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Kismet #1
Kismet
Katie’s world came crashing down in an instant.
Her husband, daughter, and unborn baby. . . all gone in a flash. The life that she’d come to know, gone before she ever really got to live it.
With a broken heart, she deals the only way she knows how, by shutting it all off. No communicating, no feelings, just pure nothingness.
Alone with nothing but her own thoughts and a well meaning family, she moves back to her childhood home, a horse farm. It’s there that she finds herself healing along with the horses her family rehabilitates. But when Parker McKenzie comes back into her life she’s reminded of all that went wrong, and all that she lost.
Will Katie ever begin to heal? Or will her secrets and loss be too much for her to overcome?
Perhaps, this is her kismet.
Her husband, daughter, and unborn baby. . . all gone in a flash. The life that she’d come to know, gone before she ever really got to live it.
With a broken heart, she deals the only way she knows how, by shutting it all off. No communicating, no feelings, just pure nothingness.
Alone with nothing but her own thoughts and a well meaning family, she moves back to her childhood home, a horse farm. It’s there that she finds herself healing along with the horses her family rehabilitates. But when Parker McKenzie comes back into her life she’s reminded of all that went wrong, and all that she lost.
Will Katie ever begin to heal? Or will her secrets and loss be too much for her to overcome?
Perhaps, this is her kismet.
310 pages, Paperback
First published February 1, 2014
25 people are currently reading
935 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 161 reviews
February 6, 2014
Yes, I rated my own book a five star. I'm just so excited to share this book with the world. 5 days before you can experience this beautifully sad and tragic love story.
February 12, 2014
This book is sad, there is no way around that. So many times while reading this I was torn up and put back together. I was an emotional mess the whole time and I loved every minute of it! Get your tissues ready cause this is an emotional roller coaster.
Kismet is a book about one woman, Katie, and her struggle to find herself after her world comes crashing down on her. When this book begins Katie has just lost her husband, her daughter and her unborn child in a car accident. Even though the accident was not her fault directly she believes all the guilt lies on her and that this is her kismet for the choices she has made.
Katie is in a deep depression and has moved back home to her family’s horse farm. Sad, depressed and mute she has buried herself in her head and cannot see a way out. Katie’s family is struggling to find even a portion of the old Katie inside the shell they have now.
Parker McKenzie is her brother’s best friend and has always been Katie’s protector . . . until he was the one that hurt her. Now that Katie is back home he can’t stay away. Helping out around the farm and just trying to be there for her during her recovery from this tragedy. Parker has always loved Katie, first as a protector, then as a lust filled youth and then as more. But he let his families demons and his own insecurities talk him into letting her go before but now that she is home he won’t let that happen again. There are so many things about Katie and Parker that point to this being all wrong, but together they are just right.
Now, I am an overly emotional girl and I was scared to read this book since I saw the trailer for it. I knew I would be crying like a baby the whole time. I cried tears of great sadness and tears of great joy over and over again. This was not a light, easy read for me but it wasn’t a dark and depressing book either. It was a perfect balance of emotional and hopeful. With each emotional breakthrough Katie made I could feel the tears swelling in my eyes.
I am a huge fan of A.E. Woodward’s other books and was nervous because this book is very different than those. I thought the subject matter was going to make it a difficult read and to tell you the truth it was. Now, that being said this is by far my favorite book she has written. It was beautiful, meaningful and told a story unlike any I have read before. I tend to read books with a lighter subject matter and although this book broke me down I would completely recommend it to everyone I know. But, first I need a glass of wine!
~miranda
Kismet is a book about one woman, Katie, and her struggle to find herself after her world comes crashing down on her. When this book begins Katie has just lost her husband, her daughter and her unborn child in a car accident. Even though the accident was not her fault directly she believes all the guilt lies on her and that this is her kismet for the choices she has made.
Katie is in a deep depression and has moved back home to her family’s horse farm. Sad, depressed and mute she has buried herself in her head and cannot see a way out. Katie’s family is struggling to find even a portion of the old Katie inside the shell they have now.
Parker McKenzie is her brother’s best friend and has always been Katie’s protector . . . until he was the one that hurt her. Now that Katie is back home he can’t stay away. Helping out around the farm and just trying to be there for her during her recovery from this tragedy. Parker has always loved Katie, first as a protector, then as a lust filled youth and then as more. But he let his families demons and his own insecurities talk him into letting her go before but now that she is home he won’t let that happen again. There are so many things about Katie and Parker that point to this being all wrong, but together they are just right.
Now, I am an overly emotional girl and I was scared to read this book since I saw the trailer for it. I knew I would be crying like a baby the whole time. I cried tears of great sadness and tears of great joy over and over again. This was not a light, easy read for me but it wasn’t a dark and depressing book either. It was a perfect balance of emotional and hopeful. With each emotional breakthrough Katie made I could feel the tears swelling in my eyes.
I am a huge fan of A.E. Woodward’s other books and was nervous because this book is very different than those. I thought the subject matter was going to make it a difficult read and to tell you the truth it was. Now, that being said this is by far my favorite book she has written. It was beautiful, meaningful and told a story unlike any I have read before. I tend to read books with a lighter subject matter and although this book broke me down I would completely recommend it to everyone I know. But, first I need a glass of wine!
~miranda
August 23, 2014
5 Gut~wrenching KIDDO stars
My.. My heart *sob*...OH God
My heart has been ripped out while reading this incredible, powerful, heartwrenching story, but that epilogue was my breaking point. It left me *effing* sobbing. Kismet is definitely a MUST read .
What a beautiful journey, i got completely swept away in this story!! LOVED .This is my first book by AE Woodward and i'm really impressed with her captivating writing style, somehow it sucks you in... can't wait to start reading her other books.
BEAUTIFUL read<3
My.. My heart *sob*...OH God
My heart has been ripped out while reading this incredible, powerful, heartwrenching story, but that epilogue was my breaking point. It left me *effing* sobbing. Kismet is definitely a MUST read .
What a beautiful journey, i got completely swept away in this story!! LOVED .This is my first book by AE Woodward and i'm really impressed with her captivating writing style, somehow it sucks you in... can't wait to start reading her other books.
BEAUTIFUL read<3
March 30, 2014
My co-blogger Joanne RAVED to me about this book. Told me I HAD to read it. That it had reduced her to tears and left her lost for words. It didn't quite do the same for me.
I had a few issues ...
I found it really hard that there isn't a lot of dialogue in the book. It's mostly Katie or Parker's internal monologue and I struggled with that because it didn't keep my attention for long periods. I'd find myself putting my Kindle down and going back to it later. It got to the point where I kept checking my progress to see how much more of the book was left. I never normally do that.
This is really judgey of me but I also had an issue with how quickly Katie seemed to move on with her life, even if she did already have a history with Parker. I just felt uncomfortable with that.
And I didn't like the ending. I can't explain it because it's spoilery. I just didn't like it.
BUT I seem to be in the minority with my rating so you should definitely take a look at some of the other reviews before you write Kismet off!
I had a few issues ...
I found it really hard that there isn't a lot of dialogue in the book. It's mostly Katie or Parker's internal monologue and I struggled with that because it didn't keep my attention for long periods. I'd find myself putting my Kindle down and going back to it later. It got to the point where I kept checking my progress to see how much more of the book was left. I never normally do that.
