IT ENDS WITH US BY COLLEEN

HAPPY RELEASE DAY TO COLLEEN HOOVER!

IT ENDS WITH US  


Sometimes it is the one who loves you who hurts you the most.

Lily hasn’t always had it easy, but that’s never stopped her from working hard for the life she wants. She’s come a long way from the small town in Maine where she grew up—she graduated from college, moved to Boston, and started her own business. So when she feels a spark with a gorgeous neurosurgeon named Ryle Kincaid, everything in Lily’s life suddenly seems almost too good to be true.

Ryle is assertive, stubborn, maybe even a little arrogant. He’s also sensitive, brilliant, and has a total soft spot for Lily. And the way he looks in scrubs certainly doesn’t hurt. Lily can’t get him out of her head. But Ryle’s complete aversion to relationships is disturbing. Even as Lily finds herself becoming the exception to his “no dating” rule, she can’t help but wonder what made him that way in the first place.

As questions about her new relationship overwhelm her, so do thoughts of Atlas Corrigan—her first love and a link to the past she left behind. He was her kindred spirit, her protector. When Atlas suddenly reappears, everything Lily has built with Ryle is threatened. 

With this bold and deeply personal novel, Colleen Hoover delivers a heart-wrenching story that breaks exciting new ground for her as a writer. Combining a captivating romance with a cast of all-too-human characters, It Ends With Us is an unforgettable tale of love that comes at the ultimate price

*** MY REVIEW*****

This book y’all. It was like a hurricane of emotions! 
I was swept up in it right from the start. 
I went in blind, not knowing what the book was about.
Just let me say that I experienced all the feels possible!
It was real. Raw.
It made me laugh. Cry. Gasp. Shutter.
I fell in love and also had my heart hurt more than once.
I had hope. Hope for what I wanted the outcome to be as a reader.
It was just so much emotion for me. This story is definitely one that will make you think about life and the decisions we make and why. I feel like it will keep coming back to you long after you’ve read it.

In my opinion the storyline is well written and I applaud Colleen Hoover for writing such inspiring and real characters. Their relationships were so well written that I could somehow relate/sympathize to what they were experiencing even though I haven’t experienced it myself.
Lily is a very strong character.
Ryle is just wow!
Atlas is the epitome of a knight in shining armor.
I seriously believe Hoover’s writing gets better with with each book.

5/5  INFINITE STARS 

Making Face by Amy Harmon WOW!!

Making Faces by Amy Harmon
Making Faces is the story of a small town where five young men go off to war, and only one comes back. It is the story of loss. Collective loss, individual loss, loss of beauty, loss of life, loss of identity. It is the tale of one girl's love for a broken boy, and a wounded warrior's love for an unremarkable girl. This is a story of friendship that overcomes heartache, heroism that defies the common definitions, and a modern tale of Beauty and the Beast, where we discover that there is a little beauty and a little beast in all of us.

"If God makes all our faces, did he laugh when he made me?” - Fern

I don't even know where to begin! A friend recommended this book to me! It was my first Amy Harmon book, and it definitely wont be my last!

This story is simply:
beautiful
but tragic.
Romantic
yet heart-breaking
and so full of faith!
It left me speechless and pondering for days.

It starts off with a sweet, caring girl, whose unrequited love, for the most popular boy in school, goes unnoticed until its too late.

Fern, Bailey and Ambrose.

Fern is the “plain-jane” girl (in her own eyes) who has been in love with the town wrestling hero, Ambrose Young. She’s a preacher’s daughter and her heart is just so innocent and pure. She’s lover of romance novels and an an aspiring writer.

She expressed her feelings well in this poem that touched my core!
“If God makes all our faces, did he laugh when he made me?
Does he make the legs that cannot walk and eyes that cannot see?
Does he curl the hair upon my head 'til it rebels in wild defiance?
Does he close the ears of the deaf man to make him more reliant?
Is the way I look coincidence or just a twist of fate?
If he made me this way, is it okay, to blame him for the things I hate?
For the flaws that seem to worsen every time I see a mirror,
For the ugliness I see in me, for the loathing and the fear.
Does he sculpt us for his pleasure, for a reason I can't see?
If God makes all our faces, did he laugh when he made me?” 

