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From the Inside Out
Shy, closeted college student and part-time barista Soren prefers to keep to himself, despite the urgings of family and friends to break out of his routines and live a little more. He likes things exactly as they are: school is going well, he has his study-buddy Sloane, long-distance best friend Liz, his online friend Tru, and a ridiculously hot boss to stare at longingly. It might not work for everyone, but it's working for him. Comfortable routine is upended the day Tru suddenly suggests they meet, and Soren finds himself uncharacteristically agreeing to coffee. When his date proves to be the last person he expects, a simple date is only the start of all the complications Soren has always tried to avoid.
562 pages, Paperback
First published December 25, 2012
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
August 4, 2013
3.75*
This is a story I really liked and probably could have loved.
It had two interesting main characters going through a lot of developments and maturing.
Soren the oldest of 5 children and 20 yrs old and Lucas is an only child with an overbearing dad and chilly step-mother and he's 19.
Soren could be described as very quiet, shy and introverted, Lucas is very open, outgoing, a flirt and has had a few hook-ups and 2 more serious relationships.
How they meet and start dating was interesting, the thoughts and process of coming out and being more self assertive was also very pronounced in Sores. Lucas also changes a lot throughout the story and getting both points of view was helpful.
I liked these boys, I liked that they worked at what they wanted, that they took their time and listened to each other.
I guess the teen angst bit and knowing this 'is it' after 3 months and will 'always and forever' is normal in the beginning of love especially at that age, being so wrapped up in each other.
Soren's mother was a little dramatic but at least his dad was levelheaded and I was happy to see Lucas's dad wasn't quite the monster we were lead to believe.
The Aaron story line added at least a little break from their 'can-I-do-I-what-are-we-is-it-love-' inner musing.
For me the length worked against this story ( around 165 000 words) I felt like Soren's fears and thoughts were rehashed enough times it got old and Lucas's worries and bi-sexual explanations and how he was a chick-magnet also felt like those issues were just repeated so many times. I got it the first 10 times. I didn't need another 20 regurgitations of the same issue. So maybe 50 000 less words and it would have really been great for me.
Also, a few editing mistakes pulled me out. Just one example is amount of children in Soren's family switched between 4-5 a few times.
But, all in all it was a nice, sweet love story. One young man coming out of his shell and another finding what he needed to be more grounded.
This is a story I really liked and probably could have loved.
It had two interesting main characters going through a lot of developments and maturing.
Soren the oldest of 5 children and 20 yrs old and Lucas is an only child with an overbearing dad and chilly step-mother and he's 19.
Soren could be described as very quiet, shy and introverted, Lucas is very open, outgoing, a flirt and has had a few hook-ups and 2 more serious relationships.
How they meet and start dating was interesting, the thoughts and process of coming out and being more self assertive was also very pronounced in Sores. Lucas also changes a lot throughout the story and getting both points of view was helpful.
I liked these boys, I liked that they worked at what they wanted, that they took their time and listened to each other.
I guess the teen angst bit and knowing this 'is it' after 3 months and will 'always and forever' is normal in the beginning of love especially at that age, being so wrapped up in each other.
Soren's mother was a little dramatic but at least his dad was levelheaded and I was happy to see Lucas's dad wasn't quite the monster we were lead to believe.
The Aaron story line added at least a little break from their 'can-I-do-I-what-are-we-is-it-love-' inner musing.
For me the length worked against this story ( around 165 000 words) I felt like Soren's fears and thoughts were rehashed enough times it got old and Lucas's worries and bi-sexual explanations and how he was a chick-magnet also felt like those issues were just repeated so many times. I got it the first 10 times. I didn't need another 20 regurgitations of the same issue. So maybe 50 000 less words and it would have really been great for me.
Also, a few editing mistakes pulled me out. Just one example is amount of children in Soren's family switched between 4-5 a few times.
But, all in all it was a nice, sweet love story. One young man coming out of his shell and another finding what he needed to be more grounded.
December 29, 2012
What's the best to say about a book? I couldn't put it down. That's exactly what happened with this book. It is a very good YA story about first love. At the beginning the writing style was a bit detached for me, but I was drawn in pretty soon. Soren knew for quite some time that he is gay, but as there was no significant other there was also no reason to tell his family about it. In fact he is happy to just remain unnoticed at work as well as at home. Then he decided to meet his online friend True in RL and - surprise, it's the guy from work he already had a huge crush on, Lucas.
