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The End of All Things Beautiful
To forgive is to forget...
But not really
Campbell Forester has spent nine years trying to forget the tragic car accident that claimed the life of her friend, Sam. When she and her friends left the scene, their lives quickly crumbled under the weight of the guilt they each carried. Friendships were broken, relationships were destroyed and nothing would ever be the same again.
As Campbell struggles to move on, she builds a wall around herself in a desperate attempt to forget the past. Shutting out everyone around her, she soon realizes the one thing she’ll never be able to do is forgive herself.
That is until her past resurfaces in the form of a letter she never expected to receive. Once again Campbell is forced to confront her past, and the one thing she can’t avoid any longer is the one person she’s never been able to forget.
Benji.
Life is a tragedy and what is beautiful can always be lost. But sometimes, if you’re really lucky, it can be found again.
But not really
Campbell Forester has spent nine years trying to forget the tragic car accident that claimed the life of her friend, Sam. When she and her friends left the scene, their lives quickly crumbled under the weight of the guilt they each carried. Friendships were broken, relationships were destroyed and nothing would ever be the same again.
As Campbell struggles to move on, she builds a wall around herself in a desperate attempt to forget the past. Shutting out everyone around her, she soon realizes the one thing she’ll never be able to do is forgive herself.
That is until her past resurfaces in the form of a letter she never expected to receive. Once again Campbell is forced to confront her past, and the one thing she can’t avoid any longer is the one person she’s never been able to forget.
Benji.
Life is a tragedy and what is beautiful can always be lost. But sometimes, if you’re really lucky, it can be found again.
- GenresRomance
244 pages, Paperback
First published February 25, 2015
3 people are currently reading
936 people want to read
About the author
Nikki Young
3 books131 followersI was born and raised in the suburbs of Chicago where I still currently live with my husband and two boys. I'm a third grade teacher and I spend my days forcing my love of reading and writing onto a group of poor, unsuspecting eight year olds. I'm a lover of books, Irish candy and ridiculously hot weather. And for some strange reason, I have a sick obsession with the Fast and the Furious series of movies.
Late at night, when all is quiet, I can be found sitting at my computer writing...or facebooking.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
August 7, 2016
Great find! The struggle and guilt Campbell goes through in The End of All Things Beautiful was emotional and deep. I'm pleased to say the book wasn’t all about tragedy and sadness. The author also included hot romance, second chance love, and cute moments in her novel. Hope to read more from this author and fellow teacher. Also, I am delighted it ended the way it did.
February 19, 2015
Whoa. I finished this book at 2 am this morning, and I'm still trying to process and cope. There's no plot rehash in here. Read the synopsis, and then read the book.
I won't lie. This was HEAVY and raw. It made me ache, physically and emotionally, to read it. It was weighty with an open-wound type of grief and pain that literally upset my stomach. Nikki Young pulled no punches. She dove right into the deep, dark end of the water. I have never read a book where I could feel that dragging anchor of depression the character(s) is supposed to feel in the same way that too many of us feel it in real life. Nikki Young made me feel exactly that. It was a difficult read for that reason, but SO REAL. Maybe too real, for many people.
I still don't know what to think of the characters, their actions, their lack of action. Admittedly, I loathed Campbell, the heroine, throughout my reading of the book. I mean, I nearly stopped reading several times because of her. But, here's a hard truth. When I finished the book, I had this unhappy epiphany that my feelings for Campbell were due to the fact that, in reality, she and I were very similar. Aside from certain dangerous habits and the fancy job, she and I were *uncomfortably* similar. That doesn't say good things about me, but, on a positive note, I'm working hard to evolve just as she did.
Benji, the hero, I found to be a sympathetic and desperate figure. He resonated with me, in a way, but not in the same unfortunate-but-all-too-starkly-real way as Campbell.
So. Did I love this book in the traditional way? No, absolutely not. But, honestly? I don't believe that was the point. Did the book, the characters, have an enormous impact on me? Unquestionably. Did I *feel* it with every fiber of my being? Oh, rest assured that I did! It's a 5-Star book for me for those reasons alone. Did I mention that Nikki Young's writing and storytelling abilities are stellar? Because, quite seriously, I cannot mention that enough. Every single book she writes is unique and comes from a purely honest and real place. She doesn't write to fit a trend. She writes because a story, a character, calls to her. Won't leave her alone. I will always admire her for that.
I'm lost as to what else to say at this point. The End of All Things Beautiful IS redemptive and fills the role of a second-chance love story. But, the very best way I can describe this story is brilliantly tragic. Brilliantly. Tragic.
