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A Story Unfinished
With just a pencil stroke she can create magical creatures like furry-amphibians, rock giants, and gelatinous blobs. But these creatures were supposed to stay fictional—not come to life and disrupt everything.
Twelve-year-old Rose uses the creation of imaginary worlds to escape from her parents’ nasty divorce and her paralyzing self-doubt. She loves to write, but can never gather enough confidence to finish her stories. Just when she thinks her life can’t get any more complicated, she discovers all her imagined creatures have lept straight from the pages and into the real world. She now must find a way to get her beloved characters back to their stories before they cease to exist entirely. One of her characters isn’t too happy about returning to fiction and has found a way to stay, but at the expense of the people Rose loves.
With the help of her fictional friends and her crush, Rose must finish her stories and accept every part of herself, or lose her identity and the people she cares for most.
Twelve-year-old Rose uses the creation of imaginary worlds to escape from her parents’ nasty divorce and her paralyzing self-doubt. She loves to write, but can never gather enough confidence to finish her stories. Just when she thinks her life can’t get any more complicated, she discovers all her imagined creatures have lept straight from the pages and into the real world. She now must find a way to get her beloved characters back to their stories before they cease to exist entirely. One of her characters isn’t too happy about returning to fiction and has found a way to stay, but at the expense of the people Rose loves.
With the help of her fictional friends and her crush, Rose must finish her stories and accept every part of herself, or lose her identity and the people she cares for most.
- GenresFantasy
216 pages, Paperback
Published July 9, 2024
9 people are currently reading
203 people want to read
About the author
Melody Pendlebury
11 books93 followersMelody firmly believes one should never completely grow up. That is why she has chosen to spend her days writing for a younger audience. Melody resides in Jacksonville, Florida with her husband, daughter, and corgi. She started her writing career with children’s picture books and has now pivoted to middle-grade and young-adult novels. She is a best-selling and award-winning author, and was selected as a finalist for the pilot episode of America's Next Great Author. She believes that young readers are eager for more books with strong-willed characters dealing with darker and interesting topics. When Melody is not writing or reading, she can be found planning her next big trip to some magical place she has never been to.
To find out more about Melody, go to melodypendlebury.com
To find out more about Melody, go to melodypendlebury.com
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
April 12, 2024
Okay, I may be the author, but I’ve got a reading goal for this year too over here! Besides I read this 500 times. I think this should count 😂
June 22, 2024
This is truly a spellbinding tale that blends adventure with themes of divorce and self-discovery. At its heart is twelve-year-old Rose, a budding writer who uses her vivid imagination to cope with her parents' divorce and her own insecurities. Through her creative mind, she conjures up an array of fantastical creatures that were meant to stay within the confines of her journal… and fictional.
The strength of this story is not only its thrilling adventure but also its exploration of difficult emotions and personal growth. Rose's internal struggles are sensitively portrayed, making her journey readers of all ages can relate to.
The side characters are equally compelling, each with their own backstories. Every additional character adds intrigue, ensuring that the story never loses its momentum. My only disappointment was that the book wasn’t longer!!! I found myself wanting more time with these characters and their adventures.
A Story Unfinished is a must-read for anyone looking for a fantastical escape with profound insights into what it’s like to be a child of divorce or really any child who is going through emotional hardships and trying to find themselves.
The strength of this story is not only its thrilling adventure but also its exploration of difficult emotions and personal growth. Rose's internal struggles are sensitively portrayed, making her journey readers of all ages can relate to.
The side characters are equally compelling, each with their own backstories. Every additional character adds intrigue, ensuring that the story never loses its momentum. My only disappointment was that the book wasn’t longer!!! I found myself wanting more time with these characters and their adventures.
A Story Unfinished is a must-read for anyone looking for a fantastical escape with profound insights into what it’s like to be a child of divorce or really any child who is going through emotional hardships and trying to find themselves.
