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How to Unbreakup
First rule of There’s no going back.For three years, seventeen-year-old Grace Evers has regretted breaking up with Sage Castle.That day, she lost her boyfriend and best friend. And let's be honest, it's impossible to just be friends with the one person who gets you, faults and all, and loved you anyway. It's impossible not to think about how it felt to be held by him, or the way he looked right before he was about to kiss you with the most perfectly yummy kiss goodnight.And now that things are over between them, they've become strangers to one another. Sage won’t even look at Grace, let alone talk to her!Breakup life sucks and Grace is utterly miserable, doing whatever she can to ease the pain of losing Sage. She's spent the better part of high school pretending to be something she’s not and hanging out with people who probably wouldn't notice if she wasn't there. Crappy dates, backstabbing friends, and Sage's cold shoulder have taken their toll.So when her parents propose going away to their house on Lake Michigan for the summer, Grace is thrilled. No more massively bad dates with horrible kissers or lunch with frienemies. Just three months of swimming,hiking, and relaxing before senior year starts.But when Grace learns Sage and his family will be joining them, she readies herself for a totally awkward family vacation of disastrous proportions. How can it be anything but awful if Sage won't even acknowledge she exists?This is it, Grace's last chance to get Sage back and unbreakup.
208 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2015
About the author
Rebekah L. Purdy
20 books499 followersI was born and raised in Michigan (just look for the giant mitten on the map—it’ll likely throw a snowball at you). I spent most of my time in Michigan, but while in the army got to call KS, SC, MO, and CA home for awhile as well.
As a kid my family moved around a lot. Try spending both your freshman and senior years at new schools (yeah, loads of fun). I could’ve changed my name to “new girl”.
I love writing for teens because those are the years I remember falling in love with most of my favorite books. Some of the authors I couldn’t put down were L.J. Smith, Christopher Pike, R.L. Stine, Richie Tankersley Cusick, Joan Lowery Nixon, Lois Duncan, amongst several others.
My husband and I have a large family. There are six kids total! So we have LOTS of fun on vacations (although hours on the road, cooped up in the Expedition is kind of stressful—although we pass the time with MAD LIBS and hoping no one gets carsick).
Some fun facts about me:
My first real crush was on Luke Skywalker (LOL—hey, I was like 8 years old and it came out before I was born).
I’m obsessed with several TV shows/Movies: The Vampire Diaries, Lord of the Rings, Star Wars, Sean of the Dead, The Sing Off, Ghost Hunters, Destination Truth, True Blood, Being Human, Fact or Fake, and all the cake designing ones! Oh and all the spoof movies!
I still own all the books I bought as a kid/teen.
I have a hankering for chocolate (like all the time, seriously. If my arm was made of it I’d chew it off).
Celebrity crushes: Johnny Depp (woohoo), Taylor Lautner (okay, I know he’s kind of young for me), Ian Somerhalder (ooh, he’s just right. We’re the same age). Wow, this was like a Goldie Locks and the Three Bears moment. Johnny Depp too old, Taylor Lautner too young, Ian Somerhalder—JUST RIGHT.
In my spare time I like to write (obviously), read, sing, hang out with my kids, play with my animals, camp, play soccer, check my email (hehehe), watch football (go LIONS). I also love hanging out with my sister and hubby!
Look forward to chatting with everyone! And if you’re lucky, I’ll break out the opera voice and chase you around singing!
As a kid my family moved around a lot. Try spending both your freshman and senior years at new schools (yeah, loads of fun). I could’ve changed my name to “new girl”.
I love writing for teens because those are the years I remember falling in love with most of my favorite books. Some of the authors I couldn’t put down were L.J. Smith, Christopher Pike, R.L. Stine, Richie Tankersley Cusick, Joan Lowery Nixon, Lois Duncan, amongst several others.
My husband and I have a large family. There are six kids total! So we have LOTS of fun on vacations (although hours on the road, cooped up in the Expedition is kind of stressful—although we pass the time with MAD LIBS and hoping no one gets carsick).
Some fun facts about me:
My first real crush was on Luke Skywalker (LOL—hey, I was like 8 years old and it came out before I was born).
I’m obsessed with several TV shows/Movies: The Vampire Diaries, Lord of the Rings, Star Wars, Sean of the Dead, The Sing Off, Ghost Hunters, Destination Truth, True Blood, Being Human, Fact or Fake, and all the cake designing ones! Oh and all the spoof movies!
I still own all the books I bought as a kid/teen.
I have a hankering for chocolate (like all the time, seriously. If my arm was made of it I’d chew it off).
Celebrity crushes: Johnny Depp (woohoo), Taylor Lautner (okay, I know he’s kind of young for me), Ian Somerhalder (ooh, he’s just right. We’re the same age). Wow, this was like a Goldie Locks and the Three Bears moment. Johnny Depp too old, Taylor Lautner too young, Ian Somerhalder—JUST RIGHT.
In my spare time I like to write (obviously), read, sing, hang out with my kids, play with my animals, camp, play soccer, check my email (hehehe), watch football (go LIONS). I also love hanging out with my sister and hubby!
Look forward to chatting with everyone! And if you’re lucky, I’ll break out the opera voice and chase you around singing!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
February 11, 2015
Probably need to check for cavities now; this is a super sweet, innocent YA romance.
Grace and Sage were childhood friends, the best of friends, and each other's first romance/kiss. They grew up together in wholesome Michigan, with parents who are BFFs and plan joint trips. In eighth grade Sage asked Grace to be his girlfriend, and she agreed, but it got a bit much for her to handle. Her friends complained that she was always with him, and she felt like she didn't have an identity of her own. Plus, she didn't really feel ready, anymore, to be in a relationship. And, I felt this was ALL AWESOME. I love when young girls are cool being alone. Grace wanted to maintain their strong friendship, but Sage never talked to her after that, and started skipping their joint family get-togethers.
Three years goes by and neither Grace nor Sage has ever dated anyone. Grace knows she's still hung up on Sage, but he still holds a grudge. It's the summer following junior year, and the big surprise vacation is again to link the two families for a summer long rental beach house in the UP (Upper Peninsula). Grace is anxious, seeing Sage again at close quarters, but Sage is hostile. Hell hath no fury like a scorned Sage, it seems.
Sage's sister, Allie, can clearly see how Grace cares for Sage, however--and Allie knows how depressed Sage was after their break-up, so Allie decides to help Grace win him back. They devise a list of ten tasks that Grace should attempt to unfreeze Sage's heart, and *hopefully* win him back. Of course this plan is destined to crash and burn...hijinks ensue.
In the meantime, while Grace works up the courage to check off Item 10 on her list (apologize for hurting Sage all those years ago, and confess her deep love), he finds a local girl who is very much interested in him. Lila is a pretty pin-up of a girl who shares none of Sage's interests, but does captivate his attention. Her elder brother, Logan, is equally attractive, and interested in Grace. Allie insists that this may be helpful (Item 6: Make Sage jealous) but Grace isn't the mercenary sort. She doesn't discourage Logan, but she keeps everything friendly, even confiding her true feelings for Sage to a very understanding Logan.
Thing is, as the days and weeks pass, Grace realizes that Sage is happier now, and that he seems to get on well with Lila. Grace completes her task list, leaving it all up to Sage.
Well, this is YA romance, so we get an HEA, but we take the angsty-way around to it.
The story is well-told, with only a few slapstick elements, and a whole lotta good-natured ribbing and family bonding. The tension between Sage and Grace is always high, and this non-courtship is fun to experience. Sage and Grace have a lot of shared history, and rediscovering together it is touching. I like how level-headed Grace is, she doesn't get catty, or plan sabotage missions against Lila; she simply tries to reconnect with her oldest friend, and hopes that he might see her for the girl who loves him now, not the one who broke his heart before.
Grace and Sage were childhood friends, the best of friends, and each other's first romance/kiss. They grew up together in wholesome Michigan, with parents who are BFFs and plan joint trips. In eighth grade Sage asked Grace to be his girlfriend, and she agreed, but it got a bit much for her to handle. Her friends complained that she was always with him, and she felt like she didn't have an identity of her own. Plus, she didn't really feel ready, anymore, to be in a relationship. And, I felt this was ALL AWESOME. I love when young girls are cool being alone. Grace wanted to maintain their strong friendship, but Sage never talked to her after that, and started skipping their joint family get-togethers.
Three years goes by and neither Grace nor Sage has ever dated anyone. Grace knows she's still hung up on Sage, but he still holds a grudge. It's the summer following junior year, and the big surprise vacation is again to link the two families for a summer long rental beach house in the UP (Upper Peninsula). Grace is anxious, seeing Sage again at close quarters, but Sage is hostile. Hell hath no fury like a scorned Sage, it seems.
Sage's sister, Allie, can clearly see how Grace cares for Sage, however--and Allie knows how depressed Sage was after their break-up, so Allie decides to help Grace win him back. They devise a list of ten tasks that Grace should attempt to unfreeze Sage's heart, and *hopefully* win him back. Of course this plan is destined to crash and burn...hijinks ensue.
