An Emotionally Touching Story
936623
This book was truly a work of art. I have not had a book open up some of my buried emotions in a long time but this book did that and more. The writing flowed so much so that when I looked up I had gone through pages upon pages without looking away from the book. I guess the best way for me to explain why I loved this books is to do a pros and cons list.

Pros
* The characters were memorable and lovable. Lucy was an absolute jewel. She made me remember how I felt after the loss of a loved one and how everything changed yet I had to still be strong. Her growth from empty shell to a blossoming rose was breathtaking, I am sure it will stay with me for many years to come. Lucy's friend Isa is the kind of friend we all need. Someone who will talk sense into us when we need it most.
* Lucy relationship with her musician. I was not a fan of him because I could see the signs of where the relationship was going. But I applaud Ms. Fry for skillfully showing the relationship and the dynamics of it and why it is sometimes hard to say goodbye.

Cons
The book was much too short. Everything was done perfectly but now I want to know what happens next for Lucy and the rest of the cast. Dose her mom get better? What happens in Lucy's junior year? What happens to Chris? I hope there is more to come on Lucy but until then I hope Ms. Fry has something else in the works that can move me like this.

*I was given a copy of the book by the author but I was not paid for my review.
2866599
This is a very touching story and tells the tale of broken souls and mending hearts.  It's also about believing in someone and being able to stand by them when you can barely stand by yourself.  It's also about two people finding an unlikely friendship and an unexpected love.

This is a MUST READ!

I wasn't really sure what to think going into this book. I had some reservations, as this story has been told before. Or so I thought...

The idea behind the story seems like it has been done before. I will admit I have read many books in which the story is similar to the description of this book.  But it ends there.

There are many twists in this book, many of which you can predict fairly early in the story.  However, the way the twists are revealed is done beautifully.  I really enjoyed the way the author played out the story from both Drew and Fable's point of view. I think this story would have lacked if only told from one point of view.  We often don't see this type of situation happening with a male and I really appreciated that part of the story the most. That is what makes this story so unique.  The reality of the situations in the characters lives were written beautifully, and I didn't feel the author pumped it up or exaggerated anything to enhance the story.

I really enjoyed Fable's character.  She wasn't whiney or too rough, considering her background. She was able to respect Drew for all of his wonderful qualities and didn't judge him.  Fable really grew on me.

I also really enjoyed Drew.  He was very responsive to Fable from the beginning.  Regardless of his issues both past and present, he was able to work at letting Fable into his life and his heart.

This story really touched my heart and at times, as a mother,  it totally broke my heart.  The real tragedy of this story is what happened with Drew (his secrets) and that has haunted my emotions since I read it.

The story is absolutely beautiful and I look forward to the next book.  However, there were far too many grammatical errors and editing mistakes.  I hope that is different in the next book as I found it very distracting and started to irritate me after a while. When you're reading a deep and very touching story the last thing you want is to have to try and figure out what the last sentence is really supposed to say.  I didn't feel the editing errors should reflect on the number of stars though because, the story is brilliant.
1275175
Forfeit is an emotional and sensitive story about three individuals; December, Austin, and Cord, and how true intimacy and friendship can take an unexpected turn when you least expect it.
Austin and Cord have been life-long friends who have always believed in the same values of working hard and to provide for a wife and family.  In comes December.  Her beauty captures the attention of both men but Austin wins her heart and takes her as his wife.
Over the years, December develops a deep friendship with Cord as well and learns that she can count on him as someone in her life that is like family.
The three seem to be inseparable and are living happily until life throws the married couple a curveball.  Unable to deal with the unexpected change in life circumstances, Austin turns away from his wife and best friend Cord, and instead chooses to pick up a bottle.  This causes a shift in the dynamics of all three of their relationships and they soon learn that nothing will ever be the same.
I feel that if I say any more about the story I would be giving too much away.  Instead, I hope that you choose to pick up this intricate story so you can discover just how far one person might go to help and protect another.
Lydia is a beautiful storyteller and I am most certain you will enjoy this as much as I did.
4100545
This was a wonderfully touching story, that struck home on many fronts of my personal life.  It gives the father of children lost through a divorce, hope and insight.  It will bring a tear or two to your eyes, and will make you smile and laugh as well.  You will identify with the main character quite easily, and will feel uplifted by this story.
1552610
I loved this story and I highly recommend it. This story is about two young kids, one Pakistani, another Hindu.  They have such a strong friendship, that it cannot be broken even during the tough times of the Indian-Pakistan war.  When Riaz, the Pakistani, helps the other friend, Mukand, the Hindu escape from the country so that he is not captured, he does a number of things that will put his own life at risk.  You will love the ending as it will move the reader.  I recommend this book because it is very touching, and I'm sure you'll like it too.
4850315
The book focuses on the growing pains of a gifted daughter of Indian immigrants in England. Although the story was told simply and was very easy to read, it is poignant and very touching. A child of immigrants myself, I identified with the story very easily, but you don't need to have grown up in an immigrant family to identify with the universal loneliness that children experience sometimes.

The story is heart-wrenching and is definitely worth a read. It is a good warning for parents who have excessive demands to let children enjoy their childhood while it lasts.
1472721
This is an emotional story that brings home a very important point, no matter how horrific, about the fate of kidnapped children. Moreover we see extremely well developed characters in the children themselves, something I'm having a hard time seeing out there, but in this story the author takes her time to depict for the reader the internal and external emotional impact this terrible situation has on them, and their courageous behavior when dealing not only with the kidnapping, but a mentally unstable parent.

The story tags at the reader's heartstrings, and yes, it is difficult to read in certain parts, especially for parents, but we must remember the situations shown here are real, they do happen. The author shows us the kids courage to fight, and for me, that made this book an emotional, must-read.

