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A Girl by Any Other Name
Everyone tells him he needs to move on, but how can a man function without his heart?
Ten-year-old Caleb Tanner wants nothing to do with Sylvie Cranston, the annoying weird girl who moves next door to him and gets him in trouble for swearing. But at twelve, they become friends when he teaches her how to hook a fishing line and she shows him the value of a selfless act. At fourteen, he falls in love with her.
At sixteen, she dies.
Or so he’s told. But Cal never believes it. Sylvie has become part of his soul. He knows her like the steady beating of his own heart. He’d know if she was dead. Cal looks for her, prays for her and finally he just waits for her.
Nine years later, she walks into the community college English class Cal is teaching. Only this girl claims her name is Sophie Becker and she doesn’t know him. Cal knows better. He’s determined to get the girl he loves back—and protect her from the danger that took her away all those years ago.
Ten-year-old Caleb Tanner wants nothing to do with Sylvie Cranston, the annoying weird girl who moves next door to him and gets him in trouble for swearing. But at twelve, they become friends when he teaches her how to hook a fishing line and she shows him the value of a selfless act. At fourteen, he falls in love with her.
At sixteen, she dies.
Or so he’s told. But Cal never believes it. Sylvie has become part of his soul. He knows her like the steady beating of his own heart. He’d know if she was dead. Cal looks for her, prays for her and finally he just waits for her.
Nine years later, she walks into the community college English class Cal is teaching. Only this girl claims her name is Sophie Becker and she doesn’t know him. Cal knows better. He’s determined to get the girl he loves back—and protect her from the danger that took her away all those years ago.
254 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 13, 2013
56 people are currently reading
4189 people want to read
About the author
M.K. Schiller
17 books1,825 followersNot knowing a word of English, MK Schiller came to America at the age of four from India. Since then, all she’s done is collect words. After receiving the best gift ever from her parents—her very own library card—she began reading everything she could get her greedy hands on. At sixteen, a friend asked her to make up a story featuring the popular bad boy at school. This wasn’t fan fiction…it was friend fiction. From that day on, she’s known she wanted to be a writer. With the goal of making her readers both laugh and cry, MK Schiller has penned more than a dozen books, each one filled with misfit characters overcoming obstacles and finding true love.
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August 15, 2017
★★★★! A Girl By Any Other Name (stand-alone). Childhood friends are separated by tragedy! Find out what happened while the hero won’t let go!
“Everyone told me I needed to move on. That was like asking me to pierce my own flesh and crush my empty, beating heart. They wanted me to toss it away and continue to breathe. How could a man function without his heart?”
A Girl By Any Other Name is the story of College instructor Caleb Tanner, Cal and Sylvie Cranston. It started some fifteen years back when young Sylvie and her father moved in next door to Cal and his family.
The story is alternating between present time and the past giving us glimpses into their childhoods and friendship. But all along we know that Cal in present day has a hard time accepting that Sylvie passed away.
We follow them as they grow into teenagers and the deep bond they form knowing that something bad must have happened in their teens. But what?
Back in present day Cal’s obsessing over a new student in his class. She reminds him of Sylvie. He is teaching English literature at the local College. Who is she? And what happened to Sylvie?
Caleb James Tanner, Cal: (10 years) 25 years/College instructor English Literature/dark blond hair/gray eyes/6’2”/limp/ex- high school quarterback.
I loved Caleb James Tanner, Cal as a child and teen. He was such an endearing charming young boy. But unfortunately I didn’t feel as strong of a connection with Cal the adult. Seven words to describe Cal: Noble, endearing, relentless, determined, loyal, sweet and romantic.
Sylvie Cranston: (10 years) 22 years/College graduate/artist/student/dark brown hair/dark brown eyes/tattoo.
Sylvie Cranston remained an enigma for most of the story. She needed to in order to keep the mystery going. Four words to describe Sylvie: Intriguing, soft-spoken, sweet, charismatic and lonely.
A Girl By Any Other Name is filled with wonderful firsts; sweet and tender moments, but also sadness, disappointments and grief. Once the facts of Sylvie’s death were revealed I had felt a bit anticlimactic. The storyline felt a bit predictable and monotonous only to throw me the biggest curb ball. What a shocker!!!!
The remainder of the story is a suspenseful read filled with danger, intrigue and surprises seeing them off to the perfect ending! I did wish her secret would have been more complex and I did have an issue with Joe. But the other shocker made up for most of it.
Interesting and suspenseful plot! A very sweet and endearing hero, Cal Tanner! I very much enjoyed their story, but didn’t love love. 4 stars!
“Not easier, but the pain is like a knife. It’s sharp at first, and tears through you. It’ll always be there, but after a while it dulls.”
***
Hero rating: 4 stars
Heroine rating: 3.5 stars
Sex scenes rating: 4 stars
Sex scenes frequency: 3.5 stars
Storyline concept rating: 4 stars
Storytelling skills rating: 4 stars
Story ending rating: 4 stars
Book editing rating (5 = no edits spotted): 4 stars
************************************************
Overall rating: 4 stars
Would I recommend this book: Sure.
Would I re-read this book: Maybe later.
Would I read future books by this author: Yes.
February 9, 2014
First, here's my casting for Caleb:
Well this was really different read and I liked it!!
From the moment I heard about this book, I wanted to read it. The blurb alone gave me goosebumps and had me so intrigued. Check it out...
Ten-year-old Caleb Tanner wants nothing to do with Sylvie Cranston, the annoying weird girl who moves next door to him and gets him in trouble for swearing. But at twelve, they become friends when he teaches her how to hook a fishing line and she shows him the value of a selfless act. At fourteen, he falls in love with her.
At sixteen, she dies.
Or so he’s told. But Cal never believes it. Sylvie has become part of his soul. He knows her like the steady beating of his own heart. He’d know if she was dead. Cal looks for her, prays for her and finally he just waits for her.
Nine years later, she walks into the community college English class Cal is teaching. Only this girl claims her name is Sophie Becker and she doesn’t know him. Cal knows better. He’s determined to get the girl he loves back—and protect her from the danger that took her away all those years ago.
See?? Woah, right?