5 Stars
**My thanks to author Nikki Young for providing me an early copy of the book in return for my honest review.**
I won't lie. This was HEAVY and raw. It made me ache, physically and emotionally, to read it. It was weighty with an open-wound type of grief and pain that literally upset my stomach. Nikki Young pulled no punches. She dove right into the deep, dark end of the water. I have never read a book where I could feel that dragging anchor of depression the character(s) is supposed to feel in the same way that too many of us feel it in real life. Nikki Young made me feel exactly that. It was a difficult read for that reason, but SO REAL. Maybe too real, for many people.
I still don't know what to think of the characters, their actions, their lack of action. Admittedly, I loathed Campbell, the heroine, throughout my reading of the book. I mean, I nearly stopped reading several times because of her. But, here's a hard truth. When I finished the book, I had this unhappy epiphany that my feelings for Campbell were due to the fact that, in reality, she and I were very similar. Aside from certain dangerous habits and the fancy job, she and I were *uncomfortably* similar. That doesn't say good things about me, but, on a positive note, I'm working hard to evolve just as she did.
Benji, the hero, I found to be a sympathetic and desperate figure. He resonated with me, in a way, but not in the same unfortunate-but-all-too-starkly-real way as Campbell.
So. Did I love this book in the traditional way? No, absolutely not. But, honestly? I don't believe that was the point. Did the book, the characters, have an enormous impact on me? Unquestionably. Did I *feel* it with every fiber of my being? Oh, rest assured that I did! It's a 5-Star book for me for those reasons alone. Did I mention that Nikki Young's writing and storytelling abilities are stellar? Because, quite seriously, I cannot mention that enough. Every single book she writes is unique and comes from a purely honest and real place. She doesn't write to fit a trend. She writes because a story, a character, calls to her. Won't leave her alone. I will always admire her for that.
I'm lost as to what else to say at this point. The End of All Things Beautiful IS redemptive and fills the role of a second-chance love story. But, the very best way I can describe this story is brilliantly tragic. Brilliantly. Tragic.
5 Stars
**My thanks to author Nikki Young for providing me an early copy of the book in return for my honest review.**
May 17, 2015
Sometimes out of tragedy comes something beautiful
What a beautiful and emotionally gripping story. I read this book in one sitting. I couldn't put it down. I fell in love with the writing and how genuine and pure their love was for one another. I highly recommend this book if you're a lover of second chances !
What a beautiful and emotionally gripping story. I read this book in one sitting. I couldn't put it down. I fell in love with the writing and how genuine and pure their love was for one another. I highly recommend this book if you're a lover of second chances !
February 20, 2015
4.5 STARS
Imagine having done something you can’t speak about, and then walking away from the ONE person that that can actually understand. Imagine carrying around the burden of crippling guilt for 9 years, and then having the ONE resurface…..
Needless to say, this is NOTHING like My Winter. It’s an emotionally heartbreaking story about finding redemption, love, and learning to forgive yourself. The End of All Things Beautiful does not use the typical romance formula because this is not a typical romance. This story may be sad, but at the same time it’s refreshing to see a book that isn’t afraid to take the reader on a moving and sometimes uncomfortable ride.
It’s really difficult to put into words how I feel about The End of All Things Beautiful. While the story may be sad and tragic, that didn’t keep me from loving it any less. Were the characters perfect and flawless? No. Were their actions always what I myself would have done? Probably not. Did I like the characters through the entire story? Nope. Does that mean I didn’t enjoy it? ABSOLUTELY NOT, it had just the opposite effect on me. The less than perfectness of the characters and circumstances made me enjoy it even more. And, Benji was just the icing on the cake. While he wasn’t any less flawed than Campbell, he certainly wormed his way into my heart. He’s warm, sensitive, and you can’t help but feel how desperate he is to shed his guilt and grief, too.
Sometimes life is sad. Sometimes it’s tragic. But sometimes it takes a tragedy to lead you back to where it all started. And, right where you started might be the place you truly belong.
An advanced copy was provided by the author is exchange for an honest review.
Imagine having done something you can’t speak about, and then walking away from the ONE person that that can actually understand. Imagine carrying around the burden of crippling guilt for 9 years, and then having the ONE resurface…..
Needless to say, this is NOTHING like My Winter. It’s an emotionally heartbreaking story about finding redemption, love, and learning to forgive yourself. The End of All Things Beautiful does not use the typical romance formula because this is not a typical romance. This story may be sad, but at the same time it’s refreshing to see a book that isn’t afraid to take the reader on a moving and sometimes uncomfortable ride.
