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Beatless
Mallory Durham has been left behind and it is making her feel less like an adult and more like an afterthought.
Divorce, sickness, educational aspirations being shattered, and her Aunt Sam moving into her home, have made Mal's life nearly unrecognizable to her.
When Tucker Scott re-enters her life along with his band, will they offer what she needs to once again find her voice and self confidence or will it strip her of it even more?
Told through the dual voices of Mallory as she navigates her new world, and Aunt Sam's letters to her niece, Beatless tells the story of two women at very different points in their life, fighting the same battles; proving that no matter what age a person is, there are always lessons to be learned.
Divorce, sickness, educational aspirations being shattered, and her Aunt Sam moving into her home, have made Mal's life nearly unrecognizable to her.
When Tucker Scott re-enters her life along with his band, will they offer what she needs to once again find her voice and self confidence or will it strip her of it even more?
Told through the dual voices of Mallory as she navigates her new world, and Aunt Sam's letters to her niece, Beatless tells the story of two women at very different points in their life, fighting the same battles; proving that no matter what age a person is, there are always lessons to be learned.
213 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 7, 2014
24 people are currently reading
1257 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 140 reviews
March 2, 2014
Can we just start with the cover?
Isn't that the most perfect cover you've ever seen?
Judge this book by it's cover, because what's inside is just as flawless.
I finished Beatless over two weeks ago and I still think about it daily. I think about Tucker (my book husband,) Mallory (who could easily be any of us,)and Aunt Sam (I wish she were mine.) I think about how Amber, in less than 200 pages, made me love these characters like they're members of my own family.
I recently saw a comment someone made about the Amber Johnson. It said something like, Amber is a book author, a song writer, and a play writer.
It's so true.
The amount of talent she used to create the scenes she wrote inside Beatless blew my mind. Beatless is not a "musical" but it is about music. Simply and beautifully and most of all, believably. I felt the rush of what it felt like to be on stage when Tucker and Mallory were. My adrenaline flowed for them ... I could see and hear it perfectly. I wanted to go onto YouTube and watch their video! LOL.
There's the right amount of sweet moments and hurtful moments and "Just make up already!" moments. Tucker and Mallory are sexy and funny, and not at all annoying. The only time I had to put the book down while reading was when I had to fan my face, because, yeah ... Tuck is my book husband for a reason.
Don't hold on to this one for too long. If you have it, read it. If you're thinking about purchasing it, one-click now. Lock yourself in a room and read it in one day. Read it over and over.
But you can't have Tucker. Sorry. We're in love.
Isn't that the most perfect cover you've ever seen?
Judge this book by it's cover, because what's inside is just as flawless.
I finished Beatless over two weeks ago and I still think about it daily. I think about Tucker (my book husband,) Mallory (who could easily be any of us,)and Aunt Sam (I wish she were mine.) I think about how Amber, in less than 200 pages, made me love these characters like they're members of my own family.
I recently saw a comment someone made about the Amber Johnson. It said something like, Amber is a book author, a song writer, and a play writer.
It's so true.
The amount of talent she used to create the scenes she wrote inside Beatless blew my mind. Beatless is not a "musical" but it is about music. Simply and beautifully and most of all, believably. I felt the rush of what it felt like to be on stage when Tucker and Mallory were. My adrenaline flowed for them ... I could see and hear it perfectly. I wanted to go onto YouTube and watch their video! LOL.
There's the right amount of sweet moments and hurtful moments and "Just make up already!" moments. Tucker and Mallory are sexy and funny, and not at all annoying. The only time I had to put the book down while reading was when I had to fan my face, because, yeah ... Tuck is my book husband for a reason.
Don't hold on to this one for too long. If you have it, read it. If you're thinking about purchasing it, one-click now. Lock yourself in a room and read it in one day. Read it over and over.
But you can't have Tucker. Sorry. We're in love.
March 30, 2014
"Once upon a time there was a boy who didn't look at me like I was damaged. He saw all my pieces and wanted to put them together with his bare hands. As if I was worth the effort."
This story is beautiful. It has been a long time since I have cried this much while reading. This book touched me deeply and taught me many things. Such as, to live your life without regret, without trying to be what others think you should be, while hiding your true self. It also reminded me to cherish each moment, each day, each smile and interaction because truly you don't know when you it will be your last. Beatless also taught me about being happy with yourself, believing that you, yourself, are good enough without having to depend on others for your self-worth. I believe Beatless is more than a great story, it is inspiration. I devoured this book. I got very little sleep because I simply could not put it down. This is the first I have read from Amber L. Johnson, but her writing has won me. I plan to read everything she ever writes. I have to say that Aunt Sam is my favorite character in this story. Her letters and loving words of wisdom speak deeply to me and cause my mind to reflect and my heart to feel tremendous amounts of emotion. Her life saddens me beyond words, but she truly is a light and guide to her niece Mallory. Mal's journey to become the woman she wants to be is full of pain, low self-esteem, heartache, regret, self-loathing, discovery, love, forgiveness, and personal growth. Tucker shares many of the same steps in his journey. I love how this story began, progressed, and ended. There wasn't a thing I didn't savor in Beatless, especially Sam's letters which I read and reread over and over again. This book is heartbreakingly beautiful. I highly recommend it!
"Destruction is a form of creation. They want to see what happens when they tear the world apart. Teenagers today- we're losing them to apathy. But you? You have the ability to set the world on fire and watch it burn."
"I can see who you're going to be. You're the girl. The one they write books about. The one that they'll say they saw emerge from out of nowhere to take the world by storm."
""Stop staring at me," I muttered. "Couldn't if I tried.""
"True love is not a replacement for what is missing. It's the completion of two souls who have finally found their other half."
"There are good people who get dealt a bad hand in life, who seem to have black clouds that hang over them no matter what they do. But, I believe, they're the ones who see the light so much more clearly when it slips through the darkness."
"And remember that voice in the back of your head cheering you on- It will be mine."
This story is beautiful. It has been a long time since I have cried this much while reading. This book touched me deeply and taught me many things. Such as, to live your life without regret, without trying to be what others think you should be, while hiding your true self. It also reminded me to cherish each moment, each day, each smile and interaction because truly you don't know when you it will be your last. Beatless also taught me about being happy with yourself, believing that you, yourself, are good enough without having to depend on others for your self-worth. I believe Beatless is more than a great story, it is inspiration. I devoured this book. I got very little sleep because I simply could not put it down. This is the first I have read from Amber L. Johnson, but her writing has won me. I plan to read everything she ever writes. I have to say that Aunt Sam is my favorite character in this story. Her letters and loving words of wisdom speak deeply to me and cause my mind to reflect and my heart to feel tremendous amounts of emotion. Her life saddens me beyond words, but she truly is a light and guide to her niece Mallory. Mal's journey to become the woman she wants to be is full of pain, low self-esteem, heartache, regret, self-loathing, discovery, love, forgiveness, and personal growth. Tucker shares many of the same steps in his journey. I love how this story began, progressed, and ended. There wasn't a thing I didn't savor in Beatless, especially Sam's letters which I read and reread over and over again. This book is heartbreakingly beautiful. I highly recommend it!
"Destruction is a form of creation. They want to see what happens when they tear the world apart. Teenagers today- we're losing them to apathy. But you? You have the ability to set the world on fire and watch it burn."
"I can see who you're going to be. You're the girl. The one they write books about. The one that they'll say they saw emerge from out of nowhere to take the world by storm."
""Stop staring at me," I muttered. "Couldn't if I tried.""
"True love is not a replacement for what is missing. It's the completion of two souls who have finally found their other half."
"There are good people who get dealt a bad hand in life, who seem to have black clouds that hang over them no matter what they do. But, I believe, they're the ones who see the light so much more clearly when it slips through the darkness."
"And remember that voice in the back of your head cheering you on- It will be mine."
March 4, 2014
5 - Growing Up is Hard - Stars
"True love is not a replacement for what is missing. It's the completion of two souls who have finally found their other half."
