Thursday, October 26, 2017

Amy Tan's "Where the Past Begins" Book Discussion

***This event occurred on October 25, 2017, from 7:00pm-8:15pm in the Seattle Public Library in Seattle, WA***

34043618Buy on Amazon
  • Amy Tan builds her credibility as a writer from the very beginning (on page 3) of the novel by writing in the novel that the things she may remember may be inaccurate.
    • This may seem like we shouldn't read it because it may not be completely true, but she follows what she has written with the fact that we revise how we see things as we get older and change. This is simply a matter of perception and perspective vs. reality.
  • To continue to the idea of perception and perspective vs. reality, Tan continues to talk about how photographs also do the same thing. A photograph is indisputable and simply a snapshot of time, but there is no context to the photo. Questions come up: What happened to the photo? Why is the photo really taken? Who requested the photo? If it's posted, what were the feelings of the subjects before and after the picture was taken?
  • Amy Tan primarily writes fiction, but Where the Past Begins is her first nonfiction or memoir.
    • When asked whether the memoir was easier or harder to write she responds, "Writing this memoir is the hardest thing I have ever written but eventually became natural...it came pouring out of me."
    • "This book I started out feeling insane but eventually I went on to enjoy the ride."
  • Amy talks about how there is no set Asian American culture because every family is different especially as a different generation of Asian Americans live. She is a first-generation Asian American and remembers how her parents really wanted the best for her by expecting a great future. They wanted her to become a concert pianist or a neurosurgeon. Amy admitted that she didn't measure up in intelligence for being a neurosurgeon and didn't have the skill or passion to be a concert pianist. Her failure to live up to her parents' expectations has followed her in every little failure, even as a writer. I completely understand where Amy Tan is coming from.
  • She gives advice to struggling writers:
    • "Novelists need to lose their consciousness and write off the top of their heads. Then, they can revise it or toss it."
    • Writers have to give 15-30 pages a week of their new work and must arc. The arc means a beginning that leads to a climax eventually ending with a resolution to that chapter or section of what you're writing.
Here are some pictures from the night.
My seat which is a row above the VIP section. I saw a seat empty next to an older couple and asked if it was taken. The man's response was perfect, "Yes, it's yours." Don't be afraid to ask for something like this for a popular event. I've definitely learned that after today.
I am next in line! She looks so happy to be seeing such a large turnout. I think Amy Tan was the perfect author to be my first meet and signing.
She is signing my book. I told her I finished it on Tuesday and thought it was really great. Her response was, "Thank you and that was fast."
Isn't it great?1 It says "Joy and Luck" which is a reference to her book The Joy Luck Club.
I am one happy reader and writer!

Review Wednesday: Operation: Hail Storm by Brett Arquette

32978021Title: Operation: Hail Storm
Author: Brett Arquette
1st Date of Publication: November 15, 2016
# of Pages: 352
ISBN: 9781365120725
Genre: Military Fiction
Age Rating: 17+ (Language and Some Graphic Images)

Buy on Amazon 
Book Description:
Marshall Hail was a husband, a father, a Physics Nobel prize winner and industrial billionaire. But when Hail's family was killed in a terrorist attack, he became a predator and redirected his vast industrial assets toward one goal, removing every person on the FBI's Top 10 Terrorist list. With the help of his MIT colleagues, Hail designed and built a devastating arsenal of attack drones of all shapes and sizes that are flown by the nation's best young gamers. The world will come to realize that Marshall Hail possesses the capability of getting to anyone, anywhere, at any time, unleashing an operation so disturbing that the CIA has named it Operation Hail Storm.



Setting: Numerous locations
Point of View: 3rd person- Marshall Hail

Goodreads Rating: 4.25
My Rating: 3.0

 
Part of the Book that Caught My Attention: Title
View on the Cover: It doesn't particularly interest me. It's probably something that involves war.
View on Title: It reminds me of how kids create silly names for their little missions when they play, but it's probably not involving any kids of any sort.

