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Reclaiming the Sand #2
Chasing the Tide
The powerful continuation of the story that began in Reclaiming the Sand- a tale of love and forgiveness and learning to move on from a past that has come to define you.
Bully and Victim
Friend and Lover
Past and Future
Ellie McCallum and Flynn Hendrick’s story was as painful as it was devastating. But they were able to find within each other an unlikely yet beautiful love. Despite the obstacles that tried to keep them apart.
And together they rose out of the ashes of their tragic history.
Now years after their life changing reunion Ellie is back in Wellston, having just graduated from college and ready to start her future with the man who taught her how to love. However, returning to a town that held so much bitterness and anger was the last place she wanted to start over.
But for Flynn, who is now an art professor at the community college and firmly rooted in the place that gave them their beginning, she’d do just about anything.
Yet it’s difficult building a life when you’ve only just learned how to live.
And love, no matter how strong, doesn’t always conquer all.
Ellie and Flynn must learn how far they are willing to go to stay together. Or whether the ghosts of the past will consume them both.
Because finding a happily ever after is harder than it seems. Particularly when you’re fighting against the one thing that could destroy you.
Yourself.
Bully and Victim
Friend and Lover
Past and Future
Ellie McCallum and Flynn Hendrick’s story was as painful as it was devastating. But they were able to find within each other an unlikely yet beautiful love. Despite the obstacles that tried to keep them apart.
And together they rose out of the ashes of their tragic history.
Now years after their life changing reunion Ellie is back in Wellston, having just graduated from college and ready to start her future with the man who taught her how to love. However, returning to a town that held so much bitterness and anger was the last place she wanted to start over.
But for Flynn, who is now an art professor at the community college and firmly rooted in the place that gave them their beginning, she’d do just about anything.
Yet it’s difficult building a life when you’ve only just learned how to live.
And love, no matter how strong, doesn’t always conquer all.
Ellie and Flynn must learn how far they are willing to go to stay together. Or whether the ghosts of the past will consume them both.
Because finding a happily ever after is harder than it seems. Particularly when you’re fighting against the one thing that could destroy you.
Yourself.
254 pages, Paperback
First published December 14, 2014
38 people are currently reading
2171 people want to read
About the author
A. Meredith Walters
37 books4,272 followersThe New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of Contemporary and New Adult romances including the Bad Rep, Find You in the Dark, Reclaiming the Sand, and Twisted Love series.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 258 reviews
December 15, 2014
3.5 stars!
After reading the heartbreakingly emotional Reclaiming the Sand I was ecstatic to hear that there’d be a sequel. While I did think things were wrapped up nicely in the first book, I could never turn down more Ellie and Flynn, two characters I love with all my heart. It does sting a bit that I couldn’t rate this second book higher but I do want to say disappointment didn’t lead to this rating. I think there are two ways to look at ratings: on one end, disappointment leads to a drop in rating and on the other side, enjoyment level is high but just doesn’t quite hit a certain star rating. In this case, Chasing the Tide is the latter. I certainly liked it, and loved being able to reunite with these characters but I just can’t help but compare it to the first book and when I do, well...there’s just no comparison. Nevertheless, I do believe this book is crucial in fully concluding Ellie and Flynn’s story. I like that their story doesn’t end just because a happily-ever-after is stamped and this book explores conflicts that were touched upon in the first book, and seeing them work through their issues and fight for their love was definitely worth the read.
As known from the ending of book 1, Ellie heads off to college and pursues her dreams while Flynn stays behind, grounded to his hometown and the only life he’s familiar with. Now three years later, Ellie’s graduated and Flynn’s a teacher. Though they were able to keep a long-distance relationship, there is an uneasy tension between Ellie and Flynn. Their differing personalities, Ellie’s past mistakes, and Flynn’s disability weigh heavily against their love for each other, leading to conflict and arguments.
This story mainly focused on character psyche rather on plot, and how even though they’re together, Flynn and Ellie still have problems to work through before they can truly function as a couple. Ellie still harbors immense guilt for the way she treated Flynn in the past and even if he has forgiven her, she hasn’t been able to forgive herself. On the flip side, at times Flynn feels inferior and constantly worries he’s not good enough for Ellie, not the kind of boyfriend she wants.
While I believed these conflicts were explored and properly concluded in the first book, after reading this book I can definitely see a lot of issues were only briefly touched upon. I think I went into this book expecting ‘new’ conflicts and was a little surprised that it was somewhat of a rehash of the first story. I can’t say this book was unnecessary because it wasn’t. The characters needed this book in order to be able to fully move on. But as for me, the reader, the story just wasn’t as compelling as the first one was.
I’d still recommend this book but only to those readers who thought the ending in book 1 was rushed and wanted more details. This will be the book to smooth out those gaps and deliver a stunning ending to Flynn and Ellie’s story. I was one of the readers who thought book 1 was perfect as it was, yet no matter what, I would never turn down a book (even if it was a filler) with more Flynn and Ellie. Metaphorically, this story felt more like the icing on the cake rather than a cake itself.
Chasing the Tide is an optional companion novel to Reclaiming the Sand and should only be read after that book. It fully concludes Ellie and Flynn’s story.
ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
After reading the heartbreakingly emotional Reclaiming the Sand I was ecstatic to hear that there’d be a sequel. While I did think things were wrapped up nicely in the first book, I could never turn down more Ellie and Flynn, two characters I love with all my heart. It does sting a bit that I couldn’t rate this second book higher but I do want to say disappointment didn’t lead to this rating. I think there are two ways to look at ratings: on one end, disappointment leads to a drop in rating and on the other side, enjoyment level is high but just doesn’t quite hit a certain star rating. In this case, Chasing the Tide is the latter. I certainly liked it, and loved being able to reunite with these characters but I just can’t help but compare it to the first book and when I do, well...there’s just no comparison. Nevertheless, I do believe this book is crucial in fully concluding Ellie and Flynn’s story. I like that their story doesn’t end just because a happily-ever-after is stamped and this book explores conflicts that were touched upon in the first book, and seeing them work through their issues and fight for their love was definitely worth the read.
As known from the ending of book 1, Ellie heads off to college and pursues her dreams while Flynn stays behind, grounded to his hometown and the only life he’s familiar with. Now three years later, Ellie’s graduated and Flynn’s a teacher. Though they were able to keep a long-distance relationship, there is an uneasy tension between Ellie and Flynn. Their differing personalities, Ellie’s past mistakes, and Flynn’s disability weigh heavily against their love for each other, leading to conflict and arguments.
This story mainly focused on character psyche rather on plot, and how even though they’re together, Flynn and Ellie still have problems to work through before they can truly function as a couple. Ellie still harbors immense guilt for the way she treated Flynn in the past and even if he has forgiven her, she hasn’t been able to forgive herself. On the flip side, at times Flynn feels inferior and constantly worries he’s not good enough for Ellie, not the kind of boyfriend she wants.
While I believed these conflicts were explored and properly concluded in the first book, after reading this book I can definitely see a lot of issues were only briefly touched upon. I think I went into this book expecting ‘new’ conflicts and was a little surprised that it was somewhat of a rehash of the first story. I can’t say this book was unnecessary because it wasn’t. The characters needed this book in order to be able to fully move on. But as for me, the reader, the story just wasn’t as compelling as the first one was.
I’d still recommend this book but only to those readers who thought the ending in book 1 was rushed and wanted more details. This will be the book to smooth out those gaps and deliver a stunning ending to Flynn and Ellie’s story. I was one of the readers who thought book 1 was perfect as it was, yet no matter what, I would never turn down a book (even if it was a filler) with more Flynn and Ellie. Metaphorically, this story felt more like the icing on the cake rather than a cake itself.
Chasing the Tide is an optional companion novel to Reclaiming the Sand and should only be read after that book. It fully concludes Ellie and Flynn’s story.
ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
December 22, 2014
4 stars!
Chasing the Tide is the continuation of Ellie and Flynn’s story.
Ellie is a girl who has issues of her own, but finds love and acceptance with a boy she used to bully. A boy with Asperger’s syndrome. A boy named Flynn. When we last left Flynn and Ellie, Ellie was going off to college. She had to get away from her life in the small town she grew up in and that meant leaving Flynn behind as well. But she promised when she was done, she would come back to him.
But coming back to a town with old demons and people she’d rather not see with no job prospects isn’t easy. Flynn doesn’t really understand her struggles. He’s just so happy she’s home with him. Where she belongs. He does whatever is in his power to make her happy to be there. To make her want to stay with him. It’s not easy for Flynn. When Ellie wants to travel and gets frustrated with things in the town he just doesn’t get it. The only thing Flynn knows is that he and Ellie are in love and should be together no matter what.
Ellie just wants things to fall into place. To start her happy ever after with the man of her dreams.
Ellie was such a hard character to love in the first book. I love her. I love the changes she’s made. I love the way she loves Flynn unconditionally. I’m sure it’s not easy to be with someone who can’t always say they love you. Who doesn’t always get you and your feelings, but Ellie does. Flynn is an very easy man to love. He always has been. I personally love the fact that he has no filter. He says what he means all the time. I also love how hard he tries. He goes to therapy, he always tries to make Ellie happy. He is pretty perfect in my book.
I love this couple and their beautiful, messy and imperfectly perfect love story. This series is very special to me. For me, this book wasn’t quite as emotional as the first. I thought I was going to go the entire book without shedding a tear and I was proud of myself. Then I got to the last page and the waterworks began. This was a fantastic conclusion to this couple’s story. I would recommend to all fans of Reclaiming the Sand.
Every story has a beginning. Flynn was mine. He was the journey in between… He was my beginning. My end. My home. My happily ever after.
Chasing the Tide is the continuation of Ellie and Flynn’s story.
Ellie is a girl who has issues of her own, but finds love and acceptance with a boy she used to bully. A boy with Asperger’s syndrome. A boy named Flynn. When we last left Flynn and Ellie, Ellie was going off to college. She had to get away from her life in the small town she grew up in and that meant leaving Flynn behind as well. But she promised when she was done, she would come back to him.
But coming back to a town with old demons and people she’d rather not see with no job prospects isn’t easy. Flynn doesn’t really understand her struggles. He’s just so happy she’s home with him. Where she belongs. He does whatever is in his power to make her happy to be there. To make her want to stay with him. It’s not easy for Flynn. When Ellie wants to travel and gets frustrated with things in the town he just doesn’t get it. The only thing Flynn knows is that he and Ellie are in love and should be together no matter what.
“I know that people that love each other should be together. And we love each other. Of course we would be together.”
Ellie just wants things to fall into place. To start her happy ever after with the man of her dreams.
Ellie was such a hard character to love in the first book. I love her. I love the changes she’s made. I love the way she loves Flynn unconditionally. I’m sure it’s not easy to be with someone who can’t always say they love you. Who doesn’t always get you and your feelings, but Ellie does. Flynn is an very easy man to love. He always has been. I personally love the fact that he has no filter. He says what he means all the time. I also love how hard he tries. He goes to therapy, he always tries to make Ellie happy. He is pretty perfect in my book.
I love this couple and their beautiful, messy and imperfectly perfect love story. This series is very special to me. For me, this book wasn’t quite as emotional as the first. I thought I was going to go the entire book without shedding a tear and I was proud of myself. Then I got to the last page and the waterworks began. This was a fantastic conclusion to this couple’s story. I would recommend to all fans of Reclaiming the Sand.
