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Reclaimed
Jenna Oliver doesn’t have time to get involved with one boy, let alone two.
All Jenna wants is to escape her evaporating small town and her alcoholic mother. She's determined she'll go to college and find a life that is wholly hers—one that isn't tainted by her family's past. But when the McAlister twins move to town and Jenna gets involved with both of them, she learns the life she planned may not be the one she gets.
Ian McAlister doesn't want to start over; he wants to remember.
Ian can’t recall a single thing from the last three months—and he seems to be losing more memories every day. His family knows the truth, but no one will tell him what really happened before he lost his memory. When he meets Jenna, Ian believes that he can be normal again because she makes not remembering something he can handle.
The secret Ian can’t remember is the one Luke McAlister can’t forget.
Luke has always lived in the shadow of his twin brother until Jenna stumbles into his life. She sees past who he’s supposed to be, and her kiss brings back the spark that life stole. Even though Luke feels like his brother deserves her more, Luke can’t resist Jenna—which is the trigger that makes Ian's memory return.
Jenna, Ian, & Luke are about to learn there are only so many secrets you can keep before the truth comes to reclaim you.
All Jenna wants is to escape her evaporating small town and her alcoholic mother. She's determined she'll go to college and find a life that is wholly hers—one that isn't tainted by her family's past. But when the McAlister twins move to town and Jenna gets involved with both of them, she learns the life she planned may not be the one she gets.
Ian McAlister doesn't want to start over; he wants to remember.
Ian can’t recall a single thing from the last three months—and he seems to be losing more memories every day. His family knows the truth, but no one will tell him what really happened before he lost his memory. When he meets Jenna, Ian believes that he can be normal again because she makes not remembering something he can handle.
The secret Ian can’t remember is the one Luke McAlister can’t forget.
Luke has always lived in the shadow of his twin brother until Jenna stumbles into his life. She sees past who he’s supposed to be, and her kiss brings back the spark that life stole. Even though Luke feels like his brother deserves her more, Luke can’t resist Jenna—which is the trigger that makes Ian's memory return.
Jenna, Ian, & Luke are about to learn there are only so many secrets you can keep before the truth comes to reclaim you.
296 pages, Paperback
First published October 15, 2013
31 people are currently reading
2050 people want to read
About the author
Sarah Guillory
5 books158 followersSarah Guillory is an award-winning teacher and author. She lives in Louisiana with her husband and dogs.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 175 reviews
October 7, 2016
The RECLAIMED ebook is on sale for .99 cents through October 20th! Don't miss it!!!!!!!!! (See my review below.)
This is one of my top reads of 2013!!!!
RECLAIMED left me speechless, awed by an unexpected plot unlike anything I have ever read.
As I turned each page of RECLAIMED and got further and further into the novel, I was overwhelmed with the desire to race through to find out what would happen next. I had to force myself not to read too quickly or jump ahead. Thank goodness I didn’t, because that would have been a HUGE mistake. No matter how tempting, don’t do it.
When Jenna Oliver gets romantically involved with the McAlister twins, Ian – the sweet gentleman, Luke – the dark and daring one, she has know idea how complicated her life will become. But don’t look at this novel as a love triangle. That would be another mistake. Instead, take in the story and allow yourself to be carried away without making any judgments. Take in the details of Solitude, the small town where the novel takes place, appreciate the three points-of-view from narrators Jenna, Ian, and Luke, find sympathy and compassion in the painful losses created by death and divorce and the complications that are the result from these difficult life events. Discover “Reclaimed,” and the underlying fantastic metaphors that it represents for yourself.
I was totally sucked in, mesmerized by the story that I lost track of time until I read the last word. Without a doubt, RECLAIMED has claimed a spot on my top reads list of 2013!
Bravo, Sarah Guillory!
- See more at: http://www.whorublog.com/?p=2399
This is one of my top reads of 2013!!!!
RECLAIMED left me speechless, awed by an unexpected plot unlike anything I have ever read.
As I turned each page of RECLAIMED and got further and further into the novel, I was overwhelmed with the desire to race through to find out what would happen next. I had to force myself not to read too quickly or jump ahead. Thank goodness I didn’t, because that would have been a HUGE mistake. No matter how tempting, don’t do it.