Pros:
  • Hail's character is one where you can really sympathize with. He lost his family and all he has left is his wealth. He's smart and knows a lot of military strategy. He can easily enjoy his wealth and retire, but he decides to go on missions with his private team to help the United States. In reality, it just to fill the void for his pain.
Cons:
  • For me, I like to structure how much I read a novel so it was very hard to gauge how many pages to read because this was given to me through an e-book. There are no chapters to this book, which made even harder.
  • This book is definitely not for everyone. It's meant for people who like military fiction, but I have never been am a fan of military fiction. When I was emailed to read this book I was told it was horror similar to Stephen King's work.
  • There is very little characterization and it doesn't seem like the characters grow very much, which made it even harder to read this.


Brett Arquette's Website:
http://brett873.wixsite.com/brettarquette

Other Recommendations:
The Red Badge of Courage by Stephen Crane
Moby Dick by Herman Melville
Cold Mountain by Charles Frazier

New Release Review: Where the Past Begins: A Writer's Memoir by Amy Tan

34043618Title: Where the Past Begins: A Writer's Memoir
Author: Amy Tan
1st Date of Publication: October 17, 2017
ISBN: 9780062319296
# of Pages: 368
Genre: Memoir
Age Rating: 13

 
Book Description:
In Where the Past Begins, bestselling author of The Joy Luck Club and The Valley of Amazement Amy Tan is at her most intimate in revealing the truths and inspirations that underlie her extraordinary fiction. By delving into vivid memories of her traumatic childhood, confessions of self-doubt in her journals, and heartbreaking letters to and from her mother, she gives evidence to all that made it both unlikely and inevitable that she would become a writer. Through spontaneous storytelling, she shows how a fluid fictional state of mind unleashed near-forgotten memories that became the emotional nucleus of her novels.

Tan explores shocking truths uncovered by family memorabilia—the real reason behind an IQ test she took at age six, why her parents lied about their education, mysteries surrounding her maternal grandmother—and, for the first time publicly, writes about her complex relationship with her father, who died when she was fifteen. Supplied with candor and characteristic humor, Where the Past Begins takes readers into the idiosyncratic workings of her writer’s mind, a journey that explores memory, imagination, and truth, with fiction serving as both her divining rod and link to meaning.




Setting: Primarily California
Point of View: 1st person- Amy Tan

Goodreads Rating: 3.55
My Rating: 4.50

 
Part of the Book that Caught My Attention: Both
View on the Cover: It's pretty clear that this book is about Amy Tan because her name consumes most of the cover.
View on Title: It seems kind of interesting. Where does one's past begin? Ourselves? Our parents? Grandparents? It's hard to define the line.


Pros:
  • This novel is very different from her other books (because it is a memoir rather than fiction), but this novel has similar writing aspects to her fictional pieces.
    • The book has a structure but a different kind of structure than all her other books. This novel is more fluid in the way that it goes from one idea to the next. Amy Tan makes reading this novel feel like it is like you're in a really nice dream and you're going for the ride.
  • The writing reminds me of concocting a chemistry experiment because this book is part journal, part diary, and part genealogy. The reader gets to be in the mind of Amy Tan as she writes with less restraint as she discovers more of her past and better understands both her life and family.
  • The way the parts are organized are creative and unexpected. Instead of titling for family or herself, she titles them with what people encourage others to do.
  • It's really interesting because you get a glimpse of how her characters in her books relate to people in her life, such as Amy Tan's mother as June's mother in The Joy Luck Club.
  • This memoir gives the reader an idea of what  Asian American culture is like in some aspects because not every Asian American family is the same, especially in different generations. Academics and music become emphasized on perfection and nothing short of it because Asian parents want only the best for their children through achievement.
Cons:
  • There is very little that I disliked about this book. The only thing I wish Amy Tan explored more is her relationships with her brothers, particularly her younger one. Her older brother is written a little more than her younger brother.


Critics' Reviews:
“Any book by best-selling Tan is cause for excitement, and this surprising and gripping memoir will be zealously promoted and discussed.” -Booklist



Amy Tan's Website:
http://www.amytan.net/

Other Recommendations:
The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan
On Writing: Memoir of Craft by Stephen King
Zen in the Art of Writing by Ray Bradbury

Monday, October 23, 2017

Review Wednesday: Once and For All by Sarah Dessen

32078787Title: Once and For All
Author: Sarah Dessen
1st Date of Publication: June 6, 2017
ISBN: 358
# of Pages9780425290330
Genre: Young Adult Contemporary
Age Rating: 13

Buy on Amazon

Book DescriptionAs bubbly as champagne and delectable as wedding cake, Once and for All, Sarah Dessen's thirteenth novel, is set in the world of wedding planning, where crises are routine.

