just as she explains it: this is a love story....
599343
just as harper lee explains... this is nothing but a true love story... myself being a female and remembering what it was like to be a little girl out of place... i could relate to scout's life and her outlook; from big  brother to school, to the magic of the unknown...it was real again... not  many authors are able to capture that magic... it is a rare talent....
4592622
Ok, here goes. What an epic love story. So unconventional and torturous and real. Despite its length, I couldn't put it down and the couple times I had to (due to stupid things like sleep or take care of kids ) I would be thinking about the story. It's deep and smart and pure. So many adjectives, so little time!

Yes, it's a cliffhanger... So be prepared and don't toss your kindle across the room like I did. And yes, I did throw a couple tantrums when things didn't go my way... But it wasn't my story to tell and Kelli Jean is brilliant. Seriously, pick this one up. You won't regret it.

I was given a copy by COPA in exchange for my honest review, but the next book will be all me because there's no way I will go without knowing how Phil and Kenna's story ends up.
2408939
I admit that I was a little nervous when I saw how the author structured this book - I'd never seen it in fiction before. But it's probably the best way to tell this story about two people who are, for most of it, out of synch with each other even if they are truly in love. I set aside work so I could finish this book. I don't think I could give it higher praise than that.
1607715
I loved this story. It's two love stories in one: a love between a woman and her faithful companion and protector, her Great Dane, Finn, and a love between a woman and a Navy SEAL who never saw it coming. This woman... Charlotte... she's been through a rough time and Finn has been her greatest comfort. She's a strong woman, she doesn't believe it, but she is. She thinks she's weak because she leans on Finn: everywhere she goes, Finn goes, too. But she doesn't realize that she's healing, that she's learning to trust again. And she learns to trust Eric, after their disastrous beginning. Eric, on his part, has long tired of hook-ups, but he never thought he'd meet someone who would make him want to settle down. He quickly recognizes how special Charlotte is. Knowing the horrors in her past, he steels himself to be patient, because he knows she is worth the wait. Slowly but surely, he wins her trust. But their journey together is not easy and they face many challenges.

I think the author realistically portrayed how military wives must feel when their husbands are deployed. One of Eric's team members is married and his wife welcomes Charlotte to San Diego, sharing her large Hispanic family with Charlotte while Eric and the other SEALs are away on a mission. The two ladies comfort each other as they wait for their men to return. Eric's team members are close, they hang out a lot and tease each other even when they're not away on a mission. It was a wonderful group of a supporting characters and made the story so much more rich and alive and wonderful. The dialogue flows naturally, the banter is fun, and I fell in love with Finn. He is a stellar dog!

I did feel that the story was a little slow moving in some parts and there are a number of mundane descriptions (like describing each item of clothing when explaining her decision of what to wear after taking a shower). But these descriptions didn't feel too superfluous, since I noticed them yet they weren't enough to bug me. I thought the Big Bad Guy gave up a little too easily, I expected him to try using his power and influence to greater effect, and was surprised at the authorities' reaction when Finn protected his mistress... I thought if the animal is a pet and attacked for a reason, it should be obvious the animal isn't vicious or dangerous? So yes, this book wasn't totally perfect, but none of these things threw me out of the story or was enough to disturb my enjoyment of it. I would re-read this story, so it's a keeper and that means it's absolutely deserving of five stars.
1460066
I finished reading All At Once by Vera Mae (pen name for K.P. Ambroziak) last night I had to sleep on this one before I wrote anything about it. Where do I begin with this one. First I must say that this is not my usual genre to read (Romance Novels)...but this is much more than a romance novel. This is Contemporary Literature/Fiction at its very finest, and just a beautiful job of storytelling. This is a story of love and life. It was beautifully written, raw, honest and very relatable. As I have read all of K.P. Ambroziaks previous works, I knew going in that this was not going to be your run of the mill love story, and I was oh so pleasantly correct. I do not remember the last time I read a book that moved me in the ways this book moved me. I was lucky enough to be able to read this book before its release date October 19, 2016. I, just simply put, loved this read. Thank you for this one Paige, you have me as a fan forever...