February 26, 2025
This was a great intro into fantasy for my 10 year old. I do think some of the story was a little mature for her age but the overall idea was really fun. I think it would be better for middle school aged kids. There is a same sex crush and difficult divorce between the main characters parents - which includes infidelity. It’s a good book but I wish I would have pre-read it before my daughter did as it did cause a few questions.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 7, 2025
Having spent the past five years immersed in the vibrant world of contemporary literature, I’ve developed a keen eye for stories that truly resonate. When I picked up Melody Pendlebury's A Story Unfinished, the whimsical cover art immediately promised something enchanting, and I'm pleased to say the promise was largely fulfilled.
From the opening pages, I was drawn into a world painted with gentle strokes and infused with a quiet magic. Pendlebury has a remarkable ability to evoke a sense of wonder and curiosity, making the act of reading feel like peeling back the layers of a delightful secret. My initial reaction was one of pure contentment; the narrative flows with a soothing rhythm that allowed me to sink comfortably into its embrace.
I felt a pang of nostalgia for childhood tales, yet the story possessed an underlying current of maturity that kept it from being simply saccharine. There were moments when I smiled, moments when I felt a warmth spread through me, and moments where I found myself pondering the subtle allegories woven into the fabric of the tale.
The greatest strength of A Story Unfinished lies in its delicate exploration of imagination and the power of narrative. Pendlebury’s characters, particularly the protagonist, are crafted with a tender hand, allowing readers to truly connect with their journey and internal landscape. I found myself deeply empathetic to their plight, feeling their quiet triumphs and silent struggles as if they were my own. This emotional connection is, for me, the sign of a truly engaging book.
However, as a reviewer, I must also offer constructive feedback. While the gentle pacing was often a strength, there were instances where it felt a little too unhurried, particularly in the middle section of the book. I found myself wishing for a slightly more defined sense of urgency or a more pronounced rising action to propel the narrative forward. A few times, I felt the story lingered a little longer than necessary on certain descriptions or internal reflections, which, while beautiful, occasionally slowed the overall momentum.
To truly earn that elusive five-star rating, I believe a slightly tighter edit in these sections, perhaps with a more immediate introduction of a key challenge or a heightened sense of discovery, would have elevated the experience. Furthermore, while the ending was undeniably charming and fitting, I longed for just a touch more resolution or a hint of where the magic might lead next. It felt a little like closing a beloved book knowing there's still a page or two left to be written.
Despite these observations, A Story Unfinished is a lovely and heartfelt read. Melody Pendlebury has crafted a charming narrative that speaks to the child within us all, reminding us of the enduring power of stories. It's a book that will undoubtedly bring comfort and a gentle spark of imagination to its readers, and I heartily recommend it for anyone seeking a quiet escape into a world of wonder.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
From the opening pages, I was drawn into a world painted with gentle strokes and infused with a quiet magic. Pendlebury has a remarkable ability to evoke a sense of wonder and curiosity, making the act of reading feel like peeling back the layers of a delightful secret. My initial reaction was one of pure contentment; the narrative flows with a soothing rhythm that allowed me to sink comfortably into its embrace.
I felt a pang of nostalgia for childhood tales, yet the story possessed an underlying current of maturity that kept it from being simply saccharine. There were moments when I smiled, moments when I felt a warmth spread through me, and moments where I found myself pondering the subtle allegories woven into the fabric of the tale.
The greatest strength of A Story Unfinished lies in its delicate exploration of imagination and the power of narrative. Pendlebury’s characters, particularly the protagonist, are crafted with a tender hand, allowing readers to truly connect with their journey and internal landscape. I found myself deeply empathetic to their plight, feeling their quiet triumphs and silent struggles as if they were my own. This emotional connection is, for me, the sign of a truly engaging book.
However, as a reviewer, I must also offer constructive feedback. While the gentle pacing was often a strength, there were instances where it felt a little too unhurried, particularly in the middle section of the book. I found myself wishing for a slightly more defined sense of urgency or a more pronounced rising action to propel the narrative forward. A few times, I felt the story lingered a little longer than necessary on certain descriptions or internal reflections, which, while beautiful, occasionally slowed the overall momentum.
