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3.74 AVERAGE
3.74 AVERAGE
I really wanted to like this. The author is from Chicago, and I was hoping to feel some sort of connection. The problem was that I felt really no connection to anything in this book. I think there are some big ideas here: faith, morality, love...but the characters weren't believable partially because I felt they were all underdeveloped. The conflict with Thera and the house didn't seem like it warranted such major uproar. And the end? It just ended. I fell into all the gaping plot holes. I wanted more!
This was a good book. It was thought provoking and relevant to my life in a way, which was both heartbreaking and not at once. Some of the content was heartbreaking in itself, but I quite enjoyed reading Jace's story, his questions and confusion with the world and everything. It was an interesting take on life and the afterlife and I found I had a hard time putting it down as I grew closer and closer to the end.
There was only one main thing, at the end I wasn't crazy about, but I'm not going to spoil the book here. It's definitely worth the read.
There was only one main thing, at the end I wasn't crazy about, but I'm not going to spoil the book here. It's definitely worth the read.
This review was originally posted on Andi's ABCs
Having just read Stacey Kade’s book, 738 Days, not that long ago, I was excited with the prospect of reading another by her. The concept of For This Life Only sounded great. It totally seemed to be a book that was my kind of book. Sadly when I finished it I didn’t have the same feelings I felt when I read 738 Days. To be truthful I was really conflicted (still am) on how I felt about it.
I guess in all honesty it kind of threw me a little as I was reading. I didn’t expect For This Life Only to have such a strong religious theme to it and it did. Don’t get me wrong, I will happily read books that are religious themed (Pure by Terra Elan McVoy and Small Town Sinners by Melissa Walker are two of my favorites) but I want to know it is going to be religious when I go in. I had no idea this book was going to be and it threw me a little.
I really liked the idea behind the book, still do, but in the end I felt like a lot wasn’t answered and the religious aspect was huge but really didn’t even add to the story. I guess I don’t know what felt off for me, but something did and when all is said and done I was sad. If you do decide to read For This Life Only know there are religious parts. Maybe knowing that going in will make a difference. I wish I did.
Having just read Stacey Kade’s book, 738 Days, not that long ago, I was excited with the prospect of reading another by her. The concept of For This Life Only sounded great. It totally seemed to be a book that was my kind of book. Sadly when I finished it I didn’t have the same feelings I felt when I read 738 Days. To be truthful I was really conflicted (still am) on how I felt about it.
I guess in all honesty it kind of threw me a little as I was reading. I didn’t expect For This Life Only to have such a strong religious theme to it and it did. Don’t get me wrong, I will happily read books that are religious themed (Pure by Terra Elan McVoy and Small Town Sinners by Melissa Walker are two of my favorites) but I want to know it is going to be religious when I go in. I had no idea this book was going to be and it threw me a little.
I really liked the idea behind the book, still do, but in the end I felt like a lot wasn’t answered and the religious aspect was huge but really didn’t even add to the story. I guess I don’t know what felt off for me, but something did and when all is said and done I was sad. If you do decide to read For This Life Only know there are religious parts. Maybe knowing that going in will make a difference. I wish I did.
We spent a lot of time putting you back together.
Oh man, Ms. Stacey Kade, you have made my heart go through so many emotions once again (ICYMI: Stacey put out the amazing NA book, 738 Days, earlier this year and it's a top contender for best book of the year for me!). Forewarning: For This Life Only manages to make your heart drop and sing all in the same book. SO.MANY.FEELS.
First, let's meet our characters. You've got Jace and Eli, twins who may or may not be more alike than they realize, plus their sister and parents. Papa Palmer is not only the family Patriarch but the town's beloved Reverend. Eli is following in his father's footsteps while Jace is just trying to be a normal teen, much to his father's dismay. Gotta keep up appearances! On the flip side is Thera, daughter to the town psychic, who can't catch a break thanks to the pressure for her mom to close up shop.
