Achingly beautiful!!!
580977
Achingly beautiful.

Wow. Just wow. Let me find the perfect words to describe this poetry book. It was just amazing, spot-on, raw and real. I have found a favorite. This poetry book is easily on my top list of poetry books. It was just, ugh! I cannot give justice to how good it was. And I can't thank Marlen herself for giving me a copy of her incredible book. I definitely see myself rereading the whole thing over and over. The book was able to paint, heartbreaks, courage, the beauty of life, the silver lining in every sadness, so vividly and so accurate you can easily put yourself inside it. That every hurt and pain is universal, that there is beauty in pain and there is always hope. If you enjoyed Lover's Dictionary by David Levithan and the works of Lang Leav and Sarah Kay you will surely love this book. I cannot recommend it enough!

It is not so often that I review poetry books, I wouldn't want to ruin the beauty of it and yes my words may not give it the justice it deserves, but this poetry book is just so beautiful that I could not pass the opportunity to be able to tell the world about it. I loved how it was written with overflowing emotions that you could not help but nod your head. What is more amazing about this poetry book is that, it is like telling your own story but through the words of another, but the emotions, the realizations, the subtle hints, the epiphany, the realness of it all are all there, poking your heart making you feel everything all over again.

I think I tabbed 80% of the book, and it is so hard to choose my favorite piece. But here it is.

Chance Meeting Over Coffee

And I have this one coffee shop I go to, a couple of blocks from my apartment. The lights inside are as warm as the din of chatter from people bent over chapter books, quietly trading papers as they murmur about future Sundays. Coats hug the backs of chairs and a few mittens lay discarded under tables, hopefully not forgotten. But I, I always keep my coat on.

I hold my cup with both hands, watching the dust dance in the rays of light breaking onto my table. I look up and you approach me, as I thought you would, eventually.

I think weve met before. I think you're right.

You always put my coffee mugs back on the wrong shelf, if I remember right.

And stain the rims with berry reds from my lips.

That part I didn't mind all that much.

I smiled.

I think one time I fell asleep on your shoulder, with my feet over yours on the coffee table.

You were wearing my wool socks.

You might be right. I shifted in my chair, trying to fight the urge to look out the window. I think I used to sit on windowsills, keeping the afternoon company; eating strawberries and thinking of you. I crossed my feet at the ankles, looked up at you. That probably sounds silly.

Im not sure why, you said slowly, weighing your words, but for whatever reason I think I remember how your eyes looked at one oclock, when the night was not yet ready for morning to come.

Thats a peculiar thing to say.

Yea you're right. You paused. Then continued.

Were you the one that used to use hardcover books as coasters? And put rosemary in vases like flowers? You smiled, trying to place the girl. Wait, was it you that danced with me in the kitchen? To the sound of the dishwasher running and the color draining from the sky?

It might have been. Maybe?

Maybe.

Well...

Well. I should be going then. Maybe sometime later well see each other again. Things might be different. Im sure itll come to me how I know you.

You know how these things are.
You waved goodbye with your paper, and I watched your back leave the shop. Funny, how some strangers were once apart of your life.
4798418
Discovering something as precious as a well written book is exactly like finding a precious jewel!!! Yes, indeed, such is this brilliantly created novel that held me spellbound from beginning to end!!! This is the second book I just finished reading from this absolutely phenomenal author... too bad I haven't discovered her when her books were published, but then, no more regrets, because Im so grateful for the precious hours experiencing with the drama, intrigue and suspense in this book!!!
Oh yes, full of intrigue and mysterious situations, heartwrenching moments that seemed endless, but still I kept on reading, breathlessly feeling myself behind everyones backs, listening with a mixture of hatred and doubts!!! Lies and deceit are evidently scary!!!
Aimee and James were childhood sweethearts and time has come for the union of two families ... but time stood still when a funeral took place instead of a wedding!!!
This is the beginning of Aimees personal ordeal - with an extremely incomparable magnitude beyond belief!!! I used up quite a handful of Kleenex - and much later, not only a handful but a box for James!!! Until now my heart is aching, bleeding for this two innocent victims of extreme betrayal and intrigue. Family values has always been misplaced in the Donato family! Their brutal dealings are comparable to an organized crime - well, after all they are Italians- with the exception of James whose personal values won him Aimees heart, loyalty and admiration!
Its quite difficult to imagine how their story unfolds, the discovery of betrayal from James family, finding him alive left Aimee in an indescribable and inconsolable situation... here my tears kept on falling... pausing to breathe for awhile... I felt like dying for Aimee as well as for James!!! My heart is full of hatred and extreme sadness!!!
Learning about dissociative fugue, and its painful effect upon James made me ache for his unexpected situation. I could not take it anymore, and I needed to stop reading, but then, my curious thought for redemption was uppermost in my mind.
A gripping drama beyond my expectations ... Aimee finally giving up that the new James would never be coming home with her, after all he has obligations in Mexico and more especially that he still could not remember his past!!! She felt sad and disappointed but acceptance was unavoidable. Her heart now belongs to Ian whose steadfast love and support kept their trip to Mexico a reality that needing one another was inevitable. For Aimee, James case appeared hopeless ... for the time being???!!!
2383859
5 'ABSO-FU&@ING-LUTELY' BEAUTIFUL STARS!!!!