After a rocky start we follow those two while their relationship progressed from simply seeing each other to dating to love, all of that with a believable time-frame. Although Lucas is only about a year younger than Soren, he is way more experienced. He likes boys and girls, but after a bad break-up with a boy he decided to take the easy way and have more or less one-night-stands with girls.
It is endearing to follow their getting to know each other, the deepening of their relationship and in the end their growing up as well. I can totally imagine them a few years down the line, finishing their education and moving on to start working and living together.
Wonderful story all around - flowing along quite nicely, no angst, no big misunderstanding, just one dense mother.
After a rocky start we follow those two while their relationship progressed from simply seeing each other to dating to love, all of that with a believable time-frame. Although Lucas is only about a year younger than Soren, he is way more experienced. He likes boys and girls, but after a bad break-up with a boy he decided to take the easy way and have more or less one-night-stands with girls.
It is endearing to follow their getting to know each other, the deepening of their relationship and in the end their growing up as well. I can totally imagine them a few years down the line, finishing their education and moving on to start working and living together.
Wonderful story all around - flowing along quite nicely, no angst, no big misunderstanding, just one dense mother.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 30, 2012
It's a nice story but the writing style threw me off a bit and dragged at some points for me. The book is written from Lucas and Soren point of view. Soren and Lucas attend the same university and work at the same Starbucks. They started chatting online, unaware that they both work in the same place. They agree to meet in person and realized that they are coworkers. Lucas is bi, so Soren had issues believing that he was enough for Lucas. Eventually, they begin to date and have a relationship. Soren has issues articulating his thoughts, how he feels and what he wants, which caused problems in his relationship with Lucas and he is a bit passive-aggressive and prefers to get along with people instead of rocking the boat. One of the main topic in the book is the MCs' relationship with their parents. Because of Soren's personality, his mom treats him like a child. Lucas seems to be under his father's thumb. After Soren came out, his family was very accepting, his mom was shocked and needed time to adjust. Lucas also came out to his father and step-mother. Lucas' father easily accepted his sexuality and relationship with Soren. Overall, it's a nice story, i liked it but something was missing in it for me.
January 26, 2013
A beautiful and sweet (in a really good way!) story about first love and coming out. But the book needs some editing – and not because it was too long.
Other than that I fully agree with Anke's review (spoiler!). :)
Other than that I fully agree with Anke's review (spoiler!). :)
February 7, 2013
The first thing I noticed about this book is how incredibly LONG it is. I'm used to reading long books, but those are usually fantasy or historic novels where it takes quite an amount of time to ease the reader into the world that is created and described. I bought this book because of the blurb, it seemed interesting, but it was the length that kept me from reading it for a while. I thought, this just has to be boring at some point, too lengthy, too drawn-out.
The thing is, it wasn't. Talya Andor manages to write a 500-page-book about a topic other authors write 100 pages about - and make it seem natural. The pace, the plot, the character development, it all felt just right, as if (almost) every page was needed. I loved how Soren and Lucas interacted, how their inexperience shone through, but how they still dealt with every situation - with the help of their friends, yes, but also because they're aware of what they want and willing to go for it.
There were a few characters in this book that annoyed me, but that was probably very intentional. Soren's mother, for example. And I did find myself skimming through some paragraphs - mainly because I tend to be impatient, definitely not because the writing was dull. The only thing that I felt really impatient about was the resolution of the problems at work. You understand about those basically from the first page you read - it would have been nice if these guys could have done something about it sooner.
Definitely a recommended read!!
The thing is, it wasn't. Talya Andor manages to write a 500-page-book about a topic other authors write 100 pages about - and make it seem natural. The pace, the plot, the character development, it all felt just right, as if (almost) every page was needed. I loved how Soren and Lucas interacted, how their inexperience shone through, but how they still dealt with every situation - with the help of their friends, yes, but also because they're aware of what they want and willing to go for it.
There were a few characters in this book that annoyed me, but that was probably very intentional. Soren's mother, for example. And I did find myself skimming through some paragraphs - mainly because I tend to be impatient, definitely not because the writing was dull. The only thing that I felt really impatient about was the resolution of the problems at work. You understand about those basically from the first page you read - it would have been nice if these guys could have done something about it sooner.
Definitely a recommended read!!
