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4.16 AVERAGE
4.16 AVERAGE
Rating: 4.5⭐️
Thank you to the publisher for gifting me an arc via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
“There’s nothing in the world a good book can’t cure.”
“I’ve lived in books. I’ve eaten and breathed book for so long that I took it for granted. I assumed that, if they saved me once, they would always be there to pick me up, even if Jenna wasn’t.”
Let’s start with this cover! It’s absolutely beautiful and I feel that it grasps the concept of the book perfectly! I honestly can’t get over how stunning it is!
The writing was very lyrical, beautiful, and had an ethereal effect on the story as we follow Amelia, who’s grieving over the death of her best friend. When a rare edition of the Orman Chronicles is mailed to Amelia, she thinks Jenna had something to do with it. Amelia travels to Michigan to figure out the truth behind the book and the mysterious bookstore is came from, but ends up with even more questions when she ends up meeting N. E. Endsley himself.
I felt that this book moved very fast in the beginning. One chapter the girls were meeting, the next they were at the book event, and the next Jenna was dead. All of this happens within the first three chapters and I would’ve liked to see it dragged out a little bit more. It does slow down after those chapters but it would’ve been nice to see a little bit more.
I did like that Amelia retreated into fictional worlds to cope with her grief as she showed how much books meant to her and how they helped her throughout her life. Books obviously play a huge role in Amelia’s life and it’s show really well throughout the story - her dependence on them when her father leaves and when her best friend dies.
Amelia’s and Nolan’s relationship was adorable as they both struggled with getting to know each other. Two book nerds who usually choose reading books over talking to people usually make the cutest couples and they live up to that assumption. Both characters are broken and struggle with moving forward in life but with the help of each other, they are able to overcome their grief together.
I ended up enjoying this book more than I thought I would. There’s a lot of heartbreak and regret in this story but there’s also a lot hope and reflection and I loved that about it.
I highly recommend checking this one out!
Thank you to the publisher for gifting me an arc via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
“There’s nothing in the world a good book can’t cure.”
“I’ve lived in books. I’ve eaten and breathed book for so long that I took it for granted. I assumed that, if they saved me once, they would always be there to pick me up, even if Jenna wasn’t.”
Let’s start with this cover! It’s absolutely beautiful and I feel that it grasps the concept of the book perfectly! I honestly can’t get over how stunning it is!
The writing was very lyrical, beautiful, and had an ethereal effect on the story as we follow Amelia, who’s grieving over the death of her best friend. When a rare edition of the Orman Chronicles is mailed to Amelia, she thinks Jenna had something to do with it. Amelia travels to Michigan to figure out the truth behind the book and the mysterious bookstore is came from, but ends up with even more questions when she ends up meeting N. E. Endsley himself.
I felt that this book moved very fast in the beginning. One chapter the girls were meeting, the next they were at the book event, and the next Jenna was dead. All of this happens within the first three chapters and I would’ve liked to see it dragged out a little bit more. It does slow down after those chapters but it would’ve been nice to see a little bit more.
I did like that Amelia retreated into fictional worlds to cope with her grief as she showed how much books meant to her and how they helped her throughout her life. Books obviously play a huge role in Amelia’s life and it’s show really well throughout the story - her dependence on them when her father leaves and when her best friend dies.
Amelia’s and Nolan’s relationship was adorable as they both struggled with getting to know each other. Two book nerds who usually choose reading books over talking to people usually make the cutest couples and they live up to that assumption. Both characters are broken and struggle with moving forward in life but with the help of each other, they are able to overcome their grief together.
I ended up enjoying this book more than I thought I would. There’s a lot of heartbreak and regret in this story but there’s also a lot hope and reflection and I loved that about it.
I highly recommend checking this one out!
This is a heartwarming read about two broken and grieving young adults who find their way to each other through books. There is a fairy tale-like feeling to this story, and it is a lovely exploration of what it means to create the life you want for yourself. That being said, the writing lacked something for me, and despite the beautiful themes of books, friendship, and love, the novel never quite coalesced for me. 3.5 stars.
