All The Bright Places - Jennifer Niven

All the Bright Places – Jennifer Niven

All the Bright Places, is the first book by Jennifer Niven that I have read. I haven’t really been made aware of this authors other work, so had to do a quick google to see what other books she has written and was surprised by just how many she has produced, and for me to not be so aware of her. Never the less, I am glad I found her eventually. All the Bright places is a moving story, I know the back of the blurb likens it to The Fault in Our Stars meets Eleanor and Park. I can see where this is the case, but this book is brilliant in its own right, and left me a complete emotional wreck, to the point that I finished it at midnight on a Sunday night in complete tears, knowing I should really go to bed as I have to be up early for work in the morning.

‘Theodore Finch is fascinated by death, and he constantly thinks of ways he might kill himself. But each time, something good, no matter how small, stops him.
 
Violet Markey lives for the future, counting the days until graduation, when she can escape her Indiana town and her aching grief in the wake of her sister’s recent death.
 
When Finch and Violet meet on the ledge of the bell tower at school, it’s unclear who saves whom. And when they pair up on a project to discover the “natural wonders” of their state, both Finch and Violet make more important discoveries: It’s only with Violet that Finch can be himself—a weird, funny, live-out-loud guy who’s not such a freak after all. And it’s only with Finch that Violet can forget to count away the days and start living them. But as Violet’s world grows, Finch’s begins to shrink.’

All the Bright Places is told from two differing perspectives, from two main protagonists, Theodore Finch or Finch as he is better known as, and Violet. We meet the pair of them as they are perilously perched on the edge of the school bell tower, and from there, the story begins.

Jennifer brings to us such unique quirky characters. Finch who each week is a different ‘Finch’ I particularly liked ‘Badass British Finch’; he is such a loud, quirky and standout character for me. Despite the hidden struggles he faces and the amount of time he spent ‘asleep’ the moments when he was ‘awake’ he commanded attention, and stood out as confident and loud. Despite his internal battle of ironically not really being seen. It is with his loud persona, that his relationship with Violet develops, seeing her struggle when attention is drawn to her; especially after the tragic accident she was involved in the year before. Finch is able to relieve her of that, putting the lime light back on him.

I really struggled seeing Finch’s family dynamic, you soon realise as time goes on, this is more than a family that has merely gone through a divorce, it looks as if there was some physical abuse too, I almost believe that whatever Finch faces every now and then, is similar to what his dad suffers with. Finch mentions his father suffers with the blackest of black moods, and no one can reach him when he is like that. I can’t help but compare that to what Finch goes through, especially as he mentions he wasn’t really here for most of winter. I also feel his older sister Kate acts more like a parent figure towards him, and she is only a year older. His mother is so wrapped up in the pain of their father leaving and working two jobs, she barely notices the struggles her son is going through, and it is her daughter who checks the voicemails from the school, who calls in sick on Finch’s behalf. I find it amazing how oblivious Finch’s mother really was, and in the end, I felt she didn’t really care. It was just assumed it was something Finch just did, it was his thing. There was no worry for her child.

Now you may be thinking that makes no sense, you are being very cryptic, but that is because I don’t want to spoil elements in this book that shocked me, and moved me, and quite frankly had me in tears, as I feel you should go into this book not knowing what to expect, just like I did. I mean I had a general idea that this book was about mental illness, I mean it starts on the edge of a bell tower, but the journey the book takes you on, is incredibly sad, and moving.

Violet is our other main protagonist, you would think her family and school life were perfect, if you didn’t know about the tragic accident the year before. The story circling Violet is all about Finch getting her back into that happy bright place again, she has been given the second chance, a chance to keep on living, and Finch is pivotal in getting her back on her feet, and back out seeing the world, not allowing her to close herself off again, but allowing her to move on, and not hold so much regret, guilt and anger.

