Miss Me Not is a beautiful story of self-discovery, forgiveness, caring, and love.
Madison Hanson's past demons have given her a shadow of an existence with little hope. With the sudden tragic death of a fellow student, Madison questions her own life choices, and is now forced to evaluate everything she thought she believed in.
When fate intervenes and partners her with Dean Jackson, a popular "all around good guy" from school, Madison gets a glimpse of a life that is filled with sunshine that has the power to break through the darkness she has cloaked herself in.
With Dean's help, Madison discovers a desire to finally step out of the shadows, and embrace life and all its gifts.
USA Today Bestselling author Tiffany King is a lifelong reading fanatic who is now living her dream as a writer, weaving Young Adult and New Adult romance tales for others to enjoy. She has a loving husband and two wonderful kids. (Five, if you count her three spoiled cats). Her addictions include: Her iphone and ipad, chocolate, Diet Coke, chocolate, Harry Potter, chocolate, zombies and her favorite TV shows. Want to know what they are? Just ask.
You can connect with Tiffany on her webpage at authortiffanyjking.blogspot.com Twitter-@AuthorTiffany Facebook-Author Tiffany King
”Would I really be missed? Would Dean miss me? I looked down at the flower that was still clutched in my hand and began plucking off petals. “Miss me, miss me not.”
Madison Hanson is a high school student with a sad past and sadder present. She has gotten the role of being a shadow down pat. Madison and her best friend, James, make a suicide pact. Death seemed to be closure on their heartbreaking day to day lives.
When the news of Mitch Johnson suicide is announced at school, she is angry that Mitch beat them to the punch. Watching the reactions to the loss of Mitch Johnson the boy she didn’t know hits her hard. She tries to live.
Madison’s history grades start to slip and her teacher recommends a fellow student who happens to be Dean Jackson, the boy who has it all, to tutor her.
Dean is a wonderful character! He tries to be Madison’s friend and little by little and inch by inch he earns her trust. Through her time with Dean and his family she sees all that a family can be and feels loved and cared for.
Tiffany King writing is excellent! This story makes a lasting impact on those who read it. The subject matter is serious and the story takes to you some very sad places of thoughts and circumstances.
The lifesaving message of reaching out to someone who has become a shadow in their own lives couldn’t be more important!
”My world was suddenly filled with people who were the petals of the daisy that would miss me.”
"For four years I had done nothing but contemplate snuffing out my existence. No more judgments, no more glares and most of all, no more gossip surrounding things I had done. All of that was swiped away. In the end, they would still win. They always won."
Miss Me Not is the story of Madison, a high school senior who has done nothing but dream for the last four years about the day that she would end her own life. Her and her only friend, James make a pact that they will do this together. All is going smoothly with their plan until a classmate of theirs commits suicide before they do. Seeing the school's reaction and mourning for Mitch, it changes Madison's perspective and she realizes she is going to need a new plan.
"I didn't want their tears. I didn't want them to think of me. I wanted nothing from them. That asshole Mitch Johnson saved my life today. What a prick.
Madison is soon signed up for mandatory tutoring and in comes, Dean Jackson. Holy freaking SWOON is this kid amazing!
"As an obvious rule, I didn't crush on anyone, but if I did, Dean Jackson would be worthy. Dean was everything I wasn't, smart, funny, charismatic and all-around good guy."
Dean makes every effort to be there for Madison. He is extremely understanding and doesn't push himself on her too quickly. Their friendship and relationship progresses so beautifully, I was in complete awe of Dean. I really appreciated that part of the story and that it didn't feel rushed at all. The buildup was perfection and their conversations and banter had me grinning and laughing alot.
"You might as well know, Mads, you're not going to scare me away. So stop trying."
....
"You look so beautiful. Did I tell you that already? Like you belong here," he said huskily, never taking his eyes from mine. "You make this place even more special."
As the story progresses we learn more about Madison's past and why she has had this extreme want to end her life for years. She has wanted nothing more than the attention of her parents, any interaction would have satisfied her. I've read books where there was physical, sexual, and/or verbal abuse, but this one was different than anything I've read. I have never had so much hatred for a mother in any book. This is a case of a woman who just has ZERO maternal instincts whatsoever and should never have had children. And the kicker, she's extremely religious and spends all her time at church. (Ummm...?) It honestly sickened me the way her mother treated her and I had a really hard time with that the entire book.
"I mean, what kind of effed up person envied physical abuse as a form of desirable attention? Me. That's who."
One of my very favorite parts of this book was Dean's family. They were such a light in the darkness of this story. I cried happy tears quite a few times because the moments were just so touching and emotional. His mother, Sarah was simply amazing.
"Madison, Dean has filled me in on your home life, and I hope you don't mind when I say that sometimes parents are just assholes," she said, shocking me.
I had been wanting to read this book for quite a while, I was in complete cover love with it and was working myself up to starting it. This book deals with death, depression, suicide, abuse, and many other really heavy topics. Some of which are extremely personal to me, so beginning this book I was expecting to be a complete and utter mess the entire time. I'm surprised to say, I really wasn't. Don't get me wrong, there are some very heart breaking, heart wrenching moments. But, I also cried many happy tears and there is one part that did have me sobbing like a baby , but as a whole, it didn't feel as dark as I had anticipated. Tiffany King did an excellent job of writing about a really tough topic, while putting enough fiction in there for it to be enjoyable. There were some generalizations, inconsistencies, and things that got glazed over a bit. Sometimes things felt all too convenient and I can't lie that it did bother me a little. Overall, I loved this book. It was well paced and the balance between light and heavy was handled flawlessly. I really enjoyed it.
"The amazing thing about love was that when you didn't have it, the word seemed impossible to use, but when you were surrounded by it, it was as easy to say as breathing."
Living is hell. Death would have been so much easier.
Wow, I was expecting this book to be good, but it really exceeded my expectations! It was better than good! I loved it. Its one of those books that will stay with you. Very emotional read.
