Review: Unique and unforgettable!!! 5 STARS!!
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 03 2, 2014
Choosing to read this was one of the best decisions I've ever made. Emi Lost & Found is a beautifully written, powerful, and unforgettable love story that made me feel every possible emotion. Without a doubt, this is a story that will stay in my heart forever.This series took over my life. I've now been through three sleepless nights staying up til the wee hours of the morning to read `just one more chapter'. I've cried almost harder than I've ever cried over a book before, I've laughed, I've felt love, loss, confusion, anger, betrayal, elation, relief... pretty much everything.The author calls this an atypical romance and I totally understand why. It's an unconventional story in every way. It steps outside the box, it defies the norm, and it comes out on top. It put my heart through the ringer but having finished it now, I can tell you that this is one of the best stories I have ever read.However.... it took me over a year to psych myself up to reading this series.I'll be honest, it scared the crap out of me.I love emotional stories -- they are my favorite kind -- but this one, ho boy!! I knew that one certain part of it would devastate me. So many readers told me that they ugly cried and I was sure I would too. But did I want to put myself through that??Well, I had to work myself up to it... but I always knew that YES, I did!I've always known the "big spoiler" from the end of the first book and I am so glad I did because honestly if I had dove in without knowing, I might have been too angry to process my emotions. But for me, knowing it in advance allowed me the time to come to terms with it, mull it over in my mind, and decide if this was a story I really wanted to read.And again, the answer was yes.When I was reading and I came to "that point" where the big spoiler happened (ps - it's not cheating) and I sobbed. Guys, I hadn't ugly cried this much since The Bronze Horseman. I was a wreck. I literally couldn't breathe, couldn't see the page through my tears, I was just overwhelmed with the emotions it drew out of me. My poor husband came running into the room and freaked when he saw me. I pretty much just sat there sobbing in his arms for what felt like forever.At this point, I wasn't sure I could go on. Honestly, I strongly debated putting the series down for good. I was devastated. But this story kept drawing me in. It was painful and took the term "heart breaking" to a whole new level but it was also beautiful. Very real. Raw. Not white-picket-fence-perfect to be sure... but I was feeling this journey so strongly and I couldn't wait to see the healing process.As the story went on, I can truly say that my heart was pieced back together. Did it still hurt? Yes. Absolutely. I don't think that part will ever stop hurting. I've been writing this review with tears pouring down my face at the memory of it. But I can honestly say that the story came full circle. The new developments and healing happened in such a believable, beautifully written way that I couldn't help but be swept away by it all.The most accurate way I've heard this described is quite simply an atypical romance. The things we've come to expect from the romance books we read each day do not happen here. Yes, there is a romance -- and intense, soul deep connection between the two people in love, but the story and the way things play out is anything but normal. But somehow, it just works.As a quick background, this is a completed series -- comprised of a prequel and 3 main novels -- with a fully resolved ending. This series takes place over a span of approximately 15 years. It was never rushed and took the time to fully allow you to experience each moment with the characters. It's not a quick read though and my advice is not to read them until you have the time to read all 3.5 books at once. Trust me. Even though they're broken down into 3 main books, it is one continuous story and it simply will not have the same impact on you if read them separately. So, when you're ready, just commit to them.I have the biggest book hangover imaginable now. I feel like I know these characters -- like I've lived their lives with them -- and letting go of them isn't easy. My thoughts keep going back to them.... and I know they will for a long time to come.I'm having a hard time finding anything to compare this series to for you guys... Regarding the first book and start of this series, I think the closest I can come to in terms of `feeling' is the Love Me With Lies trilogy and Present Perfect. It's obviously not at all the same story but it did evoke some similar emotions in me. But then in the second and third book, I just have nothing at all to compare it to -- it's just totally "different" and I can't even come up with a remotely similar comparison. There really is nothing else like these books out there and I just love that about them. They're utterly unique and incredibly powerful.Regarding rating -- I loved this story with all my heart. I truly did. In terms of writing, originality, and the sheer epic level of emotion it evoked in me over and over again, I have to give it 5 stars. This isn't to say it's perfect though because it did have a few flaws for me but honestly, I consider them insignificant and there is just no way that I can sit here, looking back over this stunning series and give it anything less than the 5 stars it deserves.I can't recommend this series highly enough. Go into it with an open mind and just allow it to take over your heart. It blew me away. I felt pure happiness, absolute devastation, and the ultimate healing.This truly is a one-of-a-kind, unforgettable love story.Series rating: 5 stars