In the meantime, while Grace works up the courage to check off Item 10 on her list (apologize for hurting Sage all those years ago, and confess her deep love), he finds a local girl who is very much interested in him. Lila is a pretty pin-up of a girl who shares none of Sage's interests, but does captivate his attention. Her elder brother, Logan, is equally attractive, and interested in Grace. Allie insists that this may be helpful (Item 6: Make Sage jealous) but Grace isn't the mercenary sort. She doesn't discourage Logan, but she keeps everything friendly, even confiding her true feelings for Sage to a very understanding Logan.
Thing is, as the days and weeks pass, Grace realizes that Sage is happier now, and that he seems to get on well with Lila. Grace completes her task list, leaving it all up to Sage.
Well, this is YA romance, so we get an HEA, but we take the angsty-way around to it.
The story is well-told, with only a few slapstick elements, and a whole lotta good-natured ribbing and family bonding. The tension between Sage and Grace is always high, and this non-courtship is fun to experience. Sage and Grace have a lot of shared history, and rediscovering together it is touching. I like how level-headed Grace is, she doesn't get catty, or plan sabotage missions against Lila; she simply tries to reconnect with her oldest friend, and hopes that he might see her for the girl who loves him now, not the one who broke his heart before.
February 16, 2015
I wanted to like this book. I did. But I didn't like it. Let me give my reasons. Of course, other disagree with me and you should read their reviews too. Decide for yourself.
My reasons for not liking this book...
This is not how teens act anymore. As a middle school teacher, I hang out with 11-13 years daily. I have a lot of former students come back to visit me. Needless to say, I know how they do act. Not like this. They don't wait three years to realize and do something about breaking up with a boy. They don't only kiss one boy at age 13 and then not again until their 17 with no other kisses in-between. They don't put up with fake friends that they can't stand for 3 years. They don't obsess over Star Wars. (They did that 20 or so years ago but not now. Other movies have taken it's place).
The List. Really there is a list of ways to unbreakup. And, yes, she does everything on the list. She probably should have started at the end and instead of the first. But what really made me crazy was the "Vacation style" of the what happened. Really, I was expecting the Griswold Family to show up. Everything that could go wrong with her list, went wrong. Of course, that might have been funny if that was all. No this kinda plays into my next issue but each event was kinda stand alone with no real follow-up of what happened right after. Scenes just changed like they weren't alive until the next big event happened.
Flat Characters. Because the scenes just sort of were stuck together, the characters fell flat. It was like each event on list was written separately and then made it's own chapter with nothing to hold them together in the middle. Several times, I thought "why wouldn't he come ask her about this later?" They were sharing a loft with a bunch of bunk beds. Didn't they ever run into each other until the next event happened?
Jealous, really? So a brother and sister happen to live next door to where they are staying for the summer. And, of course, the sister is into Sage and the brother is into Grace. They show up at just the right moment to mess things up for Grace if she just told Sage how she felt. It seemed clear to me that the whole story could have happened in a short if she had just told Sage how she felt. And why did it take her 3 years to decide she still loved him when it took her about 30 seconds to decide to break up with him. I get that there needs to be a story but this feels forced and, unfortunately, predictable.
It's a figuring out who you are kinda of story. But really, it's what adults want to think about teens and not what teens are really like. I don't think that will fly with most teens. They see through that pretty easily.
I just couldn't get past my issues to enjoy this one. It felt forced and fell flat. It's a great premise but I just didn't enjoy it. About the only thing I liked was when Sage figured things out and took things in his own hands.
My reasons for not liking this book...
This is not how teens act anymore. As a middle school teacher, I hang out with 11-13 years daily. I have a lot of former students come back to visit me. Needless to say, I know how they do act. Not like this. They don't wait three years to realize and do something about breaking up with a boy. They don't only kiss one boy at age 13 and then not again until their 17 with no other kisses in-between. They don't put up with fake friends that they can't stand for 3 years. They don't obsess over Star Wars. (They did that 20 or so years ago but not now. Other movies have taken it's place).
The List. Really there is a list of ways to unbreakup. And, yes, she does everything on the list. She probably should have started at the end and instead of the first. But what really made me crazy was the "Vacation style" of the what happened. Really, I was expecting the Griswold Family to show up. Everything that could go wrong with her list, went wrong. Of course, that might have been funny if that was all. No this kinda plays into my next issue but each event was kinda stand alone with no real follow-up of what happened right after. Scenes just changed like they weren't alive until the next big event happened.
Flat Characters. Because the scenes just sort of were stuck together, the characters fell flat. It was like each event on list was written separately and then made it's own chapter with nothing to hold them together in the middle. Several times, I thought "why wouldn't he come ask her about this later?" They were sharing a loft with a bunch of bunk beds. Didn't they ever run into each other until the next event happened?
Jealous, really? So a brother and sister happen to live next door to where they are staying for the summer. And, of course, the sister is into Sage and the brother is into Grace. They show up at just the right moment to mess things up for Grace if she just told Sage how she felt. It seemed clear to me that the whole story could have happened in a short if she had just told Sage how she felt. And why did it take her 3 years to decide she still loved him when it took her about 30 seconds to decide to break up with him. I get that there needs to be a story but this feels forced and, unfortunately, predictable.
It's a figuring out who you are kinda of story. But really, it's what adults want to think about teens and not what teens are really like. I don't think that will fly with most teens. They see through that pretty easily.
I just couldn't get past my issues to enjoy this one. It felt forced and fell flat. It's a great premise but I just didn't enjoy it. About the only thing I liked was when Sage figured things out and took things in his own hands.
March 7, 2015
We are The Unofficial Addiction Book Fan Club, to know more about this book, go to the post in our website:
How to Unbreakup by Rebekah L. Purdy
If you are interested, you can visit our website:
The Unofficial Addiction Book Fan Club
The Unofficial Addiction Book Fan Club's Review:
Rate: 4 stars
Review:
I love all Rebekah's stories because it's all about embracing your inner nerd and be proud of it, of who you are, and How To Unbreakup was no different.
Grace and Sage were best friends. Their families were close and their got closer when they started dating. However, when they broke up things changed.
Do you know when you start overthinking and dissecting your relationship with someone because of what others say? Well, that's what the main character goes through. At least, that's the impression I got after reading the first chapters of the book. And it's completely okay to have doubts about who you are and your relationship. Even more when you are thirteen.
That's one of the main reasons you really get to understand the main character and like her. She's good, nerdy, funny and a fully teen with her awkwardness and with her embarrassment, trying to find herself while amending her past errors. I really liked her and felt for her all throughout the story because I don't think she deserved such treatment from Sage. I know she broke his heart, but come on, dude, you broke my reading heart a bit with your attitude. Despite this, as any other character in a sweet YA romance, Sage ends up winning your heart no matter what he did at the beginning or throughout the book.
I liked this story because it's a prove that it's okay to make mistakes, but the wiser part of making them is recognizing them and trying to amend them. Also, I loved the main characters' decision of trying to find herself and seeing happen throughout the whole story.
Overall, this is story is one of those YA sweet romances that you need to read from time to time. And what better read than this, because everyone's who's been dumped or has dumped someone and regretted it might have wondered what it would be to unbreakup. Well, you can get to see how that all played out for Sage and Grace if you chose to read Rebekah's new story.
How to Unbreakup by Rebekah L. Purdy
If you are interested, you can visit our website:
The Unofficial Addiction Book Fan Club
The Unofficial Addiction Book Fan Club's Review:
Rate: 4 stars
Review:
I love all Rebekah's stories because it's all about embracing your inner nerd and be proud of it, of who you are, and How To Unbreakup was no different.
Grace and Sage were best friends. Their families were close and their got closer when they started dating. However, when they broke up things changed.
Do you know when you start overthinking and dissecting your relationship with someone because of what others say? Well, that's what the main character goes through. At least, that's the impression I got after reading the first chapters of the book. And it's completely okay to have doubts about who you are and your relationship. Even more when you are thirteen.
That's one of the main reasons you really get to understand the main character and like her. She's good, nerdy, funny and a fully teen with her awkwardness and with her embarrassment, trying to find herself while amending her past errors. I really liked her and felt for her all throughout the story because I don't think she deserved such treatment from Sage. I know she broke his heart, but come on, dude, you broke my reading heart a bit with your attitude. Despite this, as any other character in a sweet YA romance, Sage ends up winning your heart no matter what he did at the beginning or throughout the book.
I liked this story because it's a prove that it's okay to make mistakes, but the wiser part of making them is recognizing them and trying to amend them. Also, I loved the main characters' decision of trying to find herself and seeing happen throughout the whole story.
Overall, this is story is one of those YA sweet romances that you need to read from time to time. And what better read than this, because everyone's who's been dumped or has dumped someone and regretted it might have wondered what it would be to unbreakup. Well, you can get to see how that all played out for Sage and Grace if you chose to read Rebekah's new story.