March 1, 2013
I have waited far too long to write this review. I fell completely in love with Soren and Tru both. Probably the highest compliment I can pay to you is that I felt those two boys were REAL. I never once felt like I was reading a fictionalized account of anything. I felt like I was sitting in the coffee shop, watching their relationship develop. Everything was so perfect, from the way Soren ties back his hair, to his mannerisms, his quiet demeaner, all put together so carefully to describe this lovely boy/man who is so insecure regarding who he is...His inability to rock the boat just goes that much farther in showing how scared he is to expose himself to the world. His "ridiculously hot boss" is obviously delicious eye candy for Soren's secret self, but Soren won't allow himself to go there, not knowing his boss's orientation, and certainly not wanting to put himself out there like that. Soren is such a tragically and beautifully flawed person in the beginning - he doesn't even see himself for who and what he truly is, which is a beautiful person that has so much to offer to others.
His on-line relationship lets us get a peek into his head, and before long that relationship is pushing itself outside of Soren's comfort zone. Tru, his on-line "friend", wants to take the relationship to the next level, and Soren likes things JUST THE WAY THEY ARE. I almost felt like I needed to give him an inhaler when Tru asked to meet up in person.
The side characters are so well developed, I felt like they could easily have a spin off of their own. Actually, I am more than a little intruiged with Sloane and wouldn't mind reading more about her. ;) Everyone from Tru's roommates to Soren's few, but close, friends, were an important part of the story.
I loved the slow, burning build-up in this book. When you get to the sexually intimate part of the story, you really feel like you've been somewhere. I was taken there right along with the two characters so well that I almost needed a post-coital cig. Nothing is rushed or out-of-character, but it's just absolutely perfect in every way. It made me cry, because it was so beautiful and so meaningful to both of them.
As with any really good read, I was sad to see it end. I want to be a part of Soren and Tru's life forever.
His on-line relationship lets us get a peek into his head, and before long that relationship is pushing itself outside of Soren's comfort zone. Tru, his on-line "friend", wants to take the relationship to the next level, and Soren likes things JUST THE WAY THEY ARE. I almost felt like I needed to give him an inhaler when Tru asked to meet up in person.
The side characters are so well developed, I felt like they could easily have a spin off of their own. Actually, I am more than a little intruiged with Sloane and wouldn't mind reading more about her. ;) Everyone from Tru's roommates to Soren's few, but close, friends, were an important part of the story.
I loved the slow, burning build-up in this book. When you get to the sexually intimate part of the story, you really feel like you've been somewhere. I was taken there right along with the two characters so well that I almost needed a post-coital cig. Nothing is rushed or out-of-character, but it's just absolutely perfect in every way. It made me cry, because it was so beautiful and so meaningful to both of them.
As with any really good read, I was sad to see it end. I want to be a part of Soren and Tru's life forever.
February 7, 2013
If you ever read a romance and thought "this all happened way too fast" then try this book out for a spin. Not only the romance have a burning backstory, but the actual falling in love and development of the relationship is almost painfully slow. It is one of the rare romances I didn't manage to finish in the space of a couple of hours. In fact, if I'm honest, I haven't even finished it yet, but I'm super close.
The major props for this story are the verisimilitude of the characters, And I mean every character, and the flow of the action. Though nothing in the book ever really reaches heart-pounding excitement, Talya Andor practically measures out the spaces between peaks and troughs of action. I don't want to give away any of the story, seriously, just go read it, but suffice to say there is more than one "mini" climax in this story as well as the famed major climax, the turning point, that from which there is not return. And you definitely feel the tension burning.
If you held a gun to my head and told me I had to offer a criticism it would be this: Soren is a wimp. Yeah, he grows and "comes out of his shell" (Jezzy Christ she used this phrase enough) but when he's faced with his major confrontations, primarily with his mom, he doesn't appear to have developed all that much. I mean, yeah, he's more sure of his own actions and desires, but he fails to really face the problem and resolve it with his mom. Therefore the drama in his house extends for most of the book, often making me want to rip my hair from my head one handful at a time.
So there you have it. A slow-burning romantic story. Be forewarned of the school setting (albeit college), and the sometimes being hit over the head with an idea like the beating of a dead horse, but the MCs are extremely likeable and the overall development was very rewarding.
The major props for this story are the verisimilitude of the characters, And I mean every character, and the flow of the action. Though nothing in the book ever really reaches heart-pounding excitement, Talya Andor practically measures out the spaces between peaks and troughs of action. I don't want to give away any of the story, seriously, just go read it, but suffice to say there is more than one "mini" climax in this story as well as the famed major climax, the turning point, that from which there is not return. And you definitely feel the tension burning.
