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cortnyjoy's reviews
40 reviews
You Were There Too by Colleen Oakley
5.0
I loved this story. Hands down my favorite novel so far this year.
As someone who dreams vividly almost every night, the plot struck a beautiful chord with me. Though I’m sure I would have enjoyed it just as much if I wasn’t a dreamer.
Mia and Harrison are a happily married couple who recently gave up their city life to pursue the peace of small-town living. She’s an artist. He’s a surgeon. And though their personalities and interests vary, they share a stable, abiding love for each other. Oakley’s portrayal of their relationship was so relatable. I appreciated her attention to nuance. I found it gripping as the couple traversed obstacles like pregnancy losses, temptation, job stress, changing desires, and depression.
For years, Mia has encountered an unknown man in her dreams. He’s so real, so vivid, yet she’s able to separate him from her waking world...until she meets him face to face...Oliver...and discovers...he dreams about her too.
Together, the two attempt to make sense of these dreams. Their power and intensity something only Mia and Oliver can truly understand. Sometimes they’re nightmares, sometimes they’re steamy, and sometimes they’re somewhere in the middle. Two strangers who dream about each other, who encounter the same landscapes, who’ve known each other before ever meeting? There must be a reason. Or so they believe.
The entire story unfolded so beautifully. Mia’s internal struggle...her love and devotion to Harrison, her excitement and attraction to Oliver, her longing for a baby and for the spark that once ignited her marriage...the author did a phenomenal job writing lovable characters, especially Harrison and Oliver, which really pulled me in to Mia’s experiences. I could acutely feel her emotional tug-of-war. And then the ending.
As someone who dreams vividly almost every night, the plot struck a beautiful chord with me. Though I’m sure I would have enjoyed it just as much if I wasn’t a dreamer.
Mia and Harrison are a happily married couple who recently gave up their city life to pursue the peace of small-town living. She’s an artist. He’s a surgeon. And though their personalities and interests vary, they share a stable, abiding love for each other. Oakley’s portrayal of their relationship was so relatable. I appreciated her attention to nuance. I found it gripping as the couple traversed obstacles like pregnancy losses, temptation, job stress, changing desires, and depression.
For years, Mia has encountered an unknown man in her dreams. He’s so real, so vivid, yet she’s able to separate him from her waking world...until she meets him face to face...Oliver...and discovers...he dreams about her too.
Together, the two attempt to make sense of these dreams. Their power and intensity something only Mia and Oliver can truly understand. Sometimes they’re nightmares, sometimes they’re steamy, and sometimes they’re somewhere in the middle. Two strangers who dream about each other, who encounter the same landscapes, who’ve known each other before ever meeting? There must be a reason. Or so they believe.
The entire story unfolded so beautifully. Mia’s internal struggle...her love and devotion to Harrison, her excitement and attraction to Oliver, her longing for a baby and for the spark that once ignited her marriage...the author did a phenomenal job writing lovable characters, especially Harrison and Oliver, which really pulled me in to Mia’s experiences. I could acutely feel her emotional tug-of-war. And then the ending.
Star Bright by Catherine Anderson
4.0
Always a Beauty
When I want a classic romantic tale, I turn to Catherine Anderson. This one hit all the right notes and left me feeling fulfilled.
When I want a classic romantic tale, I turn to Catherine Anderson. This one hit all the right notes and left me feeling fulfilled.
Of Dreams and Angels by Jared Morrison, Jared Morrison
5.0
Hands down, my favorite read in recent years.
OF DREAMS AND ANGELS is writing, romance, devotion, imagination, inspiration, heartbreak, and growth at its very finest.
Joe, a successful numbers-and-logic sort of man, begins dreaming through the eyes of someone else—a woman, Claire—whom he slowly comes to know over the course of many, many unrestful nights. He’s the last person he’d expect to encounter this type of woo-woo stuff. But still, he can’t deny the gravity between himself and Claire. With some prodding from an unlikely friend, William, as well as his internal committee, aka “The Parliament,” Joe commits to finding her. The year ahead stretches him, fills him, blesses him, and wrecks him…bringing him to his knees in utter awe and affliction.
Morrison is an absolute master at his craft. His use of words—individually and en masse—is admirable, expansive, and evocative. I grew as both a human and a writer for reading his novel…a DEBUT, no less. He paints a vivid picture with stirring emotions, while also leaving room for the reader to imagine and feel on their own. The characters were relatable and easy to love. The plot was inventive, but so grounded. Joe, especially, is what I look for in a male lead: tender, reserved, “still waters run deep,” a little reclusive, yet open to possibility. His transformation and emergence was touching. And his internal committee was perhaps the most unique and warming approach to the inner voices at work between his (our) ears.
To explain the depths to which this story moved me would require exposing plot elements best (in my opinion) discovered as the author puts forth. Though I can say, I will forever be grateful for both the perspective and affirmation I acquired from OF DREAMS AND ANGELS. This will be my new go-to recommendation. It is an experience and a talent not to miss. A few paragraphs of my own commentary could not do it full justice.
OF DREAMS AND ANGELS is writing, romance, devotion, imagination, inspiration, heartbreak, and growth at its very finest.
Joe, a successful numbers-and-logic sort of man, begins dreaming through the eyes of someone else—a woman, Claire—whom he slowly comes to know over the course of many, many unrestful nights. He’s the last person he’d expect to encounter this type of woo-woo stuff. But still, he can’t deny the gravity between himself and Claire. With some prodding from an unlikely friend, William, as well as his internal committee, aka “The Parliament,” Joe commits to finding her. The year ahead stretches him, fills him, blesses him, and wrecks him…bringing him to his knees in utter awe and affliction.