January 27, 2015
Growing up Grace Evers and Sage Castle were the best of friends, they did everything together and as they got older they decided to give dating a go and they were the perfect couple, that was until Grace overheard a couple of her soccer teammates talking about how she had gotten worst at soccer and it was all due to spending too much time and dating Sage. Grace had a choice to make - break up with Sage or continue to be the brunt of her teammates gossip. She chose to break up with Sage. Three years pass and Grace has never gotten over her dumping of Sage, as she not only lost her boyfriend that day but also her best friend. That was the last day they ever actually spoke to each other. Now it's senior year and her parents have decided to rent the cabin on the lake for their family vacation. Grace's parents have a surprise though, the Castles are sharing their vacation with them. This means Sage and Grace have to spend ALL Summer together. Can Grace with the help of Sage's younger sister and best friend come up with a plan to win Sage back ? Enter the list of "The Unbreakup Rules". Over the next few weeks , Grace will try and implement each rule and task to win Sage back but of course things like this never go to plan as they end up backfiring . What will throw a major wrench into her plan though is the arrival of Lila , who has set her eyes on Sage and will make it her goal to make him her Summer fling. Can Grace win her Sage back or will she discover that unfortunately in the Game of Love, that there is no take-backs. If you are in the mood for a teen Summer Romance, then check out "How to Unbreakup" by Rebekah Purdy.
February 5, 2015
3.5/5
How to Unbreakup is a character driven, super-cute romance with brilliant themes of identity woven into the narrative.
Told from Grace’s point of view, she is an adorably geeky character, family orientated and wonderful friend.
The start of the story focuses on three years in the past, the time when Grace and Sage moved their friendship from platonic to romantic. You have never seen two characters so perfect for each other. Although they are only 13 at the time and therefore, just starting to question their own identities. Both are remarkably comfortable with themselves, that is until peer pressure, insecurity and a certain immaturity rears its ugly head.
Breaking up with Sage has been a constant regret with Grace, she has spent the past three years covering up who she really is and making herself utterly miserable in the process. Forced into spending the summer together, Grace and Sage’s sister, Allie, devise a list to unbreakup.
While I loved seeing the list and Sage and Grace’s interactions play out within the narrative, it was Grace’s character development, developing self-awareness and determination to be who she wanted to be that made me fall in love with the story.
The peripheral characters are wonderfully quirky especially Grace and Sage’s fathers. Alternative romantic interests add tension to the plot and also ensure the reader know how perfect Grace and Sage are together. Seduction via Star Wars characters had me laughing into my kindle :)
How to Unbreakup is a character driven, super-cute romance with brilliant themes of identity woven into the narrative.
Told from Grace’s point of view, she is an adorably geeky character, family orientated and wonderful friend.
The start of the story focuses on three years in the past, the time when Grace and Sage moved their friendship from platonic to romantic. You have never seen two characters so perfect for each other. Although they are only 13 at the time and therefore, just starting to question their own identities. Both are remarkably comfortable with themselves, that is until peer pressure, insecurity and a certain immaturity rears its ugly head.
Breaking up with Sage has been a constant regret with Grace, she has spent the past three years covering up who she really is and making herself utterly miserable in the process. Forced into spending the summer together, Grace and Sage’s sister, Allie, devise a list to unbreakup.
While I loved seeing the list and Sage and Grace’s interactions play out within the narrative, it was Grace’s character development, developing self-awareness and determination to be who she wanted to be that made me fall in love with the story.
The peripheral characters are wonderfully quirky especially Grace and Sage’s fathers. Alternative romantic interests add tension to the plot and also ensure the reader know how perfect Grace and Sage are together. Seduction via Star Wars characters had me laughing into my kindle :)
February 16, 2015
How To Unbreakup centers around a relationship between Grace and Sage, longtime best friends. As the title states, there is a plan to unbreakup, because being broken up totally sucks. So when both families join together for a summer vacay, Grace is more than happy Sage will be there and nothing will stop her from winning him back. Except, maybe he'll try to stop her...
Three words: cutest story ever! I read How To Unbreakup in half a day because I couldn't bring myself to put it down. I was rooting for Grace 100% of the way and becoming very irritated when Sage wasn't cooperating! Rebekah Purdy definitely brings a unique twist on the Young Adult contemporary genre. Who starts a book with a breakup? It's brilliant, because now we get to read a story about winning someone back. And, to make it even better it's a girl trying to win a boy back!
My favorite thing about this book are the characters. Each so unique and quirky and different from one another. Purdy could write a book about each one and I would make sure to read them! My second favorite thing, is the friendship between Sage and Grace. Sometimes a friendship can come off too cheesy in a book, but theirs felt completely genuine and I loved being able to connect with it.
Have I mentioned how utterly cute this story is? How to Unbreakup is, for sure, going in my "to-read-again" pile! - Bianca
Three words: cutest story ever! I read How To Unbreakup in half a day because I couldn't bring myself to put it down. I was rooting for Grace 100% of the way and becoming very irritated when Sage wasn't cooperating! Rebekah Purdy definitely brings a unique twist on the Young Adult contemporary genre. Who starts a book with a breakup? It's brilliant, because now we get to read a story about winning someone back. And, to make it even better it's a girl trying to win a boy back!
My favorite thing about this book are the characters. Each so unique and quirky and different from one another. Purdy could write a book about each one and I would make sure to read them! My second favorite thing, is the friendship between Sage and Grace. Sometimes a friendship can come off too cheesy in a book, but theirs felt completely genuine and I loved being able to connect with it.
Have I mentioned how utterly cute this story is? How to Unbreakup is, for sure, going in my "to-read-again" pile! - Bianca
March 1, 2015
A really cute, quick read. I finished this book on a few hours and enjoyed traveling with the characters as they rekindled their relationship. I liked watching as the characters began to feel comfortable with their true selves. The setting was captivating and the over all journey sweet and entertaining.
January 3, 2019
This was such a cute book. Cute boys and Star Wars and beach houses and I'm not sure what more you could want.
Grace and Sage were best friends. They grew up together, played soccer together, has lightsaber battles with each other. So when they started dating at 13, it seemed natural. Until Grace broke up with Sage, and lost her best friend. Now, they're 17, about to enter their senior year, and Grace hasn't gotten over him. So, with the help of his sister, Grace makes a list of How to Unbreakup and starts putting her plan into action.
I liked Grace. She broke up with Sage when they were 13, because she needed to find herself, and become her own person. I can respect that. She's a closet nerd, but has decided that senior year, she's ditching her fake friends and letting her inner nerd come out, regardless of what anyone thinks. I also admire that. She was awkward, funny, kind, impulsive, scared. She was a well-rounded character that made me chuckle with her antics. I liked her, and the person she became throughout the story, truly finding herself.
Sage I wasn't sure what to think about. I get that Grace broke his heart, but that was THREE years ago. They were THIRTEEN. That doesn't give him the right to be such a jerk for so long. Sage also kept bringing up the fact that Grace was "fake", just another popular girl, but I didn't see that from her. I know we really didn't see her in school, or with those fake friends, so maybe she was, but I couldn't see it. But he did eventually win me over.
Of course, there were other love interests for both Sage and Grace. But Grace keeps going on with her list, determined that even if it doesn't work, at least she tried. I loved the side characters as well, as they added depth and humor to the story, especially the parents.
With a Star Wars cosplay (or two), things catching on fire, campfire singalongs and…pirates? This book was cute and hilarious. (And maybe will give you some ideas for your own unbreakup needs?)
I received an eARC from the author, this did not affect my honest opinion.
This review first appears on The NerdHerd Reads
Grace and Sage were best friends. They grew up together, played soccer together, has lightsaber battles with each other. So when they started dating at 13, it seemed natural. Until Grace broke up with Sage, and lost her best friend. Now, they're 17, about to enter their senior year, and Grace hasn't gotten over him. So, with the help of his sister, Grace makes a list of How to Unbreakup and starts putting her plan into action.
I liked Grace. She broke up with Sage when they were 13, because she needed to find herself, and become her own person. I can respect that. She's a closet nerd, but has decided that senior year, she's ditching her fake friends and letting her inner nerd come out, regardless of what anyone thinks. I also admire that. She was awkward, funny, kind, impulsive, scared. She was a well-rounded character that made me chuckle with her antics. I liked her, and the person she became throughout the story, truly finding herself.
Sage I wasn't sure what to think about. I get that Grace broke his heart, but that was THREE years ago. They were THIRTEEN. That doesn't give him the right to be such a jerk for so long. Sage also kept bringing up the fact that Grace was "fake", just another popular girl, but I didn't see that from her. I know we really didn't see her in school, or with those fake friends, so maybe she was, but I couldn't see it. But he did eventually win me over.
Of course, there were other love interests for both Sage and Grace. But Grace keeps going on with her list, determined that even if it doesn't work, at least she tried. I loved the side characters as well, as they added depth and humor to the story, especially the parents.
With a Star Wars cosplay (or two), things catching on fire, campfire singalongs and…pirates? This book was cute and hilarious. (And maybe will give you some ideas for your own unbreakup needs?)
I received an eARC from the author, this did not affect my honest opinion.
This review first appears on The NerdHerd Reads
April 2, 2021
5 Stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The romance was amazing, but the humour was even better. Loved it! ❤️
The romance was amazing, but the humour was even better. Loved it! ❤️
February 16, 2015
Sometimes it sucks to be a kid. Sure, we adults have jobs and bills (usually), but we also don't have backstabbing so-called friends making us doubt ourselves. Well, I guess we do, but since we're grown-ups, we deal with that kinda crap a bit more effectively. Usually.
