Emily raises issues that affect all of us at some point in ours lives and this gives depth to each character...
928893
This is Emily's second book, like her first "The Bloom Girls" I admit to not being able to put it down and I read it over a night and a day which is a great sign as I was thoroughly engaged! It is very different from "The Bloom Girls" I personally found it darker in tone and the sisters dynamic difficult as the book is lesson about responsibility and choice. This made it very real. In her writing Emily raises issues that affect all of us at some point in ours lives and this gives depth to each character as they negotiate their paths, they become fully rounded more than just characters filling a novel. It paces incredibly well and I'm going to leave it there as I could get carried away and give away the ending... please read it!
2896056
Beautiful imagery and beautiful language bring this emotional and touching story to life. I read an ARC of this book with no expectation of a review and really loved it. Leigh is a wonderful character, and her family dynamics are so understandable. Too often people don't talk and in silence, misunderstandings happen. That's at the crux of this story, with protagonist Leigh trying to unravel a lifetime of hurts caused by silences. I'm so looking forward to reading Emily's future books.
1935965
This book follows four seperate people who travel within the same social crowds. Audrey who has packed up and moved to New York from the UK, Jack a local college student, Flynn an upcoming artist, and Ray who is Audrey's new roommate. As these four get to know each other and develope relationships, they also get to know themselves a bit more. The book tackles issues of what its like to love someone with an addiction, what it is like to suffer from an addiction, and the relationship strains of infidelity from both sides.
The book occassionally alternates from past tense to present tense, which can be frustrating to the reader, but the underlying messages of the human condition, suffering, love, overcoming struggles, and forgiveness make it worth the read!
247568
This is not your typical coming-of-age or teen angst novel, but a serious look at the issues teenagers have to deal with without all of the fluff and sensationalism that usually comes with the territory. It addressing important social issues that adolescents today have to endure, like bullying, mental illness and the over/improper medication of children. It was not what I was expecting to read, as I tend to gravitate more toward lighter pieces than this, but I am definitely glad to have read it and I cannot wait to read more from Venessa Kimball. Very nicely done. 4.5 stars
54117
The author does a wonderful job of creating realistic characters with flaws most of us can easily relate to. Through them and their interactions we recognize areas we can improve and become better ourselves.  Life isn't a smooth and easy ride, but working through family and personal matters with those we love in our family, as we strive to find meaning behind it all, is where true strength and growth is possible.
1416557
There are so many things in this world we don't understand, but what really matters is what we do with the opportunities given to us and the knowledge that not everything is out of our control. In Jan Krause Greene's book I CALL MYSELF EARTH GIRL you are introduced to characters that will force you to look at the world and your place in it differently.

We meet Gloria, a woman who finds herself in a situation where she's pregnant, confused and on a journey to discover answers. The path before her leads to someone who she gets to know as Earth Girl, and the decisions she is faced with have far-reaching consequences. Will Gloria allow fear to keep her from being a part of a larger plan or will she do everything in her power to change the outcome and avoid obedience? These are just some of the questions you will be faced with as you see the connections between us all and what we can do to make the world a truly better place.

Definitely a book that will speak to you on levels you could have never imagined, I CALL MYSELF EARTH GIRL is about realizing your purpose, walking in it and seeing how your future is affected by what you do today.
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.
1343280
The chief character(s) in each chapter are linked in some way--as the reader discovers--with those in other chapters, making the point of our human inter-connectedness in sometimes surprising and meaningful ways.  There are many ways of viewing this book, but for me it's about how beauty and love can appear within the most sordid of realities, that there is hope and goodness in sad/bad situations, that we can stretch ourselves beyond the ordinary, drawing strength from/with others.
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Alcoholism.  Teen pregnancy.  Child abuse.  Rape.  Adoption.  Anxiety.  Depression.  Each of these are social problems or mental health issues that are relevant in contemporary society.  These are just some of the topics Trudy Stiles explores in her new adult Forever Family series, but you should also know she writes stories of redemption, family, and love.