When Jenna Oliver gets romantically involved with the McAlister twins, Ian – the sweet gentleman, Luke – the dark and daring one, she has know idea how complicated her life will become. But don’t look at this novel as a love triangle. That would be another mistake. Instead, take in the story and allow yourself to be carried away without making any judgments. Take in the details of Solitude, the small town where the novel takes place, appreciate the three points-of-view from narrators Jenna, Ian, and Luke, find sympathy and compassion in the painful losses created by death and divorce and the complications that are the result from these difficult life events. Discover “Reclaimed,” and the underlying fantastic metaphors that it represents for yourself.
I was totally sucked in, mesmerized by the story that I lost track of time until I read the last word. Without a doubt, RECLAIMED has claimed a spot on my top reads list of 2013!
Bravo, Sarah Guillory!
- See more at: http://www.whorublog.com/?p=2399
June 23, 2018
Reclaimed reads like the ocean tides. At times calm, serene, almost tranquil. But also with periods of crashing violence, danger and confusion.
Perfect head-trip summer read! I highly recommend this one to fantasy fans who are trying to ease into contemporary (for some reason I just have a hard time getting into contemporaries but I need a break from high fantasy and I’ve found that mystery or thriller subgenres seem to help bridge that gap for me.....tell me you understand this struggle?!)
Anyway I devoured this book beside the pool during a very hot June and loved how it is set during summer as well.
A little bit heavy on the tell and not the show. I would’ve preferred to be in the action more than getting a recounting of it. And a little bit heavy on the details of the past like if Jenna passed one of her old fishing poles in her Grandfather’s shop, we’d get a few paragraphs on a memory about it, for example. I typically skipped over those details. But that’s just me.
YA books that don’t revolve around the typical (and tropey) high school scene, as in literally the halls and classes of school as the majority of the setting, are top notch and very refreshing for me! I don’t want to read about the bitchy cheerleaders and jerky jocks that bully the “other kids” anymore. It’s too played out. So I really appreciated the setting here.
Perfect head-trip summer read! I highly recommend this one to fantasy fans who are trying to ease into contemporary (for some reason I just have a hard time getting into contemporaries but I need a break from high fantasy and I’ve found that mystery or thriller subgenres seem to help bridge that gap for me.....tell me you understand this struggle?!)
Anyway I devoured this book beside the pool during a very hot June and loved how it is set during summer as well.
A little bit heavy on the tell and not the show. I would’ve preferred to be in the action more than getting a recounting of it. And a little bit heavy on the details of the past like if Jenna passed one of her old fishing poles in her Grandfather’s shop, we’d get a few paragraphs on a memory about it, for example. I typically skipped over those details. But that’s just me.
YA books that don’t revolve around the typical (and tropey) high school scene, as in literally the halls and classes of school as the majority of the setting, are top notch and very refreshing for me! I don’t want to read about the bitchy cheerleaders and jerky jocks that bully the “other kids” anymore. It’s too played out. So I really appreciated the setting here.
May 7, 2016
Me when I started reading Reclaimed:
Yeah, pretty good so far...
Me when I got near the middle:
Wait... WHAT?!?
Me when I got to the end:
Mind. Blown.
It's extremely rare for me NOT to figure out a plot twist in a book or movie, but... yeah. This one got me. This one really got me.
Yeah, pretty good so far...
Me when I got near the middle:
Wait... WHAT?!?
Me when I got to the end:
Mind. Blown.
It's extremely rare for me NOT to figure out a plot twist in a book or movie, but... yeah. This one got me. This one really got me.
December 8, 2012
Wow. WOW. WOW!!! This is an AMAZING book. I finished reading the manuscript for Spencer Hill press a few days ago and it's STILL in my head.
July 3, 2013
Review to come closer to publication, HOWEVER,USING BOLD LETTERS HERE MEANS YOU SHOULD PROBABLY PAY ALL THE ATTENTION! This is one of those stories that you may *think* you have all figured out (because you are a smarty-pants) but you MUST READ UNTIL THE END because if you don't, you will miss out...Trust me. :D
September 21, 2014
"Tragedy had drawn us together, and it was tragedy that was going to keep us apart."
This book was brilliant. It was written beautifully. I loved the characters. LOVED the plot. I quite simply loved EVERYTHING about "Reclaimed". Definitely one of the best books I have read this year.