The dynamic between the two was brilliant, and I felt like it wasn’t too much of an insta-love, as you see Violet battling with the way she feels, not wanting Finch to get to close, but then wanting him to get close. Then you see Finch, falling for Violet, but then not wanting to get too close as he didn’t want to hurt her. It felt to me like he had this clock running down to the day he was going to die, he keeps referencing not having the time. Either way the relationship they did share was brilliant, I loved the humour, the sarcasm and in turn the banter they had with each other, it was brilliant to see the positive effects they had on each other. To the point you almost feel like everything is perfect and fixed…a happily ever after in the works….

When the ending came I was in disbelief. I kept turning the pages hoping and praying it was a trick, it was a mistake, it was all wrong. Jennifer couldn’t possibly do that to us. I spent those last few chapters in tears, just reading and weeping more and more. I’m usually quite a hard one to break, if it has something to do with an animal, i.e Marley and Me, I break in and instant, when it is something like this, I’m usually ok to read through it, tear free. But this broke me, it completely shattered me, I felt the pain, the shock and the anger. I felt every raw emotion Jennifer wanted us to feel, and it really left a lasting impression on me.

This is the second book over the weekend I have read that has covered the topic of mental illness, and it offered a whole other side of the spectrum in views into just how it affects people, not just those suffering with mental illness, but those around them, family members, friends, loved ones. It leaves a lasting imprint on so many people’s lives and it is truly heart breaking knowing just how many people are going through this, suffering with mental illness, and in turn feeling like there is only one way out. This story has really left me wanting to do more to help those who suffer with mental illness, even if it is just to help raise awareness for it, and to say ‘Hey, just because you can’t see it, doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist r it’s not a real illness!’ everyone is a closed book, no one knows the struggles or battles people are internally facing each day, so as they say, never judge a book by its cover.

Even though this book left me an emotional wreck of a person, unable to shut off my mind to go to sleep and be up bright and early for work the next day, I enjoyed every second of it, as it was a real eye opener, and it was also such a great read. I read this book in a day. I did struggle at first with it, as Finch’s character is quirky to the point that you struggle to keep up with it and take it in. But once you get used to his ways you instantly love his character and the wit he brings to the table. Jennifer really created brilliant characters in this story. Characters you really fall in love with and invest in.

I would 100% recommend this book, and say if you are a fan of John Green or Rainbow Rowell, then you will enjoy this novel by Jennifer Niven, it has brilliant, easy flowing writing, that absorbs you into the pages, and brings a really profound story to life. It will leave you with all of the feels, but you won’t regret a second of it, just make sure you have some tissues to hand.

I have also just discovered that this is being made into a movie, with Elle Fanning cast as Violet. It is currently scheduled for release in 2017…so you all have plenty of time to pick up the book and give it a read before the movie is released!

I have given this book 4.5 out of 5 stars.

Finding Audrey - Sophie Kinsella

Finding Audrey – Sophie Kinsella

Finding Audrey is Sophie Kinsella’s first YA book. It is also the first book of hers that i have picked up and read. I have always been aware of her shopaholic series, as well as her stand alone novels, and even have a few on my book shelf that have been lent to me, but i have simply never got round to reading them. After Finding Audrey i am most certainly going to be picking them up and giving them a read. As Kinsella is a brilliant writer and Finding Audrey was an amazing read.

‘An anxiety disorder disrupts fourteen-year-old Audrey’s daily life. She has been making slow but steady progress with Dr. Sarah, but when Audrey meets Linus, her brother’s gaming teammate, she is energized. She connects with him. Audrey can talk through her fears with Linus in a way she’s never been able to do with anyone before. As their friendship deepens and her recovery gains momentum, a sweet romantic connection develops, one that helps not just Audrey but also her entire family.’

This is the first novel i have read that has covered a main characters story, of dealing with anxiety. I have to say, there is so much about anxiety that i wasn’t aware of, the extremes of it. The difficulties it can create and just how debilitating it can be to a person’s life. It was truly fascinating and moving to read this story about Audrey and the struggles she faces dealing with such a level of anxiety. 

