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Save Me #1
Saving Toby
This edition is no longer available.
Loving someone through their hard fall from grace takes a lot of grit.
Hired on as a caretaker to the ailing Mrs. Faye, Claudia Chiatmetti is drawn into the lives of the widow and her son — a world where sadness lingers and old wounds run deep. Empathetic to the family's plight, Claudia is powerless against the emerging feelings she has for the unruly Toby Faye. Up close, Toby’s blue-grey eyes expose a need she cannot ignore. His dark past will test her fortitude and expose her to danger. Does Claudia have the grit to love Toby through it?
Saving Toby is a powerful and moving debut novel set on the south shore of Long Island. It is the first book of a two-part story that follows the emotional and inspirational tale of a young couple's journey to find themselves.
*Contains strong language and explicit scenes.
Loving someone through their hard fall from grace takes a lot of grit.
Hired on as a caretaker to the ailing Mrs. Faye, Claudia Chiatmetti is drawn into the lives of the widow and her son — a world where sadness lingers and old wounds run deep. Empathetic to the family's plight, Claudia is powerless against the emerging feelings she has for the unruly Toby Faye. Up close, Toby’s blue-grey eyes expose a need she cannot ignore. His dark past will test her fortitude and expose her to danger. Does Claudia have the grit to love Toby through it?
Saving Toby is a powerful and moving debut novel set on the south shore of Long Island. It is the first book of a two-part story that follows the emotional and inspirational tale of a young couple's journey to find themselves.
*Contains strong language and explicit scenes.
392 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 26, 2013
59 people are currently reading
936 people want to read
About the author
Suzanne McKenna Link
4 books135 followersSuzanne McKenna Link is the author of the SAVE ME SERIES featuring SAVING TOBY, KEEPING CLAUDIA and FINDING EDWARD and her latest novel, #GIRLFIGHT. Each story is a heartfelt and emotional journey of a young person struggling with family, love, and understanding exactly who they are.
A native Long Islander, Suzanne writes the kind of stories she enjoys reading: ones that pull readers to dark emotional depths, but also uplift and inspire. (*Bonus points if they make her laugh along the way)
To keep up-to-date on upcoming book and author news, visit Suzanne's author website at http://www.suzannemckennalink.com
On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SuzanneMckennaLink
To find more about Suzanne, what she's reading and writing, as well as personal and inspirational thoughts, check out her blog: http://suzannemckennalink.blogspot.com/
Suzanne currently lives in New York, on Long Island. Member of Romance Writers of Long Island, and #indiebooksbeseen movement.
A native Long Islander, Suzanne writes the kind of stories she enjoys reading: ones that pull readers to dark emotional depths, but also uplift and inspire. (*Bonus points if they make her laugh along the way)
To keep up-to-date on upcoming book and author news, visit Suzanne's author website at http://www.suzannemckennalink.com
On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SuzanneMckennaLink
To find more about Suzanne, what she's reading and writing, as well as personal and inspirational thoughts, check out her blog: http://suzannemckennalink.blogspot.com/
Suzanne currently lives in New York, on Long Island. Member of Romance Writers of Long Island, and #indiebooksbeseen movement.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 130 reviews
April 4, 2018
Claudia goes to college and she also has a job. She helps sick or old people in their daily life. She will help a sick woman who’s the mother of Toby. Claudia and Toby know each other from high school, but Claudia changed high school a few years ago and they haven’t seen each other since. Toby had a crush on Claudia, but she never returned those feelings. Toby still has that crush and he really wants a chance with her. Claudia is hesitant, but the more time she spends with him, the more she likes him. Claudia and Toby’s relationship won’t always be easy, but they want to be together.
Claudia is kindhearted, caring, innocent, friendly and insecure. She is a people pleaser. She hates to disappoint her father and she loves to take care of people. Claudia loves her job and she wants to do anything for the people she works for, helps. She works hard and she studies hard to graduate at the college of her dreams. Claudia isn’t sure what to do with her feelings for Toby, but the attraction is very strong. She’ll love him very much and she can’t imagine a future without him.
Toby is the kind of a man Claudia’s father always warned her to stay away from. He’s a bad boy. His family and his friends are far from perfect. Toby is lost, not happy with his life and not sure what his future will bring. He will change for Claudia and he’ll become a better man. Toby is over the moon when Claudia gives him a chance. He really likes being with her and he would do anything for her.
I struggled with Saving Toby sometimes. Some things didn’t make sense to me and the dialogue was immature sometimes. I’ll try the next book in the series. I just hope that less things will happen that could ruin Claudia and Toby’s relationship in that novel. There was a lot happening in Saving Toby, from Toby’s racist friends to an unexpected death.
-- My honest review is based on a copy provided by the author. --
Claudia is kindhearted, caring, innocent, friendly and insecure. She is a people pleaser. She hates to disappoint her father and she loves to take care of people. Claudia loves her job and she wants to do anything for the people she works for, helps. She works hard and she studies hard to graduate at the college of her dreams. Claudia isn’t sure what to do with her feelings for Toby, but the attraction is very strong. She’ll love him very much and she can’t imagine a future without him.
Toby is the kind of a man Claudia’s father always warned her to stay away from. He’s a bad boy. His family and his friends are far from perfect. Toby is lost, not happy with his life and not sure what his future will bring. He will change for Claudia and he’ll become a better man. Toby is over the moon when Claudia gives him a chance. He really likes being with her and he would do anything for her.
I struggled with Saving Toby sometimes. Some things didn’t make sense to me and the dialogue was immature sometimes. I’ll try the next book in the series. I just hope that less things will happen that could ruin Claudia and Toby’s relationship in that novel. There was a lot happening in Saving Toby, from Toby’s racist friends to an unexpected death.
-- My honest review is based on a copy provided by the author. --
May 5, 2015
I am EXTREMELY torn.
Somewhere between 4 and 5 stars
I found myself stressed while reading this. UGH.
First off, don't go thinking that this is a book you shouldn't read, because it's a great book. Suzanne DEFINITELY knows how to write. She's VERY good at it, and that alone made me super happy. I love getting a good read for review. This book is a mega page turner.
I guess we will start with the characters. I will admit, they were the main source of my stress. More than half the time I couldn't stand Toby... but then the other half I was super annoyed with Claude. There was no dang in between! Don't get me wrong, I loved them too death. Toby's humor is off the charts. I can't count how many times I laughed aloud because of him. And Claude is super bright and smart, and she made me happy a lot of the time. I loved their chemistry... I didn't really like that it was based entirely on sex. I mean it was great that they connected that way and all, but I would of liked to see more emotional attraction. I guess I can say my wish was granted towards the end. Toby's love for her, although very physical, is sweet and tore my heart to pieces. His emotional state was absolutely heart breaking. I almost didn't know what to think half of the time because he is such a WRECK. I can't say I blame him, but holy cow I wasn't prepared for so many feels. Claude was pissing me off the the high heavens towards the end. All I'm going to say is try to be in her shoes. Try to look at it from her point of view... but look at it from Toby's point of view too.
The imagery in this book was HOLY HELL intense! Like... awesomely intense. I'm pretty sure I didn't just read a book, I watched a dang movie! I love how beautiful both of the characters are. I love how everything was described. Every single character had their own physical traits and personalities listed... even the minor ones. It was friggen great.
The story line itself was good. Like I said, it's a page turner. Some parts moved fast, but the author made them flow nicely. This is definitely NOT a short story though. This one book alone covers like... 2 years or so. I really didn't have a problem with it. I was kept on my toes and I always wanted to read more. I don't know how long I'll be able to wait for book 2! Yikes!
Somewhere between 4 and 5 stars
I found myself stressed while reading this. UGH.
First off, don't go thinking that this is a book you shouldn't read, because it's a great book. Suzanne DEFINITELY knows how to write. She's VERY good at it, and that alone made me super happy. I love getting a good read for review. This book is a mega page turner.
I guess we will start with the characters. I will admit, they were the main source of my stress. More than half the time I couldn't stand Toby... but then the other half I was super annoyed with Claude. There was no dang in between! Don't get me wrong, I loved them too death. Toby's humor is off the charts. I can't count how many times I laughed aloud because of him. And Claude is super bright and smart, and she made me happy a lot of the time. I loved their chemistry... I didn't really like that it was based entirely on sex. I mean it was great that they connected that way and all, but I would of liked to see more emotional attraction. I guess I can say my wish was granted towards the end. Toby's love for her, although very physical, is sweet and tore my heart to pieces. His emotional state was absolutely heart breaking. I almost didn't know what to think half of the time because he is such a WRECK. I can't say I blame him, but holy cow I wasn't prepared for so many feels. Claude was pissing me off the the high heavens towards the end. All I'm going to say is try to be in her shoes. Try to look at it from her point of view... but look at it from Toby's point of view too.
The imagery in this book was HOLY HELL intense! Like... awesomely intense. I'm pretty sure I didn't just read a book, I watched a dang movie! I love how beautiful both of the characters are. I love how everything was described. Every single character had their own physical traits and personalities listed... even the minor ones. It was friggen great.
The story line itself was good. Like I said, it's a page turner. Some parts moved fast, but the author made them flow nicely. This is definitely NOT a short story though. This one book alone covers like... 2 years or so. I really didn't have a problem with it. I was kept on my toes and I always wanted to read more. I don't know how long I'll be able to wait for book 2! Yikes!
April 26, 2015
I received a copy of this book for an honest review.
I expected more of it. It's a story about bad boy Toby, who didn't had an easy life. His father killed two people and himself while drunk driving, his bigger brother abused Toby and then ended in jail for killing someone and his mother is seriously ill. Claudia lives with her dad, who is a cop. She got a job, taking care of Toby's mother. Toby and Claudia fall in love, but then bad stuff happens the break up and years later their still friends but they can't seem to express what they really feel for each other.
There are tons of books out there with the same concept. And I did had high hopes for this book as it does have a lot of good reviews. Unfortunately I was disappointed. The last couple of weeks I tried reading the book but couldn't get in to it and put it down again. The last couple of days I made myself read it, because I promised to review the book. I found myself getting distracted and staring out of the window a couple of times during the book. It just didn't interested me enough. Although it does get better further in the book.
I knew exactly what was gonna happen, nothing surprised me. And I think that was my biggest issue with the book. I read this story somewhere before.
Another thing was that I really disliked Toby. He does turned out to be a better person, in the last 100 pages. And I did feel bad for him because of all the stuff he went through. But I didn't get to like him, I wanted to like him but then he did something that made me cringe. Even at the end of the book, he still said something I really disliked. I'm glad Claudia liked him and he's happy at the end of the book. But I would never would have come near Toby, he made me so angry a couple of times.
I do have to say I do like Suzanne's writing style. And I like that the chapters changed views between Toby and Claudia.
I'm sorry for complaining so much but this book wasn't for me.
I expected more of it. It's a story about bad boy Toby, who didn't had an easy life. His father killed two people and himself while drunk driving, his bigger brother abused Toby and then ended in jail for killing someone and his mother is seriously ill. Claudia lives with her dad, who is a cop. She got a job, taking care of Toby's mother. Toby and Claudia fall in love, but then bad stuff happens the break up and years later their still friends but they can't seem to express what they really feel for each other.
There are tons of books out there with the same concept. And I did had high hopes for this book as it does have a lot of good reviews. Unfortunately I was disappointed. The last couple of weeks I tried reading the book but couldn't get in to it and put it down again. The last couple of days I made myself read it, because I promised to review the book. I found myself getting distracted and staring out of the window a couple of times during the book. It just didn't interested me enough. Although it does get better further in the book.
I knew exactly what was gonna happen, nothing surprised me. And I think that was my biggest issue with the book. I read this story somewhere before.
