Review: 5++ STAR Story
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 05 4, 2014
I received a gifted copy in exchange of an honest review.Theresa Troutman's novel, Life's What You Make It, is an absolute stunning hit.  The story has substance as well as meaning to it.  After reading the story, I am now a new huge fan of Theresa's works.  I can't wait to read more of this series.  Believe me I think that it will be a must read of 2014 books.The story starts off with Sebastian living life wildly.  His mother is a controlling woman determined to have Sebastian following in footsteps that she has delegated.  Sebastian has determined to undermine her at all costs.  After a tragedy, failed classwork, and a weekend rendezvous, Sebastian and his nanny are sent to America to complete his senior year in high school again.Sebastian meets Tess, who happens to be his tutor, and begins what is his first friendship that is healthy.  Tess and her mom welcome Sebastian and his Nanny into their home, and start to show Sebastian what acceptance truly is.Now, I love ice skating, and there is a scene in Sebastian and Tess's relationship that reminds me of a skaters routine.  To show you what I mean, think of a skaters routine.  The music is beginning to pick up passion, the skater's face is showing emotion of what is to come, and the skater is beginning to pick up speed.  In a beautiful stance, the skater completes a triple axel jump ending brilliantly.  You can feel the joy, both from the skater as well as the spectators.  What reminds me of that is when Tess is comforting Sebastian, and his mom happens to create a disturbance that forces Sebastian to confront his mom on where he stands.  Now, the speed is picking up, the music is at the most passionate level, and Sebastian is with his mother.  What will Sebastian do?  Sebastian facing his mom is at the point where the skater is at the highest of the triple axle jump.  Will the jump end with a perfect score, and the crowd applauds the skater?  I won't quite give you the answer because you need to read the most pivotal point of the story.I am so thrilled with the chance to read Life's What You Make it.  I loved the characters (especially Nanny Jones).  I loved the dialogue.  I loved the plot line.  This was a perfect skaters score.  An absolute 5 star story.  Nothing deducted from this routine.