By loving me unconditionally, he had resurrected an Ellie that I had thought dead and buried. Flynn had taught me that living was more than breathing. And that earning and deserving love were battles worth fighting.
December 4, 2015
4.5 Emotional Stars
Chasing the Tide was probably the most anticipated book for me this year. When I got my arc I got really excited! Flynn's & Ellie's story had really captured my heart on Reclaiming the Sand Their story was really unique and Flynn wasn't the ordinary male character you usually read. But that was what made him so special, as well Ellie's redemption. Reading about their past and then their present scenes, had me all emotional and my heart was aching for them.
In this beautiful continuation of their story, we see them struggling in their relationship, since both of them have issues that are not easy to overpass. Ellie returns back to Wellston after graduating, even though she never wanted to get back to this town, but she does this for Flynn. Because Flynn likes his stability and he can't get used to a different scenery. And Flynn is her home.
Moving in with him, we can notice both of them struggling to get used to each other's new presence. Living together seems to be harder than they both expected. There's tension and the couple tries to adapt in any way possible. Meanwhile, Ellie is in research for a new job, but her ugly past keeps knocking on her door, something that doesn't make her decision to be back in this town to seem wise.
This novel focused more on Ellie's past and it gave us the facts that formed the personality she carried throughout all these years. Because those demons aren't easy to fight. We can also see Flynn making progress and fighting with his own demons for Ellie's sake. Because Ellie is also his home.
"Because making Ellie smile is better than seeing her cry."
I wish we could get more of Flynn's POV, it felt like it was missing, even though there were parts of him, it was mostly Ellie's & I wish we had a little more of him. They were still amazing every time we got an insight of his thoughts & feelings for Ellie and how hard he was working with his issues for her sake.
I loved how realistic this sequel was, because every couple who starts a new life together, under the same roof isn't all about rainbows and unicorns. It's about making sacrifices for our mate's sake. It's fighting and working for it. And it wouldn't be any different for this couple, especially when they both had issues to fight in order to get to their happily ever after.
"We were faced with the constant struggles of loving each other. Flynn with his disability and me with the instictual urge to self- sabotage and push everyone away."
I'm definitely going to miss Flynn & Ellie. Their story has touched me in a way that will stay with me forever. I encourage people to give their story a try because it's totally worth it.
**ARC was kindly provided by the author in exchange for an honest review. **
Chasing the Tide was probably the most anticipated book for me this year. When I got my arc I got really excited! Flynn's & Ellie's story had really captured my heart on Reclaiming the Sand Their story was really unique and Flynn wasn't the ordinary male character you usually read. But that was what made him so special, as well Ellie's redemption. Reading about their past and then their present scenes, had me all emotional and my heart was aching for them.
"We shared a love that blossomed under the most impossible of circumstances.
It was rough.
It was imperfect.
It was ours."
In this beautiful continuation of their story, we see them struggling in their relationship, since both of them have issues that are not easy to overpass. Ellie returns back to Wellston after graduating, even though she never wanted to get back to this town, but she does this for Flynn. Because Flynn likes his stability and he can't get used to a different scenery. And Flynn is her home.
Moving in with him, we can notice both of them struggling to get used to each other's new presence. Living together seems to be harder than they both expected. There's tension and the couple tries to adapt in any way possible. Meanwhile, Ellie is in research for a new job, but her ugly past keeps knocking on her door, something that doesn't make her decision to be back in this town to seem wise.
This novel focused more on Ellie's past and it gave us the facts that formed the personality she carried throughout all these years. Because those demons aren't easy to fight. We can also see Flynn making progress and fighting with his own demons for Ellie's sake. Because Ellie is also his home.
"Because making Ellie smile is better than seeing her cry."
I wish we could get more of Flynn's POV, it felt like it was missing, even though there were parts of him, it was mostly Ellie's & I wish we had a little more of him. They were still amazing every time we got an insight of his thoughts & feelings for Ellie and how hard he was working with his issues for her sake.
I loved how realistic this sequel was, because every couple who starts a new life together, under the same roof isn't all about rainbows and unicorns. It's about making sacrifices for our mate's sake. It's fighting and working for it. And it wouldn't be any different for this couple, especially when they both had issues to fight in order to get to their happily ever after.
"We were faced with the constant struggles of loving each other. Flynn with his disability and me with the instictual urge to self- sabotage and push everyone away."
I'm definitely going to miss Flynn & Ellie. Their story has touched me in a way that will stay with me forever. I encourage people to give their story a try because it's totally worth it.
**ARC was kindly provided by the author in exchange for an honest review. **
December 16, 2014
4 HOME STARS ★★★★
"He was banana bread and holding hands. He was soft smiles and warm touches. He was whispered words and solemn declarations. He was love."
It's only been a week or two since I've read Reclaiming the Sand and the memories of how it tore me apart are still so fresh in my mind. In the highly anticipated sequel of one of my top reads of 2014, we are once again reunited with Ellie & Flynn as we witnessed them moving forward.
Chasing the Tide picks off with Ellie finishing college and returning home to Wellston. With conflicted feelings about going back to a home where it reminded her of a past she's been trying hard to leave behind, to her, home is where Flynn is.
Moving forward with this sequel, the author shifted the focus more on Flynn & Ellie's struggles to have a functional relationship especially with them living under the same roof. We see the struggles from both sides; Ellie yearning for more in her life after a degree and adjusting to Flynn's habits while Flynn contented with his job still tries his very best to do whatever it takes to make Ellie happy.
We are also given more insight into Ellie's past and what led her to become who she was back then. I already loved her in the first book but giving me these bits and pieces about her completely shattered me again. It broke me to read about a little girl who fell victim to the cruelty of the foster system and how it just got worse from one family to another. Having learnt that, it truly made me heart swell with joy to see how far Ellie has come and made an effort to turn her life around.
Similar with Flynn, the author truly allowed him to grow in this read and how he wouldn't let his condition define who he was. His every word and action filled with genuine sincerity really melts your heart, him trying in his very own ways to make Ellie happy because of how much she meant to him. We got some glimpses into his POV of his time apart with Ellie and once again, those were the best emotional scenes for me.
While this book didn't pack the emotional punch like it did to me in the first one, I was generally contented about being able to learn more about Ellie in this one and seeing them move forward as a couple. It didn't come off being an overall winner read for me because in a way, going into this, perhaps I was hoping for some newer conflicts that would have allowed us to explore on further aspects of their relationship. I also wanted more of Flynn's POV in the present to understand his way of dealing with his struggles rather than me watching from the outside.
Nevertheless, fans of the first book will rejoice in getting that proper closure as we finally get to see their deservedly ending and with these two, their journey will prove to you that you can still find love in the most unlikely places. Thank you Ms Walters for such a beautiful heartwarming love story that I won't be forgetting anytime soon ♥
Chasing the Tide is the sequel and continuation of Ellie & Flynn's story and must be read after Reclaiming the Sand
ARC kindly provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
"He was banana bread and holding hands. He was soft smiles and warm touches. He was whispered words and solemn declarations. He was love."
It's only been a week or two since I've read Reclaiming the Sand and the memories of how it tore me apart are still so fresh in my mind. In the highly anticipated sequel of one of my top reads of 2014, we are once again reunited with Ellie & Flynn as we witnessed them moving forward.
Chasing the Tide picks off with Ellie finishing college and returning home to Wellston. With conflicted feelings about going back to a home where it reminded her of a past she's been trying hard to leave behind, to her, home is where Flynn is.
"His words struck me with a resonance that I felt deep in my bones. Home. No word had ever sounded so foreign to my ears yet felt so right in my heart.
Moving forward with this sequel, the author shifted the focus more on Flynn & Ellie's struggles to have a functional relationship especially with them living under the same roof. We see the struggles from both sides; Ellie yearning for more in her life after a degree and adjusting to Flynn's habits while Flynn contented with his job still tries his very best to do whatever it takes to make Ellie happy.
"We were a story of contradictions. I wanted something more and Flynn wanted exactly what he had."
We are also given more insight into Ellie's past and what led her to become who she was back then. I already loved her in the first book but giving me these bits and pieces about her completely shattered me again. It broke me to read about a little girl who fell victim to the cruelty of the foster system and how it just got worse from one family to another. Having learnt that, it truly made me heart swell with joy to see how far Ellie has come and made an effort to turn her life around.
Similar with Flynn, the author truly allowed him to grow in this read and how he wouldn't let his condition define who he was. His every word and action filled with genuine sincerity really melts your heart, him trying in his very own ways to make Ellie happy because of how much she meant to him. We got some glimpses into his POV of his time apart with Ellie and once again, those were the best emotional scenes for me.
While this book didn't pack the emotional punch like it did to me in the first one, I was generally contented about being able to learn more about Ellie in this one and seeing them move forward as a couple. It didn't come off being an overall winner read for me because in a way, going into this, perhaps I was hoping for some newer conflicts that would have allowed us to explore on further aspects of their relationship. I also wanted more of Flynn's POV in the present to understand his way of dealing with his struggles rather than me watching from the outside.
Nevertheless, fans of the first book will rejoice in getting that proper closure as we finally get to see their deservedly ending and with these two, their journey will prove to you that you can still find love in the most unlikely places. Thank you Ms Walters for such a beautiful heartwarming love story that I won't be forgetting anytime soon ♥
Chasing the Tide is the sequel and continuation of Ellie & Flynn's story and must be read after Reclaiming the Sand
ARC kindly provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
December 16, 2014
Live -> http://amzn.to/1sxcFXo
Chasing the Tide is the continuation of the story that started in Reclaiming the Sand. Ellie has graduated college and has returned to the town she vowed to never step foot in again. This town holds pain and bad memories for her. The one reason she decided to return was for the only person who has ever felt like home to her... Flynn.
Ellie has flashbacks to her time spent in this town as a girl. Those flashbacks are filled with hurt and disappointments which shapes her into the adult she has become. At every corner of this town she runs into her past and is forced to come to terms with what has haunted her.
Flynn is doing well in the life he has created for himself. He's teaching what he loves at a local community college. His character reminds me of Ray Romano in the tv show Parenthood. Both have Aspergers and have to learn to navigate their love life along with everyday living.
Flynn and Ellie are stilted characters who find communicating with each other at best a challenge and at worse a paradox.
If you are like me and wanted more of the Ellie & Flynn's story then you need this book. Chasing the Tide fills in the blanks on how these two are handling living together and moving forward in a world that is filled with oppositions.
RELEASE DATE:December 16, 2014
Order: http://amzn.to/1sxcFXo
SERIES:
2 part series
**Complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.**
Chasing the Tide is the continuation of the story that started in Reclaiming the Sand. Ellie has graduated college and has returned to the town she vowed to never step foot in again. This town holds pain and bad memories for her. The one reason she decided to return was for the only person who has ever felt like home to her... Flynn.
Ellie has flashbacks to her time spent in this town as a girl. Those flashbacks are filled with hurt and disappointments which shapes her into the adult she has become. At every corner of this town she runs into her past and is forced to come to terms with what has haunted her.
Flynn is doing well in the life he has created for himself. He's teaching what he loves at a local community college. His character reminds me of Ray Romano in the tv show Parenthood. Both have Aspergers and have to learn to navigate their love life along with everyday living.
Flynn and Ellie are stilted characters who find communicating with each other at best a challenge and at worse a paradox.
