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4.05 AVERAGE
4.05 AVERAGE
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Another easy, fun read. The romance was sweet and I liked the family turmoil aspect as well. I didn’t realize before starting that there would be a religious aspect, which I’m not used to reading, but it worked well in the story.
4.25/5*
Lane's brother Nate got into a terrible accident and is in a coma. To check on her brother Lane is forced to go back to her hometown - Harbor Pointe. But that's something she doesn't want to do. Because that's the place where she was bullied as a kid and where her whole family (except for Nate) betrayed her when her fiance cheated on her with her sister. She goes back 'home' and she has to face her past and she's also reacquanted with her friend from childhood - Ryan.
I really liked this book. The whole story was thought through and everything made sense. I liked the main characters as well as some side ones - for example Betsy and Chloe. The only thing that was unrealistic for me was the whole Nate situation. When he was in the hospital I didn't really feel that his family was very sad and concerned. They were living normally and just visiting him from time to time. I haven't seen their dispair and fear that he might die - maybe it was their way to cope with the situation but for me it didn't feel like it. Same thing when he woke up - they were happy for a second and then they forgot about him and he hardly appeared at the end of the book. I wish we saw more scenes with him and Lane at the end since they used to be very close.
Lane's brother Nate got into a terrible accident and is in a coma. To check on her brother Lane is forced to go back to her hometown - Harbor Pointe. But that's something she doesn't want to do. Because that's the place where she was bullied as a kid and where her whole family (except for Nate) betrayed her when her fiance cheated on her with her sister. She goes back 'home' and she has to face her past and she's also reacquanted with her friend from childhood - Ryan.
I really liked this book. The whole story was thought through and everything made sense. I liked the main characters as well as some side ones - for example Betsy and Chloe. The only thing that was unrealistic for me was the whole Nate situation. When he was in the hospital I didn't really feel that his family was very sad and concerned. They were living normally and just visiting him from time to time. I haven't seen their dispair and fear that he might die - maybe it was their way to cope with the situation but for me it didn't feel like it. Same thing when he woke up - they were happy for a second and then they forgot about him and he hardly appeared at the end of the book. I wish we saw more scenes with him and Lane at the end since they used to be very close.
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Another great, clean faith-leaning romance. Really like Courtney Walsh’s writing.
Although Lane has known Ryan Brooks for years, he was always been a family friend. When she left family she didn't fit in with, he was left behind as well. After a childhood that left her feeling like the child who didn't matter, Lane takes her ticket out of town and runs as hard as she can. Years later, when her favorite brother is involved in a motorcycle accident, she is still running. While she returns home to see him, she is dreading every moment being there.
When Lane returns to her hometown, Brooks is still there and part of the family. Adult Lane realizes there may be more to his kindness than just being a nice person. As Brooks helps Lane refocus on what is important, they begin to call for one another.
Walsh used Brooks' childhood to contrast Lane's. Obviously the pain left by their families was different, but it was no less scarring for either of them.
Walsh also shows a unique thought process when readers learn the pain Lane feels from her sister's betrayal is really what she is grieving and hurt I st rather than the infidelity of a former boyfriend.
I. My opinion, Land's mom should have been a bit more mama bear as her children were growing up. She also should not have added to Land's body image issues by sticking her with a ridiculous nickname.
When Lane returns to her hometown, Brooks is still there and part of the family. Adult Lane realizes there may be more to his kindness than just being a nice person. As Brooks helps Lane refocus on what is important, they begin to call for one another.
Walsh used Brooks' childhood to contrast Lane's. Obviously the pain left by their families was different, but it was no less scarring for either of them.
Walsh also shows a unique thought process when readers learn the pain Lane feels from her sister's betrayal is really what she is grieving and hurt I st rather than the infidelity of a former boyfriend.
I. My opinion, Land's mom should have been a bit more mama bear as her children were growing up. She also should not have added to Land's body image issues by sticking her with a ridiculous nickname.
4.5 starts. A relatable refreshing read. It took me through the gamut of emotions. The story flowed so well and was easy to read. Love Courtney Walsh’s writing!
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Y’all.
This book.
It purse whomped ME in the best possible way.
A heroine who is so attached to her work, to her dreams, that she’s more stressed about missing her deadline than she is about the family emergency that called her away. A heroine who deals with body image issues, anxiety issues, and may need to be surgically separated from her smart phone.
Oh my goodness, y’all. I related to Lane on so many levels.
And then there’s Ryan Brooks. Can we just say yum-my?!? He lived up to all my swoonilicious expectations and then some! Strong in character as well as physically, Brooks is a flirt and a gentleman all at the same time. And his kisses!!!!