The plain and simple fact was everyone sinned. Either they were good at hiding their sins, or they weren't. I fell in the latter category. My sins had been featured front and center, on display for everyone to judge.
Madison has a past. A past that has influenced the last four years of her life. She has no relationship with her mom, or Donna, as she prefers to be called. She only has one friend, who has demons of his own. They make a pact. Leave the world behind together. No one would miss them. That is until a fellow student, Mitch, commits suicide. Seeing the fake reactions from some of the popular crowd, Madison can't go through with it. She is trying to figure out another solution for her and James. That is when she starts mandatory tutoring with Dean... Mads has not been in the shadows the last few years, at least not to Dean. They become fast friends, and although its really hard for her, slowly she starts to open up to Dean. She starts to feel things for him and he brings her out of her shell a bit. She is afraid of her feelings, afraid of what would happen to her and Dean if he were to really find out everything about her and what made her the way she was all those years ago. Just as they are getting somewhere, another tragedy strikes that threatens everything they have been building.
"Just so you know, everyone has regrets, but it's fucked up to be continuallly punished for them" -Dean
Oh Dean. Dean was wonderful. Loved him! He gave Madison everything she has been missing in her life. Hope, attention, love and acceptance. Madison had a very difficult upbringing, I was glad she was able to work through a lot of her issues. I also really loved Dean's mom Sarah. She was everything in a mother figure that Madison needed. In some ways, she helped her just as much as Dean.
A really beautiful and touching story. Made me smile, cry and broke my heart a bit. The ending was great! Solid 5 star read! Read away!!!
So one of the things that I absolutely LOVE about Tiffany King is her ability to write a book about a controversial issue and make you feel characters are feeling. Suicide is something I take very seriously and I hate when people bash it or the people we have lost. So I applaud Tiffany for taking on such a strong topic and doing so in an amazing job. Most of you are wondering why I can applaud her and say that what she has written is the truth. This is why; up until I was 18 I struggled with life and seriously thought about suicide. In some cases Madison and I are alike so I can relate to her. Where she made a pact with her best friend James, I actually tried to go through with it. Her tattoo’s on her wrist are there to remind herself, I have a tattoo on my left wrist for the same reason. Only mine is the Chinese symbol for faith, it covers up my scar of the one time I tried to cut my wrist. So that’s my story and that why I love Miss Me Not and Tiffany King for writing this book. The more people bring this epidemic to attention, maybe the more lives could be saved. I wasn’t able to find a statistic for 2011 but there were 38,364 suicide deaths reported in the U.S. in 2010. Many of you might have known one of these people, some of you have might not, and some of you might know one or more who could become part of the statistic for this year. The point is to open your eyes and see what’s around you. YOU could be the person to change the life of someone even if you don’t realize it. Okay I know you are probably tired of reading about this.. so on to the book!
Madison had a really hard life. She had two parents who were there but who never actually there. So she took it upon herself to try and get the attention of them. Granted some was a little extreme and one that ultimately ended pretty badly. That one thing ultimately left Madison feeling alone and had her fading into the background. Being in Jr.High/High school and the rumors spreading about her didn’t help her see the point in life. When she met James, who became her best friend, the pact was formed. Their friendship wasn’t the typical friendship; they provided comfort for each other, an out. That was until a fellow “shadow” stole their thunder. Then Madison had to meet with a tutor for one of the classes she was in, what she didn’t see coming was that it was going to be Dean. Madison considered him to be possibly the king of the populars, but she didn’t count on developing feelings for him. I absolutely love Dean. He is quite possibly the best guy ever, so sweet, and never gives up. He starts off by tutoring Madison and gets her to agree to more tutoring even though it was supposed to be the one time. He slowly starts to chip away at the wall she’s built around herself. Getting her to open up to his touches and hanging out. He ignores the rumors about Madison and agrees to keep their friendship a secret. He takes her to meet his parents, to her first time at a theme park, and gains her trust. Dean is slowly getting under Madison’s skin. He’s getting her to trust him. It’s not easy and Madison pushes every chance she gets telling him she doesn’t need to be saved… but whether or not she needs to be saved, maybe, just maybe Dean has his own motives?
What happened to Madison that has her making a pact with James to be suicide buddies? What’s the reason for Dean wanting Madison to trust him so badly? Will Madison and Dean’s attraction for each other make the friendship line blur into something more? The ultimate question…what happens to Madison, was she saved or does she become another statistic?
You have to pick up this book and buy it. It is beautiful and Tiffany King, there’s no words to express how much I love and appreciate the time and effort it took to write a book like this. You are a hero and definitely brought hope to anyone who reads this and has is considering suicide. I want you to know, speaking from personal experience, that I wish I had a book like this to read when I was in that position in my life, sometimes all we need is a little hope. This book is that hope.
Tiffany King is one of my favorite authors out there. Her book Forever Changed was the first book to make me cry and is one of, if not my favorite book of 2012.
Miss Me Not is a book that will touch a lot of people's lives. I myself having gone through some of the obstacles that Madison had to go through related to this story more than I could have imagined. MMN was a fantastic read and is so beautifully written that I cried more than once, if not all the way through. MMN is raw and it cuts you right down to your core. It may just be a story but, if you have not already realized it, you start to realize that there are people out there similar to Madison and it makes you feel for those people.
Miss Me Not is on my to be read again pile, as well as being put in my must recommend pile. I believe everyone, especially people with children, should read this book.
5 stars ?? NO!!!! Try EVERY SINGLE STAR in the galaxy!
