Book Review: The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins

Title: The Girl on the Train
Author: Paula Hawkins
Series/Standalone: Standalone
Genre: Mystery, Fiction, Suspense, Adult
Pages: 316
Publisher: Doubleday Canada
Year Published: 2015
First Line: "She's buried beneath a silver birch tree, down towards the old train tracks, her grave marked with a cairn.

"There she sits. The girl on the train. What she sees gazing out the window will change everything.
Everyday the same
Rachel takes the same commuter train every morning and night. Every day she rattles down the track, flashes past a stretch of cozy suburban homes, and stops at the signal that allows her to daily watch the same couple breakfasting on their deck. She looks forward to it. She's even started to feel like she knows them. Jess and Jason, she calls them. Their life- as she sees it- is perfect. Not unlike the life she recently lost.
Until today
And then she sees something shocking. IT's only a minute until the train moves on, but it's enough. Now everything's changed. Unable to keep her discovery to herself Rachel goes to the police. But is she really as unreliable as they say? Soon she is deeply entangled not only in the investigation but in the lives of everyone involved. Has she done more harm than good?"

My Rating: 3.5/5

I think that books need to stop saying that there is a thrill that you'll never suspect because I'm overly suspicious soooo.... I thought that this book was chilling and creepy. Needless to say a perfect fall read, that being said I'm not sure I loved it. I enjoyed myself while reading it but I also found the way it was written to be a little bit confusing for me as I couldn't read it all in one sitting. I also found that the characters were extremely frustrating. I didn't care for any of them and while all together they made for an interesting story, I wouldn't want to hear anything else about them... really ever. 
I also found that this story was frustrating for those who don't care for self-pity. That being said, if you're newer to thrillers or  mysteries with an edge this will be right up your ally. Remembering that this is a adult book I would suggest this for an older crowd.
All in all, I enjoyed the suspense and the build up but wasn't impressed with the ending to the novel. Tell me what you're thoughts are down below if you've read it, if not tell me what books you plan to read for fall.

Thanks for reading,
Sidny

Book Review: The Bodies We Wear by Jeyn Roberts

Title: The Bodies We Wear
Author: Jeyn Roberts
Series/Novel: Novel
Genre: Young Adult, Science Fiction, 
Pages: 368
Publisher: Ember
Year Published: 2016
First Line: "People say when you take Heam, your body momentarily dies and you catch a glimpse of heaven."

"Sometimes redemption can look like revenge.
Heam: It's the hottest drug around. Users claim they are able to see heaven- a place so beautiful, so indescribably serene, many people never want to come back. And some don't, like Faye's best friend Christian. But when Faye was forced to take Heam, she didn't see heaven; she saw hell. And now she spends her nights training to take revenge on the men who destroyed her future and murdered Christian."

My Rating: 2/5

I want to start off by saying that the following is my opinion. Other may have really enjoyed this book, that being said it just wasn't for me.
This is a pretty low rating for me to give. I rarely give below a 2.5, but the way I look at my rating system is the following:
1.... I hated it
2..... I didn't really like it
3.... MAH (ok i guess)
4.... I liked it
5.... I loved it.

This book took a long time to get going and I found that the writing style didn't immediately catch my attention. The way that the story was written didn't interest me although the idea was interesting. I liked the beginning few chapters of the book but over time I found the main character to be predictable and annoying. The world that the characters live in is interesting but not one that I found interesting enough to think about when I wasn't reading the book. I also found that this whole book was jumping from a variety of themes and I couldn't seem to focus on what was going on and what I was supposed to be thinking about during the thickening of the plot.

All and all, I just didn't care for this book. This book may be better suited for a younger crowd as they may relate more to Faye the main character but other than that, I just didn't find anything gripping about the story.