It's so underrated it hurts, I think everyone should read this.
I'm speechless.
This book was brilliant. It was written beautifully. I loved the characters. LOVED the plot. I quite simply loved EVERYTHING about "Reclaimed". Definitely one of the best books I have read this year.
It's so underrated it hurts, I think everyone should read this.
I'm speechless.
May 31, 2013
I was lucky enough to get to copy edit this for work and it KILLED me not to be able to tweet all the beautiful lines I kept coming across. The writing is beautiful and the story definitely won't be what you expect!
October 17, 2013
So. Much. Angst! I actually expected to like this book a lot more than I did. I've been looking forward to it for a long time, and I'm disappointed that it didn't really grab me. It is well written, especially for a debut novel, and I understand why others like it so much.
I think my experience with this novel was influenced by two things. One, I had read all the reviews that said there was a HUGE TWIST to look out for, and two, I had just finished reading the Mara Dyer series. So I was already in suspicious, what's real/what't not mode. The HUGE TWIST did not surprise me at all. And I am NOT one of those people who always claims to have seen everything coming and solved the mystery way before the ending. But I felt like there were some pretty broad hints for this one, if you were looking for them. The way the HUGE TWIST played out was kind of interesting in a bizarre, soap opera-ish, is this for real?, kind of way, but ultimately overall the novel just left me unsatisfied.
There is not a whole lot of action in this novel. Most of the book is comprised of Jenna, Ian, and Luke's internal musings. Now if I had cared about Jenna, Ian, and Luke, that probably wouldn't have been quite so bad. But they didn't really evoke much feeling from me. I was fond of Luke. Ian and Jenna kind of got on my nerves. Between the few events and interactions in the novel there were LONG angsty internal monologues from each character about what sucked about their life and how they'd like to change it. I got tired of that very quickly. Mostly because they went over the same points again, and again, and AGAIN. Jenna's mom drinks and she feels guilty and responsible and still wants to live her dreams but also thinks she needs to take care of her mom and she's kind of afraid of life outside her small town. I got it. I didn't need to hear her go over that in her head again literally every few pages. It got frustrating and the characters lost a lot of my sympathy because they started to seem too whiny. The writing was also very dramatic. Every few sentences there would be this lingering after school special-like statement that felt like it had been put there specifically to get the reader thinking and not because it actually fit with the story or characters. I really can't imagine anyone, let alone 17 year olds regularly pondering the mysteries of life in such tones and language. It was like the story was being told by a (very dramatic) grandparent looking back to when they were younger. I always felt like I was being told a story, I never got lost in the story. The setting and characters did not come alive for me.
The novel was relatively entertaining, but since the characters weren't really doing it for me, I was pretty much just reading to find out what the HUGE TWIST was. I was hoping I would be wrong in my suspicions and pleasantly surprised by the ending of the book. I was not. The climax was almost comical it was so over the top. It honestly reminded me of a soap opera. I don't know much about mental illness, is it possible for it to play out that way? I was pretty disappointed by the open way it ended after all that drama. Ultimately just not the book for me, but not so truly terrible that I don't think others should check it out for themselves.
www.wanderingthepages.tumblr.com
I think my experience with this novel was influenced by two things. One, I had read all the reviews that said there was a HUGE TWIST to look out for, and two, I had just finished reading the Mara Dyer series. So I was already in suspicious, what's real/what't not mode. The HUGE TWIST did not surprise me at all. And I am NOT one of those people who always claims to have seen everything coming and solved the mystery way before the ending. But I felt like there were some pretty broad hints for this one, if you were looking for them. The way the HUGE TWIST played out was kind of interesting in a bizarre, soap opera-ish, is this for real?, kind of way, but ultimately overall the novel just left me unsatisfied.
