What do you think?
Rate this book
While You're Away #1
Fidati di me
Una storia seria quella tra Sarah, chitarrista, e Dave, voce: non solo fanno parte della stessa band, i Dasa, ma sono anche migliori amici, complici e per giunta fidanzati. Un’intesa perfetta, sì, ma solo sul palco… Quando Sarah diventa improvvisamente l’oggetto delle attenzioni di Will, il ragazzo più popolare della scuola, capisce immediatamente cosa vuol dire essere davvero attratti da qualcuno. Con un fisico da urlo, gli occhi azzurri come il cielo e la fama di seduttore incallito, Will non è solo tremendamente sexy ma è anche intelligente e ironico, e stare vicino a lui provoca in Sarah emozioni finora sconosciute. Basta un bacio, un unico bacio, e il mondo intero si stravolge… Perché con Dave non è mai stato lo stesso? E soprattutto, Will è preso quanto lei? In fondo lui sta con Trish… Ma l’attrazione è così forte che né Will né Sarah possono resistere e cominciano a frequentarsi all’insaputa dei loro fidanzati.
Da una parte la presenza rassicurante di Dave, dall’altra il brivido dell’ignoto con Will: per Sarah sarà un’estate molto difficile…
Fresca, coinvolgente e sensuale. La storia di un momento magico e irripetibile: il primo grande amore.
Fresca, coinvolgente e sensuale. La storia di un momento magico e irripetibile: il primo grande amore.
240 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 15, 2013
13 people are currently reading
434 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews
October 26, 2013
Actual rating: 3.5
I don't think I've ever read a story about cheaters. I'm not sure if this was a conscious decision or if it was for fear of it reminding me of that corny reality TV show that's somehow STILL airing. (WHY? TELL ME WHY.) Plus, there's always the issue of actually sympathizing with the cheater, not an easy feat. But While You're Away surprised me. I was able to connect and understand the main character, Sarah Westlake, and her reasons for her infidelity. That doesn't mean I'm agreeing with her decision at all, far from it. (I want you all to know that I just resisted a Cheater-Cheater-Pumpkin-Eater reference despite it's non-relevenace.)
What I liked best about While You're Away is Sarah's down to earth voice. She reminds me of my teen self in some ways with her shyness and social awkwardness. At least one of those blasted traits has lingered with me through adulthood, proving that some things never change, but I digress. Sarah's perfect boyfriend, Dave, is the opposite. He's outgoing, a flirt and everywhere he goes, he feeds off of a crowd's energy. This works well for his and Sarah's band, Dasa, but often leaves Sarah lonely and put-out from seeing him flirt with so many girls. That doesn't discount Sarah's love for Dave because she does genuinely care for him as he does her. However, it gives Dave's character a flaw in his seemingly perfection. Sarah doesn't blame her infidelity on him, which I was happy to see, but you can tell that this factor of lack of attention does play into it.
Then we have bad boy Will. He's new, thrilling and completely off-limits to Sarah. Not only does she have sweet and caring Dave, but Will is also taken. Yet through one weird moment at a party, in Sarah's loneliness, she ends up making out with Will and later hiding it from Dave. And while she does feel bad about the betrayal, a part of her is intrigued with the connection she felt with Will.
Finally, I really enjoyed the Holbrook's writing style as I am a sucker for pretty writing. It's not flowery or poetic in the way you'd find Lauren DeStefano's or Tahereh Mafi's. It's more straightforward realism with Sarah's conflicted feelings particularly when Holbrook describes her feelings about Will and why she's so drawn to explore the connection further.
If there were one thing I would have loved more of, it's more back story between Dave and Sarah. We are shown how they met and why they decided to start Dasa, but the reader is primarily introduced right into the infidelity scene. Though, it's entirely possible that more will be revealed as this story wears on since there are a total of six pieces. I usually prefer reading a book from cover to cover, without interruption, but I do think in this case, it works out well when you're able to leave readers on small cliffs like this gem:
Because of this, I'm left internally cringing at Sarah and Will's choices, secretly rooting them on and shaking my head at the can of worms they're opening. It's funny how that happened. When did I become both the demon and the angel on Sarah's shoulder? So I think it goes without saying that I'll be continuing. Like Sarah, I'm in too deep to stop at just part 1.
e-ARC was received from the publisher via NetGalley. Thank you!