If you are like me and wanted more of the Ellie & Flynn's story then you need this book. Chasing the Tide fills in the blanks on how these two are handling living together and moving forward in a world that is filled with oppositions.
RELEASE DATE:December 16, 2014
Order: http://amzn.to/1sxcFXo
SERIES:
2 part series
**Complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.**
January 9, 2015
4 Stars!
Full review to come.
**ARC courtesy of the author in exchange for an honest review**
December 21, 2014
**** 5 I Love You Stars*****
(BR with Sharon and Melissa)
I don't know how objective I can be with this review, because without reading it, I already knew I was rating this book five stars, I just adore Flynn Hendrick that much. The plot and writing style were as amazing as all of this author's previous books, this story contains a very sensitive subject matter and it might be hard to read for some people but I recommend everyone to give this story a try, is just to beautiful to pass up.
This is the second book in the story of Flynn and Ellie; at the end of Reclaiming The Sand we cried buckets of tears as they said goodbye to each other, because Ellie was going away to college and Flynn is was staying behind with the promise to wait for her. After three years Ellie comes back home to Flynn with a shiny new college degree, she's dreading going back to the hometown that symbolizes everything she wants to forget about her old self, but her love is there and she knows home is where the heart is.
Flynn and Ellie are trying to settle into their new life together, neither of them had ever lived with another person as a couple before and if you add all the issues they each have, it makes for an unusually difficult situation. She can't find work and Flynn is constantly nervous about her feeling unhappy living with him, because he can sense her need to run away.
The love these two have for each other has no boundaries, is the root of both their entire beings, is what drives them, but when things get difficult, doubts will rise threatening to brake them apart. Sometimes the past just keeps staring at you in the face and in the case of Flynn and Ellie, the past is what they are mostly trying to escape.
"Our history was horrible and beautiful and complicated . It was brutal and life changing. We shared a love that have blossomed under the most impossible of circumstances. It was rough. it was imperfect. It was ours."
This time around we get to go back into Ellie's childhood past and experience with her again, the abandonment and the horror of her hard life. I was thinking maybe the author wanted us to understand what Ellie had been through to better interpret her character, maybe to even redeem her in some small way. I'm not going to lie, reading those flashbacks was really tough, especially the ones that included Flynn, the past between these two was no walk in the park, but without all that pain, there would not be any love or beauty, one can not exist without the other. In the end, the violent girl found a beautiful place where she finally belonged, in the arms of the boy she tried to destroy, but after all the pain and all the tears, love was born so strong and his heart became her home...
My Chasing The Tide music playlist:
*Is That You On That Plane by Benjamin Francis-Leftwich
*Skinny Love by Birdie
*Photograph by Ed Sheeran
*Mess is Mine by Vance Joy
(BR with Sharon and Melissa)
I don't know how objective I can be with this review, because without reading it, I already knew I was rating this book five stars, I just adore Flynn Hendrick that much. The plot and writing style were as amazing as all of this author's previous books, this story contains a very sensitive subject matter and it might be hard to read for some people but I recommend everyone to give this story a try, is just to beautiful to pass up.
This is the second book in the story of Flynn and Ellie; at the end of Reclaiming The Sand we cried buckets of tears as they said goodbye to each other, because Ellie was going away to college and Flynn is was staying behind with the promise to wait for her. After three years Ellie comes back home to Flynn with a shiny new college degree, she's dreading going back to the hometown that symbolizes everything she wants to forget about her old self, but her love is there and she knows home is where the heart is.
Flynn and Ellie are trying to settle into their new life together, neither of them had ever lived with another person as a couple before and if you add all the issues they each have, it makes for an unusually difficult situation. She can't find work and Flynn is constantly nervous about her feeling unhappy living with him, because he can sense her need to run away.
The love these two have for each other has no boundaries, is the root of both their entire beings, is what drives them, but when things get difficult, doubts will rise threatening to brake them apart. Sometimes the past just keeps staring at you in the face and in the case of Flynn and Ellie, the past is what they are mostly trying to escape.
"Our history was horrible and beautiful and complicated . It was brutal and life changing. We shared a love that have blossomed under the most impossible of circumstances. It was rough. it was imperfect. It was ours."
This time around we get to go back into Ellie's childhood past and experience with her again, the abandonment and the horror of her hard life. I was thinking maybe the author wanted us to understand what Ellie had been through to better interpret her character, maybe to even redeem her in some small way. I'm not going to lie, reading those flashbacks was really tough, especially the ones that included Flynn, the past between these two was no walk in the park, but without all that pain, there would not be any love or beauty, one can not exist without the other. In the end, the violent girl found a beautiful place where she finally belonged, in the arms of the boy she tried to destroy, but after all the pain and all the tears, love was born so strong and his heart became her home...
My Chasing The Tide music playlist:
*Is That You On That Plane by Benjamin Francis-Leftwich
*Skinny Love by Birdie
*Photograph by Ed Sheeran
*Mess is Mine by Vance Joy
December 11, 2014
3,5-4 STRARS....
REVIEW TO COME...IT WASN'T AS GOOD AS THE FIRST BOOK...I'M A LITTLE DISAPPOINTED...
REVIEW TO COME...IT WASN'T AS GOOD AS THE FIRST BOOK...I'M A LITTLE DISAPPOINTED...
February 4, 2015
Update~Spotlight on February 4th 2015:
CHARACTER AND AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT: Flynn Hendrick from Reclaiming the sand by .Meredith Walters:Q&A **GIVEAWAY**
http://www.slutsistas.blogspot.co.uk/...
Enter the Giveaway here~ http://on.fb.me/1zIt7uV
This story picks up three years after what's left at the end of Reclaiming the Sand, and although their story has some hardships along the way this is a continuation of their story with a big dose of Happy Endings all in all this is a conclusion to Flynn and Ellie.
So the Demons
Ellie is out in the big bad world after all that happened in Reclaiming the Sand Ellie is starting a new journey majoring in English something she found out not only that she enjoyed but was good at she has spend the past three years studying, building a new life for herself which is somewhat scary but she's learning a new her, what's its like to be happy and to ENJOY LIFE and truly be herself without being bitchy or having to be a bully to the one person she loves she can be her without old friends standing in her way, but she promised Flynn once she finished she'd go home to him and now three years later we're back in that town where she grew up and the town that she hated who she was, who she became and how she treated Flynn she's really scared she's going to turn into that person again, but for Flynn she's where she's meant to be with HIM.
Life's Journey
Flynn has been through some hard times, he has Asperger's syndrome and he has lack of understanding on some aspects of life what things mean, but in this one you will see how he's getting stronger becoming himself more meaning he is becoming a MAN and the one holding the fort loving Ellie, taking care of her needs putting her first yet he knows himself he's STRONG I find him to be such a strong Hero, he's loyal, you will love him more and you will grab hold of everything Flynn is in this story but in his character as a whole I was teary eyed many a time cause he does the small things that count you know, the gestures I just loved those small moments of love that seeped through the pages for me made me love him more. Flynn has also become an art teacher since we last saw him, he has a talent an AMAZING talent and he's good at his art yet he's a great teacher he's good at what he does, this is where Ellie struggles in her own path and coming home to a place where she's unable to find a job at first and having to rely on Flynn to take care of everything is where the trials of their relationship takes hold.
Ellie has come back for Flynn alone but doesn't want to let him do everything, she wants to pay her way make their relationship work in all aspects of it but Ellie has a past and is known for that and that's where they are, so finding work is something she has to work hard at and it isn't easy they both have to learn together what its like to be together properly FOREVER. Although I may have disliked parts of Ellies character in Reclaiming the sand I welled up ALOT in Chasing the Tide aww I really felt for her cause although Flynn is a lovable character I suppose at times she was lonely and it kind of came full circle in parts that's all I'm saying.
But then their are moments I just felt whole and all in all this was an EPIC Journey to their conclusion. I LOVED, I ADORED, I CRIED, I LAUGHED and I SMILED.
My Final Thoughts
This was a journey through everything they've been through I really enjoyed the ending and how they get there. If your expecting the heartache you got in reclaiming the sand then no your not going to get that but to me was a much more calmer story and a truly BEAUTIFUL ENDING!!!
So to Conclude;
Will I recommend this story? Yes on both stories Beautiful put together and very well done.
Will I read them again? Yes absolutely when I get some time LOL
And will I read anything Meredith writes in the future? AB-SO-F***IN-LUTELY!!!
THAT IS ALL
You can check out more REVIEWS, COVER REVEALS BLOG POSTS and GIVEAWAYS on our BLOG here
CHARACTER AND AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT: Flynn Hendrick from Reclaiming the sand by .Meredith Walters:Q&A **GIVEAWAY**
http://www.slutsistas.blogspot.co.uk/...
Enter the Giveaway here~ http://on.fb.me/1zIt7uV
This story picks up three years after what's left at the end of Reclaiming the Sand, and although their story has some hardships along the way this is a continuation of their story with a big dose of Happy Endings all in all this is a conclusion to Flynn and Ellie.
So the Demons
Ellie is out in the big bad world after all that happened in Reclaiming the Sand Ellie is starting a new journey majoring in English something she found out not only that she enjoyed but was good at she has spend the past three years studying, building a new life for herself which is somewhat scary but she's learning a new her, what's its like to be happy and to ENJOY LIFE and truly be herself without being bitchy or having to be a bully to the one person she loves she can be her without old friends standing in her way, but she promised Flynn once she finished she'd go home to him and now three years later we're back in that town where she grew up and the town that she hated who she was, who she became and how she treated Flynn she's really scared she's going to turn into that person again, but for Flynn she's where she's meant to be with HIM.
Life's Journey
Flynn has been through some hard times, he has Asperger's syndrome and he has lack of understanding on some aspects of life what things mean, but in this one you will see how he's getting stronger becoming himself more meaning he is becoming a MAN and the one holding the fort loving Ellie, taking care of her needs putting her first yet he knows himself he's STRONG I find him to be such a strong Hero, he's loyal, you will love him more and you will grab hold of everything Flynn is in this story but in his character as a whole I was teary eyed many a time cause he does the small things that count you know, the gestures I just loved those small moments of love that seeped through the pages for me made me love him more. Flynn has also become an art teacher since we last saw him, he has a talent an AMAZING talent and he's good at his art yet he's a great teacher he's good at what he does, this is where Ellie struggles in her own path and coming home to a place where she's unable to find a job at first and having to rely on Flynn to take care of everything is where the trials of their relationship takes hold.
Ellie has come back for Flynn alone but doesn't want to let him do everything, she wants to pay her way make their relationship work in all aspects of it but Ellie has a past and is known for that and that's where they are, so finding work is something she has to work hard at and it isn't easy they both have to learn together what its like to be together properly FOREVER. Although I may have disliked parts of Ellies character in Reclaiming the sand I welled up ALOT in Chasing the Tide aww I really felt for her cause although Flynn is a lovable character I suppose at times she was lonely and it kind of came full circle in parts that's all I'm saying.
But then their are moments I just felt whole and all in all this was an EPIC Journey to their conclusion. I LOVED, I ADORED, I CRIED, I LAUGHED and I SMILED.
My Final Thoughts
This was a journey through everything they've been through I really enjoyed the ending and how they get there. If your expecting the heartache you got in reclaiming the sand then no your not going to get that but to me was a much more calmer story and a truly BEAUTIFUL ENDING!!!
