Heartbreaking and real
595425
Paper Things follows the story of Ari and her brother Gage after their mother dies and aunt who is their legal guardian kick them out into the streets forcing Ari to choose between her aunt or her brother. Yeah no, I'll be with my brother. K thx.

This heartbreaking journey is something that is very real and that is happening all over the country right now. Yet no one seems to want to pay it any attention. How are these children ending up homeless? How can we help them?

Not a fluffy happy read, but one that will catch and keep your attention regardless.
2701707
First of all I will say that this type of book isn't my usual lighthearted, Happily Ever After read so I approached it with a certain trepidation.  From the opening sentence to the last sentence this book was gripping.  It's a deeply personal look into the author's life and what transpired from the death of her beloved brother.  I am a very emotional person and this book brought me to tears because I felt the emotion behind the words.  It's personal, it's raw and it's very real.  Anyone who has lost a loved one can relate but it brings in sharp focus our own mortality and it's a very sobering thought to confront this on a daily basis.  For me I choose to take the bigger life lesson of making sure you live a good life but also to ensure each person that you love, they know it, they feel it and you tell them.  This is a short review but it's because I feel bereft of words to adequately describe my feelings and how much this book reverberates through my soul.
3865931
When I'm Dead was a startling look at the world through the eyes of an abuse victim. My heart absolutely ached for everything that Violet endured both physically and mentally. It was very hard to read and watch her suffer for so long, and my emotions took an even darker turn after her secret was exposed and her mother wouldn't believe it.
Violet was such a incredibly strong young woman. The ending of this book was very powerful and eye-opening. I am glad that Violet chose to keep fighting for what was right. She deserved so much more out of life.
The true stories to be found in the back of the book were very powerful. To be able to hear the voices of actual victims really made the reality of these terrible abuses that much more poignant. I hope that this book will continue to bring readers strength and perspective, as well as help to dissolve the stigma that remains.
1969333
The Dogs of Winter by Bobbie Pyron is a poignant and heart wrenching story of a 5 year old boy who fell homeless after the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991. Ivan survived on the streets and on the railway first, with other abandoned children then, joined a pack of dogs and together, they survived for two years. I was drawn to read this book because I LOVE dogs. I was nervous about the story as I anticipated the hardship of their lives and ultimately, the separation of the boy and his pack. It is difficult for me to take in stories in which children or domesticated animals struggle with severe hardships. My heart bleed from the first word to the last and tears filled my eyes throughout the story -- I finished the books weeks ago and continue to think of Ivan,the dogs, and abandoned souls throughout history and today.
Pyron has written a work of fiction that is deeply rooted in a painful truth of our human history. Her work compelled me to read the works listed in the bibliography and learn more about Ivan Mishukov and the orphaned children and dogs of Russia.  I love the book.  I'm a librarian at a junior high and will recommend it to my students who are mature enough for this reality of life.
4581500
I don't normally read fictional books but for some reason this one stood up to me and I bought it. I read this book in 2 days since my family was home sick. It was riveting and the end left me in tears. The way it's written makes you feel like you know these people and that you can relate to them because of their depth. They make mistakes. They aren't perfect. They're just normal people trying to do the best they can and trusting and loving where they can. Every parent needs to learn to let go of their children a little bit and knowing that the world is a dangerous place but trusting that their child will have to figure things out. I'm going to be recommending this book to quite a few of my friends and family members. It's very worth the read and I hope that you enjoy it as much as I do.
2053240
Have you ever read a book that touched your soul in a way you weren't ready for? This was that book. Ill tell you now that its a hard read at parts BUT its one that NEEDS to be read. Stay strong and don't give up because it is beautiful, empowering and eye opening.

There are tough topics addressed and this is a trigger warning from me to you. Abuse, both emotional and physical are in here. But there is also the beauty of real love, patience, strength and survival.  Also that not everything is black and white. You don't know what someone is going through. Abuse is real and hopefully it keeps the conversation going that a real change needs to be made. At all levels. No matter who the abuser is.

Kennedy Ryans writing is honest, real, raw and effortless. It was hard to read but I couldn't put it down. I was immediately attached to these characters and where this would go.

This is a read I won't soon forget.

