Scan barcode
brigittewhoa's review against another edition
5.0
I am literally crying as I write this review because this book was well-written and touched my heart in a big way. The characters are compelling, and you want to care about them from the beginning. Victoria Ellis did an amazing job crafting this novel.
pebblespenguin1's review against another edition
5.0
I loved, loved, loved this book! I adored Ava and River as individual characters, but when they get together it's fireworks. I thought this story was written beautifully and while it is a romance I felt it had a lot of grit to it as well. The characters and plot were very developed and I was rooting for them so hard. This may be my second favorite book of the year!
megmackreads's review against another edition
5.0
I have been waiting for MONTHS to read this book and did it in a day. Thank you very much to Victoria for the ARC. I absolutely love the story you told. The characters, the diversity of situations like autism, cancer, unexpected pregnancy, it was just all amazing and so well done. This is her first romance novel but y’all you would never even know. READ. THIS. BOOK.
amor_fati's review against another edition
5.0
Get your heart ready!
I was hooked from the first chapter, literally. A book that combines music and love and passion and writing in this way, it was like undeniable the pull it had over me. The connection and love all the characters show had from the endearing best friend to the unbreakable family bonds, but what this story has most is the heartbreakingly beautiful story of the love between Ava and River.
We span years of their love, of bonds of loyalty being tested, of vulnerability, of growing up, of learning yourself and finally realizing what is most important, what is always there love. Victoria gives us everything, for me to shed tears, people, this book will hit you in the soul so hard.
It’s a definite must read! Be ready to believe, be ready to fall and be ready to see love in all forms.
I was hooked from the first chapter, literally. A book that combines music and love and passion and writing in this way, it was like undeniable the pull it had over me. The connection and love all the characters show had from the endearing best friend to the unbreakable family bonds, but what this story has most is the heartbreakingly beautiful story of the love between Ava and River.
We span years of their love, of bonds of loyalty being tested, of vulnerability, of growing up, of learning yourself and finally realizing what is most important, what is always there love. Victoria gives us everything, for me to shed tears, people, this book will hit you in the soul so hard.
It’s a definite must read! Be ready to believe, be ready to fall and be ready to see love in all forms.
nebulous07's review against another edition
4.0
'Blurred Lines' by Victoria Ellis is a book to remember that is etched with passion, authenticity and creativity. This book is the definition of a contemporary romance as it highlights relevant topics such as autism, drug overdose, divorce and pregnancy. Victoria truly captures and conveys the heart and soul of the protagonists' Ava Keyes & River Jacobs. Their journeys are full of many ups and downs as they navigate through life as adults, understanding the power of words and the consequences of their decisions. Both characters come from very different family backgrounds they both have one thing that they selflessly offer to each other - love. Their chemistry presented through their points of view is mesmerising and the passage of time flows very well with the overall plot shining a light on their wisdom and their maturity. There are moments where I had an inkling of what's going to happen but couldn't predict where these would appear, making this book a page-turner. There's so much of heart in this book that examines the power of conversation. The strength and vitality relationships between the Keyes & the Jacob family and supporting characters such as Hailee, Chris, and Oliver is distinctive and noteworthy. This book celebrates creative expression can be used to express pain and make something beautiful. Ava & River's story is one to behold, and it ignited a variety of emotions within me. A 4.5 star read!
Victoria Ellis is an exceptional writer who orchestrates words to tug your heartstrings, make you laugh out loud and shed some tears. I can't wait to read more of her work in the contemporary romance genre.
A big thank you to Victoria Ellis for giving me an ARC of this book. This honest review is left voluntarily.
Victoria Ellis is an exceptional writer who orchestrates words to tug your heartstrings, make you laugh out loud and shed some tears. I can't wait to read more of her work in the contemporary romance genre.
A big thank you to Victoria Ellis for giving me an ARC of this book. This honest review is left voluntarily.
stevienicole30's review against another edition
5.0
A love story where fate intervened. The two characters Ava & River met as teenagers where they quickly fell in love. Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end. Years later fate brought these two together but will they be able to fix what broke years before. This book took me on a wild ride that I couldn’t put down. I sat in my bed at 2:00am on a Friday sobbing. This book had me crying not only for the sad parts but also the happy parts. Ava and River's love story was a beautiful mess filled with twists and turns that I wasn't sure if these two would be able to overcome. Victoria Ellis you my lady did a wonderful job at telling this story, and giving these characters a voice. You also made me believe that sometimes fate intervenes and it can be a beautiful thing.
becsa's review against another edition
4.0
This was a great book with so many twists and turns that left me wondering what was going to happen next and how the characters were going to deal with it all.
I loved the innocence of the beginning of River and Ava’s relationship and how close the two became. Their love was true but also knew that the chances of it surviving a long distance relationship was not going to be easy so they had to cut it short.
