Have a box of tissue ready when you read this book :-)
929127
It's really a great book for pet-lovers and children; easy to read, heart-warming.  Warning:  need a box of tissue when you read this book. I enjoyed it very much!
691559
This review and more can be found on my blog, The Library Canary: [...]

***I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This has in no way changed my opinion of the book. The review below is my open and honest opinion.***

If you don't like books that make you cry or deal with grief, turn back now. This book destroyed me. It ripped my soul to pieces. I have never cried so much reading a book. Tears were streaming down my face during most of this story. The emotions were raw, honest, and heartbreaking. A book has never affected me like this one did. This story will stick with me for a long time.

We follow a young girl, Rowan, whose family has been affected by a truly horrible tragedy. The way that Laura Wiess has written this book, you feel as if you are right there with Rowan. Perhaps even her sister, experiencing the same emotions she is. The book is like a door into this girls heart. I wanted to reach inside so badly and take away just a fraction of the hurt Rowan was feeling. But I couldnt. So instead I cried with her and felt with her. I struggled with the same things Rowan did. Asking why. Suppressing anger. Giving in to the anger. I felt as if I went through the stages of grief with her.

The romance in this book was cute, but didn't overtake the plot. This is something that I really appreciated. Many times I feel like a tragedy happens and then the romantic relationship is what pulls the person out of their grief. I don't think this is realistic and Laura Wiess didn't do it. In fact, she had Rowan pull away, withdraw inwardly before she was able to truly start healing. This is what made the story so realistic and honest. I loved that the romance didn't take over the story and that we got to see Rowan work through her grief on her own.

I loved the family dynamics in this book. Watching the relationships build, crumble, and rebuild. I loved that Rowans mom and grandparents were a major part of her life and were there during this difficult time and I loved how the author showed that everyone grieves differently. It killed me to watch Rowans friendships disappear though. Her best friend was a total bitch and I hated the way she treated Rowan.

Will this book make you smile? Probably not. But it definitely examines a lot of different issues. Guilt. Anger. Grief. Love. Family. Hope. Strength. All of these things are present in this book in the most intense and realistic way. Even though I cried the whole time, I absolutely loved this book. It was beautifully written. I highly recommend this if you're a fan of realistic contemporaries, books about dealing with grief/tragedy, or issue books. Laura Wiess is a force to be reckoned with and I will definitely be checking out her other books. Happy reading all!
2332498
Make sure you have a box of Kleenex ready when you near the end!  I couldn't say enough good things about this book. Definite read!
4294971
Oh my gosh!! I a
Can not tell you enough about this book!! Actually I am not... I picked it up on accident and I am sooo glad I did!! It was soo fabulous - but I will tell you it will tug at your heart ... So much pain, drama, hurt, abuse, then their is also unconditional love and respect, OMG I can't tell you enough, have to read this book!! Get tissue ready!!
3367353
WOW! I just this moment finished Made You Up and I am a big, overly stuffed, box of beautifully tangential emotions. I really enjoyed this book. The writing was beautiful, the characters are so rich and so complex that you can't help but love/detest/cheer for/insanely wish for the demise of the respective ones as perscribed by the author. The heroine Alex is beautifully broken yet whole in ways that matter most. Yes, she has trouble discerning if what she is experiencing at any given moment is real or if people she is interacting with on such intimate levels are even truly there but her ability to trust/keep trying/sympathize with/befriend is remarkably innocent and pure...she is definitely someone that you would feel lucky to have in your corner, to call your friend. Miles and Tucker are both incredibly easy to fall in love with. They both display a rarely given, beautiful loyalty as well as an amazing capability to accept what could easily be seen as an  insurmountable personal flaw....and The Club?? I wanted in!! Alex's parents are loving yet humanly flawed in their own Life weary ways. The tempo of the book is quick enough to not force you to skim yet slow enough to explain (as best they could for a book with a MC not firmly rooted in Reality) so that each charming detail may be savored. I truly enjoyed getting lost in its pages all the way up until the end. The ending?!? What an unsatisfying, copout of a closing to a really lovely book. How pray tell should it have ended? I am not fully sure...I only know that it felt disjointed, as if it did not really mesh with the book as a whole. This might have been the idea since schizophrenia is undoubtedly a disjointed experience. It does sound a bit convoluted but all I know for sure is that this was a great distraction from my Reality and that's what I look for in a good book!
1754147
I had to sit back and think, process my feelings, before I wrote this review.  It's a very emotional read.  But, a fantastic one.  As I always say, I will not give any spoilers here.  And I won't rewrite the synopsis here, either ;) What I will do, though, is say that this was such an enjoyable reading experience.  Anie Michaels has a phenomenal way of making such memorable, realistic, and relatable characters.  I can't help but adore these people in the story.  They laugh, I laugh... They cry, I cry... You get the point <3 I very highly recommended this book.  But be prepared to go on some emotional ups&downs.  Mostly, though, be prepared to experience an amazing story of love, friendship, emotions... wonderfulness (yes, that's a word, and I'm sticking to it).  Enjoy <3
4347659
Taken from [...]

