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samantha_randolph's Reviews (1.59k)
Rook by Sharon Cameron perfects the art of storytelling, complete with rich sensory descriptions and a keen use of the most necessary words. As each chapter moves along, tension, conflict, and relentless pacing build and build until the reader is left nearly breathless and with a thousand paper cuts in attempts to turn the page quicker. With a masterful plot, the journeys throughout the story are long but always exciting and pack an array of complex characters.
At the center of Rook, the protagonist, Sophia, stands right alongside the fiercest characters in literature. Through her, Cameron provides a heroine without a savior complex nor a reckless need for adrenaline. Instead, Sophia expertly balances strength, a determination to do good in an area she calls home, intelligence, and an indestructible joy of feeling free and finding adventure. The delightful witty exchanges between herself and René offer cheeky laughs amidst all the seriousness, and the romantic chemistry from them nearly burns the pages.
Serious issues surround even minor areas of the novel, revealing a story that never tries to tackle an enormous problem but offers opportunities for discussion should readers choose to engage. From Sophia’s father, whose mind is not what it once was, to heavy incarceration rates to choosing officials, there is a wealth of complexity in between these pages.
The world building and voice of the story shine just as strongly as the characters and the themes. The fascinating idea of the future, with influences from The Scarlet Pimpernel, will have readers reflecting on history and the dynamics of humanity over long periods of time. The third person narrative, focusing on various characters, helps the reader see the book’s setting from a variety of viewpoints that ultimately conveys how interwoven lives can become, even in a city.
With a top notch story of politics, the future, and freedom, Rook would be well placed on immediate purchase lists. Readers who have read previous Sharon Cameron works and readers new to the author will find strong characters, a sizzling romance, adventure, and above all, powerful writing.
Original review at YABC: http://www.yabookscentral.com/yafiction/18005-rook
At the center of Rook, the protagonist, Sophia, stands right alongside the fiercest characters in literature. Through her, Cameron provides a heroine without a savior complex nor a reckless need for adrenaline. Instead, Sophia expertly balances strength, a determination to do good in an area she calls home, intelligence, and an indestructible joy of feeling free and finding adventure. The delightful witty exchanges between herself and René offer cheeky laughs amidst all the seriousness, and the romantic chemistry from them nearly burns the pages.
Serious issues surround even minor areas of the novel, revealing a story that never tries to tackle an enormous problem but offers opportunities for discussion should readers choose to engage. From Sophia’s father, whose mind is not what it once was, to heavy incarceration rates to choosing officials, there is a wealth of complexity in between these pages.
The world building and voice of the story shine just as strongly as the characters and the themes. The fascinating idea of the future, with influences from The Scarlet Pimpernel, will have readers reflecting on history and the dynamics of humanity over long periods of time. The third person narrative, focusing on various characters, helps the reader see the book’s setting from a variety of viewpoints that ultimately conveys how interwoven lives can become, even in a city.
With a top notch story of politics, the future, and freedom, Rook would be well placed on immediate purchase lists. Readers who have read previous Sharon Cameron works and readers new to the author will find strong characters, a sizzling romance, adventure, and above all, powerful writing.
Original review at YABC: http://www.yabookscentral.com/yafiction/18005-rook
The Edge of Nowhere by Elizabeth George follows young Becca King, a girl who can hear thoughts of others as she hides from her murderous stepfather on Whidbey Island. The mind reading paranormal element is interesting, and the author does a wonderful job of mixing teen angst and uncertainty alongside such a power. Becca is a well-rounded protagonist whose voice and actions, shown through third person narration, fits her age and situation perfectly. She is still growing into herself while she faces dangerous situations none would envy. Her gradual attempts in learning to trust people are endearing and will clearly lead to further character development as this series continues.
Surrounding Becca are extremely well done secondary characters. Though Derric doesn’t receive as much dialogue as other characters, he is nicely set up with an ideal amount of intrigue. Seth, Hayley, and Jenn all are distinctive and complex in their own right, and the mysteries behind each of their secrets will keep readers turning the pages well into the night. Seth’s grandfather, Ralph, offers several chances for a smile or two during the heat of the mysteries.
What shines in this novel is the plot. Twists, turns, and jaw-dropping surprises frequent the chapters. The mystery behind the island accident leaves most questions answered, while other mysteries are left in suspense for more books. The tension throughout the story is gripping and engaging, something mystery and suspense fans will greatly appreciate.