Dear Emily was the debut novel for Trudy Stiles.  We meet Carly and Kyle in Dear Emily, a couple who desperately want to adopt a child.  Its a story of hope and love for an unborn baby girl named Emily, but this novel is also about a woman named Tabitha who has a background of abuse and finds herself pregnant and scared.

Dear Tabitha is a second-chance romance focusing on Tabitha and Alex, and how the two of them create their own family.  Its an incredibly sweet story of redemption for both characters, and a powerful story of healing, love and family.

Dear Juliet is the final novel of the Forever Family series.  It centers on characters Juliet Oliver and Seth Tyson, two friends who started corresponding as pen pals in the fourth grade.  Stiles alternates back and forth between each of their points of view, so we are able to read how their friendship evolves over the course of twenty years.

Juliet was adopted by a wonderful couple.  Shes been surrounded by love her entire life, but Juliet struggles with knowing she was unwanted by her 16-year-old birth mother.  Juliet knows her parents have a letter that was written to her from her birth mother, but she fears what the letter will say.  Juliet believes she was a mistake and unwanted, which leads to her becoming emotionally unavailable.  She has perfect parents who love her more than anything, but the unread words of her birth mothers letter hold an incredible amount of power over her.

Seth comes from a wealthy family.  It was much better for Seth and his siblings when they were young children, but as the years have passed by, their parents have drifted apart.  His father is always gone, and when he does come home, his parents fight.  His mother is a heavy drinker.  Seth doesnt feel loved by his parents, and he deals with self-hate for not being able to bring normalcy to his family.

Dear Juliet should not be read as a standalone novel.  Stiles ties the Forever Family series together through her characters and their story arcs.  A good example of why these novels should be read in order is Seth.  His character is introduced in Dear Emily, and he plays an important role in the first two novels of the series.  But you should also know that most of Seths story in Dear Juliet is new material.

Dear Juliet is about lifelong friendship.  Healing.  Redemption.  Its a story about best friends who become lovers.  Its an emotional story.  There were times the story was very sad, and I really struggled with what Seth and Juliet were experiencing.  Please follow these characters through the years, and I promise you will be rewarded.  I finished this novel with a huge smile on my face!  My rating for Dear Juliet jumped from 4 to 4.5 stars during the last third of the book, and I applaud Trudy Stiles for a very strong ending!
339104
This the book is definitely a coming-of-age story that allows you to explore the relationship between Anna and Francesca but also between them and the world around them. The author paints the picture of a town that is going through much upheaval and you feel for the girls as you see a world ridden with drug abuse and crime. There were times that the book made me feel a bit goal down into the depths of depression that you could only guess that the main characters felt, and seeing how the characters themselves dealt with this made me also feel uneasy, especially as a parent. This was a powerful book to read and a difficult book to explore but definitely one in which you are drawn in and one in which you will want to share with others in the end.

* I received a copy of this book for review - all opinions are my own*
4179740
I'm not sure what I expected when I started Dear Emily by Trudy Stiles but one thing is for sure, I had no idea how emotional of a read it would be. Not your fluffy and mushy love story, Dear Emily was so much more. Anything but typical or predictable and I couldn't put it down because I honestly could not believe what I was reading. I had to know what was going to happen next.

Told from Carly and Tabitha's point of view, we learn about the life experiences of these two women and what leads them to one another. I will admit the tough subject matter of Carly's story was a little hard for me to take in but Trudy Stiles did an incredible job in tastefully telling her story. I did feel closer to young Carly then I did to older Carly as I felt her character was much stronger when she was younger. As for Tabitha's character, I was heartbroken for this young woman who was dealt such a crappy hand in life but I was also in awe of her strength for striving to better her life and importantly, Emily's life.

I really do feel like the subjects broached in Dear Emily send a powerful message to any woman who may have suffered a similar experience/s as told in Carly and Tabitha's stories. Having close friends in life who have sadly experienced such life experiences I would like to thank Trudy Stiles for writing this story.

