Finding Willow

Freedom #0.5

by Michelle K. Pickett

“Finding Willow” is the prequel to “Unspeakable,” the touching romance between Brody and Willow that explores one girl’s quiet strength to survive the unbearable weight of a family secret alone, and the love and resolve of a boy determined to help her.

Brody Victor lives life on the fringes. Moving from school to school with each transfer his mother’s job requires has taught Brody well: If there’s one thing harder than making friends, it’s saying goodbye to them. So he’s learned to close himself off. He’s a loner, and that’s how he likes it.

When his mother accepts a permanent position in Wisconsin, Brody begins to slowly open up. But old habits die hard and, for Brody, making friends doesn’t come easily. That is, until he meets Annabelle. Brody loses himself in her. Their connection runs deep and, for the first time, Brody truly lets someone inside. But life can be cruel. An unexpected job transfer uproots Brody from his home in Wisconsin, and Annabelle.

Vowing not to get involved with another girl after the heartbreak of losing Annabelle, Brody returns to life on the outside looking in. A loner by choice. Until he finds Willow. Friendly and beautiful, a guy can’t help but notice her, but Brody notices more than her beauty. When she flashes her full smile, a spark is missing from her hazel eyes and for reasons unknown to him, Brody needs to find the reason.

Along the way, he stumbles across a secret bigger than both of them.

Genres: Young Adult, Novella, Contemporary, Abuse, Romance, Contemporary Romance

ebook

First published September 30, 2014

About the author

Note: Though Michelle's blog entries are cross posted here, she does not frequent Goodreads regularly. The best way to contact her is through her Website or via Email. She can also be found on Twitter and Instagram. She'd love to hear from you, but Michelle's Goodreads Email is NOT monitored.

Michelle is an award-winning YA author... but if you ask her who she really is, she'll answer, "I'm the wife of an amazing man, mom of four awesome kids, a reader of words, and writer of stories. I love candles and books, think garden gnomes are creepy and M&Ms are the perfect food (especially peanut butter). I live and write in Texas, but was born and raised in Flint, Michigan and will always think of the Great Lakes state as home."

Reviews

[Kelly Gunderman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Check out this and other reviews on my blog, Here's to Happy Endings!

There’s a reason I don’t typically read novellas, and that reason is because they’re always too short. This one isn’t any different – it was only about 23 pages, I believe, and I read through it in like 15 minutes…and wanted more.

If you liked Unspeakable by Michelle K. Pickett, this is the prequel for it. It’s told from Brody’s perspective – from before he had even moved to Willow’s town. Though it only has three chapters, it was free on Amazon, and since I really liked Brody’ character in Unspeakable, I just had to read this. Even if you didn’t read Unspeakable, this would be a good place to start, too. I usually read prequels first, even if they were written after the book is published, and while sometimes it is beneficial to read the actual book beforehand, this isn’t really the case.

This novella is cute, and it provides a good background for Brody, and we kind of get to know a bit more about him. It doesn’t really add all that much to Unspeakable, but since it’s free, it’s definitely worth checking out!

[Michelle Pickett · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved telling Brody's story before he met Willow. I hope this gives you a little insight into Brody's character, when you read "Unspeakable!"

[Brittany | BookRamblings · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice insight not only into Brody's life before he is introduced in Unspeakable but also his first impressions of the one and only Willow. I was surprised by the long blurb (I admit that I actually read the burb after I read the book... I know, that's the wrong way around). I was also surprised by the cover as, although it captivating and intriguing, it didn't remind me of either the book nor the series. While I didn't actually picture him falling in live before Willow, I did wish it went into more detail about Annabelle. Particularly about why he waited so long to kiss Willow but not Annabelle. However, I still enjoyed more Brody. Thanks for that Michelle ;) Happy reading everyone!!


**I received a copy of this book from the publisher, in exchange for a honest review.**

[MeIsBookNerd · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a novella briefly introducing Brody and his initial thoughts of Willow. I liked it that we got to have his perspective even if it was short. He had already hints of her xxx though so why didn't he checked it further.

[Megan V · Rating 2 out of 5]

Short and boring

Okay i might be dumb but i didn't realize this book was only like 6 pages long. Not interested in 6 pages leading up to a full book, especially from the guys point of view.

[Carien · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read Unspeakable and although it is a very good and beautiful story, it was also a difficult story for me, because of the subject. This novella takes place largely before the events in Unspeakable and gives insight into Brody, the male lead of Unspeakable.

And I'm glad I read this novella, because it's very enjoyable.

Brody is a nice guy, with a past that explains why he has difficulties to connect with others. The romance between him and Annabelle is really sweet, and it makes me like Brody even more than the events in Unspeakable already made me like him.

If you like Contemporary Young Adult Romance that also deals with heavier subjects, I can advice you to pick up this free novella to see if you like Pickett's style and to get to know Brody a bit. Then pick up Unspeakable to read Willow's story.

[Maribel Platypire Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this early last year after I finished reading Unspeakable. It's a novella prequel to Unspeakable, and it's from Brody's POV and his life leading up to his first encounter with Willow.

It was short and sweet, and left me wanting to reread Unspeakable. Even though it is a short novella, the writing made me want to read more. By the way, will there be more books in this series? I really want to know!

4 Platypires!

[Nicole Young · Rating 3 out of 5]

I haven't read the book that this is a prequel to and I also found this in a book that was a compilation of a few books and a few excerpts from books. So I want to know if I read the whole thing or only a excerpt because it was only 3 chapters. It would be helpful if someone could tell me. Either way though, it was pretty good.

[Erica Raquel · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was really great... I recommend it for helping to understand Unspeakable a little better and it's free so no harm there. But, I took a star off because it took me about 15 minutes to read, so I wish it was just a little longer. All in all, it's good start before beginning to read Unspeakable

[Sarah Elizabeth]

Part of https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...

[Marisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a free ebook on Kobo, has me interested to read the upcoming Unspeakable in Feb 2015. I'm excited for its release.

[Ginger · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a prequel to Unspeakable which is due out Feb. 2015. Although this is YA, it held my attention and I would like to continue the series.

[Amber Ballard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my freaking God!!! Are you kidding me!!!! That was it!!!! I need more this should have had more to it!!!!!

[❤️Melanie G.📖💛 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great beginning. Love Brody.

[Senona Macias · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the book it was a prequel to another book called Unspeakable. It was great to get into the head of Brody and see what he thought before he decided he had to be with WIllow.

[Helen King · Rating 5 out of 5]

Effective

This is an effective prequel. Makes you want to read more, discover how this web untangles. I am looking forward to reading the book.