Another thing was that I really disliked Toby. He does turned out to be a better person, in the last 100 pages. And I did feel bad for him because of all the stuff he went through. But I didn't get to like him, I wanted to like him but then he did something that made me cringe. Even at the end of the book, he still said something I really disliked. I'm glad Claudia liked him and he's happy at the end of the book. But I would never would have come near Toby, he made me so angry a couple of times.
I do have to say I do like Suzanne's writing style. And I like that the chapters changed views between Toby and Claudia.
I'm sorry for complaining so much but this book wasn't for me.
January 14, 2023
Saving Toby is the first book in the Finding Me contemporary series. This story is also a new adult opposites attract romance. I had previously read book three in the series, although the characters aren’t linked, it is the subject matters that relate to the series.
Claudia and Toby— two young adults from very different homes. Toby grew up with violence; his father killed two people while drunk driving, while his brother is in prison for murder. The family name Faye was well known in town, but not for good reasons.
Claudia is the police chief’s daughter who studies hard and has plans to move to California for university. She has volunteered for part-time work caring for Toby’s sick mother. Previously, Toby and Claudia had been had the same school; he’d had a crush on her, but she moved away to a new school. Their romance now blossoms, but it is complicated by further violence and Claudia’s plans to move away.
This is a story about relationships and finding what you want in life. At times this is a harsh story, but that gives it a realistic edge. Overall another good book in the series.
Claudia and Toby— two young adults from very different homes. Toby grew up with violence; his father killed two people while drunk driving, while his brother is in prison for murder. The family name Faye was well known in town, but not for good reasons.
Claudia is the police chief’s daughter who studies hard and has plans to move to California for university. She has volunteered for part-time work caring for Toby’s sick mother. Previously, Toby and Claudia had been had the same school; he’d had a crush on her, but she moved away to a new school. Their romance now blossoms, but it is complicated by further violence and Claudia’s plans to move away.
This is a story about relationships and finding what you want in life. At times this is a harsh story, but that gives it a realistic edge. Overall another good book in the series.
December 29, 2015
Toby has had a crush on Claudia since he could remember, but seeing her again, in his house, taking care of his mom, brings all those feelings back to life. After moving away to get away from his family and his past, Toby is back when his mom's cancer returns again. It's all temporary though, he'll be leaving again as soon as he can. He doesn't want to remember his dad, see his brother in prison, and certainly not get stuck in this town he wants nothing to do with. Claudia is ready to try to be on her own, even if it means going behind her sheriff father's back. She's applied to USC, working her first paying job, and somewhere along the away found herself liking Toby Faye, the son of her client. They aren't from the same world however and when bad things seem to be happening no matter where he goes, their short lived relationship doesn't stand a chance. Toby doesn't know how to love and Claudia doesn't know how to keep loving someone who doesn't want to try.
It is hard to believe this book is Suzanne McKenna Link's debut novel; it is incredibly well written and a real page-turner. Main characters, Toby and Claudia, come to life on the pages and their mannerisms are very realistic. Claudia was exactly who I was in school; good, driven, determined to succeed, but curious. I really enjoyed her as a character, especially when she did things outside of her norm. It's easy as a reader to say her mannerism don't make sense, but when I think back to being 18-21, the strange self preservation methods are totally true. I love how she wanted so much for Toby, yet knew her own self worth as well. I understood where she came from when she both wanted to be in Toby's life, but couldn't. She was a perfectly written character, in my opinion. Toby, on the other hand, is, well, stressful. He's the kid who you tell no who does it any way, the one who jumps off a rock into the water without knowing how deep it is. His emotions are all over the place and as a reader you're left wanting to throw a stop sign in front of him, to make him slow down and think. I could easily picture him in my mind and felt all the emotions as he went through his life. It was so hard to read about his feelings, but know he physically had no clue how to express them. Both characters, as well as the minor characters of friends and family, are very well described. The physical traits, from color of skin and eyes, clothing type, and even odd little facial expressions were so well detailed. It was easy to picture the characters and the scene as the pages turned.
The relationship between Claudia and Toby, while tumultuous, is beautiful. I liked their approach of the unknown, I liked that it wasn't perfect, and I really liked how it was so very realistic. The novel takes place over a long period of time, three years to be exact. While it felt like a very long read at times, it really isn't, it's just filled with the kind of relationship that's consuming. There's also some very heavy subjects dealt with through out the book, from family members in prison, overbearing parents, sexual relationships, cancer, and criminal activity. It seems like a lot, but it's handled very well and written into the book over a length of time. I have to commend Link for not smoothing out the hard to handle situations, I get so tired of YA/NA books that have something happen that is okay in just a page or two, I like the depth and to feel the heartache with the characters.
Every moment I read this book, I ignored something in my own life. I was completely immersed and when I finished the last page I had this feeling in my stomach that something was missing. Saving Toby is a complex novel, not one you can just pick up and read on any old day, but one that will take over your life from the moment you start the first page. The character development, descriptive writing, and amazing plot line are just a few parts of this book that I could go on and on about. Suzanne McKenna Link has given a gift to readers in this New Adult Contemporary Romance and if I could have the second book in my hands right now, I absolutely would.
It is hard to believe this book is Suzanne McKenna Link's debut novel; it is incredibly well written and a real page-turner. Main characters, Toby and Claudia, come to life on the pages and their mannerisms are very realistic. Claudia was exactly who I was in school; good, driven, determined to succeed, but curious. I really enjoyed her as a character, especially when she did things outside of her norm. It's easy as a reader to say her mannerism don't make sense, but when I think back to being 18-21, the strange self preservation methods are totally true. I love how she wanted so much for Toby, yet knew her own self worth as well. I understood where she came from when she both wanted to be in Toby's life, but couldn't. She was a perfectly written character, in my opinion. Toby, on the other hand, is, well, stressful. He's the kid who you tell no who does it any way, the one who jumps off a rock into the water without knowing how deep it is. His emotions are all over the place and as a reader you're left wanting to throw a stop sign in front of him, to make him slow down and think. I could easily picture him in my mind and felt all the emotions as he went through his life. It was so hard to read about his feelings, but know he physically had no clue how to express them. Both characters, as well as the minor characters of friends and family, are very well described. The physical traits, from color of skin and eyes, clothing type, and even odd little facial expressions were so well detailed. It was easy to picture the characters and the scene as the pages turned.
The relationship between Claudia and Toby, while tumultuous, is beautiful. I liked their approach of the unknown, I liked that it wasn't perfect, and I really liked how it was so very realistic. The novel takes place over a long period of time, three years to be exact. While it felt like a very long read at times, it really isn't, it's just filled with the kind of relationship that's consuming. There's also some very heavy subjects dealt with through out the book, from family members in prison, overbearing parents, sexual relationships, cancer, and criminal activity. It seems like a lot, but it's handled very well and written into the book over a length of time. I have to commend Link for not smoothing out the hard to handle situations, I get so tired of YA/NA books that have something happen that is okay in just a page or two, I like the depth and to feel the heartache with the characters.
Every moment I read this book, I ignored something in my own life. I was completely immersed and when I finished the last page I had this feeling in my stomach that something was missing. Saving Toby is a complex novel, not one you can just pick up and read on any old day, but one that will take over your life from the moment you start the first page. The character development, descriptive writing, and amazing plot line are just a few parts of this book that I could go on and on about. Suzanne McKenna Link has given a gift to readers in this New Adult Contemporary Romance and if I could have the second book in my hands right now, I absolutely would.
September 29, 2014
* I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review*
The story of Claudia and Toby is so much more than just your typical romance read. It's intense. It's deep. It's emotional as hell but it's damn good at the same time.
Claudia is a typical 'do-gooder' and she has her life mapped out exactly how she sees fit. However, when Toby walks in to her life, everything she's every dreamed about suddenly shifts, for a moment. Her plans to leave NY and head to LA for schooling, and to be closer to her mother, are forbidden by her father.
Toby is your typical, hard bodied, sexy man. Although, he has had a hard upbringing. Being the youngest in his family, he has had to suffer through the death of his father, the fists of his older brother, and the illness and tears of his mother. He has traveled since graduating high school because he was looking for a place to fit in; a place to feel welcomed. Little did he know, all he was running from was exactly where he needs to be.
Toby and Claudia's love story is met with beauty, heartache, death, more heartache but eventually, beauty once again. While each struggle to make their lives better, they truly never give up on the other.
It's a gentle read but packed full of emotions and intense moments where, yes, I admit, I even got teary-eyed. But it's definitely a good read!
The story of Claudia and Toby is so much more than just your typical romance read. It's intense. It's deep. It's emotional as hell but it's damn good at the same time.
Claudia is a typical 'do-gooder' and she has her life mapped out exactly how she sees fit. However, when Toby walks in to her life, everything she's every dreamed about suddenly shifts, for a moment. Her plans to leave NY and head to LA for schooling, and to be closer to her mother, are forbidden by her father.
Toby is your typical, hard bodied, sexy man. Although, he has had a hard upbringing. Being the youngest in his family, he has had to suffer through the death of his father, the fists of his older brother, and the illness and tears of his mother. He has traveled since graduating high school because he was looking for a place to fit in; a place to feel welcomed. Little did he know, all he was running from was exactly where he needs to be.
Toby and Claudia's love story is met with beauty, heartache, death, more heartache but eventually, beauty once again. While each struggle to make their lives better, they truly never give up on the other.
It's a gentle read but packed full of emotions and intense moments where, yes, I admit, I even got teary-eyed. But it's definitely a good read!
April 30, 2015
I received a copy of the ePub from the Goodreads group Never Too Old for Y.A. & N. A. in exchange for an honest review.
Suzanne McKenna Link has written a heart warning New Adult Romance. Saving Toby draws the reader in immediately. The novel is character driven. The characters are well defined with strong and distinct voices.
Claudia is the good girl. She is driven to achieve her goals and has the support of her police officer father. Toby presents himself as the bad boy. The reader learns so much about these character via their individual points of view. Their feelings, fears and goals are revealed through their words and actions.
Claudia accepts a part time job as Toby’s ailing mother’s caregiver. Claudia’s relationship with Toby is a slow burn. They had not seen each other since elementary school and the bad boy does not want to scare her off. Will choices that Toby has made define him? Do people really change?
This emotional read moves quickly. The author explores many important issues including but not limited to divorce, abuse, addiction, and bereavement. Claudia and Toby’s journey is far from over. Looking forward to the next book in this series.
Suzanne McKenna Link has written a heart warning New Adult Romance. Saving Toby draws the reader in immediately. The novel is character driven. The characters are well defined with strong and distinct voices.
Claudia is the good girl. She is driven to achieve her goals and has the support of her police officer father. Toby presents himself as the bad boy. The reader learns so much about these character via their individual points of view. Their feelings, fears and goals are revealed through their words and actions.
Claudia accepts a part time job as Toby’s ailing mother’s caregiver. Claudia’s relationship with Toby is a slow burn. They had not seen each other since elementary school and the bad boy does not want to scare her off. Will choices that Toby has made define him? Do people really change?
This emotional read moves quickly. The author explores many important issues including but not limited to divorce, abuse, addiction, and bereavement. Claudia and Toby’s journey is far from over. Looking forward to the next book in this series.
August 5, 2014
Rating: 4.5.
Saving Toby was an incredibly amazing read. After weeks searching for a decent book, I was starting to lose hope that talent had long since been lost, until I found Saving Toby—it gave me faith that there were still authors in the literary world who are gifted and unique.
Suzanne McKenna Link is a very talented writer, she's a true author, and deserves a whole lot more recognition. It kind of frustrates me that authors who write poor quality books that are written atrociously, ones that have no unique plot, are bland and predictable, and have mediocre characters, are more recognized and praised than authentic and original writers like Suzanne McKenna Link. I don't know why people gravitate more towards the former, it's completely beyond me, but I certainly do not follow that crowd.