As much as I enjoyed the characters and plot, some areas of the writing feel weak. The dialogue comes across as a bit awkward and stiff at times, though the shifts in character focuses are handled well. The writing in the beginning doesn’t seem to match the flow of the second half, but the plot is definitely engaging enough to keep the reader invested.
Fans of Lauren Oliver’s Vanishing Girls and James Patterson’s Confessions of a Murder Suspect series will find an exciting and engaging plot with complex characters in The Edge of Nowhere. The minor paranormal elements offer a refreshing twist for readers who like their suspense and mystery with a little something extra.
Originally posted at YABC: http://www.yabookscentral.com/yafiction/13197-the-edge-of-nowhere
Surrounding Becca are extremely well done secondary characters. Though Derric doesn’t receive as much dialogue as other characters, he is nicely set up with an ideal amount of intrigue. Seth, Hayley, and Jenn all are distinctive and complex in their own right, and the mysteries behind each of their secrets will keep readers turning the pages well into the night. Seth’s grandfather, Ralph, offers several chances for a smile or two during the heat of the mysteries.
What shines in this novel is the plot. Twists, turns, and jaw-dropping surprises frequent the chapters. The mystery behind the island accident leaves most questions answered, while other mysteries are left in suspense for more books. The tension throughout the story is gripping and engaging, something mystery and suspense fans will greatly appreciate.
As much as I enjoyed the characters and plot, some areas of the writing feel weak. The dialogue comes across as a bit awkward and stiff at times, though the shifts in character focuses are handled well. The writing in the beginning doesn’t seem to match the flow of the second half, but the plot is definitely engaging enough to keep the reader invested.
Fans of Lauren Oliver’s Vanishing Girls and James Patterson’s Confessions of a Murder Suspect series will find an exciting and engaging plot with complex characters in The Edge of Nowhere. The minor paranormal elements offer a refreshing twist for readers who like their suspense and mystery with a little something extra.
Originally posted at YABC: http://www.yabookscentral.com/yafiction/13197-the-edge-of-nowhere
The Edge of the Water, sequel to The Edge of Nowhere, takes Becca and the inhabitants of Whidbey Island on another mystery involving a suspicious seal this time. My favorite part about this novel is the development of Jenn. In book one, readers only got a brief glimpse of her outside of being a bully. Now, readers get a better take on the less angry side of her, and they can see her mature beautifully throughout the story. Her interactions with Squat Cooper are hilarious, sweet, and enjoyable, and her experiences with both Squat and Annie provide insight into a young girl who is still trying to find her identity.
Ralph and Diana continue to offer words of wisdom and comedic relief amidst the teen angst. Though their parts in the story aren’t excessively big, each scene with either of them never fails to make me smile or laugh.
Where the action and suspense took the spotlight in the previous novel, the sequel focuses more on personal relationships. Although I enjoyed the characters’ development in the first book, there seems to be a stretch with some of them in this novel. Becca and Derric’s relationship escalates extremely quickly without any development, leaving little understanding or grounds for their conflicts. Becca herself feels more of a secondary character than a protagonist as the story goes on, and I left the end of the book without feeling any growth from her. This does, however, leave plenty of room for the reader to get to know some of the other characters, such as Jenn, who do start to develop further.
While the seal mystery is very cool, the overarching area of suspense in the series, Becca, her mother, and stepfather, doesn’t show up often. It feels like that mystery is paused during this sequel to make room for the seal, which ultimately makes Becca’s story fade a bit. However, the twist in the seal mystery is wonderfully done, and it provides a deeper perspective on the island of Whidbey itself.
Though there are areas that left me wanting more, The Edge of the Water is overall an entertaining and engaging read. I look forward to seeing what mysteries Whidbey Island offers in the next book.
Originally posted at YABC: http://www.yabookscentral.com/yafiction/18138-the-edge-of-the-water
Ralph and Diana continue to offer words of wisdom and comedic relief amidst the teen angst. Though their parts in the story aren’t excessively big, each scene with either of them never fails to make me smile or laugh.
Where the action and suspense took the spotlight in the previous novel, the sequel focuses more on personal relationships. Although I enjoyed the characters’ development in the first book, there seems to be a stretch with some of them in this novel. Becca and Derric’s relationship escalates extremely quickly without any development, leaving little understanding or grounds for their conflicts. Becca herself feels more of a secondary character than a protagonist as the story goes on, and I left the end of the book without feeling any growth from her. This does, however, leave plenty of room for the reader to get to know some of the other characters, such as Jenn, who do start to develop further.