How to Unbreakup is about how the decisions we make can affect us for years to come. What I like about it is that rather than being all preachy about it and looking too far into the future, How to Unbreakup keeps those consequences within a few years. So instead of a teenager reading about how this not so great decision will hurt them in 20 years (and who cares about 20 years in the future when you're 14), it shows how it can hurt them in a more immediate period (3 years).
Peer pressure is a huge part of what makes life as a kid suck sometimes. It's that fierce desire to fit in and have the approval of her peers that influences Grace to breakup with her BFF turned boyfriend (Sage) after only a few days. She seems to know it's a bad decision at the time, but as a 14-year-old kid, she's too worried about some nastiness she heard from a couple of so-called friends.
And boy, does she pay for it. Not only does she lose Sage, but she loses herself. It's exhausting to pretend to be someone you're not. It's exhausting to miss something wonderful that you threw away. So, while it's a bit abrupt and contrived the way that Grace decides she wants to unbreakup with Sage (and the circumstances that allow her to try), I loved it. I love that she's so tired of who she's become that she wants to reclaim herself and her friendship with Sage. I love her courage and willingness to risk rejection. We all know how hard rejection can be to deal with as adults. It's exponentially worse when you're a teenager, right?
I cried, laughed, and loved with Grace and Sage. Their story really hit home with me. I mean, we all have regrets. How to Unbreakup shows us that it's not always too late to go back and make another choice.
Rebekah Purdy grew up in Michigan, where she spent many late nights armed with a good book and a flashlight. When not hiding at her computer and getting lost in her stories, she enjoys reading, singing, soccer, swimming, football, camping, playing video games and hanging out with her kids. She loves the unexplainable like Bigfoot, the Dogman, and the Loch Ness Monster (lots of good story material)! She admits to still having all the books she bought throughout her childhood and teen years, and she may or may not have an obsession with anything chocolate…
Website│Goodreads│Twitter│Facebook
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Blog Tour Organized by YA Bound Blog Tours This review was originally posted on LeilaReads
How to Unbreakup is about how the decisions we make can affect us for years to come. What I like about it is that rather than being all preachy about it and looking too far into the future, How to Unbreakup keeps those consequences within a few years. So instead of a teenager reading about how this not so great decision will hurt them in 20 years (and who cares about 20 years in the future when you're 14), it shows how it can hurt them in a more immediate period (3 years).
Peer pressure is a huge part of what makes life as a kid suck sometimes. It's that fierce desire to fit in and have the approval of her peers that influences Grace to breakup with her BFF turned boyfriend (Sage) after only a few days. She seems to know it's a bad decision at the time, but as a 14-year-old kid, she's too worried about some nastiness she heard from a couple of so-called friends.
And boy, does she pay for it. Not only does she lose Sage, but she loses herself. It's exhausting to pretend to be someone you're not. It's exhausting to miss something wonderful that you threw away. So, while it's a bit abrupt and contrived the way that Grace decides she wants to unbreakup with Sage (and the circumstances that allow her to try), I loved it. I love that she's so tired of who she's become that she wants to reclaim herself and her friendship with Sage. I love her courage and willingness to risk rejection. We all know how hard rejection can be to deal with as adults. It's exponentially worse when you're a teenager, right?
I cried, laughed, and loved with Grace and Sage. Their story really hit home with me. I mean, we all have regrets. How to Unbreakup shows us that it's not always too late to go back and make another choice.
Rebekah Purdy grew up in Michigan, where she spent many late nights armed with a good book and a flashlight. When not hiding at her computer and getting lost in her stories, she enjoys reading, singing, soccer, swimming, football, camping, playing video games and hanging out with her kids. She loves the unexplainable like Bigfoot, the Dogman, and the Loch Ness Monster (lots of good story material)! She admits to still having all the books she bought throughout her childhood and teen years, and she may or may not have an obsession with anything chocolate…Website│Goodreads│Twitter│Facebook
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Blog Tour Organized by YA Bound Blog Tours This review was originally posted on LeilaReads
June 14, 2018
How to Unbreakup is a really good book. I really liked Grace and Sage’s relationship development.
May 2, 2016
Review originally posted at Ramblings From This Chick
How to Unbreakup is my first book by Rebekah L. Purdy, and it was a good story. This one was cute and short, and I read it in one sitting. If you are looking for something light and sweet about high school age kids, I think this might be a story you enjoy.
Sage Castle and Grace Evers have been best friends since they were kids. When their feelings change though they decide they want to be more and become boyfriend and girlfriend. But then Grace's soccer friends start questioning her relationship with Sage, and she begins to wonder if she should be with him. So she ends up breaking up with him and hurting both herself and Sage in the process. Although she wants to remain friends, Sage stops talking to her altogether. But then three years later, Grace's parents surprise her and the family with a trip for the summer. Grace is looking forward to getting away until she realizes that the Castle family will be joining them. With the help of Sage's sister Allie, Grace sets out to win Sage back. But will it be too late for them to unbreakup?
I liked Sage and Grace. The thing I had to remember is that these are high school kids, and so their actions were often times impulsive and immature. Yet despite that, these two both seemed to have their heads on pretty straight. Grace went about trying to win back Sage in a mature way, if a bit indirectly. I felt like she should have just talked to him and started with the apology. I think an explanation of her actions would have gone a long way. But when Sage was hanging out with Lila, she could have acted a lot worse and I felt like she took the high road. She let the ultimate decision come down to what Sage wanted and didn't try to force his hand. She laid her feelings out there and accepted that he would do what he wanted to. Sage was great, and I wish we had been given his POV. He seemed to still be struggling with his feelings for Grace, and you could tell that he had missed her and their friendship. He was a bit cold to her at first, but the more time they spent together the more everything started to return to the way it was between them.
Overall, this was a good young adult story and I liked the characters. While I enjoyed the book, I will say that things were a bit convenient. Everything that could go wrong for Grace while trying to win Sage back did go wrong. They just so happened to meet a brother and sister pair that were close by that were interested in Sage and Grace. Grace and Sage had broken up and three years had gone by, but neither of them had ever moved on or dated anyone. Despite those things though, I was able to just enjoy the story for what it was. I liked the secondary characters, and I loved how close their families were. These two were really cute together, and it was clear how close they had always been . I think this is a short and sweet fun read that many YA fans will really enjoy. It is a perfect summer beach read for anyone looking to lose themselves for a few hours.
**ARC Provided by YA Bound Book Tours**
How to Unbreakup is my first book by Rebekah L. Purdy, and it was a good story. This one was cute and short, and I read it in one sitting. If you are looking for something light and sweet about high school age kids, I think this might be a story you enjoy.
Sage Castle and Grace Evers have been best friends since they were kids. When their feelings change though they decide they want to be more and become boyfriend and girlfriend. But then Grace's soccer friends start questioning her relationship with Sage, and she begins to wonder if she should be with him. So she ends up breaking up with him and hurting both herself and Sage in the process. Although she wants to remain friends, Sage stops talking to her altogether. But then three years later, Grace's parents surprise her and the family with a trip for the summer. Grace is looking forward to getting away until she realizes that the Castle family will be joining them. With the help of Sage's sister Allie, Grace sets out to win Sage back. But will it be too late for them to unbreakup?
I liked Sage and Grace. The thing I had to remember is that these are high school kids, and so their actions were often times impulsive and immature. Yet despite that, these two both seemed to have their heads on pretty straight. Grace went about trying to win back Sage in a mature way, if a bit indirectly. I felt like she should have just talked to him and started with the apology. I think an explanation of her actions would have gone a long way. But when Sage was hanging out with Lila, she could have acted a lot worse and I felt like she took the high road. She let the ultimate decision come down to what Sage wanted and didn't try to force his hand. She laid her feelings out there and accepted that he would do what he wanted to. Sage was great, and I wish we had been given his POV. He seemed to still be struggling with his feelings for Grace, and you could tell that he had missed her and their friendship. He was a bit cold to her at first, but the more time they spent together the more everything started to return to the way it was between them.
Overall, this was a good young adult story and I liked the characters. While I enjoyed the book, I will say that things were a bit convenient. Everything that could go wrong for Grace while trying to win Sage back did go wrong. They just so happened to meet a brother and sister pair that were close by that were interested in Sage and Grace. Grace and Sage had broken up and three years had gone by, but neither of them had ever moved on or dated anyone. Despite those things though, I was able to just enjoy the story for what it was. I liked the secondary characters, and I loved how close their families were. These two were really cute together, and it was clear how close they had always been . I think this is a short and sweet fun read that many YA fans will really enjoy. It is a perfect summer beach read for anyone looking to lose themselves for a few hours.
**ARC Provided by YA Bound Book Tours**
February 18, 2015
How to Unbreakup revolves between Grace and Sage, wherein they were best of friends which turned into something more but somewhere Grace broke it off with Sage with reasons that Grace thought was valid that time (though I must admit, I for one did not agree with her. Poor Sage). During summer vacation before her senior year starts both Sage's and Grace's families will join together. At the unexpected turn of events Grace will plan her 10 step of How to Unbreakup List. Will she succeed in winning Sage again or not?
This was a very sweet story albeit it has some corny/cheesy times but it works. I read this in one sitting and well, I shouldn't have hurried in reading it but I couldn't help myself. I liked all the characters especially the supporting characters. It's like everything match and their personality fitted with each other. I was disappointed i Grace in the beginning though but if that didn't happen there would be no story. It's kind of sad though that it took her three years to realize what she really wanted but better late than never. Then there's the peer pressure. I was happy that she finally stood up for herself same goes for her friend.