To truly earn that elusive five-star rating, I believe a slightly tighter edit in these sections, perhaps with a more immediate introduction of a key challenge or a heightened sense of discovery, would have elevated the experience. Furthermore, while the ending was undeniably charming and fitting, I longed for just a touch more resolution or a hint of where the magic might lead next. It felt a little like closing a beloved book knowing there's still a page or two left to be written.
Despite these observations, A Story Unfinished is a lovely and heartfelt read. Melody Pendlebury has crafted a charming narrative that speaks to the child within us all, reminding us of the enduring power of stories. It's a book that will undoubtedly bring comfort and a gentle spark of imagination to its readers, and I heartily recommend it for anyone seeking a quiet escape into a world of wonder.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
June 30, 2024
What worked:
The book opens with the story of Ambrosia, The Lone Vigilante, as she faces off with ten nasty bandits. Readers quickly learn these pages are from a story being written by a seventh grader named Rose who never finishes what she writes. Rose lacks confidence in herself and doesn’t think any of her stories are good enough to complete. As new characters appear, the author provides italicized paragraphs from Rose’s stories to introduce them. There’s a fearsome-looking man made of stone who’s really gentle as a lamb and a jelly-like blob that is fittingly called Blobby. However, Rose imagines a character to help during one of the worst moments of her life but that old woman becomes the villain in this book. It’s a creative twist to the plot.
Ambrosia climbs through Rose’s bedroom window and becomes her confident, brash ally. Ambrosia is skeptical when Rose says she created her but Ambrosia realizes something strange is happening. Her direct approach is refreshing and admirable in some ways but she’s the opposite personality of Rose. Her tendency is to be blunt and take action without fully considering the consequences. She provides an interesting contrast to Rose whose lack of confidence makes her less decisive but an unexpected development means time is running out on Rose’s new friends.
Rose must deal with divorce and friendship just like many other middle-graders. Her mother is preparing the house for the upcoming move and Rose has happy and sad memories of her father. She misses having him around the house but then realizes he wasn’t consistently part of her home life anyhow. Rose begins to spend time with a classmate who has similar problems in her house. Her parents aren’t divorced but their constant fighting makes her wonder if divorce might make things better. Rose’s best friend is Oliver and he feels they’re losing their closeness. As a result, he does something impulsive that has serious consequences.
What didn’t work as well:
Oliver is introduced as Rose’s best friend early in the book but he ends up having a minor role in the overall story. It’s an unexpected, unusual development that may confuse readers. It seems like he should reappear and have a more significant impact on Rose’s life. What is their relationship moving forward?
The final verdict:
The author creates innovative surprises mainly through Rose’s unfinished stories and the antagonist’s transformation. Young readers will enjoy the variety of strange characters and personalities and the surprising climax. This book will appeal to middle-grade fantasy lovers and I recommend you give it a shot.
The book opens with the story of Ambrosia, The Lone Vigilante, as she faces off with ten nasty bandits. Readers quickly learn these pages are from a story being written by a seventh grader named Rose who never finishes what she writes. Rose lacks confidence in herself and doesn’t think any of her stories are good enough to complete. As new characters appear, the author provides italicized paragraphs from Rose’s stories to introduce them. There’s a fearsome-looking man made of stone who’s really gentle as a lamb and a jelly-like blob that is fittingly called Blobby. However, Rose imagines a character to help during one of the worst moments of her life but that old woman becomes the villain in this book. It’s a creative twist to the plot.
Ambrosia climbs through Rose’s bedroom window and becomes her confident, brash ally. Ambrosia is skeptical when Rose says she created her but Ambrosia realizes something strange is happening. Her direct approach is refreshing and admirable in some ways but she’s the opposite personality of Rose. Her tendency is to be blunt and take action without fully considering the consequences. She provides an interesting contrast to Rose whose lack of confidence makes her less decisive but an unexpected development means time is running out on Rose’s new friends.