If you held a gun to my head and told me I had to offer a criticism it would be this: Soren is a wimp. Yeah, he grows and "comes out of his shell" (Jezzy Christ she used this phrase enough) but when he's faced with his major confrontations, primarily with his mom, he doesn't appear to have developed all that much. I mean, yeah, he's more sure of his own actions and desires, but he fails to really face the problem and resolve it with his mom. Therefore the drama in his house extends for most of the book, often making me want to rip my hair from my head one handful at a time.
So there you have it. A slow-burning romantic story. Be forewarned of the school setting (albeit college), and the sometimes being hit over the head with an idea like the beating of a dead horse, but the MCs are extremely likeable and the overall development was very rewarding.
December 26, 2014
A nice story, a cute romance. But too long for the events that happen in this book. What I appreciated most was that one of the protagonists was bisexual, and that's a rare thing in the m/m books published these days.
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February 4, 2013I loved this story, NEGL. I started reading it one night figuring I could read it over the course of a week or two, and ended up staying up until the wee hours of the morning when I couldn't make my eyes focus anymore. ;3
Soren is a sweetheart, and I related to him a lot. He doesn't know what he wants to do with his life, and he's sort of coasting along, flying under the radar with his family, his (non-existent) love life, and his future. Then Tru, his online chat partner, suggests they meet up (as the summary says), and Soren's very careful balance starts to crumble ... and he starts to want it to.
I think my very, very favorite thing about this book is that it's not rushed in the least. With a lot of the M/M romance books that I read (which, uh, isn't as many as I'd like), the romance is rushed for the sake of the sex, the character development is nonexistent or again, rushed for the sake of the relationship/sex. From the Inside Out is a slow build, and my very favorite kind, that of a first-time relationship.
Soren and Tru build their relationship slowly, in the midst of a dozen plus side characters that have their own lives and personalities. They also fight and miscommunicate and nearly break up and read too much into stuff and not enough into other stuff and just in general are young, inexperienced, and sorting through their relationship and what they want to do with their lives.
Do read this book if you want a nice, long slow build, a character-driven romance that is all about falling in love and making it work.
Don't read this book if you want a quick read, full of conflict and tension (go check out Andor's Signal to Noise for that :3).
Soren is a sweetheart, and I related to him a lot. He doesn't know what he wants to do with his life, and he's sort of coasting along, flying under the radar with his family, his (non-existent) love life, and his future. Then Tru, his online chat partner, suggests they meet up (as the summary says), and Soren's very careful balance starts to crumble ... and he starts to want it to.
I think my very, very favorite thing about this book is that it's not rushed in the least. With a lot of the M/M romance books that I read (which, uh, isn't as many as I'd like), the romance is rushed for the sake of the sex, the character development is nonexistent or again, rushed for the sake of the relationship/sex. From the Inside Out is a slow build, and my very favorite kind, that of a first-time relationship.
Soren and Tru build their relationship slowly, in the midst of a dozen plus side characters that have their own lives and personalities. They also fight and miscommunicate and nearly break up and read too much into stuff and not enough into other stuff and just in general are young, inexperienced, and sorting through their relationship and what they want to do with their lives.
Do read this book if you want a nice, long slow build, a character-driven romance that is all about falling in love and making it work.
Don't read this book if you want a quick read, full of conflict and tension (go check out Andor's Signal to Noise for that :3).
July 7, 2021
I had first read this story when it was a fan fiction and fell so in love with it. I think I read it three or four times before it was removed from the website so it could be published. I am so excited that this story has been published and so happy that I can have my very own copy that I can read over and over and over again.
Just like the first few times that I had read this, I loved it this time just as much. I absolutely love the characters, the storyline, and the whole pace of the story. The relationship between Soren and Lucas is beautiful and everything about it seems so very realistic.
There were a few things I was a bit disappointed about, but that's only because I have read this when it was a fan fiction. Other than the one big change in the storyline, I do think this is just as amazing as the original.
It is long, but I think if it would have been shortened at all, it wouldn't have had the same effect on me, or other readers. It's an exceptionally well written story and I cannot wait to read more of Talya Andor's work!
I know I will definitely read this over and over again, and once I can get my hands on a copy of the book that I can hold in my hands, I will most definitely be buying it.