Thanks for reading,
Sidny

Spoiler: The Bodies We Wear by Jeyn Roberts

I found that this wasn't the read that I hoped it would be. The idea of a different kind of drug and it's effect on man kind was an interesting idea, but I found the execution to be boring and slow. This is simply my opinion, and I encourage anyone to find out what they think about this book for themselves. I found that this book was slow to start and I was interested more in how humans had evolved with the use of Heam and the idea of a change in religion. Although this is touched on it isn't really followed through. This and the use of different thoughts such as reincarnation and angels was an interesting take, but not one I completely understood in the course of the story. I found that I though quite often "WHAT IS GOING ON?" and not in a good way. I think this book was trying to be to many things at once and I just couldn't keep up with what it was trying to be. 

Characters:
Faye: This character drove me crazy. I couldn't take her seriously and though she was bad ass to begin with she later on just became a poor me cause. Especially when she decided to shut out everyone else. I found that this was hard to relate too and became more annoying as those around her tried to help. It was so silly.

Chael: I thought that his character was useful in some ways but mostly just a convenient romance. I found that he was not well explained and less of a mystery and more of an annoyance. I wish that I could find a different way to describe this character but really he wasn't of much interest to me.

Gazer: I think that he was the most interesting character for me. His past as a cop could have been an interesting character.

Rufus: I didn't hate him. He was just a dealer. I get it. Crime is crime no matter the drug.

Beth: She was a sad character and one of great importance to understand the overuse of Heam. 


Moments to Remember:
Final Line: "I've still got too much living left to do."

Thanks for reading,
Sidny

Book Review: What We Saw by Aaron Hartzler

Title: What We Saw
Author: Aaron Hartzler
Series/Stand Alone: Stand Alone
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Mystery
Pages: 336
Publisher: HarperTeen
Year Published: 2015
First Line: "This video doesn't show you everything."

"Kate Weston can piece together most of the bash at John Doone's house: shots with Stacey Stallard, Ben Cody taking her keys and getting her home early- the feeling that maybe he's becoming more  than just the guy she's known since they were kids.
But when a picture of Stacey passed out over Deacon Mill's shoulder appears online, Kate suspects she doesn't have all the details. When Stacey levels charges against four of Kate's classmates, the whole town erupts into controversy. Facts that can't be ignored begin to surface, and every answer Kate finds lead back to the same question: Where was Ben when a terrible crime was committed?
This story- inspired by real events- from debut novelist Aaron Hartzler takes an unflinching look at silence as a form of complicity. It's a book about the high stakes of speaking up, and the razor thin line between guilt and innocence that so often gets blurred, one hundred and forty characters at a time."

My Rating: 4.5/5

Before getting into this review this book has a few triggers and should be read carefully. It deal with the idea of feminism as well as the look at rape culture. I found that this book really hit on important topics as a young woman in the modern world. It shows how society thinks can change the action of a group as a whole. It makes you wonder about the possibilities and sad about the losses that have happened in the past for victims of such crimes. Mostly this book made me wonder what if? What if the roles were changed? What if it was older people? Younger people? This book is a hard hitter and digs deep where it counts. I did find that the characters were a little young for me, but that being said, this topic is important for all ages, genders and races to read. For everyone. Is it pretty? No, but it's important!
The only reason I docked .5 stars for this book is I found that a few of the characters were hard to get past and the slow start to the book. I just found that the first third seemed to drag a little to long for my liking. I do hope to read more of Aaron Hartzler's work and hope that it's as well thought out as this amazing debut.

Thanks for reading,
Sidny

Spoiler: What We Saw by Aaron Hartzler

This post will contain triggers for sexual assault victims, as the book focuses on the topics of rape culture and equality. This debut really looks at Western society, specifically in North America and our norms towards rape culture. It looks at how particular things are dealt with in a small town when a woman who has a reputation reports a case of assualt. It was a tough read but an important one. As many people in North America know there are several cases of rape each year and women are told ridiculous reasons for "why" it happened or asked if they were doing something that may have lead to the assualts. For example: Being drunk, dressing a certain way, making any kind of advance, encouraging,  friendly, or the one that makes me angry every time "It can't be assualt if it's your significant other." All of this is bullshit. I'm very passionate about this, for this reason: If you got robbed, would the police ask you if you'd been drinking or if you'd encouraged the robber some way? Would they ask what you were wearing?
This book deals directly with consent and how to give consent through the teachers at the school as well as the characters introduced in the book.