Jace, out at a party with his friends, asks Eli to pick him up and drive him home. The two are driving home when Eli randomly comes out with, "Do you think there's a difference between doing the right thing that definitely hurts one person and doing the right thing that might hurt a lot of people?" Before the two can get deep into the conversation, Eli loses control of the car and Jace's life is forever changed. Upon waking up, Jace learns he not only lost the ability to pitch but also his twin. As you can imagine, Eli's loss impacts a lot of people, from their sister who is constantly worried about Jace's safety to Eli's girlfriend to Thera, who Eli was tutoring and working on another project with.
This book is about putting things back together again, or not, depending on how broken they are. It's about loss and recovery. The moment of Eli's loss was jarring and real. Jace's journey, along with those around him, is raw. Now that he can't play baseball, will he still fit in with his teammates? Will he ever know what Eli was talking about right before his death? What was Thera to Eli, really? Is anything as it seems and can he trust those he thought he knew? Add on top of that the fact that he has a pressure to be perfect in the eyes of a community who holds the cards to his family's wellbeing. Jace's questioning of the afterlife, thanks to his brief experience, is heartbreaking. Luckily Thera comes into his life, spunky and ready to help him. Stronger than either ever realized. Together, they explore Eli's last words and figure out what he was trying to tell Jace.
It's clear that Stacey poured her heart into this book, both by the writing and through her acknowledgements. I took this book with me to a music festival and sobbed in public as I read through the ending.
And can we talk about this cover!? How gorgeous is it!!!?? I love it and can't wait to get my hands on a finished copy. Many thanks to Stacey for writing yet another book I couldn't put down and left me sobbing at the end.
Oh man, Ms. Stacey Kade, you have made my heart go through so many emotions once again (ICYMI: Stacey put out the amazing NA book, 738 Days, earlier this year and it's a top contender for best book of the year for me!). Forewarning: For This Life Only manages to make your heart drop and sing all in the same book. SO.MANY.FEELS.
First, let's meet our characters. You've got Jace and Eli, twins who may or may not be more alike than they realize, plus their sister and parents. Papa Palmer is not only the family Patriarch but the town's beloved Reverend. Eli is following in his father's footsteps while Jace is just trying to be a normal teen, much to his father's dismay. Gotta keep up appearances! On the flip side is Thera, daughter to the town psychic, who can't catch a break thanks to the pressure for her mom to close up shop.
Jace, out at a party with his friends, asks Eli to pick him up and drive him home. The two are driving home when Eli randomly comes out with, "Do you think there's a difference between doing the right thing that definitely hurts one person and doing the right thing that might hurt a lot of people?" Before the two can get deep into the conversation, Eli loses control of the car and Jace's life is forever changed. Upon waking up, Jace learns he not only lost the ability to pitch but also his twin. As you can imagine, Eli's loss impacts a lot of people, from their sister who is constantly worried about Jace's safety to Eli's girlfriend to Thera, who Eli was tutoring and working on another project with.
This book is about putting things back together again, or not, depending on how broken they are. It's about loss and recovery. The moment of Eli's loss was jarring and real. Jace's journey, along with those around him, is raw. Now that he can't play baseball, will he still fit in with his teammates? Will he ever know what Eli was talking about right before his death? What was Thera to Eli, really? Is anything as it seems and can he trust those he thought he knew? Add on top of that the fact that he has a pressure to be perfect in the eyes of a community who holds the cards to his family's wellbeing. Jace's questioning of the afterlife, thanks to his brief experience, is heartbreaking. Luckily Thera comes into his life, spunky and ready to help him. Stronger than either ever realized. Together, they explore Eli's last words and figure out what he was trying to tell Jace.
It's clear that Stacey poured her heart into this book, both by the writing and through her acknowledgements. I took this book with me to a music festival and sobbed in public as I read through the ending.