(Did I mention he rides a motorcycle?)
Pardon me while I melt into a little Book Boyfriend puddle all over again.
Ahem.
Besides being a hit-you-in-all-the-feels romance, Just Look Up has a timely and important message for all of us. The rat race clamors for us to do more, be more, and achieve more. And somewhere along the way, we’ve forgotten to look up and to be still. We’ve also forgotten the power of forgiveness, trading it for our perceived right to be right. We’ve missed the point that forgiveness doesn’t make it alright – it makes us alright.
Bottom Line: Just Look Up by Courtney Walsh is poignant and sincere, with just the right amount of flirting and faith. Ryan Brooks is the perfect book boyfriend, and you’ll find yourself grinning like a lovesick teenager whenever he’s on the page. Lane is a heroine who could be your sister, your best friend, your coworker … even you yourself. Together, they team up with a colorful cast of supporting characters to tell a sweet story of family, forgiveness, and restoration. This one will be lingering in my heart for a while!
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)
first seen at Reading Is My SuperPower
This book.
It purse whomped ME in the best possible way.
A heroine who is so attached to her work, to her dreams, that she’s more stressed about missing her deadline than she is about the family emergency that called her away. A heroine who deals with body image issues, anxiety issues, and may need to be surgically separated from her smart phone.
Oh my goodness, y’all. I related to Lane on so many levels.
And then there’s Ryan Brooks. Can we just say yum-my?!? He lived up to all my swoonilicious expectations and then some! Strong in character as well as physically, Brooks is a flirt and a gentleman all at the same time. And his kisses!!!!
(Did I mention he rides a motorcycle?)
Pardon me while I melt into a little Book Boyfriend puddle all over again.
Ahem.
Besides being a hit-you-in-all-the-feels romance, Just Look Up has a timely and important message for all of us. The rat race clamors for us to do more, be more, and achieve more. And somewhere along the way, we’ve forgotten to look up and to be still. We’ve also forgotten the power of forgiveness, trading it for our perceived right to be right. We’ve missed the point that forgiveness doesn’t make it alright – it makes us alright.
Bottom Line: Just Look Up by Courtney Walsh is poignant and sincere, with just the right amount of flirting and faith. Ryan Brooks is the perfect book boyfriend, and you’ll find yourself grinning like a lovesick teenager whenever he’s on the page. Lane is a heroine who could be your sister, your best friend, your coworker … even you yourself. Together, they team up with a colorful cast of supporting characters to tell a sweet story of family, forgiveness, and restoration. This one will be lingering in my heart for a while!
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)
first seen at Reading Is My SuperPower
Full review on Faithfully Bookish
While it's not all that unusual for a story to touch my heart (even burrow down deep and make a home there), it is a rare blessing to be challenged to the point of positive change by fiction. This book has that power. Inside this entertaining, relatable, encouraging story is a simple truth we all know yet often fail to apply...
Lane Kelley is a focused, driven, corporate ladder climbing powerhouse... she's also lonely, ridiculously overworked and underfed. Her hometown memories are overshadowed by years of teasing and heartbreak.
Ryan Brooks is an unassuming, small-town trailblazer. With a little encouragement from the Kelleys, he has pulled himself up by the bootstraps and built a life to be proud of. Ryan is loyal, patient, and hardworking but he also makes time for family and fun.
Just Look Up's subtle messages about family, relationships, and priorities have also inspired me to take a fresh look at how I spend my own time and energy.
I requested the opportunity to read this book through the publisher. The opinions expressed are my own.
While it's not all that unusual for a story to touch my heart (even burrow down deep and make a home there), it is a rare blessing to be challenged to the point of positive change by fiction. This book has that power. Inside this entertaining, relatable, encouraging story is a simple truth we all know yet often fail to apply...
Lane Kelley is a focused, driven, corporate ladder climbing powerhouse... she's also lonely, ridiculously overworked and underfed. Her hometown memories are overshadowed by years of teasing and heartbreak.
Ryan Brooks is an unassuming, small-town trailblazer. With a little encouragement from the Kelleys, he has pulled himself up by the bootstraps and built a life to be proud of. Ryan is loyal, patient, and hardworking but he also makes time for family and fun.
Just Look Up's subtle messages about family, relationships, and priorities have also inspired me to take a fresh look at how I spend my own time and energy.
I requested the opportunity to read this book through the publisher. The opinions expressed are my own.
I loved this so much. I found that I was able to relate to Lane, and Ryan was adorable. There was a very slight Christian theme, just as an FYI to any friends reading it. Swoony kisses & no language.