It’s really difficult to put into words how I feel about The End of All Things Beautiful. While the story may be sad and tragic, that didn’t keep me from loving it any less. Were the characters perfect and flawless? No. Were their actions always what I myself would have done? Probably not. Did I like the characters through the entire story? Nope. Does that mean I didn’t enjoy it? ABSOLUTELY NOT, it had just the opposite effect on me. The less than perfectness of the characters and circumstances made me enjoy it even more. And, Benji was just the icing on the cake. While he wasn’t any less flawed than Campbell, he certainly wormed his way into my heart. He’s warm, sensitive, and you can’t help but feel how desperate he is to shed his guilt and grief, too.
Sometimes life is sad. Sometimes it’s tragic. But sometimes it takes a tragedy to lead you back to where it all started. And, right where you started might be the place you truly belong.
An advanced copy was provided by the author is exchange for an honest review.
March 12, 2015
4.5 Stars!!!
This book is full of emotions. It is full of raw grief. The Journey that Campbell gives us through her eyes is one of pure raw emotions. It is heartbreaking to read. I literally felt every single emotion that Campbell went through in this story. I felt like I was right there beside her throughout the whole ordeal. This is a story of redemption, forgiving yourself, and learning how to move forward with your life.
How does one moves forward after the choices they made changes everything? They don't. They go through the motions daily until they get to a point where they can not deal with all the guilt anymore.
The love that Campbell and Benji have for each other is amazing. The bond that holds them together is one everyone wishes for. The choices they made. The things they have dealt with for over 9 years is to much for anyone to handle. But together can they learn to forgive and move forward?
Healing
Moving on
Forgiveness
Life
The writing is phenomenal as well. Nikki has done one hell of a job giving us characters that make you FEEL.
If your looking for a hearts and flowers read this is not it. If your looking for raw emotions, grief, loss, redemption then you are in the right place.
This book is full of emotions. It is full of raw grief. The Journey that Campbell gives us through her eyes is one of pure raw emotions. It is heartbreaking to read. I literally felt every single emotion that Campbell went through in this story. I felt like I was right there beside her throughout the whole ordeal. This is a story of redemption, forgiving yourself, and learning how to move forward with your life.
How does one moves forward after the choices they made changes everything? They don't. They go through the motions daily until they get to a point where they can not deal with all the guilt anymore.
The love that Campbell and Benji have for each other is amazing. The bond that holds them together is one everyone wishes for. The choices they made. The things they have dealt with for over 9 years is to much for anyone to handle. But together can they learn to forgive and move forward?
Healing
Moving on
Forgiveness
Life
The writing is phenomenal as well. Nikki has done one hell of a job giving us characters that make you FEEL.
If your looking for a hearts and flowers read this is not it. If your looking for raw emotions, grief, loss, redemption then you are in the right place.
February 8, 2015
This is one hell of an emotional read. The grief and despair are palpable and so raw, and seeing all of the events of this story through Campbell's eyes just breaks my heart. But, despite how heartbreakingly sad it is, it is also extremely beautiful. The writing, the emotions, the love (Benji, you make me melt...), all of it just reaches into your chest and grabs hold of you, never letting you go until you reach the end. A fabulous story about love, second chances and finding where you're supposed to be in life, but most of all, this is a story about learning to pick yourself up when nothing feels like it will ever be right again. It's a story about learning to forgive yourself for the past and a story about finding your future with the one you love.
Pick it up, read it, you won't regret it.
Pick it up, read it, you won't regret it.
March 3, 2015
The End of All Things Beautiful is a raw read.
There are no hearts and flowers here, yet it's a story about love and second chances ... Can love make it through the darkest of times? And if so, can love ever be enough?
Young holds no punches in her writing. It is rare to read a book that is written with such raw honesty, in a story that is a quagmire of dishonesty... A dishonesty that hides the worst of secrets. A secret that eats away at those who harbour it, resulting in only two survivors. A secret that doesn't sit easy with the reader, yet still makes you turn page after page.
There were plenty of moments in this story that gave me pause. I struggled to make peace with the decisions the two main characters made. I struggled with their selfish, self-preserving thought process, especially with the harrowing secret that Benji in particular has held onto for nearly a decade. But we have to remember they were young and stupid and who hasn't made stupid mistakes when they're young? Maybe not to this extent though. I felt for the victims. My heart truly broke when we learned the true extent of Benji's secret.