Sophie Kinsella’s writing of this was truly brilliant, you really felt for Audrey, and you really willed her along in her stages of recovery. It was fascinating how Kinsella chose to not divulge the information that triggered Audrey to now be where she is, out of school, cut off from the world, hidden away behind dark sunglasses due to her fear of eye contact. But i felt this added to the story, as it was irrelevant in getting to know the characters and the situation at hand. You didn’t need to know what had caused it, but all that mattered was helping Audrey along the way. Although, i think at the end, my curiosity still peaked at wanting to know what exactly did cause all this.

Audrey’s family were brilliant aspects to this novel, supportive of their sister as she deals with her illness, as well as providing some humorous moments for us as readers. We have Audrey’s overbearing and protective mother, who is addicted to the Daily Mail, and any topic covered by it, the latest in this story is about teenage addiction to computer games. This leads to a hilarious battle between Frank, Audrey’s older brother, and their mother (and reluctantly father too) it was evident as the story went on, that is was possible that since their mother no longer ‘worked’ whilst her daughter was home ill, she had become fixated on stories covered by the paper, and wanting to fix such things amongst her family. I really felt for Frank in this, as he truly took the brunt of his mother’s fixation, and the ongoing battle of playing LOC. His mother also went incredibly far with her anti computer games, and i honestly would not have coped if my mother had ever acted like that towards me as it was incredibly annoying.

I really enjoyed Frank’s character, he was funny, witty and incredibly smart, all be it his mother overlooks this due to the fact he plays computer games. However i thought he was a great support system for his sister Audrey. He also brought his friend Linus to the house, to which is a massive factor to Audrey’s first steps to recovery, and i feel that without this introduction, i don’t know if Audrey would have had the belief she needed in herself to get herself on track to getting better. I wasn’t a great fan of the insta love in this, but it was nice to see how it helped Audrey, even if it wasn’t as believable as i had hoped to us the readers.

I found Audrey’s relationship with Felix, her little brother, adorable. With him she was comfortable enough to release herself from the darkness of the shades she wore, and look into the innocent and young eyes of her baby brother. 

Overall the story in Finding Audrey is really quite telling and moving, it is certainly one bumpy journey, just like the jagged graph Doctor Sarah created with Audrey, but it is a great story of someone dealing with anxiety and overcoming those troubles, it is also a funny and moving romance, of relationships being developed, through stages of recovery. Which i found truly amazing, especially to witness the patience and tasks that were given to Audrey. There was a genuine care and belief in her, which i feel really enabled her to overcome a lot. It really was a focus on her psychological recovery of an incredibly traumatic event which changed her life, but the moral of that story is, that life is all about ups and downs, and it can all be overcome as it wouldn’t be life if you weren’t knocked on your ass at least once, as it is how you truly grow as a person, when climbing your way back up out of that rut. It is only then that you witness the true strength that you really are capable of, even if it never feels it at the time.

I think if you are a fan of Sophie Kinsella you will enjoy this book, if you are also interested in reading a book covering the topic of mental health, then this is a great place to start, as it is a much lighter approach to the topic, and it is an incredibly quick and easy read. I really enjoyed Kinsella’s writing and it has made me more interested in reading other books by her as well. So i would recommend giving this a read.

I have given this book 3.5 out of 5 stars

Dream a Little Dream - Giovanna Fletcher

Dream a Little Dream – Giovanna Fletcher

Dream a Little Dream is Giovanna Fletchers latest novel. Having read Billy and Me, and Billy and Me at Christmas (yet to get round to You’re the One That I Want) I just knew this would be a good one, Gi certainly knows how to write a romance, and not just a bog standard romance, one filled with humour, and more realistic build ups and scenarios, that you fall straight into the pages of.

