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The Boy From The Woods
Julia fell down on her knees next to his lifeless body, her heart filling with dread as she noticed the left side of his face was covered in blood. He had fallen off the motorbike, hitting his temple on a sharp-edged rock. His head injury looked really, really bad.
“Michael?” she whispered softly, putting a trembling hand on his forehead. “Can you hear me?”
Julia has been in love with Michael for years. He’s the hottest guy in school, and she can’t believe her luck when they finally hit it off during Senior Prom. Her dream doesn’t last, though: after a few dates, he callously dumps her out of the blue. Summer vacation starts with Julia feeling heart-broken and miserable.
But then she rescues Michael in the woods when he has a motorcycle accident in a heavy thunderstorm. From that point onward, her life is turned upside down. Michael has changed completely after the blow to the head that nearly killed him... and he wants her back. But why is he so different? And will she be able to trust him this time around?
Can the boy who broke your heart ever win it back again..?
“Michael?” she whispered softly, putting a trembling hand on his forehead. “Can you hear me?”
Julia has been in love with Michael for years. He’s the hottest guy in school, and she can’t believe her luck when they finally hit it off during Senior Prom. Her dream doesn’t last, though: after a few dates, he callously dumps her out of the blue. Summer vacation starts with Julia feeling heart-broken and miserable.
But then she rescues Michael in the woods when he has a motorcycle accident in a heavy thunderstorm. From that point onward, her life is turned upside down. Michael has changed completely after the blow to the head that nearly killed him... and he wants her back. But why is he so different? And will she be able to trust him this time around?
Can the boy who broke your heart ever win it back again..?
300 pages, Paperback
First published November 26, 2013
8 people are currently reading
775 people want to read
About the author
Jen Minkman
86 books505 followersJen Minkman (1978) writes YA paranormal romance, dystopian fiction and poetry. She is from the Netherlands and self-publishes her work in English. Her works are available in paperback & digital format (ebook and audio).
You can subscribe to her newsletter here > http://eepurl.com/bTXSWv
Jen was born in the Netherlands and lived in Austria, Belgium and the UK during her studies. She learned how to read at the age of three and has never stopped reading since. Her favourite books to read are (YA) paranormal/fantasy, sci-fi, dystopian and romance, and this is reflected in the stories she writes. In her home country, she is a trade-published author of paranormal romance and chicklit. Across the border, she is a self-published author of poetry, paranormal romance and dystopian fiction. Her books are already available in English, Dutch, Chinese, Spanish, French, German, Portuguese, Italian, and Afrikaans.
She currently resides in The Hague where she works and lives with her husband and two noisy zebra finches.
You can subscribe to her newsletter here > http://eepurl.com/bTXSWv
Jen was born in the Netherlands and lived in Austria, Belgium and the UK during her studies. She learned how to read at the age of three and has never stopped reading since. Her favourite books to read are (YA) paranormal/fantasy, sci-fi, dystopian and romance, and this is reflected in the stories she writes. In her home country, she is a trade-published author of paranormal romance and chicklit. Across the border, she is a self-published author of poetry, paranormal romance and dystopian fiction. Her books are already available in English, Dutch, Chinese, Spanish, French, German, Portuguese, Italian, and Afrikaans.
She currently resides in The Hague where she works and lives with her husband and two noisy zebra finches.
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November 14, 2013
Book – The Boy From the Woods Author – Jen Minkman
Publication Date – December 1, 2013
Type – Stand-Alone (but the end kinda teases us that there may be more)
Rating – 5 out of 5 Stars
ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
Synopsis
Julia fell down on her knees next to his lifeless body, her heart filling with dread as she noticed the left side of his face was covered in blood. He had fallen off the motorbike, hitting his temple on a sharp-edged rock. His head injury looked really, really bad.
“Michael?” she whispered softly, putting a trembling hand on his forehead. “Can you hear me?”
Julia has been in love with Michael for years. He’s the hottest guy in school, and she can’t believe her luck when they finally hit it off during Senior Prom. Her dream doesn’t last, though: after a few dates, he callously dumps her out of the blue. Summer vacation starts with Julia feeling heart-broken and miserable.
But then she rescues Michael in the woods when he has a motorcycle accident in a heavy thunderstorm. From that point onward, her life is turned upside down. Michael has changed completely after the blow to the head that nearly killed him... and he wants her back. But why is he so different? And will she be able to trust him this time around?
Can the boy who broke your heart ever win it back again..?. . .
Review
Holy Shit Batman…..I don’t know what to even write since I’m still on my sobbing downer. This book affected me, I mean REALLY affected me. I don’t remember the last time I read such a beautiful love story between young adults that touched me as much as this story did. I was high and happy in love following right beside Julia and Michael and kept wondering and thinking it can’t continue like this – something has to happen.
Let me tell you – this isn’t your “cookie cutter” book – this is different. This is an “outside of the box” kinda of story that will have you guessing the whole time what is really going on? Is this a dream? Is this really going on? You find yourself transported into Austria and seeing Julia and Michael go through the process of falling deeply in love – you feel their love, you feel their pain, you feel their joy….all emotions are pulled into this book.
Damn…Ms. Minkman, you know how to really write a story that grabs you. This is the first book I read by this author and she now has a dedicated fan in her club!! I can’t say enough about this book.
But, please, please don’t make me cry like this again…it’s embarrassing at work.
Julia has been in love with Michael through high school and finally right before graduation, he notices her and gets exactly what he wants from her. After that, he has no interest in pursuing anything more with her – until one day during a severe thunderstorm, Julia sees Michael in her woods right near her “Old Oak Tree”. Michael is sprawled on the ground and it seems he had an accident on his motorbike. Julia immediately tries to keep him awake and calls an ambulance -
Michael survives and doesn’t want anything else except for Julia now. Something is odd about Michael, he talks about himself in the third person – he professes his love for Julia – he isn’t the arrogant bastard that Julia and her friends remember. It’s hard at first for Julia to trust anything Michael says but slowly he breaks through her wall. Things are going great but still all along, Julia questions the strange actions from Michael, and then something terrible starts to happen with Michael and all Julia’s fears come back with a vengeance.
Will Julia be able to survive having her heart broken after experiencing a love so pure and profound?
Wrap-Up
I think even the hardest of hearts will find themselves sniffling by the end of this book. This is a definite read and even if YA is not up your alley…..check this book out – you never really even feel that this is a story of high school graduates!
This was my original post as soon as I finished the book......
OMG.....beautiful love story....tear-jerker.....no....take that back....a freaking sob feast..
I'm sitting in my cubby at work and you know when you try to hold it in and you kinda snort - kinda hiccup....yeah that's me.
So one of the girls in the office comes over and asks if I'm OK....well doesn't that just start the sobs while I'm stuttering about.....ttttrrrreeeeee - bwah haaaa.....I can't stop!
Publication Date – December 1, 2013
Type – Stand-Alone (but the end kinda teases us that there may be more)
Rating – 5 out of 5 Stars
ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
Synopsis
Julia fell down on her knees next to his lifeless body, her heart filling with dread as she noticed the left side of his face was covered in blood. He had fallen off the motorbike, hitting his temple on a sharp-edged rock. His head injury looked really, really bad.
“Michael?” she whispered softly, putting a trembling hand on his forehead. “Can you hear me?”
Julia has been in love with Michael for years. He’s the hottest guy in school, and she can’t believe her luck when they finally hit it off during Senior Prom. Her dream doesn’t last, though: after a few dates, he callously dumps her out of the blue. Summer vacation starts with Julia feeling heart-broken and miserable.
But then she rescues Michael in the woods when he has a motorcycle accident in a heavy thunderstorm. From that point onward, her life is turned upside down. Michael has changed completely after the blow to the head that nearly killed him... and he wants her back. But why is he so different? And will she be able to trust him this time around?
Can the boy who broke your heart ever win it back again..?. . .
Review
Holy Shit Batman…..I don’t know what to even write since I’m still on my sobbing downer. This book affected me, I mean REALLY affected me. I don’t remember the last time I read such a beautiful love story between young adults that touched me as much as this story did. I was high and happy in love following right beside Julia and Michael and kept wondering and thinking it can’t continue like this – something has to happen.
Let me tell you – this isn’t your “cookie cutter” book – this is different. This is an “outside of the box” kinda of story that will have you guessing the whole time what is really going on? Is this a dream? Is this really going on? You find yourself transported into Austria and seeing Julia and Michael go through the process of falling deeply in love – you feel their love, you feel their pain, you feel their joy….all emotions are pulled into this book.
Damn…Ms. Minkman, you know how to really write a story that grabs you. This is the first book I read by this author and she now has a dedicated fan in her club!! I can’t say enough about this book.
But, please, please don’t make me cry like this again…it’s embarrassing at work.
Julia has been in love with Michael through high school and finally right before graduation, he notices her and gets exactly what he wants from her. After that, he has no interest in pursuing anything more with her – until one day during a severe thunderstorm, Julia sees Michael in her woods right near her “Old Oak Tree”. Michael is sprawled on the ground and it seems he had an accident on his motorbike. Julia immediately tries to keep him awake and calls an ambulance -
Michael survives and doesn’t want anything else except for Julia now. Something is odd about Michael, he talks about himself in the third person – he professes his love for Julia – he isn’t the arrogant bastard that Julia and her friends remember. It’s hard at first for Julia to trust anything Michael says but slowly he breaks through her wall. Things are going great but still all along, Julia questions the strange actions from Michael, and then something terrible starts to happen with Michael and all Julia’s fears come back with a vengeance.
Will Julia be able to survive having her heart broken after experiencing a love so pure and profound?
Wrap-Up
I think even the hardest of hearts will find themselves sniffling by the end of this book. This is a definite read and even if YA is not up your alley…..check this book out – you never really even feel that this is a story of high school graduates!
This was my original post as soon as I finished the book......
OMG.....beautiful love story....tear-jerker.....no....take that back....a freaking sob feast..
I'm sitting in my cubby at work and you know when you try to hold it in and you kinda snort - kinda hiccup....yeah that's me.
So one of the girls in the office comes over and asks if I'm OK....well doesn't that just start the sobs while I'm stuttering about.....ttttrrrreeeeee - bwah haaaa.....I can't stop!
October 9, 2017
I wanted to enjoy reading The Boy From The Woods: A YA Paranormal Romance. I really did.
