A wonderfully emotional story
355468
Samantha Young has been one of my favorite authors since I first read her book On Dublin Street only a little over a year ago.  From that point on I devoured her books, mostly through audio the first time.  One of my all-time book boyfriends, above almost all others - probably top 3, Nate Sawyer, came from her book Before Jamaica Lane.  While I was sent an egalley of this book to read and review for the tour, when I found someone willing to trade a physical ARC, I jumped on that chance since I had to have at least one physical ARC of one of my favorite author's books.  The way she writes both the characters as well as the events in the story always leads to an emotional and memorable read.  If I had not had any other responsibilities, such as work, this is one I would have read in one sitting.  In fact I read it in about 3 sittings, as each time I was barely able to put it down for anything else.  I read the last 100 pages in one sitting, at the park near my house, in my car, where I knew there would be no one to distract me from reading.  And that last part of the book was packed full of tear-jerking scenes, where anyone who had seen me sitting in my car crying might have wondered just what was going on.

I feel all of the characters and most of the reactions were pretty realistic.  There wasn't anything that was way out there, used just to create drama for the story.  Honestly everything that happened was something that I could see happening in real life, or maybe had actually seen happen to others around me, or to myself.  Nothing in the extreme bad things, just the way that people reacted to situations is very realistic to me.  Even the mean girl, yeah, she was kinda a mean girl, and her friends knew it, and would call her on it.  The reaction of people to finding out someone in their life was a different person then they'd been led to believe, that their very best friend had lied to them, well, it was pretty true to human nature.  Young really had a great grasp on real life and how people interact.  I'm so excited to finally have a book by her that I can definitely put in my high school library and share with my students.  Hopefully alerting them to an author they will also fall in love with and pick up every book she writes from now on.

A wonderfully emotional story, showing that it doesn't matter what walk of life you come from, the things you keep hidden about yourself can be the same, and do affect you and the rest of your life just as much as they do anyone else.
2230756
A wonderful story with great characters. I enjoyed the story very much and didn't want it to end. There are some very tearful places that may have you crying. All in all a wonderful first novel.
867614
As I stated in the title of this review, the best word I can think of to explain this novel is emotional. It was everything that you would want in a story. An interesting plot, surprises around every corner, beautiful scenery that you could visualize and a connection to the wonderful cast of charachters. The author was really able to draw me in very quickly, and by the third chapter, I couldn't stop. I hardly ever tear up while reading, but this book was an exception. Highly recommended.
1636340
Two Blue Lines was an emotionally moving story. Reading the description, you could picture what the focus would be, you'd be wrong. This story was about more than just a pregnancy and the changes it brings to those involved. There were many layers buried deep into the story and as you learned more and more about what was really going on, the story pulled you in deeper, and tugged at your heart strings.

Though, the initial focus is Melissa's pregnancy and both her and Reed's reactions to the news and how they handle it. Underlying this shocking news, are other revelations that effect Melissa deeply.

SC Montgomery has a winner in this emotionally charged story. The characters are great, the story is wow-ing, and feelings, oh the feelings you will go through. I enjoyed this debut very much.
1930990
Each story in the Pound of Flesh series has been extremely emotional, and the compelling scenes in AN OUNCE OF HOPE are truly affecting from the very start. After meeting Max OHare who was a good friend of the hero in the prior books, I knew his own story would contain lots of struggles because of his troubling past. While many situations are heartrending and deeply moved me in ways that I rarely feel when reading, there are also moments where conversations and actions are humorous and caused me much laughter. Sophie Jackson creates believable characters along with convincing events in their lives, and the way in which everything comes together is so true-to-life. I became caught up in what was happening to Max and Grace Brooks, the woman who also has a haunting tragic past, and what they would ultimately decide had me growing more anxious with every new challenge they faced. AN OUNCE OF HOPE is overflowing with emotional issues that touch the heart.