So to Conclude;
Will I recommend this story? Yes on both stories Beautiful put together and very well done.
Will I read them again? Yes absolutely when I get some time LOL
And will I read anything Meredith writes in the future? AB-SO-F***IN-LUTELY!!!
THAT IS ALL
You can check out more REVIEWS, COVER REVEALS BLOG POSTS and GIVEAWAYS on our BLOG here
December 22, 2014
“True love stories never have endings…”
-Richard Bach
And with this series, that is very good to know because let me tell you, it's not an easy read. Reclaiming the Sand was very hard to read and this is no picnic either which really threw me!
As you know from the first book, Flynn sent Ellie off to college...by herself to find herself and for her to come back to him. So I was THRILLED when I heard there would be a second book.
Ellie's back and living with Flynn but Flynn while the same is also different. Plus him and Ellie have not lived together and it's a little different dealing with Flynn's strict routines 24/7. Add into the mix, Ellie's struggle in finding a job and that's a whole lot of stress. Ellie's definitely seeing the grass being greener on the other side and she feels like she's moved backwards instead of forwards but how can she really tells Flynn that so he understands?
She doesn't, she just keeps trying to do the right thing. I loved how AMW connects a scene from Ellie's past with something happening in the present. We get to know Ellie better and the whys for a lot of the horrible things she did.
The connection between Flynn and Ellie is a thing of beauty. That's the real scene stealer and I loved every time we were treated to a scene of it.
And even though Ellie knows it, it takes it a while for it to really sink in. She just has to find her way...her way back home. It takes some time but just have faith.
The ending was amazing and I loved, loved, loved getting Flynn's POV. I think AMW did a wonderful job giving Flynn his voice. I loved him being stronger and knowing exactly what he wants.
Favorite quotes:
♥ “You know my number. If the mountain men take you and try to make you their sex slave or force you to work their still, have me on speed dial."
♥ "You're home."
♥ "I liked to keep them around because they reminded me of you."
♥ “I don’t even care that I’m all sticky. I want to have sex again,” Flynn announced, rolling me on my back.
♥ “I want you to be happy, Ellie. I want you to smile and kiss me. I want to hear you laugh. I don’t like it when you look sad."
♥ “I want to be with you forever, Ellie. I only ever feel good when I’m with you."
♥ “We will never have to miss each other again,” she says.
♦ BR w/Melissa & Dee!
March 6, 2015
4.5 Stop breaking my fucking heart Stars!
Chasing the Tide starts after Ellie has finished college and goes back to Wellston to live with Flynn.
But living together is hard. Harder than they expected.
The years have passed and they both changed. Now they have to find a way to adapt so they can be together. But can they?
Flynn continues to have my heart.
In this book he was constantly pushing his limits so he could become better, so he could become the man that Ellie deserves, so she wont miss anything.
And I loved him for that. I loved that he tried to show her how much he cared for her in actions, because he couldn't express it.
He tried to overcome his fears and be the hero their story needs.
In the end he was the hero and he'll always be the hero in my heart.
-“I got them from the flower shop in town.”
“Oh yeah? Why is that?”
-“I get some every week when it’s cold out and they don’t grow in the garden anymore.”
“Every week? Really? I didn’t think you were the flower kind of guy.”
-“I liked to keep them around because they reminded me of you.”
Ellie, my heart needs to stop breaking for this girl!
She went through so much bad shit in her life. These things she went through have an inpact, they scar. And even when they're far behind, they leave her with insecurities that are carved deep into her soul.
Ellie struggles to become a better person and leave all the pain in the past so she and Flynn can have a chance at happiness.
But can they really leave all the bad memories behind?
In this story we have flashbacks of Ellie's past, her mom walking out on her, how she met Dania, the start of her trouble making behavior.
It was so heartbreaking to see little Ellie go through this stuff.
It was such an intense ride but I loved every second of it.
Although I would prefer if we got more of Flynn's POV.
Walters writing is magic and I look forward to explore her other series in the future.
If you enjoyed Reclaiming the Sand I strongly suggest you to pick this one out, you wont be disappointed!
ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
Chasing the Tide starts after Ellie has finished college and goes back to Wellston to live with Flynn.
But living together is hard. Harder than they expected.
The years have passed and they both changed. Now they have to find a way to adapt so they can be together. But can they?
Flynn continues to have my heart.
In this book he was constantly pushing his limits so he could become better, so he could become the man that Ellie deserves, so she wont miss anything.
And I loved him for that. I loved that he tried to show her how much he cared for her in actions, because he couldn't express it.
He tried to overcome his fears and be the hero their story needs.
In the end he was the hero and he'll always be the hero in my heart.
-“I got them from the flower shop in town.”
“Oh yeah? Why is that?”
-“I get some every week when it’s cold out and they don’t grow in the garden anymore.”
“Every week? Really? I didn’t think you were the flower kind of guy.”
-“I liked to keep them around because they reminded me of you.”
Ellie, my heart needs to stop breaking for this girl!
She went through so much bad shit in her life. These things she went through have an inpact, they scar. And even when they're far behind, they leave her with insecurities that are carved deep into her soul.
Ellie struggles to become a better person and leave all the pain in the past so she and Flynn can have a chance at happiness.
But can they really leave all the bad memories behind?
In this story we have flashbacks of Ellie's past, her mom walking out on her, how she met Dania, the start of her trouble making behavior.
It was so heartbreaking to see little Ellie go through this stuff.
"Every story has a beginning.
Flynn was mine.
He was my beginning.
My end.
My home."
It was such an intense ride but I loved every second of it.
Although I would prefer if we got more of Flynn's POV.
Walters writing is magic and I look forward to explore her other series in the future.
If you enjoyed Reclaiming the Sand I strongly suggest you to pick this one out, you wont be disappointed!
ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
January 27, 2015
Review posted on January 26th, 2015.
When I read Reclaiming the Sand last year, I managed to surprise even myself. To be honest, that was one of the books I was sure I wouldn't be reading. And then I did. Not only that, but I liked it a lot. It was unlike any new adult novel I had read before.
Chasing the Tide picks up where previous book ended - Flynn and Ellie trying to make their relationship work and still following their own, separate dreams. It is a story about facing temptations and problems that life throws your way, fighting for something you believe in and realizing that being a grown-up means that you have to make hard choices and compromises every day. This is not a "happily ever after", "let's ride into the sunset together" story. It is real. Their relationship is far from easy. Every step is a struggle. Ellie has to give up a lot of things to be with Flynn. She has to face her past all the time. Flynn is trying to find a way to fit in the society, to make an effort for a future he wants to have.
Anyone who has read books written by A. Meredith Walters knows that she is not an author who will give you rainbows and butterflies in her novels. If you are not a fan of usual new adult premises, than you seriously need to thing about giving a chance to this author. I promise that you will not regret it.
xoxo,
Review posted at Ja čitam, a ti?
When I read Reclaiming the Sand last year, I managed to surprise even myself. To be honest, that was one of the books I was sure I wouldn't be reading. And then I did. Not only that, but I liked it a lot. It was unlike any new adult novel I had read before.
Chasing the Tide picks up where previous book ended - Flynn and Ellie trying to make their relationship work and still following their own, separate dreams. It is a story about facing temptations and problems that life throws your way, fighting for something you believe in and realizing that being a grown-up means that you have to make hard choices and compromises every day. This is not a "happily ever after", "let's ride into the sunset together" story. It is real. Their relationship is far from easy. Every step is a struggle. Ellie has to give up a lot of things to be with Flynn. She has to face her past all the time. Flynn is trying to find a way to fit in the society, to make an effort for a future he wants to have.
Anyone who has read books written by A. Meredith Walters knows that she is not an author who will give you rainbows and butterflies in her novels. If you are not a fan of usual new adult premises, than you seriously need to thing about giving a chance to this author. I promise that you will not regret it.
xoxo,
Review posted at Ja čitam, a ti?
December 21, 2014
3.5-4 "We Can Have Everything" Stars!
(BR with Sharon & Dee)
This book picks up three years after Ellie left Flynn to move to Baltimore for college. She now has her degree and returns to Wellston to be with Flynn. Flynn is working as a professor at the community college teaching art classes. As a result of his Asperger's, he still has odd habits, and requires order & consistency. He's been working on his social skills & trying to overcome his limitations. He adores Ellie, and they are committed to each other. He always hoped she'd return to him, and is thrilled she is moving in with him.
Ellie grew up feeling unlovable, lonely, & miserable. She was cruel, selfish, and self destructive. She could never emotionally connect with anyone, and lost the ability to feel anything but anger. She was irresponsible and made bad decisions that often resulted in hurting Flynn. Now, she continues to feel guilt over her past with Flynn, and feels at times like she doesn't deserve him. Being with Flynn had shown her the person she wanted to be, and he was now her heart, her soul, her everything. She wanted a future with him, & everything in life she'd never had.
Being with Flynn had changed Ellie for the better. She was a new, improved Ellie, but this caused her insecurities. She wanted to be perfect for Flynn and not disappoint him. Flynn just wanted her to be happy, but living life with Flynn starts to feel a little confining, & when Ellie has trouble finding a job, she begins to feel like a failure. Things get tense and awkward for a while when Ellie tries to find her place in Flynn's world, but eventually they figure things out. Flynn believes in Ellie, and helps her to believe in herself.
Overall I enjoyed this book. I of course as always ADORE Flynn, but felt most of this book was about Ellie. We get a lot of her past, and find out why she's so damaged & emotionally broken. I loved getting Flynn's POV some, but still wanted more Flynn.
-My heart had become an irrational beast with one absolute and total focus. Flynn Hendrick.
-Kissing Flynn was an experience unlike anything. No two kisses were ever the same.
-I loved it when Flynn looked at me like that. Like I was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen.
-Flynn had always been my safe landing.
-With him, things were okay.
-Life was tangled and twisted. It was vicious and violent. It could crush you in its merciless grip before you ever had a chance to live. And he was my safety in the nightmare.
-Behind closed eyelids I could see everything. Flynn. Me. Our future together. Jobs. Vacations. Holidays. Children. It was all there. This was my life. The one I had always wanted.
-"I want to be with you forever, Ellie. I only ever feel good when I'm with you."
(BR with Sharon & Dee)
This book picks up three years after Ellie left Flynn to move to Baltimore for college. She now has her degree and returns to Wellston to be with Flynn. Flynn is working as a professor at the community college teaching art classes. As a result of his Asperger's, he still has odd habits, and requires order & consistency. He's been working on his social skills & trying to overcome his limitations. He adores Ellie, and they are committed to each other. He always hoped she'd return to him, and is thrilled she is moving in with him.
Ellie grew up feeling unlovable, lonely, & miserable. She was cruel, selfish, and self destructive. She could never emotionally connect with anyone, and lost the ability to feel anything but anger. She was irresponsible and made bad decisions that often resulted in hurting Flynn. Now, she continues to feel guilt over her past with Flynn, and feels at times like she doesn't deserve him. Being with Flynn had shown her the person she wanted to be, and he was now her heart, her soul, her everything. She wanted a future with him, & everything in life she'd never had.
Being with Flynn had changed Ellie for the better. She was a new, improved Ellie, but this caused her insecurities. She wanted to be perfect for Flynn and not disappoint him. Flynn just wanted her to be happy, but living life with Flynn starts to feel a little confining, & when Ellie has trouble finding a job, she begins to feel like a failure. Things get tense and awkward for a while when Ellie tries to find her place in Flynn's world, but eventually they figure things out. Flynn believes in Ellie, and helps her to believe in herself.