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Beautiful Beautiful
Why are the most beautifully written books devastatingly heartbreaking? I loved this story of learning to live your own authentic life. Of chosen families. Of mattering. Be prepared for lots of tears but they’re totally worth it. Oh, and it’s also a book about books, authors and an almost-magical bookstore.
Why are the most beautifully written books devastatingly heartbreaking? I loved this story of learning to live your own authentic life. Of chosen families. Of mattering. Be prepared for lots of tears but they’re totally worth it. Oh, and it’s also a book about books, authors and an almost-magical bookstore.
This book moved my heart in so many ways... I think this author and I would’ve been friends in high school.
It reminded me of what it’s like to obsessively immerse myself in stories (alone and alongside others).
Of the joy and wonder of falling in love and being fallen in love with.
Of the vulnerability of art.
Of what it’s like to gain / fight with / fight for / lose a best friend.
Of the invaluable gift of knowing trustworthy adults who love you like you’re their own child, filling in some of the gaps of your parents’ shortcomings, even while they have shortcomings themselves.
Of how grief can look like intense crying, explosive anger, shutting down into numbness, and a mix of many things all at once.
Of slowly coming back to life after loss, like a flower reopening in spring.
And of how important it is to live your life, not anyone else’s, even if you don’t know what “live your life” means exactly.
I read a blog post about “quiet novels” by Forest Avenue Press that reminded me of this book. “Quiet means introspective, character-driven, rich with language and emotion. Quiet does not mean boring. It does not mean plotless . . . Quiet is almost always dangerous.”
And YES.
One of my favorite quotes from Amelia Unabridged: “I hate endings. Hate them. If the story is good it’s never going to be long enough.”
It reminded me of what it’s like to obsessively immerse myself in stories (alone and alongside others).
Of the joy and wonder of falling in love and being fallen in love with.
Of the vulnerability of art.
Of what it’s like to gain / fight with / fight for / lose a best friend.
Of the invaluable gift of knowing trustworthy adults who love you like you’re their own child, filling in some of the gaps of your parents’ shortcomings, even while they have shortcomings themselves.
Of how grief can look like intense crying, explosive anger, shutting down into numbness, and a mix of many things all at once.
Of slowly coming back to life after loss, like a flower reopening in spring.
And of how important it is to live your life, not anyone else’s, even if you don’t know what “live your life” means exactly.
I read a blog post about “quiet novels” by Forest Avenue Press that reminded me of this book. “Quiet means introspective, character-driven, rich with language and emotion. Quiet does not mean boring. It does not mean plotless . . . Quiet is almost always dangerous.”
And YES.
One of my favorite quotes from Amelia Unabridged: “I hate endings. Hate them. If the story is good it’s never going to be long enough.”
“Everything is a story, not just writing. You need to find the story that means something to you, a story you like telling.”
I honestly didn’t know what to expect going into this book. I was afraid that the book was going to be to much heartbreak to handle but after reading it I have to say this book officially has my heart. It was so good. Though there’s heartbreak and loss in this book…there is also laughter and some romance. Just learning how to live with the loss of someone that means the world to you. All of that is just balanced so well through out the book and I know I already said it but Oh my goodness this book was so so good.
So I just have to say I just loved all the characters. Wally might just be my favorite character ever. I secretly wish that Val’s was a real place because I would basically live there. I loved Nolan and Alex’s friendship (aka bromance). There were so many funny moments in this book and I laughed out loud countless times. The romance was sweet and super adorable. I also really loved how the epilogue was written. It’s unique and different and I’m 100% her for it.
With all of the being said you should 100% read this book because have i mentioned it so so good. Loved it!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance digital copy of this book!
*I received a advance digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*
I honestly didn’t know what to expect going into this book. I was afraid that the book was going to be to much heartbreak to handle but after reading it I have to say this book officially has my heart. It was so good. Though there’s heartbreak and loss in this book…there is also laughter and some romance. Just learning how to live with the loss of someone that means the world to you. All of that is just balanced so well through out the book and I know I already said it but Oh my goodness this book was so so good.