After losing a close family member, Max OHare felt as though his life had no real purpose. He got involved in drugs and was dealing, which led to arrests. There would even have been jail time if not for his best friend, Carter. When as incident could have led to his death, checking into a rehab facility is his only choice if he ever wants to get clean. Though the sessions are emotionally painful, his thoughts are much clearer without drugs fogging up his mind. Doing lots of painting while there actually helps Max to focus and he eventually returns home, not dependent on illegal drugs for the first time in years. Hoping his drug habit and problems related to a past girlfriend are behind him, he wants to try and live a normal life again.

Though much better, Max still has some matters to work out and goes to stay with an uncle in another state. Shortly after arriving, he comes in contact with Grace Brooks, a new resident in town. He finds her bubbly personality refreshing, and her interest in photography gives them something in common. Since she has some past troubles of her own, their connection surprises them both. Opening up is hard for Max and Grace, yet it becomes easier as they slowly grow closer.

The writing of Sophie Jackson constantly has an effect on her readers, as every scene is filled with realism. With genuine reactions that are conveyed with lots of sincerity, I was continuously drawn into the lives of Max and Grace because of how much I came to care for this extraordinary couple. The past still influences their current lives and is shown through episodes where feelings are revealed with heartbreaking honesty, causing me to ache right along with them when things did not go as desired. When circumstances are good between them, they are very happy and their joy is almost tangible as it seems so real. How Max deals with Graces past trauma is especially moving, and it proved just what a compassionate man he really is on a number of occasions. Sexual encounters are certainly satisfying for them, and the concern each shows for the other is a significant reason their relationship grew.

There are so many delightful secondary characters in the story, and it was really enjoyable seeing how the marriage plans of Carter and Kat are progressing. With more details coming about both couples and even another relationship in the Pound of Flesh series, I am ecstatic. The emotions in AN OUNCE OF HOPE are profoundly intense, and Sophie Jackson makes every heartfelt moment totally captivating.

Received copy from publisher through NetGalley for a Sensual Reads review
1920587
I LOVED this book!! I have to admit I shed lots of tears while reading this, but I also got a large dose of happiness from the wonderfully well told story of Riley and his new found family. The author had to relive a traumatic childhood in order to fully tell this story, but I felt that when he finished writing this book both he and Riley were both healed. You will go thru a whole range of emotions while reading this book, and be glad about it.
2389832
I absolutely adored this book by Lesley Kagen.  Sally, the main character (a girl of 9 or 10) was such a kick.  The story is very melancholy and quite sad in parts, but in other parts, it was joyful.  It's not only beautifully written, from the perspective of a spunky child, but is also a simply wonderful story.  I was delighted from the story beginning to end.  I am looking forward to reading the sequel.
596157
This story sucked me in from the beginning. The emotional pull of David's PTSD and Maygen's desire to help him pulled at my heart. There were times when I smiled, when I laughed, and when I cried. The danger that is following Maygen had me guessing who it could be. This was a very enjoyable story, and I highly recommend it. I hope there is more to this series.

I received a copy through Netgalley, and this is my unsolicited, honest review.
4192904
This story is not for the faint of heart. Its probably not for readers who have lost a soldier or been abused, either. But its a wonderful story. Theres a lot of heaviness and I cried not a few tears, but this hero is a hero. And he doesnt like it when men pick on women. Especially when one picks on the woman he thought hed be marrying once he got home from the nightmare in which he was imprisoned for five years.

Camryn has been through a hell of her own. Partially, its of her own making and she therefore feels defeated. She has a small son to protect and always puts his security above her own safety, which is a certain brand of strength.