Overall I enjoyed this book. I of course as always ADORE Flynn, but felt most of this book was about Ellie. We get a lot of her past, and find out why she's so damaged & emotionally broken. I loved getting Flynn's POV some, but still wanted more Flynn.
-My heart had become an irrational beast with one absolute and total focus. Flynn Hendrick.
-Kissing Flynn was an experience unlike anything. No two kisses were ever the same.
-I loved it when Flynn looked at me like that. Like I was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen.
-Flynn had always been my safe landing.
-With him, things were okay.
-Life was tangled and twisted. It was vicious and violent. It could crush you in its merciless grip before you ever had a chance to live. And he was my safety in the nightmare.
-Behind closed eyelids I could see everything. Flynn. Me. Our future together. Jobs. Vacations. Holidays. Children. It was all there. This was my life. The one I had always wanted.
-"I want to be with you forever, Ellie. I only ever feel good when I'm with you."
August 5, 2021
(( ~ 𝟮.𝟱 ))
✘ 𝗪𝗢𝗪… 𝗜 𝗗𝗜𝗦𝗟𝗜𝗞𝗘𝗗 '𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗦𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗧𝗜𝗗𝗘' 𝗩𝗘𝗥𝗬 𝗠𝗨𝗖𝗛… 𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆… 𝘂𝗻𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗱. Because, in all honesty I went into 'CHASING THE TIDE' with extremely high hopes. That was obviously my mistake. I think I expected 'CTT' to be less a retread of book one, and instead more of an extended epilogue for the couple. Or… maybe that's not right. I think I expected 'CTT' to really expand upon the romance. I wanted this book to really dig deep into Flynn and Ellie's relationship.
That clearly did not happen. Instead, we were treated too…
I honestly could go on, but I'm just not in the mood…
✘ 𝗨𝗟𝗧𝗜𝗠𝗔𝗧𝗘𝗟𝗬, 𝗧𝗛𝗜𝗦 𝗕𝗢𝗢𝗞 𝗮𝘀 𝗮 𝘄𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗲 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗱𝗶𝗱 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗺𝗲. I think the only thing that could've saved this one for me would've been if Ellie and Flynn had broken up. Personally, I felt like they would've been better off broken up. It just seemed like the cycle of hurt and sadness kept repeating itself over and over again.
Moreover, Flynn deserved better. He was so sweet toward Ellie, and he truly loved her with his entire being. He would do anything to make her happy, and how does she repay that? By smashing his heart into a thousand pieces. Somebody needs to hold me back, because mmmm. I'm about to boob punch a bitch.
Ellie, honey, run, don't walk, your way into a therapists office. Flynn, dump her ass and also reinvent yourself as not a doormat. Dania… I still don't like you. Stu (or was his name Shane) and Ruby? You're irrelevant.
IDK, maybe I'm being too harsh… okay I most likely am being too harsh, but idk… this book made me mad. But, alas… it seems like I'm in the minority on this series as whole. Eh, I guess it was my turn to be the contrary canary. Thus, I say check this series out yourselves. You'll probably end up loving it… probably.
┍━━━━━━✧✦━━━━━━┑
𝗥𝗘𝗖𝗟𝗔𝗜𝗠𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗦𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗦𝗘𝗥𝗜𝗘𝗦
ʙᴏᴏᴋ ᴏɴᴇ: ʀᴇᴄʟᴀɪᴍɪɴɢ ᴛʜᴇ ꜱᴀɴᴅ ~ 𝟯.𝟱 ✧
ʙᴏᴏᴋ ᴛᴡᴏ: ᴄʜᴀꜱɪɴɢ ᴛʜᴇ ᴛɪᴅᴇ ~ 𝟮.𝟱 ✧
┕━━━━━━✧✦━━━━━━┙
♪♫♪ Something's gotta give
Something's gotta break
But all I do is give
And all you do is take ♪♫♪
✘ 𝗪𝗢𝗪… 𝗜 𝗗𝗜𝗦𝗟𝗜𝗞𝗘𝗗 '𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗦𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗧𝗜𝗗𝗘' 𝗩𝗘𝗥𝗬 𝗠𝗨𝗖𝗛… 𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆… 𝘂𝗻𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗱. Because, in all honesty I went into 'CHASING THE TIDE' with extremely high hopes. That was obviously my mistake. I think I expected 'CTT' to be less a retread of book one, and instead more of an extended epilogue for the couple. Or… maybe that's not right. I think I expected 'CTT' to really expand upon the romance. I wanted this book to really dig deep into Flynn and Ellie's relationship.
That clearly did not happen. Instead, we were treated too…
✧ 𝗘𝗟𝗟𝗜𝗘 𝗧𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗙𝗟𝗬𝗡𝗡 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝗴𝗮𝗿𝗯𝗮𝗴𝗲… 𝗮𝗴𝗮𝗶𝗻.
✦ 𝗙𝗟𝗬𝗡𝗡'𝗦 𝗙𝗜𝗡𝗔𝗟 𝗧𝗥𝗔𝗡𝗦𝗙𝗢𝗥𝗠𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝗮 𝗱𝗼𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁…
✧ 𝗔 𝗥𝗘𝗗𝗘𝗠𝗣𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗔𝗥𝗖 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗗𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗮 𝗼𝗳 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲… 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗴𝗶𝗿𝗹 𝘄𝗵𝗼 𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗹𝘆 𝗯𝘂𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗱 𝗙𝗹𝘆𝗻𝗻, 𝗮𝗹𝗺𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗸𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗱 𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝘂𝗻𝗯𝗼𝗿𝗻 𝗯𝗮𝗯𝘆, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗹𝗮𝘀𝗵𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗮𝘁 𝗘𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗹𝘆… 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗗𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗮.
✦ 𝗘𝗟𝗟𝗜𝗘 𝗣𝗨𝗦𝗛𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗔𝗪𝗔𝗬 𝗙𝗹𝘆𝗻𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲… 𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝗶𝗻𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲.
✧ 𝗘𝗟𝗟𝗜𝗘 𝗥𝗨𝗡𝗡𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗔𝗪𝗔𝗬 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗙𝗹𝘆𝗻𝗻, 𝗮𝗴𝗮𝗶𝗻… 𝗴𝗶𝗿𝗹 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗱𝗶𝗱 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝘄𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗱𝗲𝗮𝗹 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗳𝗲𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀…
✦ 𝗘𝗟𝗟𝗜𝗘 𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗙𝗟𝗬𝗡𝗡 𝗳𝗼𝗿 "𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗴" 𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗼 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝘁𝗼 𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗵𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘁𝗼𝘄𝗻… 𝘄𝗵𝗶𝗰𝗵 *𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗵* 𝗖𝗢𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗡𝗜𝗖𝗮𝗧𝗲 𝗳𝗢𝗥 𝘁𝗵𝗘 𝗹𝗢𝘃𝗲 𝗼𝗙 𝗚𝗼𝗗… 𝘂𝗴𝗵𝗵𝗵𝗵
✧ 𝗘𝗟𝗟𝗜𝗘 𝗪𝗜𝗦𝗛𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗧𝗛𝗔𝗧 𝗙𝗹𝘆𝗻𝗻 𝘄𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝗮 "𝗻𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝗹" 𝗯𝗼𝘆𝗳𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗱… 𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗱𝗲𝗰𝗹𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗹𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗵𝗶𝗺 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗻𝗲𝘅𝘁 𝗽𝗮𝗴𝗲…
✦ 𝗟𝗢𝗧𝗦 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗟𝗢𝗧𝗦 𝗼𝗳 𝗳𝗹𝗮𝘀𝗵𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗜 𝗵𝗼𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗹𝘆 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝘀𝗸𝗶𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗱… 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗯𝗮𝘀𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗮𝗺𝗲 𝘀𝗰𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗼𝗻𝗲… 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗘𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗲'𝘀 𝗣𝗢𝗩…
✧ 𝗔 𝗠𝗜𝗡𝗜 𝗥𝗘𝗗𝗘𝗠𝗣𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗮𝗿𝗰 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗘𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗲'𝘀 𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝘀𝗵𝗶𝘁𝘁𝘆 𝗳𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗱𝘀… 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗜 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝗮𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝘀, 𝗪-𝗛-𝗬-?
I honestly could go on, but I'm just not in the mood…
✘ 𝗨𝗟𝗧𝗜𝗠𝗔𝗧𝗘𝗟𝗬, 𝗧𝗛𝗜𝗦 𝗕𝗢𝗢𝗞 𝗮𝘀 𝗮 𝘄𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗲 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗱𝗶𝗱 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗺𝗲. I think the only thing that could've saved this one for me would've been if Ellie and Flynn had broken up. Personally, I felt like they would've been better off broken up. It just seemed like the cycle of hurt and sadness kept repeating itself over and over again.
Moreover, Flynn deserved better. He was so sweet toward Ellie, and he truly loved her with his entire being. He would do anything to make her happy, and how does she repay that? By smashing his heart into a thousand pieces. Somebody needs to hold me back, because mmmm. I'm about to boob punch a bitch.
Ellie, honey, run, don't walk, your way into a therapists office. Flynn, dump her ass and also reinvent yourself as not a doormat. Dania… I still don't like you. Stu (or was his name Shane) and Ruby? You're irrelevant.
IDK, maybe I'm being too harsh… okay I most likely am being too harsh, but idk… this book made me mad. But, alas… it seems like I'm in the minority on this series as whole. Eh, I guess it was my turn to be the contrary canary. Thus, I say check this series out yourselves. You'll probably end up loving it… probably.
┍━━━━━━✧✦━━━━━━┑
𝗥𝗘𝗖𝗟𝗔𝗜𝗠𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗦𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗦𝗘𝗥𝗜𝗘𝗦
ʙᴏᴏᴋ ᴏɴᴇ: ʀᴇᴄʟᴀɪᴍɪɴɢ ᴛʜᴇ ꜱᴀɴᴅ ~ 𝟯.𝟱 ✧
ʙᴏᴏᴋ ᴛᴡᴏ: ᴄʜᴀꜱɪɴɢ ᴛʜᴇ ᴛɪᴅᴇ ~ 𝟮.𝟱 ✧
┕━━━━━━✧✦━━━━━━┙
Want to read
September 18, 2014 NEW BOOK FROM A. MEREDITH WALTERS!!!
This is going to be a continuation of Ellie and Flynn's story - the sequel to RECLAIMING THE SAND ➜ http://bit.ly/RrUQx0
This is going to be a continuation of Ellie and Flynn's story - the sequel to RECLAIMING THE SAND ➜ http://bit.ly/RrUQx0
December 11, 2014
Review: Surj 4.5 Stars
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheHopelessR...
Blog: http://thehopelessromanticsbookblog.b...
TSU: https://www.tsu.co/HopelessRomantics
The first book in this series entitled "Reclaiming the Sand" completely blew me away. It was unlike anything I'd ever read before and by the time I'd finished reading Ellie and Flynn's story, I was a blubbering, emotional mess. This was a book that was beautiful yet soul destroying and it was difficult not to be affected by what I had read. And that ending... it broke me... leaving me shattered yet in the same breath, I felt that it was (in some way) perfect for the characters I'd grown to know and love. So when A Meredith Walters announced she would be writing the next chapter in this couple's story, I jumped for joy because a small part of me hoped that maybe, just maybe I'd get that perfect HEA Flynn and Ellie truly deserved. Well who was I kidding, this author got me again. As I began reading "Chasing the Tide," a nervousness settling in the pit of my stomach and a lump formed in my throat, my gut telling me this was not going to be the "walk in the park" read I had prayed for. Nope, not a cat's chance in hell.
