What do you think?
Rate this book
Fall Out Girl
Imagine a social outcast: Me. (Luna)
Imagine a popular boy: Him. (Caleb)
Sound like the characters of a cliché story, right? Here, hold my hand. Come away with me. I’ll tell you my story, and you’ll decide.
But I have a warning: Proceed at your own risk. Since it’s a snippet of my life, I’m one of the main characters. And to put it lightly, I’m not the most likable person in the world, cue the earned label. Also, unlike fairy tales, my story is real with a dash of sorrow and loss.
How do I start? Once upon a time…? Shoot me now, please.
The beginning? No, too boring.
Well, let’s start with the catalytic moment that set in motion a chain of events that changed my life, yet again.
As for a happily ever after? Sorry, no spoilers here. You’re going to have to figure that one out on your own. After you read my tale, it becomes yours, and as such, you’re entitled to your interpretation.
So, off we go!
Fasten your seat belts. This ride may get bumpy.
Imagine a popular boy: Him. (Caleb)
Sound like the characters of a cliché story, right? Here, hold my hand. Come away with me. I’ll tell you my story, and you’ll decide.
But I have a warning: Proceed at your own risk. Since it’s a snippet of my life, I’m one of the main characters. And to put it lightly, I’m not the most likable person in the world, cue the earned label. Also, unlike fairy tales, my story is real with a dash of sorrow and loss.
How do I start? Once upon a time…? Shoot me now, please.
The beginning? No, too boring.
Well, let’s start with the catalytic moment that set in motion a chain of events that changed my life, yet again.
As for a happily ever after? Sorry, no spoilers here. You’re going to have to figure that one out on your own. After you read my tale, it becomes yours, and as such, you’re entitled to your interpretation.
So, off we go!
Fasten your seat belts. This ride may get bumpy.
224 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 2015
24 people are currently reading
1667 people want to read
About the author
L. Duarte
7 books230 followersI have found that there is only one thing better than reading, and that is writing. I am always torn between the two. I am also frequently torn between chocolate and coffee. However, I emphatically do not like the month of February, lies, and flies. For me, bravery is defined by the courage to do what we fear the most. I live in Connecticut with my husband and two children. Drop a few lines. I would love to hear from you.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 139 reviews
![Profile Image for Carol [Goodreads Addict].](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.gr-assets.com%2Fimages%2FS%2Fcompressed.photo.goodreads.com%2Fusers%2F1626057011i%2F10717098._UX200_CR0%2C33%2C200%2C200_.jpg&w=128&q=75)
March 21, 2015
“The truth is, everyone is going to hurt you. You just got to find the ones worth suffering for.”
Bob Marley
I admit, I was not prepared for Fall Out Girl by L. Duarte. I read the synopsis and thought it sounded really interesting and different. It was…and so much more. I fell in love with the two main characters right from the start so I was completely emotionally invested. I’m not sure how to describe to you my emotions right now except to say that this book just slayed me.
Luna is seventeen years old and is counting the days, weeks, months, until her eighteenth birthday. Because on that day, she will legally be free. All she has to do until then is keep her head down, bide her time, survive. She was doing all of this, until she met Caleb.
Luna’s life wasn’t always like this. When she was little, she had the perfect life. She lived with her Dad who loved her with all that he was. He taught her how to love and care for animals, especially birds. They would spend Saturdays building bird houses and hanging and filling them in the woods. But her Dad is gone now and Luna is forced to live with her Aunt and cousin.
Her Aunt is a drug addict so all the money she receives for Luna’s care goes towards her drugs. With no food to eat, the power getting shut off and survival hanging in the balance, Luna is forced to start selling the drugs just to take care of herself and her cousin.
Luna, though, is a walking contradiction. She is a drug dealer, dresses goth, has wildly colored hair, tattoos and body piercings. But she doesn’t take drugs, drink, smoke or even curse. She spends all her free time volunteering at the local animal shelter and is a straight A student. She also continues her father’s legacy and spends some of her hard earned savings on keeping some of the bird feeders filled that she has hidden in the branches of a weeping willow tree.
“I hated that he made me feel. But, mostly, I worried about the haze clouding my mind whenever he was around.”
Luna knew that something had changed the day she met Caleb as soon as he touched her. That there was something different about him. But Caleb is everything she can’t have. He is the judges son, from a wealthy, influential family. He is gorgeous and could have any girl he wanted. But he wants Luna.
“I was his as if I had been born for that very purpose, as if my body were a puppet, and he was the puppeteer pulling the strings.”
Caleb also knew that there was something about Luna the first time he saw/touched her. He had to know her. So he infiltrates himself into her life as much as possible. He slowly breaks down the protective shell she has around herself. But Caleb’s family has secrets of their own.
Could Luna dare to believe that there might be hope? That Caleb might really care for her? That she could allow herself to love and receive love in return?
This book is just so amazing. It is completely told from the first person, from Luna’s point of view, except the wonderful epilogue told by Caleb. The words in this book are just so beautiful. I was highlighting like crazy. Luna and Caleb’s story is an emotional roller coaster. I loved them both so much.
“We were skin to skin.
Mouth over mouth.
Mingled breaths.
Tangled bodies.
Heartbeat against heartbeat.
We fit perfectly together.”
I am so glad I got to know Caleb and Luna. I won’t soon forget their story. All I can say to you is that you HAVE to read this book. I am including one more quote at the end that I think describes Luna perfectly. I hope you will fall in love with her just as I have.
“I wasn’t brave, or strong, or badass. And all those quirky lines I fed you? A foolish attempt at sounding strong. The truth is: I was just a lost girl. Someone who was clueless on how to get out of the hole she’d dug for herself. I didn’t want to be the way I was. I just wanted to be normal.”
Bob Marley
I admit, I was not prepared for Fall Out Girl by L. Duarte. I read the synopsis and thought it sounded really interesting and different. It was…and so much more. I fell in love with the two main characters right from the start so I was completely emotionally invested. I’m not sure how to describe to you my emotions right now except to say that this book just slayed me.
Luna is seventeen years old and is counting the days, weeks, months, until her eighteenth birthday. Because on that day, she will legally be free. All she has to do until then is keep her head down, bide her time, survive. She was doing all of this, until she met Caleb.
Luna’s life wasn’t always like this. When she was little, she had the perfect life. She lived with her Dad who loved her with all that he was. He taught her how to love and care for animals, especially birds. They would spend Saturdays building bird houses and hanging and filling them in the woods. But her Dad is gone now and Luna is forced to live with her Aunt and cousin.
Her Aunt is a drug addict so all the money she receives for Luna’s care goes towards her drugs. With no food to eat, the power getting shut off and survival hanging in the balance, Luna is forced to start selling the drugs just to take care of herself and her cousin.
Luna, though, is a walking contradiction. She is a drug dealer, dresses goth, has wildly colored hair, tattoos and body piercings. But she doesn’t take drugs, drink, smoke or even curse. She spends all her free time volunteering at the local animal shelter and is a straight A student. She also continues her father’s legacy and spends some of her hard earned savings on keeping some of the bird feeders filled that she has hidden in the branches of a weeping willow tree.
“I hated that he made me feel. But, mostly, I worried about the haze clouding my mind whenever he was around.”
Luna knew that something had changed the day she met Caleb as soon as he touched her. That there was something different about him. But Caleb is everything she can’t have. He is the judges son, from a wealthy, influential family. He is gorgeous and could have any girl he wanted. But he wants Luna.
“I was his as if I had been born for that very purpose, as if my body were a puppet, and he was the puppeteer pulling the strings.”
Caleb also knew that there was something about Luna the first time he saw/touched her. He had to know her. So he infiltrates himself into her life as much as possible. He slowly breaks down the protective shell she has around herself. But Caleb’s family has secrets of their own.
Could Luna dare to believe that there might be hope? That Caleb might really care for her? That she could allow herself to love and receive love in return?
This book is just so amazing. It is completely told from the first person, from Luna’s point of view, except the wonderful epilogue told by Caleb. The words in this book are just so beautiful. I was highlighting like crazy. Luna and Caleb’s story is an emotional roller coaster. I loved them both so much.
“We were skin to skin.
Mouth over mouth.
Mingled breaths.
Tangled bodies.
Heartbeat against heartbeat.
We fit perfectly together.”
I am so glad I got to know Caleb and Luna. I won’t soon forget their story. All I can say to you is that you HAVE to read this book. I am including one more quote at the end that I think describes Luna perfectly. I hope you will fall in love with her just as I have.
“I wasn’t brave, or strong, or badass. And all those quirky lines I fed you? A foolish attempt at sounding strong. The truth is: I was just a lost girl. Someone who was clueless on how to get out of the hole she’d dug for herself. I didn’t want to be the way I was. I just wanted to be normal.”
March 24, 2015
4.5 Touched Beyond Belief Stars * * * * 1/2
In 2013, an author reached out and asked if I would read a new book. She was kind, understood her genre was not my go to than my usual fare. We talked (emailed), connected on a personal level and she accepted me to be who I am... a straight shooter; if there are issues or problems I will let the readers know...