There is not a whole lot of action in this novel. Most of the book is comprised of Jenna, Ian, and Luke's internal musings. Now if I had cared about Jenna, Ian, and Luke, that probably wouldn't have been quite so bad. But they didn't really evoke much feeling from me. I was fond of Luke. Ian and Jenna kind of got on my nerves. Between the few events and interactions in the novel there were LONG angsty internal monologues from each character about what sucked about their life and how they'd like to change it. I got tired of that very quickly. Mostly because they went over the same points again, and again, and AGAIN. Jenna's mom drinks and she feels guilty and responsible and still wants to live her dreams but also thinks she needs to take care of her mom and she's kind of afraid of life outside her small town. I got it. I didn't need to hear her go over that in her head again literally every few pages. It got frustrating and the characters lost a lot of my sympathy because they started to seem too whiny. The writing was also very dramatic. Every few sentences there would be this lingering after school special-like statement that felt like it had been put there specifically to get the reader thinking and not because it actually fit with the story or characters. I really can't imagine anyone, let alone 17 year olds regularly pondering the mysteries of life in such tones and language. It was like the story was being told by a (very dramatic) grandparent looking back to when they were younger. I always felt like I was being told a story, I never got lost in the story. The setting and characters did not come alive for me.
The novel was relatively entertaining, but since the characters weren't really doing it for me, I was pretty much just reading to find out what the HUGE TWIST was. I was hoping I would be wrong in my suspicions and pleasantly surprised by the ending of the book. I was not. The climax was almost comical it was so over the top. It honestly reminded me of a soap opera. I don't know much about mental illness, is it possible for it to play out that way? I was pretty disappointed by the open way it ended after all that drama. Ultimately just not the book for me, but not so truly terrible that I don't think others should check it out for themselves.
www.wanderingthepages.tumblr.com
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 27, 2016
This is a beautiful book about love and loss, full of hope and sorrow, anger and forgiveness. A ray of light in the darkness of solitude.
A must read.
www.theleisurediaries.blogspot.com
A must read.
www.theleisurediaries.blogspot.com
September 2, 2014
Several weeks ago, I was lucky enough to win this book through a contest hosted by Liza Wiemer on her blog, WhoRuBlog. Based on her own reviews, I found myself drawn to the premise of Reclaimed and out of all the books she offered, this book was the one that I said I wanted.
I chose right.
Now, while I didn't grow up with the same family dynamic as Jenna, I could appreciate her absolute desire to escape the small town where she grew up. I made that promise to myself early on and as I read her thoughts and her plans for her life, I felt like I was able to completely relate to where she was coming from.
Even with the obstacles thrown her way, Jenna is on the right path...all she has to do is survive the summer and her senior year in High School. That's it. Easy peasy, right?
You'd think so.
When the McAlister family comes to town, lets just say that Jenna's straightforward path gets a little bit murky.
First, there is Ian. Sweet, swoony, smart Ian. He plays football, makes good grades, and even with the fact that he can't remember some of his past, there is something about him that draws Jenna in. Falling for Ian is something that looks like it is going to happen.
Until Jenna finds out about Luke.
Like so many of us, Jenna finds herself intrigued by the bad boy. After spending so much of her life being good, it is hard for her to resist the allure, the mystery, the unf...even as she constantly reminds herself that she needs to stay away.
And she tries, she really does.
Until she can't.
I read lots of books, so it isn't often that I am completely blindsided by a twist or a turn in the plot. Yeah...I was completely not expecting what happened to happen. I mean, I was sitting in my car reading in the carpool line when THE MOMENT was revealed and I felt a little like this:
and then like this:
and then this:
Now, I don't need to remind you of my no-spoiler policy, so don't even ask. But I completely mean it when I say that I was blindsided. And I LOVED IT!
Please, I need somebody to go get this book and read it and then come find me so we can talk about it. Because for real, I need to talk about it with somebody that has read it.
The way the author describes the town, the emotions, the relationships in Reclaimed...GAH, she can tell a story. And she did it all without giving anything away. Did I mention that I was blindsided? I'm gonna need Sarah Guillory to go write more things so I can read them all.
Go get this book today and read it and then come tell me what you think. I'll be waiting.
This review can also be found on my blog, Flutters and Flails
I chose right.
Now, while I didn't grow up with the same family dynamic as Jenna, I could appreciate her absolute desire to escape the small town where she grew up. I made that promise to myself early on and as I read her thoughts and her plans for her life, I felt like I was able to completely relate to where she was coming from.
Even with the obstacles thrown her way, Jenna is on the right path...all she has to do is survive the summer and her senior year in High School. That's it. Easy peasy, right?
You'd think so.