Louna, daughter of famed wedding planner Natalie Barrett, has seen every sort of wedding: on the beach, at historic mansions, in fancy hotels and clubs. Perhaps that's why she's cynical about happily-ever-after endings, especially since her own first love ended tragically. When Louna meets charming, happy-go-lucky serial dater Ambrose, she holds him at arm's length. But Ambrose isn't about to be discouraged, now that he's met the one girl he really wants.


Setting: Colby in 21st century
Point of View: 1st Person- Louna Barrett

Goodreads Rating: 3.85
My Rating: 4.0


Part of the Book that Caught My Attention: Both
View on the Cover: It looks like someone is catching a bouquet of flowers that a bride has thrown. Who is catching the bouquet.
View on Title: What has happened "Once and For All?" Is it good or bad?


Pros:
  • Louna's character seems to become more complicated as the novel progresses. When the  novel starts, Louna doesn't believe in love but she felt love once but lost it soon after. It doesn't help that she works for her mother's business, Natalie Barrett's Weddings. Her mother had her heart broken by Louna's father a few years after marriage so Natalie's skepticism feeds to Louna's own skepticism.
  • Some of the names are really unique, such as Louna and Ambrose's. Louna's name, a combination of Louis (Louna's father) and Natalie, shows how deeply her parents loved each other once upon a time.
  • The summer is wedding season after all so it was a bit refreshing to read while people are getting married. Sometimes you can get annoyed by all the happiness and bliss of it all. The novel had a different view of weddings, which seems pessimistic but it shows the ugly reality of weddings and what goes into planning them.
  • Another issue this novel presents is the growing problem of school shootings, which is happening very frequently.
  • I love the story about Louna and Ethan. It felt very natural and exciting.

    Cons:
    • I had very little issues with this novel. It is probably one of Sarah Dessen's best novels. I just wish the pace was a little better. It felt very uneven in a way like a bumpy road. It felt like once an issue was solved another would arise almost immediately after.


    Critics' Reviews:
    "Dessen’s expertise at creating a character faced with change is once again on display in this book that reminds readers that love is measured ‘not in minutes but in moments.’” —VOYA
    "Romance, humor, kindhearted characters, and a touch of painful reality make this another sure bet for Dessen fans." —Kirkus Review
    "There is no question that this title will be popular with Dessen fans and romance lovers." —School Library Journal


    Sarah Dessen's Website:
    Other Recommendations:
    Just Listen by Sarah Dessen
    The Siren by Kiera Cass
    The Sea of Tranquility by Katja Millay

    Review Wednesday: Etiquette and Espionage by Gail Carriger

    10874177Title: Etiquette and Espionage (Finishing School #1)
    Author: Gail Carriger
    1st Date of Publication: February 5, 2013
    ISBN9780316190084
    # of Pages: 307
    Genre: Young Adult Fantasy
    Age Rating: 13

    Buy on Amazon
    Book Description:
    It's one thing to learn to curtsy properly. It's quite another to learn to curtsy and throw a knife at the same time. Welcome to Finishing School.

    Fourteen-year-old Sophronia is a great trial to her poor mother. Sophronia is more interested in dismantling clocks and climbing trees than proper manners--and the family can only hope that company never sees her atrocious curtsy. Mrs. Temminnick is desperate for her daughter to become a proper lady. So she enrolls Sophronia in Mademoiselle Geraldine's Finishing Academy for Young Ladies of Quality.

    But Sophronia soon realizes the school is not quite what her mother might have hoped. At Mademoiselle Geraldine's, young ladies learn to finish...everything. Certainly, they learn the fine arts of dance, dress, and etiquette, but they also learn to deal out death, diversion, and espionage--in the politest possible ways, of course. Sophronia and her friends are in for a rousing first year's education.