While the seal mystery is very cool, the overarching area of suspense in the series, Becca, her mother, and stepfather, doesn’t show up often. It feels like that mystery is paused during this sequel to make room for the seal, which ultimately makes Becca’s story fade a bit. However, the twist in the seal mystery is wonderfully done, and it provides a deeper perspective on the island of Whidbey itself.
Though there are areas that left me wanting more, The Edge of the Water is overall an entertaining and engaging read. I look forward to seeing what mysteries Whidbey Island offers in the next book.
Originally posted at YABC: http://www.yabookscentral.com/yafiction/18138-the-edge-of-the-water
The third book in the Whidbey Island saga continues the story of Becca King and her group of friends. Becca is still trying to hide from her stepfather; closer to her, mysterious fires are occurring on the island, making the new arrivals to the island look suspicious.
Balancing Becca’s personal mystery with the fire mystery, the plot is full of tension and secrets. Elizabeth George does a wonderful job of juggling the many different characters of the island and their own personal problems while interconnecting everything with the larger suspense plot. Becca starts to take a more active role in the mysteries this time, even hinting at potential detective skills towards the end. The paranormal element with Becca’s mind reading slowly starts to grow as well, making the plot rich, detailed, and complex.
As Jenn did in the previous novel, Hayley now plays a bigger role in the story line. Her character, full of so much sadness and uncertainty, develops magnificently as she encounters a new guy, family trouble, and college applications. Her area in the story feels realistic and very relatable for teens whose next steps are unsure.
Though I enjoyed the plot, the writing feels a bit choppy at times. Some chapters feel cut off and don’t flow well into the rest of the story, and some of the dialogue gets a bit clichéd. As in previous books in the series, there are some uncomfortable areas of body shaming that are never resolved, and some relationships between characters seem to form instantly without build up. However, the friendship between Jenn and Becca grows wonderfully, and the intense plot will keep readers turning the pages happily.
Though there are flaws, fans of this series will find the same exciting pacing and intrigue from previous novels in this latest installment. With the strong detail in their lives, the cast of characters is sure to start feeling like family to readers as this series progresses.
Originally posted at YABC: http://www.yabookscentral.com/yafiction/18139-the-edge-of-the-shadows-whidbey-island-saga-3
Balancing Becca’s personal mystery with the fire mystery, the plot is full of tension and secrets. Elizabeth George does a wonderful job of juggling the many different characters of the island and their own personal problems while interconnecting everything with the larger suspense plot. Becca starts to take a more active role in the mysteries this time, even hinting at potential detective skills towards the end. The paranormal element with Becca’s mind reading slowly starts to grow as well, making the plot rich, detailed, and complex.
As Jenn did in the previous novel, Hayley now plays a bigger role in the story line. Her character, full of so much sadness and uncertainty, develops magnificently as she encounters a new guy, family trouble, and college applications. Her area in the story feels realistic and very relatable for teens whose next steps are unsure.
Though I enjoyed the plot, the writing feels a bit choppy at times. Some chapters feel cut off and don’t flow well into the rest of the story, and some of the dialogue gets a bit clichéd. As in previous books in the series, there are some uncomfortable areas of body shaming that are never resolved, and some relationships between characters seem to form instantly without build up. However, the friendship between Jenn and Becca grows wonderfully, and the intense plot will keep readers turning the pages happily.
Though there are flaws, fans of this series will find the same exciting pacing and intrigue from previous novels in this latest installment. With the strong detail in their lives, the cast of characters is sure to start feeling like family to readers as this series progresses.
Originally posted at YABC: http://www.yabookscentral.com/yafiction/18139-the-edge-of-the-shadows-whidbey-island-saga-3
As an avid watcher of the show, The Originals, I can’t get enough of this three member, somehow kind and cutthroat family. The Rise, the first book in the prequel trilogy about The Originals, follows Klaus, Elijah, and Rebekah Mikaelson as they flee from their vampire-hunting father to New Orleans in 1722. The story gives fairly equal attention to all three characters as they embark on their various adventures, and the intense action and supernatural political intrigue make this a book readers will fly through.
Just like in the show, this novel brings to life the complexities of individual desire and family bonds. Each Original is willing to be ruthless to get what they want, but it is nearly impossible not to have a soft spot for each of them. Klaus, a half brother, forever feels like he isn’t fully a member of his family and expects betrayal at every turn. Rebekah longs for a normal, quiet life she can never have and is full of enough potential for love to change the world. Elijah, always the peace keeper, just wants his family to find a peaceful home together. They are the most heartbreaking kind of villain, because underneath all their destruction, they have heart enough in them to be one of the greatest potential influences of good.