I give it 5 stars for sure!
Just like the first few times that I had read this, I loved it this time just as much. I absolutely love the characters, the storyline, and the whole pace of the story. The relationship between Soren and Lucas is beautiful and everything about it seems so very realistic.
There were a few things I was a bit disappointed about, but that's only because I have read this when it was a fan fiction. Other than the one big change in the storyline, I do think this is just as amazing as the original.
It is long, but I think if it would have been shortened at all, it wouldn't have had the same effect on me, or other readers. It's an exceptionally well written story and I cannot wait to read more of Talya Andor's work!
I know I will definitely read this over and over again, and once I can get my hands on a copy of the book that I can hold in my hands, I will most definitely be buying it.
I give it 5 stars for sure!
December 30, 2012
Nice story, lots of potential, but wow did it drag in places. I really liked Lucas and Soren, they were very well drawn characters although it didn't seem like some of the supporting players were as fully fleshed out. All in all this book was too long (and way too expensive due to the length I think) and I ended up skimming huge sections and really had to force myself to finish. The "investigation" with Aaron? That seemed like it took 2/3 of the book! Just dragged out for seemingly no reason.
2.5 stars rounded up although based on what I've written here I should round down. Hmmmmmmm. May adjust my rating after I've noodled on it.
2.5 stars rounded up although based on what I've written here I should round down. Hmmmmmmm. May adjust my rating after I've noodled on it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 29, 2012
This book had 200 pages too much.
February 1, 2013
2.5 Stars. Review to come.
September 23, 2018
Ganz süß. Leider hat es sich stellenweise doch sehr langgezogen, womit ich an sich kein Problem habe, aber man hatte doch nach einer Zeit das Gefühl, immer und immer wieder die gleichen Szenarien zu lesen. Spannung war recht selten vorhanden, was an sich auch nicht schlecht ist, aber schade, weil an mehreren Konfliktstellen Potential verschwendet wurde. So war es ganz nett und flauschig zu lesen, aber mehr eben auch nicht. Trotz vielen Seiten irgendwie doch ziemlich farblos.
January 16, 2013
4 Hearts
Review written for MM Good Book Reviews
http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com/
Soren is shy and quite; he has his job as a barista, he has his close friend Sloane and he has his school, but he breaks out of his shell one day and agrees to meet with his online friend Tru. The meeting doesn’t go as planned and Soren is left wondering just what he should do next. Lucas is a shift supervisor barista and has never really noticed Soren before, but after arranging a date with an online friend, he realises just how much Soren appeals to him.
This is a wonderful finding yourself story for these two young men, both main characters discover themselves as we progress through the book, and they discover the courage to face everything head on. Soren is a character that is very quiet; he will back down or dodge when questioned head on and has made avoiding decisions an art form, when he finally gives Lucas a chance, he discovers that he has to take control of his life and to start standing up for himself. Lucas is a character that is very sure of himself; he knows what he wants and goes after it, when he does notice Soren, he discovers that he wants much more than he ever thought he would.
This story is a journey of discovery for Soren and Lucas, both of them grow as the story progresses, and they face the challenges that are thrown at them. Soren is a slow developing character; he has slow progress as he comes out of his shell, but he makes huge leaps and bounds as he starts to stand up for himself and what he wants. Lucas has his own confusion to work through as he faces the inner struggle to get to grips with how he feels. Both Soren and Lucas face the turmoil of coming out to their parents and the hostility of a co-worker.
I have to say that this is a very involved story, you get to know the characters very well and you become invested in them. The romance is very sweet and is drawn out throughout the book, there is no rushing in this story; it is all drawn out really well. There’s love, romance, angst, misunderstandings, a near miss with danger and some conflict, but most of all there is growth and finding the person you can be.
I will recommend this story to those who want a true finding yourself story, developing love, some parental conflict and a very sweet happy ending.
Review written for MM Good Book Reviews
http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com/
Soren is shy and quite; he has his job as a barista, he has his close friend Sloane and he has his school, but he breaks out of his shell one day and agrees to meet with his online friend Tru. The meeting doesn’t go as planned and Soren is left wondering just what he should do next. Lucas is a shift supervisor barista and has never really noticed Soren before, but after arranging a date with an online friend, he realises just how much Soren appeals to him.