This is really judgey of me but I also had an issue with how quickly Katie seemed to move on with her life, even if she did already have a history with Parker. I just felt uncomfortable with that.
And I didn't like the ending. I can't explain it because it's spoilery. I just didn't like it.
BUT I seem to be in the minority with my rating so you should definitely take a look at some of the other reviews before you write Kismet off!
February 12, 2014
Sometimes books come into your life to teach you something. Sometimes they teach you to laugh, sometimes to cry, sometimes just to take time for yourself. Kismet came into my life and taught me to appreciate everything I have. To take the time to tell my husband I love him, to take a second to hug my children just that little bit closer, to be thankful for everything life has given me; rather than fantasise about what I have to come.
This book did all that in $2.99, 78,000 words, four hours, and one box of tissues.
Totally worth it.
This book did all that in $2.99, 78,000 words, four hours, and one box of tissues.
Totally worth it.
August 23, 2014
I need time to process....
October 6, 2014
Kismet is a wonderful emotional read, with deep, real feeling characters, a setting that will make you feel like you are actually there (and want to be!) and a twisty plot that will leave you breathless, and in tears (srsly Old Yeller style!). A.E. is so tender with her vulnerable MC Katie, you will be drawn deep into her poignant world and will root for and understand her hard choices. A tough read, but a beautiful one.
January 26, 2015
“Fate can be a beautiful thing. The universe works in mysterious ways. It brings you hope, makes you feel alive, like the world is full of possibilities. But the truth is that fate can also be a cruel bitch. Fate has a darker side to it that most people don’t like to think about. You make choices that lead to your fate, but what about when you don’t have a choice in the matter? Then it’s no longer your fate. It becomes something predetermined that you have no control over. Some may call it destiny. I call it kismet”
A few of my bookie friends have been raving about this book, and I jumped at the chance to read it, but due to commitments it has sat on my kindle for a few weeks. In the words of Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman – ‘Big mistake, BIG mistake, HUGE’ because this book, this heartfelt, emotionally draining book blew me away big time. I’m not kidding. I even had to join a support group to get over it. Yes, REALLY!
The opening chapter had me sucked in, as I was introduced to Katie, who is clearly fighting to get over something that has scarred her emotionally. A few more pages in and we’re down to the nitty gritty, Katie has been left bereft, inconsolable with grief and consumed with guilt over after the death of her husband and beloved daughter. But that’s not the only issue Katie has to deal with. She believes they were taken from her because of choices she made in the past, and this is her punishment.
I found the writing of A E Woodward was so descriptive that I could FEEL the emotions Katie went through, her grief, her guilt, the emptiness, all of it. I loved the flow of the story, the dialogue between the characters; it all just felt so natural, so real. I found the style of writing reminded me of how I felt whilst reading Take This Regret by A L Jackson.
After Katie is discharged from hospital, her parents take her home, her childhood home, the farm where she grew up with her elder brother Tommy. She has a long road of rehabilitation ahead of her, made all the more harder on her family as she withdraws completely from everyone. Her parents and Tommy are there to support her, along with Dr Stevenson (her shrink) and Parker McKenzie, Tommy’s best friend.
I loved Parker and Tommy; they were so protective of Katie and would do anything for her. It was heart-breaking to see them (and her parents) feeling so desperately worried for her and all their attempts to engage her being rebuffed. It’s clear that there’s history between Katie and Parker and she’s going to have to confront her demons head on if she wants to move forward.
I’m wary of saying too much, because this story should be enjoyed without any spoilers at all, the least you know the better. Read this book, and be there with Katie as she starts back on the path to recovery. Cheer for her breakthroughs, dry her tears on her bad days; fall in love with Tommy and Parker, and even Michael (Katie’s late husband). It will be hard, life isn’t easy. You will need tissues. And when you’re done, you’ll need the support group.
A few of my bookie friends have been raving about this book, and I jumped at the chance to read it, but due to commitments it has sat on my kindle for a few weeks. In the words of Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman – ‘Big mistake, BIG mistake, HUGE’ because this book, this heartfelt, emotionally draining book blew me away big time. I’m not kidding. I even had to join a support group to get over it. Yes, REALLY!
The opening chapter had me sucked in, as I was introduced to Katie, who is clearly fighting to get over something that has scarred her emotionally. A few more pages in and we’re down to the nitty gritty, Katie has been left bereft, inconsolable with grief and consumed with guilt over after the death of her husband and beloved daughter. But that’s not the only issue Katie has to deal with. She believes they were taken from her because of choices she made in the past, and this is her punishment.
I found the writing of A E Woodward was so descriptive that I could FEEL the emotions Katie went through, her grief, her guilt, the emptiness, all of it. I loved the flow of the story, the dialogue between the characters; it all just felt so natural, so real. I found the style of writing reminded me of how I felt whilst reading Take This Regret by A L Jackson.
After Katie is discharged from hospital, her parents take her home, her childhood home, the farm where she grew up with her elder brother Tommy. She has a long road of rehabilitation ahead of her, made all the more harder on her family as she withdraws completely from everyone. Her parents and Tommy are there to support her, along with Dr Stevenson (her shrink) and Parker McKenzie, Tommy’s best friend.
I loved Parker and Tommy; they were so protective of Katie and would do anything for her. It was heart-breaking to see them (and her parents) feeling so desperately worried for her and all their attempts to engage her being rebuffed. It’s clear that there’s history between Katie and Parker and she’s going to have to confront her demons head on if she wants to move forward.
I’m wary of saying too much, because this story should be enjoyed without any spoilers at all, the least you know the better. Read this book, and be there with Katie as she starts back on the path to recovery. Cheer for her breakthroughs, dry her tears on her bad days; fall in love with Tommy and Parker, and even Michael (Katie’s late husband). It will be hard, life isn’t easy. You will need tissues. And when you’re done, you’ll need the support group.
January 15, 2015
It's taken me roughly eight months to write this review, four rereads after my first time, countless tissues, more bottles of wine then I would like to admit and I'm still struggling to put into words how profound an impact this book, Woodward's story has had on my life.
So what's it about, Katie has finally found her forever, with Michael and her new born baby, she finally experiences what pure, unadulterated love is, until an accident takes it all away from her in the blink of an eye and she is left a window, childless, alone. Returning to her childhood home, broken, defeated and alone, Katie has come to accept that this is what her life is now, darkness, grief, pain, so consuming, so overwhelming that the further she retreats into herself, the more difficult it is to find her way out of the emptiness that surrounds her. When Parker McKenzie waltzes back into her life, she is again reminded of all the pain and all that she has endured.
Kismet broke me in a way that so few books have, the visceral reaction I had to reading Woodwards words, left it's footprints on my heart, it touched me in such a profound way that I felt it in my bones, in my soul. You're probably wondering why a book I reacted to so strongly I would rate so highly, but isn't this why we read, to escape our own reality if only for a little while, to FEEL something, and my God...I FELT everything reading Kismet. Sorrow, despair, helplessness, emptiness, but I also felt joy, and contentment, and a sense of hope so powerful and so strong, that I took time to look at my life, to truly appreciate what I have, and to be thankful, and for someone's words to bring you to your knee's, to make you stop and take stock of your life, then for me an author has not only done their job but they have exceeded every literary dream I have when I sit down and open to the first page.