Suzanne is incredible, she has a very special way with words that so easily evoke emotions out of you that you wouldn't normally feel, especially not from fiction. And not only are her words special, but so is Suzanne herself—the whole way through Saving Toby, you could just feel and see how much time and effort Suzanne puts into her writing; soul and heart. Her writing was so meticulous, but came across as effortless at the same time. Her dedication shone though every sentence, and I was both impressed and moved by her commitment and devotion to her characters and the story.
I liked Saving Toby right from the beginning, and I honestly had no idea which way the plot was going to go; usually it's quite obvious, but not with this book; I knew I was in for an unexpected story, and once I started, I didn't want to stop reading. I actually didn't even want the book to ever end, but I knew that, naturally, it had to...and I was very restless as I was drawn closer and closer towards the ending of the book.
The characters throughout Saving Toby were very well-developed; after several chapters, they had already started to feel like real people to me. I kind of felt privileged to be reading, and following, Claudia and Toby on their journey through life. They learnt so much, about life, about themselves, about each other...you could feel their growth through the book, especially with Toby. And Julia was a beautiful character, she was a huge part of Claudia and Toby and their life, together and apart. I also loved Mr. Chiatmetti despite his strong hold on Claudia; he was seriously protective of his daughter, and at times I was frustrated with his decisions and his closed-minded opinions, but I also understood him—his daughter came first, and I think he was just scared to lose her...lose his baby girl to the big world, to independence where Claudia would go off and find a life of her own.
The side characters, such as April, Dario, Abe, and even Ray and Dev were all widely different characters, and the characterisation was superb. Each character had a role, separate personalities and views, and Suzanne pulled each one off exceptionally well.
I will be honest and say that I liked Toby more than Claudia. Claudia started off as quite naive, but I had understood it and even related to that side of her. Along with that, she was strong-willed, independent, intelligent, and had a natural way with helping people. However, she was also a little selfish at times, and a little too focused on being independent that it kind of clouded everything else in her life. She pushed Toby away a lot, especially when he needed her the most. Part of that I had understood, her drive and fight to pursue her dreams, but it wasn't very balanced—everything, for a while, was all about her and her need to move and work towards a career, that she kind of put everyone and everything else on the backburner. It was just a little bit too much, and not always fair to the people in her life. By half way through the book and towards the end, some of her choices and her reasoning's where a little frustrating, and sometimes her point of view became a little repetitive and...boring. She was a bit uptight at times, and I just wanted her to loosen up a bit, to relax, to not be so serious. Also, even though I understood her not forgiving Toby so easily/quickly for the things he had done and said, Claudia took it to a new extreme; she couldn't seem to ever let it go, and held it against Toby even two years later. She was always telling Toby that she never believed she was too good for him, or that she was better than him, however her actions spoke very differently. She was a pro at avoiding and dragging things on longer than necessary. I felt sorry for Toby, like she was leading him on, making him suffer more than he needed to, more than he deserved. In a way, I felt Toby was better off without Claudia, but in the end you just can't ignore their undeniable chemistry.
Toby was short-tempered, had an anger simmering under the surface at all times, and he was defensive and sometimes a little too reactive. But I loved him, because deep down, he had a beautiful soul. He was incredibly hilarious, whenever there was a moment I laughed during the story, it was always because of him. I loved his journey more than Claudia's; his growth was more obvious, more intense, more admirable, and he eventually became well-deserved of everything good in life. I was on his side, even when he did or said something questionable—the thing with Toby is, he eventually realised his mistakes, and he made the effort to fix them. His attraction to Claudia was intense when reading from his point of view. Toby is your typical male in the sense of sexuality, and he was quite arrogant with what he could do with/for Claudia in that aspect; he was definitely confident in that regard, and even though it wasn't my favourite trait of his, it was still interesting to witness. I felt a lot of emotions when inside his head, more than when I was in Claudia's. Even though there was often an intensity and an aggressiveness to him, there was also something really warm and secure about him—comfortable. For the right things, he was strong and compassionate, and when he was finally on the discovery and transformation of who he was without all the baggage of his past and his mistakes, as he started making something of himself, it was impossible not to be proud of his character. I loved him at the beginning of the story, but that love constantly grew, never faltering, and by the end of the book, he had officially became one of my favourite characters not just from Saving Toby, but out of every book I've read. Toby was pretty incredible. I would have been beyond satisfied even if the whole book was just in his point of view.
Suzanne McKenna Link has a strong talent with adding realism to her work. 98% of this book, the characterisation, the events, the emotions, the thoughts from the characters, the genre, the suspense, was realistic. There was a believability to her writing style, she made most things in the book feel natural and real. I will say that, at some points, I did find a couple of scenes questionable; I remember one of them was when Claudia's father let her go out when Dev, an evil, sadistic asshole who was out for blood and Claudia was no doubt one of his targets, was still on the loose. Mr. Chiatmetti, despite being a cop and a strict and over-protective Dad, seemed all too quick to agree to let Claudia leave when there was a high chance of her being in danger; it was like he thought, because the police were already patrolling and on the look-out for Dev, that Claudia would be safe. Not very good cop-logic, or Dad-logic, to me. Which, in turn, didn't feel realistic to me. There were also just a couple of short scenes spread out in the book that could have been revised and re-written in a more realistic way, however even in saying that, there was more realism than not.
I've read some reviews from people who took away points because they were worried that the discrimination/racist-crime/violence could possibly be the authors own views. I, personally, think that's ridiculous. Characterisation and world-building are two of Suzanne's best traits in writing, and in the real world there is hate, and there is crime, and there are people who are racist and cruel and discriminating, and to make Saving Toby realistic, she had to show that in her book. She added to her book what happens in everyday life; it may not be pretty, it may be sickening and hard to read, but unfortunately things in life aren't always perfect or good—there are bad people in this world, and I actually loved that she was brave enough to add some of that to her book. The readers don't have to like or agree with those parts of the book, but at least appreciate the realism of it, that it's necessary to add to the book as part of the plot. A lot of the "bad" things in Saving Toby actually ended up changing Toby's life, for the better—made him realise things and turn his life around. I definitely didn't like the racism or the cruelty, however I'm mature enough to understand that it was necessary for the eventual direction of the storyline.
Adding to the realism, I loved that Saving Toby was not fast paced. Some people would probably think it's too slow, too dragged out, but I actually believed that it was the perfect, most natural pace, for both the plot and the characters. Sure, there were a couple of moments where not a whole lot was happening, but that's like in life—sometimes things come to a standstill for a short time, sometimes things in life aren't always entertaining, sometimes things are just slow. Again, it was realistic. There was a good balance of suspense.
Reading and "watching" and feeling Claudia and Toby experience all the ups and downs, trials and tribulations, loss and love, pain and happiness, both as individuals and together, was amazing. I caught myself smiling, a lot. Several times, my heart and stomach were doing all kinds of funny things. There were even moments when I had tears in my eyes. I was completely immersed into this story, both emotionally and mentally, and I never wanted to step out of Toby and Claudia's lives.
Saving Toby was a character-driven book, and I loved that the characters were more prominent than the actual drama going on around them; the characters were front and centre, there wasn't a mix-up or a back-and-forthness with drama development and character development, like a tug of war of which was more important—you knew what was important about this book right from the get-go, and it was consistent all throughout.
I love coming-of-age stories when done right, and Suzanne McKenna Link done it right. I loved how it was emphasised how different Toby and Claudia were from each other, and the genuine and legitimate struggles and triumphs in their relationship. I adored the sweetness and the roughness, the angst and the calmness. This book was believable, frustrating, adorable, intense, unexpected and beautiful! I absolutely cannot wait for the second book, Keeping Claudia, and only hope both Toby and Claudia's growth continues to happen. To be honest, I have a lot of expectations for book two after reading Saving Toby, and I can't wait to see what Suzanne has in store for these characters.
I won't be forgetting Saving Toby anytime soon— it's one of those books where it makes you think and feel so much that you couldn't forget it even if you wanted to.
Saving Toby was an incredibly amazing read. After weeks searching for a decent book, I was starting to lose hope that talent had long since been lost, until I found Saving Toby—it gave me faith that there were still authors in the literary world who are gifted and unique.
Suzanne McKenna Link is a very talented writer, she's a true author, and deserves a whole lot more recognition. It kind of frustrates me that authors who write poor quality books that are written atrociously, ones that have no unique plot, are bland and predictable, and have mediocre characters, are more recognized and praised than authentic and original writers like Suzanne McKenna Link. I don't know why people gravitate more towards the former, it's completely beyond me, but I certainly do not follow that crowd.
Suzanne is incredible, she has a very special way with words that so easily evoke emotions out of you that you wouldn't normally feel, especially not from fiction. And not only are her words special, but so is Suzanne herself—the whole way through Saving Toby, you could just feel and see how much time and effort Suzanne puts into her writing; soul and heart. Her writing was so meticulous, but came across as effortless at the same time. Her dedication shone though every sentence, and I was both impressed and moved by her commitment and devotion to her characters and the story.
I liked Saving Toby right from the beginning, and I honestly had no idea which way the plot was going to go; usually it's quite obvious, but not with this book; I knew I was in for an unexpected story, and once I started, I didn't want to stop reading. I actually didn't even want the book to ever end, but I knew that, naturally, it had to...and I was very restless as I was drawn closer and closer towards the ending of the book.
The characters throughout Saving Toby were very well-developed; after several chapters, they had already started to feel like real people to me. I kind of felt privileged to be reading, and following, Claudia and Toby on their journey through life. They learnt so much, about life, about themselves, about each other...you could feel their growth through the book, especially with Toby. And Julia was a beautiful character, she was a huge part of Claudia and Toby and their life, together and apart. I also loved Mr. Chiatmetti despite his strong hold on Claudia; he was seriously protective of his daughter, and at times I was frustrated with his decisions and his closed-minded opinions, but I also understood him—his daughter came first, and I think he was just scared to lose her...lose his baby girl to the big world, to independence where Claudia would go off and find a life of her own.
The side characters, such as April, Dario, Abe, and even Ray and Dev were all widely different characters, and the characterisation was superb. Each character had a role, separate personalities and views, and Suzanne pulled each one off exceptionally well.
I will be honest and say that I liked Toby more than Claudia. Claudia started off as quite naive, but I had understood it and even related to that side of her. Along with that, she was strong-willed, independent, intelligent, and had a natural way with helping people. However, she was also a little selfish at times, and a little too focused on being independent that it kind of clouded everything else in her life. She pushed Toby away a lot, especially when he needed her the most. Part of that I had understood, her drive and fight to pursue her dreams, but it wasn't very balanced—everything, for a while, was all about her and her need to move and work towards a career, that she kind of put everyone and everything else on the backburner. It was just a little bit too much, and not always fair to the people in her life. By half way through the book and towards the end, some of her choices and her reasoning's where a little frustrating, and sometimes her point of view became a little repetitive and...boring. She was a bit uptight at times, and I just wanted her to loosen up a bit, to relax, to not be so serious. Also, even though I understood her not forgiving Toby so easily/quickly for the things he had done and said, Claudia took it to a new extreme; she couldn't seem to ever let it go, and held it against Toby even two years later. She was always telling Toby that she never believed she was too good for him, or that she was better than him, however her actions spoke very differently. She was a pro at avoiding and dragging things on longer than necessary. I felt sorry for Toby, like she was leading him on, making him suffer more than he needed to, more than he deserved. In a way, I felt Toby was better off without Claudia, but in the end you just can't ignore their undeniable chemistry.
