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4.05 AVERAGE
4.05 AVERAGE
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
finished this tonight on the plane ride to orlando, and i really enjoyed this!
the characters in this book were so well written, and really made me root for them as individuals and as a couple. lane really broke my heart with all the bullying she experienced and seeing how that manifested into her adult life.
a very choppy review because i’m writing this from my phone but maybe i’ll refine it when i get home.
the characters in this book were so well written, and really made me root for them as individuals and as a couple. lane really broke my heart with all the bullying she experienced and seeing how that manifested into her adult life.
a very choppy review because i’m writing this from my phone but maybe i’ll refine it when i get home.
I'm a big fan of Courtney Walsh's and so I enjoyed this book immensely.
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Liked this better than the paper hearts ones (which were a little toooo sappy). Lake Michigan, technology usage and its hold on our lives, control and identity. Not the best contemporary work I’ve read but not the worst either.
As this is my first book by Courtney Walsh, I wasn’t sure what to expect. I knew it was contemporary romance, but would I like her style? Would it be a new take, or “the same old thing”? I’d heard so many excellent things and one of my friends very highly recommended it, so I decided to give it a go. And I’m so glad that I did! I immediately found myself drawn into this story, pulled into these characters’ lives and wishing I could take a trip to Harbor Pointe, MI. I have definitely found another favorite author, whose books will be finding a home on my keeper shelves.
The story line itself, intrigued me. A character that hides behind her phone, keeping it as a shield between herself and the world. It is so fitting for the time, where electronic devices are everywhere and so many seem so attached to them. I was curious to see how Ms. Walsh would tackle this subject and I have to say that I think she did an excellent job! I felt as though every time someone admonished Lane Kelley to “look up,” they were also speaking to me, challenging me to pay attention to the world around me. I loved that! I found this story to be a journey, both for the characters and myself. The further I read, the more I found myself pausing to really see the people around me, wondering what I’d been missing. I also loved how Ms. Walsh took care to describe the world around Lane, placing emphasis on the things she was missing by always running, going full speed ahead.
I have to confess, when I first met Lane Kelley, she didn’t impress me. She seemed selfish and stubborn, unwilling to bend. But, as I got to know her and saw beyond the cool facade she showed everyone, I found someone I would love to have as a friend. She’s spent most of her life feeling as though she doesn’t belong, doesn’t measure up. My heart broke for her, for the lies she’s believed, for how hard she’s worked to attain something that was always right in front of her. I loved watching the transformation her character goes through, learning to love and allow herself to be loved in return.
What do I say about Ryan Brooks? So many things . . . . first, he is SO swoony! Not only is he nice to look at, but he’s got a great sense of humor, doesn’t always take life too seriously, knows how to have fun, focuses on the important things in life, and is willing to drop everything for a friend in need. Oh, and he has a chivalrous streak a mile wide, which just adds to the swoony-ness. I loved getting to know him and seeing his heart for Lane, despite her standoffish behavior and sometimes cranky attitude. And their romance was so sweet! There were definitely several *sigh* worthy moments, a couple where I just wanted to “Gibbs slap” them, and the great “just have to smile” ending.
Overall, I would highly recommend reading this book, whether romance is your genre of choice, or not. I loved being challenged by the message with this story and would happily give it more than 5 stars, were that an option.
*My thanks to the publisher for my advanced copy of this book! I was not required to write a positive review and have not been compensated for it in any way. All opinions expressed are my own.
The story line itself, intrigued me. A character that hides behind her phone, keeping it as a shield between herself and the world. It is so fitting for the time, where electronic devices are everywhere and so many seem so attached to them. I was curious to see how Ms. Walsh would tackle this subject and I have to say that I think she did an excellent job! I felt as though every time someone admonished Lane Kelley to “look up,” they were also speaking to me, challenging me to pay attention to the world around me. I loved that! I found this story to be a journey, both for the characters and myself. The further I read, the more I found myself pausing to really see the people around me, wondering what I’d been missing. I also loved how Ms. Walsh took care to describe the world around Lane, placing emphasis on the things she was missing by always running, going full speed ahead.
I have to confess, when I first met Lane Kelley, she didn’t impress me. She seemed selfish and stubborn, unwilling to bend. But, as I got to know her and saw beyond the cool facade she showed everyone, I found someone I would love to have as a friend. She’s spent most of her life feeling as though she doesn’t belong, doesn’t measure up. My heart broke for her, for the lies she’s believed, for how hard she’s worked to attain something that was always right in front of her. I loved watching the transformation her character goes through, learning to love and allow herself to be loved in return.
What do I say about Ryan Brooks? So many things . . . . first, he is SO swoony! Not only is he nice to look at, but he’s got a great sense of humor, doesn’t always take life too seriously, knows how to have fun, focuses on the important things in life, and is willing to drop everything for a friend in need. Oh, and he has a chivalrous streak a mile wide, which just adds to the swoony-ness. I loved getting to know him and seeing his heart for Lane, despite her standoffish behavior and sometimes cranky attitude. And their romance was so sweet! There were definitely several *sigh* worthy moments, a couple where I just wanted to “Gibbs slap” them, and the great “just have to smile” ending.