Georgia Cates...you are one hell of a writer...I feel like I'm part of this story, part of Jack Henry's family...everything about this book felt so real and so beautiful. I AM ABSOLUTELY IN LOVE  with Jack Henry and Laurelyn. I WANT MORE!!!

This book was an amazing follow up to the first book, Beauty from Pain, which left off on a major cliffhanger...this book starts right where book 1 left off, which I loved!  This book will bring out all sorts of emotions...sadness, happiness, regret, anger, love, passion, and a beautiful Happily Ever After!!! This book will leave you COMPLETELY SATISFIED!

DON'T WAIT A MOMENT LONGER...BUY IT! OWN IT! READ IT! LOVE IT!
4002305
Hypnotically, Addictive,decadent, intense, this Book brought so many emotions out of me love, pain, no one writes angst like M Robinson I felt this book down in my soul!! This was the perfect blend of emotions, suspense, angst love!! It was absolutely amazing and masterful the connection and the intensity between Amira and Damien is Raw, captivating,they have this tangible connection that can not be denied its heart-wrenching perfectly imperfect!!  More Review to come once I get my emotions in tacked!!
715041
I honestly don't know if I can give a coherent review right now. I've waited several hours after finishing the book and still I feel broken and completely hungover.

This book made me cry, not just cry though, I was balling my eyes out. You know the feeling you get in your chest when it's so heavy because it feels like something is crushing you? Yeah, that kind of crying.

This is beauty, agony, heartbreak, and hope all wrapped into one beautiful book. We begged and pleaded for this book and MJ delivered something that broke my heart in a beautiful way.

I love Ava and I have been so anxious to read her story, to see if she would get the love she wanted and deserved. This is not a story, it's a journey. It's a journey that you are instantly swept away in. Nothing is promised and life can change in the blink of an eye, but Ava's journey is not one you're going to want to miss.

I absolutely loved it.
4779303
One of my all time favorites, magically beautiful!
1975442
I don't know how to put my thoughts and feelings into words, but I will certainly try (though they will not do this book justice). This book was beautiful in every sense of the word. The love that Achille and Caresa felt for each other is the love that everyone wishes for, the love that fairytales speak of. They are lost souls finding each others missing parts, two halves of a whole. This story made my heart break at times, but most importantly soar. The simplistic love they felt for each other is what dreams are made of, their love is what brings a smile to my face knowing that out there in the world there is love like that even when it may not seem like there is.
A breathtaking read that I wish I give more than 5 HUGE stars!
588001
If I were to use one word to describe this novel,it would be "BEAUTIFUL". Mandy Lou Dawson took a "Taboo" topic and turnrd it into an amazingly warm,heart wretching love story. Chatting with the author I simply knew that i would adore her work! A story of step-siblings turned best friends,eventually into lovers & then strangers due to their fear of how society would visualise their love for eachother. They were incompetent without one another,unable to have normal relationships,trying to keep theirs platonic and yet failing miserably!!!Fear played the greatest factor between Sophie and Logan but like all HEA novels "love" prevails and this couple realizes that right down to their marrow,they belong together...FOREVER.I laughed,cried,got angry...seriously pissed off but the warmth it left in my heart in the end is what I'll keep from this romance. Thank you Mandy for the ARC...I feel very privileged and honoured...can't wait for the next TABOO novel. 5 stars are all yours baby!!!
2630723
This is a heart-wrenchingly, beautiful story of one woman wading her way through the tragic loss of her husband and the subsequent grief that follows. The theme of the story is one I've read before: Widow loses husband, is now a single mother, finds new love that helps her through. However, what really made the story for me is the author's approach. She outlines which stage of grief, Liz, the main character/narrator is in, and follows each in order. The emotions are so strong I I felt each and every one of them. I FELT like this was MY loss. MY heart was shattered right along with Liz. I worked through the grief with Liz.

