An intensely emotional story that doesn't give anything away until it's ready to.
345509
I gave this book 5 stars because it is well written, passionate and unexpected. On top of those things, the main characters are likable and relatable. I thought this story would just be about love between a girl and a boy, and I suppose it essentially is, but the story has much more depth than just first love between two adolescents.

Sky and Holder face a dark past that catches up with them, brings them together, and shows them that situations in life aren't always black and white. It's hard to say more than that without spoiling anything. So I'll just add that although this book is a young adult novel, it's on the mature side, and the reader should anticipate the characters handling very real issues. In my opinion, the raw and highly realistic nature of the story is the best part of this book.

I was immediately sucked into Sky's world. I felt what she felt as she felt it. So much so that I couldn't leave her to deal with everything on her own, so I read her story in one sitting and leant my shoulder for her to cry on as my eyes teared up with hers.

If you're looking for a dramatic contemporary novel that will make your gut wrench and strike you in your heart, then this one is for you.

Note: I got lucky and got this kindle book for free from Amazon.
1038390
Learning to Breathe is a deeply emotional book, one that tugs at the emotions and draws the reader into the story.  The relationship between Micah and all the characters in the book is evident and when tragedy strikes, everyone is affected, although Michelle has the most difficult time. There was tenderness and sensitivity in dealing with a cruel topic and the group of close friends who make up this community of people are drawn together in adversity.  Although this book is a standalone, it does appear that it would be beneficial to read previous books in this series, as references are made to events of which the reader has no knowledge. I personally found the tense in which the book was written to be disconcerting.  It's the first time I have read a story written in present tense and I found it uncomfortable reading. Nevertheless, I found that the story jerked at my heartstrings and that I was mopping my eyes repeatedly in the middle section of the book.  This is a well worthwhile read and leaves one with a feeling of hope.  I received a copy of this book as a gift and this is my honest and voluntary review.
3254136
I believe in the power of words and how they can reach out to a reader and draw them in, evoking feeling and reactions that are so strong they're undeniable. This is definitely the reason that Wintergirls has been challenged so much, at least to me. Laurie Halse Anderson has taken a few issues, mainly anorexia and bulimia, and spun them into this disturbing, but profoundly powerful story.

Wintergirls is one heck of an emotional roller coaster ride for a reader. Despite never having experienced Lia's particular condition, I was totally absorbed in her story. It was this strong pull on my emotions - resulting in various states of hurt, anger, sadness, fear, disgust, confusion - that really made a mark on me. I'm a big fan of books that can genuinely draw you in, even when the story is about something you're not intimately familiar with or even comfortable with - and this book certainly did that for me.

What we read is the story of a broken girl, who's in the process of completely falling apart. I was certainly concerned as I read about Lia, especially as we get further evidence of how badly she's fallen into the trap of avoiding any and all food even if she really wants to eat. Though the instances where she faked eating or even forced herself to eat just enough calories were definitely scary, I think what made me even more worried for her was the specificity of her calorie counts of food and her attempts to get her weight lower and lower. There's a method to her particular process, and it made me sad, worried and disturbed that things like that are actually happening in real life.

What Wintergirls does brilliantly is show the reality of the brutal conditions that teens afflicted with eating disorders may be experiencing. It's not just a physical thing, where they drop weight, torture their own bodies with deprivation, starvation and constant purging in order to look a certain way. It's also psychological, with the incredible amount of mind games that are played. There are the taunting voices that say you're fat, ugly, stupid, fat, ugly, stupid, or the friendly votes of encouragement from other people with disorders that say I did it and I look great and don't worry, you'll look great if you do it too, or even the low self-esteem that says you'll never be good enough if you're not small enough. More than anything, these thoughts and their constancy in Lia's mind were what truly disturbed me. They made me realize how difficult it is to really step away from any eating disorder, simply because it would involve trying to reorder your thoughts and to fight hard against the voices that would try to trick you into walking down the same path all over again.

This was a powerful read to me, as someone who has no personal experience of an eating disorder or with anyone close to me who had one. Laurie Halse Anderson was brutal, but realistic in her portrayal of eating disorders, alongside depression and low self-esteem. Though reading this book certainly made me feel uncomfortable and disturbed, I am glad I read it.

To me, despite the many difficult situations that occur, the book ends on a hopeful note. The situation is certainly not a perfect one, but the possibility of a better future is indicated - and I love that it ended on a bit of positivity. It is possible to overcome these things, the book seems to say, and I really appreciated that.

