curve

New Adult author swag pack

Ebook of Curve

$5 Amazon GC

$5 Amazon GC

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Blog Tour: Review ~ Arcadia by Mandana Towhidy

Hey guys! Welcome to my stop on the Arcadia Blog Tour hosted by Irresistible Reads Tours. Please click here to follow along with the tour schedule. 

Title: Arcadia

Author: Mandana Towhidy

Publication date: July 8th 2013

Genre: New Adult

Source: Review copy

Tour organized by: Irresistible Reads Tours

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~ Synopsis ~

Populated by rockers, Deadheads, misfits, skinheads, Goths, surfers, preppies, cheerleaders, and jocks, ARCADIA by Mandana Towhidy is a Fast Times at Ridgemont High for the Metal years. It's an honest story of Ronnie and her friends (Ezze, Tess, Ash, and Syd), teen girls in the heart of the Hollywood Metal scene during the late 80s/early 90s, ruling it in their own way, with or without the boys, and having the time of their lives: scrounging dimes for burritos, ducking the hallway narcs, getting stoned in the parking lot, and hitching rides to the next party to get wasted, all before noon on a school day. And in the world of Hollywood where more is all you need, Ronnie discovers happiness in Metal and friends and learning to see through the games and the "perfect-ness" of it all. Long Hair Rocks...Again!

~ My Thoughts ~

My Rating: 4 / 5

Arcadia took a minute for me to get into with the slang, but once I was in, I was in and there was no going back. This was a fresh and entertaining read that kept me up late because I didn't want the party to end. I grew up in the early to mid-90's grunge era, and at times, I almost wished I had grown up in the metal scene. 

I couldn't help but wonder if any school could be the way Ronnie describes hers where students ditch class daily and come back drunk or high. Whether it's realistic or not, it didn't bother me one way or the other. I was a little jealous of the way Ronnie lived without caring what others think. She's young and free with seemingly little to no consequences dealt to her.      

There is so much description that it'd be impossible to not picture Ronnie and her friends, but it was also sometimes a problem for me. There is a LOT of description, which at times made Ronnie go off on long tangents. Once I realized she had brought me back to the present, it took me a moment to remember where I was in the story. On the other hand, some of the most fun parts of Arcadia were the lengthy character descriptions. 

If you like the 70's of Dazed and Confused and the 90's of My So-Called Life, then you need the 80's of Arcadia!  

~ Purchase Links ~ 

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Smashwords

~ About the Author ~ 

  

MANDANA TOWHIDY is a writer, editor, and art director whose work has been featured in pop culture magazines Dazed & Confused, Tokion, Oyster, and numerous other print and online publications. She writes daily with her little Chihuahua, Lotte, sleeping by her side.

~ Social Links ~

Website  

Blog Tour: Excerpt & Giveaway ~ Red Threads (The Fateliner Series #1) by Stacey J. Mitchell

Hi guys! Welcome to my stop on the Red Threads Blog Tour hosted by Irresistible Reads Tour. Click here to follow along with the blog tour. :D 

Title: Red Threads (The Fateliner Series #1)

Author: Stacey J. Mitchell

Released: 2013

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Blog Tour organized by: Irresistible Reads Tours

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~ Synopsis ~

Twenty-six-year-old Lily Robinson has her dream job in a museum, a great boyfriend, and is happy with her life - until the day she starts seeing red threads growing out of the chests of those around her. 

That same day, Lily meets a stranger who seems to know her and understand what she is seeing. Lily doesn't believe him when he says she has a special ability, and it's only when he saves her life that she accepts something very strange is happening to her.

Lily's life is rapidly turned upside-down when she gets thrown into the world of fate and meets the beings who influence it. 

Can she learn to control her ability to help herself and those around her who need it most? 

Will she actually want to when she finds out what she has to do?

~ Excerpt ~ 

"I'm here, and I've got supplies." Lily took a step back from the speaker, released the intercom button, and waited for her best friend's head to appear at the window. 

The window opened, and Georgia's head poked out, her highlighted hair dangling in front of her eyes. "You know no one's allowed in without Ben and Jerry's." 

Lily rolled her eyes and pulled a carton out of the bag on her shoulder. "Well, I have two flavours - Half Baked and Phish Food. Now let me in before it melts."