The intense pacing of the book holds the reader on bated breath. In the supernatural culture of New Orleans, betrayals and bloody wars are far from unfamiliar between the witches, werewolves, and vampires alike. Readers will find themselves constantly questioning every character’s motive and worry that at any second someone will pull a stake out and betray everyone.
With razor sharp dialogue and breathless pacing, The Rise is a family vampire story not to miss. I wouldn’t recommend this series for people who aren’t at least somewhat familiar with the show. Minor background information is included throughout, but there are several areas where an unfamiliar reader may get confused without knowing more about this specific supernatural world. Fans of the show are in for a thrill ride and a chance to discover more of The Originals’ history.
Originally posted at YABC: http://www.yabookscentral.com/yafiction/18158-the-rise-the-originals-1
Just like in the show, this novel brings to life the complexities of individual desire and family bonds. Each Original is willing to be ruthless to get what they want, but it is nearly impossible not to have a soft spot for each of them. Klaus, a half brother, forever feels like he isn’t fully a member of his family and expects betrayal at every turn. Rebekah longs for a normal, quiet life she can never have and is full of enough potential for love to change the world. Elijah, always the peace keeper, just wants his family to find a peaceful home together. They are the most heartbreaking kind of villain, because underneath all their destruction, they have heart enough in them to be one of the greatest potential influences of good.
The intense pacing of the book holds the reader on bated breath. In the supernatural culture of New Orleans, betrayals and bloody wars are far from unfamiliar between the witches, werewolves, and vampires alike. Readers will find themselves constantly questioning every character’s motive and worry that at any second someone will pull a stake out and betray everyone.
With razor sharp dialogue and breathless pacing, The Rise is a family vampire story not to miss. I wouldn’t recommend this series for people who aren’t at least somewhat familiar with the show. Minor background information is included throughout, but there are several areas where an unfamiliar reader may get confused without knowing more about this specific supernatural world. Fans of the show are in for a thrill ride and a chance to discover more of The Originals’ history.
Originally posted at YABC: http://www.yabookscentral.com/yafiction/18158-the-rise-the-originals-1
In the second installment of The Originals prequel trilogy, Klaus, Rebekah, and Elijah Mikaelson realize how quickly they can fall from the power they worked so hard to secure. The nuances built in the first book continue over in this sequel, leaving every plot point full of excitement and power. Rebekah, hoping to relax and mend, and Elijah, happy in his place of peace, have their world shaken as Klaus, desperate and grieving, makes a bargain that will change everything.
While Rebekah and Klaus got a strong dose of romance in the first book, Elijah gets a chance at love now. His character, full of so much nobility and loyalty, shines in this story, and his own darkness comes out as he steadfastly fights to keep his place and his family in tack. The new character, Lisette, fits nicely among the family and brings a new element of hope for both Elijah and Rebekah. Meanwhile, Klaus’s character encounters realistic grief, sacrifice, and a growing knowledge that his actions to have consequences for himself.
The rich world of vampires, werewolves, and witches is rich with detail, though I do wish there was a little more building of 1766 New Orleans itself. However, the world within the supernatural is wonderfully drawn, and it is easy to get caught up in the lines of war and peace between all three groups, especially as a new creature starts to emerge.
Fans of this series will devour this second installment and leave the story eager for the conclusion. The Originals family is one readers won’t soon forget with each of the member’s distinctive personality and lethal surroundings.
Originally posted at YABC: http://www.yabookscentral.com/yafiction/18159-the-loss-the-originals-2
While Rebekah and Klaus got a strong dose of romance in the first book, Elijah gets a chance at love now. His character, full of so much nobility and loyalty, shines in this story, and his own darkness comes out as he steadfastly fights to keep his place and his family in tack. The new character, Lisette, fits nicely among the family and brings a new element of hope for both Elijah and Rebekah. Meanwhile, Klaus’s character encounters realistic grief, sacrifice, and a growing knowledge that his actions to have consequences for himself.
The rich world of vampires, werewolves, and witches is rich with detail, though I do wish there was a little more building of 1766 New Orleans itself. However, the world within the supernatural is wonderfully drawn, and it is easy to get caught up in the lines of war and peace between all three groups, especially as a new creature starts to emerge.