Campbell is not your typical female lead. She's not terribly likeable, but I suppose that's par for the course when her conscience has been eating away at her for the better part of 9 years.
The decisions Campbell and Benji made all that time ago have haunted them throughout their lives. They are shadows of the young vivacious head-over-heels in love twosome they used to be but they still desperately need each-other.
I'll be honest, at times this is an uncomfortable read. It deals with tough subject matter and credit to Young, it's not all wrapped up in a pretty box and bow.
There are two sides to every story. The End of All Things Beautiful deals with Campbell and Benji's side. I'd love a novella to complement this novel on the other side... I'm kinda a glutton for punishment - that would be a tough read for sure!
This is the third book I've read from Nikki Young and each one couldn't be more different than the one before. It is a beautifully written, yet tragic story that's a must read.
The cover simply stunning too!!
There are no hearts and flowers here, yet it's a story about love and second chances ... Can love make it through the darkest of times? And if so, can love ever be enough?
Young holds no punches in her writing. It is rare to read a book that is written with such raw honesty, in a story that is a quagmire of dishonesty... A dishonesty that hides the worst of secrets. A secret that eats away at those who harbour it, resulting in only two survivors. A secret that doesn't sit easy with the reader, yet still makes you turn page after page.
There were plenty of moments in this story that gave me pause. I struggled to make peace with the decisions the two main characters made. I struggled with their selfish, self-preserving thought process, especially with the harrowing secret that Benji in particular has held onto for nearly a decade. But we have to remember they were young and stupid and who hasn't made stupid mistakes when they're young? Maybe not to this extent though. I felt for the victims. My heart truly broke when we learned the true extent of Benji's secret.
Campbell is not your typical female lead. She's not terribly likeable, but I suppose that's par for the course when her conscience has been eating away at her for the better part of 9 years.
The decisions Campbell and Benji made all that time ago have haunted them throughout their lives. They are shadows of the young vivacious head-over-heels in love twosome they used to be but they still desperately need each-other.
I'll be honest, at times this is an uncomfortable read. It deals with tough subject matter and credit to Young, it's not all wrapped up in a pretty box and bow.
There are two sides to every story. The End of All Things Beautiful deals with Campbell and Benji's side. I'd love a novella to complement this novel on the other side... I'm kinda a glutton for punishment - that would be a tough read for sure!
This is the third book I've read from Nikki Young and each one couldn't be more different than the one before. It is a beautifully written, yet tragic story that's a must read.
The cover simply stunning too!!
March 23, 2015
It’s so very common nowadays for a romance novel to have certain key elements – angst, tension, betrayal, etc. What if an entire book was written about death? What if the story was written with tragedy, grief, guilt, and devastation at the core? Well that’s something else entirely and after finishing The End of All Things Beautiful, I think I’ll find myself looking at all future books differently. This one is very unique, but breathtakingly beautiful in every single way.
There are few books that can truly take you away from this world and transport you someplace else. That’s what The End of All Things Beautiful did for me. It completely took me away to the world that Campbell lives in, starting with her memory of a specific day. A day that will haunt her and change her for the next nine years. I swear, I could feel her pain and my heart ached for her. Not just during the flashback to a younger time, but also in her day-to-day life. The story was written so well and you’ll find yourself 110% connected without even realizing it. The thing you have to know before you start is that this book isn’t sunshine and rainbows. It’s not, and the fact that it isn’t made me love the story and characters even more. They struggle, and some don’t win. It’s heartbreaking and will make you reevaluate a few things in your own life, but in the end, it’s all about forgiving and the future, knowing you’ll never forget. It’s a very deep, emotional, and intense tale, but I have no doubt, you’ll love every word.
The characters of Campbell and Benji are, like the entire premise of the book, very unique. You don’t have to see them fall in love or the ups and downs. You know they love each other. The issue is that time and tragedy have pulled them apart for so long. After another catastrophic event hits, they’re pushed to finally reconnect and save one another. I was worried that with how smoothly it had flowed thus far, the author would take it in a different direction and make it the stereotypical story of the two arguing, reliving the past, and pushing each other away. I loved that she didn’t. It gives new meaning to second chance romance. They still love each other as much as they did nine years ago and you KNOW that hasn’t changed. You know they both hurt and just needed one another. Their unwavering love and connection was perfect for this story, in my opinion. The entire group of friends are very easy to instantly connect with, even if it’s only through memories and by the end, I was crying massive tears remembering what had become my own personal friendships with them.