Georgia grinned and her head disappeared back into her flat.

"I hope you've kept your side of the bargain," Lily said when Georgia opened the door and stood aside to let her in. "I'm expecting films with Channing Tatum or Gerard Butler. Or both together, if such a thing exists." Lily walked through the living room and into the kitchen area, where she dumped her bag on the counter. 

"In that case, you'll love this," Georgia said, holding up two DVD cases. "Magic Mike and 300. Am I the best friend ever, or what?" 

Lily whistled under her breath. "We're in for a treat tonight." She knew her way around Georgia's flat almost as well as she knew her own house, and she grabbed two spoons and two wine glasses and cracked open the bottle of red that Georgia passed her. 

"So what's new with you, then?" Georgia asked, as they carried the wine and ice cream through to the coffee table in front of the sofa. She switched the television on and held the two DVDs up, prompting Lily to choose. 

"300 first." Lily took a sip of her wine. "Not a lot really, work's the same as ever, Nick's fine. Things are just ticking along nicely, you know." She shrugged indifferently. "Come on, you must have some news for me." 

"Me?" Georgia had put the DVD into the machine and was now settling down on the sofa. "Little old perpetually single me?" She rolled her eyes.

~ Meet the Author: 

I am a tea drinker and history geek who lives in south Wales. I love reading, being outdoors, cooking, and stand-up comedy - but I don't like bananas and insects. 

I have been writing stories ever since I could hold a pen. I have a degree in Egyptology, and I love writing so much that I even enjoyed my university coursework.

~ Social Links ~ 

Official Website | Twitter

~ Tour Giveaway ~ 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Blitz ~ Almost Dead by Rebecca A. Rogers

Title: Almost Dead

Author: Rebecca A. Rogers

Release date: September 15th 2013

Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal

Book Blitz organized by:  Irresistible Reads Tours

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~ Synopsis ~

Seventeen-year-old Flora Mackey is not exactly thrilled to wake up from a car accident and find out she's a ghost. Making this lifelike hell even worse is being trapped with her arch enemy and collision partner, Laney Tipps. The two normally couldn't get along if their lives depended on it, but now they have no choice. 

After recovering from the initial shock of seeing their lifeless bodies - and that they can't escape each other - Flora and Laney have to find a way out of the twisted, gray realm. But they quickly learn that the farther they stray from their motionless corpses, the weaker they become. Luckily Sara, a spirit guide, shows up to help. Sara informs them they'll have to wait for someone in their city to die so they can take their place in the land of the living.

What's scarier than waiting in purgatory? Time. If Flora and Laney don't return to the physical world and leave clues for their families that they're still alive, they'll never be found. Which sucks, because once their bodies give out, their souls will be permanently stuck in the afterlife.

~ Guest Post by Rebecca A. Rogers ~

Halloween is right around the corner, which means autumn is in the air: sweaters, scarves, vibrant leaves, carved pumpkins, coffee and lattes with spicy aromas and flavors. The list is literally endless. Typically, Halloween evokes images of ghosts and things that go bump in the night, but it can also mean some really good (and really creepy) reading material. Here is a top-ten list of books-turned-movies to set the mood, in no particular order:

1. The Shining by Stephen King - REDRUM is one of the ultimate go-to expressions when someone brings up The Shining in conversation. And who can forget those creepy twins? 

2. It by Stephen King - The movie was enough to give me nightmares as a child. Clowns. Halloween. I'm already getting goosebumps. 

3. Dracula by Bram Stoker - A classic, that's all there is to it.

4. The Exorcist by William Peter Blatty - Who doesn't love a good demonic possession, along with split-pea soup? ;)

5. The Silence of the Lambs by Thomas Harris - Hello, Clarice. *shudders*

6. Interview with the Vampire by Anne Rice - Okay, it's definitely not as creepy as some of the others, but Anne Rice is pretty much the queen of paranormal. Let's be honest, Halloween wouldn't be the same without the supernatural.

7. Rosemary's Baby by Ira Levin - I remember seeing bits and pieces of this movie as a child, and it freaked me out. What's better than horror? Psychological horror. 

