Time for Cherries

by Camille Labanca

* THIS NEW ADULT NOVELLA CONTAINS MATURE CONTENT AND IS NOT INTENDED FOR THOSE UNDER 18 YEARS OLD *

Life wasn't subtle with Melissa, and the secret that she keeps is the same that kills her. When she enter into a prestigious university in Rio de Janeiro to attend a journalism course, she meets Lucas. He soon establishes a goal: get to know her better ― to the point of finding out all the details that scare, animate and make her who she is. If Melissa will be ready to let him go, well, that's another question ... And nobody said he gives up easily.

Genres: New Adult

40 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 28, 2014

Reviews

[Jordan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I recieved this book from the author for free for an honest review.

I never though such a short novella could make me cry as much as this one did. Melissa was a really well developed character and I really felt emotions for her, through everything she went through. A lot of this novella reminded me of 'Easy' with the situation and the name, but it was a good book regardless and had is unique points that gave it the 4 stars it deserves. I read this in 10 minutes because I was so caught up in the story. I definitely want a Lucas for my own now!

[Francielle De Oliveira · Rating 5 out of 5]

Esta novela foi escrita pela querida Camille, do Projeto Beletristas. Tive a honra de ler o livro a pedido da Camille, antes do lançamento, e não posso expressar minha felicidade, quando ela me pediu para lê-lo. Mille, muito obrigada pela confiança, amiga! Em "Tempo de Cerejas", temos a história de Melissa, uma jovem estudante que, aos 15 anos, passou por uma das piores experiências que uma adolescente pode passar, e isso deixou uma marca profunda nela. Anos mais tarde, ela conseguiu realizar um sonho: entrar na UFRJ (Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro), no curso de jornalismo. Ela tem que abrir mão de algumas coisas, mas tudo por seu sonho. Na faculdade ela conhece Lucas, uma pessoa que pode ajudá-la a curar suas cicatrizes do passado, mas não é algo tão simples assim...

"Sentiu dor, muita dor, que não a abandonou como todos falavam que ia abandonar (...) Foi embora quando se viu livre, quebrada de formas que não conseguiria descrever. Passou minutos no banho, tentando tirar as sensações do corpo, mas só conseguiu sentir nojo. Nojo de si mesma (...) Nojo de si mesma, por não ter sido mais forte."

"Tempo de Cerejas" me pegou de surpresa, e foi me conquistando à cada linha. A história criada pela Camille é uma história aparentemente simples - e por ser uma novela, que é menor que um livro, pode parecer ainda mais simples. Mas a beleza da novela da Camille está na narrativa, no modo como ela conseguiu nos passar os sentimentos dos personagens: suas angústias, seus medos, seus desejos. Já no prólogo percebemos essa qualidade da autora, o prólogo é intenso, e nós, leitores, sentimos isso com clareza. É uma cena bastante forte, mas escrita com suavidade, onde a descrição emocional é mais importante e impactante do que a descrição física. Melissa é uma personagem bem interessante, mas sofre muito devido ao que aconteceu no seu passado, e conseguimos sentir isso muito bem, através das palavras da Camille. Os personagens foram bem desenvolvidos. Mesmo sendo uma novela, ou seja, tem um tamanho um pouco menor e as coisas devem acontecer com uma velocidade maior, tanto os personagens, quanto a história, tiveram um bom desenvolvimento, e não senti que 'faltou' nada.

"E esperou, tendo a certeza de que ele logo inventaria uma desculpa e iria embora. Quase queria que ele fizesse exatamente isso, para provar a si mesma que estava quebrada e ninguém, ninguém iria concertá-la. Nem ela mesma."

"Tempo de cerejas" não é simplesmente um romance: é sobre amor, aceitação, superação. É uma história com um amor tão sincero, tão puro. É muito bonito ver como os personagens - principalmente a Melissa - vão evoluindo com o passar da história, o como o relacionamento com Lucas a ajuda a crescer e conseguir viver com as cicatrizes do seu passado. O romance é lindo, doce, mas também é bastante sexy e tão palpável. O casal tinha uma grande naturalidade, não como se a Camille os tivesse criado, mas como se eles fossem reais. Confesso que - talvez por ser apaixonaaaada por romances, gostaria de um pouco mais daquelas cenas românticas, mas acredito que isso venha de um gosto pessoal por cenas de romance, e não diminuiu em nada o quanto gostei a novela. A autora também soube inserir comicidade em certos momentos, que trouxe um clima mais leve para a história. Também teve um plot twist totalmente inesperado, que contribuiu muito para a história! Foi o primeiro trabalho que li da Camille e com certeza lerei mais do que ela escrever.

"― Consegue. Você é forte, Mel. Muito mais do que consegue ver. Mas eu vejo, e eu sei que você consegue ― disse, beijando delicadamente seu pescoço. ― Ainda assim, não precisa fazer isso sozinha. Se quiser, estarei com você. Vamos resolver isso juntos."


PS: a Camille inseriu trechos de músicas entre os capítulos, que ficaram sensacionais, se relacionam muito bem com a história e são de músicas maravilhosas, como esse de Demons do Imagine Dragons:
"When your dreams all fail
And the ones we hail
Are the worst of all
And the blood's run stale"

4.5/5

Love always,
Francielle

http://www.theserialreader.com/2014/0...

[Ellie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book from the author for free in exchange for an honest review. Thank you so much!

Time for Cherries is a story of a young woman's struggle to find worth in her damaged self. It tells the story of Melissa, a rape victim who, ever since then, has blamed herself for what has happened to her. She then applies herself to so many things, can't allow herself to be distracted to the point that she doesn't allow herself to be uprooted from her carefully planned university life in Rio.