More reviews and other fantastical things at Cuddlebuggery Book Blog.
I don't think I've ever read a story about cheaters. I'm not sure if this was a conscious decision or if it was for fear of it reminding me of that corny reality TV show that's somehow STILL airing. (WHY? TELL ME WHY.) Plus, there's always the issue of actually sympathizing with the cheater, not an easy feat. But While You're Away surprised me. I was able to connect and understand the main character, Sarah Westlake, and her reasons for her infidelity. That doesn't mean I'm agreeing with her decision at all, far from it. (I want you all to know that I just resisted a Cheater-Cheater-Pumpkin-Eater reference despite it's non-relevenace.)
What I liked best about While You're Away is Sarah's down to earth voice. She reminds me of my teen self in some ways with her shyness and social awkwardness. At least one of those blasted traits has lingered with me through adulthood, proving that some things never change, but I digress. Sarah's perfect boyfriend, Dave, is the opposite. He's outgoing, a flirt and everywhere he goes, he feeds off of a crowd's energy. This works well for his and Sarah's band, Dasa, but often leaves Sarah lonely and put-out from seeing him flirt with so many girls. That doesn't discount Sarah's love for Dave because she does genuinely care for him as he does her. However, it gives Dave's character a flaw in his seemingly perfection. Sarah doesn't blame her infidelity on him, which I was happy to see, but you can tell that this factor of lack of attention does play into it.
Then we have bad boy Will. He's new, thrilling and completely off-limits to Sarah. Not only does she have sweet and caring Dave, but Will is also taken. Yet through one weird moment at a party, in Sarah's loneliness, she ends up making out with Will and later hiding it from Dave. And while she does feel bad about the betrayal, a part of her is intrigued with the connection she felt with Will.
Finally, I really enjoyed the Holbrook's writing style as I am a sucker for pretty writing. It's not flowery or poetic in the way you'd find Lauren DeStefano's or Tahereh Mafi's. It's more straightforward realism with Sarah's conflicted feelings particularly when Holbrook describes her feelings about Will and why she's so drawn to explore the connection further.
"I felt split in pieces, and none of them matched. It turned out that it was possible to feel guilty and elated at the same time. To be ashamed and emboldened at once. Though it had been wrong to even try it, I wanted another taste of Will."
If there were one thing I would have loved more of, it's more back story between Dave and Sarah. We are shown how they met and why they decided to start Dasa, but the reader is primarily introduced right into the infidelity scene. Though, it's entirely possible that more will be revealed as this story wears on since there are a total of six pieces. I usually prefer reading a book from cover to cover, without interruption, but I do think in this case, it works out well when you're able to leave readers on small cliffs like this gem:
"This felt like the beginning of something. A seduction that dared me to imagine what might come next. I felt like I'd been waiting for this. Needing it, even without knowing."
Because of this, I'm left internally cringing at Sarah and Will's choices, secretly rooting them on and shaking my head at the can of worms they're opening. It's funny how that happened. When did I become both the demon and the angel on Sarah's shoulder? So I think it goes without saying that I'll be continuing. Like Sarah, I'm in too deep to stop at just part 1.
e-ARC was received from the publisher via NetGalley. Thank you!
More reviews and other fantastical things at Cuddlebuggery Book Blog.
October 26, 2013
A very promising start.
I actually loved the writing and the characters were interesting. It was way too short for me to judge whether these are characters I might end up hating or not. I'm ready for some angst.
I was actually disappointed that this was going to be a serial rather than a full length book or at most a trilogy. It's going to be a six-part serial. Hopefully, we won't have to wait long for the whole series to finish. I'd rather read one full length novel but then this one has a really interesting premise. Looking forward to reading the next one.