The story is about Julia Kandolf, a teenage girl, who has been in love with her high school obsession, Michael Kolbe, for years. Her dream, however, does not last: when they finally hit it off at senior prom she's ecstatic, only to be utterly crushed when Michael dumps her out of the blue after their one night together. Summer vacation starts with Julia feeling heartbroken and miserable, and she frequently goes for runs in the woods, seeking solace from a special oak tree which has become a sort of friend or confidante to her. One day, during a fierce thunderstorm, she finds Michael lying at the foot of the tree after a terrible motorcycle accident, bleeding from a head wound and very near death. But Julia saves him, and as he is healing rapidly, Michael takes a totally different attitude towards Julia and her friends and is no longer the arrogant, condescending, selfish boy he once was. He is, instead, the perfect boy Julia dreamed him to be. What could possibly have caused it? Why is he so different now?
This book was very disappointing.
The characters were bland and completely one-dimensional, and I completely could not relate to them at all despite being in the same age group myself. They're not believable, and are rather expressionless and teeter dangerously on being apathetic. It made the book a chore to read. This, along with the fact that the book seriously dragged during the first 40% or so, made it extremely boring.
Julia was unbelievably annoying. All her angst just irritated me a lot until I had the urge to throw my Kindle at the wall several times. I really hated the way her emotions were all over the place. I'm actually pretty sure no teenager thinks or reacts the way she does. If some boy took my V-card and refused to call back after or even talk to me when he saw me, I'd still be plotting ways to murder him three years later. Julia, however, is too quick to forgive and obviously had zero dignity, which not only gets on my nerves SO MUCH but also gives the reader secondhand embarrassment. After a few times meeting the "changed" Michael, she allows him to kiss her and then bam. Happily ever after and they're together again and I love you, blah blah blah. That's completely unrealistic and sends the wrong messages to female readers and girls everywhere. There's no reason girls should let jerks back into their lives just because they're asking for make-up hugs and kisses. Julia even has a hot neighbor boy, Thorsten, interested in her, but of course all she cares about is Michael, because obviously she's only allowed to pine over her ex (and a shitty ex, too) and not be open to new relationships. Honestly I hope I never come across such females in life because they just give me a headache. I think pointless, aggravating angst took place for at least 20% of the book. I nearly gave up because of this. It's so annoying. Julia comes across as incredibly weak and dependent because of this.
The secondary characters were flat as well. The dialogue between them was so forced and half of it was just for filler. The hidden focus of the whole story is this love triangle between Thorsten, Julia and Michael but it's concealed very poorly with "extra" scenes involving secondary characters, and at a glance, all the other supporting characters can't even be called supporting characters because they don't contribute at all to the main storyline. I had to skim through some of the dialogue, else I'd probably have exploded with frustration. It was literally so painful to read because everything was so forced and unrealistic. I realised after a while that it was painfully obvious that Julia either made everything about herself or the book made everything about her. When two side characters, Gaby and Axel (Julia’s best friend and cousin), are attracted to each other, the two girls spend about 4 lines mentioning it, and then go back to agonising over Michael. I wanted developed side characters, not voiceless supporting characters who don’t have their own story to tell.
There's some action haphazardly thrown in towards the end around 70+%, just when I was about to give up and not touch this book ever again. But it was action which the plot could've done without. The author probably realised her book wasn't going anywhere and needed to at least redeem it a little. Well, that spurred me enough to continue the story, only to make me wish I hadn't. It hints at her getting closer to Thorsten after Michael is suddenly revealed to have a tree for a soul and died after the forest called him home. I really wanted to bang my head against the wall at that point. I didn’t actually mind so much the twist about the tree, but the fact that she’s just lost her boyfriend, for goodness’ sake, and there’s already a hint of her being set up with the other love interest. Save me.
The most disappointing was the plot. I was so excited to read this because there was a hint of mystery and I was intrigued. The premise was so original and interesting and I think this book could have been so well-written and had so much potential, but it all went down the drain with terrible characters and awkward writing.
The story is about Julia Kandolf, a teenage girl, who has been in love with her high school obsession, Michael Kolbe, for years. Her dream, however, does not last: when they finally hit it off at senior prom she's ecstatic, only to be utterly crushed when Michael dumps her out of the blue after their one night together. Summer vacation starts with Julia feeling heartbroken and miserable, and she frequently goes for runs in the woods, seeking solace from a special oak tree which has become a sort of friend or confidante to her. One day, during a fierce thunderstorm, she finds Michael lying at the foot of the tree after a terrible motorcycle accident, bleeding from a head wound and very near death. But Julia saves him, and as he is healing rapidly, Michael takes a totally different attitude towards Julia and her friends and is no longer the arrogant, condescending, selfish boy he once was. He is, instead, the perfect boy Julia dreamed him to be. What could possibly have caused it? Why is he so different now?
This book was very disappointing.
The characters were bland and completely one-dimensional, and I completely could not relate to them at all despite being in the same age group myself. They're not believable, and are rather expressionless and teeter dangerously on being apathetic. It made the book a chore to read. This, along with the fact that the book seriously dragged during the first 40% or so, made it extremely boring.
Julia was unbelievably annoying. All her angst just irritated me a lot until I had the urge to throw my Kindle at the wall several times. I really hated the way her emotions were all over the place. I'm actually pretty sure no teenager thinks or reacts the way she does. If some boy took my V-card and refused to call back after or even talk to me when he saw me, I'd still be plotting ways to murder him three years later. Julia, however, is too quick to forgive and obviously had zero dignity, which not only gets on my nerves SO MUCH but also gives the reader secondhand embarrassment. After a few times meeting the "changed" Michael, she allows him to kiss her and then bam. Happily ever after and they're together again and I love you, blah blah blah. That's completely unrealistic and sends the wrong messages to female readers and girls everywhere. There's no reason girls should let jerks back into their lives just because they're asking for make-up hugs and kisses. Julia even has a hot neighbor boy, Thorsten, interested in her, but of course all she cares about is Michael, because obviously she's only allowed to pine over her ex (and a shitty ex, too) and not be open to new relationships. Honestly I hope I never come across such females in life because they just give me a headache. I think pointless, aggravating angst took place for at least 20% of the book. I nearly gave up because of this. It's so annoying. Julia comes across as incredibly weak and dependent because of this.
The secondary characters were flat as well. The dialogue between them was so forced and half of it was just for filler. The hidden focus of the whole story is this love triangle between Thorsten, Julia and Michael but it's concealed very poorly with "extra" scenes involving secondary characters, and at a glance, all the other supporting characters can't even be called supporting characters because they don't contribute at all to the main storyline. I had to skim through some of the dialogue, else I'd probably have exploded with frustration. It was literally so painful to read because everything was so forced and unrealistic. I realised after a while that it was painfully obvious that Julia either made everything about herself or the book made everything about her. When two side characters, Gaby and Axel (Julia’s best friend and cousin), are attracted to each other, the two girls spend about 4 lines mentioning it, and then go back to agonising over Michael. I wanted developed side characters, not voiceless supporting characters who don’t have their own story to tell.
There's some action haphazardly thrown in towards the end around 70+%, just when I was about to give up and not touch this book ever again. But it was action which the plot could've done without. The author probably realised her book wasn't going anywhere and needed to at least redeem it a little. Well, that spurred me enough to continue the story, only to make me wish I hadn't. It hints at her getting closer to Thorsten after Michael is suddenly revealed to have a tree for a soul and died after the forest called him home. I really wanted to bang my head against the wall at that point. I didn’t actually mind so much the twist about the tree, but the fact that she’s just lost her boyfriend, for goodness’ sake, and there’s already a hint of her being set up with the other love interest. Save me.
The most disappointing was the plot. I was so excited to read this because there was a hint of mystery and I was intrigued. The premise was so original and interesting and I think this book could have been so well-written and had so much potential, but it all went down the drain with terrible characters and awkward writing.
August 11, 2016
2 STARS but DNF at 50%
I've reconsidered my rating because I can still identify some details that I liked about it… its just that the sole reason that drove me to continue just ceased to interest me to finish this. The lack of polished creativity and lousy delivery of something that could have been so unique, seeing it handled this way just makes me sad.
Because this poses the absolutely intriguing question:
By some mad twist of fate, Michael Kolbe is suddenly in love with Julia Kandolf. After rescuing him from a motorcycle accident in the woods, it's as if he's a new boy. As if a miracle, the beautifully unattainable Michael, the boy she's been stalking in school with a mad crush since forever, the very same boy who charmed her into bed one night only to be discarded the next day has becoming the boy who is suddenly turning up everywhere she went: in the clubs that she frequents with her friends, the bookstore where she works, her favorite spot under an oak tree where she rescued him... he's everywhere.
That premise just hold a whole bucketload of potential. Something about that makes me think: What if Olivia Kaspen took Caleb Drake's place in The Opportunist? Or better yet, what if Julia took advantage of Michael's sudden infatuation to serve some much-deserved, freshly baked vengeance his way and go from there? Wouldn't that be something?
Unfortunately, this chose door number 3 where Julia isn't that kind of heroine. No, she's not the kind who gets murderously angry or even mildly offended by this guy's opinion of her. No, Instead, she's the kind who gets all flustered, blushes around Michael 2.0 playing him her piano compositions, reading him Rilke poetry and worrying because there's another guy and oh the horrors, the angst! Because he's nice and cute and was supposed to help her move on from Michael 1.0 and he's willing to wait and hope in the sidelines until she'd maybe look at him that way.
Oh right, the things that I liked about this. Well this was set in Salzburg and I've never read a New Adult Contemporary Romance set in Austria before and today I learned, it's the perfect excuse to have a character as awesomely named as Thorsten. Though I'm a bit disappointed nobody called him Thor (this demands some lengthy explanation) putting a kibosh on the God of Thunder jokes. Speaking of jokes, it got really awkward for me when this tried to be funny. Because the effort was there but ended up this side of strange.
What are those ladies drinking? Or smoking?
Okay I'm getting distracted again, another thing that I liked about this was the interesting twist and mystery as to what happened with Michael and why the sudden change in his behavior. This was literally the only thing that kept me from chucking this book… until it became a little too obvious what's going on. Truth be told, its still speculation on my part since I only got up to 50% but the sudden introduction of should have generated enough curiosity on my part for me to finish this. I would be so bummed if that was how this turned out because that would've been AWESOME… and totally undeserving of the tedious, rambling writing.