In "Reclaiming the Sand," I saw Flynn and Ellie really grow in terms of their characters and in "Chasing the Tide," that development continued. I saw Ellie and Flynn compromise for the greater good, make sacrifices in the name of love, face their fears and finally come to terms with their demons. Unfortunately as wonderful as all of this sounds, their journey continued to be marred with pain, sadness and heart ache, as each of them tried desperately to resolve issues and find common ground. The problem was, Ellie and Flynn had each changed so much over the years and their wants, needs, hopes and dreams couldn't have been more different now. It wouldn't be easy, I knew that yet at times I still found myself getting angry and frustrated. It took taking a step back, putting myself in Ellie and Flynn's shoes and getting into their mind set to fully understand them... but then I was always left with this searing pain in my chest, my heart and head in a fierce battle as to whether they truly belonged together... I mean was love enough to see them through? Could love really conquer all? I wasn't so sure.
If you loved "Reclaiming the Sand," you will absolutely love this conclusion to Ellie and flynn's story. A Meredith Walters yet again put me on the mother of emotional roller coasters but I wouldn't have changed it for the world. Her writing captivated me and the story line (as gutting as it was at times) had me hooked. I've loved being a part of Ellie and Flynn's journey and all I'll say about the ending is that it was perfect for the individuals they were and the bond they shared. (My teaser is no reflection of the ending BTW.. we know she returned after college from the synopsis.. i just loved the image and it reminded me of Ellie and Flynn).
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Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheHopelessR...
Blog: http://thehopelessromanticsbookblog.b...
TSU: https://www.tsu.co/HopelessRomantics
The first book in this series entitled "Reclaiming the Sand" completely blew me away. It was unlike anything I'd ever read before and by the time I'd finished reading Ellie and Flynn's story, I was a blubbering, emotional mess. This was a book that was beautiful yet soul destroying and it was difficult not to be affected by what I had read. And that ending... it broke me... leaving me shattered yet in the same breath, I felt that it was (in some way) perfect for the characters I'd grown to know and love. So when A Meredith Walters announced she would be writing the next chapter in this couple's story, I jumped for joy because a small part of me hoped that maybe, just maybe I'd get that perfect HEA Flynn and Ellie truly deserved. Well who was I kidding, this author got me again. As I began reading "Chasing the Tide," a nervousness settling in the pit of my stomach and a lump formed in my throat, my gut telling me this was not going to be the "walk in the park" read I had prayed for. Nope, not a cat's chance in hell.
We were a story of contradictions. I wanted something more and Flynn wanted exactly what he had.
In "Reclaiming the Sand," I saw Flynn and Ellie really grow in terms of their characters and in "Chasing the Tide," that development continued. I saw Ellie and Flynn compromise for the greater good, make sacrifices in the name of love, face their fears and finally come to terms with their demons. Unfortunately as wonderful as all of this sounds, their journey continued to be marred with pain, sadness and heart ache, as each of them tried desperately to resolve issues and find common ground. The problem was, Ellie and Flynn had each changed so much over the years and their wants, needs, hopes and dreams couldn't have been more different now. It wouldn't be easy, I knew that yet at times I still found myself getting angry and frustrated. It took taking a step back, putting myself in Ellie and Flynn's shoes and getting into their mind set to fully understand them... but then I was always left with this searing pain in my chest, my heart and head in a fierce battle as to whether they truly belonged together... I mean was love enough to see them through? Could love really conquer all? I wasn't so sure.
The streets were paved with my pain and regret. But it was here among the ugly reality that I had inexplicably found my heart. My soul. My everything. Maybe that would be enough.Flynn continued to wrap himself around my heart. I loved his open, honest and blunt behaviour... lol and as much as I hurt for him at times, he also provided me with some much needed humour. Above all else though, I felt an overwhelming sense of pride for this man. I mean, I never thought I'd see the day when Flynn would have a job doing what he loved: sculpting. But here he was, a college professor. Of course it wasn't easy and each day he stood in front of a class full of kids was a struggle but he had pushed passed his issues to do this. I loved that Flynn was learning to overcome his fears, that he was learning to be more sociable, that he was really pushing his boundaries. He was trying and that was all anyone could ask for.
He was banana bread and holding hands. He was soft smiles and warm touches. He was whispered words and solemn declarations. He was love. He was home. He was forever.And Ellie was a graduate. Who'd have thought the rebellious bully who was so angry at the world would end up going to college, working her ass off and come out with a degree? Not me that's for sure but Ellie's story hadn't been an easy one to read and in "Chasing the Tide," my heart broke once again for this woman. I saw her go from bully (which had been her main trait in book one) to victim and chapters told from her past really helped me to understand how much the system had failed this girl. I cried for the five year old who had been abandoned and for the teenager who suffered at the hands of foster carer after foster carer. But ultimately, my heart swelled with the knowledge that she had turned her life around because of the unlikely friendship she had formed with a beautiful boy.
I felt as though Flynn and I were forever chasing the tide. Hoping that just this once, we'd be able to catch it. That we could hold it in our hands and breathe a sigh of relief because all the battles, all the wars were over
If you loved "Reclaiming the Sand," you will absolutely love this conclusion to Ellie and flynn's story. A Meredith Walters yet again put me on the mother of emotional roller coasters but I wouldn't have changed it for the world. Her writing captivated me and the story line (as gutting as it was at times) had me hooked. I've loved being a part of Ellie and Flynn's journey and all I'll say about the ending is that it was perfect for the individuals they were and the bond they shared. (My teaser is no reflection of the ending BTW.. we know she returned after college from the synopsis.. i just loved the image and it reminded me of Ellie and Flynn).
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December 19, 2014
Reclaiming the Sand is one of the best tear-jerker for me in 2014 and I'm ecstatic to know there will be a sequel.
For Chasing the Tide, plot-wise I will give it only 3 stars because there was no major plot or new development. Ellie and Flynn pretty much engaging in the same conflict that they were facing towards the end of Book 1. Ellie wanted more out of her life and Flynn was too content to bulge. Now that Ellie had finished college and return to her hometown, will she ever feel content?
I dislike most of the flashback, I'm the kind of person who prefer flash forward. A huge part of this book deal with Ellie's soul searching and internal turmoil. Anyway, due to my love for this couple. I don't regret reading this and I really enjoy reading their ultimate HEA. I will even read their extended HEA if there will be one.
For Chasing the Tide, plot-wise I will give it only 3 stars because there was no major plot or new development. Ellie and Flynn pretty much engaging in the same conflict that they were facing towards the end of Book 1. Ellie wanted more out of her life and Flynn was too content to bulge. Now that Ellie had finished college and return to her hometown, will she ever feel content?
I dislike most of the flashback, I'm the kind of person who prefer flash forward. A huge part of this book deal with Ellie's soul searching and internal turmoil. Anyway, due to my love for this couple. I don't regret reading this and I really enjoy reading their ultimate HEA. I will even read their extended HEA if there will be one.
Read
November 24, 2015Review to come !
Stop processing everything!
Stop processing everything!
January 30, 2022
DNF
Really wish I could like it, but just feel annoyed while reading. I definitely feel like it should have ended with book one. I'm not sure why the characters even like each other too because we are always shown the bad and the complaining and the quirks, but we are never shown any really sweet moments. Also, not to be insensitive or anything, but I felt like Flynn's Aspergers hasn't improved at all, and it's constantly the same thing over and over with these two. It does make sense that the heroine has RAD, but again, constant arguments and fights or whining and it's just hard to read.
Really wish I could like it, but just feel annoyed while reading. I definitely feel like it should have ended with book one. I'm not sure why the characters even like each other too because we are always shown the bad and the complaining and the quirks, but we are never shown any really sweet moments. Also, not to be insensitive or anything, but I felt like Flynn's Aspergers hasn't improved at all, and it's constantly the same thing over and over with these two. It does make sense that the heroine has RAD, but again, constant arguments and fights or whining and it's just hard to read.
series-to-finish
May 29, 2015 More Flynn, More Ellie!!! Thank you Meredith Walters:)
June 17, 2015
4.5 CHANGING stars
In the much anticipated sequel to Reclaiming the Sand, Ms. Walter’s provides us with an in-depth look into the life and psyche of Ellie. I felt as if I was back in college again reading a case study. It seems the knowledge the author gained in her previous field of employment as a counselor for at-risk teens and children, helped in the writing of this book. Seeing Ellie struggle with becoming a different, better person was not easy to read, because in order to see the change, we had to see what made her like she is. I think what one can take away from this book is that it doesn’t matter as much what happened to you in your past, or who you were, or the things you did, what matters most is what you chose to do about it. How you chose to respond, and live. You can stay stuck in the pain or push through and see your way to a brighter future.
This held true also with Flynn. The author showcased Flynn’s personality in such a way that he became a hero. He truly struggled daily to be more conscious of his behavior towards others. He didn’t let his diagnosis define who he was. He wanted to be a better Flynn, not a different Flynn.
Again the author uses a dual POV and leads us through the present and past, to help the reader along the journey.
The end of the book was beautiful. It brought tears to my eyes. It was the perfect ending to their story!
As anyone who knows me can attest, I love listening to music as I read. I often refer to a song in my reviews. For me, "Have a Little Faith in Me." as sung by Luke Wade was the perfect song for this book.
Luke Wade | Have a Little Faith in Me - The Voice
“My entire existence had been composed of one bad choice after another.
Until Flynn.
He was my redemption.
My Salvation.”
In the much anticipated sequel to Reclaiming the Sand, Ms. Walter’s provides us with an in-depth look into the life and psyche of Ellie. I felt as if I was back in college again reading a case study. It seems the knowledge the author gained in her previous field of employment as a counselor for at-risk teens and children, helped in the writing of this book. Seeing Ellie struggle with becoming a different, better person was not easy to read, because in order to see the change, we had to see what made her like she is. I think what one can take away from this book is that it doesn’t matter as much what happened to you in your past, or who you were, or the things you did, what matters most is what you chose to do about it. How you chose to respond, and live. You can stay stuck in the pain or push through and see your way to a brighter future.
“These streets were paved with my pain and regret. But it was here, among the ugly reality that I had inexplicably found my heart. My soul.”
This held true also with Flynn. The author showcased Flynn’s personality in such a way that he became a hero. He truly struggled daily to be more conscious of his behavior towards others. He didn’t let his diagnosis define who he was. He wanted to be a better Flynn, not a different Flynn.
“I got them from the flower shop in town.” – Flynn
“Oh yeah? Why is that?” – Ellie
“I get some every week when it’s cold out and they don’t grow in the garden anymore.” – Flynn
“Every week? Really? I didn’t think you were the flower kind of guy.” – Ellie
“I liked to keep them around because they reminded me of you.”
Again the author uses a dual POV and leads us through the present and past, to help the reader along the journey.
The end of the book was beautiful. It brought tears to my eyes. It was the perfect ending to their story!
“Every story has a beginning.
Flynn was mine.
He was my beginning.
My end.
My home."
As anyone who knows me can attest, I love listening to music as I read. I often refer to a song in my reviews. For me, "Have a Little Faith in Me." as sung by Luke Wade was the perfect song for this book.