**** There are NO spoilers here, just so you know! ****
I loved the premise and the story had me hooked me right from the very first page with this quote...
"I never planned for Sylvie Cranston to be my best friend. I never expected her to be the muse in all my dreams, or the girl who later haunted my nightmares. I certainly never planned to fall in love with her, but that was exactly what happened.
Everyone told me I needed to move on. That was like asking me to pierce my own flesh and crush my empty, beating heart. They wanted me to toss it away and continue to breathe. How could a man function without his heart?"
I loved the way the first half of the book was laid out. It was told in a mixture of present day events where Caleb was an adult living his life but searching for this girl who he was convinced was still alive, and those chapters were intermingled with flashbacks to their childhood together that started when they were both 10 years old on the day when Sylvie's family moved in next door to Caleb's.
Something about the whole story really drew me in.... almost as though there was a whole lot more beneath the surface that I just wasn't seeing yet. I loved that about it. It kept me guessing and theorizing and trying to piece the story together as I read. OMG some scenes gave me chills and shivers!! I kept looking for clues because I knew everything in the past was leading up to her supposed death and I was trying to see if I could understand what was happening.
"It doesn't matter if you're behind a locked door under the covers or walking around in the middle of the night. If something's gonna get you, it'll get you no matter what."
There was something very endearing about the way Caleb and Sylvie's friendship built. It just made my heart squeeze. And it had that beautiful quality of being able to be light and carefree one moment and then delivering a line that just really hit your in the heart the next.
"The girl didn't have to win my heart. She owned it outright."
I also really enjoyed the way the flashback scenes were mixed in with the present day. In the present day, I couldn't help but wonder if this new girl really was Sylvie, or was she someone else? Was he crazy for holding on to the idea of her being alive? Or was he the only sane one of them all? It sounded like he was a little crazy but there was a chance he was right.
"I restrained myself from grabbing her arm, snatching off those sunglasses and releasing her hair from the baseball cap. It was a surefire way to get myself canned or grant me a one-way hall pass to a psychiatric hospital… I was searching for a dead girl after all."
I really loved that I didn't know the whole story up front and that it all got revealed in these little bits and pieces, in layers. Each time, I figured something out, I had a little mini ahah!! moment in my head.
More than once, the story brought tears to my eyes. Initially the romantic element was slow building but in a way that naturally reflected them growing up together... As the story went on though, Sylvie kept keeping him at bay though and while this would normally have frustrated me, it didn't here because I knew there was something more going on with her, something secret that I didn't know yet.
"It doesn't matter what we call ourselves. We belong to each other."
Ok now, about the second half of the book. I felt a little differently about it than I did the first half. A big reveal is made exactly half way through that kind of takes the book in a different direction. After this point, I have to admit that the story lost a little bit of that spark that had me so connected to the first half of the book. So far, the story had been a little mysterious, a little romantic, and everything was building in these layers together and honestly, it was pretty awesome. But after the reveal, things changed and the whole vibe of the story felt... different. It was no longer quite as plot focused, and there was just a lot of sex. Don't get me wrong, I don't mind sex in books at all (heck, I read romance after all) but I like there to be a leeeeetle more plot mixed in with it all than there was here. So, I'd say the story fell a little flat to me for a little while. It wasn't bad at all though, please don't think that! But it just wasn't quite the same for me as the first half. And there were also a few things here and there that kinda made me a squint skeptically at the page... But then it picked back up again! There was a new twist that I swear I never saw coming (and I love when that happens!!) that again spun the book in a different direction again and really re-engaged me into the story. I also loved the ending and the epilogue was very sweet. The last line even made me teary.
Oh, just a random note -- A few readers told me they thought the blurb reminded them a little of Hopeless and it's true to a certain extent that there are similarities but I can say that having read the book and knowing the twist, the plot is actually not at all the same. It just seems that way a little until you find out what really happened.
So overall, I'd say I definitely enjoyed this book. It was really different and kept me guessing. I loved Cal's devotion and how he never wanted to give up and I loved the way the whole story was set up. Also, it's a standalone romance so you get the completed story told here with no loose ends.
Rating: 4+ stars
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January 2, 2014
4.5--Caleb Kicks Ass--Stars!
Another great M.K. Schiller read. This one was very different from her first two books but just as good.
The undertones are more serious and there's some mystery and suspense surrounding the story but I still found myself laughing in parts. And crying and swooning. That Caleb sure was something!
Sylvie and Caleb meet when they are 10 years old. After the death of Sylvie's mom, she and her dad move to Prairie Marsh, Texas...right next door to Caleb.
Sylvie is weird. She hides behind baggy clothes. She tried to blend and not stand out. But she's smart and funny and sweet. Caleb doesn't like Sylvie much at first but that quickly changes.
"You were always the most beautiful girl, Sylvie. I always wondered why you hid that from people, but I felt special because I saw it so clearly."
Over the years, Caleb falls in love with Sylvie. But Sylvie always keeps him at a distance. They share a few stolen kisses along the way, provided comfort to each other in times of need...above all else they were best friends.
When Caleb and Sylvie were 16 their lives change ever. Caleb is told that Sylvie is dead but in his heart he knows she's not. But if Sylvie's not dead then where is she??
Flash forward 9 years and Caleb is now an instructor at a community college in Portland, Oregon. forced to move on and give up his hopes and dreams of finding Sylvie, the love of his life. The first day of class he meets Sophie Becker.
Sophie reminds Caleb SO much of Sylvie. But is it wishful thinking or is it really Sylvie?
The story flashes between past and present until eventually Caleb gets his Sylvie back. Now he's determined to never let her go and protect her from what took her away in the first place.
I'm going to have to give M.K. some props....she really got me with the big reveal/twist. I did not see that coming at all.
This story had me completely engaged from beginning to end. I absolutely fell in love with Caleb and Sylvie. I felt their pain. I felt their sadness. I was happy when they finally found their way back to each other.
This story had everything. It made me laugh, it made me cry. It had suspense. It had sexy times. It was perfect.
