Review: Simple but moving! A story of family and love...
Rating: 3 out of 5
Date: 07 30, 2012
The Review:I liked this book and though it got some low ratings I went in with an open but cautious mind. The story was touchingly sweet yet very sad in some places and bright in others. The emotional facet of the book was strong however it was seemed slow to start and somewhat stalled in the middle.It follows a year in the life of Willow Flynn as she tries to start over in a new life with her mother and brother after the tragic death of her father and the loss of her mother's employment. Her family life is strained as she feels alone, seeking out new friends, not all of which are healthy or wise choices and coping with her distracted mother and game obsessed younger brother. Everyone is trying to deal with the loss and new situation in their own way and not all those ways are constructive.Where the story seems to stall is where Willow is going through her weekly routine of school, homework, checking her online page or sleeping. She does have the occasional adventurous night out which always lands her trouble of some sort and her budding relationship with Michael is captivating but I wished there had been more.Michael is established in the very beginning of the book and makes a very charming introduction, making the reader notice him immediately. I was instantly intrigued and wanted to know more about him but we don't see much of him until the last few chapters because he is out of Willow's social circle due to his illness. I wished the author had of spent more time constructing his and Willows relationship. I would have loved to see them do more together.The theme of the story was very well done! By the end of the book I was an emotional wreck and was skittish to read the last few pages because I was scared of what the ending would hold. The tension between Willows family was well played out and her character growth from beginning to end was noticeable.The Wrap Up:All in all, there were amazing parts and there were slow parts. This story was a tale of love, life, death and teen angst.. hard lessons, ugly truths and the beauty when you let yourself compromise and open yourself to love. I really wish there had been more events to carry this story forward and more development of the love interest, Michael because that's what I felt was at the heart of this story. It just wasn't explored thoroughly, but I do get where the author was trying to take the story and I liked it nonetheless. I'd definitely suggest this book to anyone wanting an emotionally well written but quick read. And I'd be most interested to see a second book with these characters because in no way has their story ended.NOTE:: I read this as a R2R with We ' YA Books! from Goodreads. As always, a special thank you to the mods and author for allowing me to participate.