When the McAlister family comes to town, lets just say that Jenna's straightforward path gets a little bit murky.
First, there is Ian. Sweet, swoony, smart Ian. He plays football, makes good grades, and even with the fact that he can't remember some of his past, there is something about him that draws Jenna in. Falling for Ian is something that looks like it is going to happen.
Until Jenna finds out about Luke.
Like so many of us, Jenna finds herself intrigued by the bad boy. After spending so much of her life being good, it is hard for her to resist the allure, the mystery, the unf...even as she constantly reminds herself that she needs to stay away.
And she tries, she really does.
Until she can't.
I read lots of books, so it isn't often that I am completely blindsided by a twist or a turn in the plot. Yeah...I was completely not expecting what happened to happen. I mean, I was sitting in my car reading in the carpool line when THE MOMENT was revealed and I felt a little like this:
and then like this:
and then this:
Now, I don't need to remind you of my no-spoiler policy, so don't even ask. But I completely mean it when I say that I was blindsided. And I LOVED IT!
Please, I need somebody to go get this book and read it and then come find me so we can talk about it. Because for real, I need to talk about it with somebody that has read it.
The way the author describes the town, the emotions, the relationships in Reclaimed...GAH, she can tell a story. And she did it all without giving anything away. Did I mention that I was blindsided? I'm gonna need Sarah Guillory to go write more things so I can read them all.
Go get this book today and read it and then come tell me what you think. I'll be waiting.
This review can also be found on my blog, Flutters and Flails
January 11, 2014
Let's be honest. Through most of this book, I was all, "I know how this is going to end. You got nothing on me, Ms. Guillory. Pssh."
But then. THEN. I was wrong. And THEN? I was wrong AGAIN. And when it comes to reading, I love being wrong.
Many kudos to Sarah for writing a book that keeps you guessing. Loved the plot with all of its twists and turns.
In fact, I loved the plot ALMOST as much as Sarah's beautiful, lyrical, contemplative writing. Lines like this really made this book shine:
"I don't deserve you," I whispered."
"No one ever deserves anyone else," she whispered back. "You can't earn a person. They're a gift."
and
"I wondered if we ever got to the age we wanted to be, or if the minute we were almost there, we started wishing our way back."
In summary: unpredictable plot + stunning writing = a book you need to pick up.
But then. THEN. I was wrong. And THEN? I was wrong AGAIN. And when it comes to reading, I love being wrong.
Many kudos to Sarah for writing a book that keeps you guessing. Loved the plot with all of its twists and turns.
In fact, I loved the plot ALMOST as much as Sarah's beautiful, lyrical, contemplative writing. Lines like this really made this book shine:
"I don't deserve you," I whispered."
"No one ever deserves anyone else," she whispered back. "You can't earn a person. They're a gift."
and
"I wondered if we ever got to the age we wanted to be, or if the minute we were almost there, we started wishing our way back."
In summary: unpredictable plot + stunning writing = a book you need to pick up.
November 9, 2013
Sarah's prose is gorgeous. I found myself stopping every now and then and reading lines over and over, just SO JEALOUS of the way she creates such beautiful images with her writing. I'm generally wary of multiple POV, because when it works, it's amazing, but when it doesn't, it really pulls me out of the story. In RECLAIMED, it was perfect, and the story really couldn't have been told any other way.
I won't give away the twist, but trust me- when you THINK you've guessed it, you're wrong. I was so blown away by how she pulled this off, and now that I know it I can't wait to read RECLAIMED again to see how it all tied together so beautifully.
I'm officially adding Sarah to my list of author crushes. I can't wait to read more from her.
I won't give away the twist, but trust me- when you THINK you've guessed it, you're wrong. I was so blown away by how she pulled this off, and now that I know it I can't wait to read RECLAIMED again to see how it all tied together so beautifully.
I'm officially adding Sarah to my list of author crushes. I can't wait to read more from her.
April 10, 2014
Wow. Lovely, lovely book. Thought I'd figured out the twist and though I was close, Guillory didn't reveal all her cards till the end and I was never 100% sure. So well done. And oh, the writing! So gorgeous. And the end was perfect. Gave me that swell of emotion that lets me know I've read a book worth reading.
For those who love heartfelt romance, a bit of a mystery, and beautiful words, Guillory's contemporary debut is not to be missed.