Rose must deal with divorce and friendship just like many other middle-graders. Her mother is preparing the house for the upcoming move and Rose has happy and sad memories of her father. She misses having him around the house but then realizes he wasn’t consistently part of her home life anyhow. Rose begins to spend time with a classmate who has similar problems in her house. Her parents aren’t divorced but their constant fighting makes her wonder if divorce might make things better. Rose’s best friend is Oliver and he feels they’re losing their closeness. As a result, he does something impulsive that has serious consequences.
What didn’t work as well:
Oliver is introduced as Rose’s best friend early in the book but he ends up having a minor role in the overall story. It’s an unexpected, unusual development that may confuse readers. It seems like he should reappear and have a more significant impact on Rose’s life. What is their relationship moving forward?
The final verdict:
The author creates innovative surprises mainly through Rose’s unfinished stories and the antagonist’s transformation. Young readers will enjoy the variety of strange characters and personalities and the surprising climax. This book will appeal to middle-grade fantasy lovers and I recommend you give it a shot.
June 28, 2024
Actual rating 4.5 stars (explained below)
Melody Pendlebury's A Story Unfinished is a real gem of a book for middle graders! 12-year-old Rose is a character that the target readers will be able to relate to immediately: she suffers from all the awkward growing pains and self-doubt that this age group deals with, plus she is dealing with the divorce of her parents that has left her feeling in limbo. These traits lead to her inability to finish the stories that she is constantly writing, even though it's clear she has talent.
The great twist in the story comes when many of her story characters suddenly appear in her town, throwing even more chaos into her already precarious world. How she deals with all these issues, including defeating a character that creates a dangerous situation, is at the heart of the "message" Pendlebury imparts to her target readers: learning to trust yourself and realizing that ALL your experiences (good and bad) are important in shaping who you are.
The characters are all well developed, the plot moves at a brisk enough pace to keep middle graders interested through to the end, and the positive message in the story is not heavy handed or preachy. That Pendlebury does not shy away from the "darker" aspects of life and does not offer a pat, rosy ending to the plot means that readers won't be turned off by a saccharine ending; in fact, it makes the story very realistic.
My favorite element is when Rose realizes that "words have power," a thematic thread that runs throughout the book.
The .5 star reduction is based on some awkward phrasings that pop up throughout that create awkward images and made me have to read them again to fully understand what was being described. Middle graders may not notice them as much, but they did give me pause.
Overall, I really liked this MG novel, and I feel it will delight that age group. I thank Melody Pendlebury and Book Sirens for the opportunity to read this advanced review copy for free, and I leave this review voluntarily.
Melody Pendlebury's A Story Unfinished is a real gem of a book for middle graders! 12-year-old Rose is a character that the target readers will be able to relate to immediately: she suffers from all the awkward growing pains and self-doubt that this age group deals with, plus she is dealing with the divorce of her parents that has left her feeling in limbo. These traits lead to her inability to finish the stories that she is constantly writing, even though it's clear she has talent.
The great twist in the story comes when many of her story characters suddenly appear in her town, throwing even more chaos into her already precarious world. How she deals with all these issues, including defeating a character that creates a dangerous situation, is at the heart of the "message" Pendlebury imparts to her target readers: learning to trust yourself and realizing that ALL your experiences (good and bad) are important in shaping who you are.
The characters are all well developed, the plot moves at a brisk enough pace to keep middle graders interested through to the end, and the positive message in the story is not heavy handed or preachy. That Pendlebury does not shy away from the "darker" aspects of life and does not offer a pat, rosy ending to the plot means that readers won't be turned off by a saccharine ending; in fact, it makes the story very realistic.
My favorite element is when Rose realizes that "words have power," a thematic thread that runs throughout the book.
The .5 star reduction is based on some awkward phrasings that pop up throughout that create awkward images and made me have to read them again to fully understand what was being described. Middle graders may not notice them as much, but they did give me pause.