Well, obviously Liz is the one who loses her husband, Grady. He tragically dies of cancer after a hard fight, leaving behind Liz and their four young children. Understandably, she is a wreck. It is hard for her to go on. She is a stay at home mother and the every day things that were so simple, like getting get children to school on time, before Grady died is now monumentally difficult. She meets her new neighbor, Ben, on an especially difficult day, and at first finds him annoying. No reason, she's just moody, so she doesn't like him.

Ben knows the situation and slowly begins to help Liz. As she starts to accept his help, they forge a strong friendship and he becomes someone she trusts and relies on. Then feelings develop. Of course they are hard for Liz to accept. She is still mourning the loss of Grady and still loves him very much. And Ben...SIGH... He is so gentle and patient with her. He doesn't push, doesn't try to take Grady's place. He just wants her to make room for him. He makes this speech to her  Oh my heart! I think it is one of the most beautiful speeches and now my favorite out of all the books I've read!

There is so much I want to tell about this story, but I can't. No, I WON'T. This brilliantly written story HAS to be experienced first hand. The Five Stages of Falling in Love is the perfect example of what I'm looking for in books. Not just a story, but an experience. This book hit me on a level that only my most cherished stories have. It broke my heart and put the jagged pieces back together again. I was left with a bittersweet joy for the characters.
4733553
Just breathtaking!!! i love this book soooo much
This is such a beautiful bookI accidentally fall in love with Tristan, Lizzie and Emma!!!

So much love, so much pain but also so much hope...
I didn't know it was possible
I didn't know the broken pieces of a heart could still beat for love"

I truly believe that we have angel watching us, and in those dark moments they make you know they are here...and this book show you that in all the people Tristan, Elizabeth, Emma and even theirs families cross theirs ways in those dark moments
"There were small signs from the angels, letting us know they were always close by, watching over us."
4339844
This book, OH MY GOODNESS this book!

I should know better than to expect anything other than haunted perfection from Alex Grayson and Whispered Prayers of a Girl does not disappoint. After reading this book and bawling like a child, I needed to let the emotions swirling around inside of me to wind down so that I could gather my thoughts and be able to write a coherent sentence. It didn't work. Days later and a second read through and I'm still at a loss for words. This book is so beautifully written that even now my heart aches from the pain that the characters have had to endure.

Living the life of complete solitude with only his memories, dog (Gigi) and horses Alexander comes off terse and with little to no patience for the rest of the world. Rightfully so and completely understanding after a tragedy leaves him disfigured and emotionally broken. Somehow Gwen and her children are able to wiggle their way into his heart. The gentle way in which Alexander handles Daniel and especially Kelsey is heartwarming.

The many sides of Gwen are fascinating to watch unfold and each are poignant; the mother, friend and lover. I enjoyed watching the young widow raising two small children all while fighting an attraction to a man she isn't at all certain she should even trust let alone like. The love for her children is palpable and tangent and when boiled down, in the simplest of terms is a mother protecting and raising her babies the best way she can. Gwen is a strong woman that not only knows how precious love can be but gives it freely to those around her.

Daniels exuberance with life and pure joy is heartbreaking when compared to the mutism of Kelsey and her despair of losing her father. You can feel Gwens pain when she speaks of her daughter and how she misses hearing her childs voice.

The tenuous friendship and underlying attraction that is formed between Alexander and Gwen is palpable and extremely sexy. The tension only builds over time and is done in a manner that is charming and endearing.

This book ripped me to shreds but ultimately put me back together. Love comes for a reason, season or lifetime only proving that darkness does not always smother the light.

Every person should read this book. It is truly one of the best that I have read in a very long time.
3570201
~Cant lifetimes be measured in heartbeats? The faster a heart goes, the less time you have?~

If the above is true, must be close to death then after reading this. I cant stop my heart from beating so fast it hurts. It hurts. I hurt and yet the hurt is a complete comfort.