This is a wonderful finding yourself story for these two young men, both main characters discover themselves as we progress through the book, and they discover the courage to face everything head on. Soren is a character that is very quiet; he will back down or dodge when questioned head on and has made avoiding decisions an art form, when he finally gives Lucas a chance, he discovers that he has to take control of his life and to start standing up for himself. Lucas is a character that is very sure of himself; he knows what he wants and goes after it, when he does notice Soren, he discovers that he wants much more than he ever thought he would.
This story is a journey of discovery for Soren and Lucas, both of them grow as the story progresses, and they face the challenges that are thrown at them. Soren is a slow developing character; he has slow progress as he comes out of his shell, but he makes huge leaps and bounds as he starts to stand up for himself and what he wants. Lucas has his own confusion to work through as he faces the inner struggle to get to grips with how he feels. Both Soren and Lucas face the turmoil of coming out to their parents and the hostility of a co-worker.
I have to say that this is a very involved story, you get to know the characters very well and you become invested in them. The romance is very sweet and is drawn out throughout the book, there is no rushing in this story; it is all drawn out really well. There’s love, romance, angst, misunderstandings, a near miss with danger and some conflict, but most of all there is growth and finding the person you can be.
I will recommend this story to those who want a true finding yourself story, developing love, some parental conflict and a very sweet happy ending.
February 5, 2013
Having seen reviews complaining about the way this book lagged, I read it thinking that it was going to drag on. Any minute now. Surely it was going to get boring and I would start to skim. Then I realized I was 85 percent of my way through the book, and I only wanted to read more! Yes, the story is a slow build, but that's part of what makes it so lovely. It's not a wham, bam, thank you ma'am (or sir) romance where boy meets boy, they face a danger and fall into bed together. I read and love those books, too, but sometimes I want to immerse myself in something deeper, something very real and something that will pull at my heartstrings but leave me smiling in the end. That's what this story did for me. Talya Andor is incredible at creating characters I care about. She breathes life into them with interesting personalities, quirks, strengths and weaknesses that make them well-rounded people--people I really care about, like Soren and Lucas. This is definitely a character-driven story that takes its time to build a realistic relationship between two young men who are experiencing love and, in one case, sex for the first time. I think Ms. Andor did a fabulous job at bringing out all the infatuation and time-consuming lust that comes with a rush of first love, along with all the self-doubt, fear and insecurity issues that occur between two 20-year-olds trying to make a relationship work for the first time. She hit it exactly right, at least as my memory serves, and I kept reading, wanting to see how Soren and Lucas would continue to grow and mature as individuals and as lovers. There was no national treasure to find, no serial murderer to track down--just a lovely romance that grew naturally between two young men faced with the burden of everyday challenges. If you're looking for a well-written, slow-build m/m love story between two young men you'll fall a little in love with yourself, read this.
September 30, 2016
I'm not usually one for young adult books but I really enjoyed this one. The characters were great and it was wonderful getting to see them change over the course of the story. Soren was so introverted and unwilling to put himself forward at the beginning and Lucas had lost himself somewhere between the loss of his last serious relationship and toeing his father's line; seeing both of them come together and bring out the best in the other was great.
I absolutely loved how it was Soren repeatedly brushing Lucas off in the beginning that opened Lucas' eyes to both his behavior and what he'd been missing. Their relationship progressed in a believable way and I really enjoyed every bit of it. I find myself, after it was all over, however, still hating Soren's mom. I know she apologized for her behavior in regards to Soren being gay and dating Lucas but she's a bigot regardless of the apology and she hadn't redeemed herself in my eyes at all by the end of the book. While I would've liked a concrete HEA at the end, that would've required a look at Soren and Lucas several years in the future so I'm happy with how things were left.
Really enjoyable book that shows what a young adult novel can be without adding a ridiculous amount of angst or drama. I really liked it and I know I'll read it again.
I absolutely loved how it was Soren repeatedly brushing Lucas off in the beginning that opened Lucas' eyes to both his behavior and what he'd been missing. Their relationship progressed in a believable way and I really enjoyed every bit of it. I find myself, after it was all over, however, still hating Soren's mom. I know she apologized for her behavior in regards to Soren being gay and dating Lucas but she's a bigot regardless of the apology and she hadn't redeemed herself in my eyes at all by the end of the book. While I would've liked a concrete HEA at the end, that would've required a look at Soren and Lucas several years in the future so I'm happy with how things were left.