The book was Chasing Stars and I rated it 3.5-4 stars.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Her next entry to this series, To Catch a Falling Star, showed a stronger voice. https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
With this new book, she took a break from her past series.
It is different.
It is edgier.
It is a wonder.
I was blown away by the growth of the author and the beauty of the story.
You have characters who are drawn to each other even though they know it is setting them up for pain. They hold onto the dream that maybe... maybe... things just might be different in the corners of their hearts. The times together are expressed where it will make your heart hurt... I know I am ahead of myself talking about the romance... but this tale has such sweet innocence wrapped in a protective shield.
The elements to look for are the times where Luna, our girl is thinking and remembering all the things her father taught her. Her relationship with him and how he loved her was beyond most stories...When she reminisces about her time learning about nature, birds and books... he is there in our heads, too. By the end of the story, you will be moved to ugly tears... and with no shame when doing it...that is how invested you will be with your own personal relationship with her father.
Luna is our main character and she is a survivor extraordinaire. At seventeen, she has held it together through death ripping her heart out of her chest. She has figured out the path of least damage in an environment fraught with craters of possible destruction at every turn. Her own home is a place where the only constant is a shutter which refuses to give in and accept decay...it clings to the side of the house telling time and elements it will not give in...it is not pretty and Luna sees what it represents...She will be as determined as that piece of wood to get herself and her brother out as soon as she is 18.
There is another character... Caleb. He is the boy all girls wish to dream about... the one other boys want as their bro.... he is the man in high school. He is the opposite of Luna's circle and life. His is upscale, wealthy, privileged and full of conditions with parents and others...He is equally holding on... but his is not so "in your face".
He sees Luna...knows of her "activities"...his friends are always looking to get product...but he also sees something more... something real. He forces the issue by purposely putting himself in her space away from the persona she is during school time. He connects with her through the animals she cares for...and shows her who he is.
This story is so layered, it is like the Russian Nesting dolls in how the relationship develops with Caleb and Luna. Everything has a time and purpose and when you think things could get either any better or at other times worse... some how these two have to deal with the information and decisions made... and with the ripple effect of it all.
The romance between these two... sigh...you just want everything to be good, knowing there are going to be challenges.
We have other parts, a young brother lost without a rudder...no matter how hard Luna tries to guide him. There is evil... which is easy to see and then the other type which is worse...stealth and hidden and more powerful.
Lessons taught in this book are deep. They are true to me in always holding on to who you are and self. To be strong and endure no matter what is given you. Try your best to muscle through the worst... but hold onto something which will guide you through life. Hold on to the belief in love and beauty...always.
If I sound a little caught up in the story...I am. The love of a parent like Luna's Dad is something very special in its way. He was not a wealthy man who gave her things... Yet he bestowed his riches, for he gave her the care and love everlasting to hold her throughout her life...even when he was not physically there.
As I was getting ready to post my review I saw Carol(Goodreads Addict)'s review. It.Was.Wonderful. Please read it as it tells about this book so much better than my ramblings https://www.goodreads.com/review/show....
L.Duarte is an author who believes in Good. She sees things which are possible even in impossible circumstances. The heart is pure and I am very lucky she reached out to me when she did.
Give yourself a gift...experience a story which will touch you on many levels...young love, discovery and endurance of self and... if only to experience how amazing a parent's love for a daughter can truly be...
A gifted copy was provided by the author for an honest review.
For more Reviews, Free E-books and Giveaways
In 2013, an author reached out and asked if I would read a new book. She was kind, understood her genre was not my go to than my usual fare. We talked (emailed), connected on a personal level and she accepted me to be who I am... a straight shooter; if there are issues or problems I will let the readers know...
The book was Chasing Stars and I rated it 3.5-4 stars.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Her next entry to this series, To Catch a Falling Star, showed a stronger voice. https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
With this new book, she took a break from her past series.
It is different.
It is edgier.
It is a wonder.
I was blown away by the growth of the author and the beauty of the story.
You have characters who are drawn to each other even though they know it is setting them up for pain. They hold onto the dream that maybe... maybe... things just might be different in the corners of their hearts. The times together are expressed where it will make your heart hurt... I know I am ahead of myself talking about the romance... but this tale has such sweet innocence wrapped in a protective shield.
The elements to look for are the times where Luna, our girl is thinking and remembering all the things her father taught her. Her relationship with him and how he loved her was beyond most stories...When she reminisces about her time learning about nature, birds and books... he is there in our heads, too. By the end of the story, you will be moved to ugly tears... and with no shame when doing it...that is how invested you will be with your own personal relationship with her father.
Luna is our main character and she is a survivor extraordinaire. At seventeen, she has held it together through death ripping her heart out of her chest. She has figured out the path of least damage in an environment fraught with craters of possible destruction at every turn. Her own home is a place where the only constant is a shutter which refuses to give in and accept decay...it clings to the side of the house telling time and elements it will not give in...it is not pretty and Luna sees what it represents...She will be as determined as that piece of wood to get herself and her brother out as soon as she is 18.
There is another character... Caleb. He is the boy all girls wish to dream about... the one other boys want as their bro.... he is the man in high school. He is the opposite of Luna's circle and life. His is upscale, wealthy, privileged and full of conditions with parents and others...He is equally holding on... but his is not so "in your face".
He sees Luna...knows of her "activities"...his friends are always looking to get product...but he also sees something more... something real. He forces the issue by purposely putting himself in her space away from the persona she is during school time. He connects with her through the animals she cares for...and shows her who he is.
This story is so layered, it is like the Russian Nesting dolls in how the relationship develops with Caleb and Luna. Everything has a time and purpose and when you think things could get either any better or at other times worse... some how these two have to deal with the information and decisions made... and with the ripple effect of it all.
The romance between these two... sigh...you just want everything to be good, knowing there are going to be challenges.
We have other parts, a young brother lost without a rudder...no matter how hard Luna tries to guide him. There is evil... which is easy to see and then the other type which is worse...stealth and hidden and more powerful.
Lessons taught in this book are deep. They are true to me in always holding on to who you are and self. To be strong and endure no matter what is given you. Try your best to muscle through the worst... but hold onto something which will guide you through life. Hold on to the belief in love and beauty...always.
If I sound a little caught up in the story...I am. The love of a parent like Luna's Dad is something very special in its way. He was not a wealthy man who gave her things... Yet he bestowed his riches, for he gave her the care and love everlasting to hold her throughout her life...even when he was not physically there.
As I was getting ready to post my review I saw Carol(Goodreads Addict)'s review. It.Was.Wonderful. Please read it as it tells about this book so much better than my ramblings https://www.goodreads.com/review/show....
L.Duarte is an author who believes in Good. She sees things which are possible even in impossible circumstances. The heart is pure and I am very lucky she reached out to me when she did.
Give yourself a gift...experience a story which will touch you on many levels...young love, discovery and endurance of self and... if only to experience how amazing a parent's love for a daughter can truly be...
A gifted copy was provided by the author for an honest review.
For more Reviews, Free E-books and Giveaways
January 4, 2016
ARC provided by author in exchange for an honest review
“His arms wrapped around me. It was home. Like a swallow, I had found a home.”
So where do I even begin how to put in perspective of how much I LOVED Fall Out Girl by L. Duarte because this story was so more than an ordinary genre of Young Adult . Fall Out Girl exceeded all my expectations of what I would typically expect to find in a high school romance because the story of Luna and Caleb was so much more. It was the kind of love that paints a literary tale that has the power to grip, touch, and make you feel. The kind of love that leaves you in awe and breathless knowing that without a doubt, your life will forever be entangled and intertwine with this person because this person has left it's permanent mark on your soul. So if L. Duarte's mission was to make me fall then I will happily say that she delivered. Ms. Duarte has made me fall in love with her gorgeous prose, raw characters and the beautiful union of two souls intertwining and setting their hearts, past, and hopes free.
“My love for Caleb was hard to describe. I loved him with madness and delirium, music and heartbeat. Time with him was morphine, bliss , shooting stars, and bursts of energy. It was an angel’s choir and angelic bells, rainbows and free falls, giggles and laughter, baptism and rebirth, blue lagoons and lemon drops.”
Fall Out Girl was a story brimming with so many facets and layers of raw emotions, family, second chances, loss, forgiveness, destiny, hope, heart and most importantly the sacrifices of one's love. They say life is a gift and it should not be wasted. And one of the important aspect of life is the gift to love. For some, love is like a buried treasure waiting to be found. And for Luna, she had experience three kinds of love that changed her. The love of a father, the love of her best friend and cousin, and the love that will alter and shape her to really shine and find her wings.
They say father's love for their daughter is endless. It is a love built on protection, hopes, sacrifices, and dreams. Luna had experienced that and so much more. So when she lost her father to an illness, it changed her. The beauty that once radiated off her was not dimmed. So when she moved in with her drug junkie aunt, Luna's life was forever changed. She was the perfect student with a high GPA but she was an outcast. The goth girl. The girl who had to sell drugs in order to put food on the table, pay the bills, and save enough money so she can provide and protect her cousin, Jake. So what happens when the outcast catches the eye of the rich and popular kid at school? Can two people from two different social class find true love?