8. The Amityville Horror by Jay Anson - The fact that this was based on a true story makes it even scarier. 

9. Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury - I was disturbed by this movie when I was younger, and it still weirds me out today, but there's nothing quite like a creepy carnival coming to town. 

10. Psycho by Robert Bloch - Ah, Norman Bates. Yet another great psychological horror story. 

What are some of your favorite books-turned-movies? Are there any must-haves to watch on Halloween night?

~ Meet the Author: Rebecca A. Rogers! ~ 

                              

Rebecca expressed her creative side at an early age and hasn't stopped since. She won't hesitate to tell you that she lives inside her imagination, and it's better than reality. 

In short: I'd insert something here along the lines of living in the Northeast or Europe with my wonderful husband and our dogs, but these things haven't happened yet. Instead, I'll tell you I'm an avid gamer, chocoholic, coffee addict, animal lover, and own way too many books and shoes.

~ Social Links ~ 

Website |  Facebook | Twitter


~ Tour Wide Giveaway ~ 

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Book Blitz ~ Excerpt & Giveaway: American Girl on Saturn by Nikki Godwin

Please click here for the list of blogs participating in this book blitz with promotional posts, interviews, guest posts, and book excerpts! This book blitz is hosted by Irresistible Reads Book Tours. :D 

Title: American Girl on Saturn

Author: Nikki Godwin

Release date: August 29th 2013

Genre: Young Adult

Tour organized by: Irresistible Reads Book Tours 

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~ Synopsis ~

The summer after graduation is supposed to be that first real taste of freedom - but not for eighteen-year-old Chloe Branson. Just as that breeze of freedom is making its way into her galaxy, her secret-service-agent dad drops a meteor-sized bomb of bad news on her and her sisters. An attempt has been made on the lives of Canadian boyband, Spaceships Around Saturn, during their USA tour, and the guys have to go into hiding ASAP. The only problem? In the midst of the crisis and media frenzy, their dad volunteered to hide the guys...in their house.

Six-year-old Emery is as ecstatic as any self-proclaimed Saturnite would be, but Chloe and her seventeen-year-old sister Aralie watch their summer plans crash and burn like a falling star. The SAS guys aren't happy with the situation, either. Bad boy Jules picks fights with Aralie about everything from his Twitter followers to his laundry, and heartthrob Benji can't escape Emery's fangirlisms for more than three minutes. But after the super cute Milo kisses Chloe during a game of hide-and-seek, she finally understands what Emery means when she talks about SAS being "out of this world." If this is what Saturn feels like, Chloe doesn't want to come back to Earth.

Book Excerpt 

He reaches toward the tray and grabs the lone Oreo. "Okay, this is my last one for the night," he says. "Half it with me?" 

Seriously? If I wasn't the envy of every Saturnite in the world just by sitting across the table from him, I'm definitely the envy of them now because the Milo Grayson wants to half his precious Oreo with me. And the thing that sucks the most is that no one knows about it to be jealous of me! 

He hold the cookie up and waits for a response. 

"Yeah, we can half it," I say.

I reach across the table for it, but he jerks his arm back. The sleeve of his T-shirt hugs his bicep tightly, and oh how I wish to be that fabric. 

"Not so fast," he says. "Let's make it interesting." 

Could this be any more interesting? Hello - you're gorgeous and famous and sharing cookies with me! Any more 'interest' and I might burst like a firework.

"If you get the side with the cream, I'll give you my honest male opinion about your checkout line drama today," he says. "But if I get the cream side, you have to tell me, honestly, who you think the best looking guy is in Spaceships Around Saturn."

Oh God. He's for real. Does he know? He totally knows. He knows I'm lusting for him from behind this glass of milk and tattoo magazine. He knows that his eyes make me melt and that clearly watch him on Twitter because I know all about amazzzzzing. Now he wants to make me 'fess up.

"Deal." I say it before I can chicken out. 

I can always lie and say Benji's name. He's the fan favorite anyway. Benji Baccarini is Spaceships Around Saturn for so many girls. 

He leans forward, positions himself over the table, and holds up that fated Oreo. I push my glass of milk aside because the last thing I want is to knock it over with my quivering nerves. Then I lean toward him, grip the cookie with my fingers, and inhale every scent of his body wash that I can while I twist my half of the Oreo away from his half.   

