Review: Beautifully written YA
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 06 24, 2014
I absolutely love feel-good stories, and Emerald Barnes has created a real winner. The heroine of the story, lovely sixteen-year-old Madison, is so relatable I feel as though I know her. Well, I am her. We all are. We’ve all faced those tormented moments of self-doubt and self-loathing that do nothing but drag down our spirits, and so relating to Madison’s struggles is impossible not to do. The ridicule she faces pales in comparison to the disdain with which she looks at herself, and so witnessing her transformation from beginning to end was beautiful and inspiring. With the help of her adorably nerdy best friend Chase and a very special person on a mission to help her, Madison blossoms and grows in both herself and in her faith.This story is a fabulous and greatly needed addition to the YA genre, with the benefit of having a Christian message that will warm your heart. I found myself laughing along with Madison’s witty commentary and tearing up during her intense moments of self-discovery. I couldn’t wait to get to the end and see if she got her happy ending. I won’t spoil it, but I will say that I left this book feeling better than before I picked it up. It charmed me in every way imaginable. I can’t wait to see what beautiful stories of faith Ms. Barnes writes next!