Multiple POV.
(Disclaimer: I don't give stars)
For those who love heartfelt romance, a bit of a mystery, and beautiful words, Guillory's contemporary debut is not to be missed.
Multiple POV.
(Disclaimer: I don't give stars)
August 20, 2013
There were plenty of moments in this book that had me saying "Oh sh*t!" and "Shut the freaking front door!" and after I was about 75% through the book my stomach was in a constant knot. I never knew a love story could be so twisted (and I mean that in the best way possible!)
*Full review to come later!*
*Full review to come later!*
October 20, 2013
I'm not sure there are words to accurately describe my love for this book. It's one that captures you from page one, and holds on to your heart until the very last line. And that line? FEELINGS. That's all I have to say about that.
Guillory crafted a story full of beauty, hope, and promise. I wish I could give this more than five stars. Phenomenal.
Guillory crafted a story full of beauty, hope, and promise. I wish I could give this more than five stars. Phenomenal.
October 13, 2013
A must read for all YA lovers!
January 25, 2013
Simply amazing.
December 4, 2013
The kind of book that reminds you why you love to read. Just....wow. Massive book hangover.
December 4, 2013
This is one of the most awesome and mindfucking books I've read in a while. Right at the beginning, I was contemplating the possibility that the two brothers were the same person. Along the way, I figured that couldn't be true as they had different expressions and behaviour, which left me confused about the hospital scene. Then I figured that Luke must have pretended to be Ian at the hospital which Jenna also thought of and Luke admitted.
Then, the mindblowing truth. Seriously, throughout the whole middle portion of the book, I was just so absorbed in Jenna's pain and troubles about her family and stuff, I didn't even contemplate anything else. I thought that was going to be the main plot. How she settles things in her family and choose between the brothers. Well done, Sarah Guillory. I was thoroughly mind-blown and I didn't even believe his mother's words at all. I thought she was just trying to cover up something else.
Just when I'd thought that was it, yet another twist in the plot blew right in my face. This time round I found it easier to accept as a reader but as I was trying to put myself in Jenna's shoes, I'd thought she was probably losing her sanity with the truth. I really hope that there'd be a part two to this book as I'd really want to read more about the two of them but it seemed like a good place to stop.
Sarah Guillory's method of twisting the plot and leading the readers to overlook certain things was simply great! It was so worth buying this book!
Then, the mindblowing truth. Seriously, throughout the whole middle portion of the book, I was just so absorbed in Jenna's pain and troubles about her family and stuff, I didn't even contemplate anything else. I thought that was going to be the main plot. How she settles things in her family and choose between the brothers. Well done, Sarah Guillory. I was thoroughly mind-blown and I didn't even believe his mother's words at all. I thought she was just trying to cover up something else.
Just when I'd thought that was it, yet another twist in the plot blew right in my face. This time round I found it easier to accept as a reader but as I was trying to put myself in Jenna's shoes, I'd thought she was probably losing her sanity with the truth. I really hope that there'd be a part two to this book as I'd really want to read more about the two of them but it seemed like a good place to stop.
Sarah Guillory's method of twisting the plot and leading the readers to overlook certain things was simply great! It was so worth buying this book!
November 21, 2013
Reclaimed is a book I’m very conflicted about. While it had an enticing plot line, both Jenna and a plot twist that confused me took away from the book.
Jenna, was an okay character, but I thought she was somewhat underdeveloped. The struggles she went through with her mom were terrible, but at the same time, I wanted to know more of her background and personality. Also, so many guys instantly fell in love with her the second they met her. I felt like a lot of the relationships in this book were just a result of infatuation.
The plot was so interesting, though! Throughout the book, you’re trying to figure out what happened to Luke and Ian, especially with Ian having little memory of his the past few months. The families in this book were so torn apart, and I was hoping that their problems would all be resolved.
The romance was sweet, although I didn’t like how Jenna went back and forth between the two brothers. The main thing that confused me was the giant plot twist. It was so crazy! I didn’t really understand it at first, but I’m pretty sure I figured out what happened, although it did require me rereading that part a few times.
The ending was so abrupt and I wish it had been expanded on more. Otherwise, Reclaimed was still an entertaining read :) I’d give it 3 1/2 out of 5 flowers.