I loved this story! Mallory is trying to find her place in this world. She was sick and was unable to go to school so she repeated her Senior Year. Now all her friends are gone off to college and she is going to a local community college instead of Vanderbilt.
Her aunt Sam has moved in to take care of her while her mom is working in another state. She wants her to think outside the box and not be a shell of herself. She encourages her to get a job and get a boyfriend. She points her in the direction of Tucker Scott. Tucker and Mallory were close years ago but have since drifted apart. He isn't of the same status and is considered a bad boy.
Mallory just feels
and Tucker helps her break out of her shell. She winds up joining his band and becoming involved in his group of friends.
Then she gets brave enough to be in a play. And she gets cast as the lead! And of course she is a
Eventually though Mal messes up and drives Tucker away.
But if you are meant to be, you will be.
"Once upon a time there was a boy who didn't look at me like I was damaged. He saw all my pieces and wanted to put them together with his bare hands. As if I was worth the effort."
I LOVED Sam's advice to Mal
"Please believe me when I say it gets better. You'll shake it all off someday and grow into your skin. "
"Our humanity is our downfall. But, if we're lucky, we hav epeople that will accept us- flaws and all."
"Don't be an ATM that people can take from but never deposit into. Be a depositor. And always give your best only to those that deserve it."
"Eventually everything changes. Complacency is for the weak."
"Remember that voice in the back of your head cheering you on - It will be mine."
And the end
"True love is not a replacement for what is missing. It's the completion of two souls who have finally found their other half."
I loved this story! Mallory is trying to find her place in this world. She was sick and was unable to go to school so she repeated her Senior Year. Now all her friends are gone off to college and she is going to a local community college instead of Vanderbilt.
Her aunt Sam has moved in to take care of her while her mom is working in another state. She wants her to think outside the box and not be a shell of herself. She encourages her to get a job and get a boyfriend. She points her in the direction of Tucker Scott. Tucker and Mallory were close years ago but have since drifted apart. He isn't of the same status and is considered a bad boy.
Mallory just feels
and Tucker helps her break out of her shell. She winds up joining his band and becoming involved in his group of friends.
Then she gets brave enough to be in a play. And she gets cast as the lead! And of course she is a
Eventually though Mal messes up and drives Tucker away.
But if you are meant to be, you will be.
"Once upon a time there was a boy who didn't look at me like I was damaged. He saw all my pieces and wanted to put them together with his bare hands. As if I was worth the effort."
I LOVED Sam's advice to Mal
"Please believe me when I say it gets better. You'll shake it all off someday and grow into your skin. "
"Our humanity is our downfall. But, if we're lucky, we hav epeople that will accept us- flaws and all."
"Don't be an ATM that people can take from but never deposit into. Be a depositor. And always give your best only to those that deserve it."
"Eventually everything changes. Complacency is for the weak."
"Remember that voice in the back of your head cheering you on - It will be mine."
And the end
July 7, 2014
3.5 Stars
"True love is not a replacement for what is missing. It's the completion of two souls who have finally found their other half."
"True love is not a replacement for what is missing. It's the completion of two souls who have finally found their other half."
July 2, 2017
I was searching for an ugly cry on goodreads, I found this book. I liked it a lot but I didn't ugly cried LMAO it is def emotional and I am glad I read it. 😁
The story is written in the female point of view. Her name is Mallory, she is 19 years old. Is basically about her trying to fit in the world and be comfortable with herself.
I liked the boy he was 20 years old, his name is Tucker. I liked his personality and how he pushed Mal to be better. He had a sad past and I guess it made me love him more.
Overall the story was good, the feels were deep and I liked how Mallory found herself to be strong and independent. The ending was predictable but it still hurt a little even knowing what was going to happen.
I read this book via Kindle unlimited.
The story is written in the female point of view. Her name is Mallory, she is 19 years old. Is basically about her trying to fit in the world and be comfortable with herself.
I liked the boy he was 20 years old, his name is Tucker. I liked his personality and how he pushed Mal to be better. He had a sad past and I guess it made me love him more.
Overall the story was good, the feels were deep and I liked how Mallory found herself to be strong and independent. The ending was predictable but it still hurt a little even knowing what was going to happen.
I read this book via Kindle unlimited.
May 2, 2016
Mal expected at this time in her life she’d be escaping off to college but a bad case of mono caused her to be left behind to catch up. In the midst, her mother leaves for her job leaving her aunt to come to look after her and to force Mal to end her wallowing in her feelings about being left, yet again.
Mal was one of those girls that just existed, she was the background. Her friends made sure she knew that she was never worthy of being the center of attention. But as her aunt Sam begins to force Mal to do something, anything; Mal is given a second chance and a life where she matters to those around her. Friends that see her and accept her. A boy that once was part of her life, years ago before she faded to the back ground.
As Tucker makes his return into Mal’s life things begin to change for her. Tucker was just the boy that gave a girl a bracelet years ago, a boy that she stopped knowing when she changed. But that boy never stopped wanting to know her.
But for Mal, the fear of being left behind and the need to feel like she belongs is too great to not allow it to ruin everything. In one moment, Mal hurts the boy that has given her so much in such a little amount of time. But when she is given a chance to see how he felt about her through his eyes in the strangest of ways, she realizes what she must do. Taking a chance, a risk is not something that the typical Mal would do. But that Mal doesn’t exist anymore, it just took her longer to realize it.
Beatless was a story told in a very original voice. Through a dual POV that gave us Mal and then her Aunt Sam via letters of advice. This set up gave you the feeling that something was coming and although you expected it, at the same time the author ensured it still felt unexpected.
This was a beautifully told story. It was unconventional. I don’t know if I can put how this book made me feel into words that will adequately do it justice. When I read this story I reacted. Sometimes it was about the words that I was reading but it was also something larger than that. This story somehow reached something that I can’t really put my finger on. My emotions were knocked on their ass. I cried (a lot). Somehow this story touched me but it also knocked down my own walls and my reaction was from a place that was so far detached, so buried that I didn’t even know it was there until it was too late.
Sometimes an author can make you feel the emotions the character feels and it gets a reaction out of you. But rarely can an author draw out something that you’ve buried within yourself and react to your own story, even if that story isn’t completely reflective of the one you’re reading. Ms. Johnson did this. Will this story do the same to another reader, who knows? Maybe it hit a nerve with me alone. Maybe everyone else will just see this as a beautifully told story that was touching. But for me, this book got under my skin. It forced me to feel things that I wasn’t willing to feel or face. I felt every moment of this story and although I can’t quite explain it, it just reached me on some level.
I have not been let down once by this author and I can’t wait to see what gift she is going to share with us next. If you have not yet read a book from her, do it. They have all been fantastic and each on in its own way touches you deeply.
Mal was one of those girls that just existed, she was the background. Her friends made sure she knew that she was never worthy of being the center of attention. But as her aunt Sam begins to force Mal to do something, anything; Mal is given a second chance and a life where she matters to those around her. Friends that see her and accept her. A boy that once was part of her life, years ago before she faded to the back ground.
As Tucker makes his return into Mal’s life things begin to change for her. Tucker was just the boy that gave a girl a bracelet years ago, a boy that she stopped knowing when she changed. But that boy never stopped wanting to know her.
But for Mal, the fear of being left behind and the need to feel like she belongs is too great to not allow it to ruin everything. In one moment, Mal hurts the boy that has given her so much in such a little amount of time. But when she is given a chance to see how he felt about her through his eyes in the strangest of ways, she realizes what she must do. Taking a chance, a risk is not something that the typical Mal would do. But that Mal doesn’t exist anymore, it just took her longer to realize it.
Beatless was a story told in a very original voice. Through a dual POV that gave us Mal and then her Aunt Sam via letters of advice. This set up gave you the feeling that something was coming and although you expected it, at the same time the author ensured it still felt unexpected.