The sheer elegance of Woodward's words, her ability to connect with the reader, to grab you by the collar and to demand you sit up and take notice, to hold you captive as she weaves a story of hurt and pain, and ultimately love and hope held me spellbound as I savoured every single line, writing this review is bittersweet, it's been eight long months in the process, trying to deliver something that gives you some idea of how deeply I connected with Kismet, I am sad that it's over, but so unbelievably thankful for the journey.
So what's it about, Katie has finally found her forever, with Michael and her new born baby, she finally experiences what pure, unadulterated love is, until an accident takes it all away from her in the blink of an eye and she is left a window, childless, alone. Returning to her childhood home, broken, defeated and alone, Katie has come to accept that this is what her life is now, darkness, grief, pain, so consuming, so overwhelming that the further she retreats into herself, the more difficult it is to find her way out of the emptiness that surrounds her. When Parker McKenzie waltzes back into her life, she is again reminded of all the pain and all that she has endured.
Kismet broke me in a way that so few books have, the visceral reaction I had to reading Woodwards words, left it's footprints on my heart, it touched me in such a profound way that I felt it in my bones, in my soul. You're probably wondering why a book I reacted to so strongly I would rate so highly, but isn't this why we read, to escape our own reality if only for a little while, to FEEL something, and my God...I FELT everything reading Kismet. Sorrow, despair, helplessness, emptiness, but I also felt joy, and contentment, and a sense of hope so powerful and so strong, that I took time to look at my life, to truly appreciate what I have, and to be thankful, and for someone's words to bring you to your knee's, to make you stop and take stock of your life, then for me an author has not only done their job but they have exceeded every literary dream I have when I sit down and open to the first page.
The sheer elegance of Woodward's words, her ability to connect with the reader, to grab you by the collar and to demand you sit up and take notice, to hold you captive as she weaves a story of hurt and pain, and ultimately love and hope held me spellbound as I savoured every single line, writing this review is bittersweet, it's been eight long months in the process, trying to deliver something that gives you some idea of how deeply I connected with Kismet, I am sad that it's over, but so unbelievably thankful for the journey.
April 1, 2014
❤❤❤❤❤
I am still reeling from the emotional tour this book took me on. It wasn't an ugly cry type of rollercoaster but a tearful always misty eyed kind of read. It's a story of true love lost and true love found, a mother's worst nightmare and recovery. As a mom I think I viewed it differently than someone who doesn't have kids would but as a woman I think we will all feel an emotional connection to this book.
Let's start with the beginning of the book, a time that's most special in any families life but you can feel that it's laced with sorrow as well which peaked my interest, call me a masochist. Having what seemed like the perfect moment shadowed with something was WOW..
Fast forward and life seems to be going well, Katie seems to have it all a husband who loves her, a daughter who lights up her life and a baby on the way. Well fate had a big ol' F-you in store for her as she saw it.. Her life was ripped away that day they were going to the store, another driver took that all away. Now faced with the demons and darkness she faced before will she come back when all she wants to do is be numb?
There is one key to every story, the glue that holds the hero/heroine together through all of it... That person/persons who you know holds the key to fixing things. Well in Katie's case it's a few people, her older brother Tommy, her rock and her shelter, then there is Parker, he is the reason she left and the reason she breathes. He's also the reason behind the ball that set her life down the path she went on.
What can you do when you have gone so far into your self that you don't speak, well the people who love you call for drastic measures. Parker takes her to the place that drove her away in the first place and that broke the silence. Now that the silence is broken and the healing has begun, are Parker, Tommy and Katie ready for what will come when truths and feelings come to light? Will love truly over come all?
I won't even delve into the ending and the box of kleenex i needed to survive the last 2 chapters... when it all falls into place and she knows why she was saved, be ready... It's going to knock your socks off...
Go and One Click it... So worth it... Well done AE Woodward.. well done!
I am still reeling from the emotional tour this book took me on. It wasn't an ugly cry type of rollercoaster but a tearful always misty eyed kind of read. It's a story of true love lost and true love found, a mother's worst nightmare and recovery. As a mom I think I viewed it differently than someone who doesn't have kids would but as a woman I think we will all feel an emotional connection to this book.
Let's start with the beginning of the book, a time that's most special in any families life but you can feel that it's laced with sorrow as well which peaked my interest, call me a masochist. Having what seemed like the perfect moment shadowed with something was WOW..
Fast forward and life seems to be going well, Katie seems to have it all a husband who loves her, a daughter who lights up her life and a baby on the way. Well fate had a big ol' F-you in store for her as she saw it.. Her life was ripped away that day they were going to the store, another driver took that all away. Now faced with the demons and darkness she faced before will she come back when all she wants to do is be numb?
There is one key to every story, the glue that holds the hero/heroine together through all of it... That person/persons who you know holds the key to fixing things. Well in Katie's case it's a few people, her older brother Tommy, her rock and her shelter, then there is Parker, he is the reason she left and the reason she breathes. He's also the reason behind the ball that set her life down the path she went on.
What can you do when you have gone so far into your self that you don't speak, well the people who love you call for drastic measures. Parker takes her to the place that drove her away in the first place and that broke the silence. Now that the silence is broken and the healing has begun, are Parker, Tommy and Katie ready for what will come when truths and feelings come to light? Will love truly over come all?
I won't even delve into the ending and the box of kleenex i needed to survive the last 2 chapters... when it all falls into place and she knows why she was saved, be ready... It's going to knock your socks off...
Go and One Click it... So worth it... Well done AE Woodward.. well done!
March 10, 2014
This book was a really sad read. Lots of tears and a spot where I wanted to give up on the book because I was pissed and hurt. I wish I would have stopped.
Katie has been through a lot of heartache. She suffers from mutism. She shuts down after her life falls apart. She doesn't want to be alive, but knows this is her punishment. She has her parents, brother and his lifetime best friend Parker to help her. Well plus her doctor. She struggles a lot and then she gets something that makes her decide that she can keep living and be happy. Though she continues to struggle with being happy. She has always loved Parker, but can she let herself be happy with him? Will she really be able to move on?
Parker has always loved Katie. His biggest regret is letting Katie go. After the accident that took everything from her he makes it his mission to help her come back to life. He wants to right his wrongs. Though when the past comes out can he live with it? Or will he self destruct?
This book really took a twist I wasn't expecting. I usually avoid these books.
I have to say that this book was really good and there was a certain part that killed me inside and I almost stopped reading. In a way I wish I would have. I hate to say that, but it is one of those books that even though you know how it ends you wish you could change it. Though I can't help, but also be happy with the ending and how everything worked out.
Katie has been through a lot of heartache. She suffers from mutism. She shuts down after her life falls apart. She doesn't want to be alive, but knows this is her punishment. She has her parents, brother and his lifetime best friend Parker to help her. Well plus her doctor. She struggles a lot and then she gets something that makes her decide that she can keep living and be happy. Though she continues to struggle with being happy. She has always loved Parker, but can she let herself be happy with him? Will she really be able to move on?
Parker has always loved Katie. His biggest regret is letting Katie go. After the accident that took everything from her he makes it his mission to help her come back to life. He wants to right his wrongs. Though when the past comes out can he live with it? Or will he self destruct?
This book really took a twist I wasn't expecting. I usually avoid these books.
I have to say that this book was really good and there was a certain part that killed me inside and I almost stopped reading. In a way I wish I would have. I hate to say that, but it is one of those books that even though you know how it ends you wish you could change it. Though I can't help, but also be happy with the ending and how everything worked out.