“And I craved Caleb. I craved more of him. More skin to skin. More. Just more. The desperation with which I wanted him was both terrifying and thrilling.”
Caleb was the quintessential rich boy. He was popular and had the charisma to make any young girl fall to their knees. And so why would a guy who is clean cut be madly attracted to Luna? The answer to this is simple. He saw her inner beauty as well the beauty she radiates from the outside. He saw a beautiful woman who had the charisma, confidence, and fierceness. He saw the girl who ignited something inside him. Yes, this may the story of the rich boy falling in love with the girl who was dealt with a shitty hand. But the story of Luna and Caleb was so much more than that. It is the story of a boy who didn't see an outcast but a girl who stood out among the endless sea of women. He saw the stars and the moon. He saw Luna. The girl that he was meant to be with.
“The many secretive facets of me, hidden deep inside my soul, exposed, disrobed for him to see. The fearful, the lonely, the broken, the ugly, the hopeful.”
What really stood out to me with this book was the maturity of Luna. She was dealt a shitty hand in life after the passing of her father but she made do and accepted her life. She didn't say woe is me. She was a fighter. A survivor. And most importantly, she had a heart of gold. A heart that was waiting to find the person to fit perfectly with hers. The person who saw the real Luna. The girl who loved birds, the girl who loves classic literature, the girl who loved animals, and the girl who is willing to sacrifice for the people that she loved. And Caleb saw that and so much more.
“I love you, Luna. When I saw you for the first time, I had this knowing, this certainty that you were the love of my life. No, it’s beyond love. When my eyes found yours, my entire being connected to you. I could feel parts of my soul twisting, stretching like tentacles, reaching for yours. I felt my flesh prickling, my heart expanding, making room for yours. I knew then, what I’m telling you now, Luna. Without you, I’m condemned to a lonely existence. To a meaningless life. You are entwined with the deepest parts of me. You are ingrained in my body, mind, and soul.”
The relationship of Caleb and Luna gripped my heart in how strong, fierce and loyal they were to one another. I loved the simplicity of their relationship. It was Luna and Caleb. A love that was tangible and palpable from the start. A love that can comfort and shine light upon the darkest moments in our lives. A love that can transcend. So what else can I say but go read this amazing and breathtaking book by L. Duarte. Get ready to fall in love with Ms. Duarte's words as she captures and tells a beautiful, bold, and uplifting tale of true love, sacrifices, and second chances.
Review can also be found on Four Chicks Flipping Pages: http://fourchicksflippingpages.weebly...L. Duarte
“His arms wrapped around me. It was home. Like a swallow, I had found a home.”So where do I even begin how to put in perspective of how much I LOVED Fall Out Girl by L. Duarte because this story was so more than an ordinary genre of Young Adult . Fall Out Girl exceeded all my expectations of what I would typically expect to find in a high school romance because the story of Luna and Caleb was so much more. It was the kind of love that paints a literary tale that has the power to grip, touch, and make you feel. The kind of love that leaves you in awe and breathless knowing that without a doubt, your life will forever be entangled and intertwine with this person because this person has left it's permanent mark on your soul. So if L. Duarte's mission was to make me fall then I will happily say that she delivered. Ms. Duarte has made me fall in love with her gorgeous prose, raw characters and the beautiful union of two souls intertwining and setting their hearts, past, and hopes free.
“My love for Caleb was hard to describe. I loved him with madness and delirium, music and heartbeat. Time with him was morphine, bliss , shooting stars, and bursts of energy. It was an angel’s choir and angelic bells, rainbows and free falls, giggles and laughter, baptism and rebirth, blue lagoons and lemon drops.”Fall Out Girl was a story brimming with so many facets and layers of raw emotions, family, second chances, loss, forgiveness, destiny, hope, heart and most importantly the sacrifices of one's love. They say life is a gift and it should not be wasted. And one of the important aspect of life is the gift to love. For some, love is like a buried treasure waiting to be found. And for Luna, she had experience three kinds of love that changed her. The love of a father, the love of her best friend and cousin, and the love that will alter and shape her to really shine and find her wings.
They say father's love for their daughter is endless. It is a love built on protection, hopes, sacrifices, and dreams. Luna had experienced that and so much more. So when she lost her father to an illness, it changed her. The beauty that once radiated off her was not dimmed. So when she moved in with her drug junkie aunt, Luna's life was forever changed. She was the perfect student with a high GPA but she was an outcast. The goth girl. The girl who had to sell drugs in order to put food on the table, pay the bills, and save enough money so she can provide and protect her cousin, Jake. So what happens when the outcast catches the eye of the rich and popular kid at school? Can two people from two different social class find true love?
“And I craved Caleb. I craved more of him. More skin to skin. More. Just more. The desperation with which I wanted him was both terrifying and thrilling.”Caleb was the quintessential rich boy. He was popular and had the charisma to make any young girl fall to their knees. And so why would a guy who is clean cut be madly attracted to Luna? The answer to this is simple. He saw her inner beauty as well the beauty she radiates from the outside. He saw a beautiful woman who had the charisma, confidence, and fierceness. He saw the girl who ignited something inside him. Yes, this may the story of the rich boy falling in love with the girl who was dealt with a shitty hand. But the story of Luna and Caleb was so much more than that. It is the story of a boy who didn't see an outcast but a girl who stood out among the endless sea of women. He saw the stars and the moon. He saw Luna. The girl that he was meant to be with.
“The many secretive facets of me, hidden deep inside my soul, exposed, disrobed for him to see. The fearful, the lonely, the broken, the ugly, the hopeful.”What really stood out to me with this book was the maturity of Luna. She was dealt a shitty hand in life after the passing of her father but she made do and accepted her life. She didn't say woe is me. She was a fighter. A survivor. And most importantly, she had a heart of gold. A heart that was waiting to find the person to fit perfectly with hers. The person who saw the real Luna. The girl who loved birds, the girl who loves classic literature, the girl who loved animals, and the girl who is willing to sacrifice for the people that she loved. And Caleb saw that and so much more.
“I love you, Luna. When I saw you for the first time, I had this knowing, this certainty that you were the love of my life. No, it’s beyond love. When my eyes found yours, my entire being connected to you. I could feel parts of my soul twisting, stretching like tentacles, reaching for yours. I felt my flesh prickling, my heart expanding, making room for yours. I knew then, what I’m telling you now, Luna. Without you, I’m condemned to a lonely existence. To a meaningless life. You are entwined with the deepest parts of me. You are ingrained in my body, mind, and soul.”The relationship of Caleb and Luna gripped my heart in how strong, fierce and loyal they were to one another. I loved the simplicity of their relationship. It was Luna and Caleb. A love that was tangible and palpable from the start. A love that can comfort and shine light upon the darkest moments in our lives. A love that can transcend. So what else can I say but go read this amazing and breathtaking book by L. Duarte. Get ready to fall in love with Ms. Duarte's words as she captures and tells a beautiful, bold, and uplifting tale of true love, sacrifices, and second chances.
Review can also be found on Four Chicks Flipping Pages: http://fourchicksflippingpages.weebly...L. Duarte
Read
March 22, 2015I wrote this...
April 5, 2015
4.5 Shocked Stars
I had the pleasure of proofreading this masterpiece and I have to be honest about something. After I finished, I emailed Ms. Duarte and reamed her out for making me do the 'ugly cry'.
Now the beginning may be a bit slow but I understand the necessity of that now after finishing the book - it needed to be done in order to develop the characters correctly for the rest of the book.
I believe Ms. Duarte is the new break out author of 2015 and I can't wait to see what she delivers next!
I had the pleasure of proofreading this masterpiece and I have to be honest about something. After I finished, I emailed Ms. Duarte and reamed her out for making me do the 'ugly cry'.
Now the beginning may be a bit slow but I understand the necessity of that now after finishing the book - it needed to be done in order to develop the characters correctly for the rest of the book.
I believe Ms. Duarte is the new break out author of 2015 and I can't wait to see what she delivers next!
December 4, 2018
ARC
Fall Out Girl begins with Luna, being the social outcast badass bad girl, having a "date" with a guy named Andrew right before school. Andrew brings his friend, someone who Luna actually finds attractive, but they broke her rules. So, not only does she show this new guy whose boss, but she leaves quickly. Not long after that she realizes this new guy is actually new to her school. And he wants to go out with her... Things start getting a little strange for Luna, when this popular hot guy just won't leave her alone. And she likes it, though she hates to admit it... These two start a relationship that one could have predicted. And when her cousin starts some drama, and Caleb's dad starts some drama, things starting getting a little crazy for this couple..
Let me start by saying the blurb I read for this book did not do it justice. I was actually a little bit confused by it. But do not let that stop you from diving head first into this story. You will not be disappointed once you start reading it. It is not your typically social outcast meets popular guy, oh no, it is much better than that.
The girl, Luna, is a badass and has a whole lot of demons she's trying to run from. But she doesn't let that stop her from still living. And Caleb, who also has a few issues of his own, knows what he wants and will stop at nothing to have it. These two make a perfect couple. I was rooting for them from the start. Even though there was a little hiccup with their relationship, I still adored them together.