OMG!!!!! WOW!!!! Grab a box of tissues, lock yourself away from everyone & prepare for an amazingly sweet, heartbreaking, funny and all around AMAZING book! It's no secret, I worship the ground Tiffany King walks on! She is my favorite author hands down. I know I said Unlikely Allies was her best to date but WOW!!!! MMN surpasses EVERYTHING I have read from Tiffany!!! I could NOT put it down. I stayed up unable to go to bed until I finished. Read cover to cover in one sitting! I laughed! Oh Madison, she is freaking hilarious! I love all her snarky, witty remarks & inner thoughts! She's had a tough life, parents that didn't love her, a past that haunts her, closed off from everyone. In walks my brand new book boyfriend, Dean! Popular, smart, sarcastic & all around AMAZING guy!! Ladies back off cause this boy is MINE!! He gets to Madison like no one ever has! Madison has to learn to live now that suicide is out. The day this book releases you MUST BUY & READ IMMEDIATELY!!!! I NEVER EVER reread books, EVER! This one spoke to me & I will reread! I connected on so many levels with the characters in this book. Tiffany capture the feelings of suicide & death so accurately I found myself relieving some of my past. A book that can make me bring up past emotions & have them feel so fresh is a GREAT book! Seriously, November 23rd RUN & BUY!!!! Tiffany, you have surpassed your already perfect writing & created something on a completely different plane. I'm always amazed that you seem to always be able to surpass perfection & this tops it all!!!!
I read this a while ago, but forgot all about it until I tried to DL it again today as a freebie!
I guess that kind of says a lot about how I feel about this book. Actually, it was a good book, and I enjoyed it when I read it, it just didn't stay with me.
I tend to steer clear of books about suicide. It's just one of those topics that is difficult for me to read about. However, when I was asked to review this one, I accepted. I suppose it's because I knew that despite the difficult subject matter, that Tiffany King would find a way to bring happiness into the story. And she did.
I'm going to start by saying that I've read most of King's books, but Madison and Dean have touched me the most. I really felt like I got to see a clear picture of who Madison was and what was happening in her head. She is such a heartbreaking character. Madison has been emotionally neglected by her parents her whole life. She has tried desperately to gain any kind of attention from them whether it's positive or negative. She feels alone and invisible in the world. The only person that she has is her friend James. They've made a suicide pact, but after a classmate commits suicide, Madison has a change of heart. This is around the time that Dean enters the picture.
Dean is popular and the antithesis of what Madison is. When Dean is assigned to be Madison's tutor, she's not really sure what to think. He's sweet, charming, and seems to be committed to helping Madison. I seriously loved Dean. He recognized that Madison needed to take things slowly and that he needed to gain her trust. I also loved his family. They were so supportive of Madison and accepted her unconditionally. I really appreciated the relationship she developed with Sarah, Dean's mother.
Watching Madison's journey was both endearing and heartbreaking. While she struggles to heal her own wounds, she faces tragedy again. I have to say that I did see this coming, but I still cried. Literally. But, despite this devastating event, she becomes even more determined to live her life.
This is a book that deals with some heavy subject matter. I do recommend this book, but prepare yourself to read about darker issues. I'd like to mention that while I've enjoyed King's other books, I feel that she has developed a sophisticated writing style. Well done. Definitely worth checking out.
Do you remember the first book that changed your life? Do you remember the first time you read a book and I felt every emotion that the characters did? For me that book was Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret by Judy Blume. Go ahead and laugh, people do, but it was the book that turned me into a Book Nerd. Then there was Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, when I got older. Now, I read a lot of books and I love a lot of them. However, there are just a few that live up to the standards of those two books for me.
When I read Tiffany King for the first time it was, Wishing For Someday Soon. I don't even have words to describe how outstanding, moving, wonderful or gripping that book was. I didn't think she could ever top that.
I was wrong. Tiffany King just proved to me that she is will be forever in my heart. Tiffany King has wrote an incredible book that will, without a doubt, move you.
Best Part of Book: Tiffany King is the best part book. She lays a story that grips you from the beginning of page 1. Meet Madison a girl with a troubled past whose parents don't care about her. She and her best friend, James, make a pact (like no other). They are suicide buddies. Now, if that doesn't grab you, Dean will! Madison is just going through the motions and ends up being tutored by Dean. He tried to be a friend to her, but Madison doesn't even like to be touched, let alone have another male friend. Especially, one that cares about her feelings. Through the story we find out Madison's heart wrenching back story. (Yes I cried A LOT). I just wanted to reach through my Kindle, hold her and tell it was going to be okay. This is a story that you have to read because my words will do it no justice.
Not so great about the book: NOT ONE THING IS WRONG WITH THIS BOOK! Tiffany wrote a masterpiece and I will tell every single person that I know about it. Even if I have to shout it from the rooftops.
This book will be released on Nov. 23, 2012. I suggest that everyone get it!!!
I didn't know if I wanted to read this book. It hits a bit too close to home, for me anyway. I read some reviews before it was published and I ummed and ahh'ed right up until the second I clicked 'buy this book'.
I'm glad I clicked it.
A lot of people have described Miss Me Not as 'dark'. No, it's not. It's simply brutally honest. And I love that.
I've been in Madison's position. I suffered with depression both before and after I had my daughter and I still have my days - but several times I have been Madison.
And that's why I'm reviewing here. Tiffany already knows how I feel about Miss Me Not, but there's so much more to say.
The beauty of this book is the raw honesty. Tiffany has written what so many people are afraid to write, and I love her for it. Depression and suicide in teens is such a taboo subject, it's hard to talk about and even harder to write, but Tiffany has done this beautifully.
Every feeling of Madison's I believed whole-heartedly. I could feel her pain, her anger, her guilt.. And even her love for Dean.
I didn't mention Dean, did I? No?
I WANT HIM.
Seriously. He's a jock with the biggest heart I've seen in a long time. He reminded me so much of my partner when I was in Madison's frame of mind I nearly laughed.
Is Tiffany King a mind reader? No, she's just a damn good writer who isn't afraid to tackle a tough subject.
Every single bit of this story drew me in and I didn't put it down once. Even when I was making a drink I did it one handed, more focused on my phone and uncovering the next bit of Madison's dark past.