June 8, 2020
Katie has lost everything that has ever mattered to her in this world. Her husband, daughter and unborn baby are taken in the blink of an eye leaving Katie alone to face living in a world without them. Can her childhood home and the people who love her help Katie finally begin to heal?
For a contemporary romance story, this is really pretty sad. Just imagine feeling like you are not worthy of love or happiness. You don’t deserve anything good in your life. You become a ghost of your former self not caring if you live or die. These are just some of the things Katie feels with the loss of her family. Only one man can bring Katie out of the darkness and that is her childhood friend, Parker.
This is such a moving, touching and heartbreaking story, even I teared up a little bit towards the end. How much can a person take before they finally break? Katie goes through so much and you can see and feel her pain.
Woodward captivates with her writing and emotional storytelling. I am so glad I picked up this book to read.
For a contemporary romance story, this is really pretty sad. Just imagine feeling like you are not worthy of love or happiness. You don’t deserve anything good in your life. You become a ghost of your former self not caring if you live or die. These are just some of the things Katie feels with the loss of her family. Only one man can bring Katie out of the darkness and that is her childhood friend, Parker.
This is such a moving, touching and heartbreaking story, even I teared up a little bit towards the end. How much can a person take before they finally break? Katie goes through so much and you can see and feel her pain.
Woodward captivates with her writing and emotional storytelling. I am so glad I picked up this book to read.
February 13, 2014
I went into this book thinking it was going to be emotional and good but it went way beyond any expecitations I ever had.
You have Katie, a woman who has lost so much you can't even imagine. After the loss of her family she goes into a deep depression and goes back to live with her parents and brother. There you meet Parker, her brother's best friend and first love. I could tell right away that his intentions were honourable and that they both a deep connection.
Throughout the book you see that they need each other, I loved how patient and loving Parker was with Katie.
I cried throughout this book, some sad, some happy. I can't say too much but I know this was not just another book, it will stay with me for a long time and to me that's what makes a good book. Can't wait for more from this author and I can't recommend this book enough.Kismet
You have Katie, a woman who has lost so much you can't even imagine. After the loss of her family she goes into a deep depression and goes back to live with her parents and brother. There you meet Parker, her brother's best friend and first love. I could tell right away that his intentions were honourable and that they both a deep connection.
Throughout the book you see that they need each other, I loved how patient and loving Parker was with Katie.
I cried throughout this book, some sad, some happy. I can't say too much but I know this was not just another book, it will stay with me for a long time and to me that's what makes a good book. Can't wait for more from this author and I can't recommend this book enough.Kismet
March 19, 2014
OMG....it is rare that a book literally takes my breath away but this one did!!!!
My heart ached, my head hurt, my soul was stolen from me all within these pages. I haven't read a book in a while that literally made me full blown cry.
You will need tissues when reading this and frequently.
This is such a hard book to review without giving too much away, but let me tell you that everything that happened in this book has a reason and the end, is honestly the only way I think this book have truly ended. It just tied everything together so beautifully. Katie, Michael, Zoe, Parker, Tommy, everyone you meet in this book, you fall in love with and when some are taken from you, you truly truly feel like you lose a piece of yourself with them.
Heartwrenching, gut pulling, beautiful beautiful book.
If you aren't afraid of some serious heartbreak, buy this book, it was phenomenal! BIG 5 STARS FROM ME!!!!!!
My heart ached, my head hurt, my soul was stolen from me all within these pages. I haven't read a book in a while that literally made me full blown cry.
You will need tissues when reading this and frequently.
This is such a hard book to review without giving too much away, but let me tell you that everything that happened in this book has a reason and the end, is honestly the only way I think this book have truly ended. It just tied everything together so beautifully. Katie, Michael, Zoe, Parker, Tommy, everyone you meet in this book, you fall in love with and when some are taken from you, you truly truly feel like you lose a piece of yourself with them.
Heartwrenching, gut pulling, beautiful beautiful book.
If you aren't afraid of some serious heartbreak, buy this book, it was phenomenal! BIG 5 STARS FROM ME!!!!!!
September 28, 2014
5 second chances stars...
Soooooo... Where do I start..
I asked for a book to crush my heart, and Melanie recommended this one to me, and told me to do not forget me tissues... Well I didn't Cry... My heart was crushed all right, I suffered with Katie all the way, but I didn't cry, well, not until that last chapter, the tears just wouldn't stop falling and I couldn't believe what I was reading...
“Life isn’t fair.” I say without thinking. The words are harsh but true.
“Maybe so, but it always seems to have a way for making it up.”
Katie and Parker loved each other from the start... and succumbing to their love didn't seam right at their young age... But then Katie world crush down and fall apart, and then she sees her past in front of her again, and everything she believed goes down... Fate give them a second chance...
This was her kismet...
“I truly believe that all of this happened for a reason. I have to. Because if I didn’t, what would be the sense in it all?”
Soooooo... Where do I start..
I asked for a book to crush my heart, and Melanie recommended this one to me, and told me to do not forget me tissues... Well I didn't Cry... My heart was crushed all right, I suffered with Katie all the way, but I didn't cry, well, not until that last chapter, the tears just wouldn't stop falling and I couldn't believe what I was reading...
“Life isn’t fair.” I say without thinking. The words are harsh but true.
“Maybe so, but it always seems to have a way for making it up.”
Katie and Parker loved each other from the start... and succumbing to their love didn't seam right at their young age... But then Katie world crush down and fall apart, and then she sees her past in front of her again, and everything she believed goes down... Fate give them a second chance...
This was her kismet...
“I truly believe that all of this happened for a reason. I have to. Because if I didn’t, what would be the sense in it all?”
March 10, 2014
*****5 Make It Count Stars*****
OMG...where to start. This book was filled with so much emotion that you are captured into the story from the beginning and to the point you don't want it to end. I was taken on the most heartbreaking beautiful emotional roller coaster ever. What Katie lived through and over came was unthinkable. Her strength and ability to move forward was remarkable. Parker was fighting his own demons and trying to make everything work. His tenacity and stubbornness made him unstoppable. Tommy was a rock that never crumbled or cracked. The men in this book loved ferociously and unconditionally. This book had me in tears from the beginning all the way to the end and even after finishing the story.
This book is powerful, beautifully and amazingly written. Recommend to everyone but be sure to have tissues ready.
OMG...where to start. This book was filled with so much emotion that you are captured into the story from the beginning and to the point you don't want it to end. I was taken on the most heartbreaking beautiful emotional roller coaster ever. What Katie lived through and over came was unthinkable. Her strength and ability to move forward was remarkable. Parker was fighting his own demons and trying to make everything work. His tenacity and stubbornness made him unstoppable. Tommy was a rock that never crumbled or cracked. The men in this book loved ferociously and unconditionally. This book had me in tears from the beginning all the way to the end and even after finishing the story.
This book is powerful, beautifully and amazingly written. Recommend to everyone but be sure to have tissues ready.
January 2, 2015
Favorite Quotes:
“It was then that I imagined kismet to be the darker side of fate. The evil twin. The side that no one likes to talk about.”
“This is the kiss I have been waiting for forever.”