Overall, I would highly recommend reading this book, whether romance is your genre of choice, or not. I loved being challenged by the message with this story and would happily give it more than 5 stars, were that an option.
*My thanks to the publisher for my advanced copy of this book! I was not required to write a positive review and have not been compensated for it in any way. All opinions expressed are my own.
4+stars
It took me a bit to get into this book because Lane was a little off putting to me as a character. But I am glad I stuck with it, because this was a touching journey about remembering that people are precious, and God can use the pain in our life to good.
It took me a bit to get into this book because Lane was a little off putting to me as a character. But I am glad I stuck with it, because this was a touching journey about remembering that people are precious, and God can use the pain in our life to good.
Despite generally not being a fan of Christian fiction, this is the second book by Courtney Walsh that I’ve found myself enjoying.
This book had a well-developed plot, characters that were truly believable, and a story line that had me rooting for the happy ending all the way through.
One thing I dislike about so much Christian fiction is that it often seems like the God aspect is forced, in the story itself, but particularly in the dialogue. It just doesn’t feel real. That is not how Walsh writes Christian fiction. Faith is clearly part of the story, but never forced; it makes it feel more true to life with characters that have doubts and aren’t so focused on their faith that everything else in their lives are pushed out.
So, if you like a good story, a clean romance, Christian fiction, or any combination of those three, pick up a book by Courtney Walsh.
This book had a well-developed plot, characters that were truly believable, and a story line that had me rooting for the happy ending all the way through.
One thing I dislike about so much Christian fiction is that it often seems like the God aspect is forced, in the story itself, but particularly in the dialogue. It just doesn’t feel real. That is not how Walsh writes Christian fiction. Faith is clearly part of the story, but never forced; it makes it feel more true to life with characters that have doubts and aren’t so focused on their faith that everything else in their lives are pushed out.
So, if you like a good story, a clean romance, Christian fiction, or any combination of those three, pick up a book by Courtney Walsh.
Just Look Up (2017) is a novel by Courtney Walsh. This book will release on July 4, 2017, and will come in all forms including eBook. The book is 416 pages in length. With a full-time job and a five-year old at home, this book took me two days to read. I received a copy of the eBook from Tyndale Publishing through NetGalley; all opinions expressed in this review are my own. I give this AMAZING novel 5+ STARS. This is a Contemporary Christian Romance.
This novel is AMAZING. In some ways, this was one of the hardest books I have read in a long time. This novel is told via the points of view of two uniquely damaged narrators: Lane and Ryan. Lane, is a tortured woman. Her past has hurt her so deeply she has done everything to keep ALL people at arm's length including her family...especially her family. This novel was hard to read because it was like looking into a mirror. I know what it is like to do everything in my power to keep people out. I was born an introvert, so keeping people away is kind of part of my DNA, but because of a few truly awful bullies in my life and some excruciatingly rough moments, I learned to LOVE every corner away from the crowd where I could escape with a good book. I am the person who is so afraid of people I always have a ready excuse at hand just in case I need to escape. Lane escapes life through her work; if it's not work related, she too always has ready excuses for avoiding everything. What I loved so much about Lane's character is how realistic she is: her fears, her pain, the way she hides, the way she runs away, how she slowly, through God's help, eases herself back into life -- oh my goodness, so realistic.
Ryan Brooks is a phenomenal character. He is a good man. He is a God-fearing man. He acts his faith. Ryan had a tough life as a kid. His mother ran off when he was little, and he took it upon himself to protect his little sister from their abusive, alcoholic father. When he is a little boy, he has an encounter with Lane's dad that changes his life forever. What I love about Ryan the most is that of all the characters in this book he should totally be the closed off character. His life growing up was hard: hunger, abuse, having to be the adult well before his time, etc. BUT, he doesn't let these circumstances make him bitter and negative. He channels his experiences to make him a better man. I respect his character so much. Ms. Walsh did an excellent job with Ryan; he is beautifully and realistically written.
This novel also make a great point about disconnecting. The title is perfect: Just Look Up. That is part of Lane's problem: she has become so "connected" to her social medias, to her cell phone notifications, to her emails, to her projects, that she never looks up anymore. Once she has been disconnected and weaned off of her phone for a month, she realizes all she has lost and all she has missed out on, and realizes she must make change. Such an excellent reminder. We are all connected these days, and in some ways it is really cool to be in touch with people around the world, but are these the right connections? Are people sitting next to us that we don't really see anymore because we are too busy being "connected"? Do we need to look up? What are we missing out on?