I recommend this book to all readers -- the emotional element here is top-drawer. A worthwhile read.
4192904
This story is not for the faint of heart. Its probably not for readers who have lost a soldier or been abused, either. But its a wonderful story. Theres a lot of heaviness and I cried not a few tears, but this hero is a hero. And he doesnt like it when men pick on women. Especially when one picks on the woman he thought hed be marrying once he got home from the nightmare in which he was imprisoned for five years.

Camryn has been through a hell of her own. Partially, its of her own making and she therefore feels defeated. She has a small son to protect and always puts his security above her own safety, which is a certain brand of strength.

There are all kinds of gray areas in life, and this story touches on some important ones. Five stars.
4274248
Wow! I honestly didn't know what to expect when I downloaded the book. This is a really moving story. Unfortunately, I could identify with some of the emotional abuse (fortunately not the physical) but that also meant to me that the book was spot on. I am very glad that I read it. Yes, it brought up memories I really don't care to have pop up, but in this case it was all okay. One of the problems with abuse is that the emotional damage it brings never goes away, it's just learning how to deal with it so that the abuser does not win in the end.
2375964
This was a very moving story about gender identity and the disappointments of childhood.  The characters were well developed and I found myself identifying with several of them.  This story is sad in many ways but my enjoyment of the book stems from its unusual story line and the way Tremain weaves her narrative.  I highly recommend it but it's not for the faint of heart.  There are very sad, lonely sections of the story that touch the heart quite deeply.  She has woven a complex tale that any serious reader would enjoy.
3292549
This is a love story that will bring tears to your eyes and have you experiencing all the feelings you hold inside. It will take you on a roller coaster of a ride as you go through their happiness and heartache as the story unfolds. Although it may be sad and painful it is a story that needed to be told. The main characters each have their own issues to deal with but somehow in the end they come out supporting each other. The author shows that with care and understanding of the other person and with unconditional love, you can get through anything with the support of the other. I read this for my honest review.
2873195
This is a very touching and moving story of a boy's growth and development into manhood while dealing with an estranged relationship with his father, sexual abuse as a child, depression and anxiety throughout his teens and early adult life and heartbreak on multiple occasions. It chronicles a journey in which the main character seeks love, acceptance, and internal peace as well as his struggle to find where he fits into the grand scheme of life. While reading this story I was taken on an emotional roller coaster and continually asking myself how this has not made its way into reading lists for high school students. Anyone of any age, gender, race, or economic background can find parts of themselves in the main character and feel the growth in him. This story breaks down walls and barriers and opens ones mind and eyes to different cultures and different perspectives of life and events that shape and influence one's life. Readers may even find themselves moved to tears as the main character, after battling some very traumatic events ends up gaining self-acceptace, love, and overall happiness. A great read definitely recommend this to everyone of all walks of life. I give it a ten out of ten!
3493417
This is a very touching story that leaves your heart feeling full and your eyes tearing up from the emotionality of the story. This is a quick read that is totally worth trying. I think that this is definitely a book for the romantics out there, and those who believe in second chances and love stories that can overcome years of seperation and families that can come together in the face of loss. His is a great story. I highly reccommend it.
4338305
After seeing this beautiful book cover and reading the emotive synopsis, I couldn't wait to start reading this story.  The author is unknown to me and I wasn't sure what to expect but what I found was a heartfelt and painful story about loss, self-harming and ultimately hitting rock bottom before finding peace.

The focus of the story is on Will who is grieving the loss of his parents and trying to find himself in a new world outside of their protection.  Moving to live with his Aunt, Will meets her neighbours, Ryanne and her brother Jax, and together they slowly try to support Will and to help him to heal from the pain that he is feeling.  What they weren't prepared for was the depth of depression that Will has spiralled into and keeping hidden from them as well as his Aunt.  Rejection hits him hard and when he thinks everyone is against him is when this story really becomes one of survival.

The balance between the three characters was well thought out.  There is an unexpected love triangle which causes Will more angst but with Ryanna, Jax and Will all determined to avoid hurting the other, things quickly get complicated and its a complication that Will is unprepared for and a battle hes too weak to take on.

This is definitely not a book to read if you are looking for a light and easy storyline.  It is brutal in its truth and reveals emotional depths so low that most people would be unable to understand or appreciate.  The subject matter was handled well though without unnecessary angst as Will struggles to find a way to live in the shadow of his past.

All in all a well written book which covers difficult subject matter well and provides its readers with a long awaited happiness for Will as the story twists and turns towards its HEA.
2826384
I was GLUED to this book for days.  It is not a book where it is filled with action on every page but there is something about it that makes you want to keep reading and impossible to put down.  The story is a beautiful one and the characters so easy to connect to.  You feel their joy and pain.  A look at WWII through the eyes of a Hungarian is an interesting change too.  A touching book that I have recommended to many of my friends.  Read it, this one will stay with you!
651931
This is a beautiful, heart wrenching and heartwarming story all in one.  The tragedies that this family and so many others suffered is unfathomable.  I feel that the author did a wonderful job of writing the story of her family. I listened to the audio version and the narrator did a wonderful job of presenting the book in audio form.
2127034
For a rather short read (since it is about the same number of pages as a middle grade novel), this really packs an emotional punch.  Aaron has trouble relating to the living.  He is the sole caretaker of his grandmother who is struggling with dementia and he has these horrific nightmares that tare him apart.  When he gets an apprenticeship with a funeral parlor director, he is forced to start dealing with some of the issues that are really bubbling on the surface.  The funeral director and his family begin to help Aaron figure out and appreciate life through the confusion and panic that surges through him.  There is a lot going on and you will begin to sympathize with this poor lost child as he struggles to dig through past memories and help keep his grandma sane.  So much on the shoulders of one boy.