Synopsis: Jayne meets Lyel, the hottest star on television, in an elevator. When the lift lurches to a stop mid-ride, they share a candid exchange before Jayne faints, waking minutes later on the floor in Lyels arms. It takes less than fifteen minutes for the cords of love to tighten, and Lyel pursues Jayne, having fallen utterly and completely in love. But Lyel has a secret, and after he spends three inseparable days with Jayne, he disappears into thin air. Jayne is shattered, left to mend the heart Lyels torn to pieces. Then, as though hed never parted from her, Lyel returns and confesses his truth
3035124
This is a love story in the truest sense of the word.  Not full of flowers, sunshine and music, this is a story a friend could have told you over a cup of coffee, or a glass of wine.  This has such a ring of truth, you can't wait to see how this can possibly work out for the couple.  Hope and fear are mixed with the human element.  Can they hang on when it all seems to have fallen apart?  This is one of the best love stories I've read.  I enjoyed it, even thru the sad and difficult times.  Hope there are more like this coming soon! Thanks for a thought provoking read.
2994983
When I first started on the novel I have to say I didn't like the way that Ms. Munz told her story. I was a little put off. However, as I continued to read, I understood why it read the way it was. The love story between Harleigh and Shaun who fail in their insecurities yet still strive to "belong" to one another unfolds with present and flashbacks in glimpses. This type of style I found interesting, but it became tedious. First of all let me clarify what I mean.

All the characters are likable and you can relate to them, but half-way through the book, I got bored by the Shaun and Harleigh. Their love story could have been told amount of time. They're saying how much they love one another on every other page, wanted me to put this book down. Okay we get it. They love each other let's move on.

It is not until toward the end that the book picked up for me. A little surprise occur that I will not spoil it for you. I then read it with excitement, instead of "...please hurry up and end." And in fact, for me, saved this book.

Even though the love story is quite predictable, and I got tired of the main characters, there are times that they made me smile and said, "Awwwww! How cute." Therefore, I do recommend this love story.
1532726
Sparks has a way to make a simple story sound so wonderful.  This book reminds me of A Walk to Remember.  The tone is quiet, but it is very enjoyable.  The ending is something to remember.  This book is not one you would forget... especially with the twist the author put into the book.

In this novel, Wilson Lewis, the son-in-law of Noah and Allie, believes his wife Jane does not love him anymore.  When he forgets their 29th anniversary, he is determined to make the next anniversary something unforgettable.  Wilson uses Noah's love to Allie as his inspiration.  This is a story of self-discovery and rekindled love.

Wilson and Jane's daughter, Anna, announces she is getting married, and she wants a quick wedding that is to take place in a week.  With so little time, Wilson helps Jane out with all the the wedding preparations.

Wilson has many flashbacks of the old times with Jane, and from his flashbacks, we get to see how their marriage has changed.  He visits Noah often to get learn what marriage is all about.

With Anna's wedding approaching and so many preparations to do, Wilson must find time to win his wife's love back.
2886817
This is one of the most beautifully f'ed up love stories I have ever read. This story is intricately woven and precise, there are no fillers, every word is important to this story. If you skip anything you will be lost, read every.single.word.

I had to step away from this story a few times, not because it was boring or off putting, but because of the intensity of the story. I have to admit that some parts were hard to read because of the subject matter, but it was necessary to the story and not gratuitous.

Tax and Mia's story is so strong it made my heart ache, literally ache. These two characters will be in my mind forever, I even had dreams of them while reading this book, I kept dreaming about what would happen, I was so nervous about the ending it gave me anxiety. But, I was anxious in the best kind of way, I was anxious because the story is that good, the characters are that strong.

Now let's talk about the love scenes, shall we? They are exquisitely and beautifully brutal, they will make you blush. They will titillate and excite with their intensity and raw sexual energy. I don't think anyone writes a love scene as intense as Nina does.

This story proves that love has no bounds, that love is not all sunshine and roses, sometimes love is hard, gritty, raw and will take you to the brink, but that's what makes it worth the fight. We all should be so lucky to find a love like that.

I think this is quite possibly Nina's best work, this is a masterpiece. And I can't wait for what she gives us next.
1175925
If you know anyone who has been caught up in the hysteria of the current sex offender laws, please buy this book for both them and for yourself.  Even if you don't presently have a loving partner, you need to buy and read this book.

What a love story, or should I say a story of love.  I don't know why I put off reading it for so long.  I have owned Lynn's book for nearly a month, but tend to read those large print mysteries that I get from my library.  Well once I picked up her book and started reading, I couldn't put it down.  That first night I read till nearly 2:00 am.  Then I finished it the next day.  I have already put it on the request to purchase list at my library, but for those who can afford to buy this book, you may want to get two, one to read and pass around to your friends, and another to keep in your own collection.

Thank you Lynn for what you have done for your own family and so many others who have been caught up in this legal nightmare.  This is truly a love story with political consequences.
4277952
This is one of my all-time favorite fairy-tale love stories.  No, it's not realistic, and Eric and Kilmeny have precious few faults, at least that we are told about.  But I don't think that it's because they don't have any... it's just a love story... not the story of their lives.

Eric is awed by Kilmeny's music, first... and then he is wowed by her beauty.  And then, as the weeks go by and they spend hours together every day, they fall in love.

