Posted by JessRelease Date: April 28th, 2014
Finished Date: April 29th, 2014
Publishers: Entangled Embraced
Genre: New Adult, Romance, Contemporary
Publishers: Entangled Embraced
Genre: New Adult, Romance, Contemporary
Source: For Review
Format: eARC
Pages: 200
Format: eARC
Pages: 200
Nineteen-year-old Kelsey Larkin’s parents uninvited her to her brother’s funeral. She just wanted to wear jeans and a T-shirt—the clothes Kyle would’ve wanted her in—not wrap herself up in death. So she watched the funeral from afar, like an outsider. Which is just how she feels.
Chase came, though, just like she knew he would. Until a few months ago, the three of them had been best friends, and then Chase made a mistake that shattered both families. But when Kelsey looks at him, she doesn’t see her brother’s killer. She sees the boy next door who’s always taken care of her. She sees home.
When Chase tells her his feelings run deeper than friendship, she can’t help but get lost in him. In Chase, she finally has the closure she’s been unable to find anywhere else. But the boy she’s falling in love with is still hiding secrets about the night Kyle died. Secrets that could destroy everything they have…again.
Chase came, though, just like she knew he would. Until a few months ago, the three of them had been best friends, and then Chase made a mistake that shattered both families. But when Kelsey looks at him, she doesn’t see her brother’s killer. She sees the boy next door who’s always taken care of her. She sees home.
When Chase tells her his feelings run deeper than friendship, she can’t help but get lost in him. In Chase, she finally has the closure she’s been unable to find anywhere else. But the boy she’s falling in love with is still hiding secrets about the night Kyle died. Secrets that could destroy everything they have…again.
The Review: Wow. I was pleasantly surprised with this book. When I first read the blurb for this book, it just completely intrigued me. Although it took me a little time to get round to reading this one, once I started, I just couldn't stop. I didn't have huge expectations for this novel, being that it's another NA amongst all those other NA novels out there, I went in expecting the same sort of feelings that I flit through with every other NA that I read. Except this was different, this outdid anything I ever thought it could.
This is such a powerful story. Kelsey and Chase have been best friends since they were kids, along with Kelsey's brother Kyle, the three we inseparable. Then one tragic night Chase makes a horrible mistake and leads to a huge loss. How We Lived is a story of love, forgiveness and redemption. The emotions that Chase and Kelsey go through rolls right off the pages. Both having lost the person they loved, and both finding a way to heal. Together.
How We Lived was wonderfully written, and just incredibly enthralling, that it will make you just want to keep turning the pages (or clicking that forward arrow on your eReader). The incredibly passionate relationship that Kelsey and Chase have, moves you and leaves you falling in love with both of them and their story. It's a tough situation they find themselves in, both mourning a loss in different ways, and both being treated so differently by the local community compared to the way they treat each other. I loved Kelsey, I thought she was just an incredibly strong lady, with the biggest heart that was able to forgive Chase for everything, knowing it wouldn't change a thing if she hadn't forgiven him. Chase handled things well for his part, he was treated like crap and he took it, because he believed that that's what he deserved.
I was happy with the ending. I thought it was a very satisfying ending, and although I had hoped for an epilogue, the ending we got was great. I was Kelsey's mother was able to talk to Kelsey in the end, be able to open to discussion. Overall a satisfying ending on all accounts.
Erin Butler is a new author to me, and just from this book alone I can see what a talent she has for writing stories with great meaning behind it. It may be the first book I've read by her, but it most certainly will not be the last.
If you're looking for a new book to read, with a little love, a lot forgiveness and a fair bit redemption, then How We Lived is most definitely a worthy contender for that title :)
Note: This book was provided to me by the publishers in exchange for an honest review. Due to adult themes this book is recommended for ages 17+
This is such a powerful story. Kelsey and Chase have been best friends since they were kids, along with Kelsey's brother Kyle, the three we inseparable. Then one tragic night Chase makes a horrible mistake and leads to a huge loss. How We Lived is a story of love, forgiveness and redemption. The emotions that Chase and Kelsey go through rolls right off the pages. Both having lost the person they loved, and both finding a way to heal. Together.
How We Lived was wonderfully written, and just incredibly enthralling, that it will make you just want to keep turning the pages (or clicking that forward arrow on your eReader). The incredibly passionate relationship that Kelsey and Chase have, moves you and leaves you falling in love with both of them and their story. It's a tough situation they find themselves in, both mourning a loss in different ways, and both being treated so differently by the local community compared to the way they treat each other. I loved Kelsey, I thought she was just an incredibly strong lady, with the biggest heart that was able to forgive Chase for everything, knowing it wouldn't change a thing if she hadn't forgiven him. Chase handled things well for his part, he was treated like crap and he took it, because he believed that that's what he deserved.
I was happy with the ending. I thought it was a very satisfying ending, and although I had hoped for an epilogue, the ending we got was great. I was Kelsey's mother was able to talk to Kelsey in the end, be able to open to discussion. Overall a satisfying ending on all accounts.
Erin Butler is a new author to me, and just from this book alone I can see what a talent she has for writing stories with great meaning behind it. It may be the first book I've read by her, but it most certainly will not be the last.
If you're looking for a new book to read, with a little love, a lot forgiveness and a fair bit redemption, then How We Lived is most definitely a worthy contender for that title :)
Note: This book was provided to me by the publishers in exchange for an honest review. Due to adult themes this book is recommended for ages 17+
3 comments:
I got this book because it was a good deal. The summary completely intrigued me too! Great review! Now I'm really looking forward to reading it.
Loved the review, it sounds like a great NA read!
great review !
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