And this book is more then just a Young Adult Romance. It is so so much more. It's about a young girl whose had a hard life, and how she makes it through the day. We get to see her spread her wings and fly during this story. It was utterly beautiful! I adored this book!! And I highly recommend it!!
Fall Out Girl begins with Luna, being the social outcast badass bad girl, having a "date" with a guy named Andrew right before school. Andrew brings his friend, someone who Luna actually finds attractive, but they broke her rules. So, not only does she show this new guy whose boss, but she leaves quickly. Not long after that she realizes this new guy is actually new to her school. And he wants to go out with her... Things start getting a little strange for Luna, when this popular hot guy just won't leave her alone. And she likes it, though she hates to admit it... These two start a relationship that one could have predicted. And when her cousin starts some drama, and Caleb's dad starts some drama, things starting getting a little crazy for this couple..
Let me start by saying the blurb I read for this book did not do it justice. I was actually a little bit confused by it. But do not let that stop you from diving head first into this story. You will not be disappointed once you start reading it. It is not your typically social outcast meets popular guy, oh no, it is much better than that.
The girl, Luna, is a badass and has a whole lot of demons she's trying to run from. But she doesn't let that stop her from still living. And Caleb, who also has a few issues of his own, knows what he wants and will stop at nothing to have it. These two make a perfect couple. I was rooting for them from the start. Even though there was a little hiccup with their relationship, I still adored them together.
And this book is more then just a Young Adult Romance. It is so so much more. It's about a young girl whose had a hard life, and how she makes it through the day. We get to see her spread her wings and fly during this story. It was utterly beautiful! I adored this book!! And I highly recommend it!!
March 31, 2015
This was more YA for me but I found myself engrossed with Luna's character. It was strictly in her pov and she kinda held me captive. Although she was only 17, there was a depth to her. A softness if you will. But also a hardened closed off person. But you always know that the walls built weren't what she really wanted. They just ensured her survival.
As a baby her mother left. She was raised by her father and they had a very close relationship. You could tell he raised his daughter to be open minded, loving, and to give back. To be a better person. He instilled compassion. Without ever having him in the book you have an appreciation for the father he was. But at a young age, Luna lost him too.
Off to live with her horrible Aunt Lace she quickly bonded with her cousin Jacob. They looked out for each other and made plans to have a better life.
On the outside, to others, she may have appeared to be a freak. But that was carefully crafted by her. Some of the things she did was partly survival and protecting Jacob. It hurt to know how much a young girl was sacrificing and no one was doing the same for her. Luna was carefully and thoughtfully planning her future. I really felt proud of her even though she was doing things that could land her in jail and jeopardize her plans. Anyone who doubted Luna was an idiot. It's like she almost thought of everything. Carefully looking at all angles.
Until Caleb walked into her school. Caleb was new, and the son of a judge. He was popular, he was sweet and he was cocky.
I really enjoyed their interaction. I thought Caleb was so adorable the way he handled Luna's attitude. He saw right through her barriers and charged in.
Of course when everything is good, something has to happen. I felt horrible for Luna as things started to spin out of control. Where was the girl who was so strong? Did she finally break? And I think my heart hurt when Caleb did what he did. Although I knew the truth.
A horrible tragedy sends her on a journey that brings her closer to her dad and the girl he raised. It felt like the story took me down and brought me back up. I thought Luna was a great character. I loved Caleb.
Although it was a tad YA for my tastes I still ate it up in one sitting. Admittedly there were a few times I didn't like the dialogue, but it wasnt often.
As a baby her mother left. She was raised by her father and they had a very close relationship. You could tell he raised his daughter to be open minded, loving, and to give back. To be a better person. He instilled compassion. Without ever having him in the book you have an appreciation for the father he was. But at a young age, Luna lost him too.
Off to live with her horrible Aunt Lace she quickly bonded with her cousin Jacob. They looked out for each other and made plans to have a better life.
On the outside, to others, she may have appeared to be a freak. But that was carefully crafted by her. Some of the things she did was partly survival and protecting Jacob. It hurt to know how much a young girl was sacrificing and no one was doing the same for her. Luna was carefully and thoughtfully planning her future. I really felt proud of her even though she was doing things that could land her in jail and jeopardize her plans. Anyone who doubted Luna was an idiot. It's like she almost thought of everything. Carefully looking at all angles.
Until Caleb walked into her school. Caleb was new, and the son of a judge. He was popular, he was sweet and he was cocky.
I really enjoyed their interaction. I thought Caleb was so adorable the way he handled Luna's attitude. He saw right through her barriers and charged in.
"Caleb, with his charming smile and gentle soul, enthralled me. He captured me prisoner. And I knew that I would never love or belong so wholy to anyone else. Caleb had become the core of my experience."
Of course when everything is good, something has to happen. I felt horrible for Luna as things started to spin out of control. Where was the girl who was so strong? Did she finally break? And I think my heart hurt when Caleb did what he did. Although I knew the truth.
"I was once a good girl. I was once a bad girl. But at that moment, like an unstoppable pendulum, I swung back and forth, back and forth. One minute one person, the next someone else. How could I reconcile the two?."
A horrible tragedy sends her on a journey that brings her closer to her dad and the girl he raised. It felt like the story took me down and brought me back up. I thought Luna was a great character. I loved Caleb.
Although it was a tad YA for my tastes I still ate it up in one sitting. Admittedly there were a few times I didn't like the dialogue, but it wasnt often.
"Your wear your mask well, love. Just remember not to become it."
April 13, 2015
☆ I received an ARC via the author in exchange for an honest review. Thank you! ! ☆
3.5-75 stars!!
Beneath every face lies a story underneath…
For 17-year old social outcast Luna-- behind the gothic, misunderstood exterior that she carries, lays a tragic yet vulnerable vest underneath that façade she wears.
Having to take care of herself after the deaths of her parents and moving in with her aunt, Luna is a girl dealt with a crappy set of cards who is just trying to get by till she can get out.
After all, her 18th birthday is coming up and soon she can be rid of her horrible, druggie aunt and worry simply about herself.
That is, until she meets Caleb, who is the complete opposite who knocks Luna’s world upside down and challenges her and makes her want to be better.
Caleb sees the real Luna beneath that painful persona that Luna tries to hide herself under and is determined to bring that beautiful girl out of her shell.
Too bad Luna gets herself into a whole load of mess with her bad decision making and pile of bad luck that seems to follow her around.
My verdict?:
An innovative and out of the box novel and unlikely romance!!
But as this is a story, things don’t go smoothly, and soon this pair of young adults are put to the ultimate test and are constantly tried by the growing pains that we call life.
Man, Luna was tragic as she was ‘taintedly’ beautiful. Poor girl.
3.5-75 stars!!
Beneath every face lies a story underneath…
For 17-year old social outcast Luna-- behind the gothic, misunderstood exterior that she carries, lays a tragic yet vulnerable vest underneath that façade she wears.
Having to take care of herself after the deaths of her parents and moving in with her aunt, Luna is a girl dealt with a crappy set of cards who is just trying to get by till she can get out.
After all, her 18th birthday is coming up and soon she can be rid of her horrible, druggie aunt and worry simply about herself.
That is, until she meets Caleb, who is the complete opposite who knocks Luna’s world upside down and challenges her and makes her want to be better.
Caleb sees the real Luna beneath that painful persona that Luna tries to hide herself under and is determined to bring that beautiful girl out of her shell.
Too bad Luna gets herself into a whole load of mess with her bad decision making and pile of bad luck that seems to follow her around.
My verdict?:
An innovative and out of the box novel and unlikely romance!!
But as this is a story, things don’t go smoothly, and soon this pair of young adults are put to the ultimate test and are constantly tried by the growing pains that we call life.
Man, Luna was tragic as she was ‘taintedly’ beautiful. Poor girl.
October 24, 2015
3.5 Stars
Review to come
Review to come
October 22, 2015
A story so raw and so powerful, filled with so much sorrow yet it is so beautiful.
Can I sob? Would you let me sob while writing my review? Yes? Okay. *cue the tears and the sobs* Asdfghjkl. I'll stop sobbing or I won't do a good review and this book deserves the mother of amazing reviews. With that being said, this book is going on my favorite books of 2015. I know we are only starting this year but it's a breathtaking story.
Short summary so I don't spoil: Luna has had a rough life. She lost her dad early in life and was sent to live with her aunt. To survive, she succumbs to selling drugs in order to have at least one meal at home for herself, her cousin Jake and her aunt, who acts more like a teenager than an adult. Luna has built a fort, hiding away her feelings, showing everyone that she is tough and she is not to be messed with. That all changes when Caleb enters her life. But her story really is one of loss and one that is painful. Life is not filled with rainbows.
To show emotion was the same as cracking open your chest and inviting others to pry out your secrets, dissect your soul, and ultimately judge and condemn you. No, thank you.
First, can we all agree that the cover is GORGEOUS?! When the author contacted me to see if I would review Fall Out Girl, I immediately said yes. I had already read the blurb and seen the cover so I jumped at the chance. The past few weeks have been hell for me and I didn't want a cute romance story. As we all read on the blurb, this story is dark. I started reading FOG and I was only on 2% and I was submerged. I had plunged head first into the story.
