Bookish Bluebird: emotional

Showing posts with label emotional. Show all posts

Wednesday, September 30, 2020

Review: THE REALITY OF EVERYTHING by Rebecca Yarros

Title: The Reality of Everything

Author: Rebecca Yarros

Flight & Glory #5 (Standalone)

Two years after the man she loved was killed in Afghanistan, Morgan Bartley is trying to put the pieces of her life back together. The reno on her dilapidated beach house in the Outer Banks might be just the distraction she needs to keep her debilitating anxiety attacks at bay and begin to heal her heart... if she can ignore the ridiculously handsome guy next door.

At twenty-eight, single dad Jackson Montgomery's life revolves around his five-year-old daughter and his job as a search-and-rescue pilot for the coast guard. He's no stranger to saving a damsel in distress, and though his gorgeous new neighbor is clearly in distress, she's no damsel. She's stubborn as hell with walls a mile thick, and the dog tags hanging from her rearview mirror give him a pretty good clue as to why.

It doesn't matter that their attraction is undeniable—she swore she'd never fall for another pilot, let alone a military man. There are some wounds time can't heal, and some fears too consuming to conquer.

She's a barely breathing heartbreak on the edge of recovery. He's a crash waiting to happen. Together they could have it all... if they can endure the coming storm.

"I can't even suggest that it will be easy, because that's a huge lie, but I swear

that I will always make the shitty lows pale in comparison the to incredible highs."

Wow. Just. Wow. I actually wasn't aware that this was book five of a series. Luckily, it can be read as a standalone and still be fully enjoyed without any confusion. Evidence #1: I LOVED IT. The Reality of Everything was so raw and heart breaking, yet so beautifully hopeful. I'm eager to jump into the first four books now to learn more about the other couples' backstories. I'm desperately wishing that two side characters will receive their own HEA too (Please, Rebecca Yarros hear my prayer). Not only did I love Morgan and Jackson—and Fin, I also loved the entire Cape Hatteras friendship circle. The Reality of Everything shines a light on grief, loss and healing. Witnessing Morgan's pain and struggles felt like being stabbed in the heart, but it made the moments of genuine joy that much sweeter.

Review: THE PIPER'S SON by Melina Marchetta

Title: The Piper's Son

Author: Melina Marchetta

Award-winning author Melina Marchetta reopens the story of the group of friends from her acclaimed novel Saving Francesca—but five years have passed, and now it's Thomas Mackee who needs saving.

After his favorite uncle was blown to bits on his way to work in a foreign city, Tom watched his family implode. He quit school and turned his back on his music and everyone that mattered, including the girl he can't forget. Shooting for oblivion, he's hit rock bottom, forced to live with his single, pregnant aunt, work at Union pub with his former friends, and reckon with his grieving, alcoholic father. Tom's in no shape to mend what's broken. But what if no one else is either?

An unflinching look at family, forgiveness, and the fierce inner workings of love and friendship. The Piper's Son redefines what it means to go home again.

| Website | Goodreads | Twitter |

"But grieving people are selfish. They won't let you comfort them and they say you don't understand

and they make you feel useless when all your life you've been functional to them"

I'd like to begin with a shout out to You Know Who You Are (x2) for continuously bringing the topic of Thomas Mackee on my Twitter timeline at the most random times. But, hey! I've finally made it to this moment and fully understand why Melina Marchetta is magical and awe-mazing. I've read three of her books now, and I have to say her storytelling/narrative is absolutely lovely. Each book has hit me straight in the feels! I will admit that I shed tears with this one. Strong family and friendship dynamics in a book is a weakness of mine. The Piper's Son had both elements in spades. Everyone pick up her books soon because I've fallen in a hole and would prefer for others to suffer with me but I only wish for the best for these characters. No more pain please, only good things please.

Review: BUTTERFLY DREAMS by A. Meredith Walters

Title: Butterfly Dreams

Author: A. Meredith Walters
Standalone
Publisher: Loveswept

Publication Date: November 24, 2015

She's waiting to die... Corin Thompson is paralyzed by her obsession with mortality. Having lost both of her parents, she is terrified by the idea that she too will die young, and she loses control at any sign of illness. But when Corin connects with someone who has survived a very real brush with death, she begins to see the world in a whole new way.