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed reading this book! This is such a complex yet simple book, you'll have to read the book to totally understand what I mean. We meet Melissa who is just your average teenage girl. She watched her father wither away day by day and pass away finally. It happened in the beginning of the book so you feel the heartbreak right away. I think I could relate to her in so many ways. My father also passed away when I was 13 years old, so I knew exactly how Melissa felt. We meet the side characters such as Melissa's family, Melissa's best friend and neighbor Ryan. Ryan seemed like a somewhat nerdy guy but he was such a sweetheart. We meet Courtney who is new, so a few of the guys want her and of course she takes an interest in Ryan. At that moment, Melissa realizes her feelings for Ryan may run a little deeper than she thought. I felt like I could really relate to Melissa and I enjoyed reading our Ryan and Courtney's biking adventures. I liked hearing about her father's journal. I liked all the other side characters. I thought this book was sweet. You'll have to read it to find out what happened to Melissa and Ryan's relationship, Courtney and Melissa's friendship, and how she dealt with her father's death. I recommend this book. Have the tissues handy.

Overall: Loved it a lot. It was a sweet and emotional book.
2138640
I have to say this book ranks right up there with the best books I've read. It drew me in and wouldn't let me go. It's about friendship, relationships, and love; and it's hard to put into words the feelings it brought out in me - joy and wonder, anger and sadness. If you decide to pick this book up and read it, be sure to keep a box of tissues nearby, especially during the last third of the book. You just might need it!
3458826
Grab your tissues for this one! Its worth every tear shed!
Broken Pieces by Kathleen Long delivers an emotionally packed novel with this book. Destiny Jones is a strong independent 30-year-old woman content with her life in the small town of Paris N.J. She has a successful carpentry business and has just been awarded the renovation of the Paris Opera House. Destiny has made a life for herself but has protected herself from love and hurt. At the age of 10 her world fell apart as her loving mother dies of cancer and her father, the famous actor, deserts her, entrusting her to her Grandmother and neighbor to bring up. He returns occasionally at Christmas but the visits are difficult and short. Now unexpectedly he returns to stay. Why has he returned? Why now? Can Destiny trust him again? Can she forgive him for all the hurts in the past? Thus begins a truly remarkable story of mistakes, hurt, abandonment, forgiveness, love and growth.
Its difficult to write this review without giving too much away because in the unfolding of the story is where the beauty of the writing happens. I couldn't put this one down from the first page on, reading almost non-stop. I was amazed at how well the author portrayed the characters and their feeling. There were times for laughing and times for that box of tissues. There are multiple revelations throughout the story as each character comes more to life.
It wasn't until I got to the authors note at the end that she explained that this is the story of a deceased friend of hers, to be published on what was her birthday. Now I understand the depth of feelings and emotions in this book. Run out now and buy this book. Im really excited to have found a new author to read.  And yes, one day someone is going to hug you so tight that all your broken pieces will stick together unknown

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing in exchange for a fair and honest review.
4626206
Have your box of tissues ready.  This is a sad story of one young boy who needs a liver transplant and the problems and obstacles both he and his parents face.  When nine year Ethan is diagnosed, his mother Delanie is overwhelmed and is soon also dealing with a distracted husband, a mound of bills, overbearing mother-in-law and more.  She does have a tight knit group of friends whom she can lay her burden on. But as time is dwindling, one wonders if Ethan will survive?  Like I mentioned, this one is a tearjerker and emotional.  As the reader, I can feel her pain and frustrations with doctors and social workers.  I received an ARC from the author and do recommend this book.
2431791
I kept hearing "make sure you have lots of tissues on hand when you read this book." So at 70% I'm still waiting for it. I just can't figure out why everyone is keeps saying that. Then BOOM.....out of no where my heart stops beating, I sit frozen thinking I didn't just read that. Afterwards, I'm a little upset. Did the author really just do that? No build up, no hint, just heart ache! I go on reading and my heart starts to mend. Things are looking up and going well for the character. I'm feeling better about how she is going on with her life. Then comes THE scene. I'm ugly crying, mascara running down my face, blind from the tears and sobbing uncontrollably. Thankfully no one was there to witness my melt down but the dogs. But even they were looking at me funny.