Luna is a handful of a character but I loved her so much. I believe every person can relate to Luna in one way or another when it comes to her personality. Luna isn't a girly girl...not at all. She is fierce, sarcastic and has great confidence but under all of that tough exterior (a few tattoos, a few piercings, dresses like an emo chick), there is a girl that is caring and loving and vulnerable.
While I was the fierce, bitchy, and cocky hustler elsewhere, at the shelter I allowed a sweeter side to surface, one that had almost disappeared after Dad's death.
Even though she is only 17-years-old, her mind (psychological age) is of someone who is way older. Luna is not one to have fantasies; in fact, she is a very realistic character. She also has mastered the art of saving money. She wants to leave the town she is in and take Jake with her to some place far and start a new life so she has saved a lot of money and she also has a college trust fund.
As you have noticed, the cover of this book has birds, or more specific, swallows. This is something that is very important in the story. Something that Luna and her dad would do was to build houses for birds. When her father died, Luna still tended to the birds and even volunteered at a shelter but swallows are the most important to her because of their meaning so read the book to find out ;)
Caleb was the first guy ever to make Luna have feelings for someone in the romantic way. She tried to push him away but Caleb was ever so persistent and wouldn't give up on dating her. She finally relented but as I mentioned above, life is not all colorful and happiness.
Since my father's death, I had built a thick shell around me, around my emotions. With a flick of his fingers, Caleb had removed it and exposed me in a terrifying way.
What I loved so much about the story is that I felt like I was reading someone's diary. It felt so real. I imagined myself being there with Luna throughout it all. Each pain she felt, I felt. Each happy moment she felt, I felt. It was so realistic and beautiful at the same time. The writing is magnificent, poetic and alluring. Not only that, while I normally wouldn't like a few things that the characters say or do in any other story, I loved it in this one. Why? Because every single thing was justified and written so matter-of-factly like a teenager who is sarcastic would explain. That's another reason why I really loved the story. (If you are normally put off by this, you still need to read this book!)
As soon as book releases on March 21, you should buy it. I promise you won't regret it. This is just one of those books that are so amazing and beyond anything magical that you just HAVE to read it.
Add it to your TBR now.
Can I sob? Would you let me sob while writing my review? Yes? Okay. *cue the tears and the sobs* Asdfghjkl. I'll stop sobbing or I won't do a good review and this book deserves the mother of amazing reviews. With that being said, this book is going on my favorite books of 2015. I know we are only starting this year but it's a breathtaking story.
Short summary so I don't spoil: Luna has had a rough life. She lost her dad early in life and was sent to live with her aunt. To survive, she succumbs to selling drugs in order to have at least one meal at home for herself, her cousin Jake and her aunt, who acts more like a teenager than an adult. Luna has built a fort, hiding away her feelings, showing everyone that she is tough and she is not to be messed with. That all changes when Caleb enters her life. But her story really is one of loss and one that is painful. Life is not filled with rainbows.
To show emotion was the same as cracking open your chest and inviting others to pry out your secrets, dissect your soul, and ultimately judge and condemn you. No, thank you.
First, can we all agree that the cover is GORGEOUS?! When the author contacted me to see if I would review Fall Out Girl, I immediately said yes. I had already read the blurb and seen the cover so I jumped at the chance. The past few weeks have been hell for me and I didn't want a cute romance story. As we all read on the blurb, this story is dark. I started reading FOG and I was only on 2% and I was submerged. I had plunged head first into the story.
Luna is a handful of a character but I loved her so much. I believe every person can relate to Luna in one way or another when it comes to her personality. Luna isn't a girly girl...not at all. She is fierce, sarcastic and has great confidence but under all of that tough exterior (a few tattoos, a few piercings, dresses like an emo chick), there is a girl that is caring and loving and vulnerable.
While I was the fierce, bitchy, and cocky hustler elsewhere, at the shelter I allowed a sweeter side to surface, one that had almost disappeared after Dad's death.
Even though she is only 17-years-old, her mind (psychological age) is of someone who is way older. Luna is not one to have fantasies; in fact, she is a very realistic character. She also has mastered the art of saving money. She wants to leave the town she is in and take Jake with her to some place far and start a new life so she has saved a lot of money and she also has a college trust fund.
As you have noticed, the cover of this book has birds, or more specific, swallows. This is something that is very important in the story. Something that Luna and her dad would do was to build houses for birds. When her father died, Luna still tended to the birds and even volunteered at a shelter but swallows are the most important to her because of their meaning so read the book to find out ;)
Caleb was the first guy ever to make Luna have feelings for someone in the romantic way. She tried to push him away but Caleb was ever so persistent and wouldn't give up on dating her. She finally relented but as I mentioned above, life is not all colorful and happiness.
Since my father's death, I had built a thick shell around me, around my emotions. With a flick of his fingers, Caleb had removed it and exposed me in a terrifying way.
What I loved so much about the story is that I felt like I was reading someone's diary. It felt so real. I imagined myself being there with Luna throughout it all. Each pain she felt, I felt. Each happy moment she felt, I felt. It was so realistic and beautiful at the same time. The writing is magnificent, poetic and alluring. Not only that, while I normally wouldn't like a few things that the characters say or do in any other story, I loved it in this one. Why? Because every single thing was justified and written so matter-of-factly like a teenager who is sarcastic would explain. That's another reason why I really loved the story. (If you are normally put off by this, you still need to read this book!)
As soon as book releases on March 21, you should buy it. I promise you won't regret it. This is just one of those books that are so amazing and beyond anything magical that you just HAVE to read it.
Add it to your TBR now.
September 2, 2025
Reread: September 2025
⬇️
First Read: March 2015
ARC is provided by L. Duarte in exchange for an honest review.
First thoughts...
Luciana, I don't know what to say... I laughed, I cried (and still do by the way). I love your words, you put so much truth; meaning in every single one of them. I didn't know what to expect from the synopsis, but once I started Lunas story I couldn't put it down. I truly admire Lunas strength. Thank you!!! ♥♥
Review...
You can find the whole (german) review here
Meet Luna, 17. She’s a badass. She’s a drug dealer. She’s a bitch. That’s the persona, she’s showing the world. But she’s also working at an animal shelter. She’s taking care of her younger cousin Jake. She has dreams and hopes; plans for the future.
„Often I wondered which side of me was the truer one. The bravado was for self-preservation. Inside, I was always terrified of the world, but worse, I was afraid of losing my essence.“
Then there’s Caleb. He is new in town. The golden boy, son of the new judge. And he’s the only one that sees behind Lunas mask and knows she will be worth it. Things start to take its course: reluctance leads to love; misery leads to addiction; blackmail leads to retreat and the hope for a better future suffers a setback. But Luna will rise like a phoenix and will follow her dream.
„The tricky thing about fear is: It wears a different mask every day.“
Luna. She’s the center of everything. Her words and thoughts made me laugh. They made me cry. They were thought-provoking. It’s like reading a diary: you discover her most intimate secrets; her fears and dreams. Luna‘s only 17, but she’s more mature than some adults. I truly love her sarcasm and her strength!
It’s not only the content, it’s Lucianas writing style that turns the whole book into something special. Behind every single sentence; every single word lies a meaning, a truth. They make sense; they raise hopes. They pull at my heartstrings. Sorry for that messy review and my bad english, but I can’t put into words just why and how much I love this book.
Beautiful. Realistic. Magical. Soulful. Powerful. Full of pain and raw emotions, but also full of hope and sarcasm. Thats „Fall Out Girl“. Read it! I highly recommend it to everybody and hope you’ll love it as much as I do.
P.S. I adore the cover! It fits perfectly!
⬇️
First Read: March 2015
ARC is provided by L. Duarte in exchange for an honest review.
First thoughts...
Luciana, I don't know what to say... I laughed, I cried (and still do by the way). I love your words, you put so much truth; meaning in every single one of them. I didn't know what to expect from the synopsis, but once I started Lunas story I couldn't put it down. I truly admire Lunas strength. Thank you!!! ♥♥
Review...
You can find the whole (german) review here
Meet Luna, 17. She’s a badass. She’s a drug dealer. She’s a bitch. That’s the persona, she’s showing the world. But she’s also working at an animal shelter. She’s taking care of her younger cousin Jake. She has dreams and hopes; plans for the future.
„Often I wondered which side of me was the truer one. The bravado was for self-preservation. Inside, I was always terrified of the world, but worse, I was afraid of losing my essence.“
Then there’s Caleb. He is new in town. The golden boy, son of the new judge. And he’s the only one that sees behind Lunas mask and knows she will be worth it. Things start to take its course: reluctance leads to love; misery leads to addiction; blackmail leads to retreat and the hope for a better future suffers a setback. But Luna will rise like a phoenix and will follow her dream.
„The tricky thing about fear is: It wears a different mask every day.“
Luna. She’s the center of everything. Her words and thoughts made me laugh. They made me cry. They were thought-provoking. It’s like reading a diary: you discover her most intimate secrets; her fears and dreams. Luna‘s only 17, but she’s more mature than some adults. I truly love her sarcasm and her strength!