Fans of this series will devour this second installment and leave the story eager for the conclusion. The Originals family is one readers won’t soon forget with each of the member’s distinctive personality and lethal surroundings.
Originally posted at YABC: http://www.yabookscentral.com/yafiction/18159-the-loss-the-originals-2
n this stunning conclusion to The Originals prequel trilogy, Rebekah, Klaus, and Elijah are pitted against each other as they attempt to take on New Orleans. Each sibling’s loyalty is put to the ultimate test, and they must decide how far they are willing to go to keep their family promise to each other.
What I love most about this novel are the epic choices the three Originals face. All of them are tested in the one area they are weakest. Klaus has power, yet he continues to want more. Rebekah has once again found someone she may love, but she must decide how blind love will make her. Elijah has nearly given up on his family, but he must discover if that is really what he wants. Throughout the series, they have faced many conflicts, but it is in this final story where they face them more alone and separated from each other than ever. Elijah in particular has fallen far, and his character is the hardest to bounce back.
The plot builds excellently throughout the story, though I do wish more information had been given about the primary antagonists. The visualization of the story is great, making it feel like a live motion picture in your head as each scene unfolds. The fighting scenes in particular bring the perfect blend of heated emotion and slight gore to fit the supernatural creates.
All in all, this is a wonderful series perfect for vampire lovers and avid watchers of The Originals and The Vampire Diaries. Julie Plec brings their world to life in The Resurrection, and readers can truly see how strong and unstoppable this ancient family is.
Originally posted at YABC: http://www.yabookscentral.com/yafiction/18058-the-originals-resurrection
What I love most about this novel are the epic choices the three Originals face. All of them are tested in the one area they are weakest. Klaus has power, yet he continues to want more. Rebekah has once again found someone she may love, but she must decide how blind love will make her. Elijah has nearly given up on his family, but he must discover if that is really what he wants. Throughout the series, they have faced many conflicts, but it is in this final story where they face them more alone and separated from each other than ever. Elijah in particular has fallen far, and his character is the hardest to bounce back.
The plot builds excellently throughout the story, though I do wish more information had been given about the primary antagonists. The visualization of the story is great, making it feel like a live motion picture in your head as each scene unfolds. The fighting scenes in particular bring the perfect blend of heated emotion and slight gore to fit the supernatural creates.
All in all, this is a wonderful series perfect for vampire lovers and avid watchers of The Originals and The Vampire Diaries. Julie Plec brings their world to life in The Resurrection, and readers can truly see how strong and unstoppable this ancient family is.
Originally posted at YABC: http://www.yabookscentral.com/yafiction/18058-the-originals-resurrection
Alice may not have been quite as extreme as her parents were about environmentalism before they died, but she still firmly believes in the cause and wants to take strong action. After her own activism routes seem sub-par, Alice discovers a hidden world of environmental vigilantes at her high school who might be willing to make her part of the group…if she can prepare herself for what’s in store if she does.
As soon as I read the premise for this story, I had to read it. A Wonderland retelling meets environmentalism plus cute Chester boy with a wicked smile? Hand it over immediately, please and thank you. Rachel Shane does a marvelous job with this novel. Keeping with the strangeness and oddities of the original Alice in Wonderland, the contemporary and environmental twists are stunning. All the favorite characters from the Mad Hatter to Dinah the cat are included in some form, and the nuances of the original story are incorporated magnificently, signifying a clear mastery of retelling from the author.
My favorite part is the witty and hilarious writing. Alice’s perspective will leave readers chuckling, smirking, solemnly nodding, and even occasionally grinning like a certain Cheshire. She is without a doubt, weird, hopeful, brave, curious, and eager, making her an absolute delight to follow. The secondary characters, especially Kingston Hatter, are bursting with complexity and riddles galore that will make you willing to go down any rabbit hole to find out their secrets. Through the characters, Shane also adds intriguing openings for discussions of homelessness, family relationships, illness, and government secrets.
For readers eager for something different, strange, and wonderful, Alice in Wonderland High would be my first recommendation. Brimming with humorous and meaningful writing, Rachel Shane delivers an unforgettable story about the rabbit holes we go down to accomplish something worthwhile and the people we meet along the way.
Originally posted at YABC: http://www.yabookscentral.com/yafiction/18161-alice-in-wonderland-high
As soon as I read the premise for this story, I had to read it. A Wonderland retelling meets environmentalism plus cute Chester boy with a wicked smile? Hand it over immediately, please and thank you. Rachel Shane does a marvelous job with this novel. Keeping with the strangeness and oddities of the original Alice in Wonderland, the contemporary and environmental twists are stunning. All the favorite characters from the Mad Hatter to Dinah the cat are included in some form, and the nuances of the original story are incorporated magnificently, signifying a clear mastery of retelling from the author.
