Character depth, thick plot, and a heart happy ending. What else could you want?
936016
I gave this book a 5 because honestly I can't remember the last book I read and liked as much, and believe me, I'm stingy with my 5's. I can't say enough good things about this author and these books. I've read many a YA book, some extremely popular, who have nowhere near her mature writing skills she has. I was never caught off guard by an error (I found none), something I doubted to be true, or by cheesy feelings or conversations.
First off, the characters are not only solid, but understandable and relate-able. Unlike some books with characters who have enjoyable yet outlandish traits, she sticks to reality and because of that I buy in to the story all the more. The main character Fennel oozes with strength and maturity, even when she doubts herself. You not only see but can feel her attachment to the people in her life that she loves. I especially enjoyed the development of her relationship with her younger brother Eland and the bond they shared. Because of what Fennel had to experience, her emotional depth and range widened, and so did my empathy for her. I actually shed a few tears at one point because I could so relate to the overwhelming and mind-numbing grief she had to experience. Henley certainly knows how to tap into the emotions of the reader.
Even though the secret about the Scourge and what they really are is out, there was still plenty of the same suspense, dread, shock, and surprise here that the first book so eloquently provided. The plot was thick with the action and I often found myself reading as fast as I could to find out "what happened". For as good as she is with emotions, she doesn't dwell on them and provides plenty of movement and suspense to keep the book flying.
I don't often like the 2nd book in a trilogy because I find that they either tease you too much or offer you something entirely new and unbelievable compared to the first book. Not the case here. She builds upon the foundation of the first book, both with the plot and the characters. There is a sense of wholeness and completeness that makes the heart happy at the end of both books but yet she leaves you with just a tiny ember of curiosity for what's to come. I only wish that every book and movie could end this way.
The only real downside to this book and the first is that I can't get them on Audible and listen whenever I want! But they definitely are books worth re-reading, and oh I certainly will.
3278141
A free copy of this book was provided to me by the author in exchange for an honest review.

Before I started reading A Forbidden Rumspringa, I had read several influential (to me) and incredibly positive (gushing) reviews about it.  I was excited when I selected it out of my Kindle carousel, but also a bit worried.  Would it live up to the high expectations?  I am happy to report my answer is a resounding Yes! Yes! Yes!

The story between two young Amish men, Isaac and David, falling in love in the ultraconservative, strict community of Zebulon was one of the most romantic stories I have read in a while.  Not in a traditional or flowery way; in fact Keira Andrews does a wonderful job of reflecting their plain lifestyle and upbringing in their interactions and relationship.  It is the strength of their emotions, what they are willing to do for each other and what they find in each other that I found so moving. This extends to the sexy scenes, which are fairly detailed (though not nearly as much as some), but mostly are about feelings and the growth of Isaac and David in their relationship and Isaac as an individual.  These are my favorite kind.

A couple of my favorite quotes: David about Isaac  Yet when I am with you, I feelhope. Peace. The peace I want so badly.  Ive wanted it for so long  And Isaacs little brother describing Isaac when he was lonely for David  You keep sighing liketheres no apple pie left, and you didn't get any.

I enjoyed Keira Andrews writing style immensely.  She described the characters, the settings and scenes so well I felt I was in Zebulon, riding in the buggy, at Junes house, or at the hospital along with the novels characters.  Yet her touch was light enough that I was not aware of her as the author.  I read in a few places that she did research and interviews regarding the Amish and their way of life.  This is apparent in the book, but not in a heavy-handed way, rather in all the small details that bring the story to life.  I realized at the end that I had learned a lot, but never felt like I was studying.

The storyline moves along briskly and all the characters were engaging (even the ones I did not like  one of the deacons was terrifying!)  My heart was hanging on the brink until the end.  Loved it!  Absolutely.  Also loved the little note announcing the continuation of the story, although not so happy about having to wait until next year.
3743772
Just like Annie, it was curiosity which spurred me on an adventure with this book. I am not fond of choirs, probably because I have the most terrible voice, but something in the colorful cover and the light-hearted synopsis caught my attention. Whatever it was, I thank it, for I have found so much more than I was looking for in this story of belonging, family ties, and finding yourself.

Annie has no attach, and I found this heart-breaking, although she seemed to like it this way. I agree with her, it is much less complicated when family doesn't mess up your plans. But families do a lot more than this, if you let it. People too, if you let them in.

I was surprised to warm to Annie very very fast despite our different views on life and its priorities. I could feel the scars on her heart from being alone, no matter how much she tried to convince herself she was better off this way. I know what it's like to put up a front and pretend it doesn't matter. The thing is, it does matter.

