Never expected to LOVE this story
359195
It breaks your heart again and again ..... and then the story makes you whole again... It's worth getting to the end...
3221394
I've never been so captivated by a story. The author is extremely descriptive and I can vividly imagine every single word. This story will make you laugh and make you cry. I loved it so much!
1145623
This book was just incredible! I came to this book expecting something completely different. I understood the synopsis, but never expected to find how absolutely fantastic this book was.
I found few problems with the book. Mainly two things. The first few chapters were a little slow. I began to wonder when she'd ever be alone on the island. When she was, the story picked up at an astonishing pace and not a moment was boring. I was a little worried about her desire to `kill' the wild dogs. Yet, the issue is addressed without offense. I cannot say more without spoiling this beautiful story.
I certainly never suspected to find such incredible moral issues woven throughout this book. Karana learns some very important lessons in her solitary life. At the top of the list is how Karana learns that forgiveness, rather than revenge or hatred, has immense rewards. She learns that beauty comes through the love of nature, and that the gift of love and giving is precious in so many ways.
This book touched me in a way I cannot describe. There are tearful moments, but they are few and last only momentarily. There is suspense, but it should not be frightening for children 9 and over if you are reading aloud to your children. Advanced 4th grade readers should be able to read it well enough themselves. The material though is a little deep (emotionally) for children younger, even if they read well.
I truly feel this is a book everyone should add to their collection.
3860442
I can't help but fall in love with this story. Sure, it is not a mushy romantic coming-out story. It is not erotic either. Instead, this is a story about one boy who, one day comes to realize, that he was who he was and hiding from himself would not only hurt him, but would destroy  him. That rare, defining moment in a person's life that just clears up the air once and for all and all confusion disappears.

This is the story of Jesse. He is the youngest of three boys and really confuses his parents a bit. He was small for one thing and he found himself gravitating towards the female classmates rather than the male, and he was really not into deep in sports. Not like his father nor his brothers. He confuses all the more When he turns up with a best friend by the ambiguous name of Dylan. His parents start thinking deeper, and quieter as this friend turns out to be female. To their chagrin, she not only sticks around but becomes an important person in the life of Jesse. Until Dylan comes home with a boyfriend.

As Jesse struggles to straighten out his thoughts and got more confused in the process, his life gets complicated by the appearance of Orion in his life. Soon, he realizes that the feelings he had for this young man is different and was actually one step closer to heaven. How to deal with this is not a great thing to look forward to, especially as Jesse lived at a time when homosexuality was still considered taboo and a subject to comedy on television.

This is a book that can be set aside for a time and then get back to. What I really loved about reading this was that each chapter told a different story. Each told a different adventure and a revelation into the characters' personalities. It was like watching life unfolding through text and it was difficult to dismiss.

No, this is not your regular mushy M/M romance. This is real life. How a young gay man grew up to be a self assured individual through his life adventures and a love he never expected to have. True, life in the late 80s could be a bit uncertain, but then again, it still is. I just never expected to love this story too much. But I did. And I do.

Beautiful. Just beautiful.

Thank you Jayson, for giving me the chance to read this for not only did it send me to a beautiful dreamland, it gave me a chance to reminisce on the movies and the music of the day. You do know I am an 80s girl, right?
3001880
I am amazed I haven't heard much about this book as it is just wonderful. It's definitely my new favorite by this author, and I have read everything she's written. The love story between John and Polly was divine. But more than that, the story of John's salvation was so thought provoking. A story I am unlikely to forget.
1548710
Lauren Runow is a new-to-me author and with this story she won't be one I easily forget.

The blurb had me sold, who doesn't like the old "crushing on my bestfriend's brother" trope? I do, but, the author, characters and story surprised the hell outta me with how much deeper it went. The author did a very beautiful job at telling this story.
It touched my heart. "A reader lives a thousand lives", they say. I'm honored to have lived this one.

This story has really set a record for my 2018 reads.
560284
Such a powerful story. I didn't expect to love this book so much or to have the author's story stay with me for days afterward. This story will give you a peek into a world of functional addiction where people don't look or act the way you expect them to. And it might just cause you to rethink your own social rituals around alcohol. I know it did for me.
4171790
As I sat down with this book I had no real expectations.  As the story started to play out I was in awe over the minor details that told a much deeper more meaningful story than I expected.  A true heap you and not let you go story.
3132954
Thought this book was about something else and kept it in my library for four months.... I assumed it wasn't going to be a good read and figured I'd take a stab at it when I had no choice.