    Setting: 1850s in fantasy world
    Point of View: 3rd person- Sophronia Temminnick

    Goodreads Rating: 3.79
    My Rating: 3.75

     
    Part of the Book that Caught My Attention: Both
    View on the Cover: The girl in the dress looks like someone you do not want to mess with because she is obviously holding a pair of scissors in her hand in a way that she can stab whoever may attack. This definitely has a steampunk sort of look.
    View on Title: The title sounds like a well-rounded woman. She has manners but she can kick some butts if she needs to.

    Pros:
    • The titles of each chapter make the book seem really fun and foreshadow what will happen in that chapter. It kept me captivated and wonder what will happen in the chapter.
    • This book has a bit of mystery which makes it more fun and easier to read.
    • I really thought that Sophronia's character was a realistic character. She isn't perfect but it doesn't stop her from learning and growing.
    • I really enjoyed the steampunk aspect to it. It made the Victorian era of dresses and ettiquete. The machines answer the soothes  (miners) made the book have more depth.
    Cons:
    • It takes a while to get into the book. It took me about a third of the way through before it got interesting. The chapters also seemed a bit long.
    • I had a hard time reading this book because it was in third person which made the book drag a little bit.
    • There were so many characters that it was a little difficult to keep track of them all.



    Critics' Reviews:
    "Carriger's YA debut brings her mix of Victorian paranormal steampunk and winning heroines to a whole new audience...with cleverly Victorian methods of espionage, witty banter, lighthearted silliness, and a ship full of intriguingly quirky people."―Booklist
    "[A] delightfully madcap espionage adventure..."―Kirkus Reviews
    "Carriger deploys laugh-out-loud bon mots on nearly every page...Amid all the fun, the author works in commentary on race and class in a sparkling start to the Finishing School series."―Publishers Weekly
    "Carriger's leading lady is a strong, independent role model for female readers... Ladies and gentlemen of propriety are combined with dirigibles, robots, werewolves, and vampires, making this story a steampunkmystery and an adventure mash-up that is sure to intrigue readers..."―School Library Journal

    Gail Carriger's Website:
    http://gailcarriger.com/

    Other Recommendations:
    Splintered by A.G. Howard
    Enchanted by Alethea Kontis
    Cinder by Marissa Meyer

    Monday, October 16, 2017

    Author Spotlight: Amy Tan

    Image result for amy tanBirthday: February 19, 1952 (65)
    From: Oakland, California
    Currently Living: San Francisco, California
    Family: Lou DeMattei  (Husband) and 2 dogs
    Education: BA and MA in English and Linguistics from San Jose University

    Books:
    The Valley of Amazement (Buy on Amazon)
    The Joy Luck Club (Buy on Amazon)
    The Kitchen God's Wife (Buy on Amazon)
    The Hundred Secret Senses (Buy on Amazon)
    The Bonesetter's Daughter (Buy on Amazon)
    The Opposite of Fate (Buy on Amazon)
    Saving Fish from Drowning (Buy on Amazon)
    Where the Past Begins: A Writer's Memoir (Buy on Amazon)
    The Moon Lady (Children's) (Buy on Amazon)
    Sagwa the Chinese Siamese Cat (Children's) (Buy on Amazon)

    Other Interests:
    Nature Journal Writing

    Where to Find Her Social Media:
    Personal Website- https://www.amytan.net/

    Sunday, October 15, 2017

    Review Wednesday: The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan

    The Joy Luck ClubTitle: The Joy Luck Club
    Author: Amy Tan
    1st Date of Publication: 1989
    ISBN: 978014303809
    # of Pages: 408
    Genre: Historical Fiction
    Age Rating: 13

    Buy it on Amazon

    Book Description:
    In 1949 four Chinese women, recent immigrants to San Francisco, begin meeting to eat dim sum, play mahjong, and talk. United in shared loss and hope, they call themselves the Joy Luck Club. With wit and wisdom, Amy Tan examines the sometimes painful, often tender, and always deep connection between these four women and their American-born daughters. As each reveals her secrets, trying to unravel the truth about her life, the strings become more tangled, more entwined.

    Setting: 1940s in San Francisco, California
    Point of View: 1st person- 7 female characters

    Goodreads Rating: 3.89
    My Rating: 4.0

     
    Part of the Book that Caught My Attention: Cover
    View on the Cover: I love the flower on the cover. It is very intricate and beautiful. The color red with the gold and black go well together, but it does not really tell you much about the book.
    View on Title: What brings joy? What about luck? What does the club consist of? Who is in it or how does one get into this club?