So I just have to say I just loved all the characters. Wally might just be my favorite character ever. I secretly wish that Val’s was a real place because I would basically live there. I loved Nolan and Alex’s friendship (aka bromance). There were so many funny moments in this book and I laughed out loud countless times. The romance was sweet and super adorable. I also really loved how the epilogue was written. It’s unique and different and I’m 100% her for it.
With all of the being said you should 100% read this book because have i mentioned it so so good. Loved it!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance digital copy of this book!
*I received a advance digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*
straddles the line between sad contemporary and romance to pointed, poignant effectiveness. some suspension of disbelief required.
emotional
hopeful
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:
Complicated
emotional
inspiring
sad
medium-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
*Arc provided by Netgalley and Wednesday Books in exchange for an honest review.*
Any book lover has one book or one series that is hands down their absolute favorite. For Amelia and Jenna that series is the Orman Chronicles and when the author N.E. Endsley is scheduled to appear at a book festival they both jump on the opportunity to go. Unfortunately, Amelia misses a rare opportunity to meet him leading to a heated exchange between her and Jenna when she finds out Jenna was the last person he spoke to before leaving the festival. Before Amelia and Jenna are able to patch up their friendship Jenna is killed in a car accident leaving Amelia to question everything about her plans for college and life. One day an incredibly rare special edition of the Orman Chronicles shows up propelling Amelia on an adventure to small town in Michigan where she ends up meeting N.E. Endsley.
Review:
As someone who's attended many BookCon's and author signings this book hurt a little to read after having all events cancelled last year as this is a book for book lovers. The details of the book festival and the special edition copy of the Orman Chronicles with all the art makes my book collecting heart start racing. Amelia was so was relatable in her excitement and attachment to this book. To read her disappointment at missing the opportunity to meet her favorite author and get her book signed is a very real thing at a festival/convention especially when you have to travel to get to the event. I can't even imagine how frustrating and mad I'd be finding out my bestfriend got to meet them for the whole 5 minutes we were separated. I don't think I'd ever flip out like Amelia does, but I get why she does, The trauma of losing her bestfriend after a fight like that is hard to read because when you lose someone regardless of if it's an accident or you know it's coming I think you always mentally playback your time and question if fights were worth it.
Amelia isn't just learning how to get past her grief though she's also learning who she is identity wise without Jenna. If that wasn't enough she's also learning the very important difference between the person you make up in your head vs the person someone really is. Lots of serious emotions and big topics in this book with enough YA fluff to not put you in a book slump.
Any book lover has one book or one series that is hands down their absolute favorite. For Amelia and Jenna that series is the Orman Chronicles and when the author N.E. Endsley is scheduled to appear at a book festival they both jump on the opportunity to go. Unfortunately, Amelia misses a rare opportunity to meet him leading to a heated exchange between her and Jenna when she finds out Jenna was the last person he spoke to before leaving the festival. Before Amelia and Jenna are able to patch up their friendship Jenna is killed in a car accident leaving Amelia to question everything about her plans for college and life. One day an incredibly rare special edition of the Orman Chronicles shows up propelling Amelia on an adventure to small town in Michigan where she ends up meeting N.E. Endsley.
Review:
As someone who's attended many BookCon's and author signings this book hurt a little to read after having all events cancelled last year as this is a book for book lovers. The details of the book festival and the special edition copy of the Orman Chronicles with all the art makes my book collecting heart start racing. Amelia was so was relatable in her excitement and attachment to this book. To read her disappointment at missing the opportunity to meet her favorite author and get her book signed is a very real thing at a festival/convention especially when you have to travel to get to the event. I can't even imagine how frustrating and mad I'd be finding out my bestfriend got to meet them for the whole 5 minutes we were separated. I don't think I'd ever flip out like Amelia does, but I get why she does, The trauma of losing her bestfriend after a fight like that is hard to read because when you lose someone regardless of if it's an accident or you know it's coming I think you always mentally playback your time and question if fights were worth it.
Amelia isn't just learning how to get past her grief though she's also learning who she is identity wise without Jenna. If that wasn't enough she's also learning the very important difference between the person you make up in your head vs the person someone really is. Lots of serious emotions and big topics in this book with enough YA fluff to not put you in a book slump.