Liz Eeles never falls into clichs and Annie felt genuine and like an average young woman with her own history and struggles. This is true for every character. I really enjoyed meeting everyone in this little town. Sometimes, you don't know you need warmth and happiness until a book reminds you of how good it feels, and this is what Annie's Lovely Choir by the Sea does with a clever mix of different protagonists, a beautiful place, and an exquisite writing that transports you and reminds you to feel, and how to laugh! Annie's voice is one of the most amazing I've read and this book is just a big bubble of amazing lines!

There are no one-dimensional characters, no easy paths, no everything is fine in the world paragraphs that make me roll my eyes. This book is filled with what life has to offer, and boy does it have a lot to give! I loved every minute of this story. Me, the crime lover, detective, grisly murders details-seeker. I was surprised by the depth of the plot and the psychology behind the events, behind the motivations of each protagonist, behind the appearances. I was intrigued by the choir, who took its time to appear, and found it to be a truly perfect tool to build a story around, to bring a town to life with, to tackle the past and pay it tribute.

The story takes its time, but the pace doesn't feel slow. It reminded me of the landscape you see when you let you eyes wander off the window during a train trip. You are not aware of it, but things happen, things change, you happen, you change. It was wonderful to see Annie find answers, questions, a purpose, more questions!, and her true self. I loved Annie's path to find what she really wants and it resonated so much with me that it gave me shivers! Yes, family come with its fair share of... let's say weight and obligations, but families, whether blood or chosen, without painting it all rainbows and unicorns, are a rock you can crash on, a shoulder you can find whenever you need, a bunch of people to share the best things in life with. Sometimes we take it for granted, and sometimes we ignore its importance. Yes, it's complicated, but life is too. This book reminded me just how much I treasure my family and friends and those old and new photos on my fridge of happy faces and calendars with birthdays on it.

Friends also play a wonderful part here and I am so happy to see a young woman strike up relationships, discover everyone isn't looking down at the pavement, stressed, and only thinking about work, and that cute and gentlemen guys still exist. My cold heart was very happy to see Annie get out of her shell and into the world.

Nothing in the story was ever forced, it always felt so true and real I finished the book with a smile on my face. Annie's Little Choir by the Sea is so much more than a light read, it's a life lesson taught in the best of ways, with enough humor to make your cheeks hurt from grinning and laughing!

I received an ARC of this book.
4963701
Like so many other readers: I loved it.
Its not the action that makes you turn the pages, its the inner thoughts, challenges and doubts heroine has, which are written in a way one can completely relate to them. I liked both of the main characters, though I had a feeling that both should have been 10 years older then they were in the book - they were so much more mature in their thoughts and decisions. But then again, perhaps it was so because of their life paths.
The author has a lovely way of writing: she  describes the scene in a sentence or two, but I can see it as if she used half a page. She picks out the things that are most memorable, so having only a sentence for description, opens up a whole scene in front of my eyes, though she didn't write it down. I was really impressed with that.
(Spoiler allert) I usually like happy endings, and here - I just wast sure. I was reading it, and thinking: its not gonna be good, oh, no, no, this is bad, it cant end that way! And it doest :) So I was really happy in the end. (End of spoiler)
But she again, wrote it in a way I could not tell how it was going to end. And I like that too.
Whitney Barbetti definitely got me on her reading list on whatever she writes next.
3969640
Other reviewers have covered the plot, so all I want to add was that the characters were perfectly believable, acting as people of their era would have acted, not as 21st century people. There were no glaring, jarring modernities. I kept rooting for a happy ending, even though I knew that this wasn't going to end happily- and indeed, if the author had found some way to provide a happy ending, I probably would have found it unrealistically unsatisfying. :) There are turns of phrases that can bring tears to your eyes, they're so apt. I highly recommend this book.
3258406
I was so surprised by Bitter Pill, and definitely in a good way. I was expecting another book with heavy romance, but light everything else, and while those types of books are fine and I usually really enjoy them, Bitter Pill was such a breath of fresh air. This story does have romancy elements but its so so much more. With a strong likeable lead character, and an edge-of-your-seat mystery, Stacey Kade wrote an incredibly satisfying read that I didn't want to end.
Bitter Pill is basically a mystery novel surrounding the death of a local pharmacist. Rennie Harlow is our lovely lead who found Doc dead in his shop, and while she should just let the heartbreakingly handsome sheriff handle the investigation, she doesnt. As a freelance writer trying to make a living, Rennie takes it upon herself to discover who to killer is, and hopefully she can do this without becoming the next body found.