There are all kinds of gray areas in life, and this story touches on some important ones. Five stars.
1081272
I wanted to get so much done this weekend. But first I picked up this book, sat down and began reading. Before bed I had finished it but sat in deep thought with tears pouring down my face. This is a very powerful story about a tragedy and lessons learned. While this young woman was in a coma, the family learned more about themselves and their loved ones---making more connections than before. They learned that good does come out of tragedy----when you allow it to happen. It's emotional and beautiful. I recommend it to anyone with a heart who cares about someone. It teaches us to live in the moment knowing that at any time our lives can change dramatically and we can't change the past---only the present and have hope for the future.
It's a wonderful, well written and tender story of love and letting go.
3495485
We can all agree that this was a very terrible time in human history, and reliving the time through the eyes of child is especially telling.  This story was highly emotional, but very, very worthwhile.  I highly recommend this story.
4477395
I was so drawn in to this story about a girl coping with a horrific event. I could not put the book down and feel so strongly about the wonderful and engaging writing that I have to share my opinion. I highly recommend. It isn't a nice subject but it is a wonderful, heartwarming story.
1215706
M.E. Montgomery is a new-to-me author, and I can't believe what I've been missing!  North Star was wonderful, yes it's a cliffhanger, but it's a solid read on its own.
It's a story of two people dealing with the hand life has dealt.
Alex is trying to make a home for his recently orphaned nephew.  Mikayla is a kindergarten teacher trying to rebuild her self-image and confidence.  They meet unexpectedly, then find themselves brought together again by a forlorn 5 year old, Alex's nephew Aiden.
This is an emotional story filled with smiles, drama, and a few tears.  I enjoyed it immensely, and look forward to the next book in the series!
3850585
The Address of Happiness is a really wonderful story, one that takes the reader to places we all know, but down paths we don't always expect.

In each generation, stories appear that seem to capture the human condition, tales of joy and tragedy and where we all are going.  Sometimes they're big, sometimes small.  They catch our imagination and make us think and feel, and at their best, open our eyes.  And our hearts.

I really enjoyed this book.  It was not at all what I expected.  It's not an extended read, but it is an engrossing one.  And a very emotionally moving one, of characters we instantly understand and embrace.  It's emotionally moving in a very simple, disarming way.

Sit down and take this trip though these lives. You'll be glad you did.
274827
An overwhelmingly heartfelt story. The first chapter alone is an emotional rush that breaks your heart.  A heart wrenchingly, tragic accident has destroyed Kate Taylors life. Two years later, she finds herself alone and needing to find solace and a reason for living again. After many therapy sessions and realizing that living with her mother is not really helping her, she decides to go on a cross country road trip in order to find herself and see if she can move on with her life. Enter Ryan Grant, the son of her mothers friend, and whom her Mother has just dumped on her to give him a ride to Seattle, since he hates flying. Add in the fact that hes tall, dark and handsome and hes quite the perfect catch. At first he seemed a little crass, but as the story unfolds there are several sides to Ryan Grant, hes charming, kind, and knows what it means to experience loss. Throughout their cross country trip feelings emerge and love starts to seep in. J. Saman does a great job of describing all these wonderful places and lets the reader really feel the ambiance of the places they visit. I have to say I am not into tear jerkers, but I really liked this story. I loved the undeniable pull between Katie and Ryan, their sweet banter and realness, they are hot and magnetic.  I really appreciated how J.Saman leads you through the true emotional turmoil that it is to lose a child, as well as what it takes to really move on without the fear of forgetting the love of your life. Its a sweet romance about starting over and finding love in the most unexpected places. I really enjoyed this book, it made me cry, it made me laugh, and it made me feel the anguish and love that pass through these two people. Well done Miss Saman.
3340365
Beautifully Awake was an emotional journey though the characters past and present. Lili is a case worker at a Philadelphia hospital. Her past is layered with heartache and loss. For three years Lili has cut herself off from her life and has been drifting through the motions of living. Chase is a neurosurgeon who has just taken over at the hospital. His past is marred with difficult decisions, regret and blame. In a moment following a tough surgeries, Lili and Chase finally admit to the feelings they have both been trying to keep hidden. One of my favorite parts of this story is the game that the main characters play of truth. This leads to the past secrets being revealed in a very fun but emotional way. The chemistry Lili and Chase have is off the charts. The secondary characters of Sierra and Asher were great additions and much needed comical relief to mix into the heavy emotions. I cried through most of the book especially the epilogue, which is told from Chases point of view. Book two, Beautifully Done is going to be Ashers story.
1668414
This is such a wonderful, emotional story.  I laughed & cried.  I loved the characters.  Can't wait to read more from this author.