It’s not only the content, it’s Lucianas writing style that turns the whole book into something special. Behind every single sentence; every single word lies a meaning, a truth. They make sense; they raise hopes. They pull at my heartstrings. Sorry for that messy review and my bad english, but I can’t put into words just why and how much I love this book.
Beautiful. Realistic. Magical. Soulful. Powerful. Full of pain and raw emotions, but also full of hope and sarcasm. Thats „Fall Out Girl“. Read it! I highly recommend it to everybody and hope you’ll love it as much as I do.
P.S. I adore the cover! It fits perfectly!
Read
September 2, 2015Advance Readers Copy (ARC) provided for my blog by the lovely amazing author L. Duarte for an honest review
DNF..
DNF..
Want to read
April 28, 2015ARC kindly provided by author in return for a honest review
April 19, 2015
*****10 To The Moon And Back Stars*****
I absolutely fell in love with everything in this book. The strength, love, loss, struggle and rebirth. This story invokes so many emotions that it leaves you speechless.
Luna is one of the strongest, loyal and devoted characters. She is a total badass!!
Caleb is the All American boy with a romantic heart, crazy love and the Moon in his every thought.
This is a story that sticks to your heart and keeps you entranced to the very end. In which, I didn't want this story to end.
An amazing story, phenomenally told and will cause tears to fall. MUST READ!!!
I absolutely fell in love with everything in this book. The strength, love, loss, struggle and rebirth. This story invokes so many emotions that it leaves you speechless.
Luna is one of the strongest, loyal and devoted characters. She is a total badass!!
Caleb is the All American boy with a romantic heart, crazy love and the Moon in his every thought.
This is a story that sticks to your heart and keeps you entranced to the very end. In which, I didn't want this story to end.
An amazing story, phenomenally told and will cause tears to fall. MUST READ!!!
February 27, 2015
* ARC provided by the author. Thank you! *
Wish I was articulate enough to put in to words how much I loved this book. Five stars does not do it justice. Every book L. Duarte writes pulls at my heart string, but Fall Out Girl defiantly pulled more than the rest. I don't want to give too much away, but I will say this, I never knew 17 year olds could be so mature :)
If this book is not on your TBR list you should definitely add it. Go on! As for me, I have a date with a whole lot of 19 century novels to figure out where the name Laska came from. I think it's Russian?
Wish I was articulate enough to put in to words how much I loved this book. Five stars does not do it justice. Every book L. Duarte writes pulls at my heart string, but Fall Out Girl defiantly pulled more than the rest. I don't want to give too much away, but I will say this, I never knew 17 year olds could be so mature :)
If this book is not on your TBR list you should definitely add it. Go on! As for me, I have a date with a whole lot of 19 century novels to figure out where the name Laska came from. I think it's Russian?
March 22, 2015
This book is like journeying through an intensely dark night with tinges of luna-light to brighten up all your senses.A read that should satisfy the cravings of most discerning readers & book addicts.
láska:
love (intense feeling of affection and care toward another person)
love (object of one’s romantic feelings)
láska:
love (intense feeling of affection and care toward another person)
love (object of one’s romantic feelings)
April 2, 2015
All my feeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeels !
Loved the way the author has used her words in this book ! Nothing new , but a serious dose of some emotional , thought worthy stuffs in life !
Loved the way the author has used her words in this book ! Nothing new , but a serious dose of some emotional , thought worthy stuffs in life !
April 17, 2015
I received a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.
4.5 STARS!
“The tricky thing about fear is: It wears a different mask every day.”
So the blurb. It doesn’t do this story any justice. It doesn’t describe the shear genius of this book. It doesn’t tell you that you become emotionally invested in every single character. This book? It MOVED me.
“You’re like this box of surprises. No, you’re like the moon; part of you is always hidden. away.”
Luna doesn't do feelings. She coasts through life merely existing, not really living. She is counting down the days until her eighteenth birthday so she can leave the awful place she calls home. With her unconventional job there is no room for emotions or even friends. Except her cousin, Jake. He is her best friend. Her only friend. Luna has piercings, colored hair, and has tattoos. This is all to keep people away. But Luna has so many layers. While her heart is hardened, the most gentle, beautiful person still lives inside of her. And she soon learns that this girl is just waiting to come back out.
“Caleb fell into my life, like an asteroid dropping from the sky. Suddenly, ferociously.”
Enter Caleb. He literally falls into Luna’s life. He doesn’t see past her. He sees her. And Luna is scared. She doesn’t want to be seen. She wants to remain invisible. Why would someone like Caleb want to pursue her? He is popular, wealthy, and his family, influential. He has a lot to live up to. But Caleb is so much more than his family or family name. He sees something in Luna and wants to know more. Caleb is relentless. He doesn’t give up. He pushes his way into her life. Their banter is hilarious. I caught myself smiling, laughing over this book.
“You’re the purest, most genuine thing that ever happened to me.”
Luna is hesitant to be around Caleb as his presence tends to make her want to feel everything rather than run. But what she doesn’t realize is that Caleb recognized his soul in hers. That his heart found his missing piece in her. She also doesn't realize that her blackened heart wants nothing more than to be loved by Caleb. You feel his lifeless soul come alive the moment he meets Luna. Despite Luna’s darkness, Caleb sees her light and he stops at nothing to make her see it too She cannot deny the pull she feel towards him. Her heart doesn’t feel as heavy. Life isn’t so bad when he’s near. He makes her want to live, rather than simply exist. But with a life full of sorrow, love only brings heart break. And she knows heartbreak and sorrow all too well.
“When Caleb’s arms had been around me, my chest felt less hollow, and my soul was no longer dreary.”
Can we talk about the writing? OH THE WORDS. They are beautiful, and poetic in nature. Their declarations of love? They made my heart sing. Consumed me. I felt the words, the emotion, the pain, and joy behind those words. This is so much more than outcast girl falls for popular boy. It goes deeper than that. The author effortlessly weaves a story that is unlike any other I have ever read. It’s not your cookie cutter romance story. Luna’s story will break your heart, maybe even your spirit. You feel for her and understand the choices she has made. You watch her life less soul come alive.
“I loved him with madness and delirium, music and heartbeat. Time with him was morphine, bliss, shooting stars, and bursts of energy.”
Luna and Caleb love with a love something fierce. Their love is powerful. It transcends. Their love represents hope. It reminds you that even in darkness, love always exists. For love is light. Caleb loves Luna with conviction. He loves her with an intensity that cannot be described in words. And Luna? Her heart beat simply speaks her words of love for Caleb.
“Without you, I’m condemned to a lonely existence. To a meaningless life. You are entwined with the deepest parts of me. You are ingrained in my body, mind, and soul.”
Fall Out Girl clearly demonstrates the resiliency of the human spirit, and one’s heart, and what they are capable of. Caleb and Luna’s story is not an easy one. Their journey had many obstacles. But their love knows no boundaries. Their love shatters them.
4.5 STARS!
“The tricky thing about fear is: It wears a different mask every day.”
So the blurb. It doesn’t do this story any justice. It doesn’t describe the shear genius of this book. It doesn’t tell you that you become emotionally invested in every single character. This book? It MOVED me.
“You’re like this box of surprises. No, you’re like the moon; part of you is always hidden. away.”
Luna doesn't do feelings. She coasts through life merely existing, not really living. She is counting down the days until her eighteenth birthday so she can leave the awful place she calls home. With her unconventional job there is no room for emotions or even friends. Except her cousin, Jake. He is her best friend. Her only friend. Luna has piercings, colored hair, and has tattoos. This is all to keep people away. But Luna has so many layers. While her heart is hardened, the most gentle, beautiful person still lives inside of her. And she soon learns that this girl is just waiting to come back out.
“Caleb fell into my life, like an asteroid dropping from the sky. Suddenly, ferociously.”
Enter Caleb. He literally falls into Luna’s life. He doesn’t see past her. He sees her. And Luna is scared. She doesn’t want to be seen. She wants to remain invisible. Why would someone like Caleb want to pursue her? He is popular, wealthy, and his family, influential. He has a lot to live up to. But Caleb is so much more than his family or family name. He sees something in Luna and wants to know more. Caleb is relentless. He doesn’t give up. He pushes his way into her life. Their banter is hilarious. I caught myself smiling, laughing over this book.
“You’re the purest, most genuine thing that ever happened to me.”
Luna is hesitant to be around Caleb as his presence tends to make her want to feel everything rather than run. But what she doesn’t realize is that Caleb recognized his soul in hers. That his heart found his missing piece in her. She also doesn't realize that her blackened heart wants nothing more than to be loved by Caleb. You feel his lifeless soul come alive the moment he meets Luna. Despite Luna’s darkness, Caleb sees her light and he stops at nothing to make her see it too She cannot deny the pull she feel towards him. Her heart doesn’t feel as heavy. Life isn’t so bad when he’s near. He makes her want to live, rather than simply exist. But with a life full of sorrow, love only brings heart break. And she knows heartbreak and sorrow all too well.
