Author: Elizabeth Scott
Series: Stand Alone
Published By: Harlequin Teen (January 28, 2014)
Source: ARC Copy Provided by the Publisher (in exchange for an honest review)
Genre: YA Contemporary
My Rating: 4 Stars!
Book Description:
Life. Death. And...Love?
Emma would give anything to talk to her mother one last time. Tell her about her slipping grades, her anger with her stepfather, and the boy with the bad reputation who might be the only one Emma can be herself with.
But Emma can't tell her mother anything. Because her mother is brain-dead and being kept alive by machines for the baby growing inside her.
Meeting bad-boy Caleb Harrison wouldn't have interested Old Emma. But New Emma-the one who exists in a fog of grief, who no longer cares about school, whose only social outlet is her best friend Olivia-New Emma is startled by the connection she and Caleb forge.
Feeling her own heart beat again wakes Emma from the grief that has grayed her existence. Is there hope for life after death-and maybe, for love?
I knew this might be a hard and even an emotional read going into it. I knew the subject matter might even be difficult to relate to or understand but I picked it up anyways because I really do enjoy Elizabeth Scott's work and I just knew this was one I needed to try.
I love it when an author can take a difficult subject matter and make it shine and pull all the right messages and emotions out of it and Ms. Scott seems to be one of those authors.
I know I will not do this book justice with this review because there is too much emotion, too many thoughts to try and convey and I just know I still wouldn't be able to get the right message across. So I will simply say this, I loved this read.
It was so gripping and raw. So much emotion for both Emma and Caleb. So many wonderful heartfelt and just deep quotes that I would be here all day if I wanted to write them all down and share them.
This dealt with grief and loss and anger and heartbreak and simply moving on, forgiving and putting the pieces all back together again. I don't think I have read anything like it. I felt for everyone, for Emma, for Dan, for Caleb and even for Olivia, who has to be the best friend in the whole wide world.
There are no easy answers or solutions or even always the right answers to what is going on and happening in Emma and Caleb's lives. Grief isn't something that can truly be defined because it is different for all of us. We all see it differently, experience it differently and deal with it differently but I think seeing it through three different people in very different ways was done beautifully.
Simply put, this story was a difficult one but a beautiful one too. It make me sad, it made me cry but it also made me smile and it made me feel hope.
*All thoughts and opinions are my own and were not influenced by the author or publisher. I was not compensated for this review.*
I haven't read anything by Elizabeth Scott yet because her books do sound brutal and emotional. I have to prepare for those types of reads lol Glad it was happy and hopeful at times. As long as there is a mixture of sad and hopeful I can handle it. Loss is so difficult to feel and read about. I really liked Saving June though and some other books dealing with lost so I should give this a try.
ReplyDeleteThey can be brutal but I love them!
DeleteI haven't read anything by this author but it seems like I should change that. I do love emotional reads and this one sounds truly emotional. Great review, Ali :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Tanja!
DeleteThis.Sounds.Awesome. I love a good, intense, emotional, read!
ReplyDeleteI believe this fits the bill too.
It also sounds like there could be a little debate too, about the Mother and being kept alive so her wee one can be born. That's pretty intense & I am glad an author is broaching the topic, even if it is gently.
I can't imagine being in that position! This book sounds like a "sucker inner" it grabs you and doesn't let you put it down until "THE END".
Ok, I am PROMPTLY heading to add this bad boy to my TBR and/or buy it if its available now.
This was a hard subject matter to approach but overall I think the author did wonderfully with it!
DeleteGlad you enjoyed this one. I did not. I thought that protagonist was a awful human being. She was mean and rude and just unpleasant all around.The romance bored me mostly because I didn't buy it and it seemed too convenient.
ReplyDeleteI was bummed because I was so looking forward to this book and it fell flat for me.
This was a hard read and the girl did have attitude but I saw where she was coming from. I am sorry you didn't like this one more.
DeleteThanks so much for stopping by and commenting!! :D
aww I am always cautious about emotional books too. I want to read them, cause usually they are beautiful, but bawling like a baby is scary heh
ReplyDeleteI bet you would like this one Lily!
DeleteI need to read this asap, it releases soon! Yikes. I admit that I'm a bit afraid of the emotional bits but I think I'm up for it. I've enjoyed the more emotional books I've read lately. I'm very happy to see your wonderful review!
ReplyDeleteFunny how those release dates sneak up on us huh? Glad you will be starting this one soon Candace, I hope you like it as much as I did!
DeleteWonderful review, emotional reads are hard for me, but I am glad you enjoyed this one Ali!
ReplyDeleteThanks Kim! :)
DeleteShe definitely isn't a character for everyone but I think her feelings and actions are very realistic and appropriate considering all that happens to her and her family.
ReplyDeleteI have seen some mixed reviews on this one, but it sounds amazing. Thanks for the great review. I think it is definitely going to stay on the list now because you liked it so much. We seem to like a lot of the same things. I love how honest your reviews are!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Becca, you are a sweetie! ;)
DeleteI have This one, but am a bit afraid to read it. I didn't read the synopsis before requesting, like a dummy, I was just like: oh, look a new Elizabeth Scott book. I've heard pretty good things about this. I just need to be in the mood for a more emotional book. I'm glad you enjoyed it!
ReplyDeleteIt is a harder read and the protagonist isn't always likable but I still really enjoyed it.
DeleteWonderful review. I am planning to read this soon, but I am a little nervous. It sound good, but emotional.
ReplyDeleteI think knowing it will be an emotional read going in to it helps a lot Ellen!
DeleteI loved this book too, but I know so many people who didn't enjoy it because of Emma's character, though I could understand and accept why she was the way she was. And Emma and Caleb were soooo cute together! :) Great review!
ReplyDeleteI am glad you liked this too and could see past her harshness. I really do think this was a great story if you could look past some of Emma's faults.
DeleteI totally agree with your review, this is an emotional read and I knew that going in, but I thought it was beautiful, and I really felt for Emma. I know a lot of people struggled with her, but I feel like I understood where she was coming from. Wonderful review!
ReplyDeleteThanks Lauren! I am so glad you felt for Emma too, it makes me a little sad to see not many did.
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