Because this severely needs some severe editing. I have a feeling my opinion of this book would drastically improve if some economy in the writing was exercised (beginning with me being able to finish this book at least).
Because Julia never just goes somewhere. She's going to meet up with some friends in a club? Yeah she has to go to her grandmother's house, to the forest, meet 2 or 3 people for tea, dinner THEN they go together to the club. And nothing gets glossed over. There are scenes that gets lengthily detailed with inane conversations and flat jokes (see above) among characters I can't seem to keep track of or care about. Because for every secondary character, he/she will have a sister/brother/cousin/co-worker/boyfriend/girlfriend tagging along. None of whom contributes to the plot moving forward.
Well except perhaps throwing parties. Every scene seems to somehow lead to someone's party. Or going to the bar. Is that a Salzburg thing? Forgive my cultural ignorance if it is, but this just didn't serve the story well and tested my patience far too often because it felt a lot like I was reading the same scene over and over.
However I may try to look at the brighter picture, there's always something that just far outweighs whatever joy I may find about this book doesn't it? I've never given a DNF 2-stars but I suppose there's a first time for everything.
As a small act of kindness, please don't tell me if this eventually led to because that will absolutely break my heart.
For not finishing.
Also on BookLikes.
ARC provided by Patchwork Press thru NetGalley in exchange for an honest, unbiased review. Quotes may not appear in the final edition.
I've reconsidered my rating because I can still identify some details that I liked about it… its just that the sole reason that drove me to continue just ceased to interest me to finish this. The lack of polished creativity and lousy delivery of something that could have been so unique, seeing it handled this way just makes me sad.
Because this poses the absolutely intriguing question:
What happens when the stalker becomes stalked back by the stalkee?
By some mad twist of fate, Michael Kolbe is suddenly in love with Julia Kandolf. After rescuing him from a motorcycle accident in the woods, it's as if he's a new boy. As if a miracle, the beautifully unattainable Michael, the boy she's been stalking in school with a mad crush since forever, the very same boy who charmed her into bed one night only to be discarded the next day has becoming the boy who is suddenly turning up everywhere she went: in the clubs that she frequents with her friends, the bookstore where she works, her favorite spot under an oak tree where she rescued him... he's everywhere.
That premise just hold a whole bucketload of potential. Something about that makes me think: What if Olivia Kaspen took Caleb Drake's place in The Opportunist? Or better yet, what if Julia took advantage of Michael's sudden infatuation to serve some much-deserved, freshly baked vengeance his way and go from there? Wouldn't that be something?
Unfortunately, this chose door number 3 where Julia isn't that kind of heroine. No, she's not the kind who gets murderously angry or even mildly offended by this guy's opinion of her. No, Instead, she's the kind who gets all flustered, blushes around Michael 2.0 playing him her piano compositions, reading him Rilke poetry and worrying because there's another guy and oh the horrors, the angst! Because he's nice and cute and was supposed to help her move on from Michael 1.0 and he's willing to wait and hope in the sidelines until she'd maybe look at him that way.
Oh right, the things that I liked about this. Well this was set in Salzburg and I've never read a New Adult Contemporary Romance set in Austria before and today I learned, it's the perfect excuse to have a character as awesomely named as Thorsten. Though I'm a bit disappointed nobody called him Thor (this demands some lengthy explanation) putting a kibosh on the God of Thunder jokes. Speaking of jokes, it got really awkward for me when this tried to be funny. Because the effort was there but ended up this side of strange.
"Maybe your'e drawing the wrong conclusion," she commented. "Personally, I think only people starting with an M are allowed to sit at that table."
Donna started to giggle. "Girl, you've gone cuckoo in that stockroom sorting books all morning. You're alphabetizing people for crying out loud!"
Laughing and chatting, the girls sat down at the other table.
What are those ladies drinking? Or smoking?
Okay I'm getting distracted again, another thing that I liked about this was the interesting twist and mystery as to what happened with Michael and why the sudden change in his behavior. This was literally the only thing that kept me from chucking this book… until it became a little too obvious what's going on. Truth be told, its still speculation on my part since I only got up to 50% but the sudden introduction of should have generated enough curiosity on my part for me to finish this. I would be so bummed if that was how this turned out because that would've been AWESOME… and totally undeserving of the tedious, rambling writing.
Because this severely needs some severe editing. I have a feeling my opinion of this book would drastically improve if some economy in the writing was exercised (beginning with me being able to finish this book at least).
Because Julia never just goes somewhere. She's going to meet up with some friends in a club? Yeah she has to go to her grandmother's house, to the forest, meet 2 or 3 people for tea, dinner THEN they go together to the club. And nothing gets glossed over. There are scenes that gets lengthily detailed with inane conversations and flat jokes (see above) among characters I can't seem to keep track of or care about. Because for every secondary character, he/she will have a sister/brother/cousin/co-worker/boyfriend/girlfriend tagging along. None of whom contributes to the plot moving forward.
Well except perhaps throwing parties. Every scene seems to somehow lead to someone's party. Or going to the bar. Is that a Salzburg thing? Forgive my cultural ignorance if it is, but this just didn't serve the story well and tested my patience far too often because it felt a lot like I was reading the same scene over and over.
However I may try to look at the brighter picture, there's always something that just far outweighs whatever joy I may find about this book doesn't it? I've never given a DNF 2-stars but I suppose there's a first time for everything.
As a small act of kindness, please don't tell me if this eventually led to because that will absolutely break my heart.
For not finishing.
Also on BookLikes.
ARC provided by Patchwork Press thru NetGalley in exchange for an honest, unbiased review. Quotes may not appear in the final edition.
November 12, 2013
The good: Interesting and engrossing plot and story line. Intriguing characters. Had an element of suspense and a couple of parts where I literally had tears in my eyes.
The bad: Other than Jen Minkman made me cry a couple of times?! Especially at the finale?! Then no!
My thoughts: Normally, in these types of reads I tend to see and calculate the typical NA and CA elements that I see in books BUT... “The Boy in the Woods,” however, took a completely different approach that I could have ever imagined it to have taken.
Being my first Jen Minkman read (so YAY!), I was totally impressed with her authorship and originality when it came to the characters and the story line.
At first I literally hated the male protagonist, Michael’s, guts but as the story progressed on, he won me over. I still had my doubts about him after the accident but I will not go into my analysis about him since it might give out spoilers regarding the outcome of the ending.
As for Julia, well, I truly admired her. She was straightforward, honest, caring, and hard working. How awesome is that in a female protagonist?! I love that!
SO OVER ALL: Such a beautiful and touching story!!
There were a couple of twists and turns embedded into the story as well as a part where I was a little taken aback. I mean, I see how it works but, ‘wow.’
I have to say that I was completely won over with Jen Minkman and now am a fan of hers. I had marked this book to be on my TBR shelf and wishlist and even entered the giveaway contest and the next thing I know is that I have a message from Jen herself asking if I would review her book? I was like, “free book?, interesting story?, and I get to read it before everyone else?” Then, hells to the YES!!
Thank you Jen for providing me with an ARC! I truly loved and devoured every minute of it!
February 7, 2017
"De liefde die je voor hem hebt gevoeld, gaat niet verloren. Je zult leren die ook aan een ander te geven, als je zijn herinnering achter je hebt gelaten." ~ p32.
Jen Minkman blijft mij als auteur verbazen. Ook al is de schrijstijl van de boeken die ik tot nu toe gelezen heb hetzelfde, de verhalen en de kracht van de verhalen zijn elk zo verschillend! Ook dit boek wist mij weer mee te slepen , en tijden het lezen waande ik mij echt in de wereld van Julia. Ik voelde haar verliefdheid voor Michael, en samen met haar brak mijn hart...
"Ik wil me wel trots en onafhankelijk opstellen, maar voor deze jongen verschuif ik mijn toch al vage grenzen naar de rand van het zonnestelsel." ~ p73.
Maar de jongen uit het woud is meer dan een YA over verliefdheid en liefdesverdriet. Het laat zien hoe belangrijk vriendschap is, en hoe waardevol deze vrienden kunnen zijn. Gaby, de beste vriendin van Julia, zou echt een vriendin van mij kunnen zijn. En de manier waarop de hele groep met elkaar omgaat zou een standaard voor vriendschap moeten zijn.
Halverwege neemt het verhaal een overwachte wending die mij erg verraste. Die had ik echt niet zien aankomen. In 1 pagina ging het verhaal van YA naar Thriller!!! Dat was echt het moment waarop ik het boek helemaal niet meer kon neerleggen... en dan het einde: mijn hart is gebroken op alle mogelijke manieren. Ik heb er echt weer een bookcrush bij!!!
"Het was de levenskracht van alles, samengebald in één enkele lettergreep." ~ p240.
Na het lezen van de laatste bladzijde heb ik echt even tijd nodig gehad om het verhaal te verwerken en een plekje te geven. De recensie liet dan ook even op zich wachten... maar woorden schieten nog steeds te kort om dit boek te omschrijven. Dit boek is er absoluut een die je de rest van de leven mee blijft dragen. Liefde in zijn puurste vorm, geschreven door een heel bijzonder mens... ♡
Jen Minkman blijft mij als auteur verbazen. Ook al is de schrijstijl van de boeken die ik tot nu toe gelezen heb hetzelfde, de verhalen en de kracht van de verhalen zijn elk zo verschillend! Ook dit boek wist mij weer mee te slepen , en tijden het lezen waande ik mij echt in de wereld van Julia. Ik voelde haar verliefdheid voor Michael, en samen met haar brak mijn hart...
"Ik wil me wel trots en onafhankelijk opstellen, maar voor deze jongen verschuif ik mijn toch al vage grenzen naar de rand van het zonnestelsel." ~ p73.
Maar de jongen uit het woud is meer dan een YA over verliefdheid en liefdesverdriet. Het laat zien hoe belangrijk vriendschap is, en hoe waardevol deze vrienden kunnen zijn. Gaby, de beste vriendin van Julia, zou echt een vriendin van mij kunnen zijn. En de manier waarop de hele groep met elkaar omgaat zou een standaard voor vriendschap moeten zijn.