Toby was short-tempered, had an anger simmering under the surface at all times, and he was defensive and sometimes a little too reactive. But I loved him, because deep down, he had a beautiful soul. He was incredibly hilarious, whenever there was a moment I laughed during the story, it was always because of him. I loved his journey more than Claudia's; his growth was more obvious, more intense, more admirable, and he eventually became well-deserved of everything good in life. I was on his side, even when he did or said something questionable—the thing with Toby is, he eventually realised his mistakes, and he made the effort to fix them. His attraction to Claudia was intense when reading from his point of view. Toby is your typical male in the sense of sexuality, and he was quite arrogant with what he could do with/for Claudia in that aspect; he was definitely confident in that regard, and even though it wasn't my favourite trait of his, it was still interesting to witness. I felt a lot of emotions when inside his head, more than when I was in Claudia's. Even though there was often an intensity and an aggressiveness to him, there was also something really warm and secure about him—comfortable. For the right things, he was strong and compassionate, and when he was finally on the discovery and transformation of who he was without all the baggage of his past and his mistakes, as he started making something of himself, it was impossible not to be proud of his character. I loved him at the beginning of the story, but that love constantly grew, never faltering, and by the end of the book, he had officially became one of my favourite characters not just from Saving Toby, but out of every book I've read. Toby was pretty incredible. I would have been beyond satisfied even if the whole book was just in his point of view.
Suzanne McKenna Link has a strong talent with adding realism to her work. 98% of this book, the characterisation, the events, the emotions, the thoughts from the characters, the genre, the suspense, was realistic. There was a believability to her writing style, she made most things in the book feel natural and real. I will say that, at some points, I did find a couple of scenes questionable; I remember one of them was when Claudia's father let her go out when Dev, an evil, sadistic asshole who was out for blood and Claudia was no doubt one of his targets, was still on the loose. Mr. Chiatmetti, despite being a cop and a strict and over-protective Dad, seemed all too quick to agree to let Claudia leave when there was a high chance of her being in danger; it was like he thought, because the police were already patrolling and on the look-out for Dev, that Claudia would be safe. Not very good cop-logic, or Dad-logic, to me. Which, in turn, didn't feel realistic to me. There were also just a couple of short scenes spread out in the book that could have been revised and re-written in a more realistic way, however even in saying that, there was more realism than not.
I've read some reviews from people who took away points because they were worried that the discrimination/racist-crime/violence could possibly be the authors own views. I, personally, think that's ridiculous. Characterisation and world-building are two of Suzanne's best traits in writing, and in the real world there is hate, and there is crime, and there are people who are racist and cruel and discriminating, and to make Saving Toby realistic, she had to show that in her book. She added to her book what happens in everyday life; it may not be pretty, it may be sickening and hard to read, but unfortunately things in life aren't always perfect or good—there are bad people in this world, and I actually loved that she was brave enough to add some of that to her book. The readers don't have to like or agree with those parts of the book, but at least appreciate the realism of it, that it's necessary to add to the book as part of the plot. A lot of the "bad" things in Saving Toby actually ended up changing Toby's life, for the better—made him realise things and turn his life around. I definitely didn't like the racism or the cruelty, however I'm mature enough to understand that it was necessary for the eventual direction of the storyline.
Adding to the realism, I loved that Saving Toby was not fast paced. Some people would probably think it's too slow, too dragged out, but I actually believed that it was the perfect, most natural pace, for both the plot and the characters. Sure, there were a couple of moments where not a whole lot was happening, but that's like in life—sometimes things come to a standstill for a short time, sometimes things in life aren't always entertaining, sometimes things are just slow. Again, it was realistic. There was a good balance of suspense.
Reading and "watching" and feeling Claudia and Toby experience all the ups and downs, trials and tribulations, loss and love, pain and happiness, both as individuals and together, was amazing. I caught myself smiling, a lot. Several times, my heart and stomach were doing all kinds of funny things. There were even moments when I had tears in my eyes. I was completely immersed into this story, both emotionally and mentally, and I never wanted to step out of Toby and Claudia's lives.
Saving Toby was a character-driven book, and I loved that the characters were more prominent than the actual drama going on around them; the characters were front and centre, there wasn't a mix-up or a back-and-forthness with drama development and character development, like a tug of war of which was more important—you knew what was important about this book right from the get-go, and it was consistent all throughout.
I love coming-of-age stories when done right, and Suzanne McKenna Link done it right. I loved how it was emphasised how different Toby and Claudia were from each other, and the genuine and legitimate struggles and triumphs in their relationship. I adored the sweetness and the roughness, the angst and the calmness. This book was believable, frustrating, adorable, intense, unexpected and beautiful! I absolutely cannot wait for the second book, Keeping Claudia, and only hope both Toby and Claudia's growth continues to happen. To be honest, I have a lot of expectations for book two after reading Saving Toby, and I can't wait to see what Suzanne has in store for these characters.
I won't be forgetting Saving Toby anytime soon— it's one of those books where it makes you think and feel so much that you couldn't forget it even if you wanted to.
October 14, 2020
When Claudia accepts a job caring for the frail Mrs. Fray, she isn't sure what to expect -- other than her father's disapproval. After all, she's got one son in prison for murder, a late husband who killed a couple while driving drunk, and another son who isn't exactly known for staying out of trouble. But she definitely doesn't expect to fall in love with him.
Toby hasn't had it easy. The father his mother adored is the one he remembers as drunk and violent, and the older brother who should have protected him wasn't much better. In fact, if his mother wasn't sick, he'd probably still be a thousand miles away, far from the memories of a broken upbringing and the judgmental looks from everyone in town. But for all his problems, he can't leave his mother alone. And he can't take his eyes off the beautiful girl taking care of her, even if she's way too good for someone like him.
With our book review schedule so filled up, it took me a while to get to this one, and within the first chapter, I was kicking myself for waiting. On the surface, the characters and setting are so unfamiliar to me that I shouldn't have been able to fall into the story so easily. Life north of the Red River is a foreign concept for me, with characters whose lives are altogether different than anything I've known. Their usual way of speaking is like another language, and there's a culture there that I simply don't understand. These characters definitely aren't on a farm in Texas. But damned if I didn't get so hooked that it was impossible to put the book down.
Claudia is good and responsible, planning out every step of her life and beginning to push back against the overprotective father who's reluctant to let her make her own decisions. She's got her career plans mapped out, her application in to USC, and a new job to carry her over until she packs up to get her degree in California.
Toby is the kind of boy her father always warned her about. More than just your romance novel bad boy, he's got an ugly past and a future that doesn't look much better. He's not just a heart of gold wrapped up in bad decisions. Toby has a mean streak, an itch to brawl, and the kind of friends that make enemies look pleasant. But Claudia piques his interest in a way no other girl has, and he finds himself doing everything he can to make her give him a chance.
There were so many times Saving Toby could have easily turned into just another star-crossed lovers story. Toby could have quickly become a better man for Claudia. She could have given him a chance too soon. They could have worked through everything too easily, and their problems could have simply been erased with some perfectly-timed twist of fate. Instead, they took the more realistic route, the one that had him screwing up and her holding him off and them both dealing with the kind of angst that makes people say awful things. It honestly had me wondering if they were ever going to get through it and find some kind of happily ever after, and that's what I loved about it. There was no way of easily guessing what would happen next, even if I was hoping for it -- I couldn't even bring myself to skip to the end for fear of ruining the journey.
Saving Toby is a heartfelt coming-of-age story about two very different people finding a relationship they never expected and trying to hold onto it through everything life at that age brings. It's sweet and angsty and frustrating and believable, and I can't wait to get my hands on the next book.
*I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Toby hasn't had it easy. The father his mother adored is the one he remembers as drunk and violent, and the older brother who should have protected him wasn't much better. In fact, if his mother wasn't sick, he'd probably still be a thousand miles away, far from the memories of a broken upbringing and the judgmental looks from everyone in town. But for all his problems, he can't leave his mother alone. And he can't take his eyes off the beautiful girl taking care of her, even if she's way too good for someone like him.
With our book review schedule so filled up, it took me a while to get to this one, and within the first chapter, I was kicking myself for waiting. On the surface, the characters and setting are so unfamiliar to me that I shouldn't have been able to fall into the story so easily. Life north of the Red River is a foreign concept for me, with characters whose lives are altogether different than anything I've known. Their usual way of speaking is like another language, and there's a culture there that I simply don't understand. These characters definitely aren't on a farm in Texas. But damned if I didn't get so hooked that it was impossible to put the book down.
Claudia is good and responsible, planning out every step of her life and beginning to push back against the overprotective father who's reluctant to let her make her own decisions. She's got her career plans mapped out, her application in to USC, and a new job to carry her over until she packs up to get her degree in California.
Toby is the kind of boy her father always warned her about. More than just your romance novel bad boy, he's got an ugly past and a future that doesn't look much better. He's not just a heart of gold wrapped up in bad decisions. Toby has a mean streak, an itch to brawl, and the kind of friends that make enemies look pleasant. But Claudia piques his interest in a way no other girl has, and he finds himself doing everything he can to make her give him a chance.
There were so many times Saving Toby could have easily turned into just another star-crossed lovers story. Toby could have quickly become a better man for Claudia. She could have given him a chance too soon. They could have worked through everything too easily, and their problems could have simply been erased with some perfectly-timed twist of fate. Instead, they took the more realistic route, the one that had him screwing up and her holding him off and them both dealing with the kind of angst that makes people say awful things. It honestly had me wondering if they were ever going to get through it and find some kind of happily ever after, and that's what I loved about it. There was no way of easily guessing what would happen next, even if I was hoping for it -- I couldn't even bring myself to skip to the end for fear of ruining the journey.
Saving Toby is a heartfelt coming-of-age story about two very different people finding a relationship they never expected and trying to hold onto it through everything life at that age brings. It's sweet and angsty and frustrating and believable, and I can't wait to get my hands on the next book.
*I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
November 30, 2018
This story is kind of like a modern day, realistic twist to Beauty and the Beast. Innocent beauty Claudia Chiametti (an Italian American beauty) meets beastly bad boy, Toby Faye. They've known each other most of their lives because they live in the same small town and used to go to school together. She's well aware of his and his family's reputation, but trying to strike out on her own, she takes a job helping Toby's sick mother around the house.
The Beauty: For those of you repelled by virginal heroines, you might immediately roll your eyes when you find out Claudia has pretty much zippo experience in the sexual department, but considering her life, a way-overbearing father (who happens to be a cop) and her focus on school, it was believable. But the chick has classic moxie - foot forward and principled. She and Toby make an interesting couple, but she is challenged to balance her feelings for him with her strong need for independence.
The Beast: Toby is the epitome of the street smart bad boy - you know the kind who smokes, drinks, has loose morals and a mangy group of friends, but the way he is with his mama softened me to him. He has many bad habits, anger-management issues along with those named above but, it's clear he's isn't happy where he is. He wants a better life, but is up against many challenges, one of them being his friends. Theses boys are trouble with a capital T. And crapola, does this this hero have a loaded suitcase of baggage! The last several chapters are heavy and clearly where the book gets its title from. There is hope and so many feels, I gobbled them up. Toby is an adorably cute and aggravating package, much like the men I have often fallen in love with, and his snarky and sarcastic sense of humor literally made me laugh out loud several times.
There are tropes here, all stories have them, and this one has the stuff I like. Broken hero, tough guy with a heart of gold to name a few. And as you might expect, a romance happens, but I disagree with other readers who say this is like so many other stories they've read. People, this is simply not true! I've never read a story quite like this one. It feels like a YA/literary/romance mash-up. Besides the story turning at a slow, realistic pace that took me along for the ride, there are several unexpected themes here. Be prepared to run through a gamut of emotions with this one.
The negative: The main characters act their ages, as some 20 to 21 year-olds do, (strange, I know!) which is not exactly a negative, nor unbelievable. Unlike so many of the books I've read out there, this story has new adult characters who are not living independent of their parents. The relationship Toby has with mother and Claudia with her father, is an integral part of story. So if you like your adults more mature, this isn't the book for you. Secondly, Claudia's tyrannical father was extremely frustrating to me. Ikind of hated him, until the end. My main beef with the story is some repetitiveness and newbie author phrasing which a tighter editing could probably have improved.
The Positive: Technically, the story is well-written. Link captures emotion in her sentences that took me on an emotional ride. There's something in the way she writes, maybe the short-ish chapters, that seem to flow easily, and had me whipping through chapters quickly, and saying, I'll just read one more.
