Review: Loved this book!
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 09 25, 2013
FULL REVIEW AND MORE: [...]We had the immense pleasure of working very closely with Teodora on this book. We were beta readers and we loved every minute of the process. So, you guys are lucky that you're fans of my blog because you get a sneak peak review before ANYONE ELSE! Hot off the presses! I've been DYING to share this book with you guys and I hope you love it as much as I do! Below you'll find a quick Q&A; Kam and I did for the beta read review. Joint reviews are so fun!Easy to read?Kam: Just like in her last book, In A Heartbeat, Teodora tackles the ever complicated third-person-omniscient and does a great job.  The paragraphs flowed together, the emotion of the characters all came through, and even the world building scenes were on point.Amber: This book is an incredibly easy book to get into. The characters are so lifelike that you feel like you're reading about someone that you know personally, so yes. Easy to read!Good plot progression?Kam: Even though Teodora tells the story is a not-so-unique way, she still does it in a way that provokes you to keep reading.  We get the past, the present, and the future all in one great package, and even though the story doesn't end the way you'll want it to, it still moves along greatly.Amber: Teodora picks up this story with some of the secondary characters (Gia and Beppe) who we meet in the first book as secondary characters. This time, they are the primary characters. The plot progression is great because you still get glimpses of what the characters from In A Heartbeat are up to, all while watching the relationship from this series go through its ups and downs and inside outs.Believable characters?Kam: These are all the characters we met in its companion novel, In A Heartbeat, save the few new members of the family.  I did notice a small character difference in Gia from the previous book, but I'm attributing it to character development.  All in all, though, we meet a great cast of people, and they are all very real.Amber: Yes. Teodora is amazing at getting you inside the head of the characters she writes about. There were times where I felt like I was sitting right next to Beppe or Gia and I felt like I was just hanging out with my friends. They're pretty awesome people. They have their flaws, just like me and you - and I think that makes them even more believable. Too bad they aren't real!Grammar issues?Kam: The only thing you might have trouble with is the odd placement of commas, which aren't wrong, they're just...odd.  The lingo's a little different for our American friends to understand, since it has European slang and terms.  But still, it's nothing a little elbow grease on the reader's part can make smoother.Amber: Like Kam said it's a bit of an adjustment going from what we (as Americans ) read from our American counterparts. However, if you can't catch on to the lingo and figure it out - I'm really concerned for you! Just pretend you're in the UK listening to those crazy Brits speak.Would you recommend to someone?Kam: Definitely!  I wouldn't consider it a contemporary, specifically, but I would recommend it to someone who likes them.  It also has romance, and who doesn't love that?Amber: Without a doubt. I'd recommend it to anyone who loves romance, loves a struggle, loves heartbreak, loves feeling... you know, all of those things - especially if you're over 17!Overall rating:Kam: Overall, I'm gonna give it a nice solid 4/5 stars.  Definitely better than In A Heartbeat, but with the same loveable people and an added touch of suspense.Amber: I'd give it a 4.5/5. Half a point for the lack of pictures. HAHA! Kidding, I go with a 4.5 because the book gets confusing for a few pages in a couple of sections (but it definitely clears it up as quickly as it became confusing.) It's not a common occurrence  but it happened a couple of times, just in certain scenarios. However, by the time I was saying "wait. What?" Teodora was answering my question, so really I don't have a leg to stand on by taking .5 off. ;)Favorite Quote(s)?Kam: "The most important thing in my life is keeping me in Genoa.  You.  When I say I'm not leaving again, I mean it." - Beppe"You may reject me now, again, but I'll keep fighting for you." - Beppe (I love Beppe, guys)Amber:  "I've been trying to get over how much I miss you. And how much I need you to cope with everyday life." - Beppe"I love you so much that if I let go of the reins and let go, it will consume me." .... "let it." Gia and Beppe"When I was broken, you gave me pieces of yourself and made me whole again."