Long story short, at the end of their senior year, Fern finally seems to gain a little of Ambrose’s attention, but to her dismay, he, along with four other friends decide to join the military after graduation.

Tragedy strikes the five friends while away and only one returns and he is changed, both physically and emotionally.

“If God saved my life, why didn't he save their lives? Is my life so much more valuable? So I'm special... and they're not?” - Ambrose


Ambrose hides away and shuts everyone out, even Fern, who happens to work at his father’s bakery. Though Fern can see beyond his physical scars, he finds it hard to believe.

“You act like beauty is the only thing that makes us worthy of love,” -Fern


But as they slowly rebuild their friendship, somewhere along the way love shines through. It just goes to show that sometimes you just don’t realize the beauty that’s right in front of you. It takes looking past what’s on the outside to see what’s on the inside.


This is one of Fern’s quotes that I loved and could of written myself, because it describes me perfectly.

“Scripture comforts me, and romance novels give me hope." -Fern


and then there’s Bailey. Beautiful Bailey Sheen.
Make sure you guys dig deep and realize this story is not just about Fern and Ambrose.

It’s about love, loss, a little self discovery, true friendship and most definitely hope.

Bailey and Fern are cousins, and their relationship is the most precious thing I’ve read in such a long time!

Bailey is confined to a wheel chair, due to being diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Fern has somehow become his constant companion and help. Their relationship touched my heart so deeply, as we too have a young cousin who is wheelchair bound with MD. The storyline shows how Bailey lives his life knowing that tomorrow is not guaranteed.

It’s hard to come to terms with the fact that you aren't ever going to be loved the way you want to be loved. - Bailey


This was a very inspiring and emotional read that I highly recommend!

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Maybe Someday by Colleen Hoover: Beat, beat pause. I think it’s MY heart you guys are hearing.

At twenty-two years old, Sydney has a great life: She's in college, working a steady job, in love with her wonderful boyfriend, Hunter, and rooming with her best friend, Tori. But everything changes when she discovers Hunter's cheating on her--and she is left trying to decide what to do next.

Sydney becomes captivated by Ridge, her mysterious neighbor. She can't take her eyes off him or stop listening to the passionate way he plays his guitar every evening out on his balcony. And there's something about Sydney that Ridge can't ignore, either. When their inevitable encounter happens, they soon find themselves needing each other in more ways than one...

Original music created for Maybe Someday by musician Griffin Peterson can be accessed through the website listed in the ebook and paperback.  

Beat, beat pause.
I think it’s MY heart you guys are hearing.
This book was such a dynamic, extraordinary reading experience!!!
Short version intro:
Sydney is betrayed by her roommate/BFF and her boyfriend and ends up homeless. But thanks to the stranger who lives in the courtyard across from her, she ends up with a place to stay. She’s been watching him from afar as he sits on his balcony playing his guitar, so he’s not totally unknown to her.
Without revealing spoilers...
The relationship that develops between Ridge & Sidney is one that I think will grip at anyone’s heart.
The chemistry between them was undeniable!
The story was so relatable and it pulled out so many emotions from me.
I laughed, swooned, cried and even became a little angry.
My heart smiled and ached all at the same time! The angst was definitely a plus!
I love how Colleen’s writing can evoke so many emotions out of me!
I really enjoyed all the secondary characters. They kept the story fresh and lively.
Of course my ABSOLUTE favorite part of this novel was being able to hear Ridge and Sydney’s songs through Griffin Peterson! What an original, intimate experience!
I THOROUGHLY LOVED IT!!
Buy it now! Share it with your friends!! and don’t forget the awesome soundtrack by Griffin Peterson! 
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

One Night With a Rock Star by Chana Keefer LOVE! LOVE! LOVE! this book!!!

It's Anne of Green Gables Meets Rattle & Hum. Worlds collide. 

