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3.84 AVERAGE
3.84 AVERAGE
Samantha Young can tell a story that brings you in and lets you feel so much. This is probably my favorite of her books . . . So far.
The emotions! This was a very emotional book to read. I did lots of crying through this book. This review has SPOILERS.
Play On is the story of Nora and her coming to terms with who she is and laying her past to rest in order to move on and find happiness in her life. Nora is 18 when we meet her and her life isn't going anywhere anytime soon. Her parents have basically given up on her and life. Her father is emotionally abusive to her because of his own unfortunate circumstances that has left him living in a wheel chair. Her mother works two jobs to keep them afloat and doesn't have anytime to emotionally support Nora. Nora is basically left on her own and usually left taking care of her invalid father. Then Jim sweeps into her life one summer night while road tripping through Nora's small Indiana town with his friend. They are from Scotland and its love at first site for Jim. For Nora, not so much but she can't say no when he asks her to marry him and return to Scotland with him. She is young and doesn't know what love is for her and agrees. Three years later their marriage is failing and Nora is thinking of leaving Jim and he knows it. One night at a bar Nora catches the eye of sexy Scotsman, Aidan and the next day they have a flirtatious meeting at the grocery she works at and Nora reaffirms to herself that divorce to Jim is probably the best for her and then Jim dies suddenly leaving Nora an emotional wreck. She spends the year after Jim dies feeling guilty for wanting to leave him. She feels guilty that she couldn't return the love that he had for her. She loved him but she wasn't IN love with him like he was with her and it is destroying her that she stole years from Jim when she felt he deserved better than her.
During that year she meets Aidan again and Aidan has his own tragedy that he is recovery from and they find a common bond in their grief. But another tragedy involving Aidan's young niece causes him to leave Scotland and Nora without even a good bye or so we think. This devastates Nora but it also lights a fire in her to pick up her life and start living it for herself and almost two years later Aidan returns and DRAMA.
I really enjoyed this book. I really felt for Nora and Aidan but I also really felt for Jim. I just kept thinking back to him throughout the book and his relationship with Nora. He really, truly loved her and I wished it would of worked out with them. I kind of wished the story was about her and Jim. I liked Aidan but something about Jim really tugged at my heart. His death was pretty devastating for me as a reader. I'm glad that Nora finally was able to let go of her guilt and finally start living her life for herself and seeing the value in her as a person. She faced her past, she faced her mother and she finally confronted her feeling for Jim and what he meant to her.
This is not a happily ever after book, its is a happy for now book but the ending gives you closure and I felt that Nora was going to be okay even if her relationship with Aidan doesn't ultimate work out they had each other at the end and they were happy.
Play On is the story of Nora and her coming to terms with who she is and laying her past to rest in order to move on and find happiness in her life. Nora is 18 when we meet her and her life isn't going anywhere anytime soon. Her parents have basically given up on her and life. Her father is emotionally abusive to her because of his own unfortunate circumstances that has left him living in a wheel chair. Her mother works two jobs to keep them afloat and doesn't have anytime to emotionally support Nora. Nora is basically left on her own and usually left taking care of her invalid father. Then Jim sweeps into her life one summer night while road tripping through Nora's small Indiana town with his friend. They are from Scotland and its love at first site for Jim. For Nora, not so much but she can't say no when he asks her to marry him and return to Scotland with him. She is young and doesn't know what love is for her and agrees. Three years later their marriage is failing and Nora is thinking of leaving Jim and he knows it. One night at a bar Nora catches the eye of sexy Scotsman, Aidan and the next day they have a flirtatious meeting at the grocery she works at and Nora reaffirms to herself that divorce to Jim is probably the best for her and then Jim dies suddenly leaving Nora an emotional wreck. She spends the year after Jim dies feeling guilty for wanting to leave him. She feels guilty that she couldn't return the love that he had for her. She loved him but she wasn't IN love with him like he was with her and it is destroying her that she stole years from Jim when she felt he deserved better than her.
During that year she meets Aidan again and Aidan has his own tragedy that he is recovery from and they find a common bond in their grief. But another tragedy involving Aidan's young niece causes him to leave Scotland and Nora without even a good bye or so we think. This devastates Nora but it also lights a fire in her to pick up her life and start living it for herself and almost two years later Aidan returns and DRAMA.