~ About the Author ~

Nikki Godwin is a Young Adult/New Adult author. She is a city girl who can't live without Mountain Dew, black eyeliner, Hawthorne Heights, and candles from Bath & Body Works. When not writing, she's not-so-secretly stalking her favorite bands. She may or may not completely love One Direction. 

~ Author Links ~ 

Website | Twitter 

~ Tour Giveaway ~ 

a Rafflecopter giveaway 

Blog Tour ~ Review: Living in the Aftermath (The Ties That Bind Us #2) by Lucy A. Kelly

Hey everyone! Welcome to my stop on the Living in the Aftermath blog tour hosted by Irresistible Reads Book Tours. Click here for the full tour schedule. :D

Title: Living in the Aftermath (The Ties That Bind Us #2)

Author: K.A. Coleman (Pen name was Lucy A. Kelly)

Published: June 18, 2013

Pages: 194

Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Average Rating: 4.50 / 5

My Rating: 5 / 5 

Blog Tour Organized By: Irresistible Reads Book Tours

Source: Review copy provided for the tour

Add to Goodreads

~Synopsis~

At the start of her junior year, Savannah had it all: popularity, money, cheerleading, a boyfriend, and a best friend. Unfortunately, when you have it all, you risk losing everything. After a tragic accident forever changes her life and the lives of her friends, Savannah finds herself faced with a decision to make. She can try to slip back into her old life, flaws and all, or she can try to redefine herself for her last year of high school. Is it even possible that Savannah can change after having everything go her way for 18 years?

Jacob has nothing to lose. He has seen one too many schools and wants nothing more than to graduate, so he can finally stay in one place for more than a year. In fact, Jacob thinks he has every clique and student pegged after switching schools so frequently. When Jacob finds himself face to face with Savannah, he realizes that she doesn't quite fit into one of the high school stereotypes.

In fact, they're both harboring rather big secrets. Maintaining a friendship or any kind of relationship can be akin to balancing on the thinnest of tight ropes. When the rope is made of lies, revenge, and half truths, well, it's only a matter of time before everything comes crashing down. 

  

~My Thoughts~

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This review doesn't contain any spoilers from the first book. Click here to read my review of the first book, Holding On and Letting Go.

Living in the Aftermath picks up not long after the end of the first book, Holding On and Letting Go. After being completely shocked by the events that unfolded in the first book with the accident and with how much I loved the character and story, I couldn't wait to find out what was going to happen in this book. 

I really didn't like Savannah in the first book; however, as time went on, she did begin to grow on me, and I ended up liking her by the end. Savannah has undergone a transformation since she was first introduced. On the surface, she was a spoiled, rich cheerleader, but inside, she showed she is a loyal friend and will be there in the bad times as well as the good times. She has become bitter after the accident and decides she should go back to caring only about herself. 

Jacob is introduced as a new student and quickly becomes friends with Savannah's group. He discovers that this particular group of friends don't fit into the stereotypes he had first assigned to them. I was shocked when his secret was revealed - I never saw it coming, but I love all of the different issues with all of the characters that are addressed in the story. I know if I went to their high school, this is the group of friends I'd definitely choose to hang with. 

The relationships and dynamics between all of the characters are fraught with complications. They're struggling to keep everything together, and sometimes I didn't understand why Savannah was so bitter towards her friends at times when they are being supportive of her and things that have happened aren't their fault. I just wanted them all to stick together. Each character has such a unique voice and personality - the author did a superb job making them realistic and each are his or her own person. 

There's a lot of wisdom in these books. So much of what the characters say is beautiful in regards to grief and tragedy and love. They're so perceptive it's almost scary. The way the author writes is gorgeous. There's just no other way to describe it. I really hope there's another book coming out because I could hang out with Savannah, Jacob, and their group forever! 

~Purchase Links~

Amazon  | Barnes & Noble 

~About the Author~ 

I'm not really going to write a biography. Though I am supportive of the high schools and colleges I have attended, it's probably not actually the most interesting stuff about me. I'm going to do a list of five really random things instead for now. 

1. I like making lists. It's weird, and I never actually scratch things off of the list.

2. I sing and dance in the car like a maniac. 

3. For the first six years of my life, I truly believed a shark lived under my bed. I watched Jaws at too young of an age. 