This is a beautiful story, exquisitely told.  We are not drawn into the conversations that they have, and the details of how they get to know each other.  We are simply allowed to feel the admiration and respect and love that they come to feel for each other.  And that is more than enough for me.
3754980
A realistic story of lost love and love regained...loved it....
2830797
Split at the Root is a book to be read in one seating; one cannot put her story of love down, because of these painful questions, you just must have answered before 'your next sleep' comes, with hopes in heart, she will have the resolution of "self", in only to be a humane way ~ sweet-child to loving woman. When you finish, you will want to reread her story, just so as you can get it all back together, "right": she will be healed from these secrets and the lies. ( Don't we just all want that PEACE-Train!) Having several adopted children in our own extended-family, was reason for me to Kindle, and then purchase the book on paper, in order to share this resolute child's story, our family. For one, an adopted-child of Portuguese decent, another, who was not offered an open-adoption. (She, like Catana, wonders who brought her into the world, and what of her father;made so, where sometimes this wondering will never have an answer of satisfaction.)Then, again, there is an actually knowing 'Who Am I', and an acceptance of our own failings, those whom we very much love. Which were hers, interesting action (s), where Catana's made-family is/ was concerned; here is "a real person", aspiring to be her best-self, and you will grow to love such purpose in her, and how she turns out, despite all of untruth dealt. My own son, "Why didn't I know 'this' growing up?"
3203213
This book is meant to be read by those who believe in love. It is a story of two people who were meant to be together in spite of their paths to each other. It is a story of hardships, anger, pushing emotions aside and building thick emotional walls. It is a story about Sara and Sam who experience a synergy that helps them heal and blossom into a couple who together positively change the people and places they interact with. A lovely read. Can't wait for more.
4217868
Read this book. It's a story of love and lost but more importantly it is written in simple terms. The writer pours some honest emotion and realistic views to what a lot of women may have experienced though their desires of what love should be is tainted by false pretense on behalf of her love interest. It's a quick read and I highly recommend. Also, this appears to be the work of a new writer and supporting new artists is something I enjoy.
1624906
I was fortunate enough to hear David Levithan speak about how he came up with the idea for the book at last year's National Bookfest. A love story told solely via dictionary entries?! As a Valentine's Day present for friends?! Count me in! The concept was so unique that I knew I had to get my hands on a copy. And I did. And I read the entire thing in a single sitting. On my lunch hour. At work. That's how quick, easy and engaging this book is. I'm kinda kicking myself for waiting so long to read it. So yeah, now I guess I'm a lover of love.

The Lover's Dictionary is not only unique in how it tells the story but also because we never really get to know the subjects of whom it's about. I mean, we get to see some of the most personal and intimate segments of their relationship, but there are no names or descriptions of the couple to be found. At first, this was kind of distracting because I spent so much time trying to put faces to these people, but after awhile, I realized that it didn't matter. Your focus turns solely to the relationship and the internal dialogue of the narrator instead of the usual details that anchor down a story. You stop thinking about the people and start thinking about the love drives them. And that's where the genius of the book lies --- in its simplicty.

Visa vie small passages, The Lover's Dictionary reveals anecdotes of love, both the good kind and the bad, narrated by one half of this couple. These snippets are not in chronological order but each entry touches on the mundane and the special moments between the two. We're shown the various stages of their relationship --- from the butterflies of a first kiss to the irksome habits that go hand in hand with living with someone --- and in a way, each and every one of these moments was relatable to me. We've all be there in some way at some point in our lives. I know I've experienced the nagging doubts as well as the euphoria that accompanies a new relationship. And that's what makes the story so compelling. It felt like Levithan was in my head, putting every feeling I've ever had in just about every relationship right down there on that page... only much more eloquently.

And though we get to see the many wonderful things that go along with being in a relationship, this book isn't all sunshine and rainbows. In addition to the good, we're privy to the bad. There's nagging self doubt, betrayals of the worst kind, hardships to endure and that unfiltered emotion that plagues the narrator. It's a very real, very raw, uncensored look inside the narrator's head as we go through the various stages of the relationship. And while it might not always be pleasant, while it might conjure up some tough memories from my own past, it was unfaltering and honest. We learn that love can sometimes be fleeting but it is also complex and oh so worth it.

Food for Thought: The Lover's Dictionary is a sad yet hopeful, raw and incredibly clever book about love and relationships. It's simple and compelling and heartbreaking and swoony all at the same time. The book is compact and easy to read. In fact, it reads more like a short story than a novel, cutting out all the nonsense and shooting straight for the core. For such a fighter, this book definitely made a lover out of me.
4194951
I would not call this a love story.  I would call it a remarkable tale of the power of believing.  Believing a lie will color all one's choices while the discovery of the truth changes everything.