I actually loved the writing and the characters were interesting. It was way too short for me to judge whether these are characters I might end up hating or not. I'm ready for some angst.
I was actually disappointed that this was going to be a serial rather than a full length book or at most a trilogy. It's going to be a six-part serial. Hopefully, we won't have to wait long for the whole series to finish. I'd rather read one full length novel but then this one has a really interesting premise. Looking forward to reading the next one.
November 6, 2013
While You’re Away was a lot different to what I had been expecting after reading the blurb. This in case wasn’t necessarily a bad thing, but it kind of left me wanting for more time between our main characters Will and Sarah. The way the relationship in the blurb is described is as forbidden, and I guess it was, both Will and Sarah are in relationships with other people, Sarah loves her boyfriend Dave, so her kiss with Will is so out of the blue, but it leaves her thinking that what she has with Dave isn’t as perfect as she imagined it to be.
Now I don’t condone cheating, but I actually wanted Sarah and Will to be together. Dave may have been a sweet guy, but which guy blatantly lets girls flirt with him when he’s girlfriend’s standing by? And then flirts back, and this isn’t even on one occasion, it happens every time after Sarah and Dave do a performance (they both play guitar). Sarah has even voiced that she doesn’t feel comfortable with this, but does Dave take any notice? No. And then there’s Will, he has the reputation that seems to follow him around, but when Sarah ends up spending time with him when Dave’s pre-occupied, she sees a side to him that no one’s ever mentioned before. Is this because of her? Or just put on every time Will’s with a girl?
While You’re Away was a pretty quick read that you could probably fit in when you’re in the mood for a book that’s sexy and fun. My only gripe was that I wish more time had been focused upon Will and Sarah spending time with each other. I will definitely be picking up While You’re Away 2, to see how this story continues.
This review can be found on: The Readers Den
Now I don’t condone cheating, but I actually wanted Sarah and Will to be together. Dave may have been a sweet guy, but which guy blatantly lets girls flirt with him when he’s girlfriend’s standing by? And then flirts back, and this isn’t even on one occasion, it happens every time after Sarah and Dave do a performance (they both play guitar). Sarah has even voiced that she doesn’t feel comfortable with this, but does Dave take any notice? No. And then there’s Will, he has the reputation that seems to follow him around, but when Sarah ends up spending time with him when Dave’s pre-occupied, she sees a side to him that no one’s ever mentioned before. Is this because of her? Or just put on every time Will’s with a girl?
While You’re Away was a pretty quick read that you could probably fit in when you’re in the mood for a book that’s sexy and fun. My only gripe was that I wish more time had been focused upon Will and Sarah spending time with each other. I will definitely be picking up While You’re Away 2, to see how this story continues.
This review can be found on: The Readers Den
October 18, 2013
2.5 STARS
I'm gonna give you a minute to let all that philosophical depth wash through you and enlighten you as it unlocks the secrets of your universe.
If there's one thing you can appreciate this book for is that it's true to the age group its characters are trying to represent. Laughably pretentious with misguided outlook with regards to relationships and poor sense of self-worth? Well hello there seventeen year old me.
Sarah Westlake is the other half of Dasa, a two-man guitar group whose idea of being clever is combining its members' first names for their band name. Because its not sad enough that both of them are named so generically (the other member is her boyfriend Dave), they have to combine their names to cancel out the sad and bring on the senseless. Their idea of being "inherently hilarious" is playing acoustic versions of LMFAO and Kanye. I wish it was more of a "sardonically Kanye", but no, Jeffster these two are not.
Anyway Sarah's a bit displeased with her boy's 'rockstar attention whoring habits' flirting not only with the ladies, but also dogs and babies. And at that age, understandably so. Such that after performing in the nice, rich girl's party, Sarah wanting to be the cool, non-clingy girlfriend let Dave go about his crowd meeting rituals… and end up snogging the rich girl's bad boy boyfriend. And liked it.