4.5 stars
Keeping an eye out for the sequel's release.
The Beauty: For those of you repelled by virginal heroines, you might immediately roll your eyes when you find out Claudia has pretty much zippo experience in the sexual department, but considering her life, a way-overbearing father (who happens to be a cop) and her focus on school, it was believable. But the chick has classic moxie - foot forward and principled. She and Toby make an interesting couple, but she is challenged to balance her feelings for him with her strong need for independence.
The Beast: Toby is the epitome of the street smart bad boy - you know the kind who smokes, drinks, has loose morals and a mangy group of friends, but the way he is with his mama softened me to him. He has many bad habits, anger-management issues along with those named above but, it's clear he's isn't happy where he is. He wants a better life, but is up against many challenges, one of them being his friends. Theses boys are trouble with a capital T. And crapola, does this this hero have a loaded suitcase of baggage! The last several chapters are heavy and clearly where the book gets its title from. There is hope and so many feels, I gobbled them up. Toby is an adorably cute and aggravating package, much like the men I have often fallen in love with, and his snarky and sarcastic sense of humor literally made me laugh out loud several times.
There are tropes here, all stories have them, and this one has the stuff I like. Broken hero, tough guy with a heart of gold to name a few. And as you might expect, a romance happens, but I disagree with other readers who say this is like so many other stories they've read. People, this is simply not true! I've never read a story quite like this one. It feels like a YA/literary/romance mash-up. Besides the story turning at a slow, realistic pace that took me along for the ride, there are several unexpected themes here. Be prepared to run through a gamut of emotions with this one.
The negative: The main characters act their ages, as some 20 to 21 year-olds do, (strange, I know!) which is not exactly a negative, nor unbelievable. Unlike so many of the books I've read out there, this story has new adult characters who are not living independent of their parents. The relationship Toby has with mother and Claudia with her father, is an integral part of story. So if you like your adults more mature, this isn't the book for you. Secondly, Claudia's tyrannical father was extremely frustrating to me. I
The Positive: Technically, the story is well-written. Link captures emotion in her sentences that took me on an emotional ride. There's something in the way she writes, maybe the short-ish chapters, that seem to flow easily, and had me whipping through chapters quickly, and saying, I'll just read one more.
4.5 stars
Keeping an eye out for the sequel's release.
May 27, 2015
5 #IGotThis Stars
“I was on a new path. Maybe she was what I’d been searching for - the piece that would finally make it all come true.” ~ Toby
What an amazing read. I've had this on my TBR for months, and when I finally dove in, there was no stepping away from it. It’s simply one of the best NYA novels that I've ever read, and I've read my fair share.
Saving Toby follows two young adults, acquaintances since childhood, as their opposing life paths converge. Claudia Chiametti is a smart young women, sensitive, driven and giving. When she accepts a summer job working for Julia Faye, she will influence the lives of the Faye family far beyond all expectations. In return, her own life is affected and Claudia undergoes very dramatic growth. Her gifts; teaching others how to be friends, how to love, and how to forgive. I simply adored Claudia and how she held true to herself and her genuineness.
The other central character is one Toby Faye. Toby comes to the story with a mass of young adult male attitude that cannot be solely blamed on his raging hormones. Toby has led a life wrought with insecurity, abuse, and typical street punk clashes. He has no ambition except to once again leave the small town in Long Island that he spent is life in. His erstwhile play for Claudia is one that forever changes both of their lives and the lives of everyone they are surrounded by.
Saving Toby has a complex plot that invokes a gamut of emotions: rage and fear, heartbreak and isolation, and also love and hope. Every character brings some deep seated emotional baggage to the story, and oh what a story it is. Both Claudia and Toby narrate the story giving us a balanced view of the summer they are re-acquainted at the Faye residence. They are both profoundly impacted by the events of the summer, by their friendships and families and by the lifestyle typical of the small Long Island community that they live in. As we follow their lives past the young love affair, past the confines of “home” we come to know the genuine love they have for each other.
Ultimately, the story and the characters and the emotions elicited by it actually charged me ~ it’s a book hangover in a new form or maybe I just haven’t had a reaction like this in along while. Every moment I spent reading this book, I was thoroughly absorbed in the characters and the outcome of the situations they were put in. I felt every emotion as though it was my own, the emotion of newly discovered love, newly discovered friendships, that moment of wanting a person you feel you can’t or won’t have, and the deep sense of loss when things go utterly and completely wrong.
Suzanne McKenna Link does an amazing job giving us all the necessary moments to make us feel the story. I NEED to know what happens next and this is the mark of a truly great read. So, I highly recommend this novel. There are so many wonderful qualities to it starting with the amazing plot and character development, but most importantly, its the descriptive and stellar writing style of Suzanne McKenna Link. Her words flow together to create feeling, not just events on a paper, and these feelings just move through the reader giving us a true reading experience.
“I was on a new path. Maybe she was what I’d been searching for - the piece that would finally make it all come true.” ~ Toby
What an amazing read. I've had this on my TBR for months, and when I finally dove in, there was no stepping away from it. It’s simply one of the best NYA novels that I've ever read, and I've read my fair share.
Saving Toby follows two young adults, acquaintances since childhood, as their opposing life paths converge. Claudia Chiametti is a smart young women, sensitive, driven and giving. When she accepts a summer job working for Julia Faye, she will influence the lives of the Faye family far beyond all expectations. In return, her own life is affected and Claudia undergoes very dramatic growth. Her gifts; teaching others how to be friends, how to love, and how to forgive. I simply adored Claudia and how she held true to herself and her genuineness.
The other central character is one Toby Faye. Toby comes to the story with a mass of young adult male attitude that cannot be solely blamed on his raging hormones. Toby has led a life wrought with insecurity, abuse, and typical street punk clashes. He has no ambition except to once again leave the small town in Long Island that he spent is life in. His erstwhile play for Claudia is one that forever changes both of their lives and the lives of everyone they are surrounded by.
Saving Toby has a complex plot that invokes a gamut of emotions: rage and fear, heartbreak and isolation, and also love and hope. Every character brings some deep seated emotional baggage to the story, and oh what a story it is. Both Claudia and Toby narrate the story giving us a balanced view of the summer they are re-acquainted at the Faye residence. They are both profoundly impacted by the events of the summer, by their friendships and families and by the lifestyle typical of the small Long Island community that they live in. As we follow their lives past the young love affair, past the confines of “home” we come to know the genuine love they have for each other.
Ultimately, the story and the characters and the emotions elicited by it actually charged me ~ it’s a book hangover in a new form or maybe I just haven’t had a reaction like this in along while. Every moment I spent reading this book, I was thoroughly absorbed in the characters and the outcome of the situations they were put in. I felt every emotion as though it was my own, the emotion of newly discovered love, newly discovered friendships, that moment of wanting a person you feel you can’t or won’t have, and the deep sense of loss when things go utterly and completely wrong.
Suzanne McKenna Link does an amazing job giving us all the necessary moments to make us feel the story. I NEED to know what happens next and this is the mark of a truly great read. So, I highly recommend this novel. There are so many wonderful qualities to it starting with the amazing plot and character development, but most importantly, its the descriptive and stellar writing style of Suzanne McKenna Link. Her words flow together to create feeling, not just events on a paper, and these feelings just move through the reader giving us a true reading experience.
Want to read
October 11, 2013Amazon Freebie 10/11/13
November 8, 2015
4.25 Stars
Working on Review
Working on Review
February 20, 2014
We're going to be good together, Claude," he said. "I make the serious girl laugh, and you make the bad boy behave."
Loving the cover and synopsis of Saving Toby, I went into it with the highest of hopes, wanting a story that was going to grab me completely and thrust me into the story along with the characters. And thats exactly what I got.
Claudia Chiatmetti takes on the position of carer for Mrs Faye. She loves her job, and the more time she spends in the home of Julia and her son Toby the more she finds herself caring for them and becoming a part of their lives. But Toby has a dark past, and despite his efforts to leave that behind and become the person that he wants to be for Claudia, the past always has a way of coming back to haunt you.
Toby... Swoony, passionate, cocky, gorgeous, broken. I loved him completely. And there were so many many times that I was so completely frustrated with him. So much so that I wanted to throw my kindle across the room. Or smack Toby over the head with it. And then the very next minute I wanted to climb inside the book and just hold him and try to in some way ease the pain and hurt that he carried around with him. He's had such an incredibly hard and sucky life. At every turn there was drama and hurt, pain and suffering. But boy, does he have a temper and an innate ability to sabotage things by letting that temper get the best of him.
It was as if she had punched holes in my world, and all the bad stuff that had happened and the crap that I'd done in the past were being filtered out. I already felt different. I was on a new path. Maybe she was what I'd been searching for - the piece that would finally make it all come together for me.
Claudia was such a strong girl. She had her moments of weakness where she broke down, but she would always dust herself off again and get right back up. But about two thirds of the way through, she lost me for a little while and I thought she was pulling Toby's chains a little bit, and I don't even know if she managed to have me back by the time I got to the end of the book.
The stand out thing throughout this book was the level of reality. So many of the situations were so easy to visualize because of that very thing. The pain, the hurt, the love, the grief, the anger and the attraction, are all things that we each deal with on a daily basis, so it was so easy to connect with the characters on the basis of pure, raw feelings. And the characters were flawed. We all have flaws and it's so much easier to relate and empathise with with characters who are so real.
The romance and relationship between Toby and Claudia was so special at times, and then so turbulent at others. When it was good, they were just so perfect together. Such opposite upbringings and home lives who had such a beautiful connection, despite their differences. So many ups and downs and so much to overcome. Then it could be volatile and crazy. They sure rode the roller-coaster of feels.
A book that managed to evoke so many different emotions rates highly with me, and Saving Toby had me experiencing so many feelings. But above everything else, I was gripped from start to finish. I was completely in love with Toby. My heart broke at different times throughout the book for both Toby and Claudia and they both had me wanting to give them a good shake at some stage.
This was so close to being five stars. So close!! But my frustrations in the last third of the book holds me back. I'm so desperate to take the next journey with Toby and Claudia and see what is in store for them in the next chapter of their lives.
4.75/5 Delicious Toby Stars.
Loving the cover and synopsis of Saving Toby, I went into it with the highest of hopes, wanting a story that was going to grab me completely and thrust me into the story along with the characters. And thats exactly what I got.
Claudia Chiatmetti takes on the position of carer for Mrs Faye. She loves her job, and the more time she spends in the home of Julia and her son Toby the more she finds herself caring for them and becoming a part of their lives. But Toby has a dark past, and despite his efforts to leave that behind and become the person that he wants to be for Claudia, the past always has a way of coming back to haunt you.
Toby... Swoony, passionate, cocky, gorgeous, broken. I loved him completely. And there were so many many times that I was so completely frustrated with him. So much so that I wanted to throw my kindle across the room. Or smack Toby over the head with it. And then the very next minute I wanted to climb inside the book and just hold him and try to in some way ease the pain and hurt that he carried around with him. He's had such an incredibly hard and sucky life. At every turn there was drama and hurt, pain and suffering. But boy, does he have a temper and an innate ability to sabotage things by letting that temper get the best of him.
It was as if she had punched holes in my world, and all the bad stuff that had happened and the crap that I'd done in the past were being filtered out. I already felt different. I was on a new path. Maybe she was what I'd been searching for - the piece that would finally make it all come together for me.
Claudia was such a strong girl. She had her moments of weakness where she broke down, but she would always dust herself off again and get right back up. But about two thirds of the way through, she lost me for a little while and I thought she was pulling Toby's chains a little bit, and I don't even know if she managed to have me back by the time I got to the end of the book.
The stand out thing throughout this book was the level of reality. So many of the situations were so easy to visualize because of that very thing. The pain, the hurt, the love, the grief, the anger and the attraction, are all things that we each deal with on a daily basis, so it was so easy to connect with the characters on the basis of pure, raw feelings. And the characters were flawed. We all have flaws and it's so much easier to relate and empathise with with characters who are so real.