Luke Wade | Have a Little Faith in Me - The Voice
September 8, 2015
I was in the mood for more gentle and unusual romance after Puddle Jumping and remembered I had this paperback (quaint!) sequel to Reclaiming the Sand sitting on my bookcase unread. I knew I'd enjoy this one because, you know, it's the amazing A Meredith Walters but I was a bit apprehensive too because the bullying Flynn suffered at Ellie's hands was hard to read in RTS and I don't enjoy feeling uncomfortable when I escape into a book.
This was a good read though and it definitely gave me the settled, closure I was hoping for and that I wanted for dear Flynn. What was really surprising though was that the author delivered on a plausible redemption for the nasty Dania. And for me, a woman who could could compete at the Olympics if holding a grudge was a recognized sport, that's pretty amazing.
The flashbacks were hard to read again, I can't lie, I even had to skim a couple because I couldn't read about her being a bitch to Flynn again, but they were necessary to remind me how far these two have come and the issues they still have. But also, it supplies the angsty, bittersweet, poignant feel that I love to torment myself a little with when I read. So yes, it was a challenging read at times, but the payoff was well worth the effort.
Recommended series if you're looking for something a bit different from the norm.
This was a good read though and it definitely gave me the settled, closure I was hoping for and that I wanted for dear Flynn. What was really surprising though was that the author delivered on a plausible redemption for the nasty Dania. And for me, a woman who could could compete at the Olympics if holding a grudge was a recognized sport, that's pretty amazing.
The flashbacks were hard to read again, I can't lie, I even had to skim a couple because I couldn't read about her being a bitch to Flynn again, but they were necessary to remind me how far these two have come and the issues they still have. But also, it supplies the angsty, bittersweet, poignant feel that I love to torment myself a little with when I read. So yes, it was a challenging read at times, but the payoff was well worth the effort.
Recommended series if you're looking for something a bit different from the norm.
December 17, 2014
4.5 Stars
"We spoke more in silence.
It's where we communicated best."
Reclaiming the Sand is a firm favourite of mine, so I have been looking forward to continuing Ellie and Flynn's story. I loved revisiting these characters and seeing them develop further as a couple. Like Reclaiming the Sand, Chasing the Tide is a beautifully emotional story written by a truly talented author.
The conclusion of Ellie and Flynns story was focused a lot more on Ellie this time around. We get to see her work through her issues and overcome them to become the person she wants to be. It was not without it's challenges and struggles, and a lot of the story happened inside Ellie's head as she worked through her thoughts and feelings. It was almost stifling at times and I would have loved to see a little more dialogue between Ellie and Flynn but I can see why this was a necessary direction that the story needed to take and one of my favourite parts of this book was seeing Ellie grow up and become and a happy, well- rounded person. I felt like she was misunderstood in the first book. Of course her behavior was vile, without a doubt, but she really was just a sad child with her own set of problems. To me, she was still 100% redeemable. Let's be honest - we have forgiven literary heroes far quicker for much worse behavior. Flynn's own behavior was not the 'norm' but was (correctly) never held against him and I never felt like Ellie's shouldn't be either. Both Flynn and Ellie tried hard to better themselves and evolve as a couple and that's extremely admirable in any relationship.
Reclaiming the Sand will always be my first love because its where I met and first fell in love with Ellie and Flynn but Chasing the Tide is a fantastic follow-up to their story and I adored every moment I got to spend with them.
"He was banana bread and holdings hands. He was soft smiles and warm touches. He was whispered words and solemn declarations.
He was love.
He was home.
He was forever."
*ARC generously provided by author in exchange for review - Thank you!
<3 Full Review - http://www.onceuponabookblog.com/blog...
<3 Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/onceuponaboo...
"We spoke more in silence.
It's where we communicated best."
Reclaiming the Sand is a firm favourite of mine, so I have been looking forward to continuing Ellie and Flynn's story. I loved revisiting these characters and seeing them develop further as a couple. Like Reclaiming the Sand, Chasing the Tide is a beautifully emotional story written by a truly talented author.
The conclusion of Ellie and Flynns story was focused a lot more on Ellie this time around. We get to see her work through her issues and overcome them to become the person she wants to be. It was not without it's challenges and struggles, and a lot of the story happened inside Ellie's head as she worked through her thoughts and feelings. It was almost stifling at times and I would have loved to see a little more dialogue between Ellie and Flynn but I can see why this was a necessary direction that the story needed to take and one of my favourite parts of this book was seeing Ellie grow up and become and a happy, well- rounded person. I felt like she was misunderstood in the first book. Of course her behavior was vile, without a doubt, but she really was just a sad child with her own set of problems. To me, she was still 100% redeemable. Let's be honest - we have forgiven literary heroes far quicker for much worse behavior. Flynn's own behavior was not the 'norm' but was (correctly) never held against him and I never felt like Ellie's shouldn't be either. Both Flynn and Ellie tried hard to better themselves and evolve as a couple and that's extremely admirable in any relationship.
Reclaiming the Sand will always be my first love because its where I met and first fell in love with Ellie and Flynn but Chasing the Tide is a fantastic follow-up to their story and I adored every moment I got to spend with them.
"He was banana bread and holdings hands. He was soft smiles and warm touches. He was whispered words and solemn declarations.
He was love.
He was home.
He was forever."
*ARC generously provided by author in exchange for review - Thank you!
<3 Full Review - http://www.onceuponabookblog.com/blog...
<3 Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/onceuponaboo...
December 18, 2014
~3 STARS??~
"Chasing the Tide", more like "Chasing a Job", or perhaps "Chasing Flynn"??. I think I'm one of those that thinks that Reclaiming the Sand's ending was just right. Perfect really. The epilogue explained all that I need to know. Ellie came back to Flynn. That's it. Perfect. But I think nobody who's ever read the first book can really refuse for more Ellie & Flynn, right?. So I was really ecstatic when I read that there's going to be a second book! Yay! Suddenly, I want more!.
Ellie just graduated from college and decided to comeback to Wellston for Flynn.
Then, crap.
I was kind of expecting more. Like a story. A new plot. Maybe Flynn becoming super famous for his sculptures, and becoming the town's celebrity. Or maybe Ellie finding someone interesting from school. Just give me anything! Give me drama!. I got really excited when they were planning a trip to New York. Finally! some drama!. It didn't happen (well Ellie went). *Sigh* I kind of resented Ellie a bit in this book. The thoughts, even the dreams, she's having about Flynn were very frustrating. One day she's doubting her coming back to Flynn, then after seeing him, every doubt instantly vanishes! She does this a lot of times in the book. Talk about whiplash. It was exhausting.
I almost came to the point that I wished Flynn would just drop her ass.
Oh God. I know! I'm not supposed to feel that!
Anyhow, I still love the series. :D
"Chasing the Tide", more like "Chasing a Job", or perhaps "Chasing Flynn"??. I think I'm one of those that thinks that Reclaiming the Sand's ending was just right. Perfect really. The epilogue explained all that I need to know. Ellie came back to Flynn. That's it. Perfect. But I think nobody who's ever read the first book can really refuse for more Ellie & Flynn, right?. So I was really ecstatic when I read that there's going to be a second book! Yay! Suddenly, I want more!.
Ellie just graduated from college and decided to comeback to Wellston for Flynn.
Then, crap.
I was kind of expecting more. Like a story. A new plot. Maybe Flynn becoming super famous for his sculptures, and becoming the town's celebrity. Or maybe Ellie finding someone interesting from school. Just give me anything! Give me drama!. I got really excited when they were planning a trip to New York. Finally! some drama!. It didn't happen (well Ellie went). *Sigh* I kind of resented Ellie a bit in this book. The thoughts, even the dreams, she's having about Flynn were very frustrating. One day she's doubting her coming back to Flynn, then after seeing him, every doubt instantly vanishes! She does this a lot of times in the book. Talk about whiplash. It was exhausting.
I almost came to the point that I wished Flynn would just drop her ass.
Oh God. I know! I'm not supposed to feel that!
Anyhow, I still love the series. :D
May 16, 2015
Flynn and Ellie's story was difficult. Ugly. Intense and Beautiful. This second book showed how difficult it was for both of them. I am so happy the author decided to write this second book and showed us what happened after Ellie came back from College.
It's an amazing ending. I strongly recommend it. If you haven't read them, go ahead and do it now!
It's an amazing ending. I strongly recommend it. If you haven't read them, go ahead and do it now!
![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)
December 20, 2014
12/19/2014 --
I was pretty disappointed in this one. Let me tell you why.
First for the good stuff:
1 -- I was excited to read more of Flynn and Ellie. I wanted a bit more out of this second book, but let's chat about that later.
2 -- The role counseling has for Flynn. He really is very successful in life and a large part of the credit goes to the counselors who have helped him with life adjustments. Life is tough for all of us. We don't always have the best coping mechanisms. Even though Flynn has Asperger's and so has a pretty good reason to seek external help in coping, the portrayal of these professionals was outstanding. I think we all need to realize .. life is tough and it is OKAY to seek help sometimes. And, help comes in all forms.
3 -- Can't think of anything more .. sad.
Okay, now for the criticism:
1 -- I really liked Flynn in the first book. This book however, had me thinking he was more "handicapped" and really incapable of participating in some of the life situations we see him in. I hated this for Flynn.
2 -- I think Ellie just treated Flynn shitty. She didn't even act like he was person half the time. Over and over in her head she was making allowances for Flynn. It gave the reader the impression she was the giver and he the taker. When, in fact, it really was the other way around. She wasn't my favorite character the first book and this book cemented my dislike. How she ended up with a really sweet, loving person like Flynn .. I hated the writer did this to him.
3 -- We see flashbacks that tell us about the journey of this relationship. I HATED this. I lived it through the first book and it was damned depressing. After the first 3 or so, I skipped over those parts. They told me nothing new and they were depressing enough the first time I read them. So, saying this, the first book could have been a bit longer and I could have been spared this travesty. A shame a really good story gets this mediocre end.
4 -- What did the title have to do with the book? WTF??
5 -- The price. Save your money. You know how it ends from reading the first book and you want that Flynn and Ellie not this one.
I could probably think of a few more things I want to say, but I don't care to say anymore. I was disappointed in this book, but said that already.
If you decide to read this one .. Happy Reading [probably not]!
Overall Rating = 2.3 Stars
Book Cover / Book Blurb / Book Title = 3 / 3 / 1 = 2.5 Stars
Writer’s Voice = 2 Stars
Character / Secondary Character Development = 2 / 2 = 2 Stars
“Did I like” Hero / Heroine = 3 / 2 = 2.5 Stars
Story / Background Story Development = 2 / 2 = 2 Stars
“Did I like the Damned Thing” = 2.5 Stars
Ending = 3 Stars
Worth the Chili = 2 Stars -- [$3.99 on Amazon]
Smexy [HEAT] Rating = Mild
254 pages
First sentence: "There's a saying, you can't go home again.
I was pretty disappointed in this one. Let me tell you why.
First for the good stuff:
1 -- I was excited to read more of Flynn and Ellie. I wanted a bit more out of this second book, but let's chat about that later.
2 -- The role counseling has for Flynn. He really is very successful in life and a large part of the credit goes to the counselors who have helped him with life adjustments. Life is tough for all of us. We don't always have the best coping mechanisms. Even though Flynn has Asperger's and so has a pretty good reason to seek external help in coping, the portrayal of these professionals was outstanding. I think we all need to realize .. life is tough and it is OKAY to seek help sometimes. And, help comes in all forms.