Although the genre is YA, Miss Me Not is a book for anyone. A teen, parent, teacher, friend.. Anyone.
The raw, compelling storyline will draw you in and leave you turning the pages in quick succession because you simply HAVE to know what Madison did that was so bad, and if she'd let Dean get close to her.
All in all, buy this book. RIGHT NOW. It's 100% a 5* star book.
I haven’t read a book where I've wanted to jump in and hug/save/befriend a character this much since Katniss in The Hunger Games. But I guess that is just the Dean in me, just like him I want to help people and make it all better. I loved Mads from the git go. Her "emo" guarded persona draws you in and her uncanny wit keeps you locked in for the entire ride. Whore cat, anyone? Love that girl! Now it would be an immense oversight if I did not say that for many readers this will be a tough read, because it will be. Why? Because this is real life and it's tough and not always pretty and nice, but I promise it is worth it! Tiffany can take dark tough topics of bullying, suicide, and child abuse/neglect and leave the reader with such hope and a perfect example of how caring can change a world, can change a life. For those of us fortunate enough to not have grown up on the "wrong side of the tracks" this is a reminder of our blessings and an inspiration for us to reach out to others. It's easy for us to judge, stereotype, and dismiss others but Miss Me Not serves as a reminder that we don't always know the whole story nor do we know the demons a person is battling. I truly believe this book is Tiffany's greatest triumph to date which is why you can't miss out on Miss Me Not!
I don't know why but I really couldn't enjoy this book as much as I wanted to, first of all she wanted to die, had a suicide pact with her somewhat gay friend James, and I was ok for that story line, then she meets Dean a jock basketball player and does a 180 and is all happy chappy, I feel all this book was really about was trying to advocate how by not committing suicide how great life could be with the hole white picket fence and 3.5 kids hence Deans perfect family. That hole saying 'It gets better' bullshit
and don't get me wrong dean was great, perfect guy material, smart, popular, caring, I just couldn't like him.
I felt really sorry for James I would have preferred reading his story than hers, and I hated hated as soon as she had a guy in her life she practically ditched him, I know James wasn't really a big part of this book but I couldn't help feel for him everytime she was living her new happy life.
I got irritated especially towards Dean for changing her, and how pissed off that everything tied up nicely in a pretty pink bow.
Definitely did not enjoy this as much as her novels, its my least favourite out of the ones I have read so far. I just felt that the protagonist went on about her self too much! The suicide story line I quite liked, but I didn't enjoy Madison going on about someone else 'stealing her thunder', and because of this I found that I was hesitant in liking her through-out the rest of the book.
Whilst I am a sucker for a love-story, the topic from the beginning meant I only really saw Madison as how she described herself when younger - just looking for attention. It just seemed to me that saying she wasn't going to commit suicide because someone else had gotten around to it before her was silly. From what I understand of depression, which admittedly isn't that much, it isn't something that a person can just snap out of, and this I thought is what happened.
It isn't a bad read, but I personally didn't enjoy it as much as I thought I would from the summary.
OMG!!!!! WOW!!!! Miss Me Not is sweet, heartbreaking, funny and all around AMAZING book! I could NOT put this book down. I stayed up unable to go to bed until I finished. I laughed! Oh Madison, she is freaking hilarious! I love all her snarky, witty remarks & inner thoughts! She's had a tough life, parents that didn't love her, a past that haunts her, closed off from everyone. In walks my brand new book boyfriend, Dean! Popular, smart, sarcastic & all around AMAZING guy!! He gets to Madison like no one ever has! Madison has to learn to live now that suicide is out. I connected on so many levels with the characters in this book. Tiffany capture the feelings of suicide & death so accurately I found myself relieving some of my past. A book that can make me bring up past emotions & have them feel so fresh is a GREAT book!
Miss Me Not by Tiffany King is an emotional journey with the tough topic of suicide. Suicide is a really tough subject for me. I’ve lost someone very dear to me because of suicide as well as a friend from high school who I thought at it all but in the end after high school had ended, he must have thought he didn’t. I went into this book knowing full well that suicide was talked about but decided I needed to read it, for myself and to help understand a bit more what is in someone’s mind frame to do such a thing. Yes this book is sad and I cried but it also had a little humor and I thank Madison's character for that. She gave this book light in times when it was dark with her sarcastic tone.
In Miss Me Not you will meet 17 year-old Madison. She comes from a divorce home of a mother who doesn’t even let her call her “mom” but insist on her first name. I hated Donna in every way imaginable and couldn’t understand how a mother could be so cruel to her daughter after what her daughter went through at an early age. Madison’s father divorced her mother when she was 13 and she never saw him again. Madison is a very dark character; she doesn’t smile, wears all black clothing and thinks she is a shadow among her peers in high school. Her only “friend” is James another social outcast who is physically abused by his father. The two decide the only way out is suicide and that is what they plan to do.
“Mitch Johnson died last night. He killed himself. I wasn't sad or heartbroken when i heard. I was pissed. Stark raving pissed.” - Madison
This is the first line in the book. As soon as Madison and James plan to commit suicide that week, even having the perfect day planned out another student from their school beat them to it. Mitch saved Madison’s life that day by taking his own, even though he didn’t know it.
As Madison and James think about a new plan for their lives and other options Madison is forced into tutoring by her history teacher, her tutor happens to be Dean… one of “those” boys, the popular boys. Madison wants to run but she can’t, she knows Dean is “good-guy” and the only guy that has made Madison feel like she has butterflies in her tummy since she was 13. Dean in a freakin’ dream-boat ladies- let me tell you! What I wouldn’t have given to have a Dean while I was in high school. I found him to be unrealistic at times, just because his dialogue was a bit over the top for a 17 year-old boy and knowledge seemed way beyond his age but none the less he is amazing and exactly what Madison needed, someone to be there for her and love her. Dean introduced Madison to his just as amazing family who took her in when she needed them and showed her what family is suppose to be. I loved Dean’s family and want to make them my own.
