Review: Part 2
Rating: 3 out of 5
Date: 01 31, 2014
This book was semi-autobiographical which, due to the sensitive subject matter, makes it difficult to give an honest review without looking like a real tool.  I'm going to give honesty a shot though.The story concept was both heartbreaking and heartwarming.  Tori experienced something tragic and it tore her up.  But with support from family and friends, and an ironclad will/Will, she got the help she needed and began to heal.  It's hard not to find value in a book like this.  It's inspirational to read about a girl who struggles initially but find strength in herself with the help of those who love her.  (Here is where I become a tool.) However, I had three problems with the book.  The first problem was that all of the characters shared one voice and appeared  to be very one-dimensional.  It's difficult to see them as separate people when they all think and sound the same.  The second  problem was with the narration.  It felt as though I was hearing the story secondhand rather than experiencing the events with the characters because very little of the narration is "in the  moment".  It's hard  for me to fully invest in a story when I don't feel as though I'm in the  moment with the characters.  The third problem was that there were just so many epiphany/hug it out/pat on the back/ you rock moments that it started to read a bit too much like an after school special or a very special episode of 7th Heaven.(Remember that show?)  I realize that it was probably very hard for the author to write about her experience in any capacity though, so I was more forgiving than I might normally be. In any case, I would recommend this book to anyone who read Love Notes.  Even with the three stated problems it was still worth reading.