3 -- Can't think of anything more .. sad.
Okay, now for the criticism:
1 -- I really liked Flynn in the first book. This book however, had me thinking he was more "handicapped" and really incapable of participating in some of the life situations we see him in. I hated this for Flynn.
2 -- I think Ellie just treated Flynn shitty. She didn't even act like he was person half the time. Over and over in her head she was making allowances for Flynn. It gave the reader the impression she was the giver and he the taker. When, in fact, it really was the other way around. She wasn't my favorite character the first book and this book cemented my dislike. How she ended up with a really sweet, loving person like Flynn .. I hated the writer did this to him.
3 -- We see flashbacks that tell us about the journey of this relationship. I HATED this. I lived it through the first book and it was damned depressing. After the first 3 or so, I skipped over those parts. They told me nothing new and they were depressing enough the first time I read them. So, saying this, the first book could have been a bit longer and I could have been spared this travesty. A shame a really good story gets this mediocre end.
4 -- What did the title have to do with the book? WTF??
5 -- The price. Save your money. You know how it ends from reading the first book and you want that Flynn and Ellie not this one.
I could probably think of a few more things I want to say, but I don't care to say anymore. I was disappointed in this book, but said that already.
If you decide to read this one .. Happy Reading [probably not]!
Overall Rating = 2.3 Stars
Book Cover / Book Blurb / Book Title = 3 / 3 / 1 = 2.5 Stars
Writer’s Voice = 2 Stars
Character / Secondary Character Development = 2 / 2 = 2 Stars
“Did I like” Hero / Heroine = 3 / 2 = 2.5 Stars
Story / Background Story Development = 2 / 2 = 2 Stars
“Did I like the Damned Thing” = 2.5 Stars
Ending = 3 Stars
Worth the Chili = 2 Stars -- [$3.99 on Amazon]
Smexy [HEAT] Rating = Mild
254 pages
First sentence: "There's a saying, you can't go home again.
August 6, 2015
"We were a story of contradictions. I wanted something more and Flynn wanted exactly what he had."
So, yes, this is the continuation of reclaiming the sand, the story of Ellie and Flynn and their contradicting life. Sad to say, this wasn't as good as the book1. I was really disappointed with this. I was expecting a really Changed Ellie to come back. An Ellie who now have a more positive outlook in life. But what did I get? A really annoying Ellie, who still aren't able to forget about her past; and A selfish Ellie, who always think of herself and what she wants. Well not that much. Sometimes, she tries to understand Flynn with his disability but still, she's selfish and annoying.
What I hate about this book is how it always fly around the circle. I mean, the everyday scenario always seem like a repetition of how much Ellie wanted to leave West Virginia but only w/ Flynn. But Flynn doesn't like to leave because he cannot manage to be in a different place. And there will be fight between them but then they will eventually reconcile. Then the next day or the day after the next day, same thing will happen. And I was like "Ugh! Not again..." And I really wanted to punch Ellie on the face! But that only makes me look like the past Ellie so nevermind.
I'm not sure if the past, which Ellie narrates, makes the story more interesting. Because, come on! We already know the past in book 1. NO need for so much repetition.
I somehow understand Ellie. She really wants to forget her past life now that she's looking forward to her new self and to her future with Flynn.But. How can she forget when everytime something or someone reminded her of her past she always react negatively like how much she wanted to leave the place? Can she not just stay and show everyone that she's now a transformed Ellie, from all negatives to everything positive?
Running away from a place that brought you more pain than happiness is a cowardice action. Yeah, nobody wants to remember pain from the past. But I think the best solution is to face it. Because the more you run away from it, the more that it will hunt you down. (Whoah! Such big words coming from me. hahaha)
As you might have noticed, my review consist more of my annoyance toward Ellie. How about Flynn? Well, you cannot really hate Flynn even though he's sometimes annoying when he's having a meltdown. It's not his fault he has Asperger's. It's not his fault he sometimes cannot control himself. and it's not his fault he loves Ellie. IF it's not for Flynn, I wouldn't want a happy ending for Ellie. But Flynn deserves to have it. He's ncie and really thoughtful and caring.
So that's all. I'm not sure if I'm happy/sad that I ended this book. The ending was like, it's ok but not really. But the story still offers something more serious and emotional. I will still recommend it for you. :)
So, yes, this is the continuation of reclaiming the sand, the story of Ellie and Flynn and their contradicting life. Sad to say, this wasn't as good as the book1. I was really disappointed with this. I was expecting a really Changed Ellie to come back. An Ellie who now have a more positive outlook in life. But what did I get? A really annoying Ellie, who still aren't able to forget about her past; and A selfish Ellie, who always think of herself and what she wants. Well not that much. Sometimes, she tries to understand Flynn with his disability but still, she's selfish and annoying.
What I hate about this book is how it always fly around the circle. I mean, the everyday scenario always seem like a repetition of how much Ellie wanted to leave West Virginia but only w/ Flynn. But Flynn doesn't like to leave because he cannot manage to be in a different place. And there will be fight between them but then they will eventually reconcile. Then the next day or the day after the next day, same thing will happen. And I was like "Ugh! Not again..." And I really wanted to punch Ellie on the face! But that only makes me look like the past Ellie so nevermind.
I'm not sure if the past, which Ellie narrates, makes the story more interesting. Because, come on! We already know the past in book 1. NO need for so much repetition.
I somehow understand Ellie. She really wants to forget her past life now that she's looking forward to her new self and to her future with Flynn.But. How can she forget when everytime something or someone reminded her of her past she always react negatively like how much she wanted to leave the place? Can she not just stay and show everyone that she's now a transformed Ellie, from all negatives to everything positive?
Running away from a place that brought you more pain than happiness is a cowardice action. Yeah, nobody wants to remember pain from the past. But I think the best solution is to face it. Because the more you run away from it, the more that it will hunt you down. (Whoah! Such big words coming from me. hahaha)
As you might have noticed, my review consist more of my annoyance toward Ellie. How about Flynn? Well, you cannot really hate Flynn even though he's sometimes annoying when he's having a meltdown. It's not his fault he has Asperger's. It's not his fault he sometimes cannot control himself. and it's not his fault he loves Ellie. IF it's not for Flynn, I wouldn't want a happy ending for Ellie. But Flynn deserves to have it. He's ncie and really thoughtful and caring.
So that's all. I'm not sure if I'm happy/sad that I ended this book. The ending was like, it's ok but not really. But the story still offers something more serious and emotional. I will still recommend it for you. :)
December 17, 2014
Every story has a beginning.
Flynn was mine.
He was the journey in between.
He shadowed my steps as I struggled to discover the person I wanted to be.
But I knew that when it was all over, Flynn would be there.
He was my beginning.
My end. My home.
My happily ever after.
It took a special person to look at the woman underneath all of that mess. To stare in the face of my horrible history and to love me anyway.
I loved everything about this book.
Everything.
When RECLAIMING THE SAND first came out, I had no idea what to expect. I had no idea what I was getting myself into. How am I going to get into a book about a special needs boy, who falls in love with a bully of a girl, and then have me fall in love with the story?
How?
I'll tell you how:
Deeply.
Wholehearted.
And with misty, teary eyes.
RECLAIMING THE SAND is one of my favorite books. I was so excited to hear that it was going to get a sequel.The minute I found out that CHASING THE TIDE had a set date, I Sharpied it in my calendar and started counted the days until I can reconnect with Ellie and Flynn.
Flynn had taught me that living was more than breathing. And that earning and deserving love were battles worth fighting.
I think I may have highlited half my book and made quoted images like a mad woman. Page after page, I would immerse myself into Ellie and Flynn's journey. Hoping that they would have a happily every after without so much turmoil. I knew they would, but the anticipation of them getting there was nail-biting. There were even moments where I wanted to throttle Ellie for fleeing. Or I would feel so bad for Flynn because of his inability to filter his thoughts.
I loved him. Beyond measure. Beyond reason. But this was a major difficulty in our relationship that had yet to properly deal with. Those times when Flynn’s inability to do what I needed him to do became a source of resentment that I just couldn’t get rid of.
Overall, it was an amazing and beautiful journey. I am sad to see this series end but happy to keep it as one of my top favorite books.
Other favorite quotes:
“You’re home,” Flynn said, said unemotional voice at odds with the hopeful gleam in his eyes. I had never seen his feelings so clearly expressed on his face. His thoughts and needs were there, painted on clearly for me to see.
His words struck me with a resonance that I felt deep in my bones.
Home.
No word had ever sounded so foreign to my ears yet felt so right in my heart.
Home.
Because I knew that I had finally, after all this time, after the years of searching, found a home, a place to belong, in the waiting arms of the boy who had once, long ago, promised me his friendship. And who promised me forever.
********************************************************
“You make my heart hurt, Ellie. I don’t understand why you do the things you do. I don’t understand a lot, I know that, but I try to understand you. But it’s hard. And then you leave or you won’t talk to and I feel scared and worried because I just want you to stay. I want you to feel better.”
“You make me feel better by just being you, Flynn.”
***ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review***
December 20, 2014
A perfect closure to their journey.
I love reclaiming the sands but I'm one of those who felt its too abruptly and so much question with little answers. Well.. Chasing the tide gave everything I needed to makes this story complete.
While I spent most of reclaiming the sand hating Ellie's guts, Chasing the tide gave so much background story that explained Ellie and how she came to be the person she is today. And what a journey for both of them.
I love how Flynn changed so much and how he was so strong. I just love him! All the emotions they both felt are so real and nothing over the top.
It's such a perfect way of telling emotions, feelings, and life struggles without over the top drama. It's all felt real.
Her emotions, his emotions.
His struggles, her struggles.
Her frustration, his frustration.
Her doubts, his certainty.
It's perfect.
This is another favourite story told perfectly by a. Meredith Walters after finding you in the dark series.
I love it! Perfect closure.
5 stars no doubt!
I love reclaiming the sands but I'm one of those who felt its too abruptly and so much question with little answers. Well.. Chasing the tide gave everything I needed to makes this story complete.
While I spent most of reclaiming the sand hating Ellie's guts, Chasing the tide gave so much background story that explained Ellie and how she came to be the person she is today. And what a journey for both of them.
I love how Flynn changed so much and how he was so strong. I just love him! All the emotions they both felt are so real and nothing over the top.
It's such a perfect way of telling emotions, feelings, and life struggles without over the top drama. It's all felt real.
Her emotions, his emotions.
His struggles, her struggles.
Her frustration, his frustration.
Her doubts, his certainty.
It's perfect.
This is another favourite story told perfectly by a. Meredith Walters after finding you in the dark series.
I love it! Perfect closure.
5 stars no doubt!
November 10, 2015
This was such a sweet conclusion to a love story between to people who couldn't have been more different or wrong for each other. Flynn was so sweet and perfect throughout everything, I felt that he was too good for her. But ellie was able to prove her love for him and eventually become what flynn needed the most. I was happy to see her journey from being the bully, the tormentor to redeeming herself.
LOVE LOVE LOVE!!!
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Can I have this now? Pretty please? I don't know if I can make it to December
LOVE LOVE LOVE!!!
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Can I have this now? Pretty please? I don't know if I can make it to December
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