"You saved me in every way a person can be saved. You gave me courage and strength when I needed it the most. You were a friend when I had no one. You became my family and made me yours the day you slept on my floor when I was twelve and I have loved you since that day. You weren't my reason for almost dying. You are my reason for living."
M.K. Schiller really....just
Another great M.K. Schiller read. This one was very different from her first two books but just as good.
The undertones are more serious and there's some mystery and suspense surrounding the story but I still found myself laughing in parts. And crying and swooning. That Caleb sure was something!
Sylvie and Caleb meet when they are 10 years old. After the death of Sylvie's mom, she and her dad move to Prairie Marsh, Texas...right next door to Caleb.
Sylvie is weird. She hides behind baggy clothes. She tried to blend and not stand out. But she's smart and funny and sweet. Caleb doesn't like Sylvie much at first but that quickly changes.
"You were always the most beautiful girl, Sylvie. I always wondered why you hid that from people, but I felt special because I saw it so clearly."
Over the years, Caleb falls in love with Sylvie. But Sylvie always keeps him at a distance. They share a few stolen kisses along the way, provided comfort to each other in times of need...above all else they were best friends.
When Caleb and Sylvie were 16 their lives change ever. Caleb is told that Sylvie is dead but in his heart he knows she's not. But if Sylvie's not dead then where is she??
Flash forward 9 years and Caleb is now an instructor at a community college in Portland, Oregon. forced to move on and give up his hopes and dreams of finding Sylvie, the love of his life. The first day of class he meets Sophie Becker.
Sophie reminds Caleb SO much of Sylvie. But is it wishful thinking or is it really Sylvie?
The story flashes between past and present until eventually Caleb gets his Sylvie back. Now he's determined to never let her go and protect her from what took her away in the first place.
I'm going to have to give M.K. some props....she really got me with the big reveal/twist. I did not see that coming at all.
This story had me completely engaged from beginning to end. I absolutely fell in love with Caleb and Sylvie. I felt their pain. I felt their sadness. I was happy when they finally found their way back to each other.
This story had everything. It made me laugh, it made me cry. It had suspense. It had sexy times. It was perfect.
"You saved me in every way a person can be saved. You gave me courage and strength when I needed it the most. You were a friend when I had no one. You became my family and made me yours the day you slept on my floor when I was twelve and I have loved you since that day. You weren't my reason for almost dying. You are my reason for living."
M.K. Schiller really....just
August 6, 2016
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This book is available for early download through…
https://www.totallybound.com/index.ph...
M.K. Schiller delivers a heartfelt story about two young kids Cal Tanner and Sylvie Cranston who grow to be friends and fall in love as young children.
”I told you I can’t be friends with you anymore. It’s too complicated.”
“I think our relationship is as simple as breathing.”
Sylvie is the weird girl who moved in next store to Cal, the sheriff’s son and promising football star. They have an unlikely but unbreakable bond.
”Because it doesn’t matter what we call ourselves. We belong to each other.”
The author tells the story brilliantly while taking the characters through childhood till the tragic end. A reader holds out hope right along with Cal that his “Lenore” isn't gone forever.
This story had action, poetry, some fantastic twists, and some really steamy scenes.
Kudos to M.K. Schiller. This is indeed a well written book that will have readers hanging on edge their entire read!
This book is available for early download through…
https://www.totallybound.com/index.ph...
M.K. Schiller delivers a heartfelt story about two young kids Cal Tanner and Sylvie Cranston who grow to be friends and fall in love as young children.
”I told you I can’t be friends with you anymore. It’s too complicated.”
“I think our relationship is as simple as breathing.”
Sylvie is the weird girl who moved in next store to Cal, the sheriff’s son and promising football star. They have an unlikely but unbreakable bond.
”Because it doesn’t matter what we call ourselves. We belong to each other.”
The author tells the story brilliantly while taking the characters through childhood till the tragic end. A reader holds out hope right along with Cal that his “Lenore” isn't gone forever.
This story had action, poetry, some fantastic twists, and some really steamy scenes.
Kudos to M.K. Schiller. This is indeed a well written book that will have readers hanging on edge their entire read!
February 3, 2014
4.5 'I'll Wait For You Forever' Stars!
Wow, another hit my MK Schiller! I have been glomming her short back-list since reading The Do-Over last week, and this was another great read. But unlike her other two books which were solid romance comedies, A GIRL BY ANY OTHER NAME surprised me since I would classify it as a romance suspense with a deeper and more serious storyline. Personally, I think it really shows the range that this talented author is capable of writing.
A GIRL BY ANY OTHER NAME explores the tender and undying love between Cal and Sylvia that began at the age of ten. Their story unfolds with many back-flashes to their youth, and back again to present time. I am not always a fan of the back and forth timeline, but in this case I believed it really enhanced the overall story.
Sylvia is the proverbial girl-next-door, and a bit odd. Her father and her moved next door to Cal's family when she was just ten, shortly after her mother passed away. In time their friendship turned into a first love, but not without challenges from school buddies and family members. At age 16 she disappears from his life, believed to dead, but Cal can't accept it. He knows her too well, and while he hasn't a clue where she is or why she would disappear, it sends him on a life long journey to find her. (I won't lie, I cried buckets at this part of the book!!)
Present day is ten years after her disappearance, where Cal is an instructor at a community college in Portland, Oregon. What unfolds in the later half of the book reveals answers to a lot of questions we had in the first half, and FINALLY we get a reunion that made my heart sing! It was steamy HOT too!! But danger still lurks, and revealing her secret can be the most dangerous thing for all of them.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, even the second half. I agree with other reviewers that is took a turn at that point of the story, but mostly because we lost the back-flashes which worked so well in the first half. I really missed the connection between past and present times. But I loved getting to see these two together again FINALLY, and with a chance for real happiness. I didn't always like Cal's possessiveness, but I understood it. It was a great read, looking forward to more by this author.
I would highly recommend this to fans of sexy steamy romance suspense stories.
August 9, 2016
2.5 stars
Such a disappointment...
The first half was really good. It was a bit angsty. I shed some tears and giggled quite a few times. Got so connected with them. Loved the flashbacks more than the present. The MCs were even more mature back then. The main reason I kept reading though was I wanted to find out the heroine's secret. She's such an aloof, but likeable characterback then
. The moment I found out what it was, I rolled my eyes. But it's still okay 'cuz I loved the drama.