The romance and relationship between Toby and Claudia was so special at times, and then so turbulent at others. When it was good, they were just so perfect together. Such opposite upbringings and home lives who had such a beautiful connection, despite their differences. So many ups and downs and so much to overcome. Then it could be volatile and crazy. They sure rode the roller-coaster of feels.
A book that managed to evoke so many different emotions rates highly with me, and Saving Toby had me experiencing so many feelings. But above everything else, I was gripped from start to finish. I was completely in love with Toby. My heart broke at different times throughout the book for both Toby and Claudia and they both had me wanting to give them a good shake at some stage.
This was so close to being five stars. So close!! But my frustrations in the last third of the book holds me back. I'm so desperate to take the next journey with Toby and Claudia and see what is in store for them in the next chapter of their lives.
4.75/5 Delicious Toby Stars.
September 2, 2014
*****Copy given for an honest review*****
I am certainly very grateful to Suzanne McKenna for giving me the opportunity to read Saving Toby. I have not read or rated a book 5*****'s in a while. It was well written with just the right amount of emotion.
Toby is a young man that has had a troubled past and looking to find himself. Claudia is a young women who also is trying to find herself. Together they are on a road to self-discovery.
Claudia is reintroduced to Toby after several years when she takes a job to help look after Toby's ill mother Julia. Unbeknownst to Claudia, Toby had a schoolboy crush on her. This is when there journey together begins.
The story mainly focus's on the growth of Toby's character and the romantic relationship that is formed between Claudia and Toby. Through different events in the story, the quality of Toby's character and the quality of the relationship improves. Claudia gets Toby to help with beautifying Julia's garden in an effort to provide her with something of beauty that makes her happy, while it helps him to be more sensitive and caring. Claudia begins to fall in love with Toby and although he begins to have strong feelings for her that are more than physical, he is unable to allow himself to give into love. He feels that everything and everyone that he has ever loved is taken away from him. Toby is trying to improve himself through the strength of Claudia, but with a turn of events, he finds himself spiraling out of control. When he feels he needs Claudia the most, he finds out that she is going to finish her education, that she has longed for, in California. Toby becomes lost and acts out not only to Claudia but to his mother Julia and says things that he long regrets. Julia is truly an inspiration to both Claudia and Toby. She encourages Claudia to follow her dreams when she begins to have doubts, because she feels like she needs to stay to not only make Toby happy but her father as well.
"Sometimes we need to fall before we can reach new heights. But He(God)is always with you. He is the one who has given you strength to keep going. And, you might not believe it, but you have yet to see your best days." --Julia to Toby
This statement has so much meaning throughout the rest of the book that will help Toby get through so many difficult times. When he finally starts seeing professional help through the intervention of his friends, he begins to understand that he can not rely on others to make him find himself. Toby learns so many truths about life and about love. He learns what true and unconditional love is. He becomes strong and determined to make something of himself for himself and to also win back Claudia's love.
After I finished this book, I had been through so much and the emotional effects had touched me deeply. At times I was on an emotional roller-coaster that tapped into the human emotion and left such an impact on me. I felt such a connection to the growth of the characters. Claudia and Julia's strong devotion to God makes me admire them for their ways of caring for others and putting other's needs before their own. Even though Julia was so sick she never lost her faith.
I was thrilled at how Suzanne was not afraid to use spirituality and faith to tell this story. I was so happy with the ending that I am almost afraid to go further into Toby and Claudia's story. With all the obstacles and adversities that they faced, I so want them to continue on a happy journey together.
I am certainly very grateful to Suzanne McKenna for giving me the opportunity to read Saving Toby. I have not read or rated a book 5*****'s in a while. It was well written with just the right amount of emotion.
Toby is a young man that has had a troubled past and looking to find himself. Claudia is a young women who also is trying to find herself. Together they are on a road to self-discovery.
Claudia is reintroduced to Toby after several years when she takes a job to help look after Toby's ill mother Julia. Unbeknownst to Claudia, Toby had a schoolboy crush on her. This is when there journey together begins.
The story mainly focus's on the growth of Toby's character and the romantic relationship that is formed between Claudia and Toby. Through different events in the story, the quality of Toby's character and the quality of the relationship improves. Claudia gets Toby to help with beautifying Julia's garden in an effort to provide her with something of beauty that makes her happy, while it helps him to be more sensitive and caring. Claudia begins to fall in love with Toby and although he begins to have strong feelings for her that are more than physical, he is unable to allow himself to give into love. He feels that everything and everyone that he has ever loved is taken away from him. Toby is trying to improve himself through the strength of Claudia, but with a turn of events, he finds himself spiraling out of control. When he feels he needs Claudia the most, he finds out that she is going to finish her education, that she has longed for, in California. Toby becomes lost and acts out not only to Claudia but to his mother Julia and says things that he long regrets. Julia is truly an inspiration to both Claudia and Toby. She encourages Claudia to follow her dreams when she begins to have doubts, because she feels like she needs to stay to not only make Toby happy but her father as well.
"Sometimes we need to fall before we can reach new heights. But He(God)is always with you. He is the one who has given you strength to keep going. And, you might not believe it, but you have yet to see your best days." --Julia to Toby
This statement has so much meaning throughout the rest of the book that will help Toby get through so many difficult times. When he finally starts seeing professional help through the intervention of his friends, he begins to understand that he can not rely on others to make him find himself. Toby learns so many truths about life and about love. He learns what true and unconditional love is. He becomes strong and determined to make something of himself for himself and to also win back Claudia's love.
After I finished this book, I had been through so much and the emotional effects had touched me deeply. At times I was on an emotional roller-coaster that tapped into the human emotion and left such an impact on me. I felt such a connection to the growth of the characters. Claudia and Julia's strong devotion to God makes me admire them for their ways of caring for others and putting other's needs before their own. Even though Julia was so sick she never lost her faith.
I was thrilled at how Suzanne was not afraid to use spirituality and faith to tell this story. I was so happy with the ending that I am almost afraid to go further into Toby and Claudia's story. With all the obstacles and adversities that they faced, I so want them to continue on a happy journey together.
April 24, 2015
This book I read in a day and half and it was so worth the read staying up. Page turner that won't let you down but keep you reading to find out what is next in store for Toby and Claudia. It is very intense roller coaster that has it's up and down and it's high and lows. It was written very well you can see the book open up in your head imagine the characters as you are watching your own movie just for your eyes only. Toby coming from a bad boy family, and hooking up with someone he had a crush on yrs before. To finally be near her and she never having a clue that he had a crush on her. Reading how they met or rather hooked up by chance of his mother being sick and Claudia just happened to be her caretaker. What are the chances of that meeting. But what I really loved is that this read slow but not too slow. It was at the right pace that you can keep up with the characters. And how they are feeling. I felt sad for Toby when he asked Claudia friend when still in school where was she at. He took it hard to find out she was shipped out to another school, with the chance of them ever meeting her, to none. You can feel the disappointment in the book of Toby's feeling of that news. His hope was gone.. so he thought. Years later.
As I continued to read it really brought smiles and laughter when they finally got together but her father being so over protected because of Toby's family history. He didn't want Claudia no where near him. But when love has plans for you, you can't stop the arrow no matter what. Even,if they have to go through the good and the bad. Part of life love, and growing up.
They had a dangerous attraction to each other because of Claudia's father being who he was. So it made it that much harder for Claudia to listen to her father and follow her heart. At times she had issues with doing that with Toby's streak of negative history of his brother in jail, with his bad attitude he had to keep up not for appearance but for survival. He had questionable friends that made her father really not want them together.
Overall Love conquers all, but without not giving more than I have, I truly would recommend this book to read. Give it a chance and you will not be disappointed at all. It had it's moments where you want to just yell at them both and yes the sex with them was magical and refreshing, and again it was like finally.
Growing up has hard decision they both of them have to make for the better for each other or for themselves. They learn the hard way to love but yet love hard with no regrets but then makes you wonder in parts is it worth it?
I say it was, what they go through is what happens in real life. Like almost the author written this about someone she knows life story or her own.
I can't wait to read book 2, it will give you that feeling you are happy and frustrated that you have to know more. Life with them in this book is so believable that you will read it again. A great writer to keep you engaged in the book. I love that about all books. When you pass the first chapter that will say a lot that that book is going to be awesome.
Are you up to the challenge of reading this book, I personally can say it was worth reading. Like a favorite movie. This is the first time I have read Suzanne Mckenna Link books and I am going to look for more of her books.
I read this book in exchange for my honest review.
As I continued to read it really brought smiles and laughter when they finally got together but her father being so over protected because of Toby's family history. He didn't want Claudia no where near him. But when love has plans for you, you can't stop the arrow no matter what. Even,if they have to go through the good and the bad. Part of life love, and growing up.
They had a dangerous attraction to each other because of Claudia's father being who he was. So it made it that much harder for Claudia to listen to her father and follow her heart. At times she had issues with doing that with Toby's streak of negative history of his brother in jail, with his bad attitude he had to keep up not for appearance but for survival. He had questionable friends that made her father really not want them together.
Overall Love conquers all, but without not giving more than I have, I truly would recommend this book to read. Give it a chance and you will not be disappointed at all. It had it's moments where you want to just yell at them both and yes the sex with them was magical and refreshing, and again it was like finally.
Growing up has hard decision they both of them have to make for the better for each other or for themselves. They learn the hard way to love but yet love hard with no regrets but then makes you wonder in parts is it worth it?
I say it was, what they go through is what happens in real life. Like almost the author written this about someone she knows life story or her own.
I can't wait to read book 2, it will give you that feeling you are happy and frustrated that you have to know more. Life with them in this book is so believable that you will read it again. A great writer to keep you engaged in the book. I love that about all books. When you pass the first chapter that will say a lot that that book is going to be awesome.
Are you up to the challenge of reading this book, I personally can say it was worth reading. Like a favorite movie. This is the first time I have read Suzanne Mckenna Link books and I am going to look for more of her books.
I read this book in exchange for my honest review.
December 17, 2014
Usually Colleen Hoover books are the ones that have the ability to completely wreck me. Reading her books are a masochistic tendency because I know I will cry my eyes out and ruin my pillow covers, even pull my hair every once in a while with frustration and an effort to cry quietly. Never once did I think that Suzanne McKenna Link would bring any closer to that feeling. But she did. And I am wrecked. Again. The story of my life.
Saving Toby was a beautifully written book that touched my heart and soul. Claudia and Toby’s relationship, their pain, their happiness, everything touched me. It made me smile and cry and laugh and then cry some more. This book was realistic and the way the author wrote it, just endeared it to me. Of course it helped that there was no insta-love.
Claudia Chiatmetti is hired to take care of Julia Faye. Under Mrs. Faye’s roof, she meets her son Toby. There is an obvious distraction between the two, but Claudia does her best to stay professional. I loved Claudia. The way she took care of Julia and the bond they formed was beautiful indeed. Claudia has her own set of problems, including a dad who is afraid to let go. There is a constant struggle in Claudia as to what to do. The problems are quite realistic and made-up. I loved the fact that Claudia tries to incorporate the people surrounding her in her decisions and yet remains true to herself.
Toby Faye has had a crush on Claudia for a very long time. Finding out that she is going to be taking care of his mother, he decides to befriend her and also convince her to give him a chance. Toby has problems. Lots of them. His past is full of problems and so is his present, but through it all he is willing to learn to be a better man. A better Toby. Claudia knows that Toby is trouble, even her father tells her so, but she also knows that there is more to Toby than meets the eye.
Both Toby and Claudia have to face their own set of problems and they do it. Beautifully. And each of them grows as characters too. Another thing I liked about this book was that it wasn’t just focused on Toby and Claudia’s relationship. The author also showed Claudia's relationship with Julia, which was again beautiful. Julia becomes a kind of surrogate mother for Claudia. Even her relationship with her father is shown quite well.
