Review: Letters to Nowhere: Emotional, Gripping, Beautiful Romance!
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 09 24, 2013
Going into this book I didn't know much about it other then...hey, it's Julie Cross!So needless to say, I'm a huge fan after reading the Tempest series and falling in love with Cross' writing. I was a little bummed that she wasn't writing in a male POV (because she just does it so well) but I quickly got over it once inside Karen's head. The book starts out right when Karen has just lost her parents and must decide where to live. And she chooses--her new coach's house. Oh, and her coach has a teenage son.This plot has the making of some serious awkward, funny, and even sexy moments. Living with a cute boy when you're seventeen has to be every high school girl's fantasy. Cross does capitalize on all these moments but doesn't jeopardize Karen's grief in the process. I thought everything was handled so effortlessly well. Many authors could have so easily plopped this girl in a house with a cute boy and had her blinded by a hazy fog of insta-lust, but no...Karen remains very likable, avoiding cliche tropes. She's honest, very confident in her skin and even though at times it might have been hard to connect to someone grieving from the start of a book, I still found a way to sympathize with her.And then there's Jordan. Oh, Jordan. Did I mention that Julie Cross is a pro at writing male characters? Well, she is. Because every bit of dialogue and every movement and action made me giddy over this guy. He's incredibly charming with some deep emotions and pithy lines.The romance has to be the best part of the book. Sure, the gymnastics are great too, but I found myself totally enamored with Karen and Jordan. When you read a book and there's this moment where the male lead almost gets with someone else and your reactions is this...NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!...then you kind of know that the couple is an OTP. That's how I felt with Karen and Jordan. Unlike most contemporaries, this was a slow building relationship built off an emotional connection that only two people who've been through something tragic can share. It felt like they were soulmates. Honestly. And I don't say that a lot when I read YA, since (let's be honest) they've got many years (and future lovers) ahead of them."But with you," the smile dissolved from his face and I felt my heart flying again. "It feels like I've known you forever. And when I think about everything you're going through, how much I get it...it just makes me want to kiss you." he paused, watching my face carefully like he was ready for a big reaction of some kind. "I don't know what that means..I wish I did."That quote pretty much sums up their romance. They become so comfortable with each other (able to really discuss anything -- even things would make me squirm) since their romance started out as a strong friendship. It feels like it's truly meant to be.If you're looking for a Make It or Break It style drama-filled book with gymnastics girls being catty and going at it, then this probably isn't for you. The gymnasts are all mainly supportive and the big battle is an internal one for Karen. It's a book about dealing with loss and the struggle through grief. It may have been a little slow at times, but the romance fueled me to keep on reading. And I'm glad that I did.The ending felt like closure, but there was definitely an opening for a sequel. Personally, I wouldn't mind some more Jordan Bentley.FINAL VERDICTA story about loss, love, and gymnastics. And a romance filled with a deep emotional connection that YA contemporary lovers will want to read.