Wednesday, October 2, 2013

Review: Where The Stars Still Shine by Trish Doller

Even though this isn't your typical review for a month long blog hop with the paranormal in mind, this is a great read about just how real some monsters can be and that not all monsters are of the paranormal variety.

Be sure to check out the stops today at the bottom of the post for the Something Wicked Tour!


Title: Where the Stars Still Shine
Author: Trish Doller
Series: Stand Alone
Published By: Bloomsbury Kids (September 24, 2013)
Source: ARC Copy Provided by the Publisher (in exchange for an honest review)
Genre: YA Contemporary
My Rating: 4 Stars!

Book Description:
Stolen as a child from her large and loving family, and on the run with her mom for more than ten years, Callie has only the barest idea of what normal life might be like. She's never had a home, never gone to school, and has gotten most of her meals from laundromat vending machines. Her dreams are haunted by memories she’d like to forget completely. But when Callie’s mom is finally arrested for kidnapping her, and Callie’s real dad whisks her back to what would have been her life, in a small town in Florida, Callie must find a way to leave the past behind. She must learn to be part of a family. And she must believe that love--even with someone who seems an improbable choice--is more than just a possibility.


Trish Doller writes incredibly real teens, and this searing story of love, betrayal, and how not to lose your mind will resonate with readers who want their stories gritty and utterly true.





My Thoughts and Review:
I read a book similar to this one earlier this year and I absolutely loved it. Even though it was a really hard, emotional read, I enjoyed it immensely, which is probably why I was so willing to pick this up and give it a try.

Truth be told, I like emotional reads. Ones that have me crying like a baby and that make my heart break. Ones that make me feel for the characters in the way only a really good author can. This is one of those books. Be prepared, you have been warned.

Callie has not had an easy life. Always on the run with her mother, ripped from the father that loved her and taken away from the only family she would ever have, to say she has had it rough is an understatement. She has seen and done things a little girl and teenager should never have to see or go through.

When she get released to her father's custody and discovers that he has been searching for her this whole time she is scared, relieved and feeling guilty that her mother might be in trouble and not sure what to do or even really who she is anymore.

Callie is a tough girl, one that I liked from the very beginning. Even though she is damaged she doesn't let it get her down, she doesn't let it come in the way of her happiness and finally getting to know what it means to be a teenager and what it means to be a part of a family that loves her and wants what is best for her.

I have to say I loved Callie's father Greg. He was what a good loving father should be and I loved that he respected Callie and understood that he couldn't treat her like a normal teenager because she wasn't one. He knew there were probably horrors that she went through that he didn’t even want to imagine and he dealt with it all as best as he could. He was pretty amazing actually.

I loved the boys, so adorable and such a sweet and fun side to the story. I was so glad that Callie has them in her life to love and to learn from.

Kat and Alex were pretty fab too.

The only thing I didn't love about this was the way it ended. There was too much left undone between Alex and Callie and I felt too much left unsaid between Callie and her dad. While Callie stretched and grew a ton, I couldn't help but want more and to know that she would be okay. That is would all work out in every way possible. 


Honestly, I would love to see a sequel. To get more of her crazy Greek family, more of her brothers, more of Kat and Alex. I don't think her story is done, or maybe, I just don't want it to be over, either way, if the author decides to write a sequel, I will be the first in line for it.




*All thoughts and opinions are my own and were not influenced by the author or publisher. I was not compensated for this review.*




Also don't forget to check out today's posts for the Something Wicked Returns Tour, lots of great giveaways, guest posts, reviews and interviews will be featured all month long!

Beth@ Curling Up With a Good Book: April Tucholke: Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea

And Heidi @ Rainy Day Ramblings: Laura Bickle: The Outside

Maja @ The Nocturnal Library: Carrie Harris: Bad Taste in Boys

(click on the banner to see the full list)



Tomorrow will be back with Heidi at Rainy Day Ramblings with author Kendra Blake!

17 comments:

  1. I have heard great things about this one and emotional reads are my favorite. So I'll enjoy this one for sure. I'm not so against open endings, it depends really. Great review :)

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  2. I am just really hoping there will be some kind of sequel! I know I would read it for sure.

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  3. I'm also a fan of emotional reads when I'm in the right mood. I'll definitely have to add this to my list for when the mood strikes. It's a shame the story left you wanting more resolution. Maybe she will write a sequel! Great review :-)

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  4. YAY ALI!!! We had very similar thoughts on this one, I really loved Callie too and Greg was fantastic. I just wanted to hug him, he was trying so hard to find a way to relate to his daughter. I'm with you on the ending though, I'm not a huge fan of open endings, but this one at least led me to believe things were going go well for Callie down the line so that made it better. I so hope there's a sequel or an epilogue-type novella or something, that would be perfect!

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  5. This sounds really good, and I do enjoy a book that captures you emotionally. With the ending was it open ended?

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  6. I've wanted to read this because I think Trish writes really great characters. I've heard some mixed things, but I definitely still want to give it a try. I'm so glad you enjoyed it!

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  7. Yes Jenny I agree, I would love a novella, that would be perfect in fact!

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  8. Kim, yeah it was pretty open ended and a little up in the air as well. I just would have liked a little bit more is all.

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  9. This does sound like an emotional read and makes me think of all the things similar to this we've seen in the news recently. I enjoyed your review. Hopefully there will be a sequel to tie up those loose ends - that kind of thing bothers me to.

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  10. My copy is on its way and I'm incredibly relieved to hear that you liked it.
    Gorgeous review, Ali!

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  11. I have read so many great reviews on this one. I want to check out this author's writing, but as always, I have to be in the right mood for an emotional read, I am not like you, I can only do them in small doses. Thanks for posting on Wicked!

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  12. When you are up for one Heidi, this would be a great one to try. :)

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  13. I've loved this cover since I first saw it, so I'm glad the story is so good too.

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  14. I agree Christy, it has a great cover!

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