‘Sarah is doing just fine. Sure she's been single for the last five years, and has to spend an uncomfortable amount of time around her ex-boyfriend, his perfect new girlfriend and all their mutual friends. And yes, her job as a PA to one of the most disgusting men in London is mind-numbingly tedious and her career is a constant disappointment to her mother. But it's really okay. She's happy (ish).

But it's not surprising that when Sarah starts dreaming about a handsome stranger, she begins to look forward to falling asleep every night. Reality isn't nearly as exciting. That is until her dream-stranger makes an unexpected real-life appearance, leaving Sarah questioning everything she thought she wanted.

Because no one ever really finds the person of their dreams... do they?’

Sarah is our main protagonist in this novel, following her at her pretty crappy job, where she is underrated and her talent wasted. Along with getting to know her amazing friendship group that she has had since uni..oh and her ex Dan, who just so happens to also be part of that group, who dumped her for ‘Perfect Lexie’ who just so happens to now be a part of that same group too. How she was able to remain calm and even sane is beyond me, as I think that would have broken me and left me as a shell of a person!

I found Sarah completely relatable as a person. Working in the Media, knowing what the industry is like as a PA, being in love with reality TV shows, her quirkiness and humour, I honestly feel like if she were a real person I would be incredibly good friends with her. This all added to the experience of the story, and following her through her journey, as I did nothing but root for her, scold her when she was being completely blind to the obvious or down on herself, and laughing along with her and her wacky dreams. I loved how much Sarah blossomed throughout this story too, the confidence she developed, and the banter she had, not only with her friends but Brett too, it was quick, sharp and funny, and a joy to read.

Having watched Gi’s YouTube channel, and reading this book, I could really see her voice coming through, and more particularly her brilliant sense of humour and fun nature. Something that I absolutely love when an author brings that into a story they are writing. It really adds that special something to the table, making it such an enjoyable and fast read.

I read Dream a Little Dream in two sittings, in under 24 hours…yes this did mean staying up late reading when I had to be up early for work the next day, but I just needed to know what would happen, with Sarah, and Dream Brett and Real Brett. I was completely hooked and invested into the story and simply could not get enough of it. Granted I am fairly shattered this morning as I am sat here typing this up, but it was totally worth it!

As with Billy and Me, Giovanna, produces some brilliant characters, that each bring something extra, all different, and all with their unique personalities. Making them enjoyable reads and fun to get to know and learn more about, there isn't a single character that I would happily not read about, as they are all so different. Well maybe Jonathans wife, as she seemed a bit nasty. The friendship group as a whole are a brilliant support network, and at one point facing a horrible situation, but they all pull together and are there for each other, something i found truly lovely, as they weren't just friends, they were a family too.

So yet again, Gi has produced another brilliant story, that I have thoroughly enjoyed, also with the news that there will be Dream a Little Christmas Dream released at the end of this year, has me incredibly excited to see where everyone is 10 months later. This really is a perfect, fun chick lit, that anyone will enjoy. With brilliant writing, some amazing characters and a great story to boot, what more could you possibly want from a book? So pick it up and give it a read!

I have given this 4.5 out of 5 stars

Every Last Breath - Jennifer L Armentrout

Every Last Breath – Jennifer L Armentrout

Every Last breath is the third and final book in Jennifer’s Dark Elements series, continuing on with 17 year old Layla’s story.  I am going to have to keep this review fairly short and sweet, as I do not want to contain spoilers in it, all be it the synopsis/blurb will be enough spoiler information as it is. But the Dark Elements series has been another of Jennifer’s series that I have thoroughly enjoyed. I think it’s safe to say I am addicted to her novels, and cannot get enough of them.

‘Some loves will last ’til your dying breath

Every choice has consequences—but seventeen-year-old Layla faces tougher choices than most. Light or darkness. Wickedly sexy demon prince Roth, or Zayne, the gorgeous, protective Warden she never thought could be hers. Hardest of all, Layla has to decide which side of herself to trust.