Jenna, was an okay character, but I thought she was somewhat underdeveloped. The struggles she went through with her mom were terrible, but at the same time, I wanted to know more of her background and personality. Also, so many guys instantly fell in love with her the second they met her. I felt like a lot of the relationships in this book were just a result of infatuation.
The plot was so interesting, though! Throughout the book, you’re trying to figure out what happened to Luke and Ian, especially with Ian having little memory of his the past few months. The families in this book were so torn apart, and I was hoping that their problems would all be resolved.
The romance was sweet, although I didn’t like how Jenna went back and forth between the two brothers. The main thing that confused me was the giant plot twist. It was so crazy! I didn’t really understand it at first, but I’m pretty sure I figured out what happened, although it did require me rereading that part a few times.
The ending was so abrupt and I wish it had been expanded on more. Otherwise, Reclaimed was still an entertaining read :) I’d give it 3 1/2 out of 5 flowers.
November 9, 2014
This book... I'm speechless.
When I started this book, I was looking for something to fill my time and my strong craving to read. Boy was I in for more than that. I was in for a roller coaster.
I started reading this book, and I'm just sitting there like: whatever, just another love triangle book. Pre.dict.able. But man. No. Waaaaaay more then you could ever imagine in this book. I read it in a day. Beautiful, beautiful book.
I am stunned. I want, NEED more. Anything. One more sentence...... Even that would fix this huge need for more about what happened after the book ended...
I actually am so glad of myself for freaking stepping OUTSIDE OF THE POPULAR BOOKS THAT EVERYONE OBSESSES OVER and just reading what seemed like a good book. Every time I do that, I end up with another #1 book on my #1 book list.. Reclaimed is right up there with Natasha Preston's Silence and Broken Silence, Demitria Lunetta's In The After and In The End, James Dashner's The Maze Runner and the rest if that series, and lastly Rick Yancey's The Fifth Wave and The Infinite Sea.
Anyways, if anyone is actually reading this review, which I doubt, read the friggin book. I am wasting needed homework time to write this review. That does mean something.
When I started this book, I was looking for something to fill my time and my strong craving to read. Boy was I in for more than that. I was in for a roller coaster.
I started reading this book, and I'm just sitting there like: whatever, just another love triangle book. Pre.dict.able. But man. No. Waaaaaay more then you could ever imagine in this book. I read it in a day. Beautiful, beautiful book.
I am stunned. I want, NEED more. Anything. One more sentence...... Even that would fix this huge need for more about what happened after the book ended...
I actually am so glad of myself for freaking stepping OUTSIDE OF THE POPULAR BOOKS THAT EVERYONE OBSESSES OVER and just reading what seemed like a good book. Every time I do that, I end up with another #1 book on my #1 book list.. Reclaimed is right up there with Natasha Preston's Silence and Broken Silence, Demitria Lunetta's In The After and In The End, James Dashner's The Maze Runner and the rest if that series, and lastly Rick Yancey's The Fifth Wave and The Infinite Sea.
Anyways, if anyone is actually reading this review, which I doubt, read the friggin book. I am wasting needed homework time to write this review. That does mean something.
February 10, 2016
RECLAIMED is both a kiss and a slap. There is all this sweet romantic tenderness mixed with addiction and ricocheting tragedy. It's a book that explores numerous relationships--both romantic and familial--and does them so deftly that it's almost impossible to believe this is from a debut author. It's that good.
And the writing. It's really lovely with atmospheric metaphors and accessibly lyrical phrasing. It's beautiful to read the way Sarah Guillory crafts her sentences. But more than the writing, it's the relationships between the three protagonists that makes RECLAIMED resonate so strongly. They are messy and reckless and mingled with often thoughtless decisions. It's also painfully real and honest. Jenna, Luke, and Ian feel as real as any character I've ever read.
RECLAIMED is truly a bittersweet story with completely engrossing characters, a twisty heartbreaking romance, and an ending that left me choked up and smiling...and ready to let this book reclaim me all over again.
And the writing. It's really lovely with atmospheric metaphors and accessibly lyrical phrasing. It's beautiful to read the way Sarah Guillory crafts her sentences. But more than the writing, it's the relationships between the three protagonists that makes RECLAIMED resonate so strongly. They are messy and reckless and mingled with often thoughtless decisions. It's also painfully real and honest. Jenna, Luke, and Ian feel as real as any character I've ever read.