So now Sarah's the cool, non-clingy CHEATING girlfriend. And this sordid affair of kissing under their proverbial spouse's nose serves as the driving force for the rest of this novella.
This was a bit all over the place for me. There were moments when the metaphors in the narrative made me want to take it seriously.
And moments that cheesed me to no end (my opening quote included).
Infidelity is one of those relationship issues with a consistent gravity for me no matter the age group. I've seen it dealt with in every possible depth I could imagine. This felt like Cheating for Starters: How to Start Your Career on Being A Chronic Polygamist as best reflected in Sarah's rationalizing of her actions as reactionary to Dave leaving her to flirt with his fans. It's HIS fault and the pretty dress' fault she ended up kissing Will and liking it. That's pretty juvenile yes, but everybody has to start somewhere. Even cheaters. Sarah's starting at seventeen. I'm not sure I want to trace back the beginnings of this particularly shitty behavior as it entails understandable immaturity and keeping that in mind all through out, no matter how short this was, can be a bit of a chore.
Will's backstory intrigued me more than how Sarah and Dave came together. While it did come across odd as it was told from Sarah's POV, I find some potential depth in his character. And hopefully, once he's done away with his hilarious attempts in doling out life philosophies, he may end up a pleasant surprise down the line. Jane the friend was expectedly a good peripheral character, as the heroine's proverbial best friend she did the stereotype quite well.
There was no bigger message and no attempt to make me sympathetic towards any of the characters (because I'm definitely not sympathetic towards Sarah) by giving some unnecessary family drama… yet, so I'm thankful for those small blessings. I also appreciate the names of the characters being realistically bland because I really don't need another Feather or gad-forbid, a Heighleigh heroine (oh gad please let there be no Heighleighs out there). You can take your creativity elsewhere other than the heroine's names, authors.
Some promise form this one, though a bit reluctant to continue on this series.
ARC provided by Penguin Young Readers Group thru Netgalley in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
"Occasionally," Will said, "you have to listen to the silence to appreciate the noise."
I'm gonna give you a minute to let all that philosophical depth wash through you and enlighten you as it unlocks the secrets of your universe.
If there's one thing you can appreciate this book for is that it's true to the age group its characters are trying to represent. Laughably pretentious with misguided outlook with regards to relationships and poor sense of self-worth? Well hello there seventeen year old me.
Sarah Westlake is the other half of Dasa, a two-man guitar group whose idea of being clever is combining its members' first names for their band name. Because its not sad enough that both of them are named so generically (the other member is her boyfriend Dave), they have to combine their names to cancel out the sad and bring on the senseless. Their idea of being "inherently hilarious" is playing acoustic versions of LMFAO and Kanye. I wish it was more of a "sardonically Kanye", but no, Jeffster these two are not.
Anyway Sarah's a bit displeased with her boy's 'rockstar attention whoring habits' flirting not only with the ladies, but also dogs and babies. And at that age, understandably so. Such that after performing in the nice, rich girl's party, Sarah wanting to be the cool, non-clingy girlfriend let Dave go about his crowd meeting rituals… and end up snogging the rich girl's bad boy boyfriend. And liked it.
So now Sarah's the cool, non-clingy CHEATING girlfriend. And this sordid affair of kissing under their proverbial spouse's nose serves as the driving force for the rest of this novella.
This was a bit all over the place for me. There were moments when the metaphors in the narrative made me want to take it seriously.
With its long symmetrical windows and identical shutters, it seemed to gaze ruefully at the party. As if it accepted that most of the senior class needed to do keg stands, but it didn't really approve.
And moments that cheesed me to no end (my opening quote included).
So much skin, his body so sculpted. It would have been a lie to call him Adonis. He wasn't a blond, frosted, pretty thing. He was dark and tempting.