This was a beautifully told story. It was unconventional. I don’t know if I can put how this book made me feel into words that will adequately do it justice. When I read this story I reacted. Sometimes it was about the words that I was reading but it was also something larger than that. This story somehow reached something that I can’t really put my finger on. My emotions were knocked on their ass. I cried (a lot). Somehow this story touched me but it also knocked down my own walls and my reaction was from a place that was so far detached, so buried that I didn’t even know it was there until it was too late.
Sometimes an author can make you feel the emotions the character feels and it gets a reaction out of you. But rarely can an author draw out something that you’ve buried within yourself and react to your own story, even if that story isn’t completely reflective of the one you’re reading. Ms. Johnson did this. Will this story do the same to another reader, who knows? Maybe it hit a nerve with me alone. Maybe everyone else will just see this as a beautifully told story that was touching. But for me, this book got under my skin. It forced me to feel things that I wasn’t willing to feel or face. I felt every moment of this story and although I can’t quite explain it, it just reached me on some level.
I have not been let down once by this author and I can’t wait to see what gift she is going to share with us next. If you have not yet read a book from her, do it. They have all been fantastic and each on in its own way touches you deeply.
![Profile Image for Michelle [Helen Geek].](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.gr-assets.com%2Fimages%2FS%2Fcompressed.photo.goodreads.com%2Fusers%2F1448463806i%2F5557851._CR0%2C13%2C200%2C200_.jpg&w=128&q=75)
July 15, 2014
07/14/2014 --
Overall Rating = 3.5 Stars
Book Cover / Book Blurb / Book Title = 3 / 3 / 2 = 2.5 Stars
Writer’s Voice = 3.5 Stars
Character Development = 3.5 Stars
Story Appreciation = 3.5 Stars
Ending = 3 Stars
Worth the Chili = 5 Stars -- [$2.99 on Amazon]
Smexy [HEAT] Rating = Mild
225 pages
I liked this book. It didn't shout out loud at me like the others I've read recently by this author, but it was a decent read.
A few things I liked:
1 -- I loved the characters. In this one, we have two people who lived on the peripheral of each others lives. Mallory, hardly knew Tucker existed. Tucker was hyper aware of the Mallory from their first meet in grade school. Their worlds collide between college and high school. They become friends. Then, more than friends.
I liked Aunt Sam. She was trying to provide Mallory some all important survival tools. Mallory's mom was a real tool and her dad totally abandoned her. Sam though .. as much as I liked her, I had issues with her too. This will come up again later -- she didn't quite work for me.
2 -- Nothing really unusual here as far as story evolution, but it was nice and I enjoyed it.
3 -- I liked how music was used in this story. Music therapy was mentioned as the impetus for Tucker. I would have liked to have seen more development on this angle.
***spoiler alert ... maybe***
A few things that didn't work well for me:
1 -- The title. I didn't like how the whole "Bandless" thing played out in the story. For me, it lacked depth. Read like an afterthought.
2 -- Aunt Sam. So, she wrote these diary entries that were supposed to help Mal out. However, we had to wait for Sam to die before Mal read any of it. By that time, all was well in Who's-ville. I'm not sure this was well developed either. I thought the whole book could have done without this, but I guess this is the "unique element" the author was looking for? Maybe??
3 -- The cover. When I first saw it, I thought disc-jockey. Something about a radio or maybe music production -- what with holding a headphone to the ear. Well .. that's not it. So, what exactly is it supposed to mean? I like the colors, but the cover really does little for me. I can't figure out what it means to the story, so that's a miss.
4 -- I thought the ending a bit rushed.
5 -- Secondary characters. I'm just going to say this .. the secondary characters weren't developed well at all. They added noise, but little else. What they didn't do was add much to the development of the story. They just seemed drop off. No real closure for most of them. And, what about Eliza? Where'd that go?
In this one, there were holes everywhere.
I liked the book, obviously there were things that didn't work for me. I'm not sure if this was the first book written by Ms. Johnson or the last. Her other stories touched deep emotions in me. They may have had issues too, but the depth of feeling she evoked had me so engaged, the other stuff didn't matter. This read like every other NA you've read recently. It was good, but not great.
I still say give this one a go. It's a rather quick read and isn't bad.
Happy Reading!
Overall Rating = 3.5 Stars
Book Cover / Book Blurb / Book Title = 3 / 3 / 2 = 2.5 Stars
Writer’s Voice = 3.5 Stars
Character Development = 3.5 Stars
Story Appreciation = 3.5 Stars
Ending = 3 Stars
Worth the Chili = 5 Stars -- [$2.99 on Amazon]
Smexy [HEAT] Rating = Mild
225 pages
I liked this book. It didn't shout out loud at me like the others I've read recently by this author, but it was a decent read.
A few things I liked:
1 -- I loved the characters. In this one, we have two people who lived on the peripheral of each others lives. Mallory, hardly knew Tucker existed. Tucker was hyper aware of the Mallory from their first meet in grade school. Their worlds collide between college and high school. They become friends. Then, more than friends.
I liked Aunt Sam. She was trying to provide Mallory some all important survival tools. Mallory's mom was a real tool and her dad totally abandoned her. Sam though .. as much as I liked her, I had issues with her too. This will come up again later -- she didn't quite work for me.
2 -- Nothing really unusual here as far as story evolution, but it was nice and I enjoyed it.
3 -- I liked how music was used in this story. Music therapy was mentioned as the impetus for Tucker. I would have liked to have seen more development on this angle.
***spoiler alert ... maybe***
A few things that didn't work well for me:
1 -- The title. I didn't like how the whole "Bandless" thing played out in the story. For me, it lacked depth. Read like an afterthought.
2 -- Aunt Sam. So, she wrote these diary entries that were supposed to help Mal out. However, we had to wait for Sam to die before Mal read any of it. By that time, all was well in Who's-ville. I'm not sure this was well developed either. I thought the whole book could have done without this, but I guess this is the "unique element" the author was looking for? Maybe??
3 -- The cover. When I first saw it, I thought disc-jockey. Something about a radio or maybe music production -- what with holding a headphone to the ear. Well .. that's not it. So, what exactly is it supposed to mean? I like the colors, but the cover really does little for me. I can't figure out what it means to the story, so that's a miss.
4 -- I thought the ending a bit rushed.
5 -- Secondary characters. I'm just going to say this .. the secondary characters weren't developed well at all. They added noise, but little else. What they didn't do was add much to the development of the story. They just seemed drop off. No real closure for most of them. And, what about Eliza? Where'd that go?
In this one, there were holes everywhere.
I liked the book, obviously there were things that didn't work for me. I'm not sure if this was the first book written by Ms. Johnson or the last. Her other stories touched deep emotions in me. They may have had issues too, but the depth of feeling she evoked had me so engaged, the other stuff didn't matter. This read like every other NA you've read recently. It was good, but not great.
I still say give this one a go. It's a rather quick read and isn't bad.
Happy Reading!
April 17, 2014
I don't know where to even start with this! I was asked by Amber if I wanted an arc of this book the other day, and with how much I absolutely loved her previous work, published or not, I jumped on the chance!
Beatless is about a girl named Mallory, or Mal, who, is insecure and feels so alone after her parents divorce. Her father leaves and moves to a completely different state, and her mom heads to Texas for a job assignment, leaving Mallory's newly divorced Aunt Sam to come and stay and watch over her. During the summer before she starts community college, (due to her dreams of Vanderbilt being shot because of a case of mono) she heads to the local waffle house with her aunt, and sees her former best friend Tucker, who she grew apart from during school when they were fourteen. They reconnect, he gets her out of her shell.
I could go on all day telling you what this book is about, but I won't. There is love, loss, hope, and even grand gestures. The way Amber writes her characters is so beautiful and so real, that you literally feel everything Mallory is feeling. The loneliness, the love, the sadness, the excitement. Everything! You will completely fall in love with these characters! I like Mallory, but I LOVED Tucker and Sam! Amber told me once that this book has a lot of feels in it, and it does! But it's amazing. I can honestly say this is, hands down, the best thing I've ever read. I'm not naive enough to say it's the best book ever written, but it's pretty damn close if you ask me. I will definitely recommend this book to anyone who will take the time and listen to me! I can guarantee that Amber L. Johnson will be a huge author one day! She more than deserves it!