RECLAIMED is truly a bittersweet story with completely engrossing characters, a twisty heartbreaking romance, and an ending that left me choked up and smiling...and ready to let this book reclaim me all over again.
February 7, 2017
Amazeballs!! I don't know how I stumbled upon this book but I started it without reading the synopsis and thank god for that! I would have never picked up this book because I abhor love triangles.
But this story is so much more than that that I can't even refer to it as such. Everything in the book felt so real, the description of the town, the family dysfunction, the pain...it was palpable.
Jenna is reeling from the loss of her grandpa and trying to hold together the unraveling of her alcoholic mother when she meets the McAllister twins. The twins come with their own unique set of issues but one thing is for sure, they both want Jenna.
This story took me on the ride of my life! Whatever you think this book is, it's not. And when you've figured out what the story is you'll quickly realize you've just barely scratched the surface.
This is a definite must read.
But this story is so much more than that that I can't even refer to it as such. Everything in the book felt so real, the description of the town, the family dysfunction, the pain...it was palpable.
Jenna is reeling from the loss of her grandpa and trying to hold together the unraveling of her alcoholic mother when she meets the McAllister twins. The twins come with their own unique set of issues but one thing is for sure, they both want Jenna.
This story took me on the ride of my life! Whatever you think this book is, it's not. And when you've figured out what the story is you'll quickly realize you've just barely scratched the surface.
This is a definite must read.
December 1, 2017
Oops. I forgot to mark this as I finished reading it. I'll just say that I guessed the plot twist from the beginning. This book was okay, not great or mind blowing. Still good but not more than 3 stars. I actually saw this book on my shelves (it's been less than 2 weeks since I finished) and I had to look it up on here to remember what it was about! So good but for me not as memorable as I'd like.
Read
November 30, 2013A novel that’s not at all what it initially seems. Young adult author Mindi Scott mentions that it “inspired an immediate reread” in a cover blurb, and I felt the same way. While I initially questioned the behavior of a few of the characters, it all made sense by the time I was through the truly twisty conclusion. A good read if you like mind-bending YA.
June 26, 2013
I loved this book! The writing is beautiful, the characters are flawless, and the setting is a place you don't want to leave. The storyline had me captivated and I could not put it down! Awesome read!!!
February 7, 2014
This is pretty much the biggest mind ^*^~ I've read in years. And I loved it, every single page of it. It's hard to write a book like this--and to do it well. This was above and beyond well. Kudos.
June 30, 2013
I can't even wait for you all to read this book!
July 21, 2022
4.8 Stars... (This story reminded me of that NF song "Mansion". So, very sad.)
This book was such a great surprise and one of those reads that I will not forget. I don't know why it's marked on Goodreads as a thriller/mystery because it's not. It's really a unique contemporary with a twist toward the end. I did figure out the twist long before the reveal, but there was an added twist that I did not expect that was really good. The writing is so well done---it's beautiful yet ugly at the same time---worlds torn apart, yet desperately trying to heal, but healing can be an ugly process.
Overall, this was such a great story full of flawed, unstable characters, each needing to reclaim their own lives before it's too late. I would definitely recommend this book. (Tips hat) Well done, Guillory, well done.
Content: No sex, some minor sexual banter (not much)
Language: There is some language, but not much (no f-words).
This book was such a great surprise and one of those reads that I will not forget. I don't know why it's marked on Goodreads as a thriller/mystery because it's not. It's really a unique contemporary with a twist toward the end. I did figure out the twist long before the reveal, but there was an added twist that I did not expect that was really good. The writing is so well done---it's beautiful yet ugly at the same time---worlds torn apart, yet desperately trying to heal, but healing can be an ugly process.
Overall, this was such a great story full of flawed, unstable characters, each needing to reclaim their own lives before it's too late. I would definitely recommend this book. (Tips hat) Well done, Guillory, well done.
Content: No sex, some minor sexual banter (not much)
Language: There is some language, but not much (no f-words).
September 10, 2023
the plot twists in this one OHHHH EM GEE. had me on the edge of my seat 😍🤭🥹
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