The author writes in such a gorgeous way that can make the saddest story so beautiful. Every scene felt well thought out and planned perfectly. She’s very articulate and knows how to use the right emotions at just the right time to make certain scenes pop. She weaves everything together in such a way that you’ll find yourself smiling or even swooning during a time that you might not expect to. You’ll see the story go from very intense to romantic to seductive flawlessly. I’m a fan of nondescript sex scenes. I think you can feel as much from a fade to black or subtle scene as you can from erotica. Young does just that. A kiss or a small sex scene will tell you everything you need to know about how Benji and Campbell connect. Needless to say, I’m officially a Nikki Young fan.
Overall, this book is…heartbreaking. Emotional. So, SO very sad. But throughout it all, there’s so much hope. The hope for forgiveness, the hope for love, and the hope for a future that seemed unattainable. The End of All Things Beautiful will be a top read of the year for me. It will stop you in your tracks if you’ll give it a moment of your time, and I’m betting, you’ll love it just as much as I did. I sure hope so anyway.
<3 Erin
There are few books that can truly take you away from this world and transport you someplace else. That’s what The End of All Things Beautiful did for me. It completely took me away to the world that Campbell lives in, starting with her memory of a specific day. A day that will haunt her and change her for the next nine years. I swear, I could feel her pain and my heart ached for her. Not just during the flashback to a younger time, but also in her day-to-day life. The story was written so well and you’ll find yourself 110% connected without even realizing it. The thing you have to know before you start is that this book isn’t sunshine and rainbows. It’s not, and the fact that it isn’t made me love the story and characters even more. They struggle, and some don’t win. It’s heartbreaking and will make you reevaluate a few things in your own life, but in the end, it’s all about forgiving and the future, knowing you’ll never forget. It’s a very deep, emotional, and intense tale, but I have no doubt, you’ll love every word.
The characters of Campbell and Benji are, like the entire premise of the book, very unique. You don’t have to see them fall in love or the ups and downs. You know they love each other. The issue is that time and tragedy have pulled them apart for so long. After another catastrophic event hits, they’re pushed to finally reconnect and save one another. I was worried that with how smoothly it had flowed thus far, the author would take it in a different direction and make it the stereotypical story of the two arguing, reliving the past, and pushing each other away. I loved that she didn’t. It gives new meaning to second chance romance. They still love each other as much as they did nine years ago and you KNOW that hasn’t changed. You know they both hurt and just needed one another. Their unwavering love and connection was perfect for this story, in my opinion. The entire group of friends are very easy to instantly connect with, even if it’s only through memories and by the end, I was crying massive tears remembering what had become my own personal friendships with them.
The author writes in such a gorgeous way that can make the saddest story so beautiful. Every scene felt well thought out and planned perfectly. She’s very articulate and knows how to use the right emotions at just the right time to make certain scenes pop. She weaves everything together in such a way that you’ll find yourself smiling or even swooning during a time that you might not expect to. You’ll see the story go from very intense to romantic to seductive flawlessly. I’m a fan of nondescript sex scenes. I think you can feel as much from a fade to black or subtle scene as you can from erotica. Young does just that. A kiss or a small sex scene will tell you everything you need to know about how Benji and Campbell connect. Needless to say, I’m officially a Nikki Young fan.
Overall, this book is…heartbreaking. Emotional. So, SO very sad. But throughout it all, there’s so much hope. The hope for forgiveness, the hope for love, and the hope for a future that seemed unattainable. The End of All Things Beautiful will be a top read of the year for me. It will stop you in your tracks if you’ll give it a moment of your time, and I’m betting, you’ll love it just as much as I did. I sure hope so anyway.
<3 Erin
January 9, 2016
During my read I had the same thought...
After I read the last word I had the same thought...
Even when I closed my Kindle, I had the same thought.
WOW
Wow is for many reasons. For the story, for the characters, for that feeling, even for real life. This was a tragic story that you undoubtedly read with a heavy heart. You ache for these characters when you find out what ripped them apart. They were a VERY tight group that did everything together. Love, Live and sadly death.
As for the romance part, it took a back seat. Not because it wasn't all hearts and flowers, it wasn't the reason for this story.
Healing
Moving on
Forgiveness
Life
I would have loved more of a relationship struggle between Cam and Benji but in all honesty I get why there wasn't. By the time these two meet back up they are defeated with grief and sadness and to be within the same ground you could feel each of them breathe.