Overall the author has done a wonderful job with Saving Toby. A heart-warming, touching story, wonderfully done with characters who have some flesh to them rather that just being stick figures. For a debut work, Saving Toby was indeed an incredible book. I’m looking forward to the next book in the series now.
Saving Toby was a beautifully written book that touched my heart and soul. Claudia and Toby’s relationship, their pain, their happiness, everything touched me. It made me smile and cry and laugh and then cry some more. This book was realistic and the way the author wrote it, just endeared it to me. Of course it helped that there was no insta-love.
Claudia Chiatmetti is hired to take care of Julia Faye. Under Mrs. Faye’s roof, she meets her son Toby. There is an obvious distraction between the two, but Claudia does her best to stay professional. I loved Claudia. The way she took care of Julia and the bond they formed was beautiful indeed. Claudia has her own set of problems, including a dad who is afraid to let go. There is a constant struggle in Claudia as to what to do. The problems are quite realistic and made-up. I loved the fact that Claudia tries to incorporate the people surrounding her in her decisions and yet remains true to herself.
Toby Faye has had a crush on Claudia for a very long time. Finding out that she is going to be taking care of his mother, he decides to befriend her and also convince her to give him a chance. Toby has problems. Lots of them. His past is full of problems and so is his present, but through it all he is willing to learn to be a better man. A better Toby. Claudia knows that Toby is trouble, even her father tells her so, but she also knows that there is more to Toby than meets the eye.
Both Toby and Claudia have to face their own set of problems and they do it. Beautifully. And each of them grows as characters too. Another thing I liked about this book was that it wasn’t just focused on Toby and Claudia’s relationship. The author also showed Claudia's relationship with Julia, which was again beautiful. Julia becomes a kind of surrogate mother for Claudia. Even her relationship with her father is shown quite well.
Overall the author has done a wonderful job with Saving Toby. A heart-warming, touching story, wonderfully done with characters who have some flesh to them rather that just being stick figures. For a debut work, Saving Toby was indeed an incredible book. I’m looking forward to the next book in the series now.
January 9, 2016
*ARC provided by Author*
Beware of Spoilers!
Star Ratings:
Heroine (Claudia): 3/5
Hero (Toby): 1/5
Plot: 3/5
Grovel: DNF
Cheating: DNF
HEA: DNF
Triggers: almost-rape by H
Average score: 1 star because DNF'd
Best Quote: “Outside my salon in a stretch limo with piña coladas and two first-class tickets to the Caribbean, where we’ll dance the nights away under the stars?”
Worst Quote: “Abe gave you a job, huh? That Jew never even trusted me in the store.” (there were quite a few racist ones but I was too mad to list them all)
Personal Review:
Love story about two young adults. I normally stay away from NA and YA romances but I agreed to read this for an honest review.
There were a couple of times that I almost DNF’d and it was mainly around the way the H was behaving (see Random Ramblings) but I persevered and I was pleasantly surprised by the h’s strength as she stood up to the H and did not immediately give in which I respect.
However I got to this line and I DNF’d because HE WAS ABOUT TO RAPE HER!!!! Cannot believe this shit:
“Jesus, Claude, it’s just sex. We’ve been dating for almost two months. How long are you going to make me wait?”
THIS IS THE REASON I STAY AWAY FROM YA/NA ROMANCES! They make me want to scream in frustration!!
Personal Message to Toby:
Random Ramblings:
Yeah, Toby, it is strange calling your mother by her first name! I don’t mind it so much if there is no motherly love but you live with her AND she has cancer and you don’t call her “mum”?!
Come on Toby, why don’t you tell your friend Dev to stop being a racist!!!! AND STOP JOINING IN WITH THE RACIST SHIT YOU ASSHOLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It was strange that Claudia is an ‘adult’ and yet still lived under her father’s thumb
Overall Feeling:
PISSED OFF!!!
Beware of Spoilers!
Star Ratings:
Heroine (Claudia): 3/5
Hero (Toby): 1/5
Plot: 3/5
Grovel: DNF
Cheating: DNF
HEA: DNF
Triggers: almost-rape by H
Average score: 1 star because DNF'd
Best Quote: “Outside my salon in a stretch limo with piña coladas and two first-class tickets to the Caribbean, where we’ll dance the nights away under the stars?”
Worst Quote: “Abe gave you a job, huh? That Jew never even trusted me in the store.” (there were quite a few racist ones but I was too mad to list them all)
Personal Review:
Love story about two young adults. I normally stay away from NA and YA romances but I agreed to read this for an honest review.
There were a couple of times that I almost DNF’d and it was mainly around the way the H was behaving (see Random Ramblings) but I persevered and I was pleasantly surprised by the h’s strength as she stood up to the H and did not immediately give in which I respect.
However I got to this line and I DNF’d because HE WAS ABOUT TO RAPE HER!!!! Cannot believe this shit:
“Jesus, Claude, it’s just sex. We’ve been dating for almost two months. How long are you going to make me wait?”
THIS IS THE REASON I STAY AWAY FROM YA/NA ROMANCES! They make me want to scream in frustration!!
Personal Message to Toby:
Random Ramblings:
Yeah, Toby, it is strange calling your mother by her first name! I don’t mind it so much if there is no motherly love but you live with her AND she has cancer and you don’t call her “mum”?!
Come on Toby, why don’t you tell your friend Dev to stop being a racist!!!! AND STOP JOINING IN WITH THE RACIST SHIT YOU ASSHOLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It was strange that Claudia is an ‘adult’ and yet still lived under her father’s thumb
Overall Feeling:
PISSED OFF!!!
October 25, 2016
It took me a while to get through this book between school and work, but I loved it! From page one I was hooked right in.
This book was not at all what I thought it would be. I was thinking a cute romance between two opposites; he has been pining for her for a while. Instead what I got was an intense story of two people finding it each, losing each other, and then finding one another again with many bumps in the roads.
Toby is your typical bad boy who is perceived as no good based on his family. This book really put a large focus onto him and his struggles to find himself and move past his horrible past with his brother. His mother is just a sweetheart who you can't but like. When she goes though, there is a large downward spiral for Toby, which takes years for him to get out of
Claudia, or Claude, is your typical prep. She's pretty and smart with a good future ahead of her, big plans and a father driving her onto a straight path...and away from Toby. Although they went to school together, they've been virtual strangers up until now. Claudia gets a job working for Toby's mother to help her during her sickness and Toby and Claude reunite there.
Fast forward through the book to the last 3rd. Claudia and Toby are together but Claudia goes off to school. The book time jumps over the years from here on out, showing us how either lives are going, and Toby's need to be back with her, while Claude is just happy to see him getting better.
Needless to say, it's an extremely moving book, keeping you rooting for the two of them from page one! I am eager to read the sequel.
This book was not at all what I thought it would be. I was thinking a cute romance between two opposites; he has been pining for her for a while. Instead what I got was an intense story of two people finding it each, losing each other, and then finding one another again with many bumps in the roads.
Toby is your typical bad boy who is perceived as no good based on his family. This book really put a large focus onto him and his struggles to find himself and move past his horrible past with his brother. His mother is just a sweetheart who you can't but like. When she goes though, there is a large downward spiral for Toby, which takes years for him to get out of
Claudia, or Claude, is your typical prep. She's pretty and smart with a good future ahead of her, big plans and a father driving her onto a straight path...and away from Toby. Although they went to school together, they've been virtual strangers up until now. Claudia gets a job working for Toby's mother to help her during her sickness and Toby and Claude reunite there.
Fast forward through the book to the last 3rd. Claudia and Toby are together but Claudia goes off to school. The book time jumps over the years from here on out, showing us how either lives are going, and Toby's need to be back with her, while Claude is just happy to see him getting better.
Needless to say, it's an extremely moving book, keeping you rooting for the two of them from page one! I am eager to read the sequel.
June 18, 2014
This book is on the list of my top favorite reads. I found the story line easy to follow and very enjoyable. I finished it in two days, it was so addicting, I couldn't put it down. I cried, smiled, and laughed out loud, never wanting the book to end. I found the character Claudia a very inspirational person and being the same age as her and in a serious relationship, I was able to relate to her in many ways. Although many may have seen Claudia to be selfish, I found one of the main themes throughout the book was to be independent and to follow your dreams; that's what Claudia represented and she serves as a great role model. Another theme was love and if it is true love between the bad boy, Toby, and innocent perfect girl Claudia, and they are meant to be together, it would happen, but it is also important to focus on yourself too. It is an excellent book and I would recommend anyone looking for a good read. I eagerly wait for the sequel to come out.
March 31, 2022
Saving Toby is a contemporary, bad boy/good girl love story. A truthful read that will effortlessly draw you into the life of edgy, but likable, 21-year old Toby Faye as he stumbles through hardships, misbeliefs, and a love he's sure he doesn't deserve, to find closure and a sense of who he is.
With three-dimensional characters that are unique and flawed, this multi-layered story wrestles with universal dilemmas, and encompasses themes of forgiveness, hope, acceptance, second chances, and faith.
May 5, 2015
Saving Toby.....
I ws given this book to write an honest review.
Its a great read. I loved it!
Toby endures so much in his life and is so lost in many ways! Wish I had found him! He experiences so many emotions in the book and you are there with him through it all. What a guy (she says daydreaming)
Claudia is a great girl with a massive heart and respectable morals. She always does things to please others but throughout the book you see her grow into an independent young women.
I read this book in about 6 hours, struggled to put it down, it gripped me and was eventful, which was great.
Would reccommend this book, it flows well and the characters are fab!
I ws given this book to write an honest review.
Its a great read. I loved it!
Toby endures so much in his life and is so lost in many ways! Wish I had found him! He experiences so many emotions in the book and you are there with him through it all. What a guy (she says daydreaming)
Claudia is a great girl with a massive heart and respectable morals. She always does things to please others but throughout the book you see her grow into an independent young women.
I read this book in about 6 hours, struggled to put it down, it gripped me and was eventful, which was great.
Would reccommend this book, it flows well and the characters are fab!
December 13, 2017
Excellent! Claudia and Toby's characters were so well written, so fleshed out with faults and insecurities and individual strengths, that they leaped right off the page tugging at your heart strings. The story itself was intense in a good way. No sugar coating the realities of life, but all throughout a real sense of hope and optimism. Loved it!
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December 11, 2022🎁 FREE on Amazon today (4/6/2020)! 🎁
March 19, 2024
Saving Toby
Save Me, Book 1
By: Suzanne McKenna Link
Narrated by: Willa Jaymes, Gomez Pugh
I love finding new authors and this book by Suzanne McKenna Link has taken my heart, crushed it and put it back together. Claudia is applying to USC for a particular major that has a program difficult to get into. Working with old people is something that will help round out her resume, so taking on a job to help Julia Faye while she is going through cancer treatments is exactly what she needs. Toby is there for mother, helping her when he can, and Claudia's help is welcomed. Growing up in the same town, the two were in school together, but didn't cross paths socially. As they spend more time together, Toby attempts to charm her, and while she is taken with him, she has other goals. Her father is not on board for her to leave for college, and he definitely does not like her spending time at the Faye home. Trouble has been there, and guilt by association is following Toby when it comes to Claudia spending time with him. But can he stop love? With Toby's past, is he even able to give his heart to Claudia? How does his past and his mother's illness affect his ability to love? Link takes us on a their journey as they work through obstacles. It's evident how broken Toby is, but Claudia too has some issues to deal with as well. The question is, will they be able to get through and find each other in the end? All the feels are in this one, get ready for a plethora of emotions! It's an amazing start to this series, and I can't wait to the next in the series.