As Madison and Dean advance their friendship/flirtation, Madison changes. She is no longer wearing the dark clothes and doesn’t care about covering her face up; she starts to change into the girl she really is. This is the time when Madison really bothered me, I know her and James “friendship” was a strange one at that but she knew how much he was hurting and what an awful family life he had but I felt Madison completely ignored him once Dean came into her life. My heart really ached for him and his situation.
As Madison struggles with her past, her family, and her future she must learn how to be close to Dean and to break free from her past so she can start over and finally be happy.
Tiffany King has yet again wowed me with her writing. I’ve read all of her books since Wishing For Someday Soon was published earlier this year, and I’ve never been disappointed.
In her newest novel, Miss Me Not, King has stepped outside of her comfort zone to write a story that packs a punch for anyone who reads it. It’s edgy. It’s hard-hitting. It’s going to make any reader stop in their tracks and rethink various aspects of life. It might even make some readers feel more grateful for the life they lead.
What I enjoyed most was seeing the inner workings of Madison’s mind. This novel is told in the first person point of view, though Madison’s eyes. I don’t think it could have worked better if done much differently. Without that window into how Madison saw things, I don’t think the reader would be able to sympathize with her character as much. The experience of various events would have been to limited from an outsider’s perspective. On the topic of POV, I did think that at certain times, it would have been nice to get to see Dean’s view on things. I think knowing his motivations in a less limited way would have furthered my understanding of the story, as a whole. What was his plan from the beginning? How did everything factor in together? I think knowing from his POV earlier one would have worked well. Don’t get me wrong though, aside from my wish for some of Dean’s point of view, the first person from Madison worked very well.
Another thing worth mentioning is that the pacing of the story is definitely different from King’s books like Forever Changed and Unlikely Allies. It wasn’t as fast paced when I read it. In a way this worked very well to allow me to soak in what I read. And on the other hand, I enjoy a book that goes, goes, and keeps going. King has a gift when it comes to a smooth and fast paced story-line, all while not hindering the reader from grabbing every detail of a story. Again, another personal opinion here.
The darker subject matter and emotional ride Miss Me Not holds within its pages made me at times put down the book and take a step back. It’s not the easier stuff to deal with. There’s bullying, broken families/friendships, thoughts of suicide, and other topics I won’t bring up in the review. Let this be known: Miss Me Not might not be for every reader. There were times when even I didn’t know if I wanted to pick the book back up. This isn’t saying that it’s a terrible book. It’s the opposite of that. It hits close to home in many areas and in relating to some parts of the story it makes too a little uncomfortable. I feel this is the work of genius storytelling.
In closing, I feel that this story, for me, deserves another read through sooner rather than later. Now that I’ve finished it, I think I’ll appreciate it even more than I already do by experiencing it all over again.
"I embraced my solitude. I loved being alone. I loved silence. I was a liar."
This is the first book I've had the pleasure of reading from Tiffany King. Miss Me Not has been on the blogs TBR list for quite some time, having seen some great reviews, I decided to jump in and go for it. I didn't really know what I was getting into. I love a deep book, but I also get very connected, so I was a little worried I was setting myself up for some heart ache.
"I didn't crush on anyone, but if I did, Dean Jackson would be worthy."
I was totally wrong. What King delivered was a beautifully written coming of age story that not only had be seriously smiling through the whole book, but had me cheering on the underlying message.
"Life was a sham. Smoke and mirrors hid the dysfunctional lives all of us lived."
This book is about life, second changes, and most of all forgiveness on so many levels. Even with the tough subject matter of suicide, I would recommend this book to young adults and adults a like. It had a little bit of something for everyone.
"Hello, have we met? Misery is my best friend. We hang out all the time. You know, painting each other's nails and fixing each other's hair.'
I instantly connected with Madison's witty sense of humor and look on the world. This girl was real. She tells it like it is, honestly, a girl after my own freakin' heart. Sigh. And Dean. Wow. Talk about perfect. It was nice to get a book that was truly about the growth of the main character with the romance taking a second seat. Now don't get me wrong, you won't be disappointed with the love story part of the book. The romance is laced so nicely into the plot, I hardly even noticed it was a total blue baller book. Yes, I said it...and as Abby and Rhiannon will attest to, I'm usually the first to complain about limited...um, interactions. I didn't think about it once. The way this book was written, was perfect. Sarah and Dean's family also play an amazing role in shaping the story leaving very little room for improvement in the character area.
"It's not my fault you get all hot and bothered watching me dominate the grill."
If you are looking for a change of pace, and a great fulfilling read, pick this one up. You won't be disappointed in the least!
It is no secret that Tiffany King is one of my all-time favorite authors. I absolutely adore her work, and every single novel she’s written has been a 5 star in my book, from her lighthearted paranormal Saving Angels series to her more realistic, darker YA titles, Wishing For Someday Soon, Forever Changed, and Unlikely Allies. King has repeatedly blown me away, and her realistic novel, Miss Me Not is no different.
King is, once again, tackling a very difficult subject in this latest novel—that of suicide. It’s a touchy subject, and some may have difficulty reading this book, but it’s an amazing story, one that needs to be told. Yes, it will make you cry. But it will also make you see the many hundreds of reasons that we should live, and that’s the point. Being a teenager is an extremely tricky time in a young person’s life, and Miss Me Not is exactly the type of novel that so many teenagers need to read. The situations are extremely realistic, though Dean may seem to be too good to be true (swoon), and Madison’s thoughts and feelings are easy to identify with. I’m not sure if all teenagers think about suicide at some point or other, but I know when I was younger, I did, and my problems were nowhere near those of Madison, or Mitch, or James.
