Cuts Run Deep

by Amber Garza

"No book has ever had this effect on me. This is definitely one of my favorite reads this year. Probably ever."- Tawnya from ONE MORE CHAPTERPiper wakes up in the hospital with no recollection of how she got there. Only fragmented memories surface - her boyfriend Jackson on the ground covered in blood, Piper standing over him, her hands slick and red. Then she is told the awful Jackson was killed the night she was injured, and she is the only witness.If only she could remember what happened.Piper searches through her memories, recalling her entire relationship with Jackson in order to piece together what happened. Meanwhile, as Jackson's family is trying to make sense of the tragedy, they find his journal and begin reading through it to find answers.As the chilling truth begins to unfold, Piper has to face the darkest secrets of her relationship with Jackson and the part she played in his murder.

Genres: Young Adult, Mystery

249 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 8, 2014

About the author

Amber Garza has had a passion for the written word since she was a child making books out of notebook paper and staples. Her hobbies include reading and singing. Coffee and wine are her drinks of choice (not necessarily in that order). She writes while blaring music, and talks about her characters like they're real people. She lives with her husband and two kids in Folsom, California, which is also home to another Amber Garza.

Reviews

[Amanda Jensen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh boy where do I start. Cuts Run Deep By Amber Garza was probably the most beautiful but tragic book. As I'm sitting her thinking about what to write I'm filled with so much emotion and I'm usually a person of words but this book has left me speechless so I will try to tell you without giving away spoilers

Jackson is your average High School jock, popular, loved by everyone, has the biggest heart and will go out of his way to help a friend or anyone in need. Until he meets Piper, than everything in his life changes.

Piper is the new girl with a troubled past, rumors about her killing her ex boyfriend and secrets that she only tells Jackson. She doesn't have the best home life and is alone most of the time. She has no friends except one boy who gets bullied after she tells Jackson his secret, in order to protect Piper, Jackson tells his best friends who in turn bullies this boy so bad that causes a tragedy to affect the school.

Soon after Jackson and Piper start dating Jackson no longer wants to be with his friends and only want's to be with Piper and Piper wanted only to be with Jackson. Honestly that is not a healthy relationship.
Jackson saw piper as an escape, Piper saw Jackson as a rescuer.
Jackson wanted to protect Piper so he got his best friends together and did something so bad that it haunted Jackson.

Tyler. What can I say about Tyler? He was one of those boys I seriously wanted to slap upside the head and tell him to grow up. He was one of those Boys who cared more about what the popular group thought of him more than other people's feelings, he was also the biggest whiner and coward when it came to standing up for himself and people got hurt because of it.

This book hit to close to home for me. It talks about suicide,bullies, and sexual assault, and uncaring or over protective parents, teens with to much power over everyone.

If you are reading this and have been a victim of sexual assault,a victim of bullies and contemplating suicide Please call the suicide hotlines, talk to your Teacher's parents or anyone you feel you can trust and please do not like things and let things like this go unnoticed. I have a 10 yr old Son who is a victim and no one will fight for him expect for me and his Dad. He has become a hard shallow shell and is either angry of depressed and it is tearing me apart. Please do not let this happen to you or anyone you know. Please be a voice.

I was given this as an Arc for a full and honest review. I would recommend everyone read this book, especially, those who are thinking about what is mentioned above. I told the author that this book should be in shelters and anywhere else teens are and if my Son was a bit older I would have him read Cuts Run Deep because I feel it would help him but yet he is to young to understand some of the context. I really hope you all enjoy this book as much as I did.

[Abi · Rating 3 out of 5]

The characters in this were okay, and I did feel sorry for Piper at points, but I didn't love any of them.

The start of this was slightly confusing, as there was quite a few POV'S to take in at once. After all of the characters who had chapters from their point of view's were introduced though, it was fine.

This was an okay read, but it dragged at times. I wanted to know what happened at the end, but parts of the story made it seem like I'd never get to the end to find out.

Overall, An okay read.

[Mitsy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intense, emotional, and essential YA novel.

Urgently recommended for teens and parents.

Highly recommended for everyone else.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

HOLY SH*TBALLZ IT IS AMAZING!!! AWESOME!!! OMG I LOVED IT... Just the first few chapters I don't know HOW THE HELL YOU DID IT EMOTIONALLY writing this book. You have put a lot of emotions into this book and I have no clue how you did it cause of the content. No I don't want to give any spoilers and I don't want really give details into the book with the exception of bullying and suicide happens all to often and it needs to stop! I love how you incorparated all of it in the book with a great story line. I really felt as if I was one of the characters as I felt drawn in to the storyline and went through every emotion that they went through. That is the best part of this book or any book for that matter is feeling as if you are one of them makes it so real. Amber you knocked it right out of the ballpark. LOVE LOVE LOVE IT!! A MUST READ!!!! I was given a copy in exchange for an honest review for a blog tour and this is exactly what you got.

[Aydrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh man this book was freaking crazy, I was never sure exactly what was going to happen! I loved getting the story in flashbacks & the different POVs. This book is definitely an emotional one & touches on a lot of important issues, especially for teens. I applaud Garza for writing this book as I am sure it was as intense experience for her as it was for me to read it.

[Erin Hurst · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was such a great emotional gut wrenching raw read, I was pulled right in. Wonderfully written so you feel everything, grab a box of tissues.
Piper wakes up in the hospital hurt and covered in blood. She can’t remember what happened. She is soon told that her boyfriend Jackson has died and she was the last one with him. The book follows her trying to remember as well as taking a look back at their relationship. There is a lot of twists with Pipers past & the dynamics of Jacksons other friends.
Great read. Definitely highly recommend this book.

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was given this book in exchange for an honest review. Wow! I expected it to be a good story from the description but it sucked me in and then spit me out when I was done. It was an emotional rollercoaster that needed tissues but that also held you in suspense. I have never read any of Amber Garza's books before but I will definitely be doing so now.

[Brey · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ummm...where to even start! I am pissed with the turn of events in this book. I don't like reading books about suicide, let alone multiple suicides!! I hated the fact the book was from the POV of about 4-5 people, way too many. This was definitely not my cup of tea!!

[Rowena · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Kristina Snyder · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cuts Run Deep was a tragic yet beautiful story. This is one of those stories that will stay with you for a while. I still can't let it go. What happened in Cuts Run Deep happens everyday in life. All the time. And it shows you how one little decision or one little mistake can be a catalyst for worse things to come. How unhealthy relationships can change a person for the worse and ruin not only them,but everyone around them. This is a story that everyone can relate to in one way or another. Amber did a fantastic job creating characters that were so real and raw. I was pulled into their world and experienced everything they felt. I felt the love, but I mostly felt the pain.

Piper suffered through a traumatic experience that not even her own family believed happened. She was on her own, not trusting anyone. Until she met Jackson. Jackson became her everything. She wanted him all to herself and didn't want to share him at all. Didn't want him to hang out with his friends. I really didn't like that about her, but she was who she was due to what happened to her. Jackson was the only one who fought for her, believed in her, that he became a need for her. He loved how Piper was different from everyone else. Jackson became so obsessed with her that he pushed all his friends away. He wanted to be there to protect and save her and in doing so, became a person he didn't recognize anymore. Tyler was bullied all the time when he was little until Jackson became his friend. Yet being on the receiving end of the bulling didn't stop him from bullying others or not stopping his friends from doing so. He was so afraid of losing his seat at the popular table that he became a whole new person as well. Courtney was a sweetheart. She and Jackson were very close. Losing her brother left a huge whole in her heart. She believed Piper wasn't the murderer and began searching for what really happened.

Piper wakes up in the hospital having no clue how she got there or why. She wakes up to find out that Jackson is dead and she is the prime suspect for his murder. She was also found covered in his blood yet can't remember anything that happened.What events led to Jackson's death, and why was paper covered in his blood? Well, you will have to read this book and find out!!!!

Cuts Run Deep was a beautifully written story that made me feel. I even balled like a baby at the end after realizing what truly happened. This story pulled me in and never the let me go. The only little issue I had were the multiple POVs. It took me a little while to get used to it switching to four different narrators. I was very glad to be given the opportunity to read and review this story. It is a MUST read and I highly recommend it!!!!

[Rae Sontheyon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully Crafted Tragic Read . . .

Keep tissues handy, because Amber Garza knows how to craft a beautiful yet tragic story of love and its complexities. A reader is pulled in from the start by a narrative of a journal narrative, but is then shuffled through other characters perspectives to enhance the stories emotions. I couldn't stop reading even when the inevitable ending drew near.

Centered around the tragedy of Jackson's death, everyone is asking the question of what happened? The person most important to him and the biggest suspect, Piper, his girlfriend. Piper awakens in a hospital with injuries and no memory of what may have happen to Jackson and piece it together is her her priority. As things slowly start to unfold it's clear that Jackson was not the only victim in the story and that the relationship between he and Piper may not have been as health as it should have been.

Overall, great emotional book that drew me in from page one and had me crying about page 20. Tragic is the best word to describe this book. Jackson and Piper were so in love that it became unhealthy and turned their lives sour. Sadly I've seen this happen and it's horrible, so to read this novel and practically feel the emotions of the couple it becomes real for you too. Jackson's life is to be learned from as well as Piper's, so that teens, and adults too, find love in healthy circumstances not overly dependent self destructive ways. I commend Amber Garza for writing such an emotional book as it touched on a lot of subjects for teens that not many write on. So if you are up for a beautiful tragic read about the pitfalls of unhealthy relationships, bullying and teen suicide all paralleled along side the play of Romeo and Juliet, than definitely read this book and share with those who need this book.

------Read more of my reviews at: http://heyitwasfree.blogspot.com/------

[Gladys Gonzales Atwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

*I was given a copy of this book by the author for an honest review*

AND HONEST I SHALL BE…

It’s often asked of a blogger to name a book that you would like to forget just so you could re-read it again and experience it one more time. I would honestly have to say it’s Amber Garza’s, Cut’s Run Deep.