Okay. Back to the main story. Like the whole point is that Grace would do everything in her list which would either break or make her relationship with Sage. There were times she just felt like quitting and I'm thankful for Allie's support, Sage's sister. I agree with Allie, that it is better that you do everything you can do so you wouldn't regret doing nothing at all later.
I really liked Sage. He was totally sweet once he put down his barriers although he was still a bit stubborn regarding his feelings for Grace. I loved the scenes where he kind of gets jealous of a certain someone. At the same time, he is still protective of Grace.
There's more than just the romance between this two but also when Grace finally accepted everything about herself including her nerd side which Sage loves.
Although this wasn't a sequel to the Romeo Club, there were some cameo of the characters there. At first, I thought these names seem familiar then I remembered about the Romeo Club. Just wanted to mention that tidbit.
I loved the ending. I had a feeling about that list. But it turned alright for them. What's nice about this too, is that they are not the only who's in a relationship as well. I won't spoil who those are. I'm wondering if Logan will get his own story since I liked him too, despite how his role was in the beginning and well, I won't spoil his past. I hoped that Grace and Logan would still be friends afterwards. I liked his role in the ending when he said good luck to Grace.
They got their happy ending and I liked how Sage surprised Grace. I recommend this to anyone who loves a fast paced, sweet romance with some cheesiness, and a bit more of finding one's self.
I received a copy for a blog tour.
This was a very sweet story albeit it has some corny/cheesy times but it works. I read this in one sitting and well, I shouldn't have hurried in reading it but I couldn't help myself. I liked all the characters especially the supporting characters. It's like everything match and their personality fitted with each other. I was disappointed i Grace in the beginning though but if that didn't happen there would be no story. It's kind of sad though that it took her three years to realize what she really wanted but better late than never. Then there's the peer pressure. I was happy that she finally stood up for herself same goes for her friend.
Okay. Back to the main story. Like the whole point is that Grace would do everything in her list which would either break or make her relationship with Sage. There were times she just felt like quitting and I'm thankful for Allie's support, Sage's sister. I agree with Allie, that it is better that you do everything you can do so you wouldn't regret doing nothing at all later.
I really liked Sage. He was totally sweet once he put down his barriers although he was still a bit stubborn regarding his feelings for Grace. I loved the scenes where he kind of gets jealous of a certain someone. At the same time, he is still protective of Grace.
There's more than just the romance between this two but also when Grace finally accepted everything about herself including her nerd side which Sage loves.
Although this wasn't a sequel to the Romeo Club, there were some cameo of the characters there. At first, I thought these names seem familiar then I remembered about the Romeo Club. Just wanted to mention that tidbit.
I loved the ending. I had a feeling about that list. But it turned alright for them. What's nice about this too, is that they are not the only who's in a relationship as well. I won't spoil who those are. I'm wondering if Logan will get his own story since I liked him too, despite how his role was in the beginning and well, I won't spoil his past. I hoped that Grace and Logan would still be friends afterwards. I liked his role in the ending when he said good luck to Grace.
They got their happy ending and I liked how Sage surprised Grace. I recommend this to anyone who loves a fast paced, sweet romance with some cheesiness, and a bit more of finding one's self.
I received a copy for a blog tour.
February 27, 2015
How to Unbreakup is a sweet, fun, fast read, full of teen angst, witty dialogue, playful bantering, and enough pop cultural references to be terminally adorable. Childhood BFFs, Grace and Sage dip a toe into the dating pool at the tender age of thirteen, only for Grace to end things a year later, for reasons I'm still not sure I fully understand. Except what fourteen year old really gets the whole relationship and dating thing right?
Flash forward to the summer before senior year, and Grace wants Sage back. Big time. So much so, she devises a plan with his siter on how to unbreakup with him. Hot girls, hotter guys, and parents and siblings with the worst timing ever all seem to be conspiring to sabotage her plan with sometimes hilarious results.
Plot
It's a straightforward plot revolving around Grace's plan with very little subplotting, but I don't know that any more is necessary. This isn't about character development or a difficult subject matter. It's just a lighthearted teen romance and it does its job extremely well with both humor and tenderness.
World Building
The world building is subtle, set in a small town on the banks of the Great Lakes in Michigan. But where the world building takes off is the environment of friendship that feels as warm and intimate as a summer cottage. Rebekah L. Purdy creates a history between Grace and Sage that is almost a part of the setting and she pulls us into that complex friendship, effectively making us a third party to it.
Characters
The characters are refreshing in their averageness. There are no dark secrets, no special powers, no hidden abilities. Just average teens dealing with average problems with heart and soul. Grace, Sage, Allie, Benji, Lyncee, Logan, and even Lila are infinitely likeable, funny kids that you would love to hang out with.
Top Five Things I Enjoyed About How to Unbreakup
1. The Nerdiness. I loved being able to embrace my inner geek right alongside Grace and Sage. The Star Wars references were right up my alley.
2. The Angst. Angst is as much a part of the teen years as zits and gossip, and the author does a great job of pouring it on just enough without taking it over the top.
3. Allie and Benji. Because the younger sibs are just too cute.
4. Lyncee's Phone Calls. Grace's BFF, stuck at home babysitting a pair of hellions, are among some of the funniest moments in the book.
5. The Ending. Because I didn't quite see it playing out that way, and I love when an author can surprise me a little when it comes to formulaic romance.
Bottom Line
A fun, fast read wrapped up in a nerdy romance that made me laugh out loud at times.
Disclaimer
I was provided with a copy of this book by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Flash forward to the summer before senior year, and Grace wants Sage back. Big time. So much so, she devises a plan with his siter on how to unbreakup with him. Hot girls, hotter guys, and parents and siblings with the worst timing ever all seem to be conspiring to sabotage her plan with sometimes hilarious results.
Plot
It's a straightforward plot revolving around Grace's plan with very little subplotting, but I don't know that any more is necessary. This isn't about character development or a difficult subject matter. It's just a lighthearted teen romance and it does its job extremely well with both humor and tenderness.
World Building
The world building is subtle, set in a small town on the banks of the Great Lakes in Michigan. But where the world building takes off is the environment of friendship that feels as warm and intimate as a summer cottage. Rebekah L. Purdy creates a history between Grace and Sage that is almost a part of the setting and she pulls us into that complex friendship, effectively making us a third party to it.
Characters
The characters are refreshing in their averageness. There are no dark secrets, no special powers, no hidden abilities. Just average teens dealing with average problems with heart and soul. Grace, Sage, Allie, Benji, Lyncee, Logan, and even Lila are infinitely likeable, funny kids that you would love to hang out with.
Top Five Things I Enjoyed About How to Unbreakup
1. The Nerdiness. I loved being able to embrace my inner geek right alongside Grace and Sage. The Star Wars references were right up my alley.
2. The Angst. Angst is as much a part of the teen years as zits and gossip, and the author does a great job of pouring it on just enough without taking it over the top.
3. Allie and Benji. Because the younger sibs are just too cute.
4. Lyncee's Phone Calls. Grace's BFF, stuck at home babysitting a pair of hellions, are among some of the funniest moments in the book.
5. The Ending. Because I didn't quite see it playing out that way, and I love when an author can surprise me a little when it comes to formulaic romance.
Bottom Line
A fun, fast read wrapped up in a nerdy romance that made me laugh out loud at times.
Disclaimer
I was provided with a copy of this book by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
February 12, 2015
Psychocat Reads Review of HOW TO UNBREAKUP by Rebekah L. Purdy
The Characters: Grace and Sage are two teenage characters that manage to exist with a healthy share of the awkwardness that comes with those years. They will make you smile, laugh, and cringe in turn, and that is part of what makes the book so much fun. I found both characters quite likable, although since we are only reading from Grace's perspective I suppose liking Sage should be no surprise. As far as Grace goes, reading along as she tries to figure out not only how to unbreakup with Sage, but how to embrace being her makes for an entertaining story.
Outside of the two of them, the author created an interesting assortment of secondary characters. The dads manage to make all the kids grumble and groan in embarrassment, the moms are smarter than the teens would like to think, and the siblings and friends are varied and engaging.
The Relationships: The book is definitely an exploration of what can happen when you cross the line from friends to more, change your mind, and then realize you completely screwed up. The back and forth with Grace and Sage is definitely the primary element of the story, but the assistance Grace receives from others is half the fun.
Too Perfect or Perfectly Flawed: You know what they say about the best laid plans of mice and men, right? Well apparently Grace didn't get that memo, and the results are full of entertainment value for a reader. Just because the girl has a plan, doesn't mean things will fall perfectly into place.
Other Notes: Overall the book was entertaining and fun to read; however, the flow of things left me short of being in love with it. The pace at times felt rushed, as if there should have been more detail but it was sacrificed to keep word count low. There were also a few points where it's odd trying to keep up with how much time had passed. Neither of these are fatal flaws, but they were enough to make me flip back a few pages just to make sure my Kindle app hadn't skipped something on me.