Though this is a very difficult topic to read about, I think it will help young adults very much when it comes to working through their own problems and choosing to live. Too many young people commit suicide every year, and the effects on those left behind are always devastating. Mitch’s suicide is no different, and for Madison, it is a wake-up call, though she doesn’t realize just how much he’s saved her right away, and she still has to work through her own demons before she can come to terms with living. Miss Me Not is extremely well written and I loved every minute of this amazing story, tears and all. It’s extremely touching and I highly suggest you pick it up stat!
Now I've read all of Tiffany's books so it is with utmost certainty I can say this my favorite book by her so far! Now, if you're familiar with her books just a heads up this one deals with a darker touchier subject, but as ALWAYS Tiffany handles it beautifully. Miss Me Not is going to be one of those books that sticks with you LONG after you're done reading and for some, it may hit close to home or it may cause you to take a step back and think...
Madison and Dean are well written; Tiffany did such an amazing job getting us into Madison's head making us feel her thoughts, ideas and her feelings. Dean was sweet and lovable and from the start you were able to see he wasn't the typical douche jock like Madison though he was, he was a genuinely good guy, however I would've like to get a peek into Dean's thoughts thru the book at times.
I love how raw and real Miss Me Not is, it's a book that definitely cuts down deep and makes you cry but it will also make you smile and root for Madison anddddd it will make you want to rip out the reproductive organs of Madison's mother; there aren't words strong enough to describe my hatred and disgust of that woman!
I definitely think Miss Me Not is a MUST read by adults and teens alike; maybe it'll open your eyes and make you see how your actions and words can affect another person or maybe it'll help open a dialogue between kids and adults...and hopefully it may offer hope to someone that finds themselves in Madison's shoe that there is someone out there (maybe not in the form of a cute boy) that is willing to help you thru your situation if you just let them...
OMG....I was honored to receive this book as an ARC from the author Tiffany King.
I have to start by saying Tiffany King has totally outdone herself with this book. I love all of her books but I have to say that this is my absolute favorite so far. This book evoked some many different emotions from me that I felt like I was right there living life with Madison.
I don't want to say to much because I don't want to spoil anything for anybody. What I do have to say is the relationship between Madison and Dean is amazing. It wasn't rushed by any means. I truly felt their connection throughout the whole book. I loved how Tiffany wrote this book about a very tough subject matter. The way Tiffany covered the issues and feelings people have was extremely well done. I do have to say I really did not like Madison's mom....I realize she was hurt by certain situations but really that was her daughter. That is all I can say about that without spoiling it. You will just have to read the book to understand how wretched this woman is. On the otherhand Dean's family is outstanding. He is truly lucky to come from such an understanding family.
Ok, so I am going to end here before I give things away:) So to finish I would have to say I would recommend this book to EVERYONE!!!!! If I could give it more than 5 stars I would. This is a MUST READ!!!! Definitely one for my favs shelf:)
Ok so I read every single book by Tiffany King and when Miss Me Not came out I didn’t even bother to read the synopsis. I just purchased it without hesitation based on my past experience with her books. If asked what my favorite book was by TK I would’ve said Forever Changed. That was a few days ago. Today I have to tell you that my favorite, my #1 book, is Miss Me Not. OMG where do I start?! Maddison Hanson has a very painful past and blames herself for everything bad that has happened to her family. With an absent father and a mother who has no interest in her, she is pretty much invisible to everyone. Everyone except Dean. Slowly he shows her how life could be and that love can actually overcome anything. The love between Maddison and Dean is so pure and amazingly beautiful. The story is flawless and will have you in tears at times. If you never read Tiffany’s books you don’t know what you’re missing. This one is another MUST READ.
Hang on a sec while I heft Dean up onto my pile of book boyfriends........
Right, now that's sorted, I thoroughly enjoyed this book, it deals with a delicate subject matter which IMO needs to be dealt with more often and spoken about it more openly. I wish all teens would read this and realize that they are not alone and that there is another way & that they would be missed so dearly by someone whether they realize it or not.
Even though the subject matter was dark I still found myself really liking Madison & rooting for her. And Dean the lovely, sweet wonderful Dean. I don't really need to say much more. The romance was just delicious and done so beautifully & gently.
Whoa, what an emotional book, so worth reading! I finished this in one sitting! It is sad to know this is somewhat so tru to life. Reading this book about a child growing up believing she was the cause for the final break up off her parents marriage,so depressed and alone that suicide seems to be the answer! Along comes the amazing and absolutely lovable guy,Dean! Who has always seen Madison, even when she thought she was just a non descript shadow!
This is an edgy, heartfelt novel, taking your thoughts deep into the feelings of suicide and death, definitely a must read!!!
*dramatical voice*The problem isn't this book. It's ME. There's no spark or whatsoever. I don't know. Perhaps I've read the bestest (better than the best!) books similar to this plot? You know, characters with family problems, dark pasts, suicidal tendencies and all that. I could add a star for the "romance" but honestly I didn't feel anything for Dean. (See, I'm not kidding when I said "The problem is me".. haha.) I could be generous and add a star if I swooned but I didn't. Hence, the 3 stars.
I really liked this one. I loved the hero and his family. I have had this book in my Kindle library since it first came out years ago. I can't believe I waited so long to read it.
I would like a sequel of Dean and Madison to see what and how they are doing now. I am not sure if Tiffany King considered writing one.
Another powerful story!! it is a great read it is very emotional but it is worth it and has a topic that teens stuggle with all over the world it has a great message in it!
“I didn’t want their tears. I didn’t want them to think of me. I wanted nothing from them. That asshole Mitch Johnson saved my life today. What a prick.”
Tiffany King is coming to Wicked Book weekend tomorrow, and I wanted to read one of her books before I went. I asked her to choose, and she sent me Miss Me Not. Now, I love all of my kinky hot books, but some of my favorite books ever are YA or NA. This is a YA book with some mature themes that were handled really well.
