Review: This is a phenomenal book!
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 07 13, 2013
07/06/2013 --Overall Rating = 4 StarsBook Cover / Book Blurb / Book Title = 4 / 4 / 5 = 4 StarsWriter's Voice = 3.5 StarsCharacter Development = 4 StarsStory Appreciation = 4.5 StarsWorth the Chili = 5 Stars [ARC ... $Free on Amazon]I first of all need to apologize to this author. I was awarded an ARC for this book, but real life intruded and I couldn't read it before it was published. Then, I saw it offered free on Amazon and remembered it. I hope this review will absolve me for my dereliction of duty. This is a phenomenal book. However, it contains a story that is heart wrenching and may not be a "for everyone" read.**SPOILER ALERT** This review will have spoilers woven throughout.What I loved about this story:1 -- The story itself is heart wrenching. (view spoiler)It broke my heart. Life is so precious. You wonder what happens to a person to make them decide it is more work than it is worth. I hope someday I'll have the opportunity to help someone in such dire straights. Kudo's to this author for such a beautiful story.2 -- The characters. These people are strangers, but they come to be so important to each other. As friends, then as family. Ryan and Alex. Liliana and Javi. Liliana's mother and Ade. All these very different people contribute to make this story beautiful. The power of love and forgiveness. The most powerful phrase for someone may be, "it was not your fault".3 -- This was an ARC [thank you again], then it was offered FREE on Amazon [to push me to read it I'm sure]. Even if you paid the $4 price being asked normally, it is well worth the cost.4 -- The cover is beautiful. The title has real meaning for me. I have raised my children with the whole concept of a moment. A simple moment in time can change the entire trajectory of your life. Make all your moments count. I believe this from the bottom of my heart.As good as this book was, there were a few things I under appreciated:1 -- The story was deep, but it wasn't expanded. The entire book was about Ryan. Even Liliana was a secondary character. A bit more depth of story -- come away from the main plot just a bit. It got rather tedious at times, but Ryan kept pulling me.2 -- It took me deep and kept me there for quite a while. If you want a happy read, you have to wait quite a while to get it. We do see glimpses of happy for Ryan, but then we slide into our dark place again, almost immediately. Be aware.This one caught me by surprise. I wasn't really banking on such a "deep" read when I picked it up. I'm very glad I read it, but just want you to realize, once you start, you may not be able to stop until you are very sure Ryan will be okay. He weasels his way into your heart and doesn't turn you loose.What a wonderful read. Marie Hall ... thank you!Happy Reading!ARC provided by CrushStar Multimedia LLC in exchange for an honest review!NOTE: Still Free on Amazon as of 07/07/2013!!