For anyone who is interested in what consent means please visit:
http://www.bhsu.edu/FacultyStaff/HumanResources/TitleIXSexualMisconduct/ConsensualSex/tabid/14246/Default.aspx

Characters:
Kate: She was a strange character to follow as the only time I felt I could relate to her was when she said she was going to the police, but I also found that I was proud of her for stepping up when no one else would. It takes alot to be the "snitch" although it often in the role that is necessary, especially in a case like this. I think that she did the right thing and learned alot about herself through it.

Ben: I found the relationship between Ben and Kate to happen to fast and just didn't seem necessary. Also the fact that he walked in on his teammates raping a girl, and didn't report it is the dumbest thing I've ever heard. I can't imagine seeing something like that and doing nothing about it. 

Stacey: It doesn't matter what your reputation is or where you grew up. No one deserves what happened to Stacey. Unless someone says yes, one should assume it's a no.

Lindsey: I'm glad she stood by Kate just disappointed she didn't do more. I understand the small town aspect but really it's ridiculous that this case got so far before someone did anything about it.

Rachel: I want to use so many inappropriate words to describe this character, but mainly she's a product of what she was raised in "Boys will be boys". What bull shit! 

John: I wish that I could say the time he spends in prison is enough and that everything in the world is fair, when in reality it's not. Not even a little. Look at cases that are happening today. You see that criminals don't always do the time they deserve. Especially popular ones who have an in somewhere along the way. 

Sloane: Good for her for being up in everyone's face. It was an important story and someone had to tell it!

Staff at High School: It seems the staff at this school were put into two groups. Ones who supported Stacey and those who backed the golden boys. The principal was one of my least favorite. Rumours can be spread yes, but allegations that someone raped someone else are not taken lightly. Especially with DNA being a thing now, it's not nearly as difficult to find out who did what to who. The coach should be fired for his actions, but likely wouldn't be in real life. While the guidance counsellor got a shitty end of the stick, she stuck up for someone who may not have gotten the help otherwise. Lastly the Mr. Johnston, who puts people in their place while trying to make light of the whole situation. I found from Pg. 280-283 the most important parts of this book and gave me a different perspective on the situation from a grown mans point of view.

Moments to Remember:
Final Line: "Some moments should only be recorded in our hearts."

Thanks for reading,
Sidny

Spoiler: I'll Give You The Sun by Jandy Nelson

I found that this book was slow to start but got interesting as the character progressed and changed. I thought that the character driven story was difficult to get into but worth it in the end. The two perspectives told the story well and helped to build a family drama/ mystery about the town but the family as well. I think that around 100 pages I was really drawn in and found my groove with this story.

Characters:
Jude: I think that she was really bratty in the beginning. She watched her brother have trouble fitting in and being pushed away by her father but got jealous about her mother noticing him instead. Life is tough. I found that her pity me act in the high school ticked me off even more. But as I watched her grow closer to Guillermo and Oscar I noticed how many things she regretted and that her self-loathing was eating her alive.

Noah: I think that the beginning Noah was hard to read. He had so many run on sentences from his perspective. I found that he grew on me though. It was heart warming to read that he found someone he could relate to like Brian, but heart breaking when they got caught. Finally how he lashed out was hard to watch but it helped build the story to where it was.

Oscar: I want to know so much more about his past. I thought that he was a great "bad boy" but when he starts to bring back other girls, I got annoyed. 

Brian: I wish that he felt like he could be himself around others but as time goes on you see that he is able to be more comfortable in his skin rather than shy away from who he really was. I thought that he was a sweet characters.

Heather: I'm glad she didn't assume that her and Noah were going out.