There was one overwhelming character that I truly wished was more of a main character. Why? I don't know. I'm asking for trouble. Because when you meet this character all you feel is pain. I guess I want that punishment. To be a part of that torment that was the day to day life.
March 1, 2015
What a great story! From the very beginning I felt the pain of the characters. The characters were so well written I felt like I was there with them and felt for each of one of them, especially Campbell and Benji. In the story the friends make one decision and watching how that one decision unfolds and alters not only their life but the lives of many other was truly powerful. I had a hard time putting this book down. There was so much love that was wrapped in pain you could not help but root for each one to make that one life choice to bring a piece of happiness. The story has such a wonderful flow and balance it was hard to put down! Under all of the pain and tragedy lies a beautiful love story between five friends. This is a must read and another wonderful book by the amazing Nikki Young!
March 4, 2015
Where do I begin? This book really puts one's life into perspective with all of the "what ifs". Five lifelong friends are faced with a terrible tragedy one night. How they handle the situation, and how it haunts them for the rest of their lives will stay with the reader. If you are looking for a fluffy love story, this isn't it. This is a story full of raw, powerful, emotion; the choices we make in life; and how a person can truly overcome the past when surrounded by the right person; and what can happen when they aren't. I applaud Nikki Young for writing a book that makes the reader really think--and realize--that forgiveness is possible even when we think we aren't deserving of it.
August 24, 2016
What can I say.. It was a raw and emotional story about the choices we make and having to overcome the past in order to move on with the future. five friends and one choice changes everything in the blink of an eye. Benji defiantly made his way into my heart. I could just feel the love he had for Campbell. And her for him. Didn't want this story to end... This is the second book by Nikki Young that I have read and I will def be reading more of her books :) Thank you Nikki for giving me this opportunity to bring Benji and Campbell into my heart.. And thank you Nikki for providing me with an early copy of this book in return for my honest opinion..
December 2, 2016
Heartbreaking.... great reminder that you never know the demons some are constantly fighting.
October 3, 2015
Talk about a book hangover! This is one of those books that will stick with you for a long time. Now, I do have to say, that when I started The End of All Things Beautiful, I almost quit reading – the beginning is a rewrite of one of my favorite movies. Once I was able to get over that, the book was quite decent. It was the perfect length for me and kept my attention and I did not find myself skipping over paragraphs.
The End of All Things Beautiful is about a group of friends who were closer than ever and liked to have a great time. One night they do something stupid, really stupid and they put themselves in danger, causing a lot of pain for many people. Those that walk away from the situation deal with the guilt of what happened. Some can handle it and others… well, cannot.
Campbell and Benji are the main characters in The End of All Things Beautiful. They were together in the beginning and they find one another towards the end. This is definitely not a “happily ever after”. That is okay – I am not into books like that anyways. Campbell is not a typical heroine – she is raw and rough around the edges. She is strong and frankly, does not give a damn what people think of her. It was tough for me to get a read on what Campbell looked like, but I suppose in the end, it does not really matter. Benji is a tough, no-nonsense type of person. In many ways, Campbell and Benji are the same person, just one is a male, and the other is a female. Somehow, they work well together though.
This book definitely made you think. I found myself thinking about different things in my life and wondering if I had not done or said something would things be different. What this book pretty much tells you is that you can’t change what happened in the past, but try to be the best person you can be and if need be, make amends with those that you hurt in the past.
Overall, the book was written beautifully and does have a great story line. I would definitely recommend it.
I did receive The End of All Things Beautiful in exchange for an honest review.
The End of All Things Beautiful is about a group of friends who were closer than ever and liked to have a great time. One night they do something stupid, really stupid and they put themselves in danger, causing a lot of pain for many people. Those that walk away from the situation deal with the guilt of what happened. Some can handle it and others… well, cannot.
Campbell and Benji are the main characters in The End of All Things Beautiful. They were together in the beginning and they find one another towards the end. This is definitely not a “happily ever after”. That is okay – I am not into books like that anyways. Campbell is not a typical heroine – she is raw and rough around the edges. She is strong and frankly, does not give a damn what people think of her. It was tough for me to get a read on what Campbell looked like, but I suppose in the end, it does not really matter. Benji is a tough, no-nonsense type of person. In many ways, Campbell and Benji are the same person, just one is a male, and the other is a female. Somehow, they work well together though.
This book definitely made you think. I found myself thinking about different things in my life and wondering if I had not done or said something would things be different. What this book pretty much tells you is that you can’t change what happened in the past, but try to be the best person you can be and if need be, make amends with those that you hurt in the past.