Ava’s relationship with her dad was beautiful and I loved how close the two of them were. He was such an important person in her growth and how she handled everything that she was up against. I loved his advice through the book and how much River respected him as well.
I understood why River had to leave to chase his own dream as that had always been his plan until he met Ava and although she meant the world to him, he couldn’t change the course of what he wanted.
I was shocked at what happened 5 years later and I was sad for River as he really held out hope that Ava would be there not knowing she already had a commitment.
I was super happy when time passed and the two found themselves talking again and realizing how much they both still loved each other and that it was time to really focus on them. Then OMG – huge bomb and I really hoped that Ava would be able to see past it all and support River.
I was so happy for River and Ava that they were able to work past everything that came into their path but I was breaking a little for everything that Ava’s dad was going through and I understood his final decision. I loved what River was able to pull off and it really showed what an amazing guy he was!
The end was awesome and I think I would have loved a little more of an epilogue 5 years down the road to see where they were at!
I loved the innocence of the beginning of River and Ava’s relationship and how close the two became. Their love was true but also knew that the chances of it surviving a long distance relationship was not going to be easy so they had to cut it short.
Ava’s relationship with her dad was beautiful and I loved how close the two of them were. He was such an important person in her growth and how she handled everything that she was up against. I loved his advice through the book and how much River respected him as well.
I understood why River had to leave to chase his own dream as that had always been his plan until he met Ava and although she meant the world to him, he couldn’t change the course of what he wanted.
I was shocked at what happened 5 years later and I was sad for River as he really held out hope that Ava would be there not knowing she already had a commitment.
I was super happy when time passed and the two found themselves talking again and realizing how much they both still loved each other and that it was time to really focus on them. Then OMG – huge bomb and I really hoped that Ava would be able to see past it all and support River.
I was so happy for River and Ava that they were able to work past everything that came into their path but I was breaking a little for everything that Ava’s dad was going through and I understood his final decision. I loved what River was able to pull off and it really showed what an amazing guy he was!
The end was awesome and I think I would have loved a little more of an epilogue 5 years down the road to see where they were at!
orianareads's review against another edition
5.0
Well I am kind of adamant about this book it was great written and the story was sweet, romantic, sad and made me furious quite a bit. But it is not the typical kind of book I would normally read.
lauraanne9's review against another edition
2.0
***ARC Provided by the Author***
2.5 Stars
Initially, I was really drawn to Ava and River. I really liked their story, the way they started out, even thought they were 17 and 18 and I am not always drawn to the YA/NA genre. However, I went into this one knowing that it started with them young and then there was going to be a time jump of at least a few years.
And there was. But unfortunately, I didn't actually find they were better characters as they got older. I actually liked them less, and I believed in their connection less when they were older.
I guess what this one comes down to is in the aging of them to make the story more believable, I think they lost some of the reasons that they were together. Yes, they did find them again at the end...but the parts in the middle just didn't work for me...and if I hadn't been as invested as I was in the first part of the book, I don't think I would have finished this title.
I am not able to recommend this book.
2.5 Stars
Initially, I was really drawn to Ava and River. I really liked their story, the way they started out, even thought they were 17 and 18 and I am not always drawn to the YA/NA genre. However, I went into this one knowing that it started with them young and then there was going to be a time jump of at least a few years.
And there was. But unfortunately, I didn't actually find they were better characters as they got older. I actually liked them less, and I believed in their connection less when they were older.
I guess what this one comes down to is in the aging of them to make the story more believable, I think they lost some of the reasons that they were together. Yes, they did find them again at the end...but the parts in the middle just didn't work for me...and if I hadn't been as invested as I was in the first part of the book, I don't think I would have finished this title.
I am not able to recommend this book.
shanoconnor's review
5.0
***i received an ARC in exchange for an honest review***
Wow. Wow. Wow. I need time to collect my thoughts. This is the first novel I have read by Ellis, I’m a huge fan of her poetry books and wanted to give this a try. She had me captive from the start with a promising storyline that does not disappoint. I do wish we got a little more of Ava and river when they were younger but I do understand the pacing. I looked forward every night to getting to read more of River and Ava’s story. It was beautifully written and holds you captive even when there are CLIFFHANGERS that drive you a little crazy because you need to go to bed but this book keeps you going. Overall I really loved it and would definitely recommend checking it out if you’re a romance fan.
Wow. Wow. Wow. I need time to collect my thoughts. This is the first novel I have read by Ellis, I’m a huge fan of her poetry books and wanted to give this a try. She had me captive from the start with a promising storyline that does not disappoint. I do wish we got a little more of Ava and river when they were younger but I do understand the pacing. I looked forward every night to getting to read more of River and Ava’s story. It was beautifully written and holds you captive even when there are CLIFFHANGERS that drive you a little crazy because you need to go to bed but this book keeps you going. Overall I really loved it and would definitely recommend checking it out if you’re a romance fan.
More...