So it’s there on the blurb that she “died” or so he was told, right? The incidents prior, during, and after that, were actually one of the climactic parts of the story. No matter what they told him, he felt deep in his heart that she’s still alive. Oh my! Tears kept on flowing during those times. It was just heartbreaking…
Moving on to the present time… He’s now an instructor teaching literature or something like that in a community college. And he’s still searching for his “Lenore”. It’s a poem (I think) written by Edgar Allan Poe.I could already see the similarities with Gabriel’s Inferno, especially when they kept on quoting classic authors.
Then, one day, he had this new student named Sophie Becker, which reminded him so much of his bff, Sylvie. Sylvie “died” when they were 16. Would facial features change so much from 16 to 25? Hmmm… 16 to 25?! Nothing would change much! Even when you'd reach 30! People just looked older, but no drastic difference, unless you went through aesthetic enhancements. So that's what I thought, that maybe, Sophie underwent plastic surgery? But she did not! Then, why was he still skeptical about her?... IMO, the story went downhill from there…
The last half of the story was ridiculous! The revelation fell so flat! It felt like they’re just at a high school reunion reminiscing the past. That’s not the right reaction! This was Sylvie, the bff, who others thought were dead and the one he’d been searching for the whole time!
After the reminiscing/sharing/talking, all they did was sexing! Sex, sex, and more sex. It’s fine as long as the scenes were hot… But they’re not! Not at all! The connection was lost! These were not the same people back then. They became too shallow for me. Oh yes! Some things had happened indeed... and some *eye rolling*from me
had happened as well…
To sum it up, it was okay. I enjoyed their younger years. But that's about it...
Such a disappointment...
The first half was really good. It was a bit angsty. I shed some tears and giggled quite a few times. Got so connected with them. Loved the flashbacks more than the present. The MCs were even more mature back then. The main reason I kept reading though was I wanted to find out the heroine's secret. She's such an aloof, but likeable character
So it’s there on the blurb that she “died” or so he was told, right? The incidents prior, during, and after that, were actually one of the climactic parts of the story. No matter what they told him, he felt deep in his heart that she’s still alive. Oh my! Tears kept on flowing during those times. It was just heartbreaking…
Moving on to the present time… He’s now an instructor teaching literature or something like that in a community college. And he’s still searching for his “Lenore”. It’s a poem (I think) written by Edgar Allan Poe.
Then, one day, he had this new student named Sophie Becker, which reminded him so much of his bff, Sylvie. Sylvie “died” when they were 16. Would facial features change so much from 16 to 25? Hmmm… 16 to 25?! Nothing would change much! Even when you'd reach 30! People just looked older, but no drastic difference, unless you went through aesthetic enhancements. So that's what I thought, that maybe, Sophie underwent plastic surgery? But she did not! Then, why was he still skeptical about her?... IMO, the story went downhill from there…
The last half of the story was ridiculous! The revelation fell so flat! It felt like they’re just at a high school reunion reminiscing the past. That’s not the right reaction! This was Sylvie, the bff, who others thought were dead and the one he’d been searching for the whole time!
After the reminiscing/sharing/talking, all they did was sexing! Sex, sex, and more sex. It’s fine as long as the scenes were hot… But they’re not! Not at all! The connection was lost! These were not the same people back then. They became too shallow for me. Oh yes! Some things had happened indeed... and some *eye rolling*
To sum it up, it was okay. I enjoyed their younger years. But that's about it...
January 13, 2014
3.5-4 stars
So... I think when I read this book I was suffering with a case of : I can't get over my Professor Dean so naturally I wasn't really interested.
This book was sweet- Caleb Tanner loved one person his whole life... His best friend, his next door neighbor Sylvie Cranston.
They're everything to each other but Sylvie never have into her feelings....
But she always had Cal's heart....
One day Sylvie is taken away and Cal is told she's dead. But Cal knows in his heart she's not....
And he will spend eternity waiting for her or looking for her....
Until she finds him first....
Years later....
Things Cal could never imagine are the answers to all his questions but now that he knows, he will do everything in his power not to loose her this time...
The story has scenes from the present and past which is insightful and has a good story line....
January 2, 2014
4.5 stars!
Loved this story! It kept me intrigued throughout the whole book and had an overall great storyline.
This book tells a past and a present story that somewhat come together. Caleb Tanner has written a book named Raven Girl based off experiences with his childhood love, Sylvie Cranston who was taken from him as a teenager. The book goes between excerpts from "Raven Girl" and his present life.
They first met at the age of 10 when he thinks she is the weird girl who moves in next door. Over time their friendship develops as well as a place in Caleb's heart for Sylvie. Sylvie refuses to go out with Caleb though, no matter how hard he persists so they remain best friends.
"Because it doesn’t matter what we call ourselves. We belong to each other."
Sylvie is taken from Caleb through tragic circumstances and her memory haunts him as his "Lenore" because he cannot come to terms with her death.
Fast forward nine years, good ole country boy Caleb is now an instructor for an English class in Portland, Oregon and still haunted by the memory of Sylvie.
He is teaching a class when student, Sophie Becker, comes in and he feels like she is Sylvie. She looks just like what he expected her to look like, but its been years and Sylvie is dead. Or is she...Does he risk approaching her and seeming like a crazy person? Or just try to move on with his life like his family wants him to do?
"She looked so much like Sylvie, but different too. I was mesmerised"
When I got to the twist in the story, I was floored.
I will say I also enjoyed all the supporting characters as well. Their details helped tell the story. My only complaint about this book is its supposed to be set in the U.S. but its obvious MK Schiller is British since we see words such as favourite, colour, neighbour, recognise as opposed to using the U.S. spellings favorite, color, neighbor, recognize.
ARC provided for honest review.
Loved this story! It kept me intrigued throughout the whole book and had an overall great storyline.
This book tells a past and a present story that somewhat come together. Caleb Tanner has written a book named Raven Girl based off experiences with his childhood love, Sylvie Cranston who was taken from him as a teenager. The book goes between excerpts from "Raven Girl" and his present life.