Wintergirls is no walk in the park to read. In fact, if I'm being perfectly honest, it's like knowing that a car's about to crash and that you can't do anything to stop it and so you're just standing there and watching it happen - repeatedly. It was a hard book to read - but it was well worth my effort. With a powerful story filled with potent emotions and a subject matter that would normally be taboo, Wintergirls certainly shed some light on this sensitive topic with a story that packed a punch to the gut.
2500712
Roman and Leo's story is, at times, heartrending to read, whether it be Roman's back story or how in love and hopeful they had been as teenagers only to have everything ripped apart. This book comes with trigger warning, specifically those having to do with homophobia and familial violence. Without giving too much away, one of the main characters suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder and repressed emotions and memories. For a great deal of the book, the intensity is there but right beneath the surface, almost as if the reader is waiting for everything to come to a head. The author deserves kudos for taking this story in a direction that I wasn't expecting, and the resolution, while a long-time coming given it was all set into motion when Roman and Leo weren't even adults, played out in what I felt was the best possible and most realistic manner. This is a book that I won't soon forget and I hope you experience the same when you discover His Truth. Five-plus stars.
3933404
Keary Taylor offers a story that will emotionally touch her readers. Forsaken is the second in the Fall of the Angels Series. After loving the first story I was certain that I would enjoy this one as well. Taylor surprised me by crumbing my expectations, and creating a story that was even better. The emotion pushed out in this novel I find to be occasionally overwhelming, but never a downfall of the story.  I find myself so enraptured by her story that I feel like a character within the book. Jessica is a tremendously intense character, and with her past is also a character that will demand sympathy. While she is not a helpless bystander every reader will find themselves drawn in by this realistic personality. I love reading feeling the stories through her character. It makes for effortless reading and simplicity of the raw emotion in these books. Alex is also another loveable character that readers will have no problem reading alternating narrated chapter. Taylor makes a simple transition from one character to another that does not leave readers frustrated when alternating between multiple characters. With two incredible figures it should be easy to conceive this as a story with such intensity and suspense that readers will continuously crave more. Forsake seems to shake things up a bit from the first novel. The changes that appear in this story expand and transform the original story into a detailed and intricate story. While broadening our horizons readers will also find new blossoms of detail that will promise expansion in the future. Upon conclusion of this storyline Taylor as wrapped up some simple aspects while leaving a variety of new and old situations open for future novels. I look forward to seeing what is to come of Alex and Jessica, as well as, some old and new characters that stepped to the forefront in this incredible addition to the Fall of Angels series.
3382880
This story isn't something that you easily forget. It is a beautiful story of the ultimate love. Be prepared with a lot of tissues when reading this book.
3618131
A touching tragic story, set up the more powerfully by the opening pages.

Memories of a young woman's early childhood time with her father teaching her how to ride her bicycle ("I promise. I'll hold on until you're ready for me to let go.") contrast sharply to events after she extends sympathy toward a family whose father accidentally (tire blowout) killed her younger sister.

The complete refusal by the young woman's family to not forgive or understand the nature of the accident seems beyond unreasonable. Some hint of why might be the only thing this short could have to boost it even better.

Yet, the author's portrayal of the young woman's angst and perseverance in the keeping of her love and memories of how her family used to be with her, before extending love to the other family's grief, is convincing and consistent throughout. And she herself wonders and suffers at that very unreasonableness - without being herself consumed in retaliatory anger to her own family.

This creates, in a very few pages, a profound sense of both tragedy and dignity.

An emotional read that sadly, strikes true.
3472584
I don't even know where to start with this. Behind the Bars is an emotional and hauntingly beautiful story that consumed me from the start. It has been over a year since I have been so emotionally attached to a story like I have with with this one. I cried way more than I ever thought possible and with each situation and each emotion that Elliott and Jasmine experienced, my heart beat rapidly and my soul fought to sooth. I honestly did not expect the story that we got and all I can say is kudos to Cherry for delivering such a powerful one.

Elliott and Jasmine meet in high school. Both are broken in very different yet very similar ways. While the outside world doesn't see it, they do. Their souls are crying for each other as the start a friendship that turns into much more. However, it isn't that simple. The road from the first months they meet until the very end is difficult and sad. It spits them out and reshapes them into new people but no matter how much they change, in the end, their love remains.

"You're the music is a mute world, and my heart beats because you're here."
Behind the Bars tackles some difficult real life situations that might be hard for some people to read. The only advice I can give you, if you think you might have a hard time with it, is to know that during all of this, love shines brighter than any of the other dark and disgusting things that may happen.

I can say without a doubt that watching Elliott and Jasmine fall in love has been one of the most emotionally draining and beautifully rewarding states that a book has ever left me in for a very long time.

I can't recommend this book enough. From the moment you start reading, you'll be hooked and hopefully so emotionally invested that it consumes you. It's been days since I've finished and I'm still emotional while writing this review. Cherry's writing just has that kind of power to it. Whatever you do, just make sure you pick this up and read it. It really is everything.
1584671
I had a hard time getting into the story. The beginning was rather slow for my liking and I almost gave up on the book entirely. But once it picked up pace, I didn't want to put the book down.

CONVICTION is a poignant and emotional story about family, faith, loss and growth. To be honest I was pleasantly surprised by how much this book moved me. It's well-written with a set of complex characters and a compelling, rich plot. It's a brutally honest and realistic story that is both devastating and stunning at the same time. I love that both the main and secondary characters were given depth. They felt so real and relatable. Their emotional journey and overall growth is incredible. Also, I don't even really like baseball. But the author incorporated the sports into the story so nicely that I now have a special fondness for it.
CONVICTION is a heartbreaking, powerful story that will stay with you long after you turned the last page. Must-read.