Guillermo: I really, really enjoyed this character how broken he was and how much he must have loved the twins mom was beautiful. It was horrible that he believed for so long that she was going to leave him without rhyme or reason. I wish that he found love in the end but 
maybe over time, after grieving he would be able to.


Moments to Remember:
Pg.  174
"And no hot guy should be allowed to have an English accent and drive a motorcycle."

Final Line: "Remake the world."

Thanks for reading,
Sidny

Book Review: The Haven by Carol Lynch Williams

Title: The Haven
Author: Carol Lynch Williams
Series/Novel: Novel
Genre: Young Adult, Dystopian, Science Fiction
Pages: 224
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
Year Published: 2014


"For the teens of Haven Hospital and Halls, the outside world, just beyond the towering stone wall that surronds the premises, is a dangerous unknown. It has always been this way, ever since the hospital was established in 2020. But the Haven is more than just a hospital; it is their home. It is all they know. Everything is strictly monitored: education, exercise, food and rest. The rules must be followed to keep the children healthy, to help control the Disease  that has cast them as Terminals, the Disease that claims limbs and lungs- and memories. 
But Shiloh is different; she remembers everything. Gideon is different, too. He dreams of a cure, of rebellion against the status quo. What if everything they've been told is a lie? What if the Haven is not the safe place it claims to be? And what will happen if Shilah starts asking dangerous questions?"

My Rating: 2.5/5

Why is this rating so low Sidny? Because it was a good premise but not well executed. I read alot of dystopian. I know what I like and this book just wasn't meant for me. I found it hard to pay attention and while it was a short I had a lot of trouble reading it. It was supposed to be a quick read but took longer to read then other longer books I had read this month. I hope to read more books like this just written a bit differently with characters i found more interesting. This being said the setting in this series was interesting to me I just wanted more from what I thought I was going to be reading. I wouldn't really suggest this book to anyone, but if anyone probably someone younger than me. So under 21.

Thanks for reading,
Love,
Sidny

Spoiler: The Haven by Carol Lynch Williams

I found that this book was interesting in premise but didn't follow through with the way it was written. I wasn't ok with how like The Island this was. I also wasn't ok with the use of characters or the lack of knowledge about the outside world. Although we know some things about the world based on the internet I just felt no connection to anything. I was interested in the idea of clones, but just disappointed. I did enjoy the slight things throughout the book based on literature and the learning that the Terminals have about things of the Whole. I also thought that that was an interesting premise. Ps what's in the Tonic????

Characters:
Shiloh: She's so strung out on the Tonic that I couldn't relate to her, but I thought it was really interesting how she observed the Terminals after. How she noticed things around her and the way they were being used. Also that she had an out of body experience.

Gideon: I found him hard to trust near the end especially because I found that he was too close with Dr. King.  I also think that it was weird how he stepped away with Ann. I was confused. 

Abigail: She's so strong and I wonder what happens to her.

Daniel: Screw you!

Dr. King: And also you! I understand that he has a God complex. It's scary to think that this could happen and that he honestly seemed to think that he was doing the right thing. I wish that I didn't think it was a possibility, but....

Final Line: "She opened her arms to me."

Thanks for reading,
Love,
Sidny

Book Review: I Was Here by Gayle Forman

Title: I Was Here
Author: Gayle Forman
Series/Novel: Novel
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary
Pages: 270
Year Published: 2015
Publisher: Speak
First Line: "The day after Meg died, I received this letter:"

"It's like she was my sun, and then my sun went out...
When her charismatic best friend, Meg, drinks a bottle of industrial strength cleaner alone in a motel room, a piece of Cody dies, too. Meg was everything to her. How could Cody not know? Determined to find out what really happened. Cody begins a dangerous search to the shadowy fringes of Meg's life where she discovers some unsettling truths about friendship, secrets, forgiveness and love."