Layla has a new problem, too. A Lilin—the deadliest of demons—has been unleashed, wreaking havoc on those around her…including her best friend. To keep Sam from a fate much, much worse than death, Layla must strike a deal with the enemy while saving her city—and her race—from destruction.

Torn between two worlds and two different boys, Layla has no certainties, least of all survival, especially when an old bargain comes back to haunt them all. But sometimes, when secrets are everywhere and the truth seems unknowable, you have to listen to your heart, pick a side—and then fight like hell…’

As with most series I am consistently wary of the final book, and just how things will be wrapped up and finished. Either with a silly rushed ending or loose ends needing to be tied up, leaving you completely unsure of what exactly went on in the end. With this series however, from what I gained from it, the majority of these were tied up. Other than one thing that I really want to know about….Bambi…what happened after….(that is all i am going to say on that matter) I felt that this was a great conclusion to the series, I certainly got the ending I wanted, and I thought it was amazing that Jennifer allowed her viewers to decide who Layla ended up with in the end, and I am incredibly happy with the end result.

Every Last Breath picks up exactly where White Hot Kiss left off, throwing us right back into that jaw dropping moment that was just left with us at the end of the second book, and that we had to suffer waiting for with this one...ok…I didn’t suffer that much, as I only read the series recently, so had all of a month…but a month to wait was hard enough, so who knows how I would have survived longer!!!!

Layla throughout this book has one massive burden to carry on her shoulders, the guilt and heartache she feels over the Lillin, the destruction it has caused. I really and truly felt for her in this book, so many heart-breaking moments, that at times were just too much to handle even as a reader. However, I also loved the change she went through. It was like she grew up very quickly, handling that responsibility, finally coming to a decision over who to be with. How to resolve this situation they were in, all in turn attempting to stop the apocalypse…So just an average 17 year olds day to day problems really...

I love the relationship between Roth and Cayman in this book, an almost bromance! Cayman certainly provided some humour in those dark moments. Something Jennifer is always able to bring into her novels to lighten that mood up.

I enjoyed the turn in Zayne’s character, appearing more vulnerable than in previous books. He has a lot put on him in the end, but he seems to handle it ok, not falling apart too much like any other person would. His regret over what his clan did to Layla, was constantly evident throughout. It wasn’t his fault at all but that guilt still sat with him.

Roth, brilliant as always, but the main thing…we get to see Thumper!

Lillith, one word….hmmmm, even if that is probably not really classed as a word, and more a noise. I cannot make her out, what happened near the end, I don’t know, it seemed like a complete turn in how she is usually perceived. But then is it, as it could also be a selfish act. I guess we will never know.

The Boss, can I just say I loved them! I know they are the main head honcho of Hell, but the way Jennifer wrote this character, you truly feared them, but there was something about them, a humour and sass, that I found so endearing, that I would love to know more about their character…and Morris!?!?! I mean what? Or should I say who?!?!?!

The ending to this book was heart breaking; there is so much I want to say about the feels I got from this ending. But know that by discussing it would be to ruin it for others, which I really don’t want to do. But it was brave, strong, brilliant and incredibly sad. However it was all completely perfect. Jennifer really has a way to just suck you straight into the story she writes, spins you around whilst on the journey, and then throws you out at the end, looking like one dishevelled mess of a person, physically and mentally! Such a bumpy journey, and yet such a brilliant story, with some truly amazing characters.

I would highly recommend the Dark Elements series, along with any of Jennifer L Armentrout books, as she is truly an amazing writer, she brings these worlds alive that you easily become so involved and lost in, that you are left dazed and confused when you come out and have to face reality. I could forever lose myself in the pages of her books. So if you love a paranormal, romance novel, then these will be perfect for you.

I have given this book 4 out of 5 stars.

Daughter of Deep Silence - Carrie Ryan

Daughter of Deep Silence – Carrie Ryan

When I first saw this book, it immediately made me think of the TV series Revenge, obviously a slightly different concept of revenge, but none the less it drew me in, as being a mystery/thriller, revenge story that was just calling for me to read it. To which I went on to thoroughly enjoy.