My Review:
This is not a feel good love story. It is sad, I mean squeeze the heart and tight throat sad. I was allowed to feel happy for her briefly, then it tore me up again. Waa. An interesting and well written story with a few steamy parts also in there amongst the angst, inner musings, and turmoil. But the ending – aaaaaa - I didn’t see the ending coming… it was a devilish twist that even though it wrought even more sadness, it somehow made it all seem worthwhile. However, I am feeling my next read should be something much lighter, lest I fall into a funk of biblical proportions.
“It was then that I imagined kismet to be the darker side of fate. The evil twin. The side that no one likes to talk about.”
“This is the kiss I have been waiting for forever.”
My Review:
This is not a feel good love story. It is sad, I mean squeeze the heart and tight throat sad. I was allowed to feel happy for her briefly, then it tore me up again. Waa. An interesting and well written story with a few steamy parts also in there amongst the angst, inner musings, and turmoil. But the ending – aaaaaa - I didn’t see the ending coming… it was a devilish twist that even though it wrought even more sadness, it somehow made it all seem worthwhile. However, I am feeling my next read should be something much lighter, lest I fall into a funk of biblical proportions.
February 10, 2014
I beta read this book and I could not be happier with it. The things that Katie goes through...the way that she deals...why I may not have understood her all the time, I FELT for her.
**Full review to come**
**Full review to come**
March 3, 2015
Elegantly simple, A.E. Woodward's second chance romance pulled me in immediately. She delivered a captivating journey of a woman who's lost it all and comes out the other side. I'm afraid to say more for fear of spoilers, but I for one would love to see a sequel.
August 25, 2014
This book was such an emotional read! Makes you think how special second chances are and should be used to their fullest! Loved this book even thorough all the tears! And I mean ugly cry tears!
February 17, 2014
*I received an ARC in exchange for honest review*
“Kismet~ A power that is believed to control what happens in the future”
After reading the synopsis for Kismet, I had a conversation with the author, and said that I was excited about Kismet as it looks very good, and I have a feeling that I'm going to need tissues. Well after reading Kismet was more than just good, it was amazing just like A.E Woodward said it would be. Yes, I did need tissues, and lots of them.
After the loss of her husband, daughter, and unborn baby, Katie’s world comes crumbling down heartbroken with grief, pain and the guilt that she survived, and they didn’t she shut down and won’t talk to anyone. In hopes, to help her heal she moves back to her family’s horse farm. Whist there, she is reunited with Parker McKenzie her brother’s best friend, whom she has known since she was little. Katie and Parker share a history there was and is much more to their friendship, but Parker is one of the reasons she feels so guilty about what she has lost.
The story is told mainly from Katie’s POV, about second chances, forgiveness, new beginnings, strength and learning to live again. Kismet is not an easy read; it was an emotional rollercoaster from the very first chapter. My heart went out to her as I could feel her heartache, anguish and despair. I could feel her emotions; understand the reasons why she struggles to cope with what happened, and to find herself again. Why she feels what happened was a result of her secrets and the choices she had made. I did have a feeling I knew what the secret was and therefore, I was anxious to keep reading to see if I was right, and see how this aspect of the story would unfold.
Every so often A.E gives us Parker’s POV normally when this happens I always wish there was more of the male characters POV, but in this case what we got was just perfect and was the right balance, and always came at the point in the story when it was needed so you can get an insight into what Parker was thinking, his demons, his secret, his heartache and despair. I loved the way Parker was with Katie, so patient and understanding, affectionate wants to help her heal help her recovery, and move forward with her life.
Overall I loved this book the ending it was bittersweet, but it made sense to the essence of the story but wow! it did make me cry. I’m a big fan of A.E Woodward, and love her “A Series of Imperfections” series. She said this was going to be different, and it was. I have to say well done to A.E for writing Kismet as it was a beautiful breathtaking poignant read that was well written story that is going to stay with me for a long time. The emotions of A.E writing and characters pulled me in from the very first chapter.
I highly recommend that you one click this book today, but just remember you will need tissues.
5 stars
“Fate can be a beautiful thing. The universe works in mysterious ways. It brings you hope; make you feel alive, like a word full of possibilities. But the truth is the face can also be a cruel bitch”
“All the degrees and training in the world can’t touch my emotional damages. I have nothing left to live for”
“It scares me, feeling these feelings again, because they are feelings that I spent years trying to forget”
“In a heap in the hallway, I cry for him, for me, for them. Because I seem to be the only one who realizes that there is no saving any of us.We are broken.”
“I know with out a doubt that Parker is the key to putting me back together. I just wonder how we get there”
“We just weren’t ready for each other. But now… well, now I think we can learn to love again….together”
Katie and I have always been in this weird limbo-stuck between what is right, and what we feel. Everything we’ve ever wanted is just a whisper and a touch away.
“Sometimes you have to hurt in order to heal”
“Kismet~ A power that is believed to control what happens in the future”
After reading the synopsis for Kismet, I had a conversation with the author, and said that I was excited about Kismet as it looks very good, and I have a feeling that I'm going to need tissues. Well after reading Kismet was more than just good, it was amazing just like A.E Woodward said it would be. Yes, I did need tissues, and lots of them.
After the loss of her husband, daughter, and unborn baby, Katie’s world comes crumbling down heartbroken with grief, pain and the guilt that she survived, and they didn’t she shut down and won’t talk to anyone. In hopes, to help her heal she moves back to her family’s horse farm. Whist there, she is reunited with Parker McKenzie her brother’s best friend, whom she has known since she was little. Katie and Parker share a history there was and is much more to their friendship, but Parker is one of the reasons she feels so guilty about what she has lost.
The story is told mainly from Katie’s POV, about second chances, forgiveness, new beginnings, strength and learning to live again. Kismet is not an easy read; it was an emotional rollercoaster from the very first chapter. My heart went out to her as I could feel her heartache, anguish and despair. I could feel her emotions; understand the reasons why she struggles to cope with what happened, and to find herself again. Why she feels what happened was a result of her secrets and the choices she had made. I did have a feeling I knew what the secret was and therefore, I was anxious to keep reading to see if I was right, and see how this aspect of the story would unfold.
Every so often A.E gives us Parker’s POV normally when this happens I always wish there was more of the male characters POV, but in this case what we got was just perfect and was the right balance, and always came at the point in the story when it was needed so you can get an insight into what Parker was thinking, his demons, his secret, his heartache and despair. I loved the way Parker was with Katie, so patient and understanding, affectionate wants to help her heal help her recovery, and move forward with her life.
Overall I loved this book the ending it was bittersweet, but it made sense to the essence of the story but wow! it did make me cry. I’m a big fan of A.E Woodward, and love her “A Series of Imperfections” series. She said this was going to be different, and it was. I have to say well done to A.E for writing Kismet as it was a beautiful breathtaking poignant read that was well written story that is going to stay with me for a long time. The emotions of A.E writing and characters pulled me in from the very first chapter.
I highly recommend that you one click this book today, but just remember you will need tissues.
5 stars
“Fate can be a beautiful thing. The universe works in mysterious ways. It brings you hope; make you feel alive, like a word full of possibilities. But the truth is the face can also be a cruel bitch”
“All the degrees and training in the world can’t touch my emotional damages. I have nothing left to live for”
“It scares me, feeling these feelings again, because they are feelings that I spent years trying to forget”
“In a heap in the hallway, I cry for him, for me, for them. Because I seem to be the only one who realizes that there is no saving any of us.We are broken.”