My favorite part is the witty and hilarious writing. Alice’s perspective will leave readers chuckling, smirking, solemnly nodding, and even occasionally grinning like a certain Cheshire. She is without a doubt, weird, hopeful, brave, curious, and eager, making her an absolute delight to follow. The secondary characters, especially Kingston Hatter, are bursting with complexity and riddles galore that will make you willing to go down any rabbit hole to find out their secrets. Through the characters, Shane also adds intriguing openings for discussions of homelessness, family relationships, illness, and government secrets.
For readers eager for something different, strange, and wonderful, Alice in Wonderland High would be my first recommendation. Brimming with humorous and meaningful writing, Rachel Shane delivers an unforgettable story about the rabbit holes we go down to accomplish something worthwhile and the people we meet along the way.
Originally posted at YABC: http://www.yabookscentral.com/yafiction/18161-alice-in-wonderland-high
Short and Sweet
I fell head over heels for this beautiful and emotional story, and I can't recommend enough for contemporary readers!
To Elaborate....
Riley enjoys her entry level sound studio job. It pays bills, gives her a chance to work her way up, and best of all, it does nothing to remind her of her humiliating days on a singing reality show at 13. Garrett enjoys playing in a band with his brothers...until they all quit on him. Now messing around with stupid activities and alcohol, he doesn't feel on track to anything until his father mentions looking into the production side of music. When Riley and Garrett meet, will they each be able to put their anger and past aside to make music?
Under the Spotlight is one of those amazing reads where I go in just hoping for a nice story, and I come out of the story with a new favorite author. The characters and their journeys absolutely took my heart and ran away with it. The plot moves beautifully, keeping a steady pace, and the storyline will keep you turning the pages as quickly as possible.
, Riley and Garrett are two of the most emotional and complex characters I've read. Each time her mom did something terrible, it felt like a punch to the gut. My stomanch was in knots so often because of their bad relationship. Garrett's development may be my favorite because it feels so realistic and gradual. At the radual. The heart of this story is about two people trying to sort their lives out and find a good place again, and they happen to fall in love after A LOT of work in the process. It's real and messy and just completely lovely. On a more minor side, I especially love the realistic insight to singers, musicians, and studio workers.
I would highly recommend this story to people who enjoy new adult and want something in that area with a less erotic story line (everything stays PG-13, maybe even PG in parts). The characters will capture all your emotions and take them for a breathless spin.
Originally posted at I Heart YA Fiction: http://iheartyafiction.blogspot.com/2015/05/blog-tour-under-spotlight-by-angie.html
I fell head over heels for this beautiful and emotional story, and I can't recommend enough for contemporary readers!
To Elaborate....
Riley enjoys her entry level sound studio job. It pays bills, gives her a chance to work her way up, and best of all, it does nothing to remind her of her humiliating days on a singing reality show at 13. Garrett enjoys playing in a band with his brothers...until they all quit on him. Now messing around with stupid activities and alcohol, he doesn't feel on track to anything until his father mentions looking into the production side of music. When Riley and Garrett meet, will they each be able to put their anger and past aside to make music?
Under the Spotlight is one of those amazing reads where I go in just hoping for a nice story, and I come out of the story with a new favorite author. The characters and their journeys absolutely took my heart and ran away with it. The plot moves beautifully, keeping a steady pace, and the storyline will keep you turning the pages as quickly as possible.
, Riley and Garrett are two of the most emotional and complex characters I've read. Each time her mom did something terrible, it felt like a punch to the gut. My stomanch was in knots so often because of their bad relationship. Garrett's development may be my favorite because it feels so realistic and gradual. At the radual. The heart of this story is about two people trying to sort their lives out and find a good place again, and they happen to fall in love after A LOT of work in the process. It's real and messy and just completely lovely. On a more minor side, I especially love the realistic insight to singers, musicians, and studio workers.
I would highly recommend this story to people who enjoy new adult and want something in that area with a less erotic story line (everything stays PG-13, maybe even PG in parts). The characters will capture all your emotions and take them for a breathless spin.
Originally posted at I Heart YA Fiction: http://iheartyafiction.blogspot.com/2015/05/blog-tour-under-spotlight-by-angie.html