Infidelity is one of those relationship issues with a consistent gravity for me no matter the age group. I've seen it dealt with in every possible depth I could imagine. This felt like Cheating for Starters: How to Start Your Career on Being A Chronic Polygamist as best reflected in Sarah's rationalizing of her actions as reactionary to Dave leaving her to flirt with his fans. It's HIS fault and the pretty dress' fault she ended up kissing Will and liking it. That's pretty juvenile yes, but everybody has to start somewhere. Even cheaters. Sarah's starting at seventeen. I'm not sure I want to trace back the beginnings of this particularly shitty behavior as it entails understandable immaturity and keeping that in mind all through out, no matter how short this was, can be a bit of a chore.
Will's backstory intrigued me more than how Sarah and Dave came together. While it did come across odd as it was told from Sarah's POV, I find some potential depth in his character. And hopefully, once he's done away with his hilarious attempts in doling out life philosophies, he may end up a pleasant surprise down the line. Jane the friend was expectedly a good peripheral character, as the heroine's proverbial best friend she did the stereotype quite well.
There was no bigger message and no attempt to make me sympathetic towards any of the characters (because I'm definitely not sympathetic towards Sarah) by giving some unnecessary family drama… yet, so I'm thankful for those small blessings. I also appreciate the names of the characters being realistically bland because I really don't need another Feather or gad-forbid, a Heighleigh heroine (oh gad please let there be no Heighleighs out there). You can take your creativity elsewhere other than the heroine's names, authors.
Some promise form this one, though a bit reluctant to continue on this series.
ARC provided by Penguin Young Readers Group thru Netgalley in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
July 25, 2016
1.5 stars
This review is for the entire 6 parts of this book. And I'll say this up front right away -- my rating is heavily colored by the lame ass piecemeal way in which this "book" was packaged and sold. Each part or volume or whatever the hell you want to call it, which consisted of a short 5 - 6 chapters each, cost $1.99 a pop.
See, I have this little voice in my head that speaks up every once in awhile to try to curb my spending habits. Problem is, I often ignore it and this is a case in point. Here's what it was saying to me as I bought each piece of this book:
After I clicked "buy now" for part 1 -- Um, you did see that this is only 48 pages right? 48 pages for $1.99? Really? You really just bought this?
After I clicked it for part 2 -- Ok, fine, this piece is slightly longer at 52 pages, but you weren't even that impressed with the first part. Why the hell are you buying this next one?
After part 3 -- Look, I get it, forward momentum, you can't change direction while in mid-air, yeah I get all that. But we're back to 40 something pages in this section and you realize you just paid $6 for HALF A BOOK.
Part 4 -- Alright, I admit, that last volume was pretty good. But you see how short these sections are right? You see where things are going with this right? It's not too late to jump ship! You can stop now if you want!
Part 5 -- What the hell are you doing?! Just STOP already! That last section was incredibly boring AND it totally set the story up to go in a direction that you know is going to piss you off. JUST STOP!!!
Part 6 -- You fucking moron.
I am a moron because I just paid $12 for a book. I never pay that much for a kindle book, and there was nothing special about this one to warrant that cost. It would probably be unfair to call this a sneaky tactic to sell a book at an inflated price because it's very clear from looking at the number of pages of each volume that you're only getting a portion of a book with each purchase. You know what you're getting yourself into from the get go. But fuck it, I WILL call it sneaky anyway because I am an unfair bitch like that.
Ok, enough whining about the price, I suppose I should talk about the actual book a little. It's about a couple of teenagers, Sarah and Will, who find themselves intensely drawn to each other despite the fact that they are both already in relationships with other people. The writing was above average and actually quite lovely at times. All six parts are told in the POV of Sarah, and we follow her as she deals with infidelity and all its side effects, complete with guilt, rationalization, uncertainty and insecurity. As distasteful as I find plots and characters that center around cheating, I never found myself actively disliking either Sarah or Will while they were still with their respective significant others (after that is another story though). And I especially liked the way Will's girlfriend, Tricia, was handled. Her character could have so easily been written a certain way, but I liked how the author chose to deal with her. Sarah had a pretty relatable voice, but as for Will, I'm sad to say I never really got into him. The book tries to convince us that he's oh so deep and so smart underneath his party boy persona, but I can't say I ever saw it.