I really enjoyed this book. I really felt for Nora and Aidan but I also really felt for Jim. I just kept thinking back to him throughout the book and his relationship with Nora. He really, truly loved her and I wished it would of worked out with them. I kind of wished the story was about her and Jim. I liked Aidan but something about Jim really tugged at my heart. His death was pretty devastating for me as a reader. I'm glad that Nora finally was able to let go of her guilt and finally start living her life for herself and seeing the value in her as a person. She faced her past, she faced her mother and she finally confronted her feeling for Jim and what he meant to her.
This is not a happily ever after book, its is a happy for now book but the ending gives you closure and I felt that Nora was going to be okay even if her relationship with Aidan doesn't ultimate work out they had each other at the end and they were happy.
“If you’re to be mine I need all of you to be mine, because all of me is yours.”
I loved the last 33% of the book. Sadly, I questioned myself if I should dnf or not for first 67% of the story.
I'm glad I kept going. That last third of the book was totaly worth it.
I loved the last 33% of the book. Sadly, I questioned myself if I should dnf or not for first 67% of the story.
I'm glad I kept going. That last third of the book was totaly worth it.
Samantha Young has been one of those authors that has always been a go to since I discovered On Dublin Street. That book has always had a special place in my heart. But Play On is one of those books that will consume you and leave you breathless. The concept alone is brilliant and one of a kind, the passion and the angst that happens throughout for Nora is just heartbreaking.
Nora for all her naivety and youth, she is an old soul after going through so much to get where she is at. That spark that is so instant with Aiden is undeniable though. I love how they connected on so many levels. How things come to play to get to where they are when they meet up again is heartbreaking and omg I wanted to beat the snot out of that chick! How does a friend screw over a friend like that is beyond me!
Overall, this book ranks high up there with On Dublin Street and could possibly surpass it as I am still constantly thinking about it. The fluidity and the way the story plays out makes you want to ignore the world and just read. You will totally be consumed by this spellbinding tale of love, loss and rediscovery! I know I was!
Nora for all her naivety and youth, she is an old soul after going through so much to get where she is at. That spark that is so instant with Aiden is undeniable though. I love how they connected on so many levels. How things come to play to get to where they are when they meet up again is heartbreaking and omg I wanted to beat the snot out of that chick! How does a friend screw over a friend like that is beyond me!
Overall, this book ranks high up there with On Dublin Street and could possibly surpass it as I am still constantly thinking about it. The fluidity and the way the story plays out makes you want to ignore the world and just read. You will totally be consumed by this spellbinding tale of love, loss and rediscovery! I know I was!
dark
emotional
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:
Complicated
5 Finding Yourself Again Stars!
“In here, we were in our weird little bubble; I felt protected by that bubble. If we steeped outside, all the differences between us would only be amplified. In here we were just two people who cared for Sylvie and I could get past my insecurities around him.”
“I feared having my heart broken again. And somehow, instinctually, I just knew that giving Aidan even a little of me and having him reject it it would hurt more than any other man’s rejection.”
“Sometimes the most beautiful things in life are the messiest.”
All her life, Nora O’Brien has been chasing her dreams and desperately trying to make them come true. No matter what life threw at her or how it changed her plans, deep down inside, she always held on to the hope. It took meeting a mysterious stranger and being presented an opportunity of a lifetime, for Nora to open her eyes and take a leap. And while Nora may have moved on and escaped her home life, life in Scotland was nothing like she expected. That is in until Aidan enters her life. Complete and total opposites, Nora and Aidan couldn’t be more wrong for each other. But it was their differences and the undeniable pull that brought them closer together. The chemistry and connection consuming the two of them beyond belief, somehow giving them exactly what they needed. That is until fate deals another nasty hand, leaving them both shattered beyond repair. Only time will tell if Nora and Aidan will be able to dig themselves from beneath the rubble. A love like theirs is too strong just die……..
Play On is the first book in an exciting new series from author Samantha Young. From the moment we meet Nora, we can’t help but be captivated and intrigued by this young woman. Life has dealt her many tough hands, leaving her lost and conflicted about her place in life. At times I found myself very protective of Nora. I wanted to hug her and tell her that everything would work out. Yes, she was frustrating at times, but I got her. I understood why she was at such a standstill in her life. She had to grow up too fast and had so much growing up to do. I think Aidan appeared in her life at just the right time. He made her open her eyes and see what she was missing; see what could have been. Their journey was not an easy one. These two were so unbelievably different, but oh, so right for each other. Aidan was smart, sophisticated and wise beyond his years. He was devoted to Nora and wanted the best things for her. He too frustrated me at times. Yes, there were some moments where I just wanted to shake some sense into him. But that just made me love his character even more. The imperfections and human moments.