Willa Jaymes and Gomez Pugh bring this emotional listen to life. Jaymes is focused, stubborn, vulnerable and loving, as she voices Claudia and all of her turmoil. Toby is a tough one, and Pugh finds each facet of his brokenness and voices his feelings with pain and passion. I loved this team and their performance.
Save Me, Book 1
By: Suzanne McKenna Link
Narrated by: Willa Jaymes, Gomez Pugh
I love finding new authors and this book by Suzanne McKenna Link has taken my heart, crushed it and put it back together. Claudia is applying to USC for a particular major that has a program difficult to get into. Working with old people is something that will help round out her resume, so taking on a job to help Julia Faye while she is going through cancer treatments is exactly what she needs. Toby is there for mother, helping her when he can, and Claudia's help is welcomed. Growing up in the same town, the two were in school together, but didn't cross paths socially. As they spend more time together, Toby attempts to charm her, and while she is taken with him, she has other goals. Her father is not on board for her to leave for college, and he definitely does not like her spending time at the Faye home. Trouble has been there, and guilt by association is following Toby when it comes to Claudia spending time with him. But can he stop love? With Toby's past, is he even able to give his heart to Claudia? How does his past and his mother's illness affect his ability to love? Link takes us on a their journey as they work through obstacles. It's evident how broken Toby is, but Claudia too has some issues to deal with as well. The question is, will they be able to get through and find each other in the end? All the feels are in this one, get ready for a plethora of emotions! It's an amazing start to this series, and I can't wait to the next in the series.
Willa Jaymes and Gomez Pugh bring this emotional listen to life. Jaymes is focused, stubborn, vulnerable and loving, as she voices Claudia and all of her turmoil. Toby is a tough one, and Pugh finds each facet of his brokenness and voices his feelings with pain and passion. I loved this team and their performance.
June 18, 2025
This. This book. This is the book you want to read in a book club. Grab your best friend to read this too, because you’re going to want to talk about it.
It was raw and emotional—frustrating and wonderful. It didn’t rely on explosive drama or wild twists, just real-life decisions, consequences, and quiet moments that dig deep. Every character was flawed, and every single one had a believable arc.
What really struck me was how the author wove these characters’ journeys. I hated Claudia’s dad because teenage Claudia did—but as she matured and started to understand him, I did too. That’s not easy to pull off, but it was so beautifully done.
And Toby… Toby was crass and full of himself at first (and Claudia knew it, too!), but I found myself caring about him. I hurt for him, even when I thought Claudia should run far away. That’s what made it so good—nothing was black and white.
The therapy scenes especially impressed me. The author didn’t just throw in a mental health subplot and gloss over it—she went there. The dialogue was believable, the advice was grounded, and the way Toby reacted? Imperfect, messy, real. It moved the story forward in meaningful ways.
If I were Claudia’s best friend, I’d probably tell her to leave him. But the truth is, everyone is worthy of love, and Toby tried. He really did. That effort made all the difference.
If I had one wish, it’s that the ending had just one more romantic moment. But maybe it’s perfect as it is—because I’m still thinking about them. Still imagining what happens next.
This book left me fixated…needing to talk. Suzanne McKenna Link wrote something honest and brave and real. Highly recommend.
It was raw and emotional—frustrating and wonderful. It didn’t rely on explosive drama or wild twists, just real-life decisions, consequences, and quiet moments that dig deep. Every character was flawed, and every single one had a believable arc.
What really struck me was how the author wove these characters’ journeys. I hated Claudia’s dad because teenage Claudia did—but as she matured and started to understand him, I did too. That’s not easy to pull off, but it was so beautifully done.
And Toby… Toby was crass and full of himself at first (and Claudia knew it, too!), but I found myself caring about him. I hurt for him, even when I thought Claudia should run far away. That’s what made it so good—nothing was black and white.
The therapy scenes especially impressed me. The author didn’t just throw in a mental health subplot and gloss over it—she went there. The dialogue was believable, the advice was grounded, and the way Toby reacted? Imperfect, messy, real. It moved the story forward in meaningful ways.
If I were Claudia’s best friend, I’d probably tell her to leave him. But the truth is, everyone is worthy of love, and Toby tried. He really did. That effort made all the difference.
If I had one wish, it’s that the ending had just one more romantic moment. But maybe it’s perfect as it is—because I’m still thinking about them. Still imagining what happens next.
This book left me fixated…needing to talk. Suzanne McKenna Link wrote something honest and brave and real. Highly recommend.
August 6, 2015
4.75 stars! Wow, there are no words! But of course, I have to give my review so I have to let this one marinate. Full review to come!
UPDATE 8/06/2015
I really, really enjoyed this book. I really, really liked this author's writing. Her ability to craft a sentence is impeccable. Why not 5? Hmm...hard to say. It was just missing this something, although I can't quite pinpoint what it is. Toby annoyed me so much sometimes so maybe that had something to do with it. I didn't like the way he treated Claudia at times. And there were times to me that she seemed to overreact. Or maybe it was the fact that their story didn't seem finished...which this is book one of a series so it's obvious they're not done, but one thing I liked was how strong she was. She didn't put up with any of Toby's BS.
I loved this story because it's so well-written. The characters are so well-develop and as a reader, you can appreciate that because it helps you understand why the characters do what they do. Yeah, I understood Toby. It still didn't stop me from cussing at him through my e-reader.
One of the things I really admired about Toby and Claudia (and this is a nod to Ms. Link's writing) was how much they seemed to compliment each other. At first glance, this is an opposites attract kind of love. Claudia's headed on the straight and narrow, Toby's stuck, seemingly going nowhere. At first you'd think these two have no business being together. But then there are these moments where you see that what these two characters bring out of one another. I see Toby trying to be a better person because of Claudia, and I see Claudia being more unafraid to live recklessly and take risks because of Toby.
This was one of my favorite reads last year.
**ARC RECEIVED IN EXCHANGE FOR THIS REVIEW**
UPDATE 8/06/2015
I really, really enjoyed this book. I really, really liked this author's writing. Her ability to craft a sentence is impeccable. Why not 5? Hmm...hard to say. It was just missing this something, although I can't quite pinpoint what it is. Toby annoyed me so much sometimes so maybe that had something to do with it. I didn't like the way he treated Claudia at times. And there were times to me that she seemed to overreact. Or maybe it was the fact that their story didn't seem finished...which this is book one of a series so it's obvious they're not done, but one thing I liked was how strong she was. She didn't put up with any of Toby's BS.
I loved this story because it's so well-written. The characters are so well-develop and as a reader, you can appreciate that because it helps you understand why the characters do what they do. Yeah, I understood Toby. It still didn't stop me from cussing at him through my e-reader.
One of the things I really admired about Toby and Claudia (and this is a nod to Ms. Link's writing) was how much they seemed to compliment each other. At first glance, this is an opposites attract kind of love. Claudia's headed on the straight and narrow, Toby's stuck, seemingly going nowhere. At first you'd think these two have no business being together. But then there are these moments where you see that what these two characters bring out of one another. I see Toby trying to be a better person because of Claudia, and I see Claudia being more unafraid to live recklessly and take risks because of Toby.
This was one of my favorite reads last year.
**ARC RECEIVED IN EXCHANGE FOR THIS REVIEW**
September 3, 2014
*I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review*
I really loved this story. It was far more complex than the short summary of the book that is provided and I was so happy to read something that had no insta-love and that had real, flawed, deep thinking and feeling characters.
Claudia and Toby are so different yet they compliment each other so well. I loved reading how their friendship grew into something more slowly and how Claudia tried so hard not to give in to Toby's charm and wit.
Toby and Claudia's personalities are both shaped by how they were raised. Toby has a temper that he has a hard time controlling and he wants to turn to beating someone up when he gets angry. He had a rough upbringing with his father and older brother but he has such a soft side when it comes to his mom. I loved reading how sweet he always was to Julia and how he knew exactly what to say to make her laugh and lighten her mood. Claudia was raised with an overprotective cop for a father and had such a tight leash kept on her at all times that she was just itching to get away... almost too desperately at times. I think she was so caught up in her own head at times about getting out of her dad's house that she didn't really think about how it would effect Toby.
I think they pace in which the story was written was perfect. Working out the relationship between Claudia and Toby was not an easy thing and sometimes letting go of the one you love the most in order for them to realize how to love you back is the hardest thing to do but exactly the thing that needs to be done.
I loved this story and am thrilled to see there will be a second book in the series. I can't wait to read more about Toby and Claudia.
I really loved this story. It was far more complex than the short summary of the book that is provided and I was so happy to read something that had no insta-love and that had real, flawed, deep thinking and feeling characters.
Claudia and Toby are so different yet they compliment each other so well. I loved reading how their friendship grew into something more slowly and how Claudia tried so hard not to give in to Toby's charm and wit.
Toby and Claudia's personalities are both shaped by how they were raised. Toby has a temper that he has a hard time controlling and he wants to turn to beating someone up when he gets angry. He had a rough upbringing with his father and older brother but he has such a soft side when it comes to his mom. I loved reading how sweet he always was to Julia and how he knew exactly what to say to make her laugh and lighten her mood. Claudia was raised with an overprotective cop for a father and had such a tight leash kept on her at all times that she was just itching to get away... almost too desperately at times. I think she was so caught up in her own head at times about getting out of her dad's house that she didn't really think about how it would effect Toby.
I think they pace in which the story was written was perfect. Working out the relationship between Claudia and Toby was not an easy thing and sometimes letting go of the one you love the most in order for them to realize how to love you back is the hardest thing to do but exactly the thing that needs to be done.
I loved this story and am thrilled to see there will be a second book in the series. I can't wait to read more about Toby and Claudia.
September 3, 2014
*Received copy in exchange for honest review*
This was WAY more than just a love story! There was so much more to it, Toby and Claudia are complete opposites but in their way perfect for one another. There was no stupid INSTA-LOVE between these two, only a long time crush from our male lead, Toby, hoping to finally make his move!
I loved these characters, they are all strong individuals, with lives, and complexities all their own, but when put into this story in the way they were all fit together perfectly! Our leads are complete opposites with totally differing lives that are headed into completely different directions. But Toby and Claudia though contrasting are also complimenting each other's personalities perfectly, Toby brings out Claudia's inner bad girl a bit and makes her a bit more adventurous, where Claudia brings out all the best things hidden in Toby. His hard childhood, wondering lost adulthood and inability to deal with his angry somehow draw Claudia in and capture her heart.
Suzanne McKenna did a wonderful job with this book, the writing was great, descriptive, and drew me in from the start, I couldn't put it down and was constantly on the edge of my seat wanting to find out what was going to be blown up over next! The heart and passion behind the characters, along with their very normal and realistic flaws, make them instantly lovable, easy to relate to, and I found myself connecting to the story, the pain, loss, betrayal, and helplessness. I loved this book and plan to read much more from Suzanne McKenna!
This was WAY more than just a love story! There was so much more to it, Toby and Claudia are complete opposites but in their way perfect for one another. There was no stupid INSTA-LOVE between these two, only a long time crush from our male lead, Toby, hoping to finally make his move!
I loved these characters, they are all strong individuals, with lives, and complexities all their own, but when put into this story in the way they were all fit together perfectly! Our leads are complete opposites with totally differing lives that are headed into completely different directions. But Toby and Claudia though contrasting are also complimenting each other's personalities perfectly, Toby brings out Claudia's inner bad girl a bit and makes her a bit more adventurous, where Claudia brings out all the best things hidden in Toby. His hard childhood, wondering lost adulthood and inability to deal with his angry somehow draw Claudia in and capture her heart.
Suzanne McKenna did a wonderful job with this book, the writing was great, descriptive, and drew me in from the start, I couldn't put it down and was constantly on the edge of my seat wanting to find out what was going to be blown up over next! The heart and passion behind the characters, along with their very normal and realistic flaws, make them instantly lovable, easy to relate to, and I found myself connecting to the story, the pain, loss, betrayal, and helplessness. I loved this book and plan to read much more from Suzanne McKenna!
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