Halverwege neemt het verhaal een overwachte wending die mij erg verraste. Die had ik echt niet zien aankomen. In 1 pagina ging het verhaal van YA naar Thriller!!! Dat was echt het moment waarop ik het boek helemaal niet meer kon neerleggen... en dan het einde: mijn hart is gebroken op alle mogelijke manieren. Ik heb er echt weer een bookcrush bij!!!
"Het was de levenskracht van alles, samengebald in één enkele lettergreep." ~ p240.
Na het lezen van de laatste bladzijde heb ik echt even tijd nodig gehad om het verhaal te verwerken en een plekje te geven. De recensie liet dan ook even op zich wachten... maar woorden schieten nog steeds te kort om dit boek te omschrijven. Dit boek is er absoluut een die je de rest van de leven mee blijft dragen. Liefde in zijn puurste vorm, geschreven door een heel bijzonder mens... ♡
Read
December 4, 2013I'm in the final stages of editing this book in both Dutch and English before sending it off to my US editor. It's going to be available at all major retailers in December! Looking forward to reading your thoughts & reviews on this book - my second full-length YA paranormal romance. :)
March 21, 2015
When Julia falls for the wrong boy, who uses her, then tosses her aside, she seeks solace in the woods, by the special tree that has become like a friend and confidant to her. Michael has avoided her after that one night she gave him everything. Was she just a joke to him? Did she mean so little? Only her tree heard her deepest thoughts. One day, she finds Michael, lying on the ground after an accident, bleeding, possibly dying at the foot of her tree. Healing rapidly, Michael is not the selfish boy he had once been, he is all Julia dreamed he could be, her fantasies come true. Had something magical happened? Was it the accident? Has her toad turned into her Prince Charming? When her sister begins to act strangely, and disappears into the woods, tales of the boy from the woods brings chills to everyone’s hearts. Will they find her in time? Is Michael somehow connected or is it the boy next door who has his eyes on Julia?
The Boy from the Woods by Jen Minkman is a delightful tale blending the circle of life, nature and mankind’s connections with young love and heartache. Adding a touch of mystery and danger, this story unfolds at a gentle pace, that, in many ways mirrors the confusion and unexplainable feelings of youth with the magic of fairytales and spiritualism.
Another refreshingly deep tale form a very talented author who has shared the life of a teen in a foreign land.
I received this copy from Storm Publishers in exchange for my honest review.
Publication Date: December 1, 2013
Publisher: Storm Publishers
ISBN-13: 9781625177957
Genre: YA Paranormal
Print Length: 282 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
Reviewed for: http://tometender.blogspot.com
The Boy from the Woods by Jen Minkman is a delightful tale blending the circle of life, nature and mankind’s connections with young love and heartache. Adding a touch of mystery and danger, this story unfolds at a gentle pace, that, in many ways mirrors the confusion and unexplainable feelings of youth with the magic of fairytales and spiritualism.
Another refreshingly deep tale form a very talented author who has shared the life of a teen in a foreign land.
I received this copy from Storm Publishers in exchange for my honest review.
Publication Date: December 1, 2013
Publisher: Storm Publishers
ISBN-13: 9781625177957
Genre: YA Paranormal
Print Length: 282 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
Reviewed for: http://tometender.blogspot.com
July 9, 2015
Wat een leuk en verrassend boek! Ik heb het in een ruk uitgelezen. Vooral het einde vond ik erg goed, mooi en onverwacht! Niet een 'standaard' einde in ieder geval ;)
Het paste perfect bij het verhaal....
Kópen dit boek!!!
Het paste perfect bij het verhaal....
Kópen dit boek!!!
February 6, 2015
Mijn recensie kan je hier lezen: http://nerdygeekyfanboy.com/recensie/...
May 15, 2016
Op haar examengala wordt Julia éíndelijk opgemerkt door de jongen op wie ze al tijden verliefd is. Helaas zet Michael haar ‘the morning after’ zonder pardon weer opzij. Julia probeert Michael uit haar hoofd te zetten, wat niet erg goed lukt.
Dan vindt ze Michael eerder dood dan levend naast zijn brommer in het bos, precies op de plek waar zij altijd graag tot rust komt. Wonderlijk genoeg overleeft hij het ongeluk, en vanaf dat moment doet Michael er alles aan om bij Julia in de buurt te komen.
***
Ik ben nog steeds een beetje negatief verward door De jongen uit het woud. Sowieso dacht ik denk ik iets heel anders te gaan lezen. De cover plus de titel doen me denken aan Shiver van Maggie Stiefvater, een van mijn favoriete auteurs. Dat is een mysterieus, schattig romantisch verhaal met een dreigende fantasysfeer, dat zich grotendeels afspeelt in het bos. De achterflap bevestigde deze vermoedelijke overeenkomst voor mij, dus ik verwachtte een mooi verhaal te lezen.
De eerste hoofdstukken stelden me al enorm teleur. Het verhaal vorderde zeer langzaam en zat propvol overbodige scènes. Het hoofdpersonage, Julia, gaat allerlei dingen met haar vrienden doen; naar cafés, naar concerten, radler drinken op balkons. Echt superleuk dat ze zo’n fijn sociaal leven heeft, maar het waren allemaal volledig beschreven scènes die gewoon niks bijdroegen aan de plot. Ze maakten mij, een kritische lezer, ongeduldig en geïrriteerd. Verder was de schrijfstijl vrij droog, niet slécht, maar vooral met een zwaar gebrek aan show, don’t tell, en ook de miste ik wat humor.
De plot was erg raar uitgewerkt – en dat terwijl het idee eigenlijk best leuk was. Dit komt deels door de slecht uitgesmeerde spanningsboog, waarbij de eerste helft van het boek heel langzaam vordert en de actie of het mysterie op zo’n twee derde pas goed opkomt, namelijk als Anne zich echt vreemd begint te gedragen. Op dat punt dacht ik dat het verhaal naar de climax zou werken, die ons zou onthullen wat de reden was van de verandering in Michaels gedrag.
Maar dat was niet zo. De gebeurtenis had er vrijwel niks mee te maken. Sterker nog, de échte grote onthulling, hetgeen waar het verhaal (naar mijn idee) totaal om draaide, vindt pas op de laatste tien pagina’s plaats. Alsof het een soort subplotje was – terwijl het een echt origineel en uitgedacht concept was.
Julia was voor mij een zeer oppervlakkig personage. Hoewel er een paar goeie scènes waren waarin ze duidelijk voor zichzelf opkomt tegenover Michael waar ik dacht: YES, go Julia!, heb ik haar totaal niet leren kennen tijdens het verhaal. Misschien heeft dat ook te maken met de rare logica wat betreft haar beweegredenen in het verhaal. Aan het begin van het verhaal (nadat Michael haar aan de kant heeft gezet) wil ze graag over de jongen die haar heeft gebruikt heen komen. Vervolgens gaat het hele verhaal over hoe ze verliefd op hem wordt. Het enige wat haar dan nog een ‘doel’ had kunnen geven in het verhaal, was wanneer ze er heel graag achter zou willen komen waarom Michael zo veranderd is. Maar niets is minder waar: Julia geeft zelfs aan dat het haar eigenlijk niet zo uitmaakt.
Er waren heel veel personages die in de spot werden gezet, maar die vervolgens totaal niks bijdroegen aan het verhaal (Moritz, Julia’s oma, Sabine, Tamara). Tenslotte vond ik Michael gewoon een snertjong. Misschien ligt dat aan mij, maar ik werd echt gek zijn zogenaamde perfectie, al dat romantische gedrag en zijn liefdesgedicht. De boodschap was voor mij dat Julia alleen verliefd op hem werd om zijn waterige ogen, zijn creepy stares, en omdat hij zich zo aan haar opdrong, onder andere met zijn gejammer of ze piano voor hem wilde spelen. Of gewoon door te zeuren of hij haar alsjeblieft mocht helpen met haar magazijntaak in de boekwinkel, waarvan ze aangaf dat ze die prima in haar eentje afkon.
Mijn conclusie is, merk ik inmiddels, dat ik flink wat meer van dit verhaal had verwacht, en dat de uitwerking het toffe idee teniet doet. Meer show, don’t tell, minder overbodige scènes (of meer wegediten, dus), meer aandacht aan de structuur/plotopbouw.
Dan vindt ze Michael eerder dood dan levend naast zijn brommer in het bos, precies op de plek waar zij altijd graag tot rust komt. Wonderlijk genoeg overleeft hij het ongeluk, en vanaf dat moment doet Michael er alles aan om bij Julia in de buurt te komen.
***
Ik ben nog steeds een beetje negatief verward door De jongen uit het woud. Sowieso dacht ik denk ik iets heel anders te gaan lezen. De cover plus de titel doen me denken aan Shiver van Maggie Stiefvater, een van mijn favoriete auteurs. Dat is een mysterieus, schattig romantisch verhaal met een dreigende fantasysfeer, dat zich grotendeels afspeelt in het bos. De achterflap bevestigde deze vermoedelijke overeenkomst voor mij, dus ik verwachtte een mooi verhaal te lezen.
De eerste hoofdstukken stelden me al enorm teleur. Het verhaal vorderde zeer langzaam en zat propvol overbodige scènes. Het hoofdpersonage, Julia, gaat allerlei dingen met haar vrienden doen; naar cafés, naar concerten, radler drinken op balkons. Echt superleuk dat ze zo’n fijn sociaal leven heeft, maar het waren allemaal volledig beschreven scènes die gewoon niks bijdroegen aan de plot. Ze maakten mij, een kritische lezer, ongeduldig en geïrriteerd. Verder was de schrijfstijl vrij droog, niet slécht, maar vooral met een zwaar gebrek aan show, don’t tell, en ook de miste ik wat humor.
De plot was erg raar uitgewerkt – en dat terwijl het idee eigenlijk best leuk was. Dit komt deels door de slecht uitgesmeerde spanningsboog, waarbij de eerste helft van het boek heel langzaam vordert en de actie of het mysterie op zo’n twee derde pas goed opkomt, namelijk als Anne zich echt vreemd begint te gedragen. Op dat punt dacht ik dat het verhaal naar de climax zou werken, die ons zou onthullen wat de reden was van de verandering in Michaels gedrag.