He's learning to live... As Corin struggles under the weight of her neuroses, Beckett Kingsley is attempting to rebuild a life that feels all too temporary. With the ever-present threat of heart failure never far from his mind, he just wants to make the most of whatever time he has left. And that means pursuing the girl he never expected to find.

Together, Corin and Beckett finally learn to let go of their fears and take solace in everyday pleasures. Who knows what the future holds? After all, nothing lasts forever—the only promise they have is right now.

"Stop thinking about your life in increments. Seconds. Minutes. Days.

Look at the bigger picture and embrace whatever time you have."

Let's start with the cover because, you know I'm a sucker for the pretty ones. I love the blue and purple (my fave colors!), and that gorgeous font. The cover has a kind of hazy, dream-like feel to it that I find reflects the story well. I really, really enjoyed this book! Butterfly Dreams left me wanting to run outside to soak in the sun—happy to just be. It's inspiring and heart-warming. I wasn't the biggest fan of Corin but man, oh man, did I fall head over heels for Beckett.

Review: ME BEFORE YOU by Jojo Moyes

Title: Me Before You

Author: Jojo Moyes
Me Before You #1
Publisher: Penguin Books

Publication Date: July 30, 2013

Louisa Clark is an ordinary girl living an exceedingly ordinary life—steady boyfriend, close family—who has barely been farther afield than her tiny village. She takes a badly needed job working for ex-Master of the Universe Will Traynor, who is wheelchair-bound after an accident. Will has always lived a huge life—big deals, extreme sports, worldwide travel--and he is not interested in exploring a new one.

Will is acerbic, moody, bossy—but Lou refuses to treat him with kid gloves, and soon his happiness means more to her than she expected. When she learns that Will has shocking plans of his own, Lou sets out to show him that life is still worth living.

Me Before You brings to life two people who couldn't have less in common—a heartbreakingly romantic novel that asks, What do you do when making the person you love happy also means breaking your own heart?

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

"It has been the best six months of my entire life."

I am warning you, dear reader, that this review may contain spoilers. If like myself, you already have a sense of how this story will go (as I did after reading the synopsis of the sequel), or if you've read the book then go forth and read my jumbled emotions! Either way, this was an unforgettable read that everyone should give a chance. It's your choice whether to like it or not, of course.

Review: LONG WAY DOWN by Krista & Becca Ritchie

Title: Long Way Down

Authors: Krista & Becca Ritchie

With a seven-year age difference, Ryke & Daisy have faced an uphill battle in the eyes of the world and their families. Known as the most adventurous, fast-paced couple—their next step has always been elusive to the rabid media.

Behind the scenes, heartbreaking trouble continues to test Ryke & Daisy's resilience and shape their future.

They promise:

To never slow down.
To never compromise who they are.
To never abandon their love for each other.

But persevering their happiness also means adding more risks. One that Connor Cobalt wouldn't even take. As professional free-solo climber, Ryke is no stranger to risk, but this next step with Daisy wagers more than just his health.

With their lives on the line, Ryke & Daisy head towards the vast, wild unknown in this epic final conclusion to the Addicted series.

**Author's Note**

It's possible to only read the Calloway Sisters spin-off series without reading the Addicted series, but you MUST read Fuel the Fire (Calloway Sisters #3) before reading Long Way Down (Calloway Sisters #4). It's highly recommended to read the books in the recommended reading order, which is in tangent with the Addicted series.

*Jae's Note*

READ IT ALL I SAY.

"Wherever you go, I'll go. I'll be here no matter what..."

How do I review a book that essentially ends an era? One that touched me to the core? And how do I move on from that book when it left me feeling blessed for the life I live and proud of the person I've become? I just can't without shedding more tears in the process. But I'll do my best to explain why Long Way Down is my new favorite book, and why you should start reading the Addicted series [pronto] if you aren't already. I'm just going to bare my soul to you in what I hope will be a short spoiler-free review. I apologize in advance should it make no sense at all.

Wednesday, September 30, 2020

Review: THE REALITY OF EVERYTHING by Rebecca Yarros

Tuesday, December 31, 2019

Review: THE PIPER'S SON by Melina Marchetta

Thursday, September 8, 2016

Review: BUTTERFLY DREAMS by A. Meredith Walters

Thursday, January 14, 2016

Review: ME BEFORE YOU by Jojo Moyes

Monday, December 14, 2015

Review: LONG WAY DOWN by Krista & Becca Ritchie