“I know with out a doubt that Parker is the key to putting me back together. I just wonder how we get there”
“We just weren’t ready for each other. But now… well, now I think we can learn to love again….together”
Katie and I have always been in this weird limbo-stuck between what is right, and what we feel. Everything we’ve ever wanted is just a whisper and a touch away.
“Sometimes you have to hurt in order to heal”
December 29, 2014
** BETH'S 3.5 STAR REVIEW **
I must start off by saying that I did enjoy reading Kismet but at the same time I am torn with how to review it. It is an emotional and tragic story about fate, destiny and second chances that had me in tears so many times.
Katie is a young woman who’s life has not always easy. As a child she had many issues and it was the love of her brother and his best friend Parker that got her through it all. But as they grew older, the relationship between Katie and Parker grew to be more than just friends, they were in love but as Katie was getting ready to go off to college Parker ended it. Katie took off and left home never to return. She started over with Michael and their daughter Zoe and they were expecting their second child when a tragedy took all three of them away from Katie. But how do you go on when your whole world disappears.
Katie’s parents and her brother do the only thing they know how to do in order to help Katie heal, they take her home back to their farm. Katie though is not the only one that needs to heal, Parker is still hurting since the moment he let her go and together these two slowly heal the hurts form the past as well as the hurts from the present.
I must say, although we didn’t really see Michael, I absolutely loved him. He was such a selfless person. He loved Katie even though he knew Katie’s secret and knew that her heart was with someone else. He loved her enough for both of them and my heart truly hurt for him.
I did enjoy this book, it was a really good read that was very emotional. For me, it was that book that let me have that really good cry that you sometimes just need. This book pulled me in right from the start and for the first 60% I truly could not put it down but I found as the book hit the half way mark, for me it began to feel very predictable and repetitive. Also, I found myself not feeling comfortable with how quick she seem to heal all of a sudden from such a tragedy and how soon she moved on with Parker. She always loved him, but for how much she loved Michael and for how distraught she was over losing her family, it just seemed to all happen too quickly and too soon after the accident, 6 months was just not enough time for her to move on and have things play out as they did. Also I found that as the book went on, it became the same back and forth game between Katie and Parker and started to feel drawn out and falling a bit flat for me. And last as things started to come to light, the book and it’s ending became more and more predictable and found myself really disappointed but also not shocked with how the story ended. Overall it was a really good story, it just left me a bit disappointed and torn about how I truly felt about it. It was a book I absolutely loved from the moment I started but found myself loving it less and less right until the very end.
I must start off by saying that I did enjoy reading Kismet but at the same time I am torn with how to review it. It is an emotional and tragic story about fate, destiny and second chances that had me in tears so many times.
Katie is a young woman who’s life has not always easy. As a child she had many issues and it was the love of her brother and his best friend Parker that got her through it all. But as they grew older, the relationship between Katie and Parker grew to be more than just friends, they were in love but as Katie was getting ready to go off to college Parker ended it. Katie took off and left home never to return. She started over with Michael and their daughter Zoe and they were expecting their second child when a tragedy took all three of them away from Katie. But how do you go on when your whole world disappears.
Katie’s parents and her brother do the only thing they know how to do in order to help Katie heal, they take her home back to their farm. Katie though is not the only one that needs to heal, Parker is still hurting since the moment he let her go and together these two slowly heal the hurts form the past as well as the hurts from the present.
I must say, although we didn’t really see Michael, I absolutely loved him. He was such a selfless person. He loved Katie even though he knew Katie’s secret and knew that her heart was with someone else. He loved her enough for both of them and my heart truly hurt for him.
I did enjoy this book, it was a really good read that was very emotional. For me, it was that book that let me have that really good cry that you sometimes just need. This book pulled me in right from the start and for the first 60% I truly could not put it down but I found as the book hit the half way mark, for me it began to feel very predictable and repetitive. Also, I found myself not feeling comfortable with how quick she seem to heal all of a sudden from such a tragedy and how soon she moved on with Parker. She always loved him, but for how much she loved Michael and for how distraught she was over losing her family, it just seemed to all happen too quickly and too soon after the accident, 6 months was just not enough time for her to move on and have things play out as they did. Also I found that as the book went on, it became the same back and forth game between Katie and Parker and started to feel drawn out and falling a bit flat for me. And last as things started to come to light, the book and it’s ending became more and more predictable and found myself really disappointed but also not shocked with how the story ended. Overall it was a really good story, it just left me a bit disappointed and torn about how I truly felt about it. It was a book I absolutely loved from the moment I started but found myself loving it less and less right until the very end.
August 20, 2014
First off, I would like to tell my friend Laura that she needs to stop recommending books to me because she makes me cry. She told me about Kismet when it first came out. She said we all had to read it. It was amazing. I swear, this is my review, not hers. :)
I finally made time when I saw the spotlight that was coming up for AE Woodward. I read it.
In one sitting (almost). I showed up to an appointment today a little over an hour early on accident and made it to 56% while waiting. I was all alone in a quiet office and I was completely absorbed, swiping page after page. I went to my appointment, came home, read the rest. I was supposed to stop at the store on the way home but I kind of forgot until I was done reading.
Waaaaaaaahhhhh!
That’s what I have to say after reading Kismet.
*tears*
Katie has lost everything. Her husband, her baby, gone in a car accident. She survived and is now trying to shut out the world, refusing to speak, wanting the drugs the nurses give her that lets her fade to black.
Eventually, after weeks go by, she goes back to her childhood home with her parents and her brother. (Loved those characters by the way.)
Her brother brings over his best friend Parker, trying to shock Katie into something.
Katie and Parker have a history that starts with her as a baby and him taking over the role of big brother protector along with her brother. Eventually he pushes her away, she goes to college and that’s where she meets her husband and started a family.
And so the story goes.
I think A.E. Woodward did an amazing job of portraying how Katie was stuck in her own head. The worries and fears her family and Parker had, the way her doctor was consistent in trying to get her to open up, how he kind of became a part of this family with helping Katie.
Parker was a memorable character all by himself. He was real. He had flaws. But he also loved Katie completely and totally.
It was a great book with an ending I wasn’t expecting that made me want to throw my iPad across the room. (I refrained, I still have more books I want to read on it.)
I can see why Laura said that all of us should read Kismet. Heart wrenching but with moments of hope, it kept me engrossed from beginning to end.
Thank you so much for my copy of Kismet!
I finally made time when I saw the spotlight that was coming up for AE Woodward. I read it.
In one sitting (almost). I showed up to an appointment today a little over an hour early on accident and made it to 56% while waiting. I was all alone in a quiet office and I was completely absorbed, swiping page after page. I went to my appointment, came home, read the rest. I was supposed to stop at the store on the way home but I kind of forgot until I was done reading.
Waaaaaaaahhhhh!
That’s what I have to say after reading Kismet.
*tears*
Katie has lost everything. Her husband, her baby, gone in a car accident. She survived and is now trying to shut out the world, refusing to speak, wanting the drugs the nurses give her that lets her fade to black.
Eventually, after weeks go by, she goes back to her childhood home with her parents and her brother. (Loved those characters by the way.)
Her brother brings over his best friend Parker, trying to shock Katie into something.
Katie and Parker have a history that starts with her as a baby and him taking over the role of big brother protector along with her brother. Eventually he pushes her away, she goes to college and that’s where she meets her husband and started a family.
And so the story goes.