There she meets the guy who might just save her from the torment of her nightmares and show her that her deep-seated fears are none of her fault at all but it could very well be the way to fixing her somehow. Lucas is a perfect example of a guy that Melissa needs in her life.

After their intimate encounter, something I didn't expect but it was sweet nonetheless, the person who Melissa fears the most shows up. Finally, she has the chance to undo her fears and Lucas is just the guy to help her through that. At one point It got a little frustrating for me, because none of this really was Melissa's fault. Victim-blaming is a big deal for me and it was really hard to hear her justify what happened to her like she asked for it.

All in all, it was a short but lovely, uplifting read towards the end. I just wished the translation I was provided with was more descriptive and that there was more to it.

[Leylan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was given this book for free by the author on goodreads for an honest review. Overall it is a pretty short and sweet story. The only drawback is that the translation is quite literal. Sometimes it does not make sense or ends up being comical. As taking someone to the "toilet" to fix a cut. However, in my case it helped a lot that I know Spanish and could decipher what was meant. Due to the translation issues it may seem like the story is too abrupt in parts.

The premise of the story is marked by positiveness after a devastating event takes place in the life of Melissa. She is living her life by a set of self imposed limitations until she meets Lucas. Lucas' love and patience is just the medicine Melissa needs to heal. I think that even though the subject matter has been written before, it contains a positive outlook for the main character. It does contain mature scenes right from the prologue.

My overall favorite aspect of the novella are the song lyrics found at the beginning of each chapter. They promote a slight preview of the chapter to come. Plus one of my favorite bands Imagine Dragons lyrics were used as well.

It was an okay book to read in one sitting.

[Elena Carrasco · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Short novella about a Girl with A lot of personal issues, her struggles and gaining the confidence to fall in love and trust.

Even so this novella is only 40 pages it transmits a powerful story. A difficult issue Rape and how she feels guilty about it and thinks it was her fault that it happened.

Is base in Rio de Janeiro where she meets Lucas a boy that will help her thru all her troubles, insecurity’s and blame issues.

The writing was off sometimes but maybe it was the translation but a great ending and a perfect love story. Let me say that is not very original story but it was very entertaining.


If you are looking for a story in between series of books you should try this book.

I gave it 3.5 stars! Due to translation and writing.

i received this book for my honest review!

[Steph Johnson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this book from the author for free for an honest review.

This is story about a young lady who has issues and having a hard time overcoming them. Also about a guy who will stop at nothing to help her move past what happen to her.

It was a short but sweet love story of overcoming fear and learning how to let someone love and take care of you.

I only gave it 3 stars because it is rather short. i know it was only an novella. But i would of loved to see this story-line play out more and not have it feel so rushed. (It took me 30 mins to read) Other then that it was a delightful story. I recommend it to anyone look for a quick read about life and love.

[monica ♪ · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is short but it's sooo good!! never thought such a short novella could be this good!
Even though it's a bit confusing (well, for me) in the beginning, but it turns into a good plot.
it's simple, to the point, but really good and sweet ♥
Despite the characters' names are lil bit difficult for me, and I'm not a fan of third person point of view novels; I really enjoyed reading this :)

thanks to the author for giving me free copy of this book. I'm glad I read it ♥

[Carrie · Rating 3 out of 5]

**I was given a copy of this novella for an honest review**

Warning this review contains spoilers proceed with caution.


Melissa is a university student, working a part time job and living with her cousin. She's never had a boyfriend, guys were the furthest thing from her mind but on the other hand they were front and center in her mind as well. Every sound, every creek keeps her on alert. She has a story, a secret that no one can know.

She was raped and like most victims, she only blames herself. And is living in fear and disgust.

Would all men be the same?
Would she ever feel safe and comfortable in the arms of one?

Then she meets Lucas. Could he be just the guy to help her over come her fears? To make her realize that she isn't to blame, and to help her heal and live again.

Time for Cherries was a quick read about rape, facing your fears and over coming them, and finally being able to move on.

Story wise I would have to give it 3.5 stars. Not overly original as many New Adult books deal with this subject matter but nonetheless still held my interest.

I do have some beef, but understandable beef. Not to be harsh, at times I felt the writing fell flat. There is definitely room for some improvement. Another issue, this story has been translated into English and some things in the writing are a little off due to said translation. Which is fine, it didn't take away from the story but I do hope for the authors sake it gets a few more sweeps through an editor/translator.

Over all it was and okay read for what it was.

[Daphne · Rating 3 out of 5]

I rate Time for Cherries 3 Stars.

Melissa is a victim of rape and regrettably believes she is at fault. She now attends the University of Rio where she meets Lucas. He is the light she currently needs to shed the darkness from the past that haunts her. After Melissa confides in Lucas he makes it his mission to show her the beauty of everything that comes with being in love.

Due to the sensitive subject I believe this Novella should have been a short story to allow more time for the conflict to develop. I needed the relationship with Lucas to be more in detail. It became unbelievable to me when they had relations especially after her ordeal because as a reader I was not convinced they were in love.

Overall, this story has potential - I liked it and applause for all the Lucas in the world.

[Crystal · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was given a copy of this book in exchange for review.

Ok.

This book would have been good but what distracted me was the translation, the author must have written this in spanish because the way the characters talked it was like a english translator.

"Stinking" I laughed more than anything, I tried to take the book serious, but the way that it is translated distracted me from it. Also it's so short, I was confused with character flow and relationship, like how long did Melissa and Lucas date for?

This would have had potential if the author worked harder on the translation and made the story stronger.

I just struggled with it.

[C. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Even though it was a short novella, I still felt like it was rushed too much, and could have been drawn out a little longer. I liked both of the main characters, especially Lucas, because of how he treated Melissa and understood what she was going through.

This is a quick read, and the love between Melissa and Lucas is cute.