Jen's Final Rating: 3.5 STARS! While I really wish there was more detail in parts of the book, and it hadn't seemed quite so rushed, I still enjoyed HOW TO UNBREAKUP. It's a quirky, fun, YA romance full of nerdy goodness.
Psychocat's Final Rating: Psychocat always loves a book featuring a fellow feline. I'm just hoping she didn't get any ideas from Chico's antics. I should probably be relieved that she's a strictly indoor cat with no access to snakes and birds.
The Characters: Grace and Sage are two teenage characters that manage to exist with a healthy share of the awkwardness that comes with those years. They will make you smile, laugh, and cringe in turn, and that is part of what makes the book so much fun. I found both characters quite likable, although since we are only reading from Grace's perspective I suppose liking Sage should be no surprise. As far as Grace goes, reading along as she tries to figure out not only how to unbreakup with Sage, but how to embrace being her makes for an entertaining story.
Outside of the two of them, the author created an interesting assortment of secondary characters. The dads manage to make all the kids grumble and groan in embarrassment, the moms are smarter than the teens would like to think, and the siblings and friends are varied and engaging.
The Relationships: The book is definitely an exploration of what can happen when you cross the line from friends to more, change your mind, and then realize you completely screwed up. The back and forth with Grace and Sage is definitely the primary element of the story, but the assistance Grace receives from others is half the fun.
Too Perfect or Perfectly Flawed: You know what they say about the best laid plans of mice and men, right? Well apparently Grace didn't get that memo, and the results are full of entertainment value for a reader. Just because the girl has a plan, doesn't mean things will fall perfectly into place.
Other Notes: Overall the book was entertaining and fun to read; however, the flow of things left me short of being in love with it. The pace at times felt rushed, as if there should have been more detail but it was sacrificed to keep word count low. There were also a few points where it's odd trying to keep up with how much time had passed. Neither of these are fatal flaws, but they were enough to make me flip back a few pages just to make sure my Kindle app hadn't skipped something on me.
Jen's Final Rating: 3.5 STARS! While I really wish there was more detail in parts of the book, and it hadn't seemed quite so rushed, I still enjoyed HOW TO UNBREAKUP. It's a quirky, fun, YA romance full of nerdy goodness.
Psychocat's Final Rating: Psychocat always loves a book featuring a fellow feline. I'm just hoping she didn't get any ideas from Chico's antics. I should probably be relieved that she's a strictly indoor cat with no access to snakes and birds.
February 18, 2015
Rating: 4.5 Stars
Breaking up with Sage was perhaps the biggest mistake she ever made. Not just she lost her boyfriend, but she lost her best friend as well. They have known each other for such a long time, and loved each imperfections. No one can get them like each other, so it is no wonder why half of her world crumble when she lost him. He wouldn't even talk to her, much less look at her. It was like their friendship never existed. She was miserable.
High school was supposed to be fun, instead she was stuck in her Sage-less life with backstabbing friends, and crappy dates. It was a relief when her parents proposed to have a get away for the whole summer. She was excited - finally away from everything. But she was in for the surprise of her life when she realized it was just like the old-times. Meaning: her family and Sage family spending the Summer together.
It started out as an awkward situation, but his sister thinks this was the time for her and Sage to unbreakup. Can she do it? After three years, will she win back her boyfriend and best friend? Will they get their second chance? Will she have her happy ending?
We all make some mistakes when we were young, and we face the consequences. When it's a life-altering change, it would take sometime before we get back to the 'normal' in our lives. She was young, she made a mistake, and she acknowledged it. She wanted to change it - but it wasn't easy. I admire her determination, and her persistence (especially his sister's - their biggest supporter). Fate was throwing a lot on their way, including summer flings, but nothing gets in the way of true love. There are hurdles, some jealousy and failed cookings - the way to finding your true love or earning it again is not an easy task, but it is all worth it.
For readers who want a characters who are easy to love, clean, light-hearted, second-chance romance read - this one is for you.
Review originally posted on my blog
Order your copy ➙ http://amzn.to/1Bupk4x
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•Complimentary Copy was given in exchange for an honest review.•
More of my reviews at http://reviewsofabookmaniac.blogspot.com
Breaking up with Sage was perhaps the biggest mistake she ever made. Not just she lost her boyfriend, but she lost her best friend as well. They have known each other for such a long time, and loved each imperfections. No one can get them like each other, so it is no wonder why half of her world crumble when she lost him. He wouldn't even talk to her, much less look at her. It was like their friendship never existed. She was miserable.
High school was supposed to be fun, instead she was stuck in her Sage-less life with backstabbing friends, and crappy dates. It was a relief when her parents proposed to have a get away for the whole summer. She was excited - finally away from everything. But she was in for the surprise of her life when she realized it was just like the old-times. Meaning: her family and Sage family spending the Summer together.
It started out as an awkward situation, but his sister thinks this was the time for her and Sage to unbreakup. Can she do it? After three years, will she win back her boyfriend and best friend? Will they get their second chance? Will she have her happy ending?
We all make some mistakes when we were young, and we face the consequences. When it's a life-altering change, it would take sometime before we get back to the 'normal' in our lives. She was young, she made a mistake, and she acknowledged it. She wanted to change it - but it wasn't easy. I admire her determination, and her persistence (especially his sister's - their biggest supporter). Fate was throwing a lot on their way, including summer flings, but nothing gets in the way of true love. There are hurdles, some jealousy and failed cookings - the way to finding your true love or earning it again is not an easy task, but it is all worth it.
For readers who want a characters who are easy to love, clean, light-hearted, second-chance romance read - this one is for you.
Review originally posted on my blog
Order your copy ➙ http://amzn.to/1Bupk4x
Follow me on: Twitter | Facebook | tsu | Instagram
•Complimentary Copy was given in exchange for an honest review.•
More of my reviews at http://reviewsofabookmaniac.blogspot.com
February 28, 2015
Each book of Rebekah’s Purdy’s I have read get better and better and this one is no exception. This is a fun sweet adorable curl in a big chair under a blankie and be thoroughly entertained read. It’s lighthearted when it needs to be and covers a hefty topic without having it drag the book down. the idea of a how to unbreakup list is hysterical. Each character will have you smile.
The two dads are a hoot. the pirate restaurant scene is too funny. The main gist of the story is that Grace at thirteen was trying to figure out who she was, her likes dislikes etc and she was confused. In her haste she broke up with her best friend sage. Three years later she has become something she despises and wants to change. Her friend Lyncee and her have decided now is the time. so over the summer Grace is away with her family but surprise Sage and his family join hers at the beach house. Here Grace and Sage’s sister devise a plan to have Grace win back Sage. It’s a todo list. Ten things for Grace to do to unbreakup with Sage and win him back to her heart.
Along the way they meet people and Sage wanders towards Lila having Grace truly evaluate herself and the situation. She tries to stay positive and become true to herself and with the help of Logan (Lila’s brother), her brother Benji, Lyncee and Sage’s sister she not only does but has fun in the process.
Each chapter is a fun lighthearted adventure. Some successes some failures and the failures are a hoot. The first with the pancakes was too funny and the candles will have you die laughing.
As the characters discover who they are and who they like you see growth and strength develop. Growth into better people and strength in sticking up for themselves and what they want for themselves. I think for Grace, Logan helped her alot because he was a great friend who showed her that she can be herself and be liked while Sage was learning about Lila and not realizing that Grace was there and in love with him. this does have a happy ending and it will make you smile.
This is a fun light hearted story that is a clean romance but a entertaining one with likable characters that draw you in and don’t let you go. People of all ages will enjoy and be thoroughly entertained and laugh at the antics in this book. The time flies by as you are entertained with Grace’s to do list, her friend Lyncee’s babysitting woes and Sage’s moments of awareness and entertainment.
The two dads are a hoot. the pirate restaurant scene is too funny. The main gist of the story is that Grace at thirteen was trying to figure out who she was, her likes dislikes etc and she was confused. In her haste she broke up with her best friend sage. Three years later she has become something she despises and wants to change. Her friend Lyncee and her have decided now is the time. so over the summer Grace is away with her family but surprise Sage and his family join hers at the beach house. Here Grace and Sage’s sister devise a plan to have Grace win back Sage. It’s a todo list. Ten things for Grace to do to unbreakup with Sage and win him back to her heart.
Along the way they meet people and Sage wanders towards Lila having Grace truly evaluate herself and the situation. She tries to stay positive and become true to herself and with the help of Logan (Lila’s brother), her brother Benji, Lyncee and Sage’s sister she not only does but has fun in the process.
Each chapter is a fun lighthearted adventure. Some successes some failures and the failures are a hoot. The first with the pancakes was too funny and the candles will have you die laughing.
As the characters discover who they are and who they like you see growth and strength develop. Growth into better people and strength in sticking up for themselves and what they want for themselves. I think for Grace, Logan helped her alot because he was a great friend who showed her that she can be herself and be liked while Sage was learning about Lila and not realizing that Grace was there and in love with him. this does have a happy ending and it will make you smile.
This is a fun light hearted story that is a clean romance but a entertaining one with likable characters that draw you in and don’t let you go. People of all ages will enjoy and be thoroughly entertained and laugh at the antics in this book. The time flies by as you are entertained with Grace’s to do list, her friend Lyncee’s babysitting woes and Sage’s moments of awareness and entertainment.