Just Look Up is the first Courtney Walsh novel I have read...it will not be the last. Ms. Walsh is an amazing writer. This story is fast-paced, poignant, and genuine. Some of the moments in this book are so well written, I had to put the book down, take a step back, and gather my emotions before I could continue reading. Ms. Walsh's ability to extract emotions from her readers is incredible. I truly felt things reading this novel that I hadn't felt in a long time. It made me stop and remember the girl I used to be. It made me thank God for how far I have come. It made me laugh out loud. It made me cry several times. My heart broke for all Lane and Ryan had gone through. I had a visceral, emotional reaction to this novel. It was cathartic and a blessing. I cannot recommend this novel enough. When it comes out on July 4th, run to the book store and get a copy of this beautiful novel. You will not be sorry that you did.
This novel is AMAZING. In some ways, this was one of the hardest books I have read in a long time. This novel is told via the points of view of two uniquely damaged narrators: Lane and Ryan. Lane, is a tortured woman. Her past has hurt her so deeply she has done everything to keep ALL people at arm's length including her family...especially her family. This novel was hard to read because it was like looking into a mirror. I know what it is like to do everything in my power to keep people out. I was born an introvert, so keeping people away is kind of part of my DNA, but because of a few truly awful bullies in my life and some excruciatingly rough moments, I learned to LOVE every corner away from the crowd where I could escape with a good book. I am the person who is so afraid of people I always have a ready excuse at hand just in case I need to escape. Lane escapes life through her work; if it's not work related, she too always has ready excuses for avoiding everything. What I loved so much about Lane's character is how realistic she is: her fears, her pain, the way she hides, the way she runs away, how she slowly, through God's help, eases herself back into life -- oh my goodness, so realistic.
Ryan Brooks is a phenomenal character. He is a good man. He is a God-fearing man. He acts his faith. Ryan had a tough life as a kid. His mother ran off when he was little, and he took it upon himself to protect his little sister from their abusive, alcoholic father. When he is a little boy, he has an encounter with Lane's dad that changes his life forever. What I love about Ryan the most is that of all the characters in this book he should totally be the closed off character. His life growing up was hard: hunger, abuse, having to be the adult well before his time, etc. BUT, he doesn't let these circumstances make him bitter and negative. He channels his experiences to make him a better man. I respect his character so much. Ms. Walsh did an excellent job with Ryan; he is beautifully and realistically written.
This novel also make a great point about disconnecting. The title is perfect: Just Look Up. That is part of Lane's problem: she has become so "connected" to her social medias, to her cell phone notifications, to her emails, to her projects, that she never looks up anymore. Once she has been disconnected and weaned off of her phone for a month, she realizes all she has lost and all she has missed out on, and realizes she must make change. Such an excellent reminder. We are all connected these days, and in some ways it is really cool to be in touch with people around the world, but are these the right connections? Are people sitting next to us that we don't really see anymore because we are too busy being "connected"? Do we need to look up? What are we missing out on?
Just Look Up is the first Courtney Walsh novel I have read...it will not be the last. Ms. Walsh is an amazing writer. This story is fast-paced, poignant, and genuine. Some of the moments in this book are so well written, I had to put the book down, take a step back, and gather my emotions before I could continue reading. Ms. Walsh's ability to extract emotions from her readers is incredible. I truly felt things reading this novel that I hadn't felt in a long time. It made me stop and remember the girl I used to be. It made me thank God for how far I have come. It made me laugh out loud. It made me cry several times. My heart broke for all Lane and Ryan had gone through. I had a visceral, emotional reaction to this novel. It was cathartic and a blessing. I cannot recommend this novel enough. When it comes out on July 4th, run to the book store and get a copy of this beautiful novel. You will not be sorry that you did.
Very Thought Provoking Story
Are you looking up? Are you truly seeing those people around you and hearing what they're saying? You'll never really get to know someone until you truly spend time and communicate with each other.
These are some of the issues Lane was having, and yet she really didn't want to change. She didn't want to connect with others unless it was for her business. Because if she truly communicate with her family they'd see her hurt and know her pain and she couldn't trust them to not hurt her more.
Courtney Walsh has written a story which will make you stop and think about how you relate to those around you.
This book will tug at your heart and leave you realizing there's more to life when you look up and around.
There's a challenge in this book for all of us to take the time and honestly speak face to face with others.
I think I'll be putting my phone down more and paying more attention to those around me.
Great book!
Are you looking up? Are you truly seeing those people around you and hearing what they're saying? You'll never really get to know someone until you truly spend time and communicate with each other.
These are some of the issues Lane was having, and yet she really didn't want to change. She didn't want to connect with others unless it was for her business. Because if she truly communicate with her family they'd see her hurt and know her pain and she couldn't trust them to not hurt her more.
Courtney Walsh has written a story which will make you stop and think about how you relate to those around you.
This book will tug at your heart and leave you realizing there's more to life when you look up and around.
There's a challenge in this book for all of us to take the time and honestly speak face to face with others.
I think I'll be putting my phone down more and paying more attention to those around me.
Great book!