“When Caleb’s arms had been around me, my chest felt less hollow, and my soul was no longer dreary.”
Can we talk about the writing? OH THE WORDS. They are beautiful, and poetic in nature. Their declarations of love? They made my heart sing. Consumed me. I felt the words, the emotion, the pain, and joy behind those words. This is so much more than outcast girl falls for popular boy. It goes deeper than that. The author effortlessly weaves a story that is unlike any other I have ever read. It’s not your cookie cutter romance story. Luna’s story will break your heart, maybe even your spirit. You feel for her and understand the choices she has made. You watch her life less soul come alive.
“I loved him with madness and delirium, music and heartbeat. Time with him was morphine, bliss, shooting stars, and bursts of energy.”
Luna and Caleb love with a love something fierce. Their love is powerful. It transcends. Their love represents hope. It reminds you that even in darkness, love always exists. For love is light. Caleb loves Luna with conviction. He loves her with an intensity that cannot be described in words. And Luna? Her heart beat simply speaks her words of love for Caleb.
“Without you, I’m condemned to a lonely existence. To a meaningless life. You are entwined with the deepest parts of me. You are ingrained in my body, mind, and soul.”
Fall Out Girl clearly demonstrates the resiliency of the human spirit, and one’s heart, and what they are capable of. Caleb and Luna’s story is not an easy one. Their journey had many obstacles. But their love knows no boundaries. Their love shatters them.
April 26, 2015
Teenage years; the transitional stage from childhood to adulthood. Teenagers are carefree, moody, and peer pressure can be insurmountable. Senior year is the year to have fun and prepare for prom. But, for Luna this is not the case, she is just trying to survive and come out alive at the end.
Luna is tough, a badass drug pusher; nobody messes with her. She has no friends and that is just how she wants it. Everybody has a perception of Luna. She has a plan and what everybody else thinks about her is not important. She does not need any distractions. Her goal is only one: ESCAPE and take her cousin Jake with her. But who is she, really? She is trying to survive and get out of a really bad situation alive.
Caleb comes from a rich family; his father is the new judge in town. He is loving, a romantic, has a good heart and he is persistent. All the girls want Caleb, but Caleb seems to only want one girl, Luna. He is the one thing Luna does not need: a distraction! When Caleb walks into Luna’s life she starts to have feelings. He slowly starts to break down her walls and expose the real Luna.
There will be moments that you will not like Luna and there will be moments where you won’t like Caleb. But, read on.
This is a beautiful story about survival. A story about dealing with the bad that life throws at you. No matter how well thought out a plan is, always have a plan B, because things don’t always work out as you plan. It is a beautiful story; have your tissues ready because you will be crying. But hang-on, it is so worth it!
Luna is tough, a badass drug pusher; nobody messes with her. She has no friends and that is just how she wants it. Everybody has a perception of Luna. She has a plan and what everybody else thinks about her is not important. She does not need any distractions. Her goal is only one: ESCAPE and take her cousin Jake with her. But who is she, really? She is trying to survive and get out of a really bad situation alive.
Caleb comes from a rich family; his father is the new judge in town. He is loving, a romantic, has a good heart and he is persistent. All the girls want Caleb, but Caleb seems to only want one girl, Luna. He is the one thing Luna does not need: a distraction! When Caleb walks into Luna’s life she starts to have feelings. He slowly starts to break down her walls and expose the real Luna.
There will be moments that you will not like Luna and there will be moments where you won’t like Caleb. But, read on.
This is a beautiful story about survival. A story about dealing with the bad that life throws at you. No matter how well thought out a plan is, always have a plan B, because things don’t always work out as you plan. It is a beautiful story; have your tissues ready because you will be crying. But hang-on, it is so worth it!
March 7, 2015
This book was nothing I expected it to be. I've read this author and enjoy the books she writes, so it being easy to read and well written was no surprise. The little ball fire of a heroine was what I did not expect. Luna takes you by surprise. She's a drug dealer with a perfect GPA and a knife in her bra, who has piercings and tattoos and a outlook on life that was unexpected. Wow!
You're going to need tissue and be prepared for lots of "awes" when you meet the hero, Caleb. He's a cutie with lots of romance and a determination to make Luna his ever after.
Well done Ms. Duarte. Thanks for the opportunity to read and review your books. I always enjoy them.
You're going to need tissue and be prepared for lots of "awes" when you meet the hero, Caleb. He's a cutie with lots of romance and a determination to make Luna his ever after.
Well done Ms. Duarte. Thanks for the opportunity to read and review your books. I always enjoy them.
March 29, 2015
This would have been better for me had it not been for the whole Jessica thing. it unfortunately just left a bad taste in my mouth and ruined the story for me. i thought luna should not have fallen back into his lap so easily. The situation was sort of glossed over? other than that the book was good
July 4, 2017
Ok I don't like writing reviews and I only do it when I book really gets me. If your going to read this book be prepared to go on an emotional roller coaster. From the characters, the romance , and the situations that Luna and jake suffered it just bottles up into an explosive book .
March 24, 2015
4 Luna Moon Stars
April 11, 2015
Review to come. :)
December 9, 2024
So I remember reading this book years ago on my kindle, and I loved it then. But now as I'm older and I'm reading back, I didn't like it AT ALL. I Loved Luna, the FMC, I thought she deserved better then the people she got in her life. I DID initially like Caleb, the MMC but after he broke her heart and then told her why he was forced to break it, I thought his reasons weren't good enough. Piece of shit. That's all I thought. And the ending was just too rushed and abrupt which i hated. So I wasn't happy by the end of this book. 🙄🙄
April 29, 2015
**BETH'S 4.5 STAR REVIEW**
Have you ever read a synopsis for a book and think that sounds interesting, even though it doesn’t really say much about what the book is actually about, yet you still find interested in reading it. I decided to check this book out and as I began to read the first few pages I found myself thinking that this was not at all what I was expecting. First, Luna and Caleb are high school, and they are complete opposites of each other. Then add into the equation their initial meeting and where things go from there, this was truly not at all what I was expecting. But somehow after those very few pages of having second thoughts about this book I fell completely in love with Luna, her heartbreaking story and of course I fell in love Caleb. I don’t want to say much more than that as I think a lot of my enjoyment of this book was first due to going into this book completely blind, the synopsis didn’t tell me much and I decided to not read any reviews. Second, I was intrigued by the synopsis but really didn’t have any expectations. I had not heard anyone raving or hating about it, none of my book friends had read it or any of the authors other books so along with going in blind, I was going in neutral regarding the book and the author’s writing. For that reason I won’t say much more about the story as I want that same experience for anyone else picking up this book.
As I read this book I felt like I was sitting with Luna as she told me her story, I felt like I was part of her life, one of her close friends feeling every emotion she experiences as she tells us all of the good and bad moments of her life she has had to get through. I felt how torn she was with some of the hard decisions she had to make and the love she had for her cousin Jake and for her father. Luna was such an amazing character, she was strong and she had such a huge caring heart. She hid behind the make-up and the mask she wore showing everyone a social outcast who didn’t care what people thought of her. But Caleb got to see the other side of her, the girl who loved animals, especially birds and who didn’t wear makeup and volunteered at an animal shelter. Although as time passed he also got to see the true Luna and like him, you just couldn’t help but fall in love with her.
Caleb is the popular guy who comes from money, and who has the typical father who is in a position of power and has expectations for his son. After learning that, Caleb was not at all what I expected, he was cocky and arrogant but in such a good way. Caleb’s initial meeting with Luna is not a normal meeting and I completely didn’t expect him to react the way he did but he was taken with Luna from the very moment he saw her. I really loved his persistence with her and love how he slowed won her over, won her trust and got her to let down the walls she has built. After all she had been through and had to endure just to survive, he gave he the hope and love she deserved.
This was my first book by this author but definitely won’t be my last. This book really WOW’d me, it sucked me in and just wouldn’t let go. I really loved the writing style and I am not normally one who tends to like books that write it so they have the main character almost talking to you, but there was something about her story and the way it was written that made me love it. I fell in love with both Caleb and Luna and how their story played out. They came from very different lives but Caleb was determined to not let that be a factor in their relationship and him getting to know her. But life was not always easy for them and somehow for some reason life has made their paths cross and bringing two very unlikely people together, but that didn’t mean things would be hearts and flowers for them either. This book was such an amazing read, it was a fresh, different and emotional read. It had so many great moments that were touching and heartbreaking and even inspirational, making me stop and take a look at my own life and appreciate all that I have. I will definitely be watching this author for future work and checking out her other work that is currently already out!
Have you ever read a synopsis for a book and think that sounds interesting, even though it doesn’t really say much about what the book is actually about, yet you still find interested in reading it. I decided to check this book out and as I began to read the first few pages I found myself thinking that this was not at all what I was expecting. First, Luna and Caleb are high school, and they are complete opposites of each other. Then add into the equation their initial meeting and where things go from there, this was truly not at all what I was expecting. But somehow after those very few pages of having second thoughts about this book I fell completely in love with Luna, her heartbreaking story and of course I fell in love Caleb. I don’t want to say much more than that as I think a lot of my enjoyment of this book was first due to going into this book completely blind, the synopsis didn’t tell me much and I decided to not read any reviews. Second, I was intrigued by the synopsis but really didn’t have any expectations. I had not heard anyone raving or hating about it, none of my book friends had read it or any of the authors other books so along with going in blind, I was going in neutral regarding the book and the author’s writing. For that reason I won’t say much more about the story as I want that same experience for anyone else picking up this book.