I think A.E. Woodward did an amazing job of portraying how Katie was stuck in her own head. The worries and fears her family and Parker had, the way her doctor was consistent in trying to get her to open up, how he kind of became a part of this family with helping Katie.
Parker was a memorable character all by himself. He was real. He had flaws. But he also loved Katie completely and totally.
It was a great book with an ending I wasn’t expecting that made me want to throw my iPad across the room. (I refrained, I still have more books I want to read on it.)
I can see why Laura said that all of us should read Kismet. Heart wrenching but with moments of hope, it kept me engrossed from beginning to end.
Thank you so much for my copy of Kismet!
August 13, 2014
Sweetness. Hope. Healing. Tears.
Kismet is a beautiful story of healing and second chances. This story had hard times and pain, but also beauty and love. Katie dealt with so much, yet maintained hope. I commend A.E. Woodward for shedding light on Katie's imperfect yet beautiful life. This story allows readers to feel pain, but also to see that pain can be overcome, hope is never lost, and that all things truly do work together for good.
To me, Katie was such a strong character. Her life was filled with loss and anxiety, but she showed such grace and strength in overcoming these. Yes, she had fears, she was quick to jump to conclusions at times, and she wavered in her decisions at times, but in the end, we all have flaws...what matters is that we persevere, and Katie truly did persevere!
Parker was such a sweet guy...I mean, doodles and kiss-drawing...LOVED it! Parker was also flawed, but a flawed character is a real character. He was quick to forgive...maybe a little too quick to forgive at times, and he had his own hurdles to overcome.
Parker loved Katie, flaws and all, and she loved him just as fiercely. I would have loved to have FELT this just a little bit more. There were times within this story that the words told me things that I just didn't quite feel as deeply as I'd have liked. Sometimes I just like to be shown instead of told, but regardless, this was definitely an emotional book.
I really enjoyed the timing of the book. The chapters in Kismet were each like getting a snapshot of the healing process and the development of Parker and Katie's relationship. This contributed to the quick-paced feel of the book for me.
Kismet is definitely a very important and enlightening book. It gives readers hope, and hope is something that we just can't seem to have too much of!
**A copy of this book was provided in exchange for an honest review**
Kismet is a beautiful story of healing and second chances. This story had hard times and pain, but also beauty and love. Katie dealt with so much, yet maintained hope. I commend A.E. Woodward for shedding light on Katie's imperfect yet beautiful life. This story allows readers to feel pain, but also to see that pain can be overcome, hope is never lost, and that all things truly do work together for good.
To me, Katie was such a strong character. Her life was filled with loss and anxiety, but she showed such grace and strength in overcoming these. Yes, she had fears, she was quick to jump to conclusions at times, and she wavered in her decisions at times, but in the end, we all have flaws...what matters is that we persevere, and Katie truly did persevere!
Parker was such a sweet guy...I mean, doodles and kiss-drawing...LOVED it! Parker was also flawed, but a flawed character is a real character. He was quick to forgive...maybe a little too quick to forgive at times, and he had his own hurdles to overcome.
Parker loved Katie, flaws and all, and she loved him just as fiercely. I would have loved to have FELT this just a little bit more. There were times within this story that the words told me things that I just didn't quite feel as deeply as I'd have liked. Sometimes I just like to be shown instead of told, but regardless, this was definitely an emotional book.
I really enjoyed the timing of the book. The chapters in Kismet were each like getting a snapshot of the healing process and the development of Parker and Katie's relationship. This contributed to the quick-paced feel of the book for me.
Kismet is definitely a very important and enlightening book. It gives readers hope, and hope is something that we just can't seem to have too much of!
**A copy of this book was provided in exchange for an honest review**
April 19, 2014
It’s taken me a long time to write this review, I’ve deleted it twice, I just don’t think I can do it justice and put into words quite how beautiful a book it is and how much it affects you as a reader.
We’ve all heard of Karma yes? Reap what you sow, get back what you dish out!
But have you heard of Kismet? Maybe you’d know it better as fate, what’s written in the stars, what’s mapped out for you, there is nothing you can do to change it! Heavy stuff huh, well this book is all about the heavy!
I must confess the first few chapters were tough, Katie has just been through the most horrific trauma and you’d have to be made of stone not to feel for her but it was depressing and I wasn’t sure if I needed this kind of read but then the author did something I have only known one other to do to me ~ that is she started to weave a web, introducing characters and building up a background that made me want Katie to get better and live and hope and dream and have her hearts desire, she deserved it, she deserved it more than anyone I know, whether they be real people or fictional characters ~ yes I was THAT invested, I needed her to have better, to be better so that I could feel better!
There just aren’t enough impactive adjectives to describe this book, I’ve ugly cried whilst reading before but I actually had an ache in my chest that didn’t go away for days, A.E Woodward wrote it SO well that I can forgive her for breaking my fictional heart!
I loved that I wasn’t expecting the ending, I would have bet my first born that the author would never ever have chosen that option but this book is called Kismet and I now accept that it was right & it fits and as much as it tore my heart in two, it also made it a 5 star read for me!
We’ve all heard of Karma yes? Reap what you sow, get back what you dish out!
But have you heard of Kismet? Maybe you’d know it better as fate, what’s written in the stars, what’s mapped out for you, there is nothing you can do to change it! Heavy stuff huh, well this book is all about the heavy!
I must confess the first few chapters were tough, Katie has just been through the most horrific trauma and you’d have to be made of stone not to feel for her but it was depressing and I wasn’t sure if I needed this kind of read but then the author did something I have only known one other to do to me ~ that is she started to weave a web, introducing characters and building up a background that made me want Katie to get better and live and hope and dream and have her hearts desire, she deserved it, she deserved it more than anyone I know, whether they be real people or fictional characters ~ yes I was THAT invested, I needed her to have better, to be better so that I could feel better!
There just aren’t enough impactive adjectives to describe this book, I’ve ugly cried whilst reading before but I actually had an ache in my chest that didn’t go away for days, A.E Woodward wrote it SO well that I can forgive her for breaking my fictional heart!
I loved that I wasn’t expecting the ending, I would have bet my first born that the author would never ever have chosen that option but this book is called Kismet and I now accept that it was right & it fits and as much as it tore my heart in two, it also made it a 5 star read for me!
January 11, 2015
This is an emotional read that will consume you from page one...
I love tear jerkers and this book did not disappoint.
From the moment I opened the book, I was pulled into Katie's world, living with hurt and guilt. I felt my heart get ripped from my chest and my words dissipate. Each day was another day of breathing, but not actually living.
As she reunited with Parker, my heart strings were tugged. Secrets from the past were revealed and a forever love was formed.
I never expected the ending and as gut wrenching as it was, It was also bittersweet and beautiful.
The characters are what made me love this story so much. They were developed and unlike most books these days, they were real. Katie was a normal girl living with guilt. Parker was a typical guy working at a local shop. There was nothing far fetched about them and that's what makes the connection so much better!
The emotions felt while reading this book were also real. Yes, the story is fiction, but I felt sadness, pain, lust, and suspense as I turned the pages. As Katie progressed and started living again, my heart had hope. As her and Parker were on and off, I felt joy because she was feeling again. I became quite addicted to this book. My brain wouldn't shut off and I even found myself dreaming about Dr. Stevenson.
At the end of the day sometimes a story is just that a story. This book was far more... A work of art about loss, first love, and second chances at life.
I honestly cannot recommend this book enough!