And can we talk about this cover!? How gorgeous is it!!!?? I love it and can't wait to get my hands on a finished copy. Many thanks to Stacey for writing yet another book I couldn't put down and left me sobbing at the end.
u know how there’s some tv shows that set up plot lines for 4-5 seasons but get cancelled at season 2 so the ending feels rushed and nonsensical and stupidly tying up lose ends when there could have been so many plot lines and characters explored but they weren’t and u feel upset about that? that’s what the ending of this book felt like
Jace's characterization in For This Life Only is physical. He pops right off the page and sits down next to you to tell you his story. He is so, incredibly, aware of his situation in terms of what it is, what it was, and what it was supposed to be. Although his comparisons are constant, they are never overbearing.
Read the full review at either blog!
Read the full review at either blog!
At first, the book was fascinating, and I wanted to read about Jacob's response to his brother's death and since Jacob was a Christian. As I kept reading, it got boring because it was pretty repetitive. But, I actually don't blame him for that (because I went through a similar experience). Overall, it was an okay book.
I really wanted to like this. The author is from Chicago, and I was hoping to feel some sort of connection. The problem was that I felt really no connection to anything in this book. I think there are some big ideas here: faith, morality, love...but the characters weren't believable partially because I felt they were all underdeveloped. The conflict with Thera and the house didn't seem like it warranted such major uproar. And the end? It just ended. I fell into all the gaping plot holes. I wanted more!
dark
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Religious bigotry
Moderate: Death, Grief, Car accident, Gaslighting
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders, Suicidal thoughts
I really enjoyed this book. I was having quite the long day inside the lab, when I decided to pick this book up so I was able to read it in one sitting, while doing some lab works. And it was more than enough to keep the boredom away.
This book's portrayal of grief is so amazing, I could feel every emotion. Jace and Eli are twins, who got into an accident, which got Eli dead. Jace's life changed from that point, and he started to question everything in his life, especially things about his brother.
I really like the voice of Jace in the story. It's raw and full of emotions, which makes it very realistic for someone who just lost his other half. I love his relationship with Eli and their little sister, Sarah. He also has a great character development and I really enjoyed seeing his character grow. He used to be with the jocks, being sporty and all but that changed after the accident, which led him to meet Thera.
I also like Thera's character. She's very interesting and I enjoyed her story as well. It's quite nice to read a story that doesn't focus much on the romance, although I have to admit that the chemistry between Thera and Jace is really good.
Friendships in this book was portrayed really good too. Even with Jace falling out with some of his friends, it's quite reassuring that he was able to reconcile with them. There was also a heavy religious theme surrounding this book, which was depicted pretty well and it added depth to the story and to Jace's character, and his family relationship.
This was my first Stacey Kade book and I'm really impressed with her writing style. Overall, this book is one of the best books I've read this year and I can't wait to read more from her.
This book's portrayal of grief is so amazing, I could feel every emotion. Jace and Eli are twins, who got into an accident, which got Eli dead. Jace's life changed from that point, and he started to question everything in his life, especially things about his brother.
I really like the voice of Jace in the story. It's raw and full of emotions, which makes it very realistic for someone who just lost his other half. I love his relationship with Eli and their little sister, Sarah. He also has a great character development and I really enjoyed seeing his character grow. He used to be with the jocks, being sporty and all but that changed after the accident, which led him to meet Thera.
I also like Thera's character. She's very interesting and I enjoyed her story as well. It's quite nice to read a story that doesn't focus much on the romance, although I have to admit that the chemistry between Thera and Jace is really good.
Friendships in this book was portrayed really good too. Even with Jace falling out with some of his friends, it's quite reassuring that he was able to reconcile with them. There was also a heavy religious theme surrounding this book, which was depicted pretty well and it added depth to the story and to Jace's character, and his family relationship.
This was my first Stacey Kade book and I'm really impressed with her writing style. Overall, this book is one of the best books I've read this year and I can't wait to read more from her.