February 20, 2015
What I liked: This story was super cute and I really enjoyed it. I read it in several back to back sittings between real life things because I couldn't wait to figure out what was going to happen next with these two! Grace is that girl that I connected with because she's a gamer, loves sports, and loves Star Wars. Sage was perfect for her, because even though he was a bit of a jerk in the beginning, as Grace does her best to rekindle their broken friendship he becomes much warmer and sweeter as time goes on. I thought their moments were really great, they complement each other so well in the way they are. Grace is funny, and she has several moments where she had me smiling and laughing throughout the book. I really enjoyed how close Grace was to her best friend as well as Sage's sister, because I love it when a book has girls being friends, close and best friends, with other girls. It sells the story because it's very believable to me! Of course, there's always a little drama in the story and I really liked the spin on it.
What I didn't like: I don't believe that Grace would go all that time without dating or even kissing another guy. I mean, it was three years before she finally got around to trying to unbreakup with Sage. If she was popular that meant there were plenty of guys who would have tried to date her and I was certain that she at least dated a few, maybe four at the most with the type of person she seemed to be. But she dated no one and that always bothers me, because it's unrealistic. Yeah, you can break up with someone, be really into them still and date and kiss other people. It's really not all that difficult to do and this trend is a little bit worn out to me because it's not something I've ever seen in other teenagers.
Overall Review: A fun story with great characters all around, I really liked this story and the way it played out. I was rooting for Grace more and more as I learned about her and watched her grow over the story as she tried her best to unbreakup with Sage. I loved how she went about it for the most part and was herself with him and the others, though I wish I could have seen how she acted when she was in school after she became popular, that would have been plenty of fun to read.
Recommend?: Definitely! It's a really cute, swoony, and fun story!
What I didn't like: I don't believe that Grace would go all that time without dating or even kissing another guy. I mean, it was three years before she finally got around to trying to unbreakup with Sage. If she was popular that meant there were plenty of guys who would have tried to date her and I was certain that she at least dated a few, maybe four at the most with the type of person she seemed to be. But she dated no one and that always bothers me, because it's unrealistic. Yeah, you can break up with someone, be really into them still and date and kiss other people. It's really not all that difficult to do and this trend is a little bit worn out to me because it's not something I've ever seen in other teenagers.
Overall Review: A fun story with great characters all around, I really liked this story and the way it played out. I was rooting for Grace more and more as I learned about her and watched her grow over the story as she tried her best to unbreakup with Sage. I loved how she went about it for the most part and was herself with him and the others, though I wish I could have seen how she acted when she was in school after she became popular, that would have been plenty of fun to read.
Recommend?: Definitely! It's a really cute, swoony, and fun story!
April 19, 2016
I loved this book! No more than that, I adored Sage and Grace, they were so perfect together!
This book was more romance driven than some people like but I liked the romance between Grace and Sage was a big factor in this story and it helped them all grow up. But it wasn't just about the romance, it was centered around that yeah, but the more important message in the whole book was Grace pulling away from pretending. For the Evers and the Castle family, it was a time of change and fun and being themselves again. For Grace, it was finding out who she was, and trying to amend her wrongs that she did in the past starting with Sage.
My favorite part in the whole book, apart from all the awesome Grage moments, was near the end when the list mysteriously goes missing after Sage was holding the journal and then we see him doing all the things from the list to her! Like the playlist thing, the chores, compliments, play video games, seduce her, and finally confess his feelings for her. It was all so sweet and I caught on to the fact that he was doing things from The List and I admit there might have been some squealing and giggling involved. It just showed how he wanted to unbreakup too.
The ending was best part since they get back together and tell each other how much they love each other. After it ended with them back together in the last chapter, I was a little put out that it was going to end like that with that kind of cliffhanger, but then the epilogue made it all the better cuz we get the chance to see Sage and Grace be a couple in school and them being honest and true about themselves.
It was nice to finally see Grace accept herself and embraced the real Grace: nerd, bank geek, soccer and basketball player, sci-fi lover, sister, daughter, and Star Wars aficionado. That was all the real Grace Evers and it showed how much she matured.
All in all, it was a great story, definitely one of my favorites and I'm so freaking ecstatic that Grace and Sage got their happy ending.
This book was more romance driven than some people like but I liked the romance between Grace and Sage was a big factor in this story and it helped them all grow up. But it wasn't just about the romance, it was centered around that yeah, but the more important message in the whole book was Grace pulling away from pretending. For the Evers and the Castle family, it was a time of change and fun and being themselves again. For Grace, it was finding out who she was, and trying to amend her wrongs that she did in the past starting with Sage.
My favorite part in the whole book, apart from all the awesome Grage moments, was near the end when the list mysteriously goes missing after Sage was holding the journal and then we see him doing all the things from the list to her! Like the playlist thing, the chores, compliments, play video games, seduce her, and finally confess his feelings for her. It was all so sweet and I caught on to the fact that he was doing things from The List and I admit there might have been some squealing and giggling involved. It just showed how he wanted to unbreakup too.
The ending was best part since they get back together and tell each other how much they love each other. After it ended with them back together in the last chapter, I was a little put out that it was going to end like that with that kind of cliffhanger, but then the epilogue made it all the better cuz we get the chance to see Sage and Grace be a couple in school and them being honest and true about themselves.
It was nice to finally see Grace accept herself and embraced the real Grace: nerd, bank geek, soccer and basketball player, sci-fi lover, sister, daughter, and Star Wars aficionado. That was all the real Grace Evers and it showed how much she matured.
All in all, it was a great story, definitely one of my favorites and I'm so freaking ecstatic that Grace and Sage got their happy ending.
Read
March 3, 2015If you are looking for a sugar rush How to Unbreak Up is definitely your fix. The story of two nerds finding their way back to one another is addictive and so so cute. Yes I totally got a tooth ache.
I really liked the story. Sage and Grace were best friends and who moved into the dating zone. The Grace had a pre-teen melt down and they broke up. Now it’s the summer before senior year and Grace now wants to make amends for the past she not only has to unbreak up but unbreak a heart.
Grace is a great character because we see her succomb to the peer pressure of appearances. She is an athlete which makes her competitive by nature. So when it’s challenge that her relationship with Sage might be causing her athleticism to falter, she finds herself running for the hills and from her real self. She molds herself into what people think she should be rather than the adorable sweet nerd that she is. I liked that the story helps her realize the things she not only missed about Sage but herself. She reinvents herself only pulling from a better place in her life then the fake Grace she had been parading around.
I wish we could have been in Sage’s head. I kept wondering how clueless this boy must be with all of the things Grace was doing to obviously get his attention. Maybe he was just making her work for it too. You could tell that he’s a good guy and so I forgive his lapse in judgement on the Lila front.
The story is freaking adorable. Every interaction between Grace and Sage made me giggle. What a perfect for eachother nerds. Which go Grace for being a girl gamer. I used to get flak for that when I was in school too. For some strange reason my friends wanted to put on make-up instead playing an awesome game with me. I love how they embrace their geekness.
This is such a cute story and if you are looking for a sweet read that makes you smile. Definitely pick it up.
I really liked the story. Sage and Grace were best friends and who moved into the dating zone. The Grace had a pre-teen melt down and they broke up. Now it’s the summer before senior year and Grace now wants to make amends for the past she not only has to unbreak up but unbreak a heart.
Grace is a great character because we see her succomb to the peer pressure of appearances. She is an athlete which makes her competitive by nature. So when it’s challenge that her relationship with Sage might be causing her athleticism to falter, she finds herself running for the hills and from her real self. She molds herself into what people think she should be rather than the adorable sweet nerd that she is. I liked that the story helps her realize the things she not only missed about Sage but herself. She reinvents herself only pulling from a better place in her life then the fake Grace she had been parading around.
I wish we could have been in Sage’s head. I kept wondering how clueless this boy must be with all of the things Grace was doing to obviously get his attention. Maybe he was just making her work for it too. You could tell that he’s a good guy and so I forgive his lapse in judgement on the Lila front.
The story is freaking adorable. Every interaction between Grace and Sage made me giggle. What a perfect for eachother nerds. Which go Grace for being a girl gamer. I used to get flak for that when I was in school too. For some strange reason my friends wanted to put on make-up instead playing an awesome game with me. I love how they embrace their geekness.
This is such a cute story and if you are looking for a sweet read that makes you smile. Definitely pick it up.
February 16, 2015
I loved this book. I completely understand why Grace and Sage broke up in the first place. They were quite young at the time and life is already confusing in your early teens. I felt sad for them that neither one of them was truly happy for several years following the break-up. I was even sadder that they weren't able to maintain their friendship. That best male friend is one of the most important in your life. Bonus points if you can turn it into something romantic.
I loved the list that Grace made to try to win back Sage, and the ensuing comedic mishaps. I found myself snickering out loud at some of her biggest failures, which just made her even more endearing. I felt like a teenager again, with those little belly flipflops any time Sage appeared to make some progress. I also felt her disappointment when her attempts were thwarted by her own missteps, or the acts of someone else interfering. I even found myself vacillating between Sage and Logan, the hottie she met up at the lake, as being the better choice for her at this point. After all, they are quite young. I don't know of many high school relationships that are this strong and intense. I do wish that everyone could find something so real and true at a young age, and also appreciate it as these two do.