*Arc generously provided for honest review.
2847459
I really enjoyed this book. It throws you right down in the middle of the lives of a police dispatcher and a police sergeant. The love and heartbreak in this book is never ending. The emotions shown are so real. The pain of the past comes back to haunt them. There are some things you never truly get over, but with the right person can they help you heal?
1418734
While this was a very painful book to listen to/read, it was well worth it by the time the end came near. It is a very profoundly sad at times, and horrifying as well. It is indeed haunting, heartbreaking and compelling. Hosseini is able to take his reader right into the story, and it feels as though one is right there with the characters experiencing it alongside of them. Although this was set in Afghanistan with all the horrors of being a woman there, I believe there is a universality to some of the themes within the story: domestic violence, abuse, helplessness, etc. Hosseini's books have opened up a new culture and experience for me and caused me to have a deep appreciation for Afghani women and their suffering. Even though this is a painful story, there is much beauty within its pages.
3481616
This is, at times, brutal and heart breaking.  Above all, it's honest and lives up to its title.  We live Ana's coming of age and share her emotions.  The author makes Ana's story a very real story for the reader.  It's not a happy story, but it does portray hope and courage on Ana's part.  This is a story for ages high school on up to senior citizen (like this reviewer).  It's certainly a story for us guys and for the ladies.  If you want a book that's touchingly compassionate while making real the horrors of war, this is for you.  Highly recommended.
2684560
A very real, honest take on young love and young struggles. Truly heartbreaking but beautifully written. Deeply looking forward to being moved by the next book!
2577898
This was a heartbreaking and beautifully written story.  Truth be told, this book hurt to read.  It was raw, powerful, and very honest.  It took me a while to warm up to Kami, but once parts of her past were revealed everything about her made perfect sense.  She was a runner and honestly, after what she has been through in her life, I wasn't surprised that was her first instinct.  The things she endured in her childhood were unspeakable.  There were times when I was so overwhelmed with Kami's pain that I had to put my Kindle down and take deep breaths before I could continue.  Her agony and absolute belief that she was unlovable were so palpable.  My heart broke for this beautiful girl who deserved to know real love and happiness.

Sweet, patient Blaine stole my heart from the very beginning.  The chemistry between he and Kami was undeniable, but it was his love and complete adoration for her shone through every page.  He had so much hope for Kami and their future together, and I just loved how nurturing and gentle he was with her.  Blaine knew deep in his heart that Kami was worth everything, and aside from one moment when he let his pain get the best of him, fought incredibly hard to make their relationship work.  Unfortunately, no matter how much he loved or fought for her, ultimately it was Kami who had make the decision to save herself.  She had to make the choice to live and accept his love, and it hurt so much to watch her continuously push him away while she struggled with making those choices.

My heart felt like it split in two for Kami and Blaine so many times in this book.  These were two people I desperately wanted to see find a way to be together, and some parts of this book were pure agony.  I loved that the book was dual POV.  Blaine's chapters always seemed to come at just the right time and definitely heightened my reading experience.  I was constantly in awe while reading both Kami and Blaine's thoughts and feelings how they became so deeply embedded in my own mind and heart.  I can't imagine how difficult this book must have been to write, and I applaud S.L. Jennings for creating such a emotional and beautifully heartbreaking story of love, friendship, and hope.  Fear of Falling truly touched my heart, and I am looking forward to reading more from this author.
3040980
Heather Quarles has captured the reality of life within an alcoholic, broken family in a way that highlights the devastation and hope involved with such an upbringing.  In the midst of some of the most unbelievable suffering children can experience, the power of the love of an individual and the love of God is displayed and revealed to be TRUE.  If you or someone you know has suffered, then this book is for you.  I cried throughout most of this book.  But I also turned to God and thanked Him for the amazing ways He reveals Himself - especially in the midst of tragedy.  This is a book that I will read again and again.
3795697
As someone who is currently pregnant and has been pregnant many times, I thought this book would be a really difficult read. I was so wrong. While it brought me to tears many times, somehow, they were always grateful and hopeful tears  joyful tears. This is an incredible story of a very *real* couple and their struggles. I couldn't put it down.
4836235
Life, marriage - it all ain't easy. This books takes you through so many of life's very messy emotions. The characters felt so real. You feel for each of them... even when you want to scream at them. I was so distraught over Sadie's circumstances. It was so good to see a story that didn't have some massively rich, ultra alpha male. This was a good book, with "real life" characters (a bit of a contradiction there, but couldn't think of another way to describe it).
769344
*contains semi-spoilers*

First off, if you are someone that cannot stand to read about sexual abuse, this is not the book for you. This book is heartbreaking, but there is also happiness. But at the end when you realize what is going on, your heart will break for Sadie. This is an amazing book and it's hard to read, but I'm so glad I did.

As I was reading this book, I wasn't sure how to form an opinion on Sadie. For most of the book I believed it was about a woman with mental illness, schizophrenic tendencies. I venture to say that there are quite a few extraordinary characters in this book. Alex (aside from Sadie) is by far the most amazing. His love, devotion and patience is just...wow. It comes across realistic as it happened everyday to have a spouse/partner you love so much be constantly on the edge of sanity.

I don't want to give too much of the book away, as The Stranger is such a monumental character in this book. For a woman who has felt alone most her life, Sadie has so many people unknowingly loving her.
1318626
This book was heartbreaking and real. The authors notes at the end broke me more than the book.
1480815
Just like real life this book takes you thru the wrenching experience of love And loss - well written and realistic. I can hardly type this thru my tears,