    Pros:
    • There is a glimpse of Chinese culture and Chinese-American culture. It allows a deeper appreciation for Chinese culture as the mothers try to show their daughters where they came from.
    • There is 7 different perspectives but it flows so well from one character to another.
    • The mother-daughter relationships are very real. The reader is able to see how the daughters mature even as mid-30 year olds.
    • It's historical fiction and talks about life during WWII in China and follows through the baby boomers' lives in the United States.
    • Many of the female characters correlate even if they are not related. It shows that no one is truly alone. This theme is seen even at the mah jong table when Jing-mei "June" Woo joins in place of her mother after her mother's death.
    Cons:
    • There are so many characters with Chinese names that it is a little difficult to understand who is who at first.
    • I wish it was longer because it continued to get more interesting. It made me wanting more.


    Critics' Reviews
    "Intensely poetic, startlingly imaginative and moving, this remarkable book will speak to many women, mothers and grown daughters, about the persistent tensions and powerful bonds between generations and cultures. The narrative voice moves among seven characters. Jing-mei "June" Woo recounts her first session in a San Francisco mah-jong club founded by her recently dead, spiritually vital, mother. The three remaining club members and their daughters alternate with stories of their lives, tales that are stunning, funny and heartbreaking. The mothers, all born in China, tell about grueling hardship and misery, the tyranny of family pride and the fear of losing face. The daughters try to reconcile their personalities, shaped by American standards, with seemingly irrational maternal expectations. "My mother and I never understood each other; we translated each other's meanings. I talked to her in English, she answered back in Chinese," says one character. A crippling generation gap is the result: the mothers, superstitious, full of dread, always fearing bad luck, raise their daughters with hope that their lives will be better, but they also mourn the loss of a heritage their daughters cannot comprehend. Deceptively simple, yet inherently dramatic, each chapter can stand alone; yet personalities unfold and details build to deepen the impact and meaning of the whole. Thus, when infants abandoned in China in the first chapter turn up as adults in the last, their reunion with the one remaining family member is a poignant reminder of what is possible and what is not. On the order of Maxine Hong Kingston's work, but more accessible, its Oriental orientation an irresistible magnet, Tan's first novel is a major achievement." --Publishers Weekly
    "The "joy luck club" is a mah jong/storytelling support group formed by four Chinese women in San Francisco in 1949. Years later, when member Suyuan Woo dies, her daughter June (Jing-mei) is asked to take her place at the mah jong table. With chapters alternating between the mothers and the daughters of the group, we hear stories of the old times and the new; as parents struggle to adjust to America, their American children must struggle with the confusion of having immigrant parents. Reminiscent of Maxine Hong Kingston's The Woman Warrior in its vivid depiction of Chinese-American women, this novel is full of complicated, endearingly human characters and first-rate story telling in the oral tradition. It should be a hit in any fiction collection." --Library Journal

    Amy Tan's Website:
    http://amytanauthor.com/

    Other Recommendations:
    Children of Willesden Lane by Mona Golabek
    The Girl Who Played Go by Shan Sa

    Friday, October 13, 2017

    Anticipation Friday: Where the Past Begins by Amy Tan

    34043618Goodreads Description
    In Where the Past Begins, bestselling author of The Joy Luck Club and The Valley of Amazement Amy Tan is at her most intimate in revealing the truths and inspirations that underlie her extraordinary fiction. By delving into vivid memories of her traumatic childhood, confessions of self-doubt in her journals, and heartbreaking letters to and from her mother, she gives evidence to all that made it both unlikely and inevitable that she would become a writer. Through spontaneous storytelling, she shows how a fluid fictional state of mind unleashed near-forgotten memories that became the emotional nucleus of her novels.

    Tan explores shocking truths uncovered by family memorabilia—the real reason behind an IQ test she took at age six, why her parents lied about their education, mysteries surrounding her maternal grandmother—and, for the first time publicly, writes about her complex relationship with her father, who died when she was fifteen. Supplied with candor and characteristic humor, Where the Past Begins takes readers into the idiosyncratic workings of her writer’s mind, a journey that explores memory, imagination, and truth, with fiction serving as both her divining rod and link to meaning.