Overall, I really liked this MG novel, and I feel it will delight that age group. I thank Melody Pendlebury and Book Sirens for the opportunity to read this advanced review copy for free, and I leave this review voluntarily.
March 2, 2025
A Captivating and Heartwarming Journey – A Story Unfinished by Melody Pendlebury
“A Story Unfinished” by Melody Pendlebury is an enchanting middle-grade fantasy novel that will transport readers to a world brimming with magic, mystery, and unforgettable characters. From the very first page, Pendlebury’s storytelling grabs hold and refuses to let go, offering a captivating adventure that is both thrilling and emotionally resonant.
The book follows a young girl coping with her parents divorce on a quest that is as much about self-discovery as it is about saving their world. The characters are beautifully developed, each one unique and relatable (I mean even Blobby makes a difference) making it easy for readers to form a deep connection with them. The pacing is spot-on, keeping readers hooked while allowing time for emotional depth and character growth.
Pendlebury’s writing style is rich with detail, creating vivid settings that practically leap off the page. Whether it’s the magical landscapes or the intricate world-building, the novel draws you into a place where anything feels possible. There’s also a perfect balance between lighthearted moments and moments of real heart, making the book a fantastic read for fans of all ages.
At its core, A Story Unfinished is about the importance of never giving up, even when the path ahead seems uncertain. It’s an uplifting reminder that every story, no matter how unfinished it may seem, is worth telling.
I’m excited to have this book to add to my classroom library and hope they can see parts of themselves in the growth of the characters.
“A Story Unfinished” by Melody Pendlebury is an enchanting middle-grade fantasy novel that will transport readers to a world brimming with magic, mystery, and unforgettable characters. From the very first page, Pendlebury’s storytelling grabs hold and refuses to let go, offering a captivating adventure that is both thrilling and emotionally resonant.
The book follows a young girl coping with her parents divorce on a quest that is as much about self-discovery as it is about saving their world. The characters are beautifully developed, each one unique and relatable (I mean even Blobby makes a difference) making it easy for readers to form a deep connection with them. The pacing is spot-on, keeping readers hooked while allowing time for emotional depth and character growth.
Pendlebury’s writing style is rich with detail, creating vivid settings that practically leap off the page. Whether it’s the magical landscapes or the intricate world-building, the novel draws you into a place where anything feels possible. There’s also a perfect balance between lighthearted moments and moments of real heart, making the book a fantastic read for fans of all ages.
At its core, A Story Unfinished is about the importance of never giving up, even when the path ahead seems uncertain. It’s an uplifting reminder that every story, no matter how unfinished it may seem, is worth telling.
I’m excited to have this book to add to my classroom library and hope they can see parts of themselves in the growth of the characters.
September 11, 2024
A Story Unfinished is a whimsical journey centered around 12 year old Rose and her made-up story characters.
With the stress of her parents’ divorce and her rapidly changing home life, Rose has a lot to think about. She uses her stories as a way to express herself, keeping them close and never sharing them with anyone, and rarely finishing them. But when her creations come to life (some with better intentions than others), Rose must form some unlikely alliances and dig deep within herself to save her friends and family from the chaos that ensues.
This book dives headfirst into topics like parental divorce, friendship, and bravery in a way that I believe is suitable for a middle-grade audience. It explores these topics while still remaining light and fun to read. Most of the characters were lovable, but even the “villains” were described with some kindness and redeeming factors.
I will say that, at times, the wording could be repetitive or feel a little outdated, but it is unlikely that a middle-grade audience would notice or be bothered by this.
I loved this book and I can’t wait to read more of the author’s work!
*Thank you to Melody Pendlebury for providing me with a free advanced e-book of A Story Unfinished in exchange for an honest review.
With the stress of her parents’ divorce and her rapidly changing home life, Rose has a lot to think about. She uses her stories as a way to express herself, keeping them close and never sharing them with anyone, and rarely finishing them. But when her creations come to life (some with better intentions than others), Rose must form some unlikely alliances and dig deep within herself to save her friends and family from the chaos that ensues.