Dear Emily was an absolutely gut wrenching read, but it was also heart-warming and endearing. I have heard some readers talk about being completely gutted but I didn't feel that way. I was however deeply affected by these amazing characters and their stories. If you are a woman of childbearing age or a mother, I would be very surprised if this book didn't grab you by the heart and hold it tight! Dear Emily is definitely not for the faint of heart due to its tough subject matter but if you are able to get past it, I promise it will be worth the read! A powerful journey that should not be missed.

Nic
Flirty and Dirty Book Blog
1200362
How would you handle shocking news that changed your definition of yourself and made you question everything about your life as you knew it? This is the challenge that Victoria Slotto presents us with as we follow her protagonist, Matt, through his journey of doing just that.

Matt, just like any person, is imperfect. He struggles with himself and with well-meaning friends from whom he turns away. He makes life-altering decisions out of fear and confusion--sound familiar? It should. We all do it. And that's my point. This story isn't just Matt's story; it's the story of all of us, to one degree or another who have faced a crisis and run from it in some way. Just as Matt rationalizes his actions, we rationalize ours. This is a book about what it is like to be human: to stumble, fall, and be willing to pick yourself back up (with the help of old and new friends).

The driving theme throughout the book is forgiveness, which is one of the hardest things for most people to do. Forgiveness for whom? For the people whom you perceive have wronged you and for yourself for any number of reasons. A lot of people have a great deal of forgiveness work to do in this novel--as in life.

Victoria Slotto wrote about the difficult subjects of death, dying, betrayal, alcoholism, homelessness, abandonment, and self-doubt with the elegant touch she brings to all of her writing. Even if you don't know she writes poetry, you can feel the poetry in her prose. Using multiple points of view allows us to get inside the psyche of each memorable character and feel what they are feeling, thus giving us a personal connection to and investment in each person in Matt's life. This novel was artfully written and will stay with me for a long time. And isn't that the hallmark of a wonderful book?
61292
This is a story that relates to everybody's life which in some way is a story extremely personal, mysterious, complicated, diverse and enlightening.
4341429
The art of this novel lies in the realistic and sensitive way it depicts the humble protagonist as she struggles with the things we've all struggled with, especially at that time in our lives when everything is confusing and every decision seems terrifyingly laden with potential heartbreak. Added to this is the turmoil of being burdened/blessed with faith that doesn't seem to be leading to happiness. Very well-written, funny, sad, hopeful, it's a powerful read for anyone who feels alone as they face interior conflicts that are impossible to express to the people we silently plead to love us and make all our doubts go away.
410053
I am a teenage girl who can relate to Emily as she struggles to find her way in a new world. While I am not endowed with ancient Celtic powers, I can see myself and every other teen girl in Emily and the fight to overcome her obstacles. The way she keeps going even when times are rough, remains loyal to her friends and family, and keeps what she sees as right in her mind plus her many other shining qualities makes her a great role model for all of us. I am very grateful to Ms. Wright for writing this book and I cannot wait to discover what other delights her future endeavors will hold.
967850
Sheila is transparent when talking about each of these emotional storms that can interfere with our relationships with our living God, and with others.  She covers a tremendous amount of detail.  It's more of a "what do you think" book, since each topic could be a book in and of itself.  It gives the reader permission to look at the issues with which we struggle, and to see that God is in it, and can bless us, imagine that, though each of life's defining and painful challenges.
3836574
This is a must read for anyone with concerns about the deep effect that any trauma has on our souls, especially our teenagers. This sensitively written novel forces us to explore the struggles we tend to bury inside ourselves and discount in others. It makes us question how to deal with the imperfections of our humanness. Through the trials that one family faces, this novel explores hurt, loyalty, love, and forgiveness. It emphasizes the complexities we face as we each try to cope with life in our own way. It makes us question if there is a better way...