They first met at the age of 10 when he thinks she is the weird girl who moves in next door. Over time their friendship develops as well as a place in Caleb's heart for Sylvie. Sylvie refuses to go out with Caleb though, no matter how hard he persists so they remain best friends.
"Because it doesn’t matter what we call ourselves. We belong to each other."
Sylvie is taken from Caleb through tragic circumstances and her memory haunts him as his "Lenore" because he cannot come to terms with her death.
Fast forward nine years, good ole country boy Caleb is now an instructor for an English class in Portland, Oregon and still haunted by the memory of Sylvie.
He is teaching a class when student, Sophie Becker, comes in and he feels like she is Sylvie. She looks just like what he expected her to look like, but its been years and Sylvie is dead. Or is she...Does he risk approaching her and seeming like a crazy person? Or just try to move on with his life like his family wants him to do?
"She looked so much like Sylvie, but different too. I was mesmerised"
When I got to the twist in the story, I was floored.
I will say I also enjoyed all the supporting characters as well. Their details helped tell the story. My only complaint about this book is its supposed to be set in the U.S. but its obvious MK Schiller is British since we see words such as favourite, colour, neighbour, recognise as opposed to using the U.S. spellings favorite, color, neighbor, recognize.
ARC provided for honest review.
August 10, 2019
𝓤𝓷𝓯𝓸𝓻𝓽𝓾𝓷𝓪𝓽𝓮𝓵𝔂 this book was very "meh" for me. 😪 The first half 🅙🅤🅜🅟🅔🅓 from past to present too much. 🙈 Then the 𝕣𝕖𝕦𝕟𝕚𝕠𝕟 happened 🆆🅰🆈 too easily, and from there basically ₦Ø₮Ⱨł₦₲ much happened until the very 𝓹𝓻𝓮𝓭𝓲𝓬𝓽𝓪𝓫𝓵𝓮 ending. 🙈 I also didn't see any need for the f-¢к вυ∂∂у inclusion of Molly. 🔪 That was the very definition of 🅿🅾🅸🅽🆃🅻🅴🆂🆂 OW drama...sigh. 👎
January 14, 2014
I feel like I'm on a roll here--finding new to me authors and completely enjoying their work! This book was no exception and I loved it. Sylvie Cranston moves to Prairie Marsh, Texas, next door to Cal Tanner. They're both 10, and over the next Several years grow from reluctant friend to best friends to friends in love. At 16, things between Cal and Sylvie have reached a precipice: he wants more, she does too but won't give in. Why?? But then tragedy strikes and Cal is left searching for the one girl that will always be his ONE.
They say she was killed. They tell him to abandon his misguided plight, to move on with his life. But Cal will never move on, never forget Sylvie because he simply believes she never died. Fast forward to present day: Cal is 25 and working as an instructor at a community college in Portland, Oregon. He teaches literature and enjoys his job but has never gotten over Sylvie. His relationships with women weigh heavy on the physical but nil on the emotional. Until Sophie Becker walks into his classroom and his whole world turns upside down.
This book was so sweet and tender at times. It was told from Cal's POV for the most part and jumped between past and present. When Sylvie disappeared from Cal's life I felt his pain acutely. He was hell-bent on finding answers and refusing to give in to the belief that she was gone. I was moved by his commitment to finding her and couldn't believe what he went through. When he finally confronts Sophie I wanted to cry happy tears! It was so beautiful, so touching.
But this isn't all butterflies and roses. There is a danger out there lurking, waiting, hoping to flush Sophie out. She's reluctant to fully commit to Cal and there were points she frustrated me like crazy! Cal finally finds what his heart has been looking for and he literally jumps head first into making up lost time. But Sylvie is scared and I understood that, but was still irritated that she couldn't see past her restraints. It might not make sense reading this but after reading the book you'll understand.
The big plot twist towards the end BLEW ME AWAY! When I say unexpected, I'm not exaggerating. There was no way you could have anticipated what happened. It was genius. Left my mouth hanging wide open! The epilogue was beautiful and I wanted to cry happy tears again. Cal was a southern gentleman to the extreme. He was smart, loving, loyal and incredibly passionate. There were some seriously steamy scenes here too.
This was a beautiful and heartwarming story about the power of love, listening to your heart when everyone else doubts it and the beauty of second chances. I am definitely reading the rest of this author work.
Standalone.
They say she was killed. They tell him to abandon his misguided plight, to move on with his life. But Cal will never move on, never forget Sylvie because he simply believes she never died. Fast forward to present day: Cal is 25 and working as an instructor at a community college in Portland, Oregon. He teaches literature and enjoys his job but has never gotten over Sylvie. His relationships with women weigh heavy on the physical but nil on the emotional. Until Sophie Becker walks into his classroom and his whole world turns upside down.
This book was so sweet and tender at times. It was told from Cal's POV for the most part and jumped between past and present. When Sylvie disappeared from Cal's life I felt his pain acutely. He was hell-bent on finding answers and refusing to give in to the belief that she was gone. I was moved by his commitment to finding her and couldn't believe what he went through. When he finally confronts Sophie I wanted to cry happy tears! It was so beautiful, so touching.
But this isn't all butterflies and roses. There is a danger out there lurking, waiting, hoping to flush Sophie out. She's reluctant to fully commit to Cal and there were points she frustrated me like crazy! Cal finally finds what his heart has been looking for and he literally jumps head first into making up lost time. But Sylvie is scared and I understood that, but was still irritated that she couldn't see past her restraints. It might not make sense reading this but after reading the book you'll understand.
The big plot twist towards the end BLEW ME AWAY! When I say unexpected, I'm not exaggerating. There was no way you could have anticipated what happened. It was genius. Left my mouth hanging wide open! The epilogue was beautiful and I wanted to cry happy tears again. Cal was a southern gentleman to the extreme. He was smart, loving, loyal and incredibly passionate. There were some seriously steamy scenes here too.
This was a beautiful and heartwarming story about the power of love, listening to your heart when everyone else doubts it and the beauty of second chances. I am definitely reading the rest of this author work.