Not because it was a romantic love story that made you swoon because it wasn’t. It was so hauntingly beautiful that I nearly lost all my tears reading it. The novel tackled real life issues that were once very real in my life. Thus making the read very emotional, but that didn’t add or take away from the rating I am giving the book. The book itself was written with such fluency and grace. She cared about her characters, even down to the pain and hurt they felt. She became Piper and became Jackson.

The reader will go through a myriad of emotions while reading this book and not ones that they expect to if they are familiar with this particular authors other books. I liked that. I liked that it was different. I enjoyed the darkness of the book but most of all I enjoyed the message.

The story and characters were structured in beautiful way making it a literal masterpiece. The characters didn’t lack dimension and the story flowed without skipping a beat. I enjoyed reading it. Amber, I not only tip my Nerd Girl hat to you, I bow to you as well! Bravo!

<3 Gladys #XOXOtheNerdGirl

☆ This review was done in conjunction with NerdGirlOfficial(dot)com, please visit our www.facebook.com/NerdGirl.NG for more information regarding our review process.

[Kim Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

*I received this book in exchange for an honest review*

Wow. I was not able to put this book down once I started reading it. Ms. Garza has once again delivered a book worth remembering and that will hit you to the core.

The story follows multiple points of views, but mainly Piper and Jackson’s. Piper wakes up in the hospital, not knowing how she ended up there, but finding out that her boyfriend, Jackson, was killed. How could she not remember what happened that night? What fateful events could have led to something so horrific, so painful for everyone involved. It seems that some people might know more than they think, while others are desperately searching for answers, but the truth might be worse than not knowing.

Cuts Run Deep could not have been more appropriate for the title of this book. Ms. Garza writes an extraordinary story that shows us that our actions in one moment of time can spiral into something much bigger and change lives forever. This book is tragically beautiful, but will leave an imprint on your heart and your mind forever.

[Jenn Book Ramblings · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is simply phenomenal! Once I started reading I was unable to put this book down, until I had devoured it in one sitting. Amber Garza has once again delivered an emotional powerhouse that will hit you hard and leave you wanting more.

This story follows many points of view; however, the main ones are of Piper and Jackson. When Piper wakes up in the hospital, not knowing how she got there, her world is shattered beyond belief when she finds out that her boyfriend, Jackson, was killed. How was it possible for her to remember nothing of what happened that night? How could she not remember the events leading up to such a horrific and tragic accident. These are the questions that follow along with the emotional read.

Cuts Run Deep is an extraordinary book. I have never read a book before, with this plot line that goes into so much emotion and depth. The plot line and characters will tug at your heartstrings wanting to leave you in a crying mess. This book will leave an impression on you forever.

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my favorite book of Amber's so far. She is a master of romantic suspense, and I always look forward to these types of novels from her. That said, this is different not only from her previous suspenses, but from anything out there. And different in an incredibly amazing way. From the way the story is told from alternating points of view from multiple subjects to the story itself, it's uniquely beautiful, heartbreaking, and tragic.

I can't even begin to describe the emotions I felt when reading. I was anxious and uncertain, needing to know what would happen next. Amber always does that--makes me flip page after page, often skipping meals and sleep in order to find out that ending. And this ending is one that will stick with me for a very long time.

Another exquisite novel from Amber, one I highly recommend. Cuts Run Deep will deeply impact you, and you won't be the same after reading it.

[Jana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow. Was not expecting that.

This was a good book. Yes, there are about 4 different characters you need to keep up with, but the chapters are really short and I felt that kept it easy to follow along.

Not really a satisfied on how it ended. I don't want to say too much to ruin it. But I would have preferred it different. However, the book was still pretty amazing just the same. Refreshingly different- in a good way.

[Kylie Frankel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn't read fast enough. WOW! I am still trying to process this book. I feel this is Amber's best book yet. So much emotion and feelings were put into this book. Bullying is very real and I feel that Amber made more people aware of bullying. This will be a book people will enjoy! Well done Amber!

[Rachel L · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Story

This is a different type of relationship book. It's a mystery where you have the pieces, but have to put it together. I liked getting to know Piper, Jackson, Tyler, Courtney in their own way. It made it more satisfying and heartbreaking. Great read...you won't want to put it down!

[❤️Melanie G.&#x1f4d6;&#x1f49b; · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such an eye opening yet heartbreaking read. Thoroughly ripped my heart to shreds.

[Tacho · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review to come!

[Nina Juarez · Rating 4 out of 5]

with multiple povs it was hard to really connect with all the characters but at the same time I liked knowing what all of them thought.

[Tina V · Rating 4 out of 5]

WOW! Let me say the writing and story telling was fabulous. - This book is so real, relevant and heart breaking. My heart hurt when I finished this one...

[Kit Vogler · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had to cheat and flip to the end. It had my guts in emotional knots....and I still cried like crazy even though I knew what was coming.

[Vfc]

Bullying.