When I first started reading, I thought “Oy, another angsty teenager who is a social pariah book”. Yet it sucked me in from the first page, and never let go. It had me smiling, sad, angry, giggling, sobbing and saying “aaawwww” throughout the book. It made me grab my kids and make sure they know I love them so fucking much I would die without them.
Madison is a shadow. She wears baggy black clothes and hides out during lunch with James, her “suicide buddy”. She and James made a suicide pact. They would do it together. Until Mitch Johnson beat them to it. When Madison saw the fake drama the “populars” made out of the suicide, she realized that was the last thing she wanted.
“For four years I had done nothing but contemplate snuffing out my existence. No more judgments, no more glares and most of all, no more gossip surrounding things I had done. All of that was swiped away. In the end, they would still win. They always won.”
Madison was alone. Her father left four years before and never looked back. Her mother (the horrible bitch) spent all of her time at church, and Madison passed her at breakfast only. She even had to call her “Donna” instead of Mom. She lived on frozen dinners and pizza, and had no friends except the pseudo/suicide friendship of James.
“I mean, what kind of effed up person envied physical abuse as a form of desirable attention? Me. That’s who.”
Madison had been a really bad kid and tween. She acted out and did anything to get attention. Negative or positive, it didn’t matter, just SOMETHING. But something happened 4 years before that turned it all around. She says she did something absolutely horrible. Now she tries her hardest to fade away and disappear.
Until one day she is forced to get a tutor after school and it turns out to be the very handsome and very popular Dean. Who immediately takes her under his wing, and clearly has feelings for her.
“As an obvious rule, I didn’t crush on anyone, but if I did, Dean Jackson would be worthy. Dean was everything I wasn’t, smart, funny, charismatic and all-around good guy.”
Dean wouldn’t take no for an answer. He kept after her, and slowly and steadily ripped her of all of her protections. Madison hadn’t let anyone touch her in 4 years, Dean gradually eased her out of that. He brought her into his big, loud, hugging family, and they wouldn’t let her go either.
“Was it too much to ask for a germaphobe in the group?”
Dean’s family was a perfect sitcom. Madison didn’t even think it was real, but she started to see there was more to life than her hellish, lonely existence. And I must say, Dean’s mom was AMAZING. Most moms would freak if their good-boy son brought home a tattooed girl with a bad rep, but she was wonderful. I fucking love that lady.
“Madison, Dean has filled me in on your home life, and I hope you don’t mind when I say that sometimes parents are just assholes,” she said, shocking me.”
As much as Madison tried to push them away, they kept at her, breaking down all of her defenses.
“You might as well know, Mads, you’re not going to scare me away. So stop trying.”
Would I really be missed? Would Dean miss me? I looked down at the flower that was still clutched in my hand and began plucking off petals. “Miss me, miss me not.”
Likes: -The book grabbed me and didn’t let go from start to finish. -I loved Dean. -I loved his whole freaking family. -The book in the nose scene. -What could be such a dark, angsty subject, was actually a very enjoyable read.
Dislikes: -James was basically dumped when he could have been helped (but that is part of the story).
Rating: 4.25 stars, 0 Heat
Despite this being a YA book (there wasn’t really even sexual tension, but there was talk of sex, drugs and rape) this really was a GREAT read. I couldn’t put it down. Miss Me Not had the perfect combination of angst, drama, love, funny moments, sad moments and left you feeling good, not wrecked. It had a happy end, and really made you think and realize why some kids are the way they are. I look forward to reading more of Tiffany’s books!
“My world was suddenly filled with people who were the petals of the daisy that would miss me.”
Miss Me Not is about many things. It's about love, friendship and trust. About past mistakes and how they can weigh us down. It's about self-punishment and atonement, about falling apart and trying to make things right again. Picking up the pieces. Allowing yourself to be happy again. It's about being judged by others and judging yourself. It's about loneliness and isolation (often times self imposed). It's about family and how having one can sometimes make you feel even more alone, more misunderstood and misjudged. Miss Me Not is about all these things, but most of all it is a beautiful and moving story of one girl's life changing journey to self-discovery and self-forgiveness. A journey that is just as dark and terrifying as it is inspiring and full of hope.
The excellent, deeply relevant plot line combined with Madison's raw and honest voice made for an all consuming read. I love the characters in this book, they are strikingly real, their stories - powerful, heartbreaking and touching. Within minutes I found myself completely immersed in the story. And I couldn't help but feel sorry for Madison. She was a wonderful character, magnificently fleshed out and believable. Tiffany King convincingly depicted her complex personality, showing both her emotional struggle and the reasoning behind her decisions. And the more we learn about her past - the bad choices she made, the family situation and what drove her to do the things she did - the better we understand her and the more we sympathize with her.
Madison is a girl who pretty much gave up on herself. When she was younger she did something that affected many people around her, something her mother never forgave her for. She's been paying the price ever since. Her family life is in ruins, her father moved away and her mother resents her. She became a social pariah, at first judged and hated, then slowly forgotten. A dark and silent wallflower girl, purposefully wearing ugly, baggy clothes and no makeup. She swore never to smile again, never let anyone touch her. Together with her only friend (if you can even call him that), they had plans to kill themselves. They had it all figured out. They wanted to silently slip away, leave without a single person noticing or missing them. But then something happened. A student at their school committed suicide before they got a chance to take their own lives. And that tragic incident changed everything..
Despite the serious and heavy subject matter, the book's overall tone is actually very well balanced. The story is full of dark humor, sarcasm, bitter remarks and sass, and I just couldn't get enough of Madison's snarky personality. We do get a couple of sad and depressing moments, but for the most part Tiffany King keeps it pretty light. It's not an overly dramatic book designed to bring you down and turn you into a sobbing mess. It's a book that sends out a clear message: It's OK to make mistakes. Everyone deserves a second chance. Every person is special and there is always someone - at least one person - that will miss you when you're gone. No one deserves to be endlessly punished and tormented. It's OK to forgive yourself and try to move on. I thought that was a very inspiring and powerful message, thought-provoking and emotionally affecting. Something to remember and live-by.