Beatless is about a girl named Mallory, or Mal, who, is insecure and feels so alone after her parents divorce. Her father leaves and moves to a completely different state, and her mom heads to Texas for a job assignment, leaving Mallory's newly divorced Aunt Sam to come and stay and watch over her. During the summer before she starts community college, (due to her dreams of Vanderbilt being shot because of a case of mono) she heads to the local waffle house with her aunt, and sees her former best friend Tucker, who she grew apart from during school when they were fourteen. They reconnect, he gets her out of her shell.
I could go on all day telling you what this book is about, but I won't. There is love, loss, hope, and even grand gestures. The way Amber writes her characters is so beautiful and so real, that you literally feel everything Mallory is feeling. The loneliness, the love, the sadness, the excitement. Everything! You will completely fall in love with these characters! I like Mallory, but I LOVED Tucker and Sam! Amber told me once that this book has a lot of feels in it, and it does! But it's amazing. I can honestly say this is, hands down, the best thing I've ever read. I'm not naive enough to say it's the best book ever written, but it's pretty damn close if you ask me. I will definitely recommend this book to anyone who will take the time and listen to me! I can guarantee that Amber L. Johnson will be a huge author one day! She more than deserves it!
Read
July 15, 2014I enjoyed it.
If you are looking for unique - this may not be the book for you. The characters were likeable. I liked how music was woven through the story.
If you are looking for unique - this may not be the book for you. The characters were likeable. I liked how music was woven through the story.
June 25, 2014
Don't listen to your head.Your heart is much louder.Can you hear the way it beats around him?
Wow I enjoyed this one and I was quite surprised with the ending.Some may say that it was predictable but I just didn't see it.
So here's why I liked it:
~~ Amazing characters.
Let's start with Aunt Sam. She was my all time favourite. She's funny,smart,strong and gives the best advice in my opinion. And man she went threw so much BS but she was still able to smile and look at things in a positive way.
Mal(Mallory): I liked Mallory.She seemed kinda desperate and whiny in the beginning, but I get it I mean who wouldn't when your life is crumbling down. She changed throughout the story.She became this confident young lady who wasn't living under her friend's shadow anymore and I liked that.She did a stupid thing (believe me I got mad) but she redeemed herself.SMH I still can't believe ONE (1) person could have such a bad influence on her.....moving on...
Tucker: I loved him.He was sweet,caring and he did not take it easy on Mal when she did that stupid thing I mentioned before(this is me trying to keep it spoiler-free LOL).And I'm glad he did because she really hurt him.
Lassiter: HAH.... A bitch.
Sara,Berkley,Mason: Loved them.I can't say anything bad about them.
~~ Music/Art
I liked that music and art were the 2 key elements in this book. Without the music Mal and Tucker would probably never have reconnected.
~~ The moral behind Beatless
Enjoy life and make the best of it because you only life once.Sounds cheesy but it's not. Also, listen to your heart.Be yourself,the true you and don't let anyone change you or try to change you or even tell you who you should be,how to act or live your life.And be with those whom make you happy.
So... that's it.It was one rollercoaster ride ...slow at first and then really fast.I liked it and the last chapter just broke my heart. Sad Sad Sad.
Wow I enjoyed this one and I was quite surprised with the ending.Some may say that it was predictable but I just didn't see it.
So here's why I liked it:
~~ Amazing characters.
Let's start with Aunt Sam. She was my all time favourite. She's funny,smart,strong and gives the best advice in my opinion. And man she went threw so much BS but she was still able to smile and look at things in a positive way.
Mal(Mallory): I liked Mallory.She seemed kinda desperate and whiny in the beginning, but I get it I mean who wouldn't when your life is crumbling down. She changed throughout the story.She became this confident young lady who wasn't living under her friend's shadow anymore and I liked that.She did a stupid thing (believe me I got mad) but she redeemed herself.SMH I still can't believe ONE (1) person could have such a bad influence on her.....moving on...
Tucker: I loved him.He was sweet,caring and he did not take it easy on Mal when she did that stupid thing I mentioned before(this is me trying to keep it spoiler-free LOL).And I'm glad he did because she really hurt him.
Lassiter: HAH.... A bitch.
Sara,Berkley,Mason: Loved them.I can't say anything bad about them.
~~ Music/Art
I liked that music and art were the 2 key elements in this book. Without the music Mal and Tucker would probably never have reconnected.
~~ The moral behind Beatless
Enjoy life and make the best of it because you only life once.Sounds cheesy but it's not. Also, listen to your heart.Be yourself,the true you and don't let anyone change you or try to change you or even tell you who you should be,how to act or live your life.And be with those whom make you happy.
So... that's it.It was one rollercoaster ride ...slow at first and then really fast.I liked it and the last chapter just broke my heart. Sad Sad Sad.
March 2, 2014
Originally, I just got this book to be supportive of fellow writers I knew on Facebook. Let me just tell you, thank goodness I did. I picked it up one night to just read a couple of pages and that was all it took. Maybe its just me, but who doesn't remember having that one "friend" in life that really made you more miserable then happy but you are so wrapped up in that world that you can't see it for yourself until one day you break away and look back and say, Wow why did I put up with that?
In this story Amber L. Johnson, not only captures the heart of her character and shows it to you in such a way that you can't help but see parts of yourself with in her, but you feel for Mallory and all of the characters that help weave this beautiful story. Oh and don't even get met started and that absolutely delicious dish that is Tucker Scott!
Mallory's story is real and moving and I devoured it! Even when I wanted to smack Mallory upside the head, I still KNEW how she felt, knew why she made the mistakes she did. Her character is just that relate-able. I loved it so much that I went right back onto Amazon and sent it to a friend too. Then I posted it on Facebook and insisted my other friends that don't even know Amber buy it. Seriously stop reading this review and do yourself a favor and get that darn thing.
I NEVER cry when I read stories, okay, almost never, but this one, oh how this one had me crying like a slobbery little girl and smiling at the same time.
READ IT NOW and thank me later ;)
In this story Amber L. Johnson, not only captures the heart of her character and shows it to you in such a way that you can't help but see parts of yourself with in her, but you feel for Mallory and all of the characters that help weave this beautiful story. Oh and don't even get met started and that absolutely delicious dish that is Tucker Scott!
Mallory's story is real and moving and I devoured it! Even when I wanted to smack Mallory upside the head, I still KNEW how she felt, knew why she made the mistakes she did. Her character is just that relate-able. I loved it so much that I went right back onto Amazon and sent it to a friend too. Then I posted it on Facebook and insisted my other friends that don't even know Amber buy it. Seriously stop reading this review and do yourself a favor and get that darn thing.
I NEVER cry when I read stories, okay, almost never, but this one, oh how this one had me crying like a slobbery little girl and smiling at the same time.
READ IT NOW and thank me later ;)
February 5, 2014
I know there are a lot of authors who get 5 star reviews strictly because the author is friends with the reviewer. While I adore Amber, I would never tell people to read something I thought was crap and I wouldn't let Amber publish something that was crap.
That being said, this story is very far from crap! And I was lucky enough to be able to read this from it's very early stages when it was a single chapter and a general idea.
This story touches every part of reading that I love. There's believablity in Amber's characters, love, happiness and anger so fierce you feel it deep in your bones.
I wanted to hug these characters at times and at others I wanted to smack them silly. I have always thought if a story could evoke that kind of emotion it was a good read. No matter the emotion, if an author can make you feel something then it deserves praise. And Amber's words have always had the ability to make me feel a little of everything.
That being said, this story is very far from crap! And I was lucky enough to be able to read this from it's very early stages when it was a single chapter and a general idea.
This story touches every part of reading that I love. There's believablity in Amber's characters, love, happiness and anger so fierce you feel it deep in your bones.