    Preorder on Amazon

    Other info
    Expected Date of Publication: October 17, 2017
    Stand-Alone or Series/Companion: Stand-Alone
    Genre: Memoir




    Why Am I Anticipating This Book?
    • I have read one of Amy Tan's other books, Joy Luck Club, for school twice and I really liked it. All of her books are full of symbolism and themes, which makes it fun to read and find them all.
    • She writes a lot of historical fiction pieces about Chinese immigration to the United States. Her books have a lot of Chinese-American culture in them, which I find interesting. There's often flashbacks of what it was like in China and how different life is as Chinese in the United States.
    • I am actually going to meet her at the library in a week and a half where she will be discussing her newest book, Where the Past Begins.


      Wednesday, October 11, 2017

      Review Wednesday: Good Boy by Sarina Bowen and Elle Kennedy

      *This is a book meant for adults due to some inappropriate content for people younger than 18.*

      30747137
      Title: Good Boy
      Author: Sarina Bowen and Elle Kennedy
      1st Date of Publication: December 28, 2016
      ISBN: 9781942444312
      # of Pages: 282
      Genre: New Adult
      Age Rating: 17+ (Sexual Content and Language)

      Buy on Amazon 

      Book Description:
      Hosting her brother’s wedding for an MVP guest list is the challenge of Jess Canning’s life. Already the family screw-up, she can’t afford to fail. And nobody - absolutely nobody! - can learn of the colossal mistake she made with the best man during a weak moment last spring. It was wrong, and there will not be a repeat. Absolutely not. Even if he is the sexiest thing on two legs.

      Blake Riley sees the wedding as fate’s gift to him. Jess is the maid of honor, and he’s the best man? Let the games begin. So what if he’s facing a little (fine, a lot) of resistance? He just needs to convince the stubborn blonde that he’s really a good boy with a bad rap. Luckily, every professional hockey player knows that you’ve got to make an effort if you want to score.

      But Jess has more pressing issues to deal with than sexy-times with a giant man-child. Such as: Will the ceremony start on time, even though someone got grandma drunk? Does glitter ever belong at a wedding? And is it wrong to murder the best man?


      Setting: Starts in California, but mostly in Toronto, Ontario (Canada)
      Point of View: 1st person- Jessica Canning and Blake Riley

      Goodreads Rating: 4.12
      My Rating: 3.75

       
      Part of the Book that Caught My Attention: Cover
      View on the Cover: Can I please have 5 of those dogs and that man, please?
      View on Title: It seems a little demeaning if this is for a person, but if it's for a dog then it sounds like a cute tale.


      Pros:
      • The main female lead, Jess Canning, should be a comfort to a lot of people. She hasn't really done anything in her life and she hasn't really found her knack for something. She feels like a failure when it comes to seeing her other five brothers and sisters with their successes. She just wants to be able to say that she didn't depend on her parents for her success.
        • She is very strong as she doesn't run away or give up while she is in nursing school and continues to fight even through uncertainty.
      • This book really concentrates on hockey, and the way the characters act in this is exactly how I have seen hockey games. People act a little crazy at these games and try to encourage the players to play a little too rough.
      • The novel states the LGBT issues by showing Jess's little brother, Jamie, get married to one of the hockey players, Wesley, at the beginning of the book. Their relationship is seen throughout the novel.
      Cons:
      • I wasn't a fan of Blake Riley's character at all. He's very immature and the way he acts reminds me of a high school student.
      • In general, I did not like the writing style because it felt like there was there were two different writing styles happening at the same time. This is probably because there are two different authors who wrote this book.