Rennie Harlow is kinda awesome. Shes sassy, smart, brave, and pretty much every other good adjective you could come up with. All of these qualities made it fun to be in her head, and to see the world through her eyes. Add in the fact that after all the crap that shes been through lately (finding out her husband was cheating on her, divorcing said husband, taking care of her hypochondriac mother, and oh yeafinding dead people) and shes still standing makes Rennie the ultimate female lead.

Like I mentioned early, this book is kinda light on the romance. While the reason for the lack of kissy mushy stuff is reasonable; it is the one thing that I would have liked more of in this book. We find out quite early on that Rennie has a huge crush on the local bad boy turned sheriff, Jake Bristol. This is all well and good except for one little fact, Jake is married. Reading Rennie and Jakes scenes could be hard because I wanted them to be together so bad, but then I wouldnt because if they do get together then he would be cheating on his wife and that would make him a big ole dirtbag like Rennies ex. Gah, where is my happily ever after when I want it?

Bitter Pill was such a fun and entertaining read, and I would love if Stacey would continue the story with another book. There are still so many things I want to know, and I don't think these characters are done telling their story. I need Rennie to have a happily ever after, and I think Jake deserves some happiness too.
3992022
As I read the first three chapters of this book, I kept thinking I had read it before. Typically this would not be a good thing, but in the case of this book? It's actually quite positive.

Samantha Harris crafts two characters who pull you into their story, right from the start. Yes, you've seen this plot before: the couple made for each other don't realize they belong together until time and circumstance prove otherwise. Yet Drew and Alex are so engaging that you forget the familiarity of their story.

When our lovebirds meet, it is under less than auspicious circumstances. Drew is a known player, a guy with a storied history of one-night stands. To say that Alex is unimpressed is to wildly understate her initial reaction. But Drew senses something in her, something aside from his feral attraction to her. He realizes that he needs her in his life, and he will take her on her terms. Theirs will be a friendship and nothing else.

Harris alternates between Drew's POV at the start of their relationship to Alex's present-day POV, six years after she and Drew meet. It's an interesting device because you understand Drew's early and developing feelings for the girl he calls Red and her more seasoned feelings about him. She is determined to the point of obstinance to avoid any emotional entanglements with Drew.

Drew, bless him, exercises tremendous patience, surprising him, exercises tremendous patience, surprising himself perhaps most of all. You will find herself screaming at her to realize the obvious, but one thing Samantha Harris does very effectively is create realistic, grounded reasons for Alex's aversion to romance with Drew. She needs a friend. She needs someone on her side, and she worries that Drew's pattern of rocking the headboard one night and forgetting the girl completely the next would be repeated with her.

About that headboard rocking. Don't you worry, faithful readers, that in keeping Drew and Alex apart that Harris will deny you the sexy times. They are here, and they are pretty fabulous. Strap on your vibrators, girls, as you discover that the girls who agree to Drew's terms get something very fulfilling out of it ... if you know what I mean (wink wink).

I enjoyed this book, largely because of Drew. I sympathized with Alex, but I liked Drew. He's just an endearing guy. Give this romance a try and see if you can avoid falling for Drew.

Review copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an unbiased review.

Published on VoxLibris.net
@VoxLibris
360836
While the story's plot did a fine job of holding my interest, it was the main characters, Owen and Evie, that engaged my heart.  The author does a fantastic job establishing their personalities through a variety of situations.  Their hopes, their fears, their loyalties - it's all there, and it makes this story shine.  The minor characters are believable, too, if (understandably) not as thoroughly fleshed out, and add further richness to the story.  I also want to note that I appreciated the ending.  Without divulging the details, I will simply say that hope and happiness were present there, and I'm glad.  I don't like stories that end without those.  Thanks, Mr. Wheeler, for this well-crafted and entertaining tale.
2083530
This is the final book and with impending doom, so its just a tad darker than the other two. There was still plenty of laughs and cute, sweet aww things, not to mention the return of the characters from the first two books. It was a splendid ending (especially since I was rooting for Barric from the beginningshh!) and I loved it.

The plot:

Since its a novella, the story moves along quickly, following young Dion from toddler years to when she fulfills her destiny and saves the human world from Faery. I very much appreciated the whole political correctness storyline with the faeries and how the humans basically outlawed defending themselves. It was strikingly familiar to some real world historic issues. At the same time, we get to meet wonderful, awesome, lovable faeries and some sides of familiar faeries we really haven't gotten before. It was a good, realistic balance, I thought, and definitely a take I had not encountered before.