Maar dat was niet zo. De gebeurtenis had er vrijwel niks mee te maken. Sterker nog, de échte grote onthulling, hetgeen waar het verhaal (naar mijn idee) totaal om draaide, vindt pas op de laatste tien pagina’s plaats. Alsof het een soort subplotje was – terwijl het een echt origineel en uitgedacht concept was.
Julia was voor mij een zeer oppervlakkig personage. Hoewel er een paar goeie scènes waren waarin ze duidelijk voor zichzelf opkomt tegenover Michael waar ik dacht: YES, go Julia!, heb ik haar totaal niet leren kennen tijdens het verhaal. Misschien heeft dat ook te maken met de rare logica wat betreft haar beweegredenen in het verhaal. Aan het begin van het verhaal (nadat Michael haar aan de kant heeft gezet) wil ze graag over de jongen die haar heeft gebruikt heen komen. Vervolgens gaat het hele verhaal over hoe ze verliefd op hem wordt. Het enige wat haar dan nog een ‘doel’ had kunnen geven in het verhaal, was wanneer ze er heel graag achter zou willen komen waarom Michael zo veranderd is. Maar niets is minder waar: Julia geeft zelfs aan dat het haar eigenlijk niet zo uitmaakt.
Er waren heel veel personages die in de spot werden gezet, maar die vervolgens totaal niks bijdroegen aan het verhaal (Moritz, Julia’s oma, Sabine, Tamara). Tenslotte vond ik Michael gewoon een snertjong. Misschien ligt dat aan mij, maar ik werd echt gek zijn zogenaamde perfectie, al dat romantische gedrag en zijn liefdesgedicht. De boodschap was voor mij dat Julia alleen verliefd op hem werd om zijn waterige ogen, zijn creepy stares, en omdat hij zich zo aan haar opdrong, onder andere met zijn gejammer of ze piano voor hem wilde spelen. Of gewoon door te zeuren of hij haar alsjeblieft mocht helpen met haar magazijntaak in de boekwinkel, waarvan ze aangaf dat ze die prima in haar eentje afkon.
Mijn conclusie is, merk ik inmiddels, dat ik flink wat meer van dit verhaal had verwacht, en dat de uitwerking het toffe idee teniet doet. Meer show, don’t tell, minder overbodige scènes (of meer wegediten, dus), meer aandacht aan de structuur/plotopbouw.
February 13, 2016
Lets just say, this was one of the most beautiful books I read so far. Thanks Jen Minkman for sending me a digital copy.
The book is about Julia, and Michael (or not so Michael). Julia is in love with Michael but he breaks her heart (and is pretty much a bastard at the beginning of the book). Then storms take over Austria, and while Julia walks/runs through her forest, she finds Michael, more dead than alive. He apparently crashed with his motorcycle. He wakes up, says her name and falls unconscious. How did he know her name, yet didn't know his or anything else? And that is how it all starts.
Julia was a wonderful girl, I really loved her. Unlike many books I read, she was pretty clear to Thorsten that she liked him, but not in that way. That she was still in love with Michael. I like a girl who can say that. And I liked her, how she went to meditate in the forest, how she was when she was with her friends, how hard she worked, how much she cared about her mom and sister.
Michael, ah Michael. In the beginning of the book I truly hated his guts. He was just a prick, playboy and rude. After the accident, I was hesitant, was he truly changed? Was it still Michael? Could Julia trust him, wouldn't she just be dumped again? But after a while, I started to love this Michael, he was wonderful, sweet, romantic. And the conclusion at the end? It kind of surprised me but also not. I had my suspicions about it.
And even though I could partially guess the ending (there were quite a few hints), it was still heartbreaking, it was so sad, and I can tell you all this, I cried. I really cried, and I am sure more people will do that.
Now to other things I loved, sorry, I practically loved everything.
I loved that it took place in Europe, Austria. I was first expecting it to be in America, or some other country that is mostly used in books. And then I found out it was Austria. So refreshing, it would be wonderful if more writers stepped out of their zone and told a story that takes place in another country.
I also really liked Julia's friends. They were such a tight group, they cared so much for each other and it seemed they really liked each other.
Now to the one thing I didn't like. The whole Anne in the woods part. I won't spoil anything, but I can tell you I didn't like it. I can see how it works with the story and especially Michael, but that didn't lessen the fact it was quite disturbing. :(
In overall, this was a perfectly wonderful, sweet book. Thanks Jen Minkman for this book, thanks for giving me the chance to read it, and congrats, you made another story that I loved. I will be sure to buy this book when it comes out in paperback.
The book is about Julia, and Michael (or not so Michael). Julia is in love with Michael but he breaks her heart (and is pretty much a bastard at the beginning of the book). Then storms take over Austria, and while Julia walks/runs through her forest, she finds Michael, more dead than alive. He apparently crashed with his motorcycle. He wakes up, says her name and falls unconscious. How did he know her name, yet didn't know his or anything else? And that is how it all starts.
Julia was a wonderful girl, I really loved her. Unlike many books I read, she was pretty clear to Thorsten that she liked him, but not in that way. That she was still in love with Michael. I like a girl who can say that. And I liked her, how she went to meditate in the forest, how she was when she was with her friends, how hard she worked, how much she cared about her mom and sister.
Michael, ah Michael. In the beginning of the book I truly hated his guts. He was just a prick, playboy and rude. After the accident, I was hesitant, was he truly changed? Was it still Michael? Could Julia trust him, wouldn't she just be dumped again? But after a while, I started to love this Michael, he was wonderful, sweet, romantic. And the conclusion at the end? It kind of surprised me but also not. I had my suspicions about it.
And even though I could partially guess the ending (there were quite a few hints), it was still heartbreaking, it was so sad, and I can tell you all this, I cried. I really cried, and I am sure more people will do that.
Now to other things I loved, sorry, I practically loved everything.
I loved that it took place in Europe, Austria. I was first expecting it to be in America, or some other country that is mostly used in books. And then I found out it was Austria. So refreshing, it would be wonderful if more writers stepped out of their zone and told a story that takes place in another country.
I also really liked Julia's friends. They were such a tight group, they cared so much for each other and it seemed they really liked each other.
Now to the one thing I didn't like. The whole Anne in the woods part. I won't spoil anything, but I can tell you I didn't like it. I can see how it works with the story and especially Michael, but that didn't lessen the fact it was quite disturbing. :(
In overall, this was a perfectly wonderful, sweet book. Thanks Jen Minkman for this book, thanks for giving me the chance to read it, and congrats, you made another story that I loved. I will be sure to buy this book when it comes out in paperback.
August 2, 2014
I don't often cry while reading books--I may laugh or frown or get exasperated with the characters but I have only cried over a couple of books (yes, Harry Potter was one of these books!). I have to admit that I cried at the end of The Boy From The Woods WHILE I WAS AT WORK. The reason that this new adult book made me so emotional is that Jen Minkman really gets the younger generation and creates characters who act accordingly. The protagonist and her group of friends are good kids who don't hesitate to go out drinking every night. They complain about having to work and eagerly plan holiday trips. They obsess about boys and sex and going away to college. I have two teenagers so I know that this is basically the way kids think.
Aside from the authenticity of her characters, Minkman also has a wonderful voice when writing. The story flows smoothly with many moments of teen jocularity and familial affection. When drama arises, the reader can feel tension or despair or anguish rolling off the page and THAT is what got me in trouble. The action rises in a crescendo, bringing the reader to the edge of her seat and heightening emotions. Like listening to opera, I had to release the feelings through tears. And of course, it was a really sad scene, lol.
Through symbolism, Minkman views the circle of life--birth, death, and rebirth--continuously in the woods near Julia's home. The oak tree nurtures Julia as she grows from child to woman. The roots of a tree cause a near-tragic accident but then the trees give life back. The forest hides and protects Anne while also being the factor that brings her into danger. And while the forest isn't the main setting, it's always in the back of the characters' minds. Very romantic, mystical and tragic love story.
Aside from the authenticity of her characters, Minkman also has a wonderful voice when writing. The story flows smoothly with many moments of teen jocularity and familial affection. When drama arises, the reader can feel tension or despair or anguish rolling off the page and THAT is what got me in trouble. The action rises in a crescendo, bringing the reader to the edge of her seat and heightening emotions. Like listening to opera, I had to release the feelings through tears. And of course, it was a really sad scene, lol.
Through symbolism, Minkman views the circle of life--birth, death, and rebirth--continuously in the woods near Julia's home. The oak tree nurtures Julia as she grows from child to woman. The roots of a tree cause a near-tragic accident but then the trees give life back. The forest hides and protects Anne while also being the factor that brings her into danger. And while the forest isn't the main setting, it's always in the back of the characters' minds. Very romantic, mystical and tragic love story.
January 30, 2016
Julia is al jaren verliefd op Michael, een populaire jongen van bij haar op school. Wanneer hij haar eindelijk opmerkt op het eindfeest is ze in de wolken, maar achteraf doet hij erg bot tegen haar. Later rijdt Michael met zijn brommer tegen een boom en na het ongeluk is hij precies een ander persoon. Hij wil Julia terug.
De jongen uit het woud is een modern liefdesverhaal en wanneer ik eraan begon dacht ik dat het weer zo één van die stereotype verhalen was. Ik had het echter mis. Het is een origineel verhaal waarbij de rode draad inderdaad de relatie is tussen Michael en Julia, maar daarnaast is er ook de verhaallijn over het kleine zusje van het hoofpersonage, die zich mysterieus gedraagt.
Het boek heeft een heel aantal onverwachte plotwendingen waardoor de spanning er goed in blijft zitten en wat ook leidt tot een geheel onverwacht maar toch passend einde. De schrijfstijl van de auteur zorgt er ook voor dat het boek makkelijk weg leest en je meteen in het verhaal wordt gezogen.
Deze roman is een echte aanrader als je een luchtig verhaal wil lezen met weinig dode momenten.
De jongen uit het woud is een modern liefdesverhaal en wanneer ik eraan begon dacht ik dat het weer zo één van die stereotype verhalen was. Ik had het echter mis. Het is een origineel verhaal waarbij de rode draad inderdaad de relatie is tussen Michael en Julia, maar daarnaast is er ook de verhaallijn over het kleine zusje van het hoofpersonage, die zich mysterieus gedraagt.