As I read this book I felt like I was sitting with Luna as she told me her story, I felt like I was part of her life, one of her close friends feeling every emotion she experiences as she tells us all of the good and bad moments of her life she has had to get through. I felt how torn she was with some of the hard decisions she had to make and the love she had for her cousin Jake and for her father. Luna was such an amazing character, she was strong and she had such a huge caring heart. She hid behind the make-up and the mask she wore showing everyone a social outcast who didn’t care what people thought of her. But Caleb got to see the other side of her, the girl who loved animals, especially birds and who didn’t wear makeup and volunteered at an animal shelter. Although as time passed he also got to see the true Luna and like him, you just couldn’t help but fall in love with her.
Caleb is the popular guy who comes from money, and who has the typical father who is in a position of power and has expectations for his son. After learning that, Caleb was not at all what I expected, he was cocky and arrogant but in such a good way. Caleb’s initial meeting with Luna is not a normal meeting and I completely didn’t expect him to react the way he did but he was taken with Luna from the very moment he saw her. I really loved his persistence with her and love how he slowed won her over, won her trust and got her to let down the walls she has built. After all she had been through and had to endure just to survive, he gave he the hope and love she deserved.
This was my first book by this author but definitely won’t be my last. This book really WOW’d me, it sucked me in and just wouldn’t let go. I really loved the writing style and I am not normally one who tends to like books that write it so they have the main character almost talking to you, but there was something about her story and the way it was written that made me love it. I fell in love with both Caleb and Luna and how their story played out. They came from very different lives but Caleb was determined to not let that be a factor in their relationship and him getting to know her. But life was not always easy for them and somehow for some reason life has made their paths cross and bringing two very unlikely people together, but that didn’t mean things would be hearts and flowers for them either. This book was such an amazing read, it was a fresh, different and emotional read. It had so many great moments that were touching and heartbreaking and even inspirational, making me stop and take a look at my own life and appreciate all that I have. I will definitely be watching this author for future work and checking out her other work that is currently already out!
March 27, 2015
This book drew me in with the synopsis. After reading it, I had to read the book and I wasn’t disappointed. This story was an emotional roller coaster. I even ugly cried during one part. Luna puts on this front for everyone. She makes it seem as if she is this total badass drug dealing girl that no one should mess with. When really she isn’t like that at all, she is totally soft and just wants to be loved and cared for by someone. Caleb came into her life and tore down all the walls she had built up around herself before she even realized it. He was the first person since her father died that tried to get to know her. He wanted to know the real her, he was willing to dig through the layers so built up to get to her. She was the crazy amazing puzzle to him. He made her feel things she had never felt before. She never cared what anything thought about her or said about her until Caleb. Some parts were funny and others were so emotional. I felt so much for Luna. Her life went directions she never though it would. She had these two parts of herself and after meeting Caleb she had to learn that she didn’t have to be one or the other that in some way she was both. Caleb didn’t exactly have it easy either. His life was pretty much planned for him since birth. Then something happened between him and his father and he realized he didn’t want what they had planned for him. He started to realize that he could be whoever he wanted to be. Luna helped him realize this and gave him the push to do it without even realizing it or trying to do it. Outside forces didn’t make their relationship easy at times. I love them as a couple and as individuals. I will definitely be looking for other books by this author. I really loved this book and the characters. I can’t say enough about the book but I don’t want to give any spoilers away. This book is a must read and have some tissues.
I was given this book in return for an honest review.
I was given this book in return for an honest review.
February 6, 2016
*** 3.5 Cranky Stars ***
First off, let me say that this story started off with a hiss and a roar.
Luna, the main female character, is not your typical heroine. She's hostile, full of snark and wit, an orphan staying with her drug addicted aunt and her vulnerable cousin, and Luna is a drug dealer.
Her voice is fresh and original. Luna is tough, funny, and smart, carrying both her pain and dreams for a better future.
Enter Caleb: he's the all American boy. They meet at a drug deal; Luna's selling, Caleb's friend is buying, and sparks fly.
They end up having class together. They end up working together. They end up falling in love.
This book plateaus somewhat in the middle and sadly, as love rises, Luna loses her sparkle. The tough, funny, smart girl dulls and is replaced by insecure and sad Luna.
Alas, the conflict in the last 75 percent was predictable and felt a little contrived. When our hero started acting out of character, I didn't understand why smart, savvy Luna didn't put it together.
The ending was rushed, but satisfying. I absolutely adored the Luna I first met in the book and hope the Luna at the completion of the story doesn't lose what made her interesting.
First off, let me say that this story started off with a hiss and a roar.
Luna, the main female character, is not your typical heroine. She's hostile, full of snark and wit, an orphan staying with her drug addicted aunt and her vulnerable cousin, and Luna is a drug dealer.
Her voice is fresh and original. Luna is tough, funny, and smart, carrying both her pain and dreams for a better future.
Enter Caleb: he's the all American boy. They meet at a drug deal; Luna's selling, Caleb's friend is buying, and sparks fly.
They end up having class together. They end up working together. They end up falling in love.
This book plateaus somewhat in the middle and sadly, as love rises, Luna loses her sparkle. The tough, funny, smart girl dulls and is replaced by insecure and sad Luna.
Alas, the conflict in the last 75 percent was predictable and felt a little contrived. When our hero started acting out of character, I didn't understand why smart, savvy Luna didn't put it together.
The ending was rushed, but satisfying. I absolutely adored the Luna I first met in the book and hope the Luna at the completion of the story doesn't lose what made her interesting.
April 24, 2015
A fabulous and emotional 4.5 star read
A friend brought this book to my attention and I am so glad she did as it probably wouldn't have caught my eye. I read the synopsis but other that she's a social outcast and he's Mr. Popular and something bad or tragic has happened and changed her life, you aren't sure what to expect. So as I read the first few pages I was sort of thinking that this was not at all what I was expecting, it's high school kids but I won't say much more than that as it will spoil it and I think a lot of my enjoyment came from being surprised, one by the storyline and it being different from my normal read and two I never knew what to expect next and just kept getting surprised and wow'd with all that was happening.
This was truly a touching story that I felt like Luna was sitting with me telling me her story, I felt her loneliness, I felt her hiding behind her mask never really showing her true self, that was until Caleb. It was a heartbreaking and emotional read at times but definitely one that was also uplifting and made me also stop to look at my own life and my own list and I will leave it at that.... check out my full review at
http://lustfulliterature.com/fall-out...
ARC received in exchange for honest review
A friend brought this book to my attention and I am so glad she did as it probably wouldn't have caught my eye. I read the synopsis but other that she's a social outcast and he's Mr. Popular and something bad or tragic has happened and changed her life, you aren't sure what to expect. So as I read the first few pages I was sort of thinking that this was not at all what I was expecting, it's high school kids but I won't say much more than that as it will spoil it and I think a lot of my enjoyment came from being surprised, one by the storyline and it being different from my normal read and two I never knew what to expect next and just kept getting surprised and wow'd with all that was happening.
This was truly a touching story that I felt like Luna was sitting with me telling me her story, I felt her loneliness, I felt her hiding behind her mask never really showing her true self, that was until Caleb. It was a heartbreaking and emotional read at times but definitely one that was also uplifting and made me also stop to look at my own life and my own list and I will leave it at that.... check out my full review at
http://lustfulliterature.com/fall-out...
ARC received in exchange for honest review
April 7, 2015
I received an arc from author in exchange for an honest review!
L. Duarte is a new to me author, this is the first book I have read and I absolutely loved it!
I was pulled into this story from the get go and when I finished I was bummed because I didn't want it to end.
This is book could be considered an Ugly Cry.. there is so many emotions you feel. The one thing I look for when reading a book is an emotional connection to the characters. This one the connection was definitely there.
This is Luna's story, she is a drug pusher just so she survive. Luna has multiple facades. Emo/Goth, the girl next door. Depending on what she is doing at the moment.
Caleb is the son of a judge. He see's Luna an knows there is more to her then meets the eye and he is determined to find out which is the real Luna
This is a must read! Get your copy!
L. Duarte is a new to me author, this is the first book I have read and I absolutely loved it!
I was pulled into this story from the get go and when I finished I was bummed because I didn't want it to end.
This is book could be considered an Ugly Cry.. there is so many emotions you feel. The one thing I look for when reading a book is an emotional connection to the characters. This one the connection was definitely there.
This is Luna's story, she is a drug pusher just so she survive. Luna has multiple facades. Emo/Goth, the girl next door. Depending on what she is doing at the moment.
Caleb is the son of a judge. He see's Luna an knows there is more to her then meets the eye and he is determined to find out which is the real Luna
This is a must read! Get your copy!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 139 reviews