Overall, the book was written beautifully and does have a great story line. I would definitely recommend it.
I did receive The End of All Things Beautiful in exchange for an honest review.
August 23, 2015
******************** Reviewed for Our Kindle Konfessions ************************
4.5 stars
This is one hell of an emotional read, it had me in tears within its first few pages. The end of all things beautiful tells the story of what happens when a snap decision affects lives many years on. Growing up there were always the five of them, after a wild night out the drunk teenagers make a decision that changes their lives forever. Nine years later, Campbell is still struggling to live her life, she's living with a man she doesn't love and has a job she hates. She finds herself thinking about the accident that changed her life all the time and the man she left behind without so much as a goodbye. As another tragedy in her life Campbell hits rock bottom but a letter left to her makes her seek out the love of her life, the one she left behind, the one she has always loved and still loves. After nine years how will Benji react to Campbell walking back into his life ? What ensures is a journey of forgiveness and rebuilding of a life that the pair never thought they would ever get.
As much I enjoyed this book, liking the character of Campbell was a big ask, at the beginning of the book she's a nasty bitch it's understandable considering what she has gone through but I really didn't like her at the start, I did however warm to her towards the end. Benji on the other hand is so understanding, patient and hot to trot.
As I said I really enjoy this book, it's different from most of the books I've read, the story is very emotional but completely original, it has you rooting for this couple all the way because if anyone deserves happiness it's this pair.
Well done Nikki Young on a well written, emotional, heartbreaking, romantic tale !
4.5 stars
This is one hell of an emotional read, it had me in tears within its first few pages. The end of all things beautiful tells the story of what happens when a snap decision affects lives many years on. Growing up there were always the five of them, after a wild night out the drunk teenagers make a decision that changes their lives forever. Nine years later, Campbell is still struggling to live her life, she's living with a man she doesn't love and has a job she hates. She finds herself thinking about the accident that changed her life all the time and the man she left behind without so much as a goodbye. As another tragedy in her life Campbell hits rock bottom but a letter left to her makes her seek out the love of her life, the one she left behind, the one she has always loved and still loves. After nine years how will Benji react to Campbell walking back into his life ? What ensures is a journey of forgiveness and rebuilding of a life that the pair never thought they would ever get.
As much I enjoyed this book, liking the character of Campbell was a big ask, at the beginning of the book she's a nasty bitch it's understandable considering what she has gone through but I really didn't like her at the start, I did however warm to her towards the end. Benji on the other hand is so understanding, patient and hot to trot.
As I said I really enjoy this book, it's different from most of the books I've read, the story is very emotional but completely original, it has you rooting for this couple all the way because if anyone deserves happiness it's this pair.
Well done Nikki Young on a well written, emotional, heartbreaking, romantic tale !
May 24, 2016
Beautifully depressing.
1- I hated Campbell in the beginning. After the accident she became such an awful person and it was such a relief to see the other side of her. The Benji side.
2- The writing was beautiful. Very well written. However, a LOT of the internal dialogue was repetitive and I found myself skimming some. I get there was a lot for the characters to work out within themselves as well as with others, but there are only so many times you can describe a feeling before becoming extremely repetitive.
3- I loved Benji. He just seemed so sweet.
4- I wish there had been more of a mystery surrounding the accident. I feel like a lot of the story was building up to reveal some huge secrets, but there was only maybe one or two details that the reader did not already know. And again, the details were repeated so many times.
1- I hated Campbell in the beginning. After the accident she became such an awful person and it was such a relief to see the other side of her. The Benji side.
2- The writing was beautiful. Very well written. However, a LOT of the internal dialogue was repetitive and I found myself skimming some. I get there was a lot for the characters to work out within themselves as well as with others, but there are only so many times you can describe a feeling before becoming extremely repetitive.
3- I loved Benji. He just seemed so sweet.
4- I wish there had been more of a mystery surrounding the accident. I feel like a lot of the story was building up to reveal some huge secrets, but there was only maybe one or two details that the reader did not already know. And again, the details were repeated so many times.
May 4, 2015
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was an emotional book from the start and you really felt for the characters. I wish I'd been able to read this book in one go because of the emotion , but unfortunately I wasn't able to. I'd recommend this book, it's one of those books you just can't put down. 5***** read for me.
May 19, 2015
What an amazing story about 5 friends whose lives were shattered after a tragic event. This story is about loss, forgiveness and trying to move on. A love story that never died. It was beautifully written. I love an author who can make us feel all these emotions described by these caracters. It was an emotional roller coaster ride. I could not put this book down. I strongly recommend this book.