My Rating: 4/5

I'm having trouble deciding what to rate this book as I felt so many things throughout reading it. During the first half of the book I found it full of mystery and wondering. I felt along with Cody as she sifted through a life she really didn't know anything about. I was curious about how it happened and more so the why. I have a family history of mental illness and until I was an adult I didn't realise that that's what mental illness looks like. This story is more than sad, it's more than heartbreaking. It's a realisation that sometimes we just get blindsided. We don't know what's going on with everyone around us. It's so easy to get caught up in ourselves and what we need. It's interesting to see it through someone else's eyes and discovers as they discover.
I would warn anyone looking into this book it has a suicidal triggers and I would suggest it for 16 plus.

Thanks for reading,
Love,
Sidny

Spoiler: I Was Here by Gayle Forman

So this book was something that I had trouble rating as it was so filled with emotions and wasn't sure about how I felt with it. I was unsure about my feeling toward the theme of depression, as well as how the characters affected me throughout the story. For anyone who hasn't read this book this book has suicidal triggers.
It follow the story of Cody, who in a way feels left behind by her best friend Meg who commits suicide. Cody has no idea how Meg could do this, because they haven't spoken for a few months. As Cody is at home cleaning house and feeling like she's stuck in a rut, Meg was in college meeting new people and having a completely different experience.
The setting was interesting to me because I also live in a small town and I understand small town stigma. If you see the same people everywhere you want to keep your secrets to yourself. It's useful but also horrible and I think that Gayle Forman really captures this. 
I also would like to note that not everyone's suicide is evident and if you need someone to talk to there is no shame in going to a doctor. Mental illness is an illness no different than heart disease or diabetes. 

Characters:
Meg: So Meg is a character we only get to interact with after she's parted. We learn about her life through investigation and by what people around the main character are saying. I was interested in how she chose to end her life and was hoping that someone else was involved so I wouldn't have to ask the hard questions such as Why? What happened? 

Cody: I feel how she might feel about getting left behind. It must have been hard not to be angry with Meg and with herself for not realising. And then to finally let Ben in that must have been difficult. I also think that it was interesting to see her trying not to fall for Ben and then moving into him as they connect over Meg. I won't lie that I was angry with her for going after Ben, but I also understood it. I hope that with time she learns to live her best life. 

Alice: She's so chipper and I do think that her and Meg and Cody would have made better friends over time. I was interested in how much she knew about Meg, but sadly she hardly knew her at all.

Ben: I think that he has a bad track record. I don't think that he'll change his spots, but one can dream. I don't know maybe I'm just too old for this girl falling for the bad boy shit.  It just made me angry. But learning about his dad and watching him support Cody was heartwarming. I am intrigued about how that turns out though.

The Garcias: Tell your kids friends about their mental illness. They need to know. They shared so much with Cody that I was surprised that they didn't share this important part of life.

Trisha: She kinda comes full circle in the end which makes me happy. But it's sad that it took so long.


Final Line: "Megan Luise Garcias: I WAS HERE"

Thanks for reading,
Love,
Sidny

Book Review: We Were Liars by E. Lockheart

Title: We Were Liars
Author: E. Lockheart
Series/Novel: Novel
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Mystery
Pages: 225
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Year Published: 2014 
First Line: "Welcome to the beautiful Sinclair family."

"A beautiful and distinguished family.
A private island.
A brilliant, damaged girl; a passionate, political boy.
A group of four friends- the Liars- whose friendship turns destructive.
A revolution. An accident. A secret.
Lies upon lies.
True love.
The truth."

My Rating: 5/5

OK, so I thought that I was going to be a lot busier than I was this weekend (thanks to a bug I  caught), and I had a time to finish a book I've really been wanting to read. This novel is just incredible. It confused me and mystified me. It left me thinking about it even while I was doing other things. I finished it in the course of an afternoon and was glad to have had the opportunity to read basically uninterrupted. The writing in this book was incredible. It was really impressively written and well explained. It was a good amount of confusing. It was so appealing and yet confusing. I loved the description and helped me to understand what was going on. So well read! So incredible!
 I also found that the characters were interesting to read about. A family who has it all but is a total mess at the same time. It shows a family that is falling apart and trying to keep it together all at the same time.
I think that the premise of the book is interesting as well, I thought that the outcome would be predictable, but it was really surprising. A great ending totally ties this book together.