The characters:

Dion is sweet and brave, having accepted from a  young age that she is destined to die for her country. While she starts out naive and too trusting, she is forced to learn quickly. Shes the kind of character we admire most for her heart.

Just in case that opening paragraph misled you, there are noI repeatNO LOVE TRIANGLES, okay? There are two love interests (Padraigs sweet and brave and awesome, but the other one is the perfect one), but no love triangles. There was still bittersweet romance tossed in with cute romance, we get to see Markon and Althea in their banter-filled wedded bliss and Carmine play damsel in distress to his warrior princess, plus Rafiq and Koto be awesome dragons together.

Novellas get taken for granted too much, but this one is definitely a series worth a shot. Magic, quests, and romance mix together in clean fairytale-flavored adventures any retellings fanatic is bound to love.
3894172
I'm not a pollyanna reader who only wants likeable characters and happy endings, but after a couple moody, dark-edged thrillers in a row, it was a delight to read this wonderful, large-hearted novel. Kind of like rinsing out the soul.  I mean, with a cast of characters named Button and her best friend Winnalee (this is a novel about friendships  flaws and all  and family too, but it's the friendship that's the center), and Boohoo and Verdella and Freeda  well, you know you're in for a rich treat. Wonderfully written, with insights that are as sharp as they are funny because they are so true to how people are.
2158118
This book left me breathless, and I there were many points where I could relate to the characters and could share their emotions and experiences.

I love that Patricia Highsmith, the author, uses subtlety to advance the readers' understanding of situations, particularly when it involves interaction between characters.  Highsmith has mastered the art of "showing, not telling."  In doing so, she respects readers' intelligence and intuition, and immerses readers deeper into the story and eyes of the protagonist.

The two main characters are complex and are continually fleshed out, rediscovered, and viewed in new ways throughout the course of the novel.  Their growth by the end is satisfying and fulfilling to read.

I think many LGBT-identifying individuals will be able to see themselves in the characters, or at least relate to the same joys, sentiments, and challenges that they encounter.

Finally, I think the most important message from this book is not about love, but rather, about being brave enough, dignified enough, to risk it all, throw the familiar away, and take a leap of faith in order to find happiness.
3471026
Gorham's novel starts with an 'epic' feel, bouncing around between characters and settings, with a plane crash that rivals just about anything on screen in terms of excitement and drama. It's set up nicely, making us care about the characters involved, and then is played out extremely well.

Once we get beyond the plane crash, however, our scope slowly begins to narrow until we really get to the heart of the novel - Kyle's long walk home and his wife's struggle to believe in his return. It's a story telling device that works particularly well, allowing us to follow that most intimate of tales, the struggle for one man's survival against the most overwhelming odds, while at the same time granting us some perspective on the overall situation, through a small-town microcosm of America.

Kyle and Jennifer are both well-developed characters, loving spouses who are suddenly confronted with a physical separation that mirrors their emotional distance of the last few years. Neither knows whether the other is truly alive, and both are faced with temptations throughout their ordeal. Even if Kyle does reveal a few personality flaws along the way, it's entirely unrealistic to expect anybody to be a candidate for sainthood after having spent months walking across the country. The subplot of Jennifer's stalker is, perhaps, a bit too typical of the genre, but it's handled well . . . and sets up a final resolution that really puts the emotional cap on the story.

If I had one complaint about the novel, it's the way in which the political sub-plot seems to just fade away. There's a significant focus early on around one US Senator that seemed to have some potential, but just when I thought she was being left behind like the other victims, she resurfaces for an oddly-placed scene, only to be forgotten again - this time for good. I would have liked to see more of her story, or else not go back to her at all that last time, but it's my only real quibble.

This was an exciting, fast-paced, nicely detailed story. Gorham never goes over-the-top in his descriptions of the horrors and the gore, which makes the darker elements all the more effective. He balances the emotions of the situation well, contrasting fear with courage, despair with hope, and animal lust with human love. The few human interactions Kyle encounters on his journey are nicely balanced as well, driving home the fact that the odds are truly against him, but also recognizing the fact that there are good people in any situation.

[I recieved a complimentary copy of the book from the author in exchange for a fair and honest review.]
79229
I didn't realize that My Heart Remembers had a sequel (proves my lack of research cause I so don't like spoilers!), so when I recognized characters, I was happy!

This was such a good book!! It has the usual Sawyer flavor with colorful, believable characters and a strong, Christian message.

Its amazing to me how Sawyer can take an almost-cliched idea and turn it into a believable masterpiece of impacting fiction.