There is a theme with Sukis books; the ever plentiful absence of parental figures, the absence of speech either voluntary or not and there is the over whelming theme of boys doing things for survival that most of us don't think about. There is this void with her characters but its the fortitude of not giving up that makes the void fill and spill over with hope.

The big thing about Suki and her books is you get immersed in them. From the first word and a dip of your ill formed pinky toe, you think you are testing the waters of the world she creates, when in reality, youve already jumped in with both feet. Youve jumped in and didn't realize it until your chest becomes so tight because you haven't come up for air. Youve held your breath and let the gorgeous misty words fill your chest as you blissfully drown in the context of the story.

I want to tell you all about this story but I don't know how to. Its heartbreaking and hopeful. Its angsty and amazing. This book, is everything and there are things I think I caught on to more because of myself or maybe because the author is like me?

Maybe she is like me because what I also loved is the sneaky way the author sneaks songs into the book. I guess, if you don't know them you wouldnt notice them but just like a song by The Smiths got tossed into TiNaLS, there are songs from The Cure in this that shredded my already stomped on heart. I mean, come on! If Only Tonight We Could Sleep and Pictures of You. Smith and Fleet as a duo of angst? One does not survive unscathed, I promise you.

~If I had a single wish right now, it would be for someone to hold on to, or for someone to hold on to me. Not because they feel obliged to, or because they have to, but because they want to, because they want me.~

Danny. What has happened to him? OMG. This kid, from the first page I wanted to hug and cuddle him until he gave in and hugged me back. I want to give Danny all the warmth, all the warm showers and flowers and food and a cool room to sleep deep under warm blankets. I want to give him a room full of things that need to be fixed, not because he needs them as trade but because its what he does. I want him to look at himself with as much want and love as he deserves and I want him to accept it. To accept that he is beautiful because of who he is and how he loves and protects those who matter even when they ask why he doesnt give up.

OMG! This book, it hurt me so damn good.

Micky, good lord this kid. I got him and his want to help people but inability to deal with it. I really get it because I am the same way. I get that its too much at times to just be yourself and deal with your own issues but taking on the issues of others, its crushing to the soul. But Micky is beautiful, sparkly and everything that a boy like Danny needs but what is going on with them? How will they make this new fragile thing called love work?

These boys. This story, it was amazing but its Suki Fleet so its what I expect. The layers of story and character are achingly peeled away until you are raw. You cant help but feel what these characters go through as you read their story. This isn't just story- its an entire universe of bright skies, of tumbling warm feelings and emotions so big, they cant be contained to one continent. Its so ridiculously gorgeous that I cant tell you enough how much I loved reading it.

~Fragile things, every single one of them. Lives are so terrifyingly easy to break. And yet, I love every single second. If I didn't love it, it wouldnt hurt so much.~

Yeah that.
2662505
Oh my God! After reading this book, my emotions were all over the place. This story was such pure beauty. It was stunning, painful, sad and funny at the same time. I loved it so much. I fell in love with the characters, I cried with them, I mourned with them, I laughed with them, and I put together the shattered pieces of their soul with them. It was such a journey! This book is about two broken souls finding each other, and try to heal each other. This book is about loss, and grief and rebuild.

After Elisabeth loses his husband she chooses to live with her mother for a while. The day when Elisabeth moves back into town after a year, she accidently hits a dog with her car. It turns out that the owner of the dog is the outcast of the town, who is acting like a jerk, despite that she helps him with his injured dog. When Elizabeth finally arrives to her old house with her five year old daughter, Emma, she just sees the past and the sadness what his dead husband left behind. Then it turns out that during her time out of town, she had a new neighbor who happens to be the unmannerly guy with the dog. They are definitely don't like each other but Elisabeth sees something in his stormy eyes and tries to see through his mask. She sees the same pain in those eyes what she feels. She decides that she wants to crack Tristans shell and find out what is behind his big breard and his distance.