Standalone.
August 10, 2016
4.5 Stars
I loved A Girl By Any Other Name! I read it in less than one day only putting it down so I could sleep.
The story begins by taking us back to the past where Caleb and Sylvie first meet at ten years of age. Their story seamlessly drifts back and forth from present to past, establishing the intense and profound love between these two.
Sylvie Cranston moves with her father next door to Caleb Tanner in Prairie Marsh, Texas after her mother dies. Caleb and Sylvie get off to a less than good start all the while cracking me up in the process. Over time though, these two become very important to each other, and close even though Sylvie is definitely hiding something. Their friendship gradually turns into something more as the years pass, although Sylvie seems to keep Cal at arm’s length when he clearly wants so much more. The danger Sylvie has been hiding from abruptly crashes into their lives, and Sylvie dies in the process.
Cal can’t accept this. In his heart he knows Sylvie is still alive. He goes on with his life, barely, all the while looking for her and never giving up. Ten years pass but the memory of Sylvie is never out of Cal’s mind, his love for her haunting him, making it impossible to ever have a meaningful relationship.
This all changes when Sophie Becker enrolls in his college English class. Cal believes her to be Sylvie, but she denies his claims. Sophie has another thing coming if she thinks Cal will just give up, though.
Oh I just loved this story so much! The gradual friendship built between Cal and Sylvie when they were young was so very sweet and wistful! I just love a Southern gentleman and Cal’s momma raised this boy right! I adored the way he stuck up for others, not only Sylvie but his little sister and mother as well. The relationship with his little sister in the beginning cracked me up so much; all his internal thoughts were hilarious! This story is told primarily in Cal’s POV and I loved being his very male mind.
Cal in the present is very much possessive and protective, and who could blame him? The romance was wickedly HOT! Fiery passion that comes from intense longing and emotional connection! Oh, man I fell so hard for Cal! Yet, issues from the past still lurk and shadow the present brightness.
It’s hard to write a review without spoiling things but I think the blurb makes it clear what is happening here. That doesn’t mean you won’t be glued to your e-reader trying to piece everything together because so much is still a mystery. I did wonder a couple of times why Cal didn’t piece some of this together a little sooner, but that didn’t dampen my reading pleasure at all.
I can’t recommend this story more! M.K. Schiller’s addictive writing stirred up so many emotions! This is a story of undying love and longing, heartbreak and tragedy, but also filled with witty humor, and seriously hot scenes! A Girl By Any Other Name will have you sighing in satisfaction, and your heart soaring from the high!
I loved A Girl By Any Other Name! I read it in less than one day only putting it down so I could sleep.
The story begins by taking us back to the past where Caleb and Sylvie first meet at ten years of age. Their story seamlessly drifts back and forth from present to past, establishing the intense and profound love between these two.
Sylvie Cranston moves with her father next door to Caleb Tanner in Prairie Marsh, Texas after her mother dies. Caleb and Sylvie get off to a less than good start all the while cracking me up in the process. Over time though, these two become very important to each other, and close even though Sylvie is definitely hiding something. Their friendship gradually turns into something more as the years pass, although Sylvie seems to keep Cal at arm’s length when he clearly wants so much more. The danger Sylvie has been hiding from abruptly crashes into their lives, and Sylvie dies in the process.
Cal can’t accept this. In his heart he knows Sylvie is still alive. He goes on with his life, barely, all the while looking for her and never giving up. Ten years pass but the memory of Sylvie is never out of Cal’s mind, his love for her haunting him, making it impossible to ever have a meaningful relationship.
This all changes when Sophie Becker enrolls in his college English class. Cal believes her to be Sylvie, but she denies his claims. Sophie has another thing coming if she thinks Cal will just give up, though.
Oh I just loved this story so much! The gradual friendship built between Cal and Sylvie when they were young was so very sweet and wistful! I just love a Southern gentleman and Cal’s momma raised this boy right! I adored the way he stuck up for others, not only Sylvie but his little sister and mother as well. The relationship with his little sister in the beginning cracked me up so much; all his internal thoughts were hilarious! This story is told primarily in Cal’s POV and I loved being his very male mind.
Cal in the present is very much possessive and protective, and who could blame him? The romance was wickedly HOT! Fiery passion that comes from intense longing and emotional connection! Oh, man I fell so hard for Cal! Yet, issues from the past still lurk and shadow the present brightness.
It’s hard to write a review without spoiling things but I think the blurb makes it clear what is happening here. That doesn’t mean you won’t be glued to your e-reader trying to piece everything together because so much is still a mystery. I did wonder a couple of times why Cal didn’t piece some of this together a little sooner, but that didn’t dampen my reading pleasure at all.
I can’t recommend this story more! M.K. Schiller’s addictive writing stirred up so many emotions! This is a story of undying love and longing, heartbreak and tragedy, but also filled with witty humor, and seriously hot scenes! A Girl By Any Other Name will have you sighing in satisfaction, and your heart soaring from the high!
August 10, 2016
What I Liked:
1. Told 99% in Cal's POV
2. Flashbacks
3. Poem in the epilogue
4. Cal's family
5. Prayer talk was cute and funny
6. Period scene cracked me up
7. Quite a few scenes had me tearing up
8. Sylvie and Cal's connection with each other
9. A little bit of mystery and crime laced in to the story.
10. Trying to guess the big secret (luckily it was in my top 3 guesses).
11. The little twist towards the ending chapters (should have been an obvious duh once I looked back at the evidence).
12. Steam (Cal sure isn't 16 anymore that's for sure with these scenes. Who knew he was a little bossy and dirty.)
13. Has Oregon for its location
1. Told 99% in Cal's POV
2. Flashbacks
3. Poem in the epilogue
4. Cal's family
5. Prayer talk was cute and funny
6. Period scene cracked me up
7. Quite a few scenes had me tearing up
8. Sylvie and Cal's connection with each other
9. A little bit of mystery and crime laced in to the story.
10. Trying to guess the big secret (luckily it was in my top 3 guesses).
11. The little twist towards the ending chapters (should have been an obvious duh once I looked back at the evidence).
12. Steam (Cal sure isn't 16 anymore that's for sure with these scenes. Who knew he was a little bossy and dirty.)
13. Has Oregon for its location
January 28, 2014
This ended up being an excellent book. so far I think it is the best I have read this year. A must read for a unique story.