Thanks for reading,
Love,
Sidny

Book Review: The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

Title: The Night Circus

Author: Erin Morgenstern

Series/Novel: Novel

Genre: Fantasy, Fiction and Romance

Pages: 490

Publisher: Vintage Books

Year Published: 2011

First Line: “The circus arrives without warning.”

“The circus arrives without warning. No announcements precede it, no paper notices plastered on lampposts and billboards. It is simply there, when yesterday it was not.

Within these nocturnal black-and-white striped tents awaits an utterly unique, a feast for the senses, where one can get lost in a maze of clouds, meander through a lush garden made of ice, stare in wonderment as the tattooed contortionist folds herself into a small glass box, and become deliciously tipsy from the scents of caramel and cinnamon that waft through the air.

Welcome to Le Cirque des Rêves.

Beyond the smoke and mirrors, however, a fierce competition is under way--a contest between two young illusionists, Celia and Marco, who have been trained since childhood to compete in a "game" to which they have been irrevocably bound by their mercurial masters. Unbeknownst to the players, this is a game in which only one can be left standing, and the circus is but the stage for a remarkable battle of imagination and will.

As the circus travels around the world, the feats of magic gain fantastical new heights with every stop. The game is well under way and the lives of all those involved--the eccentric circus owner, the elusive contortionist, the mystical fortune-teller, and a pair of red-headed twins born backstage among them--are swept up in a wake of spells and charms.

But when Celia discovers that Marco is her adversary, they begin to think of the game not as a competition but as a wonderful collaboration. With no knowledge of how the game must end, they innocently tumble headfirst into love. A deep, passionate, and magical love that makes the lights flicker and the room grow warm whenever they so much as brush hands.

Their masters still pull the strings, however, and this unforeseen occurrence forces them to intervene with dangerous consequences, leaving the lives of everyone from the performers to the patrons hanging in the balance.

Both playful and seductive, The Night Circus, Erin Morgenstern's spell-casting debut, is a mesmerizing love story for the ages.”

My Rating: 5/5

Happy Holidays! I hope that everyone is warm and safe. This book was an excellent surprise it included magic, competition and love. It really made me wonder about the what ifs of human possibilities. It also all tied in so beautifully together, let it be known that at the end of this fantastic novel everything that you have read begins to really hit home and tie together. The author did an excellent job making characters both larger than life, but also realistic, characters a reader gets to know and falls in love with.

I’m so happy to have had the chance to embrace this novel during the school and holiday season although I wished I had had the time to read it in one sitting, I’m grateful that I took the time to fully immerse myself in the circus, the different sights, sounds and just the sense of wonder that is throughout the whole book.

I’m excited that this book was wrapped up in such a beautiful way. A way that made me not long for more but feel a sense of peace at the end.

The setting was so well developed that as I read I felt both at home and full of wonder about the circus and the surroundings, everything was perfectly

THANK YOU ERIN MORGENSTERN FOR PAINTING A BEAUTIFUL STORY THAT HELPS ADULTS IMAGINE THE POSSIBILITIES OF MAGIC!

Thanks for reading,

Love,

Sidny

Book Review: PS I Love You by Cecelia Ahern

Title: P.S. I Love You

Author: Cecelia Ahern

Series/Novel: Novel

Genre: Chick Lit, Romance, Adult Fiction

Pages: 503

Publisher: Hachette Books

Year Published: 2003

First Line: “Holly held the blue cotton sweater to her face and the familiar smell immediately struck her, an overwhelming grief knotting her stomach and pulling at her heart.”

“Some people wait their whole lives to find their soul mates. But not Holly and Gerry.

They were childhood sweethearts- no one could imagine Holly and Gerry without each other.