I wanted to hug these characters at times and at others I wanted to smack them silly. I have always thought if a story could evoke that kind of emotion it was a good read. No matter the emotion, if an author can make you feel something then it deserves praise. And Amber's words have always had the ability to make me feel a little of everything.
March 19, 2014
What just happened!?! This book absolutely FLOORED me! Best EVER!!!
I was so drawn into this story, I might as well have BEEN Mallory. She was real and vulnerable and I loved experiencing her come into her own.
Tucker was just, well... there are no words. He was unpredictable, passionate, completely lovable, and I felt a fierce need to protect him.
None of the characters delivered corny dialogue. There was no cliche to he found. (Yessss!) I felt so inspired while reading this book. So far from the jaded boredom I have been plagued with recently. Beatless jumpstarted my heart. I couldn't sleep last night because I was so giddy about waking up to read it again. It's THAT good!
The author has that rare ability to describe the interaction and relationship between Mal and Tucker in a way I have never read before. Subtle details paint such a vivid, believable picture of their love, their pain, the angst (Oh my God! The angst!)
I loved this book. Easily top 5 of all time.
I was so drawn into this story, I might as well have BEEN Mallory. She was real and vulnerable and I loved experiencing her come into her own.
Tucker was just, well... there are no words. He was unpredictable, passionate, completely lovable, and I felt a fierce need to protect him.
None of the characters delivered corny dialogue. There was no cliche to he found. (Yessss!) I felt so inspired while reading this book. So far from the jaded boredom I have been plagued with recently. Beatless jumpstarted my heart. I couldn't sleep last night because I was so giddy about waking up to read it again. It's THAT good!
The author has that rare ability to describe the interaction and relationship between Mal and Tucker in a way I have never read before. Subtle details paint such a vivid, believable picture of their love, their pain, the angst (Oh my God! The angst!)
I loved this book. Easily top 5 of all time.
March 27, 2014
This is one of those stories that grip you from the start and keep you reading. I read majority of this book within 24 hrs ( its that good ) Amber has written not only from a young woman's pov but of an older woman's pov as well. Mal's pov we see a young woman who needs to let go of the high school life she had and find her place in the adult world. In comes Tucker a boy, well a young man that in my opinion is what drives Mal as much as Aunt Sam does to find her place in the world. Aunt Sam is a character that makes you want her as an aunt, mother, older sister. That person who tells you like it is and gives you the advice that you didnt know you wanted nor needed. This is the first book in a LONG time that I can relate to both the lead female characters. I would read anything Amber writes from this point on.
February 11, 2014
I was lucky enough to get an arc of this book and boy, am I pleased that I did. Wonderfully written and such a compelling story. I think at some point we are all able to identify with Mallory in one way or another. It was so nice to see this character evolving with the help of her Aunt Sam , boyfriend Tucker (who I am not ashamed to admit to being slightly in love with),and her new and improved friends. This book will put you through the emotional ringer but by the end of the story your heart will feel lighter and you will love all of these characters even more. Amazing job to this lovely author and can't wait to read all of her future works! I highly recommend this to everyone.
July 13, 2014
This was a beautiful story about a young woman, Mallory, discovering life and herself. I absolutely loved the letters from her aunt Sam and the way she taught Mallory to take risks and really live. I think all of us go through moments of self-doubt... times where we don't believe or see our real worth. I enjoyed experiencing Mallory's growth and journey to love. Tucker was an awesome guy. He was there for Mallory and also pushed her to find her full potential. The music incorporated with this book was very cool and this author has a very refreshing style.
February 5, 2014
I had a chance to pre-read this book and I am so in love with it! It made me laugh, cry, snort and all out sob. Amber L Johnson is a fabulous author who I've followed for years, but this novel...it is amazing. She captures everything so perfectly, I felt like I was IN the book, not just reading it. The emotion, the feeling, everything is perfect! I can't wait to read it again and again and again. Read this book! It's fabulous!
August 7, 2014
This story had me in tears; I loved everything about it. Very well written and the words just pulled me into the story so it made me want to not stop reading.
I loved Tucker and Mallory and every person hopefully has an Aunt Sam to look too. I'm not going to say what happens next you just need to read this story for your self.
To Amber: I'm so proud of you!
I loved Tucker and Mallory and every person hopefully has an Aunt Sam to look too. I'm not going to say what happens next you just need to read this story for your self.
To Amber: I'm so proud of you!
July 20, 2016
4.5 Stars!
Aunt Sam is amazing and I loved reading her letters throughout the story. This was a really touching read, I just wish some parts had been more involved. I wanted more interaction with Aunt Sam, more moments with Tucker and a showdown with her so-called best friend. Those minor, picky complaints aside, this was a good one and I look forward to reading more from this author.
Aunt Sam is amazing and I loved reading her letters throughout the story. This was a really touching read, I just wish some parts had been more involved. I wanted more interaction with Aunt Sam, more moments with Tucker and a showdown with her so-called best friend. Those minor, picky complaints aside, this was a good one and I look forward to reading more from this author.
February 5, 2014
Mallory Durhan gets left behind to attend community college while all her friends have gone off to their dream universities. To top it all off, her dad is gone, and her mom heads off on a business trip that's supposed to last for months. So, recently divorced and newly unemployed Aunt Sam comes to stay with Mal, offering her a parental figure, a voice of reason, and most of all a friend she didn't know she needed.
Mal reunites with her childhood friend Tucker, who has also been left behind for his own reasons. He invites her to come see his band perform, and something amazing happens. Mal falls in love with not only Tucker, but his music. When their drummer suddenly quits, they are left in a jam, until Mal suggests they go beatless, hence their new name.
***
My voice felt stronger. "You know what my favorite part of your show is? When the music drops out and it's just you guys singing. It's like my whole body reacts because it's just so awesome. And powerful. I can't describe it, but I can't look away." I'd revealed too much and suddenly felt like an idiot.
"So what are you suggesting?" Tucker leaned in to study my reddened face.
"I dunno. Maybe instead of The Beat you guys should be...Beatless. A cappella or something. Just voices."
***
So Mal joins the new band. And just when everything is going amazingly, Mallory screws up royally, destroying it all. When she auditions for the student directed/ written musical, she discovers that Tucker is the one running the show. And subsequently ruining her life.
This book... where do I start?
I'll be honest. The author is one of my best friends, and my fantastic critique partner. I had the honor of being a prereader for this book. But my opinion is in no way biased.
I am always, always reading a book. While Amber was sending me chapters, Beatless gave me these amazing feelings. So much that when I was reading it, I'd get sucked into the world she built and the character's emotions. When I'd finish the chapter, give her my feedback, and return to the novel I was reading, the novel would seem unbelievably subpar to Beatless. I didn't want to read more of the novel. I wanted more Beatless. More Mal and Sam and Tucker. But at the time, it didn't exist.
There are moments in the book that are sheer brilliance. Moments when I said to myself, "Amber wrote a book, AND an original play, AND song lyrics...and it's all amazing. I should quit life right now."
Aunt Sam's letters made me cry. Her despair and acceptance was so blaringly evident and painful to watch once you realize what is happening. As the book progresses, her words of advice slowly become words of wisdom. I'm so glad that Sam was able to spend her days with someone who mattered to her, because she made such an impact on Mallory.
Mal's loneliness made me feel like I was right there, experiencing heartbreak and pain with her. You want to reach out and shake the girl, and hug her at the same time. Unfortunately, sometimes people need to learn and grow from their mistakes and insecurities. And Tucker...never before did I want to punch a character in the face so hard it would knock some sense into him. She loves you! Stop being a jackass, boy!!
Beatless is an honest, beautiful, moving story about two women at vastly different points in their lives, experiencing the same loneliness from different perspectives, and coming together when they needed one another the most. This book will lift your spirits, break your heart, and make you believe in the power of second chances.
Mal reunites with her childhood friend Tucker, who has also been left behind for his own reasons. He invites her to come see his band perform, and something amazing happens. Mal falls in love with not only Tucker, but his music. When their drummer suddenly quits, they are left in a jam, until Mal suggests they go beatless, hence their new name.