March 4, 2016
Wow this book Blew me Away ! What a beautiful love story! Caleb & Sylvie were perfect together! This book put me on my toes throughout the whole book .. What can i say about Caleb ? I adored him!! he was the perfect Book Boyfriend! :)
March 30, 2021
I love childhood to adult romances. So when I picked this up I was really enjoying it. Then the typos started. Then a bit more toxic masculinity than is my taste, but I thought "since some of my trusted friends enjoyed it, I'll keep going."
When I actually checked back on Goodreads I'm finding my friends rated this as mediocre. Which is probably because they are more generous than me.
I won't be reading this author again.
When I actually checked back on Goodreads I'm finding my friends rated this as mediocre. Which is probably because they are more generous than me.
I won't be reading this author again.
February 1, 2014
2.5 stars
Review to come. Maybe. I'm not sure. Actually, I have no idea what my thoughts are exactly, despite the fact that I hoped for more, so 2.5 stars for intersting idea for a story. How bad the potential it held wasn't used 100%.
Review to come. Maybe. I'm not sure. Actually, I have no idea what my thoughts are exactly, despite the fact that I hoped for more, so 2.5 stars for intersting idea for a story. How bad the potential it held wasn't used 100%.
dnf
May 21, 2018So he believes she’s still alive, but has sex with other girls?? (no romance though because that would be wrong!!)
He also hangs out with ex fuck buddys and gives them hope??? He also made out with other girls when they were younger pretending they were the h. No thanks :) if he actually believed she was dead and was trying to move on that would be different, but he doesn’t so DNF
He also hangs out with ex fuck buddys and gives them hope??? He also made out with other girls when they were younger pretending they were the h. No thanks :) if he actually believed she was dead and was trying to move on that would be different, but he doesn’t so DNF
January 13, 2018
2.5 DNF stars
The first half is AWESOME.
Then it's just... utterly RIDICULOUS.
So disappointed.
The first half is AWESOME.
Then it's just... utterly RIDICULOUS.
So disappointed.
April 30, 2022
could've really loved it if not for the casual misogyny.
January 30, 2014
Dude, sweet little Caleb was hot as hell!!!
I loved reading their friendship when they were younger. They were super sweet. Caleb knew she was his soul mate and never lost faith.
I really enjoyed everything about this book. Every emotion was in play the entire book. I only had one issue and that was Joe. It was a bit creepy for me. So in my head I skipped right over it...lol
Great read! Everyone should pick this one up.
I loved reading their friendship when they were younger. They were super sweet. Caleb knew she was his soul mate and never lost faith.
I really enjoyed everything about this book. Every emotion was in play the entire book. I only had one issue and that was Joe. It was a bit creepy for me. So in my head I skipped right over it...lol
Great read! Everyone should pick this one up.
December 19, 2013
I loved this book! I absolutely adored the main character, Caleb. He was so sweet and caring but also alpha - very hot! There were some pretty hot scenes in this book as well. The suspense was played out very well and kept me guessing throughout. Highly recommend!!
January 1, 2014
Loved it. Laughed at it. And swooned over Caleb. Review to come
August 30, 2019
Such an amazing book with so many twists and turns that I did not see coming!!! I thought I knew where the author was taking us BUT I was so wrong and couldn't be happier.
I appreciated Ms. Schiller giving us the past because it helped me to see how Caleb (Cal) & Sylvie's friendship/relationship developed. Her first encounter with Cal and his sister Mandy had me laughing- goodness gracious, Cal was a hoot. Sylvie was a puzzle that really made me pay close attention to see if I could figure her out and see what secrets she was hiding. Cal was a southern gentleman and I could see why girls fell for him <3 This might sound cliché but they were they ying to their yang.
Be prepared to get lost and loose track of the time when you start reading because it will capture your attention and you'll want to finish it at any cost. Thank you for such an amazing read Ms. Schiller and I'm looking forward to what you'll give us next time. Kara~5 Stars
I appreciated Ms. Schiller giving us the past because it helped me to see how Caleb (Cal) & Sylvie's friendship/relationship developed. Her first encounter with Cal and his sister Mandy had me laughing- goodness gracious, Cal was a hoot. Sylvie was a puzzle that really made me pay close attention to see if I could figure her out and see what secrets she was hiding. Cal was a southern gentleman and I could see why girls fell for him <3 This might sound cliché but they were they ying to their yang.
Be prepared to get lost and loose track of the time when you start reading because it will capture your attention and you'll want to finish it at any cost. Thank you for such an amazing read Ms. Schiller and I'm looking forward to what you'll give us next time. Kara~5 Stars
February 2, 2014
This was so good!!! The story flashes back and forth between when Cal and Sylvie were kids to present day. I loved the flash backs, watching Cal and Sylvie become best friends and more. This was a great story of first love and soul mates, with mystery mixed in. I can't say much because I don't want to give anything away buy everyone must check this book out.
July 26, 2019
I really enjoyed the first part of the book up until the big reveal. When you find out the secret it was pretty anticlimactic. After that, it kind of went downhill and became really boring and nothing really happens. And then there was the unoriginal ending that’s been done a million times before.
Meh
Meh
February 9, 2014
4 stars!
In this book we meet Sylvie and Caleb as ten year old kids ... she moved with her father next door to Caleb and his family ... As time goes by they become best friends, and as they grow up they fell in love ...
Sylvie didn't hang up with anybody, except Caleb and his little sister ... she was kind a weirdo to other people ...
He wanted to be in relationship with her, but she always refuses ... Caleb didn't understand why ... everything about Sylvie was still a mystery to him, although they know each other so long now ...
Then one day when she finally admits to have feelings for him, tragedy happens, which will turn upside down their lives ... she dies, and he doesn't want to accept that ... Every day he struggles to live his life ... he also is trying to find her ... everybody thinks he's crazy...