Het boek heeft een heel aantal onverwachte plotwendingen waardoor de spanning er goed in blijft zitten en wat ook leidt tot een geheel onverwacht maar toch passend einde. De schrijfstijl van de auteur zorgt er ook voor dat het boek makkelijk weg leest en je meteen in het verhaal wordt gezogen.
Deze roman is een echte aanrader als je een luchtig verhaal wil lezen met weinig dode momenten.
January 2, 2014
I always know that I have found a good book when it haunts me the days after finishing it, and The Boy From the Woods has done just that. It is such a beautiful story about young love. While reading it, I actually got butterflies in my stomach when reading about Julia and Michael. And of course, I cried right along with Julia as well. The story is true fiction, but the author made it seem so real. I found myself Googling the places in the story, and may even attempt to make a Radler. Even the language used was true to the age of the characters (I did have to look up dafuq on urban dictionary – I’m in my thirties after all). I just really enjoyed this story so much and wish I could read it all over again for the first time.
January 26, 2016
recensie volgt op mijn blog!
October 23, 2018
Door de ondertitel verwachtte ik een verhaal met magische wezens en misschien wel wat tovenarij, wat ik kreeg was een contemporary over vriendschap en liefde met aan het einde een heel klein beetje magie. Toch heb ik het boek met veel plezier gelezen.
De cover van het boek vind ik prachtig. De zachtgroene bladerranken en de boomstam maken het boek erg aantrekkelijk en geven het een modern en sprookjesachtig uiterlijk. Dit past erg goed bij het verhaal.
Jen Minkman heeft een zeer soepele, poetische en misschien af en toe wat kinderlijke schrijfstijl. Vooral de dialogen vond ik af en toe wat jong overkomen. Voor mij hadden de Duitse woorden en zinnen niet gehoeven. Ik vond dat ze het verhaal niet ondersteunden en eigenlijk juist wat afremden.
Het verhaal gaat over Julia die in Salzburg (Oostenrijk) woont. Ze woont dichtbij het bos en is dol op een oude eik die daar staat. Julia is al jaren verliefd op Michael en helemaal in de zevende hemel als hij haar op een schoolfeest eindelijk ziet staan. Helaas is haar geluk maar van korte duur en blijkt Michael niet zo graag bij haar te zijn als zij bij hem. Gelukkig vindt ze troost bij haar vriendenclubje, waarmee ze uit kan gaan, films kijkt en heerlijk kan kletsen.
Op een nacht krijgt Michael een motorongeluk en dan veranderd alles. Michael wil haar terug en lijkt een heel ander persoon. Wat is er gebeurd?
De jongen uit het woud gaat over verliefdheid en liefdesverdriet, maar ook over het belang van vriendschap en ook spanning en een actuele boodschap hebben hun plek.
En bij het einde hield ik het niet droog.
De cover van het boek vind ik prachtig. De zachtgroene bladerranken en de boomstam maken het boek erg aantrekkelijk en geven het een modern en sprookjesachtig uiterlijk. Dit past erg goed bij het verhaal.
Jen Minkman heeft een zeer soepele, poetische en misschien af en toe wat kinderlijke schrijfstijl. Vooral de dialogen vond ik af en toe wat jong overkomen. Voor mij hadden de Duitse woorden en zinnen niet gehoeven. Ik vond dat ze het verhaal niet ondersteunden en eigenlijk juist wat afremden.
Het verhaal gaat over Julia die in Salzburg (Oostenrijk) woont. Ze woont dichtbij het bos en is dol op een oude eik die daar staat. Julia is al jaren verliefd op Michael en helemaal in de zevende hemel als hij haar op een schoolfeest eindelijk ziet staan. Helaas is haar geluk maar van korte duur en blijkt Michael niet zo graag bij haar te zijn als zij bij hem. Gelukkig vindt ze troost bij haar vriendenclubje, waarmee ze uit kan gaan, films kijkt en heerlijk kan kletsen.
Op een nacht krijgt Michael een motorongeluk en dan veranderd alles. Michael wil haar terug en lijkt een heel ander persoon. Wat is er gebeurd?
De jongen uit het woud gaat over verliefdheid en liefdesverdriet, maar ook over het belang van vriendschap en ook spanning en een actuele boodschap hebben hun plek.
En bij het einde hield ik het niet droog.
December 4, 2013
2.5 Magical Tree Stars...
I'm going to be somewhat vague with my review so as not to completely spoil the book for others. I would have to say this is a maybe paranormal YA book with some adult situations. My problems with the story is while the kids are graduated and going to the club, drinking and doing pot, as well as staying at the guys house the characters seem incredibly immature. I don't know. It was an average read...
Julia is in love with Michael who has taken her virginity. After taking her virginity he completely ignores her.
She goes into the woods and sits at an oak tree and writes stories and goes there to think, imagine about the prince of the forest, blah blah blah...
One day she comes into the woods and Michael has had an accident right in front of her oak tree. He goes to the hospital and gets out the same day and from that point onward is completely obsessed with Julia. Almost to stalker tendencies. He works at the same bookstore where she gets a job.
Oh wait....
Then she is automatically all perfect with getting back together even though Thorsten who is the neighbor is hot and trying to be her friend, but she loooooves Michael...
Everyone thinks Michael is acting very weird and no one knows why. Was it something to do with his accident? Is the tree magical?
Then you have all these side characters with what I'm assuming are potential future stories for them but don't really contribute anything worthwhile to the main storyline. Gaby- Bff who is in love with Axel, Axel- cousin who winds up with Gaby, Florian- gay friend, Moritz- band member who is dating Florian, Anne-Julia's sister, Julia's mom, Julia's Grandma, Sabine- Anne's friend and Thorsten's sister, Thorsten- part of Julia's semi-love-triangle.
IDK, It just seems there was too much "extra" going on during the story and the weirdness of the story and what happens with Anne was just too much for me to love it......
I was given an ARC by the author in exchange for an honest review.
I'm going to be somewhat vague with my review so as not to completely spoil the book for others. I would have to say this is a maybe paranormal YA book with some adult situations. My problems with the story is while the kids are graduated and going to the club, drinking and doing pot, as well as staying at the guys house the characters seem incredibly immature. I don't know. It was an average read...
Julia is in love with Michael who has taken her virginity. After taking her virginity he completely ignores her.
She goes into the woods and sits at an oak tree and writes stories and goes there to think, imagine about the prince of the forest, blah blah blah...
One day she comes into the woods and Michael has had an accident right in front of her oak tree. He goes to the hospital and gets out the same day and from that point onward is completely obsessed with Julia. Almost to stalker tendencies. He works at the same bookstore where she gets a job.
Oh wait....
Then she is automatically all perfect with getting back together even though Thorsten who is the neighbor is hot and trying to be her friend, but she loooooves Michael...
Everyone thinks Michael is acting very weird and no one knows why. Was it something to do with his accident? Is the tree magical?
Then you have all these side characters with what I'm assuming are potential future stories for them but don't really contribute anything worthwhile to the main storyline. Gaby- Bff who is in love with Axel, Axel- cousin who winds up with Gaby, Florian- gay friend, Moritz- band member who is dating Florian, Anne-Julia's sister, Julia's mom, Julia's Grandma, Sabine- Anne's friend and Thorsten's sister, Thorsten- part of Julia's semi-love-triangle.
IDK, It just seems there was too much "extra" going on during the story and the weirdness of the story and what happens with Anne was just too much for me to love it......
I was given an ARC by the author in exchange for an honest review.
December 28, 2013
I received this book in exchange for an honest review as part of The Boy From The Woods Blog Tour hosted by Girls Heart Books Tours.
Julia has been in love with Michael all through high school, when finally at the Senior Prom he notices her she can't believe her luck. However, Michael gets what he wants from Julia he ignores her calls and texts.
Julia spends a lot of her free time writing, composing and thinking in the woods near her home at "her old oak tree". During some bad weather Julia has been for a run in the forest when she sees someone laying on the ground near a motorbike. She recognises the bike as Michael's. She goes over and Michael wakes says her name before falling unconscious again. Julia phones for an ambulance.
After Michael is released from hospital, he appears to only have eyes for Julia. Julia notices that Michael refers to himself in third person sometimes and that he seems to have completely changed, she puts it down to his near death experience. Michael confesses his love for Julia and seems to have lost all of his arrogance.
Julia is wary of trusting Michael after their past encounter, but he eventually gains her trust and she gives in to her love for him. Michael begins to feel more and more frequently. Julia questions his behaviour and her fears come back with vengeance.
What will happen to Michael? Is Julia about to have her heart broken again after finding such a pure love?
Its an interesting and engrossing plot, and has intriguing characters too. This is my first; but not my last; Jen Minkman novel, I was hooked from page 1.
I felt like I was right alongside Julia through her happiness, her anguish and her heartbreak. I had tears in my eyes and a lump in my throat a few times too.
At first I thought Michael was a complete jerk! After his accident and seeing how he had changed, made my opinion of him change too. I won't say more on Michael because I don't want to spoil it for anyone who hasn't read the book yet. Julia is a hard working, straight forward, honest and caring young woman.
I loved everything about this book; except for the part of Anne being in the woods. Only due to the reason that Anne is there, which I found to be a little disturbing, however that said, the topic was extremely well written and handled.
I found the setting of the book; Austria: to be a refreshing change from the US and UK.
Overall I think that Jen Minkman has managed to write a great book with a couple of plot twists, which is beautifully written and touching throughout.
I strongly recommend giving this book a read and I give it a 4.5* rating.
Julia has been in love with Michael all through high school, when finally at the Senior Prom he notices her she can't believe her luck. However, Michael gets what he wants from Julia he ignores her calls and texts.
Julia spends a lot of her free time writing, composing and thinking in the woods near her home at "her old oak tree". During some bad weather Julia has been for a run in the forest when she sees someone laying on the ground near a motorbike. She recognises the bike as Michael's. She goes over and Michael wakes says her name before falling unconscious again. Julia phones for an ambulance.
After Michael is released from hospital, he appears to only have eyes for Julia. Julia notices that Michael refers to himself in third person sometimes and that he seems to have completely changed, she puts it down to his near death experience. Michael confesses his love for Julia and seems to have lost all of his arrogance.