This book dives headfirst into topics like parental divorce, friendship, and bravery in a way that I believe is suitable for a middle-grade audience. It explores these topics while still remaining light and fun to read. Most of the characters were lovable, but even the “villains” were described with some kindness and redeeming factors.
I will say that, at times, the wording could be repetitive or feel a little outdated, but it is unlikely that a middle-grade audience would notice or be bothered by this.
I loved this book and I can’t wait to read more of the author’s work!
*Thank you to Melody Pendlebury for providing me with a free advanced e-book of A Story Unfinished in exchange for an honest review.
January 4, 2025
I bought this book to read with my son, however he has refused because it isn’t about natural disasters. He has his favorite genre and I won’t push too hard. Reading this from the lens that I intended to have my son read it, I enjoyed it. It feels like it would be well written to greatly appeal to about the 8-12 year old age group. Marking spoilers as a warning to parents; divorce/broken families are present, cheating being implied though not outright discussed. If your child may be particularly sensitive to those topics, though relatively brief they are present. Overall it was a very cute story that my inner child could connect to as a writer with a million WIPs and the familial dynamics I grew up with. Would recommend 💕
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 12, 2024
4.5 stars, rounded up!
A big THANK-YOU to Melody Pendlebury for giving me early access to this book in exchange for a review - and for her warm welcome into the community of ARC readers!
I've never been a big middle-grade reader; even at that age, I was already reading YA or above, but as an aspiring writer myself, how could I pass up the opportunity to read a story about a writer whose characters come to life?! AND BOY AM I GLAD I TOOK THAT PLUNGE! I read this in 1 sitting and I loved it! I would have liked a more in-depth elaboration of the story and each of the characters Rose created, but I had a blast reading this! Perfect if you're looking a quick but amazing read!
A big THANK-YOU to Melody Pendlebury for giving me early access to this book in exchange for a review - and for her warm welcome into the community of ARC readers!
I've never been a big middle-grade reader; even at that age, I was already reading YA or above, but as an aspiring writer myself, how could I pass up the opportunity to read a story about a writer whose characters come to life?! AND BOY AM I GLAD I TOOK THAT PLUNGE! I read this in 1 sitting and I loved it! I would have liked a more in-depth elaboration of the story and each of the characters Rose created, but I had a blast reading this! Perfect if you're looking a quick but amazing read!
August 24, 2024
This was a lovely read, and something I think children and young teenagers would enjoy. The concept is unique, the lead character very relatable to my younger self, and the format easily digestible while also being interesting, with extracts of stories dotted throughout.
Some of the dialogue seemed a little too obvious to me, as I haven’t experienced people speaking so frankly, but perhaps that’s just a personality / experience / generational difference? Either way, this is still an enjoyable book for younger readers and I’ll be recommending it to my favourite 13 year old.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Some of the dialogue seemed a little too obvious to me, as I haven’t experienced people speaking so frankly, but perhaps that’s just a personality / experience / generational difference? Either way, this is still an enjoyable book for younger readers and I’ll be recommending it to my favourite 13 year old.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
May 10, 2024
This book was so full of magic and whimsy while still managing to cover very real, heavy topics for children. The topic of divorce was approached in such a tactful way that you know someone who has extensive experience with children has written it. I have been following Melody on TikTok for over a year now and her kindness and authenticity shines through in her writing. This book was an instant add to cart for my 11 year old sister and I am so excited to get a physical copy of my own to have a place on my bookshelf.
November 9, 2024
Damn, a story unfinished. What a crazy ride through the characters that she brings to life with her head to the insane journey through the world to stop her characters from fading, I am utterly disappointed that there is not a sequel to this beautiful story because it left us on such a cliffhanger!!It had me hanging on every word that the author typed and i cried. For a book! I've never done that before so good job author, you can add that to you accomplishments.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
November 14, 2025
I really enjoyed the premise and the whole idea behind the plot. It’s what pulled me in since I, much like the main character, also have the bad habit of leaving stories unfinished..lol so I was definitely curious!