I received an e-arc via NetGalley to read and review.
2055262
Loved this story and would give a higher than five star rating if I could. I've read a few Kelly Rimmer books and have enjoyed them all but this is a notch above. I liked the way the chapters alternated between Olivia, David's wife and Ivy, David's mother. You never know what happens behind closed doors and this is a prime example of that and how two people can view something so differently, The story flowed at a constant pace and so well written that you could feel the emotion of the story and it's an extremely powerful story which will stay with you even when you've finished. I received an ARC from Netgalley and have written an honest, independent review based on my enjoyment of this story.
1932858
A magical story, that will bring tears to your eyes at times.
227883
I don't even know where to begin.  This story was amazing, unbelievably emotional and impossible to put down. The characters were written so well and I found myself caring about them and about what happened to them, not something that usually happens when I know I'm just reading about fictional characters.  I was so invested in the story, and the extremely emotional scenes moved me to tears multiple times-and not just some quick, "aww, isn't that sad" tears...I'm talking about sobbing, red-eyed, I-need-a-hug moments that really pull at your heart.

While there are some instances where the author makes Fern and her cousin Bailey seem like they talk and act younger than they are (as adults, they sometimes sound juvenile like they are still in high school), this is overwhelmingly made up for in how the rest of the story is told and the way the rest of the characters act and speak.  The characters all have great depth and as I stated before, you grow to care about them.

I'm normally a paranormal and contemporary romance reader, and while this book does have some romantic aspects, it is more of a coming of age drama.  I'm so glad to have read this, and would recommend it in a heartbeat.  Powerful, emotional and just spectacular.
4037762
This was my first Jasinda Wilder book, and overall I really liked it. It was definitely a highly emotional read. I absolutely loved that Ever and Caden communicated through letters. Yes, it was old-fashioned and it is unlikely that teenagers these days would chose to communicate that way, but that's why I loved it so much. They were both very open about their lives and their relationships with others in their letters, and I liked how they supported each other through everything. I was so anxious to see how and when they would come together again.

Caden's pain in this story was so palpable. My heart broke many times for him. Ever certainly had her fair share of pain in life as well. I'm not sure if Caden would have been able to persevere without Ever. She was the one person in his life that he could hold onto, and he was definitely holding on for dear life. Ever was empty and emotionally closed off, and it was Caden who made her whole and helped her feel. I enjoyed watching their love blossom through their letters and seeing the way in which their brokenness bonded them. Their love and intense connection knocked me off my feet when they finally reconnected in person.

The main reason this was a four-star and not a five-star read for me was the pacing of the story. It was too slow for my taste, especially in the beginning, and I felt like certain parts were drawn out too much. I also felt like the ending was a bit much. The very last lines of the book made me roll my eyes and yell out, "Oh, come on!" As if there hadn't been enough pain in this story without that final blow. Nevertheless, this was a tender and beautiful story, and I am looking forward to reading the next two books in the series.
1759985
The language in this novel is lovely and lush, causing the storyline to sneak up on you and pack a huge emotional punch. It's a unique story of forbidden love and loss as well as the loneliness of what it feels like to be an outsider. The story and characters swept me away from the first page through the last. I loved this book and expect you will too.
72843
A story such as this is one that can both make you want to throw the book across the room, yet cant let you go. The scenes are welded beautifully, each as strong as the next. John Nicholl terrifyingly describes whats happening in such vivid detail, it tugs at your heartstrings. The first chapter alone is one that would make you want to put the book down because you're in the mind of a pedophile. However, its an essential part of the story, one that must be included. The next few chapters show the truth of how a sexual predator appears to the general public.

I recommend White is the Coldest Colour because as hard of a read it was, the story moved forward, the scenes and characters were strong, and it raised important issues, one that people just don't want to discuss. I can only imagine how hard it is to write a book such as this one, especially when its based on the things youve seen in your career. I truly look forward to seeing more from Mr. Nicholl.
1322390
This is a very emotional, provocative story which every woman needs to read.  It's amazing.  The story begins with some rather raw events, but it didn't turn me away as this story continues to highlight the life of a young girl, Daniela, a Amazonian native, who is swept into the sexual trafficking trade when her mother drowns during flooding of the Rio Negro in Brazil.  Each character is well developed by the individual chapters and chapter sections. The other primary character is Ian Slaney, an Army veteran who has suffered the death of his wife and twin sons.  His path in life is pointless until he learns his best friend, Finch, is missing in Brazil.  When he arrives there, he learns his friend has been murdered.  The one single lead involves a beautiful girl, Daniela, who also needs protection.  This excellently written novel will draw you into dark secrets, love, hate, honor, evil, and the dark Amazon rain forest.  Get comfy and enjoy the trek to discovery.  It's an amazing, thought provocative story I highly recommend.
698920
What an incredible, inspirational and heart felt journey into subjects that are hard to talk about. Readers are going to love this story and no one will walk away without being touched by this emotional story that cuts to the heart of love, life and carrying on.