4. Without a doubt, I am a night person. I am enormously grumpy when first woken up in the morning.

5. When I was younger, I read almost every Nancy Drew book, both new and old. I had a notebook, and I would take notes to see if I could figure out who the "bad guy" was before Nancy did. We probably tied.   

~Author Links~

Goodreads | Twitter | Facebook

Blog Tour ~ Review ~ Holding On and Letting Go (The Ties That Bind Us #1) by Lucy A. Kelly

I'm so excited to be a part of this tour for this incredibly moving book!
I have a review for you today - enjoy! :D

Title: Holding On and Letting Go (The Ties That Bind Us #1)

Author: Lucy A. Kelly

Published: March 10, 2013

Pages: 186

Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Average Rating: 4.76 / 5

My Rating: 5 / 5
Blog Tour Organized By: Irresistible Reads Book Tours
Source: Review copy from the author 

Add to Goodreads 

~ Synopsis ~
Is there a way to describe the ties that bind us together? What happens when one of those ties is unexpectedly severed? Can everything else remain the same? Will the other ties hold strong?

Two years after her little brother's death, sixteen year old Emerson Caulfield returns to a home that she spent the last two years missing. In theory, everything should be the same. Her best friend, Matt, still lives next door. Her house is in the exact same condition as they left it. The scenery and hallways haven't changed, yet for Emerson, everything is completely different. The place may be the same, but Emerson is most certainly not. She returns home hurt, angry, and miles away from the girl she once was.

~ My Thoughts ~ 

This was such a deeply emotional read for me! After losing both my mom and maternal grandfather to brain cancer before I even hit high school, I'm all too familiar with the weight of grief that manifests in anger, sadness, loneliness, and just plain hurt. Every time Emerson visited her brother's grave and spoke to him, I cried. When she heard a girl making fun of her deceased brother, I cried. Who makes fun of a deceased little boy like that by the way?? I wanted to wring that girl's neck. Every emotion Emerson felt, I felt it too. We seemed to be kindred spirits. 

The book alternates between Emerson and her best friend Matt's point of view. The way Emerson describes her pain resonated with me, and the things she said are things I've said before. I was particularly struck when she said she has a hard time even just breathing and getting out of bed in the morning - I know what she's talking about. There were times I had to put down the book to catch my own breath. There is no better way the author could have expressed the toll grief takes on a person.

Matt's deep love for Emerson shows the strength of his character. He wants to love Emerson through this time, and what else can you do when someone you love is suffering from something you can't change or take away? He isn't afraid of the depth of Emerson's despair, and he doesn't give up no matter how many times she pushes him away. It's obvious Matt is wise beyond his years and cares about what's really important in life and not the silly superficiality of high school. How many guys his age can you say that about? 

I think there are times when a person becomes comfortable in his/her own grief - not that feeling miserable is what the person prefers but rather the person is afraid to move forward and do something to alleviate the pain. One worries that by letting go and accepting what's happened, the deceased loved one will be forgotten, not to mention that taking the first step forward is the hardest. This is why it's absolutely crucial that the person has all the support he/she needs. Matt was that support system for Emerson, and his perseverance in being there for her no matter what impressed me.  

I just could not and would not put this book down. I went through the entire spectrum of emotions while reading, and it was cathartic for me. I found myself examining how much progress I've made moving forward in my own life since losing significant loved ones and was surprised to see I've come a long way from where I began. It's amazing! And this is just the beginning to a series in which I'm really looking forward to where the author takes us next. :D 

~ Purchase Links ~ 
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
Kobo

~ About the Author ~ 

 

I'm not really going to write a biography. Though I am supportive of the high schools and colleges I have attended, it's probably not actually the most interesting stuff about me. I'm going to do a list of five really random things instead for now. 

1. I like making lists. It's weird, and I never actually scratch things off of the list. 
2. I sing and dance in the car like a maniac. 
3. For the first six years of my life, I truly believed a shark lived under my bed. I watched Jaws at too young of an age. 
4. Without a doubt, I am a night person. I am enormously grumpy when first woken up in the morning. 
5. When I was younger, I read almost every Nancy Drew book, both new and old. I had a notebook, and I would take notes to see if I could figure out who the "bad guy" was before Nancy did. We probably tied.  

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