Review: I LOVED every minute of this book
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 08 11, 2013
I absolutely adored this book. No, it is not a light-hearted read. The story-line revolves around some very serious topics and had my heart aching a little bit at one time or another. But everything in it- the characters, their dialogue and their actions rang true to me. I can honestly say that I loved almost every single one of the characters in this book.The book follows Karen as she tries to come to terms with her grief over losing her loving parents, and trying to remain focused on her future. That is so much for a seventeen year old to take on, but Karen is incredible. So much is thrown at her and she has so many questions about death and even life. What really grabbed me was how all the emotions she went through and the questions she asked were genuine to people who lose their parents. They ask those same questions and they have those same emotions and it just felt so real to me.Karen- I also love how she was honest with herself about what she was feeling, even if she was not being honest with everyone around her. She had to go through so much and I just wanted to answer all her questions and take all her pain away. I like her more than I like most of the troubled girls I have read in contemporary books of late. She was very genuine.Jordan- I may or may not get the warm fuzzies every time I think of Jordan. He was just such a pivotal character going through his own grief. I love how he was honest as well, but still awkward and adorable- not at all a larger than life, perfect male lead. I love how the romance between the two characters progresses throughout the book. It is sweet and honest and makes me want to smile just thinking about it.While the book may be centered around Karen's loss of her parents and her grief, I love how there is so much MORE to the book than that. It is about the relationships Karen has with all the rest of the characters in the book-  between teammates, best friends, coaches, her growing relationship with Jordan, Karen's past with her family, and even Karen's relationship with gymnastics. I love how dynamic all of the relationships between Karen and the supporting characters were. Even if her and a certain character did not see eye to eye at a certain point, I still loved their interactions because that is what all real friendships are. I was just so sucked in! I can honestly say I loved everyone.....except Nina Jones. *makes face* Not her.Also, throughout, all those characters and all the events that took place in the book, everything just flowed. It was nice not be be stuck or confused by anything.My favorite part , however, was the letters Karen wrote to the other characters in the book. They were so heart- felt and like I mentioned before- honest. I loved the ones she wrote to her parents. Those letters just made me feel too much. I was an emotional mess at that part. But I loved every single minute of it.