I also loved the message of being true to yourself and not merely following the crowd. It takes time and maturity to figure that out for yourself. Many high school students are incapable of getting past that shallow stage until adulthood, but a few of us accomplished it by our senior year. I am seeing this theme again and again in YA lit, and love it.
I also enjoyed the setting, as I grew up in Ohio, just south of the Michigan line, and have fond memories of visiting some of these places. The whole book gave me a sense of nostalgia, and I was glued to the Kindle for the entire read. A solid 4.5 *s in my book.
I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
I loved the list that Grace made to try to win back Sage, and the ensuing comedic mishaps. I found myself snickering out loud at some of her biggest failures, which just made her even more endearing. I felt like a teenager again, with those little belly flipflops any time Sage appeared to make some progress. I also felt her disappointment when her attempts were thwarted by her own missteps, or the acts of someone else interfering. I even found myself vacillating between Sage and Logan, the hottie she met up at the lake, as being the better choice for her at this point. After all, they are quite young. I don't know of many high school relationships that are this strong and intense. I do wish that everyone could find something so real and true at a young age, and also appreciate it as these two do.
I also loved the message of being true to yourself and not merely following the crowd. It takes time and maturity to figure that out for yourself. Many high school students are incapable of getting past that shallow stage until adulthood, but a few of us accomplished it by our senior year. I am seeing this theme again and again in YA lit, and love it.
I also enjoyed the setting, as I grew up in Ohio, just south of the Michigan line, and have fond memories of visiting some of these places. The whole book gave me a sense of nostalgia, and I was glued to the Kindle for the entire read. A solid 4.5 *s in my book.
I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
February 22, 2015
Review also posted on my blog Between fantasy and reality
I really liked this one. It was fresh, funny, sometimes heartbreaking and a good lesson.
You should never listen to other people and not your heart, popularity is overated, sometimes, best friends are for life.
This is the story of two young people who have been best friends for years and they fell in love with each other and decided to give it a go. Some time later, Grace breaks up with Sage because she heard some "friends" talking that she spends too much time with her boyfriend, that her concentration is slipping. They break up and their friendship is ruined. A few years later, on the last summer in high school, Grace finally realizes her mistake and tries everything to get Sage back but it turns out that will not be so easy.
I liked both MCs even though some of their actions annoyed me. Both of them know the other perfectly yet they have problems seeing what is right in front of them. I liked the list, well, most of it, and the disasters that happened while Grace tried to go along with it, it was a great source of humor in the book. But mostly I loved secondary characters, the parents, the siblings, female best friend and the new guy who turned out to be a good friend to Grace. They brought great humor to the story and I loved it.
My only issue with this book is that it is too short. I would love to see more developement, more moments with Sage and Grace, but besides that this was a very good read.
I really liked this one. It was fresh, funny, sometimes heartbreaking and a good lesson.
You should never listen to other people and not your heart, popularity is overated, sometimes, best friends are for life.
This is the story of two young people who have been best friends for years and they fell in love with each other and decided to give it a go. Some time later, Grace breaks up with Sage because she heard some "friends" talking that she spends too much time with her boyfriend, that her concentration is slipping. They break up and their friendship is ruined. A few years later, on the last summer in high school, Grace finally realizes her mistake and tries everything to get Sage back but it turns out that will not be so easy.
I liked both MCs even though some of their actions annoyed me. Both of them know the other perfectly yet they have problems seeing what is right in front of them. I liked the list, well, most of it, and the disasters that happened while Grace tried to go along with it, it was a great source of humor in the book. But mostly I loved secondary characters, the parents, the siblings, female best friend and the new guy who turned out to be a good friend to Grace. They brought great humor to the story and I loved it.
My only issue with this book is that it is too short. I would love to see more developement, more moments with Sage and Grace, but besides that this was a very good read.
March 29, 2016
Grace Evers and Sage Castle have been best friends since they were two and started dating on Grace's thirteenth birthday. Eleven months later, everyone thinks they spend too much time together, to the point where they are collectively referred to as "Grage". So, Grace decides to break up with Sage. It's now three years later, and Sage still hasn't spoken to her. Grace's dad plans a family holiday to Lake Michigan for the summer, only he doesn't tell her he's invited another family, too - the Castles. Grace wants to get back with Sage and gains an unexpected ally in Sage's sister Allie. They plan to find a way for Grace and Sage to "unbreakup". But things get complicated when neighbors Lila and Logan take an interest in Sage and Grace. Will Grace finally get her guy?
This book features some of the same characters as the author's previous book, The Romeo Club and, once again, my only complaint is the author's choice of annoying names (Lyncee, Delyla, Rori, Rochelle, Kenadi for the girls; Sage, Benji, Caleb, Lor, Trey, Logan, Ty for the boys). This is a quick, easy read, with likable characters - even a crazy cat! It is full of humor, with mishap after hilarious mishap getting in the way of Grace's plan to win back Sage. It also has an extremely well-planned and well-executed storyline, and the ending wraps everything up very neatly. Loved it!
I received this book in return for an honest review.
Full blog post: http://booksdirectonline.blogspot.com...
This book features some of the same characters as the author's previous book, The Romeo Club and, once again, my only complaint is the author's choice of annoying names (Lyncee, Delyla, Rori, Rochelle, Kenadi for the girls; Sage, Benji, Caleb, Lor, Trey, Logan, Ty for the boys). This is a quick, easy read, with likable characters - even a crazy cat! It is full of humor, with mishap after hilarious mishap getting in the way of Grace's plan to win back Sage. It also has an extremely well-planned and well-executed storyline, and the ending wraps everything up very neatly. Loved it!
I received this book in return for an honest review.
Full blog post: http://booksdirectonline.blogspot.com...
February 10, 2015
This is exactly the kind of book that I would recommend to my 15 year old daughter. This is a true YA novel, so if you are looking for one of those YA's that push the boundaries, you should avoid this one.
I really enjoyed this story for the multiple lessons that Grace learned after her break-up with Sage and during the summer as she tried to win him back. While I disagree with some of her reasons for breaking up with him, I am also impressed that at a young age she recognized that being in a serious relationship might not be the best thing at the time. I also understand that when Grace broke up with him, Sage was heartbroken and that his reasons for not speaking to her went further than just the breakup but it sort of bothered me that he didn't talk to her anymore. It also seemed like the relationship between the two families was fractured after the break-up and I can't help but wonder if the adults didn't give Sage and Grace too much power. I'm probably over-thinking a story that was meant for teenagers though.
Over all, the story was really good and the writing was great. Like I said, this is a book I will be recommending to my daughter and would recommend that other mothers do the same.
*I received an ARC from the author/publisher in exchange for an honest review
I really enjoyed this story for the multiple lessons that Grace learned after her break-up with Sage and during the summer as she tried to win him back. While I disagree with some of her reasons for breaking up with him, I am also impressed that at a young age she recognized that being in a serious relationship might not be the best thing at the time. I also understand that when Grace broke up with him, Sage was heartbroken and that his reasons for not speaking to her went further than just the breakup but it sort of bothered me that he didn't talk to her anymore. It also seemed like the relationship between the two families was fractured after the break-up and I can't help but wonder if the adults didn't give Sage and Grace too much power. I'm probably over-thinking a story that was meant for teenagers though.
Over all, the story was really good and the writing was great. Like I said, this is a book I will be recommending to my daughter and would recommend that other mothers do the same.
*I received an ARC from the author/publisher in exchange for an honest review
September 21, 2017
How to Unbreakup, by Rebekah L. Purdy, has been on my list since 2015, and when I saw someone in my feed give it a whirl, I thought I would too. I don’t think I ever understood why Grace broke up with Sage in the first place. It seemed like it was on a whim, and yes, in that respect it was something an eight grade girl might do. But to pine for the guy for 3 years of high school? That seemed really unlikely. As best friends, I might have been able to understand her missing that part of their relationship, but it was the romantic side of things she seemed to pine for. Her motives for pretending to be someone she wasn’t or wanting to be popular were unclear. Grace’s ‘unbreakup list’ was a cute idea but should have started with an apology. The story was rife with misunderstandings. The characters still seemed immature and the writing was too much telling in my opinion. So when you boil all down for me, the story, while short and easy to get through, was just lacking.
November 19, 2022
My inner geek absolutely loved this book. It was cute, fun, sweet and got my giggling because of how cheesy it was. But I love a good cheeseball fest and this one was exactly what I needed.
I loved Sage and Grace and how well they matched together. You really wanted to root for them to end together again at the end of the book. It was easy to read, flowed well, and hard to put down. I also loved the fact that while this is a standalone, it's in the same world of The Romeo Club
I loved Sage and Grace and how well they matched together. You really wanted to root for them to end together again at the end of the book. It was easy to read, flowed well, and hard to put down. I also loved the fact that while this is a standalone, it's in the same world of The Romeo Club
July 16, 2015
There's one thing that I wish this book had more of, or rather..
CAN THERE BE MORE OF LOGAN PLEASE??
CAN THERE BE MORE OF LOGAN PLEASE??
August 20, 2015
Loved it!!1
October 20, 2015
Like a hundred on the adorable scale. =)
December 3, 2015
Not quite 5
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