Morrison is an absolute master at his craft. His use of words—individually and en masse—is admirable, expansive, and evocative. I grew as both a human and a writer for reading his novel…a DEBUT, no less. He paints a vivid picture with stirring emotions, while also leaving room for the reader to imagine and feel on their own. The characters were relatable and easy to love. The plot was inventive, but so grounded. Joe, especially, is what I look for in a male lead: tender, reserved, “still waters run deep,” a little reclusive, yet open to possibility. His transformation and emergence was touching. And his internal committee was perhaps the most unique and warming approach to the inner voices at work between his (our) ears.
To explain the depths to which this story moved me would require exposing plot elements best (in my opinion) discovered as the author puts forth. Though I can say, I will forever be grateful for both the perspective and affirmation I acquired from OF DREAMS AND ANGELS. This will be my new go-to recommendation. It is an experience and a talent not to miss. A few paragraphs of my own commentary could not do it full justice.
A Dress the Color of the Sky by Jennifer Irwin
4.0
A DRESS THE COLOR OF THE SKY is raw, poignant, and painful while also being frighteningly relatable...even if my life and Prue’s life don’t share many circumstantial similarities. Irwin did a stellar job of weaving the main character’s inner monologue with the events of the story in a way that humanizes Prue enough to create a kinship. I so appreciated the author’s willingness to go THERE—the dark, hidden, socially unacceptable places—in many scenes. They were adeptly crafted to increase reader empathy rather than for dramatic effect. In fact, I wanted even more nitty gritty. In a world of filters and sensors and glossing over and avoiding to save face, I admire Irwin’s bravery and vulnerability with this story. To expose human struggle as an author is to invite questions about our own heart, mind, and experiences. She went for it and achieved success in my opinion. If you’re looking for a story that doesn’t tread on the surface, but digs into the uncomfortable, unsavory aspects of humanity and relationships WHILE ALSO exploring the power of healing and self-love, this book is for you. Sometimes the worst parts of one season prepare us for the best parts of another. Sometimes the things we think will save us aren’t as we imagine. Bravo, JI. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Sixteen Summers by Caitlin Moss
3.0
I adore Caitlin and look forward to reading all she writes. I'm in the minority on this story, I know, but Sixteen Summers didn't quite land for me. I loved Dylan's character...he made it easy to feel invested in the plot. Toby and Tate were similar. If you're into a calm, slow-to-react, sexy guy who is great with kids, you will likely adore Dylan. The premise and Caitlin's expert ability to alternate between eras were also beautiful. I struggled, though, with the editing and Tabitha's character arc. Still, I finished it quickly, looked forward to reading, and wanted to know how things turned out. If you're looking for a feel-good, life-after-loss story...give this one a shot.
Juliet was Wrong by Lindsey Carver
4.0
JULIET WAS WRONG is a nostalgic, heartfelt debut.
I found myself “literally” smiling as I followed Josh and Katie’s story through their summer before college. My young adult fiction experience is almost none. One of the things I loved about this story was the way I oscillated between my adult and teen self. Sometimes, I felt empathy and concern for the main characters, as a parent, teacher, or adult might feel for the younger generation. And equally as much, I was transported back to my high school days, feeling the highs and lows of young love, ending high school, deciding what’s next, and soaking up my last summer with few responsibilities.
Lindsey really captured the late-teen spirit. The language, pop culture references, mentality…it all pulled me in to a world I know so well, but haven’t visited in over a decade. I liked the way friendship, romance, family, and a major life transition all weaved together.
By the end, I wanted more substance between Josh and Katie as their connection didn’t fully land for me; though I think Lindsey’s ability to portray the simplicity of our first love was part of her talent. Our first love—our high school love—isn’t often based on some of the big things we focus on as adults. It’s more innate, less questioned. There’s an attraction, for whatever reason, and it’s followed. And for many of us, it asks how much of ourselves we’re willing to sacrifice in order to avoid an ending.
If you’re looking for a quick, beachy, summer-before-college romance with Dawson’s Creek vibes and some wistful late-teen drama, look no further.
I found myself “literally” smiling as I followed Josh and Katie’s story through their summer before college. My young adult fiction experience is almost none. One of the things I loved about this story was the way I oscillated between my adult and teen self. Sometimes, I felt empathy and concern for the main characters, as a parent, teacher, or adult might feel for the younger generation. And equally as much, I was transported back to my high school days, feeling the highs and lows of young love, ending high school, deciding what’s next, and soaking up my last summer with few responsibilities.
Lindsey really captured the late-teen spirit. The language, pop culture references, mentality…it all pulled me in to a world I know so well, but haven’t visited in over a decade. I liked the way friendship, romance, family, and a major life transition all weaved together.
By the end, I wanted more substance between Josh and Katie as their connection didn’t fully land for me; though I think Lindsey’s ability to portray the simplicity of our first love was part of her talent. Our first love—our high school love—isn’t often based on some of the big things we focus on as adults. It’s more innate, less questioned. There’s an attraction, for whatever reason, and it’s followed. And for many of us, it asks how much of ourselves we’re willing to sacrifice in order to avoid an ending.
If you’re looking for a quick, beachy, summer-before-college romance with Dawson’s Creek vibes and some wistful late-teen drama, look no further.