Play On is incredibly well written and is so much more than just a second chance romance. Play On is a story of loss and forgiveness. It is a story about being stuck and utterly lost. It is a story of making mistakes and dealing with the cards life hands you. It is a story of discovery and finding oneself and learning to like the person you are despite all your imperfections. This is a story of finding peace with the life you have and when being presented that second chance, you grab on to it with everything that you are. This is a story of never giving up and believing in the power of love.
I think this new series is off to an amazing start. Play On was such an incredible and heartwarming read, I know I didn’t see it coming. Nora and Aidan’s story will consume you and take your emotions on one extraordinary journey.
*I was provided an ARC copy of this book, in exchange for an honest review*
“In here, we were in our weird little bubble; I felt protected by that bubble. If we steeped outside, all the differences between us would only be amplified. In here we were just two people who cared for Sylvie and I could get past my insecurities around him.”
“I feared having my heart broken again. And somehow, instinctually, I just knew that giving Aidan even a little of me and having him reject it it would hurt more than any other man’s rejection.”
“Sometimes the most beautiful things in life are the messiest.”
All her life, Nora O’Brien has been chasing her dreams and desperately trying to make them come true. No matter what life threw at her or how it changed her plans, deep down inside, she always held on to the hope. It took meeting a mysterious stranger and being presented an opportunity of a lifetime, for Nora to open her eyes and take a leap. And while Nora may have moved on and escaped her home life, life in Scotland was nothing like she expected. That is in until Aidan enters her life. Complete and total opposites, Nora and Aidan couldn’t be more wrong for each other. But it was their differences and the undeniable pull that brought them closer together. The chemistry and connection consuming the two of them beyond belief, somehow giving them exactly what they needed. That is until fate deals another nasty hand, leaving them both shattered beyond repair. Only time will tell if Nora and Aidan will be able to dig themselves from beneath the rubble. A love like theirs is too strong just die……..
Play On is the first book in an exciting new series from author Samantha Young. From the moment we meet Nora, we can’t help but be captivated and intrigued by this young woman. Life has dealt her many tough hands, leaving her lost and conflicted about her place in life. At times I found myself very protective of Nora. I wanted to hug her and tell her that everything would work out. Yes, she was frustrating at times, but I got her. I understood why she was at such a standstill in her life. She had to grow up too fast and had so much growing up to do. I think Aidan appeared in her life at just the right time. He made her open her eyes and see what she was missing; see what could have been. Their journey was not an easy one. These two were so unbelievably different, but oh, so right for each other. Aidan was smart, sophisticated and wise beyond his years. He was devoted to Nora and wanted the best things for her. He too frustrated me at times. Yes, there were some moments where I just wanted to shake some sense into him. But that just made me love his character even more. The imperfections and human moments.
Play On is incredibly well written and is so much more than just a second chance romance. Play On is a story of loss and forgiveness. It is a story about being stuck and utterly lost. It is a story of making mistakes and dealing with the cards life hands you. It is a story of discovery and finding oneself and learning to like the person you are despite all your imperfections. This is a story of finding peace with the life you have and when being presented that second chance, you grab on to it with everything that you are. This is a story of never giving up and believing in the power of love.
I think this new series is off to an amazing start. Play On was such an incredible and heartwarming read, I know I didn’t see it coming. Nora and Aidan’s story will consume you and take your emotions on one extraordinary journey.
*I was provided an ARC copy of this book, in exchange for an honest review*
Wow, I'm in a glass case of emotion right now! I love how in depth this story was with Nora and how it went in a completely different direction from the beginning. Claire did an amazing job narrating.
1. Stern für die Nebencharaktere
2. Stern für Samantha, weil ich sie liebe und mein Herz blutet, dass ich eigentlich 0 Sterne hätte geben müssen 😭
2. Stern für Samantha, weil ich sie liebe und mein Herz blutet, dass ich eigentlich 0 Sterne hätte geben müssen 😭