Lorainna and Michael were meant for each other from the very start. Ok, Lorraina may not have known that but Michael had enough faith for both of them. This story is full of friendship, faith and love. It's such a beautiful, but heart wrenching story. This is the third book I've read from this author and love them all!
3003896
Holy wow!!!!! what an amazing story, getting ready to read the second one, this book had me bawling like a baby at the end :( God I hope against all hope.. want to know what I'm holding for? you ha e to read it to find out if I tell you what would be the point in reading this truly amazing heart wrenching story?
3680268
I just finished your amazing book, and I'm crying as I type. Poignant, circular, multi-colored, multi-faceted - I LOVED IT!!!!
So many truisms of life, unveiled one layer at a time. So well written, such a wonderful story.

I want to take this book to bed with me and hug it all night.
600104
Be ready for some tears!!  This is a book you will love, PROMISE!!  cant wait for the movie
2659026
This book was one of the most heartbreaking reads I have ever read. The tragedy of losing the love of your life was conveyed so well I could easily imagine being in Liz's position. The pain and loneliness, the hardship of suddenly becoming a single mother of four, the struggle through the stages of grief... were all so beautifully and realistically written, that I was totally immersed into her world. There were times while reading this that I had to step away, to catch my breath and wipe my eyes, but not for long because the pull back into the story was too strong.

While this was such an emotionally draining and powerfully sad read, there were some laugh out loud moments and strong messages of hope, too. This book also introduced me to one of the most patient and kind male characters I've ever read - Ben was amazing!

I'm adding this one to my favorites shelf. Cannot recommend it enough - though be warned you need to prepare yourself for this one, it cannot be taken lightly and you will need tissues, lots and lots of tissues.
3477748
First of all let me say this before I start this review...
Take a nice long nap before you start reading Reality because you are going to be up all night long reading. Secondly, have a box of tissues handy because plenty of tears will be shed while reading this book! You have been warned! Don't blame me when you are not prepared J
It's going to be hard to write this review without spoilers so pardon my vagueness, because if I give the slightest hints about what happens you will not have the jaw-dropping, OMG! moments that this book is guaranteed to cause.
Arie Belle is a beautiful happy girl whose life is full of happiness and light... that is until her mother suddenly dies, leaving her world dark. Her best friend River is there for her constantly, guiding her, and standing by her when she needs him the most. River professes his love for her, and she has no doubt that he means it. In walks Ashe, the mysterious guy who rips her heart to shreds. Arie not only has to deal with loving two but she also has to solve the mystery that is her life.
This book had me questioning everything, and just when I thought I had it figured out...BAM a twist. However Dani did find a way to drop answers to my questions here and there throughout the book. I found myself wanting to slap Arie aside the head for some of her decisions, "What are you thinking Arie, really?" I may have screamed a few times, and maybe scared my boyfriend a few times. My kindle almost flew a time or two, but then I wouldn't be able to read anymore so I just screamed instead.

Dani Hart transported me to a world I never expected to be taken to. Her writing flowed flawlessly, and I was hooked from the first page to the last page. This is a book that will stick with me for some time, if not forever. This is not the usual genre book that I read but I will forever make an exception for one of Dani Hart's books. I can't wait to continue Arie's journey, and see where Dani takes me next.
2611595
First, I would not recommend reading this book while pms'ing. Just not a good combo with an already emotionally charged book. It definitely heightened all those normal reactions you would expect from a story like this by like a million. And my poor hubby. He just happens to also share the name Chris, so needless to say, I was NOT happy with him while reading that notorious 70% part!

Speaking of that stupid 70% mark.....

I had many people tell me to have tissue ready for this point of the book. But I didn't cry. No, my reaction was more along the lines of, well anger. I was so pissed, I seriously felt like I had steam coming out of my ears!! How could....why would....but that isn't.... I could not think a coherent thought if my life depended on it at this point. But remember I was in a heightened sense of emotional turmoil. So, by 72% my emotions did a complete 360 and I was more like a blubbering mess!

But despite the obvious roller-coaster of craziness I was on while reading this book, I loved every damn minute of it. Call me crazy but it is those books that gut you emotionally that do it for me. I love it when an author can rip my heart out and slowly give me some of the pieces back while still withholding a huge chunk. And Left Drowning does just that.

Top that with the fact that you get characters you will actually love and this book is perfect. Blythe and Chris will immediately steal your heart. But it isn't only them you will fall in love with. Sabin, Eric, Estelle, Zachary and James will all worm their way in as well. This book is about family and how together, you can overcome the worst life has to offer. It is about finding love for yourself, healing those wounds that are not visible from the outside and learning to live.

If you are looking for a story that will allow you to walk away with your heart somewhat in tact, Left Drowning is just what you are looking