If I could give it more the 5 stars I would, in a heartbeat.
I love tear jerkers and this book did not disappoint.
From the moment I opened the book, I was pulled into Katie's world, living with hurt and guilt. I felt my heart get ripped from my chest and my words dissipate. Each day was another day of breathing, but not actually living.
As she reunited with Parker, my heart strings were tugged. Secrets from the past were revealed and a forever love was formed.
I never expected the ending and as gut wrenching as it was, It was also bittersweet and beautiful.
The characters are what made me love this story so much. They were developed and unlike most books these days, they were real. Katie was a normal girl living with guilt. Parker was a typical guy working at a local shop. There was nothing far fetched about them and that's what makes the connection so much better!
The emotions felt while reading this book were also real. Yes, the story is fiction, but I felt sadness, pain, lust, and suspense as I turned the pages. As Katie progressed and started living again, my heart had hope. As her and Parker were on and off, I felt joy because she was feeling again. I became quite addicted to this book. My brain wouldn't shut off and I even found myself dreaming about Dr. Stevenson.
At the end of the day sometimes a story is just that a story. This book was far more... A work of art about loss, first love, and second chances at life.
I honestly cannot recommend this book enough!
If I could give it more the 5 stars I would, in a heartbeat.
February 6, 2014
I started this book without reading the blurb so I wasn't sure what I was in for. Thankfully this book didn't disappoint.
Katie has just experienced the worst pain imaginable. In one fell swoop she loses her husband, daughter and unborn child in a car accident. Katie walks away from the crash practically unharmed physically. Emotionally she doesn't fare so well. She won't talk to anyone because talking about it makes it real. So she lies in the hospital bed and screams until the nurses give her enough drugs to knock her out. People keep talking to her in hopes she will deal with the tragedy but Katie just wants to slip into oblivion. She feels guilty that she survived. When the doctors release her from the hospital her parents and brother decide it's best if she comes home with them in hopes that her childhood home may help her heal. The horses on their farm were always a sort of therapy for Katie. What she wasn't prepared for was seeing Parker again.
Can Katie finally come to terms with the hand that she's been dealt and be able to move on with her life? Does she deserve to have a second chance when everyone she loved has been taken away from her?
There were a few twists in there I did not see coming especially the last one! The ending was.......I'm not sure how to describe it. It was very fitting and made the book even better.
I won this book from the author. This review is my honest opinion.
Katie has just experienced the worst pain imaginable. In one fell swoop she loses her husband, daughter and unborn child in a car accident. Katie walks away from the crash practically unharmed physically. Emotionally she doesn't fare so well. She won't talk to anyone because talking about it makes it real. So she lies in the hospital bed and screams until the nurses give her enough drugs to knock her out. People keep talking to her in hopes she will deal with the tragedy but Katie just wants to slip into oblivion. She feels guilty that she survived. When the doctors release her from the hospital her parents and brother decide it's best if she comes home with them in hopes that her childhood home may help her heal. The horses on their farm were always a sort of therapy for Katie. What she wasn't prepared for was seeing Parker again.
Can Katie finally come to terms with the hand that she's been dealt and be able to move on with her life? Does she deserve to have a second chance when everyone she loved has been taken away from her?
There were a few twists in there I did not see coming especially the last one! The ending was.......I'm not sure how to describe it. It was very fitting and made the book even better.
I won this book from the author. This review is my honest opinion.
September 16, 2014
Get your tissues out and snuggle in for a good cry.
Kismet is a book that I bought a while ago based on other’s recommendations but I kept putting it off and letting it sit there on my kindle because I knew it was going to be an emotional read. Man, was that accurate! You have to be in the right mindset to read this book but once you finally start, it is a beautiful tale of just how difficult life can be at times and how with help, anyone can overcome anything.
From the very beginning, you are so sad for Katie and her loss. You grieve with her and ache for her to be able to heal. When Parker is introduced into the fold, you’re intrigued and get a sense that there is history there but have no idea the depth and love that lies beneath.
I enjoyed the journey and felt lots and lots of emotion from page one all the way until the end. ::Sigh:: the end. I won’t spoil it but I will simply state that I did not see that ending coming. Only after finishing and reflecting on the entire story was I able to understand why the author made that decision and it truly is a beautiful story. A gut wrenching, sinus clearing, mascara running, sob fest of beauty. Great job Ashley! I can’t wait to read more of your work.
Kismet is a book that I bought a while ago based on other’s recommendations but I kept putting it off and letting it sit there on my kindle because I knew it was going to be an emotional read. Man, was that accurate! You have to be in the right mindset to read this book but once you finally start, it is a beautiful tale of just how difficult life can be at times and how with help, anyone can overcome anything.
From the very beginning, you are so sad for Katie and her loss. You grieve with her and ache for her to be able to heal. When Parker is introduced into the fold, you’re intrigued and get a sense that there is history there but have no idea the depth and love that lies beneath.
I enjoyed the journey and felt lots and lots of emotion from page one all the way until the end. ::Sigh:: the end. I won’t spoil it but I will simply state that I did not see that ending coming. Only after finishing and reflecting on the entire story was I able to understand why the author made that decision and it truly is a beautiful story. A gut wrenching, sinus clearing, mascara running, sob fest of beauty. Great job Ashley! I can’t wait to read more of your work.
April 26, 2017
This is one of the books that you can read in one sitting. I haven't but that's only because I had other books to read. The story stirred my emotions so many times. The main character Katie she was so frustrating many times. I wanted to slap her two or three times. The moments of "it's all happening because I deserve punishment" drove me crazy and I was tempted to skip forward few pages to avoid these parts. I didn't. Her charactered developed with every few chapters, as people grow stronger after hard times. Despite the tragic story and the ending (that really shocked me- I haven't expected that at all) the story is such a positive thing. It show's that every bad thing may be a beginning or even a "reason" for something good to start. It's a contemporary book that inspires me in its own small way. I definetely recommend it.
August 27, 2014
Wow....Just wow. All I have to say to A.E. Woodward is
THANK YOU.
I've been going through a terrible reading slump lately. I haven't been able to find any books that have left me with a deep feeling.
This book completely brought me out of that slump. This book will bring out all of your feelings. My heart never stopped breaking the entire time I read this book. You think that at some point it will happy, but you are in tears the entire time. I don't want to give anything away, so I'm just going to leave this review with these 3 words: READ THIS BOOK!
The only few minor things that I didn't like was the fact that Parker referred to Katie as "kiddo." It just seemed kind of awkward. I didn't like it at all. I also feel like Katie moved on extremely fast. I understand that her and Parker had always had a keep connection, but after something terrible happens to your entire family, I just don't think those feelings would arise right away for another person.
THANK YOU.
I've been going through a terrible reading slump lately. I haven't been able to find any books that have left me with a deep feeling.
This book completely brought me out of that slump. This book will bring out all of your feelings. My heart never stopped breaking the entire time I read this book. You think that at some point it will happy, but you are in tears the entire time. I don't want to give anything away, so I'm just going to leave this review with these 3 words: READ THIS BOOK!
The only few minor things that I didn't like was the fact that Parker referred to Katie as "kiddo." It just seemed kind of awkward. I didn't like it at all. I also feel like Katie moved on extremely fast. I understand that her and Parker had always had a keep connection, but after something terrible happens to your entire family, I just don't think those feelings would arise right away for another person.
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