I also loved how natural the dialogue felt, and how each character had such a distinct voice that it never got confusing even as more were introduced.
It was a fun read, and I imagine it would feel even more magical for younger readers.
*I received a free advance review copy, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.*
I also loved how natural the dialogue felt, and how each character had such a distinct voice that it never got confusing even as more were introduced.
It was a fun read, and I imagine it would feel even more magical for younger readers.
*I received a free advance review copy, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.*
April 30, 2024
The story is very inspiring to read as an adult. I remember likes that were encouraging. The concept of characters coming to life is brilliant. I liked that it touched darker subjects that may be hard to write about but do exist. I found the book to be potentially helpful to a child who is experiencing the emotions that this story expresses. My only wish is that books like this existed when I was younger.
July 9, 2024
Another fantastic book by Melody! Growing up I never read many, if any, books that had strong FMCs. A Story Unfinished is a MG book about a pre-teenage girl who never finishes any stories she starts. One day when her characters all come to life, she has to figure out how to get them back to their respective worlds.
A story that includes bravery, struggles, friendship, and young love keeps readers captivated the entire time. A fairly quick read, but one that touches upon topics not often seen (in my experience) such as children of divorced/absent parents, struggles with confidence as a preteen, and young LGTB love, is handled with such care where even if you have not experienced all of these yourself, you still understand and empathize.
This is the kind of book our young generation deserves to read! Highly recommend for your preteens. You will not regret it!
A story that includes bravery, struggles, friendship, and young love keeps readers captivated the entire time. A fairly quick read, but one that touches upon topics not often seen (in my experience) such as children of divorced/absent parents, struggles with confidence as a preteen, and young LGTB love, is handled with such care where even if you have not experienced all of these yourself, you still understand and empathize.
This is the kind of book our young generation deserves to read! Highly recommend for your preteens. You will not regret it!
June 17, 2024
I read this book in one sitting, so needless to say I very much enjoyed it. The author does a beautiful job of intertwining a heavy and dark subject with the whimsy and fun back stories of the characters come to life. I truly wish this book was around when I was a child. I know so many children will find both Rose and her experiences relatable. I cannot wait to see what Melody creates next.
July 16, 2024
This was an interesting book about a girl who wrote stories but could never finish them, this story follows her as suddenly all her characters come to life. The book follows their adventures, and as on of her own characters becomes a villian, she has to save her friends, family from her. A fun book to read.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 10, 2025
I saw one of the authors promos on tiktok and ordered as I was intrigued by the premise of a little girl whose stories come to life (because mine never did).
this is such a heartwarming story that does well to address and confront some big feelings and challenges: divorce, self confidence, ambition, isolation, ECT.
my only complaint? WHERE IS THE ENDING OF BROCK'S STORY 😭😭😭
this is such a heartwarming story that does well to address and confront some big feelings and challenges: divorce, self confidence, ambition, isolation, ECT.
my only complaint? WHERE IS THE ENDING OF BROCK'S STORY 😭😭😭
April 4, 2025
Adorable and fun. My daughter loved reading this together with me. 🥰❤️
February 2, 2026
SOOSOSOSOSOSO GOOD! Would 100% read again. Though I’m upset about the fact that it took me so long to finish. (I procrastinated and life got busy.)
August 17, 2025
"A Story Unfinished" is a great read especially for middle grade level, as Melody Pendlebury gives a huge dose of fun while keeping the sentences not too short and not too complex. Surprisingly, we hear quite a lot of Rose's inner thoughts as she grapples with her parents' divorce, insecurity among peers and her self-doubt about her worth as a writer. For that to be on par with the adventure is a delicate balance in middle grade books. I do wish that Oliver's apology in the end is delivered in real-time and not explained as the aftermath. I am still an avid reader of middle grade stories for their fun and easy readability, and this book happily confirms that! I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
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