Biggest

Mistake

Ever

Insanely wonderful story with BEAUTIFUL writing, grammar, etc! Finished it in less than two hours and just could NOT put it down. It's one of those reads that are so smooth and flow so perfectly, it'd be a shame to read in any other way except straight through!

Can't wait to peruse this author's other work! New fan for life!!
91857
I thought this would be a run of the mill romance book. Boy was I in for a surprise!  I have never reAd a story like this one. So many unpredictable layers to it. Kept me reading until my eyes were bleary. The end had me smiling. A religious flair to the story. But it was very well written. I am looking forward to more stories by this Author.
4855736
My heart knew what it wanted. It had always known

I already knew this story would be amazing. I just never expected it to hit home and it hit me real hard.

I was fighting my tears in the last few chapters because Ive already cried too much. So theres this huge lump in my throat and a war of emotions waging inside my chest from holding back everything.

I was a mess while reading this book, but it was that delightful kind of mess. The story was poetic, beautifully and soulfully written. The friendship that sprung between three women who were completely different from each other was another spectacular thing to add to this book. Each of them bringing with us a story of love and tragedy and hope.

This story sits right next to The Notebook for me. Beats every love story I have ever read or watched my entire 30-ish years of existence. I am so thankful this true story was shared for the world to witness. And it's spectacular. I am glad to have met all these amazing characters.

A million stars for Travis and Charlotte.
2920626
This definitely exceeded my expectations; not that my expectations were low I hasten to add, but I was much more absorbed in this than I thought I was going to be.

Jenny was a character that I latched onto pretty quickly. She really stood out from all the other characters and I really felt her grief almost as if it was my own. Theresa wrote these scenes so powerfully, they just felt so real. I could completely understand her wanting to keep some part of Gabe. Their love for each other was so strong and I think if I had been her situation I would have wanted to do the same. And it seems like things might get better for Jenny, until Gabe's controlling Uncle finds out that Jenny is going to try to have Gabe's baby and he takes her to court to prevent her from doing so. George was a really loathsome character but I like how his part of the story unfolds.

The different viewpoints from the characters also added to the brilliance of this book and particularly Steve's, who I felt really sorry for as he didn't seem to have a lot of luck. So although Jenny's story took precedence, I was always thinking about Steve.

I loved the court scenes! "Objection your honour", "Sustained", "Court dismissed". I think these were my favourite scenes in the whole book and what really made this stand out from other books I have read. I got so involved and could feel my blood boiling at times when the opposition was asking awkward questions and making Jenny out to look bad.

This was such a great concept for a story and unlike anything I have come across before, which is probably part of the reason it exceeded my expectations. Theresa is a fabulous writer and definitely one to watch.

I am now really looking forward to Theresa's next book The Lives Between Us which is out this autumn.
38755
So honored to have had the chance to enjoy this story.  Not at all what you'd expect and so beautiful and thought provoking.  It felt so real and the way it was written only elevated the experience and realism with just enough whimsy to enjoy the escapism of reading.  Looking forward to more from this author!
2891525
I wasn't really sure what to expect, but I was pleasantly surprised. While there were a few times I wanted to skip, and did skim, a page or so, it was very well written. There were also a few times when I was exasperated with one of the main characters, but somehow, in the end, it didn't matter. I ended up profoundly touched by this story. The author draws you into the heart and soul of the story and the characters with her beautiful descriptions and words that are just enough, and never too much or too many. I cannot recommend it highly enough, and I know I will read this book again.
911846
I was pleasantly surprised by the depth of the story and my reaction to it. I have very seldom cried while reading a book, but this story brought me to tears.

I'm a big fan of Susanna Kearsley and Diana Gabaldon. Fans of time travel historical fiction will enjoy this moving story.
793438
One of the absolute best stories I have ever read. I wasn't sure what to expect after a friend recommended it, but I've been blown away. Wish it wouldn't end!
3599572
I wasn't sure what to expect but i was happily surprised to find myself pulled into to this story. Into the cave. The darkness and the love. A story is only as good as the emotions it evokes in you and this story is a well written ride!