***
My voice felt stronger. "You know what my favorite part of your show is? When the music drops out and it's just you guys singing. It's like my whole body reacts because it's just so awesome. And powerful. I can't describe it, but I can't look away." I'd revealed too much and suddenly felt like an idiot.
"So what are you suggesting?" Tucker leaned in to study my reddened face.
"I dunno. Maybe instead of The Beat you guys should be...Beatless. A cappella or something. Just voices."
***
So Mal joins the new band. And just when everything is going amazingly, Mallory screws up royally, destroying it all. When she auditions for the student directed/ written musical, she discovers that Tucker is the one running the show. And subsequently ruining her life.
This book... where do I start?
I'll be honest. The author is one of my best friends, and my fantastic critique partner. I had the honor of being a prereader for this book. But my opinion is in no way biased.
I am always, always reading a book. While Amber was sending me chapters, Beatless gave me these amazing feelings. So much that when I was reading it, I'd get sucked into the world she built and the character's emotions. When I'd finish the chapter, give her my feedback, and return to the novel I was reading, the novel would seem unbelievably subpar to Beatless. I didn't want to read more of the novel. I wanted more Beatless. More Mal and Sam and Tucker. But at the time, it didn't exist.
There are moments in the book that are sheer brilliance. Moments when I said to myself, "Amber wrote a book, AND an original play, AND song lyrics...and it's all amazing. I should quit life right now."
Aunt Sam's letters made me cry. Her despair and acceptance was so blaringly evident and painful to watch once you realize what is happening. As the book progresses, her words of advice slowly become words of wisdom. I'm so glad that Sam was able to spend her days with someone who mattered to her, because she made such an impact on Mallory.
Mal's loneliness made me feel like I was right there, experiencing heartbreak and pain with her. You want to reach out and shake the girl, and hug her at the same time. Unfortunately, sometimes people need to learn and grow from their mistakes and insecurities. And Tucker...never before did I want to punch a character in the face so hard it would knock some sense into him. She loves you! Stop being a jackass, boy!!
Beatless is an honest, beautiful, moving story about two women at vastly different points in their lives, experiencing the same loneliness from different perspectives, and coming together when they needed one another the most. This book will lift your spirits, break your heart, and make you believe in the power of second chances.
February 28, 2014
You can find more of my reviews at Forever 17 Books.
4.5 stars!
Mallory is a wallflower. Someone who feels left behind in every way possible. Her parents divorced, leading her father to move away with minimal contact. Her mother has left to work out of state for a lengthy piece of time. Her supposed ‘friends’, who always treated her like a pet and that she wasn’t good enough, have left to go away to college. Mallory’s own college aspirations were crushed with the divorce and a lack of funds, leaving her no choice but to stay put and attend community college.
In the beginning, Mallory was very much throwing herself constant pity parties of one. She felt alone. And you know, I saw a piece of me with her in certain ways when I was that age. I can sit here all day as an outsider looking in and tell this girl that those friends who treated her like she was insignificant were not worth it. That they weren’t true friends. But that would be a little hypocritical of me because I went through that in High School too. I could relate to feelings of inferiority in a group of friends. But luckily, Mallory had one person around to support her and try to push her out of her shell. And that was her aunt.
At the end of each chapter there is a letter written to Mallory from her Aunt Sam. From the synopsis I was unsure how big a part this would play in Mallory’s story. But I can honestly say they were some of my favorite moments. These little notes were filled with beautiful advice and words. And they also helped foreshadow things to comes which added an element of mystery for me, wanting to know just what would be happening in the future. This style of including someone so important to the plot but also leaving them in the background while we take the journey with Mallory was brilliant storytelling.
What Mallory finds is a connection to an old friend, Tucker. Oh god did I love Tucker. From his huge smile and generous heart, to the way he’d make me melt right along with Mallory with the simplest touch. Breath control has never been so sexy. And oh boy, there is a car scene that involves turning the bass way up, and then a little bit more… HOT!
And with Tucker came his band. They help her put aside her fears of singing and performing in public that stemmed from the feelings of inadequacy her old ‘friends’ put in place. And she starts to find herself! Watching her break free is a slow process and there are moments where she makes mistakes and reverts to her old ways with negative consequences but I loved all the angst and sexual tension that built up and the whole journey she takes to become her own person, getting over her insecurities and realizing her self-worth. By the end of the novel I was feeling bittersweet. I don’t know when exactly this book took a hold of me so strong but it did in ways I didn’t expect. I was sad to see it end. I don’t read a lot of new adult but this is a shining star among them!
4.5 stars!
Mallory is a wallflower. Someone who feels left behind in every way possible. Her parents divorced, leading her father to move away with minimal contact. Her mother has left to work out of state for a lengthy piece of time. Her supposed ‘friends’, who always treated her like a pet and that she wasn’t good enough, have left to go away to college. Mallory’s own college aspirations were crushed with the divorce and a lack of funds, leaving her no choice but to stay put and attend community college.
In the beginning, Mallory was very much throwing herself constant pity parties of one. She felt alone. And you know, I saw a piece of me with her in certain ways when I was that age. I can sit here all day as an outsider looking in and tell this girl that those friends who treated her like she was insignificant were not worth it. That they weren’t true friends. But that would be a little hypocritical of me because I went through that in High School too. I could relate to feelings of inferiority in a group of friends. But luckily, Mallory had one person around to support her and try to push her out of her shell. And that was her aunt.
At the end of each chapter there is a letter written to Mallory from her Aunt Sam. From the synopsis I was unsure how big a part this would play in Mallory’s story. But I can honestly say they were some of my favorite moments. These little notes were filled with beautiful advice and words. And they also helped foreshadow things to comes which added an element of mystery for me, wanting to know just what would be happening in the future. This style of including someone so important to the plot but also leaving them in the background while we take the journey with Mallory was brilliant storytelling.
What Mallory finds is a connection to an old friend, Tucker. Oh god did I love Tucker. From his huge smile and generous heart, to the way he’d make me melt right along with Mallory with the simplest touch. Breath control has never been so sexy. And oh boy, there is a car scene that involves turning the bass way up, and then a little bit more… HOT!
And with Tucker came his band. They help her put aside her fears of singing and performing in public that stemmed from the feelings of inadequacy her old ‘friends’ put in place. And she starts to find herself! Watching her break free is a slow process and there are moments where she makes mistakes and reverts to her old ways with negative consequences but I loved all the angst and sexual tension that built up and the whole journey she takes to become her own person, getting over her insecurities and realizing her self-worth. By the end of the novel I was feeling bittersweet. I don’t know when exactly this book took a hold of me so strong but it did in ways I didn’t expect. I was sad to see it end. I don’t read a lot of new adult but this is a shining star among them!
My wish for you is that you find a way to use your voice in the loudest way possible.
March 1, 2014
**Review to come as part of a blog tour**
**I received an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review**
I read this book last night in one sitting. I think I even took my kidnle to the bathroom with me and into the kitchen whilst I made a cuppa. I didn't want to put it down! Having said that... I started it at about 7pm, and finished at 9.30pm (The same evening). It's not a particularly short book, but it IS compelling. I've read a few pieces by Johnson, and every single one has the same effect. I literally put my life on hold until I reach the end!
Being the kind of person that I am, I found myself really identifying with Mallory (Mal). I've been lucky mostly not to have 'friends' like Lassiter and Brooke to constantly wondering if anything I did, wore, or said was good enough, but I I am a worrier internally. I do, and I think most of us do, look for the approval of others, even if I don't need it. this is Mal's major flaw. She wants everyone around her to be happy which allows her to fit in seamlessly, but life doesn't work that way.
Her parent's divorce, she's kept back a year at school due to illness, and she can't apply to the college of her choice. Already, she's on the back foot. Enter Aunt Sam.
We are privvy to letters that Sam writes to Mal, but we don't know if we're reading them before or with Mal. Each letter tugged at my heartstrings more and more as the story went on. I thought I had worked out what was happening there, but I didn't. Well, not completely, but I will tell you... it's a tearjerker!