Julia is wary of trusting Michael after their past encounter, but he eventually gains her trust and she gives in to her love for him. Michael begins to feel more and more frequently. Julia questions his behaviour and her fears come back with vengeance.
What will happen to Michael? Is Julia about to have her heart broken again after finding such a pure love?
Its an interesting and engrossing plot, and has intriguing characters too. This is my first; but not my last; Jen Minkman novel, I was hooked from page 1.
I felt like I was right alongside Julia through her happiness, her anguish and her heartbreak. I had tears in my eyes and a lump in my throat a few times too.
At first I thought Michael was a complete jerk! After his accident and seeing how he had changed, made my opinion of him change too. I won't say more on Michael because I don't want to spoil it for anyone who hasn't read the book yet. Julia is a hard working, straight forward, honest and caring young woman.
I loved everything about this book; except for the part of Anne being in the woods. Only due to the reason that Anne is there, which I found to be a little disturbing, however that said, the topic was extremely well written and handled.
I found the setting of the book; Austria: to be a refreshing change from the US and UK.
Overall I think that Jen Minkman has managed to write a great book with a couple of plot twists, which is beautifully written and touching throughout.
I strongly recommend giving this book a read and I give it a 4.5* rating.
March 22, 2015
Full review up on the blog: http://gloriousbooks.blogspot.com/201...
Oh goodness, this read really didn't agree with me. It was so disappointing too, because of the fact it had the potential to be a great, unique read - it just needed a tremendous amount of polishing.
My biggest problem was the characters. They weren't believable to me at all. I think any reader will agree with me when I say, when the characters aren't relatable and are just too far over on the side of bland or expressionless, the book becomes such a chore to finish.
Julia aggravated me…a lot. I really started to hate the way her emotions bounced all over the place - I'm pretty sure nobody thinks the way Julia does. She was way too quick to forgive and it made her look undeserving. And by that I mean, Julia had something really bad happen to her and then within a couple of meetings between characters, it was ok. That could actually work, if there was any sort of explanation or extraordinary apology where the one responsible is genuinely regretting his actions. That was not the case. It was almost as if his actions were blamed on someone else entirely and it just didn't make sense. It made Julia look incredibly weak.
The same goes for all the supporting characters. The dialogue, or any interactions between them for that matter, came across as incredibly forced to me, so much so that it became almost painful to read. Like that awkward, cringe worthy pain of someone being forced to listen to something they shouldn't be listening to.
The plot itself was where it was disappointing. There were hints of a great story hidden by awkward writing and terrible characters. I seriously think if the whole thing is reworked it could be something special but safe to say, this time around was a big let down.
Oh goodness, this read really didn't agree with me. It was so disappointing too, because of the fact it had the potential to be a great, unique read - it just needed a tremendous amount of polishing.
My biggest problem was the characters. They weren't believable to me at all. I think any reader will agree with me when I say, when the characters aren't relatable and are just too far over on the side of bland or expressionless, the book becomes such a chore to finish.
Julia aggravated me…a lot. I really started to hate the way her emotions bounced all over the place - I'm pretty sure nobody thinks the way Julia does. She was way too quick to forgive and it made her look undeserving. And by that I mean, Julia had something really bad happen to her and then within a couple of meetings between characters, it was ok. That could actually work, if there was any sort of explanation or extraordinary apology where the one responsible is genuinely regretting his actions. That was not the case. It was almost as if his actions were blamed on someone else entirely and it just didn't make sense. It made Julia look incredibly weak.
The same goes for all the supporting characters. The dialogue, or any interactions between them for that matter, came across as incredibly forced to me, so much so that it became almost painful to read. Like that awkward, cringe worthy pain of someone being forced to listen to something they shouldn't be listening to.
The plot itself was where it was disappointing. There were hints of a great story hidden by awkward writing and terrible characters. I seriously think if the whole thing is reworked it could be something special but safe to say, this time around was a big let down.
September 16, 2014
Oei. Waar zal ik beginnen? De jongen uit het woud heeft het. Dat extra beetje 'special' dat maakt dat je aan, wanneer je het boek dicht klapt, ook direct een traan wegpinkt en terugverlangd naar de warmte van Julia en haar vriendengroep.
Dit boek begint waar de meeste romantische young adults stoppen: op het moment dat de heldin in de armen van haar grote liefde ligt. Julia is al jaren smoorverliefd op Michael, die haar na 1 avond samen 'vergeet'. Julia probeert haar leventje weer op te pakken na de grote teleurstelling en met behulp van Gaby en haar vriendengroep, besluit ze rotzak-Micheal uit haar leven te bannen.
Dan vindt ze Michael op een regenachtige avond bij 'haar' eikenboom, de plek in het woud waar ze zich kan terugtrekken. Hij heeft een ongeluk gehad.
De volgende dag is Michael anders. En is vastbesloten Julia's hart opnieuw voor zich te winnen. Maar Julia twijfelt. Kan ze hem vertrouwen? En waarom wil hij haar nu wel?
De eerste 80 pagina's verliepen traag en ik had even de neiging het boek weg te leggen. Nu ken ik Jen Minkman van Het Eiland en Back 2 School en weet dat er een bijzondere twist in haar verhalen zit, dus ik las door. Godzijdank! Na die wat trage start ontpopt De jongen uit het woud zich als een meesterlijk liefdesverhaal, met de nodige spannende, verrassende twists en turns.
En dan het einde... Dat einde... Nee, Jen Minkman, ik ben even behoorlijk kwaad op je geweest! Na mijn eerste shock (NEEEEE! NEE! NEE! Why???) las ik de laatste pagina's opnieuw en verscheen er een glimlach op mijn gezicht.
Goed gedaan!
Voor degene die dol is op een magisch liefdesverhaal, wordt het tijd om je te verliezen in De jongen uit het woud.
Dit boek begint waar de meeste romantische young adults stoppen: op het moment dat de heldin in de armen van haar grote liefde ligt. Julia is al jaren smoorverliefd op Michael, die haar na 1 avond samen 'vergeet'. Julia probeert haar leventje weer op te pakken na de grote teleurstelling en met behulp van Gaby en haar vriendengroep, besluit ze rotzak-Micheal uit haar leven te bannen.
Dan vindt ze Michael op een regenachtige avond bij 'haar' eikenboom, de plek in het woud waar ze zich kan terugtrekken. Hij heeft een ongeluk gehad.
De volgende dag is Michael anders. En is vastbesloten Julia's hart opnieuw voor zich te winnen. Maar Julia twijfelt. Kan ze hem vertrouwen? En waarom wil hij haar nu wel?
De eerste 80 pagina's verliepen traag en ik had even de neiging het boek weg te leggen. Nu ken ik Jen Minkman van Het Eiland en Back 2 School en weet dat er een bijzondere twist in haar verhalen zit, dus ik las door. Godzijdank! Na die wat trage start ontpopt De jongen uit het woud zich als een meesterlijk liefdesverhaal, met de nodige spannende, verrassende twists en turns.
En dan het einde... Dat einde... Nee, Jen Minkman, ik ben even behoorlijk kwaad op je geweest! Na mijn eerste shock (NEEEEE! NEE! NEE! Why???) las ik de laatste pagina's opnieuw en verscheen er een glimlach op mijn gezicht.
Goed gedaan!
Voor degene die dol is op een magisch liefdesverhaal, wordt het tijd om je te verliezen in De jongen uit het woud.
December 4, 2013
***** I received an ARC copy for an honest review *****
Let me just say that this is the first book that I read from this author. and I have to say it is not what I was expecting I actually like it, like the characters and how it turned out bee. I am gone keep this short cause I don't want to give anything away. you just gone have to read the book and find out :)
Julia has had a crush on Michael for years. He's popular and arrogant. She thanks her lucky stars when he shows interest in her at their senior prom, after that they when out on few dates and on their last date they had sex, and he stop calling her she did not hear from him for an entire week, when she finally bump into him he acted like he did not know her like she did not mean anything to him, and he just broke her heart. When she went for a run through the woods towards her favorite oak tree she finds Michael on the ground with his motorbike next to him. after he open his ayes the first person that he saw was Julia and what was that for. After that accident he changes and Julia can’t wrap her head around it and yet she wants to believe that he is changed.
This book kept me on my toes through the this story, cause I just kept thinking he is gone do something and just mess everything up. Oh wow was I wrong what it did was to make me cried and yes cried like a baby.
I hope that once you read this story that you get to enjoy it and like it as much as I did.
Author Jen Minkman THANK YOU for introducing me to this awesome book, and this great characters.
Let me just say that this is the first book that I read from this author. and I have to say it is not what I was expecting I actually like it, like the characters and how it turned out bee. I am gone keep this short cause I don't want to give anything away. you just gone have to read the book and find out :)
Julia has had a crush on Michael for years. He's popular and arrogant. She thanks her lucky stars when he shows interest in her at their senior prom, after that they when out on few dates and on their last date they had sex, and he stop calling her she did not hear from him for an entire week, when she finally bump into him he acted like he did not know her like she did not mean anything to him, and he just broke her heart. When she went for a run through the woods towards her favorite oak tree she finds Michael on the ground with his motorbike next to him. after he open his ayes the first person that he saw was Julia and what was that for. After that accident he changes and Julia can’t wrap her head around it and yet she wants to believe that he is changed.
This book kept me on my toes through the this story, cause I just kept thinking he is gone do something and just mess everything up. Oh wow was I wrong what it did was to make me cried and yes cried like a baby.
I hope that once you read this story that you get to enjoy it and like it as much as I did.
Author Jen Minkman THANK YOU for introducing me to this awesome book, and this great characters.
November 8, 2013
I thought this book was about something else, but I got to reading and realized that it wasn't what I thought, and that was a good thing. The book was different, and it had me bawling like a big baby at certain parts. You could see the difference in Michael before and after the accident, before he'd say anything to get what he wants, "I get what you mean. I don't want to let you out of my sight tonight, either." Then after he got what he wanted he was a total jerk, "look, I thought you'd be happy with our night together." He sounded genuinely puzzled. "I mean - you told me how much you wanted me. How you longed to be with me before I moved to Graz. I wouldn't mind going on a date with you again sometime, but I've been busy. Am I missing something?" Then after his accident he was different, it was like Julia was the only thing keeping his attention, keeping him grounded, "something like that." He took her hand in his. "I know I hurt you before, but I won't do that again. You couldn't trust him, but you can trust me." I mean before the accident that Michael would do anything to get in her pants and this one his gentlemanly, "okay. I guess we can do that." He shot her an apologetic look, blushing a little. "Sorry. I promised to be a gentleman, but I'd be having a really hard time with that if we slept in the same bed." I hope this was a start of a series because I don't think Julia's story is quite finished yet.