‘In the wake of the devastating destruction of the luxury yacht Persephone, just three souls remain to tell its story—and two of them are lying. Only Frances Mace knows the terrifying truth, and she’ll stop at nothing to avenge the murders of everyone she held dear. Even if it means taking down the boy she loves and possibly losing herself in the process.’

This story starts with a short prologue from the Persephone disaster, with Frances and Libby being found. Just this short section of the aftermath of the Persephone I found incredibly hard hitting and sad, the loss that was felt, the fear, and the betrayal. All written so beautifully by Carrie Ryan, that even though you have only just met these characters, you really felt for them and the horror that they went through.

Frances/Libby is our main protagonist within this story, a story to which follows the extent of how far some people are willing to go for revenge.  It was incredibly sad seeing how this character was formed, almost a shell of a person, previous life and family gone, and thrust into a new one, leaving her unsettled, unable to trust or be cared for, haunted by nightmares of what happened on the Persephone. You wanted nothing more than to just take her in, look after her and open her eyes to the world and life she was lucky to still have. To which others so tragically are no longer able to have.

One negative I did have towards this character is that as much as the author tried to make out she was all about revenge, and this was her main motivation to avenge the death of her parents, her friend, and the hundreds of people aboard that ship, as much as it was to uncover the lie of two people who completely betrayed everyone. To finally seek the justice she felt was deserved. Really…it almost didn’t feel like that at times, it felt like all she wanted was to have Grey back again. Whenever she was with him, this anger and coldness that was written about her, observed by Shepherd (Libby’s adoptive brother), just somehow vanishes, so she is clearly not as bitter and vengeful as we are being made to believe. Maybe this is what the author intended, highlighting that Grey was  her weakness, and the love of her life, I’m not sure, it just became harder to believe the extent she would really go for revenge, when it was clear that she really didn’t hate him as much as we thought.

Grey of course was the love interest and fellow survivor of the Persephone, even though he was perceived as one of the bad guys, I really felt for him. It was incredibly obvious how his father was acting towards him, the truth behind why he went along with his father’s lie. The pain he too was going through, the fear and the suffering. I felt he was a very forward character, caught up with his love and loss for what he believed was from Frances passing away on the ship, to the conflicting emotions towards Libby, on top of his father’s controlling ways and demand for him to stay away from her. It was all incredibly confusing for him, and you kept willing him to just snap and break free from his father.

I have to say the reveal of what really happened on the Persephone, is what has lowered my rating on this book, I think I was expecting more, something bigger. I mean I wouldn’t have put it all together or come up with that being the reason at all, that was one puzzle I couldn’t piece. But it felt like a bit of a let-down. That could just be my high expectations though, as I was so caught up in the story that I felt like it was building and building to this big reveal. But the reveal was just that, a reveal…nothing big about it. I don’t want this to take anything away from the book, as I did thoroughly enjoy it, I loved the characters, the story, the revenge plan, all of it was so cleverly written and put into place, that you do end up hooked and eager to learn exactly what happened. Where things will go from here, what will happen next, will things come out, what will happen once the truth is exposed. I was just a bit saddened that there wasn’t something more explosive and shocking to the reason behind what happened on the ship.

Daughter of Deep Silence is a great thriller, smart and brilliantly written; it was an easy read that I read within two sittings. It did keep me up late to finish it off as I did want to know what would happen, which is always a sign of a good book.  I will definitely be looking out for novels by Carrie Ryan again, as she has such an easy writing style, that it can be devoured and enjoyed so quickly. The romance was undeniably good, in its weird way, which added that extra element into the mixing pot, making it an incredibly enjoyable read. I would recommend this book if you enjoy a good thriller, revenge plot, with a hint of romance and drama. As you cannot deny there was always something happening in this book to keep you on the edge of your seat.

I have given this book a 3.5 out of 5 stars.