When Esther was a young teen with frizzy hair and too-skinny legs, Sky’s music soothed her through awkwardness and pain. During the Glam-Rock 80s, Esther is a College Journalism student and fledgling Print Model. One chance meeting with her Superstar crush rocks both their worlds. Will Esther's deep roots in Family and Faith keep her feet on the ground when a tornado named Sky blows her world apart? 

One Night With a Rock Star is a rich, satisfying Saga filled with multi-dimensional, lovable characters, sigh-worthy Romance and a tale that will carve itself onto your soul. 

Explores themes of spirituality, modern morality, relationship with God versus religion, how to aim for vibrant, lifelong love and how one can "have it all" yet still long for meaning and purpose in life. 

While the tale includes sexy situations, it is not gratuitous. Appropriate for and enjoyed by young teens and young-at-heart of all ages. 

Includes a Study Guide for individuals and groups regarding crucial life choices, vital relationship with God, and investing in long-term, healthy, romantic love that gets better with time.

*sigh* I don't even know where to begin.

I found this book through my Bookbub emails and the title captured my attention immediately!
What can I say without giving away too much?

What is a 20 yr old Christian girl (Esther) to do when she literally meets the ROCKSTAR (Sky) of her dreams and they actually form a connection? How does faith play into all of this? How does she walk away or does she? ;-)

I laughed, I cried, I got angry and even yelled out loud at Sky! lol and oh the ANGST!! I was like "are they going to kiss or what?!?!?!?" lol

This writing transported me back in time, to place where I could vividly see myself as Esther.

I loved how their relationship grew and how it was not just some insta-love, but it had the ups & downs, even if at one time it seemed too good to be true.

I LOVE the Christian/inspirational references and feel it was well blended into the story and appeared at all the right places at the right times. I loved Sky's transformation...if that's the word I'm looking for.

WHAT I DID NOT LIKE??? THE CLIFFHANGER!!!!!!! OH. MY. STARS!!!! 

HOW ARE WE SUPPOSED TO WAIT UNTIL 2015 FIND OUT WHAT HAPPENS!!! AGHHHH!!!

It was so real to me, I hated when this book came to an end.
I'M having major book hangover right now!!!!
With all that said, AWESOME read Mrs. Keefer!
This one is now one of my all-time favorites!! :)
I think I will just have to re-read over and over until the 2015 released ;-)

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Slammed by Colleen Hoover: OH.MY.WOW!!!! SLAMMED!!

Falling in love can feel like poetry. Or it can feel like a slam to the heart.

Following the unexpected death of her father, eighteen-year-old Layken becomes the rock for both her mother and younger brother. She appears resilient and tenacious, but inside, she's losing hope. Then she meets her new neighbor Will, a handsome twenty-one-year-old whose mere presence leaves her flustered and whose passion for poetry slams thrills her.

Not long after a heart-stopping first date during which each recognizes something profound and familiar in the other, they are slammed to the core when a shocking discovery brings their new relationship to a sudden halt. Daily interactions become impossibly painful as they struggle to find a balance between the feelings that pull them together and the forces that tear them apart. Only through the poetry they share are they able to speak the truth that is in their hearts and imagine a future where love is cause for celebration, not regret.

Never ever have I fallen in love with a series as fast I did!

This book totally took me by surprise! It wasn't what I was expecting at all, but then again not sure what I was expecting..You wouldn't believe the smile that came across my face when I realized what "slam" was!! I have quite a bit of poetry I wrote in my younger years, and couldtotally see myself sitting with Will, Lake, Eddie & Gavin, listening or participating in slam!

This book is heartwarming, touching, funny & full of life lessons we all sometimes need to be reminded of!! Colleen Hoover created an excellent debut novel!! The story line was full of twists & turns that kept me up late at night, wanting for more of Will & Lake! I absolutely was smitten with Will's character! He was fun & charming, then responsible and sacrificial when he needed to be!Layken appeared much older than 18 at times, but I guess that was due to dealing with the death of her father.What more can I say without giving too much away!!It was an awesome read that I will probably re-read very soon! I totally connected with the characters and miss being a part of their adventures!

My rating: 5 of 5 stars