December 1, 2013
I love that this was so different from most YA fantasy/paranormal romance reads. Not only was it originally published in Dutch and takes place in Austria but the storyline is completely unique.
It is about a young girl Julia on the cusp of adulthood, still trying to figure it all out. Trying to follow her heart as well as her head and not having all the answers but being willing to open her heart up to love and forgiveness.
This is going to be so hard to get into without revealing way too much. I will say this, the storyline was engaging and endearing. Constantly showing how people can change, situation can change, sometimes all on their own and sometimes with a little help from others. But most importantly it is about the lessons we learn when we love.
That love, especially first love, is never perfect. In fact it is messy and chaotic and sometimes downright hurtful but we learn from it, sometimes valuable lessons that will change us forever. And most importantly Julia learns to not close her heart off to new possibilities because of one mistake, of one love gone wrong.
The storyline while original isn't completely without mystery or without predictability. Some parts you figure out or at least are pretty sure you know what will happen right away and others not so much, but either way, whether you figure it all out ahead of time or not, it is okay because the messages and the writing still draw you in and hold your attention.
It is about a young girl Julia on the cusp of adulthood, still trying to figure it all out. Trying to follow her heart as well as her head and not having all the answers but being willing to open her heart up to love and forgiveness.
This is going to be so hard to get into without revealing way too much. I will say this, the storyline was engaging and endearing. Constantly showing how people can change, situation can change, sometimes all on their own and sometimes with a little help from others. But most importantly it is about the lessons we learn when we love.
That love, especially first love, is never perfect. In fact it is messy and chaotic and sometimes downright hurtful but we learn from it, sometimes valuable lessons that will change us forever. And most importantly Julia learns to not close her heart off to new possibilities because of one mistake, of one love gone wrong.
The storyline while original isn't completely without mystery or without predictability. Some parts you figure out or at least are pretty sure you know what will happen right away and others not so much, but either way, whether you figure it all out ahead of time or not, it is okay because the messages and the writing still draw you in and hold your attention.
October 6, 2014
Nadat ik 'Schaduw van de Tijd' van Jen Minkman gelezen had, was ik erg benieuwd naar ander werk van haar. Gelukkig kreeg ik op Manuscripta de mogelijkheid 'De jongen uit het woud' te bemachtigen.
Alleen de kaft en de titel maakten me al nieuwsgierig, en dat werd nog versterkt door de tekst op de achterkant. Eenmaal begonnen met lezen kon ik niet meer stoppen, vooral na de eerste helft raasde ik er doorheen.
Het verhaal begint rustig, met een mooie opzet van waar het verhaal zich afspeelt en de personages. Julia is een dromerig meisje met een leuke vriendengroep in Salzburg en ze heeft een gezellige familie. Ze heeft al een hele tijd een oogje op een jongen van school, Michael, maar hij ziet haar niet staan. Totdat hij een ongeluk met zijn brommer krijgt, nota bene bij Julia's lievelingsboom in het bos. Daarna verandert alles.
Intussen gedraagt Julia's zusje zich ook een beetje vreemd, wat uiteindelijk een schokkende verhaallijn oplevert die ik echt niet had zien aankomen.
Ook de gebeurtenissen tussen Julia en Michael waren verrassend. Ik vond het mooi hoe het verhaal zo opgebouwd was dat ik soms wel een idee had wat er ging gebeuren. Maar als het dan vervolgens ook echt gebeurde, kwam het alsnog als een schok.
Het verhaal heeft een einde vol tranentrekkend, maar hoopvol drama. Al met al vond ik het jammer toen het was afgelopen, ik vond het een heerlijk boek.
Alleen de kaft en de titel maakten me al nieuwsgierig, en dat werd nog versterkt door de tekst op de achterkant. Eenmaal begonnen met lezen kon ik niet meer stoppen, vooral na de eerste helft raasde ik er doorheen.
Het verhaal begint rustig, met een mooie opzet van waar het verhaal zich afspeelt en de personages. Julia is een dromerig meisje met een leuke vriendengroep in Salzburg en ze heeft een gezellige familie. Ze heeft al een hele tijd een oogje op een jongen van school, Michael, maar hij ziet haar niet staan. Totdat hij een ongeluk met zijn brommer krijgt, nota bene bij Julia's lievelingsboom in het bos. Daarna verandert alles.
Intussen gedraagt Julia's zusje zich ook een beetje vreemd, wat uiteindelijk een schokkende verhaallijn oplevert die ik echt niet had zien aankomen.
Ook de gebeurtenissen tussen Julia en Michael waren verrassend. Ik vond het mooi hoe het verhaal zo opgebouwd was dat ik soms wel een idee had wat er ging gebeuren. Maar als het dan vervolgens ook echt gebeurde, kwam het alsnog als een schok.
Het verhaal heeft een einde vol tranentrekkend, maar hoopvol drama. Al met al vond ik het jammer toen het was afgelopen, ik vond het een heerlijk boek.
May 13, 2015
Great Story, Great Plot **I received an ARC of this story in exchange for an honest review**Julia's best friends are Gabby and her cousin Axle. Julia has had a thing for Michael for 2 years but she's also very shy around him. Julia loved going out in the woods. A spot under an ancient oak tree was her solitary hangout. She writes poems and song lyrics while there. At the masked ball graduation party, Michael asked Julia to dance. He kissed her, she went to his house and they had sex. Then Michael more or less forgot her. One rainy, stormy day, Julia found Michael unconscious in the forest from an accident with his motorbike. He was near death. When he miraculously healed, he was a lot different. Julia was a dreamer. She was artistic, loving, loyal and true. She had a big heart. She loved her family, friends and Michael. Michael, at first, you don't like him at all and in his own thinking, he is careless and cruel. After the accident, he was loving, friendly, loyal and very sweet and kind. I so enjoyed this book, even at the end with tears sliding down my cheeks. I know I'll return to read this book again. Great plot, great writing. I highly recommend it.
January 21, 2014
The Boy from the Woods starts off seeming as though it might be just an ordinary YA romance, but ultimately becomes something stranger, more interesting and more complex. In her second full-length English language novel, Minkman combines folklore and fantasy with surprising elements of mystery and suspense. Every time I thought I knew what kind of book I was reading and how it would turn out, the story took another twist.
Minkman’s writing style is evocative; her scene setting is haunting and immersive. It was easy to slip into Julia’s world and to fall in love with her and the other characters. Julia has more depth than is sadly typical for YA heroines, and Michael is an interesting puzzle. The snippets of poetry throughout the book were beautiful, too.
The Boy from the Woods is a wonderful addition to Minkman’s English language titles, and highly recommended for readers of YA romance.
Minkman’s writing style is evocative; her scene setting is haunting and immersive. It was easy to slip into Julia’s world and to fall in love with her and the other characters. Julia has more depth than is sadly typical for YA heroines, and Michael is an interesting puzzle. The snippets of poetry throughout the book were beautiful, too.
The Boy from the Woods is a wonderful addition to Minkman’s English language titles, and highly recommended for readers of YA romance.
December 26, 2015
Het boek had een lange aanloop, kwam wat later echt op gang, maar toen dat eenmaal zover was, kon ik het niet meer wegleggen. Wel heb ik, fantast als ik ben, het einde deels zien aankomen. Maar voor een deel ook niet en was totally shocked! Wel supertof dat de auteur dat gedaan heeft, want daardoor bleef ik er maar over nadenken. Ik voelde zo met Julia mee, was tot tranen toe geroerd. En dat was denk ik ook de bedoeling.
Leuk trouwens dat het vriendenclubje van Julia geen standaard groepje is, maar een clubje met afwijkende hobby's en voorkeuren voor muziek en kleding. Vooral Gaby vond ik leuk. Ze is stoer, heeft een grote mond, maar is toch heel lief, ook al zegt ze dat ze dat niet is.
Leuk boek dus. Volledige recensie volgt zsm op mijn blog.
Leuk trouwens dat het vriendenclubje van Julia geen standaard groepje is, maar een clubje met afwijkende hobby's en voorkeuren voor muziek en kleding. Vooral Gaby vond ik leuk. Ze is stoer, heeft een grote mond, maar is toch heel lief, ook al zegt ze dat ze dat niet is.
Leuk boek dus. Volledige recensie volgt zsm op mijn blog.
May 8, 2016
Het tweede boek dat ik lees van deze auteur en weer leest het als een trein! Het was langs de ene kant niet zo romantisch als ik gehoopt had op basis van de ondertitel 'een magisch liefdesverhaal' (tikkeltje jammer) en langs de andere kant nochtans toch ook echt geen verhaal met veel spanning of avontuur, maar gezien ik zelf ook niet in een actieve bui was vond ik het best prettig dat ik gewoon mee kon kabbelen in de dagelijkse belevenissen van Julia, haar vrienden en gezin. De schrijfstijl leest vlot en het subplot zorgde voor een ontnuchterende wending in dit moderne sprookje ... Beetje ups en downs dus, maar het einde maakte was mij betreft veel goed! Volledige recensie weldra op m'n blog!
September 12, 2016
Great story, Julia is a wonderful, realistic heroine. She has a great group of friends, the "woods" in the title among them as she spends a great deal of her time in the forest. Austria is an exotic setting for this American reader and its relaxed, convivial atmosphere makes me want to move there. Overall, I really liked the uniqueness of the story which was reminiscent of the Greek myths I read as a kid.
I should add that this was the kind of thing I wished would always happen to me when I was a teen.
I should add that this was the kind of thing I wished would always happen to me when I was a teen.
March 14, 2015
A sweet light hearted story. Some parts were very slow paced it felt like the story was dragging. The start was good then it dropped off, It picked up at around 70% dropped off again then picked up at the end.
The ending was bitter sweet. Though I kind of expected it.
Overall it was an okay read, slightly predicable and slow paced.
The ending was bitter sweet. Though I kind of expected it.
Overall it was an okay read, slightly predicable and slow paced.
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