June 13, 2015
My God, what a heart wrenching book. Shit happens, sometimes really terrible shit, but this story proves that you can survive anything. And that you don't necessarily need a man to do it, but it's a nice if they're around.
December 27, 2015
Loved it..couldn't put it down
April 3, 2015
A page turner that is raw and gut-wrenching.
May 17, 2015
4.5 stars
June 28, 2015
I loved this book!!!!
December 19, 2015
Butterfly effect. For every action, there is an equal opposite reaction. Everything that has happened interconnects with everything that happened so after.
August 25, 2015
I won this book through Goodreads first reads.
May 29, 2015
Review posted at: http://bookcrushbookreviews.com/2015/...
Rating: 4.5 stars
There were five. But then tragedy happened. Those remaining are drowning in guilt, going through the motions to just get through each day. They put on a mask: living a life of lies and secrets. Could you do this? What's at risk? Your sanity, your willingness to connect with others. Overwhelming pain was a powerful emotion throughout this read and I felt like I was crawling, searching for the light, wondering if there would ever be such a thing. Campbell escapes her pain temporarily through work and loads of alcohol while Benji lives a secluded lifestyle in the middle of nowhere. The emotions I experienced spoke to me on a deep level and made it difficult for me to turn away. I don't always need an HEA, but for this story I did. It's a journey of making things right, moving forward, and remembering, honoring the life those we love lived. Avoiding issues is hard for me, so not having the characters discuss the elephant in the room more promptly was a time of struggle for me. But when it all came out, it flowed seamlessly. This story will be with me for awhile...it'll give you the feels, for sure! Give this a try and find your next book crush!
Rating: 4.5 stars
There were five. But then tragedy happened. Those remaining are drowning in guilt, going through the motions to just get through each day. They put on a mask: living a life of lies and secrets. Could you do this? What's at risk? Your sanity, your willingness to connect with others. Overwhelming pain was a powerful emotion throughout this read and I felt like I was crawling, searching for the light, wondering if there would ever be such a thing. Campbell escapes her pain temporarily through work and loads of alcohol while Benji lives a secluded lifestyle in the middle of nowhere. The emotions I experienced spoke to me on a deep level and made it difficult for me to turn away. I don't always need an HEA, but for this story I did. It's a journey of making things right, moving forward, and remembering, honoring the life those we love lived. Avoiding issues is hard for me, so not having the characters discuss the elephant in the room more promptly was a time of struggle for me. But when it all came out, it flowed seamlessly. This story will be with me for awhile...it'll give you the feels, for sure! Give this a try and find your next book crush!
December 8, 2015
Giving this lovely, pull at your heart strings book..4.5 Beautiful Stars. This book had a lot of angst, heartbreak, and just enough romance to make it into such a great book.
This book is about second chances. Second chances at life, and second chances to do it right. The journey this book takes you through is really deep. How one thing, one life event can have such a impact on you and other peoples life. Watching the ones who could not make it and the ones, that choose the strength to move on was amazing and heartbreaking at the same time.
Cam and Benji were childhood friends, soulmates, they were each others everything...until they were not, till lives circumstances ripped them apart.
I loved loved loved this story, beginning, middle and end. The love the healing...omg that bond. It was really amazing to get to read. This book is so good. #MustRead
This book is about second chances. Second chances at life, and second chances to do it right. The journey this book takes you through is really deep. How one thing, one life event can have such a impact on you and other peoples life. Watching the ones who could not make it and the ones, that choose the strength to move on was amazing and heartbreaking at the same time.
Cam and Benji were childhood friends, soulmates, they were each others everything...until they were not, till lives circumstances ripped them apart.
I loved loved loved this story, beginning, middle and end. The love the healing...omg that bond. It was really amazing to get to read. This book is so good. #MustRead
April 20, 2016
I liked the beginning of the book, but the second half just kind of dragged on.
One of the major things that bugged me was
Overall, it was just okay. I would be willing to read more from this author though.
One of the major things that bugged me was
Overall, it was just okay. I would be willing to read more from this author though.
April 19, 2016
Geared to the high school girl. Quick and easy read. My mom would enjoy it.
Romantic and dreamy. Because this book is a romance I didn't get much thrill but it was still enjoyable enough to finish.
Romantic and dreamy. Because this book is a romance I didn't get much thrill but it was still enjoyable enough to finish.
March 23, 2015
DNF - this has turned more romance than mystery, which just isn't my thing.
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