Really enjoyable book that shows what a young adult novel can be without adding a ridiculous amount of angst or drama. I really liked it and I know I'll read it again.
July 27, 2014
You know how there are movies that have a premise and characters that really pull you in, but sometimes there are issues with consistency that would hurt the movie it you didn't take a step back and just look at from an overall perspective? (Like Sharknado - Why does the water level change scene to scene?) This book has a little of that. I love the characters and I want them to overcome obstacles and get together and be happy. When I read a single chapter, I can get totally immersed in the characters, what they are feeling and their thought processes. If you are someone who is going to get hung up on continuity errors and would let that interfere with enjoying the character's interactions, then you might not enjoy this story as much as I did. Like, is it supposed to be fall? What point in time is it- closer to dial-up modem era or smartphone era? I will think it is one, then a character gets a notification on his phone. But if you can just accept that fact that he got contacted and overlook whatever means it was by, then you can just enjoy the backbone of the story that is there. And that backbone is really great, you'll be thinking about the characters and envisioning there lives past the point of the story's end.
January 8, 2013
I liked this story. I knew this author's other stories and I was sure it will be a good reading, she didn't disappoint me. But.. there were moments when I felt like the story had lost it's dynamics. I missed there something and wasn't sure what it was, maybe it was too much detailed, a bit too long. Sometimes I just fell from the hook and then after while I was captivated again, that's why I gave it only 4 stars, not 5.
I loved the characters. They were truly believable young people, no heroes. I liked that they were trying to make their dreams come true. But also that they were making mistakes and were fighting their personal demons. It was fascinating to see their progress... from the first page to the last one. They became stronger persons and I just love happy endings :)
I know this author is a synonym for a quality reading and I really can't wait for when Appetite will be available for purchase, I love that story!
I loved the characters. They were truly believable young people, no heroes. I liked that they were trying to make their dreams come true. But also that they were making mistakes and were fighting their personal demons. It was fascinating to see their progress... from the first page to the last one. They became stronger persons and I just love happy endings :)
I know this author is a synonym for a quality reading and I really can't wait for when Appetite will be available for purchase, I love that story!
November 29, 2013
Loved this book so much! Most of the characters are engaging, and their reactions to the situations they go through are very realistic. I fell in love with Soren and Lucas and their journey towards love and finding who they both are and what they want. The book is long, but it didn't take me all that long to read, especially the second half of the book, I devoured it. The slow build-up of the Soren and Lucas' romance and the troubles they fall into, both at work, with Soren's mom and with friends, make it a very entertaining read.
Other than some minor editing issues (words left out in some sentences, a scene taking place in a different time than it should), and that are minor enough that they don't really matter all that much, From the Inside Out is definitely a story I'm sure I'll adore reading over and over in the future.
Other than some minor editing issues (words left out in some sentences, a scene taking place in a different time than it should), and that are minor enough that they don't really matter all that much, From the Inside Out is definitely a story I'm sure I'll adore reading over and over in the future.
January 14, 2013
A really good, LOOOONG read that wraps you up in the characters' struggles and pulls you along. A very different book from Signal to Noise which I had read earlier and very much enjoyed, but this was almost as enjoyable. I think StN's sci-fi theme trumps it for me, but as this is contemporary I find it works well in that genre and compares with some of the best of it.
It reminded me quite a bit of Tigers and Devils, and that is a compliment, of course. The ongoing themes of love, coming out and finding a place in society as a gay couple is thoroughly and very well explored here.
It reminded me quite a bit of Tigers and Devils, and that is a compliment, of course. The ongoing themes of love, coming out and finding a place in society as a gay couple is thoroughly and very well explored here.
April 10, 2013
Lovely read, thought the mother was a bit of a psycho to be honest with no real redeeming qualities and I would have really liked to have seen her brought to task a little more but other than that the book kept me happily occupied for a couple of days, thank you.
September 6, 2016
It was too long, for what the story and emotion it tried to portray anything near 200 pages would have been well received. The story dragged too much, it made the reading experience dull and predictable.
December 28, 2012
3 1/2★'s
January 5, 2016
The book was okay, but I couldn't get over how much I detested the mother through the entire story.
June 15, 2013
3.5 stars.
December 29, 2012
Thank you for sharing your talent with us! I enjoyed every single word you've written. I can't wait until your next work gets published. Keep up the good work.
January 19, 2013
Could have used some editing, but was enjoyable.
February 27, 2013
Rating 3.5
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