Sam is like the mum every girl wants, no matter how much they love and are close with the one they have. She tells Mal to go out and live. There's very few rules, yet still Mal is hesitant. Then Tucker appears.
It's been a while since I found myself crushing on a fictional character (Jasper), but there's something aout Tucker that made me pay that little bit more attention. He's portrayed at first as someone who is a bit of a wideboy - thinking with his fists, but as we get to know him along with Mal, it becomes clear that's not quite the case.
I'm really trying not to give too much away as it would completely ruin the story. It'll make you laugh, it'll make you cry, and it'll make you want to bang heads together, but most of all. It'll make you want more, which for me, is the sign of a great author!
**I received an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review**
I read this book last night in one sitting. I think I even took my kidnle to the bathroom with me and into the kitchen whilst I made a cuppa. I didn't want to put it down! Having said that... I started it at about 7pm, and finished at 9.30pm (The same evening). It's not a particularly short book, but it IS compelling. I've read a few pieces by Johnson, and every single one has the same effect. I literally put my life on hold until I reach the end!
Being the kind of person that I am, I found myself really identifying with Mallory (Mal). I've been lucky mostly not to have 'friends' like Lassiter and Brooke to constantly wondering if anything I did, wore, or said was good enough, but I I am a worrier internally. I do, and I think most of us do, look for the approval of others, even if I don't need it. this is Mal's major flaw. She wants everyone around her to be happy which allows her to fit in seamlessly, but life doesn't work that way.
Her parent's divorce, she's kept back a year at school due to illness, and she can't apply to the college of her choice. Already, she's on the back foot. Enter Aunt Sam.
We are privvy to letters that Sam writes to Mal, but we don't know if we're reading them before or with Mal. Each letter tugged at my heartstrings more and more as the story went on. I thought I had worked out what was happening there, but I didn't. Well, not completely, but I will tell you... it's a tearjerker!
Sam is like the mum every girl wants, no matter how much they love and are close with the one they have. She tells Mal to go out and live. There's very few rules, yet still Mal is hesitant. Then Tucker appears.
It's been a while since I found myself crushing on a fictional character (Jasper), but there's something aout Tucker that made me pay that little bit more attention. He's portrayed at first as someone who is a bit of a wideboy - thinking with his fists, but as we get to know him along with Mal, it becomes clear that's not quite the case.
I'm really trying not to give too much away as it would completely ruin the story. It'll make you laugh, it'll make you cry, and it'll make you want to bang heads together, but most of all. It'll make you want more, which for me, is the sign of a great author!
June 16, 2016
4 Stars
As always Amber L. Johnson's books are always have good moral value
I'm glad that I read this book right now because I'm kinda in the same situation as Mallory at the moment.
But I don't have an awesome aunt like Sam
I see Mal as myself because I also feel like a 'late blooming' flower. I always feel left behind when my friends are already starting their new lives.
But I believe my time to be a beautiful 'full bloom' flower will come too one day.
Or at least that's what I always convince myself.
From this book I learn many things that maybe I should do so that I can reach all my goals and move on and stop feeling left behind.
I really love Aunt Sam. I really hope that I have someone I can rely on like her in my life too. She's a strong, wonderful woman.
I like Tucker too. Even though he was such an asshole too sometimes.
But I dislike Mal's mom SO MUCH!! She is a very irresponsible mother!
This book is kinda different with the other 2 books of Amber I read before this.
Puddle Jumping and Where We Fell were a heartwarming, cute YA romance. But this one is like YA-Chick lit-ish book.
And there's some implicit sex scenes too. Not too intense, but cute and sweet.
A real good combination with the whole plot
Amber L. Johnson is officially becomes my new favorite author! I can't wait to read Eight Days a Week!
As always Amber L. Johnson's books are always have good moral value
I'm glad that I read this book right now because I'm kinda in the same situation as Mallory at the moment.
But I don't have an awesome aunt like Sam
I see Mal as myself because I also feel like a 'late blooming' flower. I always feel left behind when my friends are already starting their new lives.
But I believe my time to be a beautiful 'full bloom' flower will come too one day.
Or at least that's what I always convince myself.
From this book I learn many things that maybe I should do so that I can reach all my goals and move on and stop feeling left behind.
I really love Aunt Sam. I really hope that I have someone I can rely on like her in my life too. She's a strong, wonderful woman.
I like Tucker too. Even though he was such an asshole too sometimes.
But I dislike Mal's mom SO MUCH!! She is a very irresponsible mother!
This book is kinda different with the other 2 books of Amber I read before this.
Puddle Jumping and Where We Fell were a heartwarming, cute YA romance. But this one is like YA-Chick lit-ish book.
And there's some implicit sex scenes too. Not too intense, but cute and sweet.
A real good combination with the whole plot
Amber L. Johnson is officially becomes my new favorite author! I can't wait to read Eight Days a Week!
February 24, 2014
HAPPY RELEASE WEEK!!!
I had the honor of helping edit BEATLESS. I had to keep stopping and remembering that I was working...as I just kept reading as fast as I could. This journey tugged at my heart, had me reaching for tissues, and had me ranting in emails "OH GOSH, what's going to HAPPEN NEXT?" and I have to admit to loving every second.
Amber pulls me right into her characters' lives. I feel like I know them and when the book was over, I missed them. One of the great things about books is that we can revisit them often, and I can assure you that I plan to read about Mal, Tucker, and Sam again and again. Because that's the kind of book this is.
With a child who has taken drama for the last several years, Mal's adventure via the play read right. Now I hope that my drama student can find a Tucker for herself. I appreciated that this wasn't a high school scene, those have been done too many times. It was great to read about young people figuring LIFE out.
The letters from Sam were full of good advice. Mal needed her to point out some life lessons and I'm glad we got to read about them right along with her.
This is a book that's going on my BEST BOOKS EVER shelf. And I hope you enjoy it, too.
If you are intrigued by this review, please add BEATLESS to your Goodreads Shelves.
And it's available NOW!!!!
I had the honor of helping edit BEATLESS. I had to keep stopping and remembering that I was working...as I just kept reading as fast as I could. This journey tugged at my heart, had me reaching for tissues, and had me ranting in emails "OH GOSH, what's going to HAPPEN NEXT?" and I have to admit to loving every second.
Amber pulls me right into her characters' lives. I feel like I know them and when the book was over, I missed them. One of the great things about books is that we can revisit them often, and I can assure you that I plan to read about Mal, Tucker, and Sam again and again. Because that's the kind of book this is.
With a child who has taken drama for the last several years, Mal's adventure via the play read right. Now I hope that my drama student can find a Tucker for herself. I appreciated that this wasn't a high school scene, those have been done too many times. It was great to read about young people figuring LIFE out.
The letters from Sam were full of good advice. Mal needed her to point out some life lessons and I'm glad we got to read about them right along with her.
This is a book that's going on my BEST BOOKS EVER shelf. And I hope you enjoy it, too.
If you are intrigued by this review, please add BEATLESS to your Goodreads Shelves.
And it's available NOW!!!!
March 5, 2014
This was such a sweet and moving novel. I’ve been a fan of the author’s from her fan fiction stories, and was so excited for her and to read her first full length novel. I found myself relating to Mallory’s feelings of being a third wheel amongst those she considers friends and feeling often like your presence is simply tolerated rather than appreciated. I was rooting for her to find herself and her own way; to finally put herself amongst people who would appreciate her for who she is and what she has to offer as she is. And we can all only hope to be as lucky to have someone like Tucker in our corner His loyalty is such a rare gift, from such a young age. The only thing that I feel like was missing was some additional backstory on Mallory and Tucker when they were growing up. The only foundation that was really given was that they were friends growing up riding the school bus together, Tucker gave Mal a gift in junior high, but that any communication stopped soon after when Tucker began to get in trouble at school for fighting. Judging by the level of devotion that Tucker has held toward Mallory for quite some time, it would have been nice to be able to see some of how that started. Mal’s rocky journey from an insecure young girl into a (more) self-assured young woman was, at times, both heartbreaking and courageous. She’s a girl you root for when she’s feeling her lowest and one you would feel proud to stand beside when she’s grabbing life’s opportunities by the balls. She proves that once she can overcome her fears and the sins of her past, there really is no limit to what she can achieve; her inner strength is what she was missing all along.