      Sarina Bowen's Website:
      http://www.sarinabowen.com/

      Elle Kennedy's Website:
      http://ellekennedy.com/

      Other Recommendations:
      Slave to Love by Julie A. Richman
      Fighting to Breathe by Aurora Rose Reynolds
      Ladies Man by Katy Evans

      Review Wednesday: Say You'll Stay by Corinne Michaels

      *This is a book meant for adults due to some inappropriate content for people younger than 18.*

      30529987
      Title: Say You'll Stay
      Author: Corinne Michaels
      1st Date of Publication: June 19, 2016
      ISBN: 9781682307533
      # of Pages: 310
      Genre: New Adult
      Age Rating: 17+ (Sexual Content and Language)

      Buy on Amazon
      Book Description:
      One word.
      Stay.
      It was all he had to do. Instead, he got on that bus and took my heart with him.
      That was seventeen years ago.
      I moved on. Marriage. Kids. White picket fence. Everything I ever wanted, but my husband betrayed me and I was left once again.
      Alone, penniless, and with two boys, I had no choice but to return to Tennessee. He wasn't supposed to be there. I should've been safe. However, fate has a way of stepping in.
      This time around, the tables are turned. It's my decision. Second chances do exist, but I don't know if we can repair what's already been broken...

      Setting: Starts in Philadelphia, PA, but most of it is in Bell Buckle, TN
      Point of View: 1st person- Presley Townsend Bensen and Zachary Hennington

      Goodreads Rating: 4.15
      My Rating: 4.45

       
      Part of the Book that Caught My Attention: Cover
      View on the Cover: That man is very attractive. He has a look that says, "Come over here and let me show you what I can do."
      View on Title: It has a whiny connotation to it. It makes think that one of the main characters is clingy.


      Pros:
      • This is a stand-alone novel but it is also a companion novel since many of the characters in this novel will be in the other one, Say You Want Me.
      • The story becomes heavy almost immediately into reading it. Usually, stories in this genre have a buildup to the amount of conflict and devastation before an event like the suicide in this novel starts.
      • I love this story as a redemption novel where characters who were once very immature and previously made poor decisions become more mature and continue to grow when the novel takes place.
      • This novel truly shows the impact people have on each other's lives, and it also shows the actions that someone would take to protect their loved ones.
      • The main characters are pretty well-rounded and make the novel flow very easily. It didn't take long for me to finish it.
        • Presley Bensen (nee Townsend) was always a simple girl with big dreams. She wants an old-school life of being a wife and mother, which I think is both her strength and downfall. She wanted that so bad that she never became independent on her own, even though she is a great mother. She lets the idea of love cloud her judgment in things and still continues to be dependent on everyone. It makes sense since she has a couple hundred thousand dollars of debt. Although she is very dependent and somewhat clingy, she knows who she is and where she came from.
        • Zachary Hennington seems to barely be living his life. He dates someone who he doesn't love and knows it as soon as Presley shows up. I wish he kept his distance more and slowly got reacquainted with Presley. I do have to hand it to him because he is relentless and knows what he wants in his life. Plus, he is really good looking and great with kids.
      • The secondary characters are the ones I feel like really make this book pop. My first favorite character Presley's long-time friend and sister-in-law, Angie. She is very spunky and lives life in her own tune, and Presley's complete opposite. Then there's Wyatt who is Zachary's little brother. He is hot and has a good sense of humor, but is always there for Presley and seems like the only one to be able to get her out of her depressing rut. I really empathize with him since he truly loves her, but she has always been Zach's girl.
      Cons:
      • I felt like there could have been two endings to this novel. Obviously, the first ending would be the one the author gave at the end of the novel. Although the ending was satisfying, the place where I thought the first ending should be would have been perfect. There was a conflict with no foreshadowing, backstory, or thoughts that happens right after where the ending I thought should have been enough. It felt like the author had to put that extra conflict in there just to put it in there. I don't want to give it away, but I thought it was unnecessary after Presley already had to deal with her late husband's suicide and the debt he gave her.
      • Even though I understand the pain Presley has gone through in the events before the novel, she punishes almost everyone in the novel for it by not visiting her family and friends. I think that might be a little bit unrealistic because if she loved her family who has done nothing but loves her she would have been homesick and at least visit at least once or twice over two decades. The excuse Presley uses to stay away from her family in Bell Buckle is very immature and ridiculous.
      • I felt that the grieving process was almost nonexistent as soon as Presley gets to Bell Buckle. I get that she's angry but she acts like her husband's suicide never happened.



      Corinne Micheal's Website:
      http://corinnemichaels.com/

      Other Recommendations:
      Wrong by Jane Aston
      My Skylar Penelope Ward
      For You by Kristen Ashley