Libbys journey was beautifulher feeling of unacceptance, her journey as a writer... all of this was lovely! I may or may not have released a happy clap at the turning point of her life (one of my sisters asked, What just happened?!). It was very happily done.

Bennet was also a well-thought-out character. Because I like realism, I really liked his whole story and struggles, and how it ended.

Petey was truly amazing. He was so real and so not perfect, even though he was going to be a minister. I was a little hesitant how things would turn out with him confronting his parents, but wow! Just... yeah, you need to read that part. I really, really liked Peteys story on so many levels!

As mentioned, the spiritual content was solid. It was not in-your-face preachy, but very much there. The story would be incomplete without it.

There was a little bit of emotional romance. Some kissing. Some characters who were kind of playing at the dating thing (which was not exactly portrayed in a positive light). I didn't feel that it was over the top, though.

Another happy sigh. I liked this book!
2559548
One day youll be fluent in the language of the stars.

The Plot Steps of All Happy Contemporaries:

1. Girl Meets Boy
2. Girl and Boy have undeniable chemistry
3. Girl and Boy Face Undefeatable Problem
4. The Girl Boy Faces The Worst Time in Their Life (sick relative/ divorcing parents)
5. Girl and Boy realise they are soulmates and have fallen in love with each other (separately)
6. One Great Reunion to end the book

Im right, you know I am.

And yet, even while contemporaries mostly follow the same storyline, there are some that manage to stick to the norm and beat it hollow altogether.

Summer of Supernovas is (mostly) one of those rare novels.

Youre kind of an unusual girl. No offense, Wil. I grin. Yeah, well, I tried ordinary once and got bored.

This had some elements that were GREAT: (AKA. I FELL MADLY IN LOVE WITH)

1. Astrology: I loved how this wasn't put to the side as just some quirk of Wils to make her seem more interesting. This was really well done, when it was mentioned. In fact, I, non-believer in anything of this sort, started wondering is Astrology actually had some truth to it!

2. CHEMISTRY: This is a love triangle, okay? But the CHEMISTRY with both boys was REALLY REALLY good!

3. BAKERY/ CUPCAKES: Because, well cupcakes are AWESOME. And bakeries are even more awesome.

This also had elements that were so clich, they made me cringe:

1. The Best Friend: Irina was an AWESOME character, okay? AWESOME. I would read a story just about her and not get bored because she is AWESOME. And yet, in Wils story, she was this character that only showed up when the story required her, and she vanished otherwise. POOF. It just didn't feel very real.

2. The Sick Relative: FOR GODS SAKE. STOP. The person our protagonist loves the most has a sudden medical ailment and the boy that was alienated comes running back.

While this book could have been better, could have been as brilliant as a supernova, it fell just a little short.

The chemistry was BEAUTIFULLY done, the cute scenes were swoon worthy, the food was mouth-watering, and I, overall, had a fun time reading Summer of Supernovas.

4 Stars!
723597
Full of character and details to set the scenes and sensory images, plenty of tension and chills, but most satisfying by allowing us to savor the ending.  That is so often neglected by authors, and most appreciated in this story.
1269107
The cleverly conceived characters, main and secondary, are well drawn and lovable. The plot is predictable, but fleshed out very well with genuinely fun events, growth of relationships, hints of fate, and different types of love. Very satisfying to read!
4469936
Its difficult to know where to start with this bookthe top-notch writing, the winning characters, the delicate angst, the life-affirming story, the wonderful hopeful ending.  Its all so good.  This is a genuine feel-good read.

Its also satisfyingly long, which I like as I read fast.  Even so, I blitzed it because its impossible to put down.  But despite the length, the story stays totally focused on the evolving relationship between Alfie and Fen and the pacing never feels saggy.  Alfies author voice is superbat times laugh out loud funny and I loved Fens prickly, fierce, vulnerable personality.  Both characters are adorable.  No other word.

The idea of the school bully falling in love with his former victim is a beautifully angsty premise, and the author deftly keeps it from becoming in anyway problematic.  (Bullying should never be treated lightly, and I don't believe this book does so.) The theme of tryingand failingto fix people, places, and things runs through the story, as does the idea of returning home changed by life to find yourself and the people around you almost, but not quite, unrecognizable.  And these themes entwine beautifully with the central narrative, creating a very fulfilling whole.

I found myself totally absorbed in the story, in a world that felt vivid and touchable, and when it came to the end I found it difficult to let go of these wonderfully rich characters.

If you're looking for a captivating romance to touch your heart, then this is the book for you.