While I love how the story played out, I also wish that we got a chance to know Madison's friend, James, a little bit better. His story would make for a poignant and harrowing side-plot, and I wished Tiffany King had explored it more in depth. He was one of the saddest, most tragic characters I've ever seen in YA fiction, and I hope maybe one day Tiffany King will consider telling his story.
Getting to know Madison's mom would have been truly wonderful, too. I felt that we didn't get enough insight into her past. I wanted so badly to understand her better, to find out what happened to her that turned her into this cold, Church-obsessed monster of a mother. She was a very intriguing, strong character who added a very interesting flavor to the plot, I just wish a little bit more time was spent on developing her story.
All in all, Miss Me Not is a truly wonderful book. One that should be read and cherished, and then shared with all your friends. This book will forever have a special place in my heart and I know that I'll be re-reading it over and over again.
This is my story. No, I’m not Madison – never been a teenage girl, and I never did the things that she did in her past. My parents paid lots of attention to me – probably too much. But you see, one of the “blessings” of being a manic depressive is that every few years (or months), you will decide to destroy yourself. You’ll think about it, you’ll make a plan, you’ll pick a date, you’ll count the days leading up to the deed, and then you’ll just do it. From the ages of 12 to 28, I tried 6 times. I also “practiced” plenty in between. Obviously, I wasn’t very good at it, except for the last time, when I damned near succeeded. Madison wore a tattoo around her wrist that said “Forget Me”. My “trophies” are much less elegant – just a bunch of ugly scars and burn marks.
But this is my other blessing: when I finally tamed the “demon” that possessed my head (and I do say that metaphorically, not literally), I dedicated most of my free time to keeping other kids and adults from ever trying and/or succeeding. I’m the Mitch who lived. I run a support group for manic depressives and depressives, and I like to think I’ve done a pretty good job so far. My wife and I also adopted a bipolar child from foster care – because probably almost no one would have given an 8 year old boy that chance – older “damaged” kids don’t make it to the top the adoption list. But I knew what he would live, and thank God, I have managed to keep him from sharing that particular part of my life story for the past 10 years.
Ms. King gets depression down to a T. The self-loathing. The feeling of being alone and not deserving to have people in your life. The desperate need to just stop breathing because that is the only way the pain will ever stop. And the self blame…blaming ourselves for things that we had no or next to no control over. The way she described Madison’s inner dialogue – I didn’t just read that. I felt it. It was a lot like “Killing Me Softly”. I wanted to stop reading and I just couldn’t. Did I want to yell at her and tell her to just give herself a break? Hell yes. Did people do that to me? Hell yes to that to. But nothing happens until you pull out the strength from inside of you. You don’t snap out of it, you crawl out of it. And yes, I very much wanted to strangle Donna, because she is exactly the kind of person you DON’T need in your life when you are in a depression.
The only problem I had with this book was the time frame. She halted her plan, and after 8 weeks, was beginning to actually flourish. After 4 years of non-stop depression, it takes more than 8 weeks to start living again. Breathing yes, but I felt that the book should have been spread out over more than 8 weeks (not counting the epilogue).
Remember this: a temporary problem NEVER calls for a permanent solution. A temporary problem NEVER calls for a permanent solution. And the only problem that is permanent is death. We all get there eventually. There is no need to speed the trip along. If you ever think you can’t make it to tomorrow, Google a suicide hotline in your area. They are there. Go to dbsalliance.org (Depression Bipolar Support Alliance). We will guide you to people who will listen you and who will help you. No one is ever really alone. Hell, just email me.
There is so much I wanted to say about this book when I finished it. Did I write it down right away? No. Of course not. So we will start with.. I loved it.
A while back I read Wishing For Someday Soon by Tiffany King. I adored it for so many personal reasons. So when I was contacted to read and review Miss Me Not, I jumped at the opportunity. Miss Me Not felt a little darker than WFSS. I can't compare it to any of Kings other books, because these are the only two I've read so far.
I can honestly say I loved Miss Me Not even more than WFSS. The writing is better I feel. And that's not a knock on WFSS, it's a compliment because improvement is always awesome and it shows she's growing as an Author. Suicide is a pretty serious subject. I felt it was tackled well. Madison is a very troubled girl. It's spills out in her thoughts. I connected with her right away, which I found strange because I was never like her in my teens. There was just something about her, I wanted to hug her and council her. She's been through some rough stuff.
I never will understand why anything is enough to make you want to take your life though. Suicide fascinates me, and maybe that's why I was so quickly sucked into this book. I'm not a sicko, trust me, I just don't get it. I've been there. I've been to that almost breaking point. When we lost our first pregnancy I was in a dark place. Everyday I fantasized about running my car into a tree on my way to work. (I'm being completely serious). I knew where to draw that line though. I knew that my life meant more than how I was feeling at the time. I just wish everyone could be level headed like that, but that will never be the case. Suicide will always be an easy out for many.
A couple years ago, a friend of mine from High school committed suicide. It happened over the weekend, but no one found out until early that week. I remember seeing him post on facebook, a status saying something to the effect of when it hurts, unplug yourself. I read that status and thought to myself, “Wow, that sounds kinda suicidal.” Low and behold, it was the last fb status he ever wrote. Now I'm not delusional enough to think he wouldn't have done it had I responded, but I'll always wonder if it was a last cry for help. Ya know?
Madison sees suicide in her head as this glorified thing. When a boy at her school offs himself before she has the chance, that illusion is squashed. Suddenly suicide isn't just an idea to her, as she sees the reality of one unfold in front of her.
Without the cushion of knowing she's not going to be around much longer, she's forced to deal with living and moving on from her past. I was very emotional reading parts of this book. Not overly though. The subject material is sad, but the comic relief from Dean is great. I smiled just as much as I sniffled. I loved Dean, you will too.