March 11, 2014
Amber Johnson is my friend, and I’m going to say “I knew her when…” because she writes such beautiful, modern, genuine female voices. Somebody big in publishing and/or Hollywood is going to notice her someday.
Okay. So, Mallory Durham is a fish out of water at the beginning of this book. She was part of a popular clique that’s now abandoned her, she had a bright future as a singer and lost her voice, her mother left her behind, and she can’t afford the prestigious college which she’d been planning to attend. And now, she has a babysitter: her Aunt Sam, who’s always been fun but is increasingly withdrawing from life since her marriage fell apart.
Mallory has to find out who she really is and decide how to live her life. Enter Tucker and his friends, who are all kinds of good for her. They’re independent, resilient and best of all, loyal. All of a sudden, Mal has people who ‘belong’ to her, which has never happened before. She and Tucker embark upon a romantic relationship, and he’s just the type of guy one would wish for a daughter: protective of a younger sister, industrious and decent.
Good things start to happen and Mallory begins to bloom, but then a stupid, thoughtless comment derails it all. The girl has to pull up her socks and it’s great to watch.
The book contains a series of letters from Sam to Mal and I have to admit, even though I’m nowhere close to being a teen, I felt like some of those words were things I could use to better my own life. The elements are just that universal and absorbing, which are traits intrinsic to any Amber L. Johnson story. I eagerly await more from this author.
Okay. So, Mallory Durham is a fish out of water at the beginning of this book. She was part of a popular clique that’s now abandoned her, she had a bright future as a singer and lost her voice, her mother left her behind, and she can’t afford the prestigious college which she’d been planning to attend. And now, she has a babysitter: her Aunt Sam, who’s always been fun but is increasingly withdrawing from life since her marriage fell apart.
Mallory has to find out who she really is and decide how to live her life. Enter Tucker and his friends, who are all kinds of good for her. They’re independent, resilient and best of all, loyal. All of a sudden, Mal has people who ‘belong’ to her, which has never happened before. She and Tucker embark upon a romantic relationship, and he’s just the type of guy one would wish for a daughter: protective of a younger sister, industrious and decent.
Good things start to happen and Mallory begins to bloom, but then a stupid, thoughtless comment derails it all. The girl has to pull up her socks and it’s great to watch.
The book contains a series of letters from Sam to Mal and I have to admit, even though I’m nowhere close to being a teen, I felt like some of those words were things I could use to better my own life. The elements are just that universal and absorbing, which are traits intrinsic to any Amber L. Johnson story. I eagerly await more from this author.
April 10, 2014
After reading (and loving) Where We Fell, I was anxious to get my hands on Amber’s first full-length novel, and she did not disappoint. Beatless is the kind of book that leaves you with a warm feeling inside – not all happy and giddy, by any means, but with the touch to your emotions that will leave you thinking about the story for days.
I’ll say straight up that Mallory sometimes got on my nerves. She is not a perfect character. She’s lost and lonely and makes bad choices sometimes. But she grows through the story to become a strong and independent person – not based on her relationship with Tucker, as happens in so many stories, but through making mistakes and choosing for herself the kind of person she wants to be. By the end, I was rooting for her, and I love that. Tucker is all kinds of amazing. Supportive and sweet – the perfect match for Mallory. I was also glad that he didn’t roll over and let her walk all over him – and made her suffer a bit for hurting him. Their relationship really made me smile.
Aunt Sam is the voice of wisdom through the story and I loved the way Amber intertwined her letters with the narrative. It made the story that much richer.
I read this book in a day and enjoyed it a lot. I can’t wait to see what Amber has in store for us next!
I’ll say straight up that Mallory sometimes got on my nerves. She is not a perfect character. She’s lost and lonely and makes bad choices sometimes. But she grows through the story to become a strong and independent person – not based on her relationship with Tucker, as happens in so many stories, but through making mistakes and choosing for herself the kind of person she wants to be. By the end, I was rooting for her, and I love that. Tucker is all kinds of amazing. Supportive and sweet – the perfect match for Mallory. I was also glad that he didn’t roll over and let her walk all over him – and made her suffer a bit for hurting him. Their relationship really made me smile.
Aunt Sam is the voice of wisdom through the story and I loved the way Amber intertwined her letters with the narrative. It made the story that much richer.
I read this book in a day and enjoyed it a lot. I can’t wait to see what Amber has in store for us next!
February 20, 2016
"Don't listen to your head.Your heart is much louder. Can you hear the way it beats around him?"
★★★ ! I have learned one thing after having read three books by Amber L. Johnsson.
You can't go wrong with her.
Her stories are beutiful and memorable.
They stick with you.
And this is not an exeption.
How does she do it? How does she manage to create such amazing characters in every book! Tucker is an absolutely fantastic hero, but don't read this directly after Puddle Jumping. Take a break and read a few other books first before you dive into this beautiful story.
This is a story about a girl who feels left behind. By the world. By herself, by everyone. Someone once told her she wasn't a leader. And that's something she has taken to hear. She's not a leader anywhere. Not even in her own life.
She existing in her life. She isn't living it. Until one day she is forced to.
A beautiful love story.
A.life lesson. TERRIFIC WRITING.
Many, many tears.
Amber L. Johnson is AMAZING!
She is my new Colleen Hoover. I will read EVERYTHING by this author.
March 13, 2014
I say this a lot, and I will say it again, I wish I was someone who was epic at reviews so I can give this story the review it deserves. Even though I'm not, I will give it a go anyway.
First and foremost, I loved that her characters were flawed. Yes, *gasp* I said flawed. People get annoying and over dramatic, among other things. There were times that I thought Mal to be very dramatic but what made me love the story was that the side characters called her out on it and didn't cater to her every need. Tucker also had moments that made me frustrated but Mal stood up to him. Other stories I've read, made their characters flawed but the other characters made them out to be perfect. The characters had a lot of growth throughout the story and I enjoyed the journey they took to get there.
Sam and Mal's relationship was one that made me laugh and cry. Their relationship was interesting because of where both of them were in their life. I loved the letters she left for Mal. It was cool to see the difference in the generations which I thought was written very well.
Great book to read that went well beyond your typical love story!
First and foremost, I loved that her characters were flawed. Yes, *gasp* I said flawed. People get annoying and over dramatic, among other things. There were times that I thought Mal to be very dramatic but what made me love the story was that the side characters called her out on it and didn't cater to her every need. Tucker also had moments that made me frustrated but Mal stood up to him. Other stories I've read, made their characters flawed but the other characters made them out to be perfect. The characters had a lot of growth throughout the story and I enjoyed the journey they took to get there.
Sam and Mal's relationship was one that made me laugh and cry. Their relationship was interesting because of where both of them were in their life. I loved the letters she left for Mal. It was cool to see the difference in the generations which I thought was written very well.
Great book to read that went well beyond your typical love story!
April 3, 2015
Mallory is left behind by her mother who puts work before her daughter and her friends have gone off to college while she's stuck in the same place after missing a year of school due to sickness. She's forced to attend the local community college because she can't afford to go to the college of her dreams. Whilst her mom is gone, her aunt Sam comes to stay with her. Sam was a really positive influence and we could clearly see the change in Mallory from a negative person wallowing in self-pity to a strong person chasing after what she wanted. Sam's letters scattered along the story were really meaningful and encouraged Mallory to live life to the fullest. I loved how music was incorporated into the story with band performances and stage musicals and accompanying lyrics. It was nice to see Mallory and Tucker possessed a similar passion for the arts and having a connection based not only on physical attraction. Great book!
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