There were disturbing and upsetting parts of the book, but I think this is what made it so real and authentic. Because the ugly parts are belong to the pain and loss, too. But there were parts where I laughed so hard, mostly when Faye opened her mouth. She is a really unforgettable character and I loved her so much. :) But I loved Liz and Tristan and Emma, too. They were so lovable characters. I loved the feather metaphor and I loved the sticky notes. :) This book has also a really twisting story line. This book  like the other Brittainy C. Cherry story I have read  definitely became my favorite. It grabbed me at the very beginning, and didn't let me go, until the very last page. It was brilliant, heart-wrenching, and beautiful.

https://veronikasreaderfeeder.wordpress.com/2015/09/25/brittainy-c-cherry-the-air-he-breathes-release-blitz-arc-review/
959301
Im not even sure what I can say about this book that hasn't been said already. Its a beautiful story that will rip you apart. Its painful and that pain demands to be felt. But within the pain there is beauty and first love and just a truly wonderful story. Again, these are all things that have been said before countless times, but they are worth repeating.

Augustus and Hazels relationship is beautiful. There is no other way to describe it. These two were clearly made for each other. Not even referencing the cancer, but just in their personalities. They both spoke their own language that a lot of other people didn't even come close to understanding. Their relationship is easily one of my favorites ever.

What I also loved about this book is the humor. In spite of the terrible situation it was very funny. I laughed out loud on numerous occasions. The banter between Hazel and Augustus is priceless and hysterical and I loved every single second of it. But at the same time it is a serious book and the horrible reality of cancer isn't glossed over. John Green shows the ugly side of it and doesnt bypass the uglier sides of it. It is a love story at its center but it is a love story that deals with pain and loss. The love doesnt fix everything but it is a beacon of light within a lot of darkness.

There are a lot of other things I could say about this book but I really don't even know where to begin. It is wonderful and heartbreaking oh my God is it heartbreaking! It tore me apart! It makes you feel and it makes you hurt, but it also makes you smile and laugh. It is an astounding and heartbreakingly beautiful read!
888850
Wow what a beautifully written, heartbreaking and emotional story this is!!!

Just be aware that this book will suck you in and almost break you by the end of it, but it's such a beautiful sweet pain that the trip and emotional high is so very worth it.

LA Fiore has created a story that is about love, loss and friendship, it touches on some very adverse situations that can and do happen in real life. Her characters are put through so much pain and misery that I was a sobbing mess for a lot of this book but Alexis and Greyson are both such strong and wonderful characters that they can and do survive everything that gets thrown at them.

The writing flowed so well that I just couldn't put this book down, I became enraptured, captivated, I was totally and utterly addicted. I felt every hurt, pain and emotion. This has got to be in my top five ugly cry books ever.

I cannot express how much I loved this book but I also hated it with equal measure. Be sure to read this book with plenty of tissues, chocolate biscuits and lots of cups of hot tea as it will leave you so raw that you will need them to seek comfort in.

One of the best books that I have read so far this year and I highly recommend you put this on your TBR list. It's an amazing read.
299685
"At the very least... there are about a quarter of a million words in the English language..." and right now I am having trouble finding the right ones to use to describe the love I have for this book. Oh, wow! There are so few books that touch you to the soul, but the struggles Owen and Elle go through will leave you with all the feels. The push and pull of wanting someone and trying to do what's best to prevent them suffering the pain you are going through. The defeated feeling and then the sense of hope then love then sadness and despair. The ending though is what grabs you and holds you until you can drag yourself up and comprehend what just happened.
1694980
Oh my God! I didn't know I was going to love this book as much as I did!! I'm so happy I read the blurb and thought, "Man, this book looks awesome.", because it is. I feel like everyone has gone through the heartbreak of unrequited love at least once in their life. Being able to read the feelings of the people experiencing this almost makes you feel less crazy of how you feel when you go through it.

I'm not even sure I can write a review that will give this book justice. All I can think is how many emotions this book touches on; love, pain, lust, sadness, joy, anger. Just all the emotions! I absolutely loved these characters. Thomas and Layla were so broken and real, and so beautiful as individuals. I liked how they brought out the passion in each other, and were able to help each other through heartbreaking times. Don't even get me started on those love scenes, cause damn. I haven't read a book with these scenes in a while, super impressive!

The story line was never faulty, it was easy to follow along and be "IN" the book with everyone. And something about the way the book was written, was just so beautiful and really made you feel the pain of all the characters, not just the main characters. I feel like this is a bad review, but this is just how the book made me feel. I felt their pain and I felt their love and I felt everything they were going through, it was so easy to fall into them. I'm definitely reading more from this author from now on.