After ten years has passed we found Caleb is a literature teacher in college ... and among his students he sees a woman so much a like his beloved Sylvie ... but her name is Sophie ... It can not be her , or can?
You saved me in every way a person can be saved. You gave me courage and strength when I needed it the most. You were a friend when I had no one. You became my family and made me yours the day you slept on my floor when I was twelve and I have loved you since that day. You weren't my reason for almost dying. You are my reason for living.
The writing is very good ... and the story is told in present and past time ... I really enjoyed it ... big like!
In this book we meet Sylvie and Caleb as ten year old kids ... she moved with her father next door to Caleb and his family ... As time goes by they become best friends, and as they grow up they fell in love ...
Sylvie didn't hang up with anybody, except Caleb and his little sister ... she was kind a weirdo to other people ...
He wanted to be in relationship with her, but she always refuses ... Caleb didn't understand why ... everything about Sylvie was still a mystery to him, although they know each other so long now ...
Then one day when she finally admits to have feelings for him, tragedy happens, which will turn upside down their lives ... she dies, and he doesn't want to accept that ... Every day he struggles to live his life ... he also is trying to find her ... everybody thinks he's crazy...
After ten years has passed we found Caleb is a literature teacher in college ... and among his students he sees a woman so much a like his beloved Sylvie ... but her name is Sophie ... It can not be her , or can?
You saved me in every way a person can be saved. You gave me courage and strength when I needed it the most. You were a friend when I had no one. You became my family and made me yours the day you slept on my floor when I was twelve and I have loved you since that day. You weren't my reason for almost dying. You are my reason for living.
The writing is very good ... and the story is told in present and past time ... I really enjoyed it ... big like!
April 1, 2014
5 Raven Stars!!!
Wow!!! This book came out of nowhere for me! I came across it on a friend's blog and read the blurb and was instantly hooked! I had to read it right away and I am SOO glad I did! I loved it, start to finish!
Book hangover ensuing immediately! :( Oh, I want more Caleb and Sylvie, Gabbie, Sophie...LOL!!!
There was something very endearing about the way Caleb and Sylvie's friendship built. It made my heart squeeze. They had that beautiful quality of being able to be light and carefree one moment and then delivering a line that just really hit your in the heart the next.
"It doesn't matter if you're behind a locked door under the covers or walking around in the middle of the night. If something's gonna get you, it'll get you no matter what." - Sylvie
"...it doesn't matter what we call ourselves. We belong to each other." - Caleb
I love when an author ties everything together in the end, like this. I have found a great new author to be a fan of!
Wow!!! This book came out of nowhere for me! I came across it on a friend's blog and read the blurb and was instantly hooked! I had to read it right away and I am SOO glad I did! I loved it, start to finish!
Book hangover ensuing immediately! :( Oh, I want more Caleb and Sylvie, Gabbie, Sophie...LOL!!!
There was something very endearing about the way Caleb and Sylvie's friendship built. It made my heart squeeze. They had that beautiful quality of being able to be light and carefree one moment and then delivering a line that just really hit your in the heart the next.
"It doesn't matter if you're behind a locked door under the covers or walking around in the middle of the night. If something's gonna get you, it'll get you no matter what." - Sylvie
"...it doesn't matter what we call ourselves. We belong to each other." - Caleb
I love when an author ties everything together in the end, like this. I have found a great new author to be a fan of!
January 19, 2014
4.5 stars
A Girl by Any Other Name is a hidden jem. I didn't hear any of my favorite bloggers rave about it and decided to move it up my reading list just because. A few hours later, at 2 am to be specific, all I was thinking was, darn, I have to get my sister to read it. And my daughter. And of course, some of my GR friends I share passion for romantic suspence with. Because I loved the precision this book was chiseled with. And I laughed so many times. Every character in the story was developed nicely, both main and supporting cast. The sexual scenes were actually steamy (which is fresh for me, considering how I tend to skip those lately as they all seem to be written using the same master template).
My favorite parts are the three shopping adventures of Sylvie and Cal, from pads to condoms and finally, pregnancy tests. Funny and sweet, their relationship never crossed the border to turn cheesy - kudos to M.K. Schiller for that.
I loved following Sylvie and Cal's story and look forward to reading more books by this author.
A Girl by Any Other Name is a hidden jem. I didn't hear any of my favorite bloggers rave about it and decided to move it up my reading list just because. A few hours later, at 2 am to be specific, all I was thinking was, darn, I have to get my sister to read it. And my daughter. And of course, some of my GR friends I share passion for romantic suspence with. Because I loved the precision this book was chiseled with. And I laughed so many times. Every character in the story was developed nicely, both main and supporting cast. The sexual scenes were actually steamy (which is fresh for me, considering how I tend to skip those lately as they all seem to be written using the same master template).
My favorite parts are the three shopping adventures of Sylvie and Cal, from pads to condoms and finally, pregnancy tests. Funny and sweet, their relationship never crossed the border to turn cheesy - kudos to M.K. Schiller for that.
I loved following Sylvie and Cal's story and look forward to reading more books by this author.
August 18, 2017
2 1/2 Stars.
Loved the first half the book. It flowed well and pulled me in. I liked where it was heading. The second half just felt like a completely different story. Turned into a corn ball soap opera and I barely made it through to the end. Second half Hero was way too Alpha that it was annoying and I really started to dislike him. Plus there was a lot of double standards. Second half Heroine did a complete 180 from the first half.
Loved the first half the book. It flowed well and pulled me in. I liked where it was heading. The second half just felt like a completely different story. Turned into a corn ball soap opera and I barely made it through to the end. Second half Hero was way too Alpha that it was annoying and I really started to dislike him. Plus there was a lot of double standards. Second half Heroine did a complete 180 from the first half.
February 5, 2014
Wonderfully crafted and fully engrossing!
A delightful trip on the tangled path of true love. Caleb and Sylvie is simply fabulous.
Ms. Schiller is a must-read author…her stories are always full of emotional situations, lovable characters, and brilliant story lines.
A delightful trip on the tangled path of true love. Caleb and Sylvie is simply fabulous.
Ms. Schiller is a must-read author…her stories are always full of emotional situations, lovable characters, and brilliant story lines.
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