Until the unthinkable happens. Gerry’s death devastates Holly. But as her 30th birthday looms Holly discovers that Gerry has left her a bundle of notes, gently guiding her into her new life without him, each signed ‘PS, I Love You’.

With some help from her friends, and her noisy and loving family, Holly finds herself laughing, crying, singing, dancing- and being braver than ever before.

Life is for the living, she realises- but it always helps if there’s an angel watching over you.”

My Rating: 4/5

So I'm a little behind on the times, that's not terribly new. But after an emotional week I decided it was time to get my emotion out with a book, and it proved to be helpful. PS. I Love You follows the emotional story of Holly who has recently lost her dear husband of 7 years and the love of her life for the past 15. This story follows how she copes through her loss with a hilarious group of characters, a crazy city and an even crazier family Holly begins to find her way through her new life.

I grew very fond of Holly. She's a wise woman who I'm assuming many of us can relate to. She's an honest, brave and friendly person who does more than many would given her circumstances.

Obviously she goes through her grief that one would naturally expect after loosing one that she truly cared about. This book is a reminder about what it is to truly love and loose. Is it sad? Of course it is. But it’s so much more than that, it incompases a love that can survive death. A true love.

THANK YOU CECELIA AHERN FOR A LOVE THAT OUTLASTS DEATH!

Thanks For Reading,

Love,

Sidny xoxo

Spoiler: P.S I Love You by Cecelia Ahern

This was an interesting book that I didn’t expect to hold me captive the whole 500+ pages but it did it’s job. I was entertained, made to feel so many emotions and encouraged through this book. This book entertained me through the side characters. The things that they came up with made me think of some people I’ve meet the past two years and how they react to certain things. Sharon is perfect and reminds me alot of my best friend. I felt the obvious emotions of sadness and empathy towards Holly, but I also felt her joy when she remembered Gerry, the way he laughed, smiled, lived just simply lived. Finally I believe that there is a form of love that can live after death. This book makes that quite obvious to the readers that Gerry and Holly’s love will continue.

Characters:

♥Holly: I’m happy that Gerry’s letters were able to affect her from the grave. Although I doubt she will ever fully move on, I know that she will be able to live a life worth living even though he is not physically with her. Gerry really knew how to get her to chase her dreams. By being able to find a job she enjoyed and reentering her friendships as her whole self she was able to find a new way of life. I hope that at some point she can find love, even if it’s not as full as Gerry’s.

♥Denise: Ok so she’s a little moody, but we all have that one friend we love just for that reason. She’s a laugh if nothing else and I fully approve of her getting married.

♥Sharon: She by far reminds me of my best friend, blunt but honest and loyal to the end. She’s compassionate and gives all she can to Holly. I was excited when we found out she was pregnant, but sad that she felt she couldn’t share it with Holly in a better time. But there really would have been no good time.

♥Gerry: Although we never met him, in the memories and through the letters some of us (cough) might have fallen in love with him.

♥Richard: Goes to show we never really know what’s going on in someone’s life unless we take the time to get to know them better. I hope that his new job will bring him joy rather than stress and that he finds life without that rude ex-wife of his.

♥Ciara: Perfect how wild she is. Sure for a laugh, even when she was sad about Matthew you can see that she would figure something out.

♥Daniel: Here is where it gets tricky. I wanted Holly and Daniel to fall in love even though it was too soon. I felt that they got along so well, but in reality sometimes people are just better off friends and this is a perfect case. Neither of them were over the other person they had been with.

♥Moments to Remembe♥r

♥Pg. 9

“Instead, Gerry and Holly travelled the world together. It made far more sense that way because when they weren’t together… well, Holly just felt as though she was missing a vital organ from her body.”

♥Pg. 254

“As much as Sharon tried to tan over the years she just ended up getting sunburned and then it would peel. She had finally given up trying to tan and accepted the fact that her skin was meant to be pale.”

♥Final Line: “In the meantime, she would just live.”

Thanks for reading,

Love,

Sidny xoxo