Obviously there was enough going on in the story to make me keep buying each successive installment (my favorite was Part 3. Although I wouldn't totally attribute my buying each next volume to how interesting the story actually was -- a lot of it had to do with my inability to not finish a book once I start), but after the halfway point, my disappointment in the storyline and characters began to grow. And it continued to grow all the way to the last installment, and then cue the eye roll and frustrated sigh of disbelief.
If this had been sold as a normal book at a price of say $4.99 (a reasonable price I think for a book like this), I may have upped my rating to 2.5 stars.
February 2, 2016
"Als wir uns fanden" ist der erste Teil der "Song of Love-Reihe", die als eBooks erschienen sind.
Das Taschenbuch mit allen 6 Teilen wird am 11.04.2016 bei cbt erscheinen.
Sarah und Dave lieben die Musik. Sie sind ein Duo und greifen perfekt ineinander. Wenn sie gemeinsam auf der Bühne stehen sind sie Eins und alles ist perfekt.
Doch wenn sie von der Bühne gehen, ist Dave ein Star und Sarah steht allein da. Auf der Suche nach Ruhe und nach sich selbst, trifft sie auf einer Party auf Will, den beliebten und perfekten Will.
Mit dieser Begegnung ändert sich alles in Sarahs Leben ...
Das Cover finde ich sehr schön und es ist ein Hingucker. Durch die Gitarre strahlt es natürlich Musik aus und ich finde der gesenkte Blick des Mädchens wirkt, als liebe sie Musik und würde sich gerade darin verlieren. Das Mädchen wirkt dadurch aber auch ein wenig schüchtern und in sich gekehrt.
Sarah finde ich sehr sympathisch, Will ist geheimnisvoll und Dave der typische Junge von nebenan.
Ich finde es spannend mit Sarah auf eine Reise zu gehen, in der sie sich selbst findet und sich besser kennenlernt.
Zwar ist der erste Teil der Geschichte "nur" 50 Seiten lang, trotzdem liebe ich die Geschichte.
Ich bin völlig hin und weg, war von Anfang an gefesselt und will unbedingt wissen, wie es weiter geht. Für mich ist es eine Geschichte, die unter die Haut geht.
Das Taschenbuch mit allen 6 Teilen wird am 11.04.2016 bei cbt erscheinen.
Sarah und Dave lieben die Musik. Sie sind ein Duo und greifen perfekt ineinander. Wenn sie gemeinsam auf der Bühne stehen sind sie Eins und alles ist perfekt.
Doch wenn sie von der Bühne gehen, ist Dave ein Star und Sarah steht allein da. Auf der Suche nach Ruhe und nach sich selbst, trifft sie auf einer Party auf Will, den beliebten und perfekten Will.
Mit dieser Begegnung ändert sich alles in Sarahs Leben ...
Das Cover finde ich sehr schön und es ist ein Hingucker. Durch die Gitarre strahlt es natürlich Musik aus und ich finde der gesenkte Blick des Mädchens wirkt, als liebe sie Musik und würde sich gerade darin verlieren. Das Mädchen wirkt dadurch aber auch ein wenig schüchtern und in sich gekehrt.
Sarah finde ich sehr sympathisch, Will ist geheimnisvoll und Dave der typische Junge von nebenan.
Ich finde es spannend mit Sarah auf eine Reise zu gehen, in der sie sich selbst findet und sich besser kennenlernt.
Zwar ist der erste Teil der Geschichte "nur" 50 Seiten lang, trotzdem liebe ich die Geschichte.
Ich bin völlig hin und weg, war von Anfang an gefesselt und will unbedingt wissen, wie es weiter geht. Für mich ist es eine Geschichte, die unter die Haut geht.
January 14, 2014
Read the review on my blog:
http://thaliasbooks.tumblr.com/post/7...
http://thaliasbooks.tumblr.com/post/7...
December 23, 2015
3,5 un po frettoloso in alcune parti
March 29, 2022
Canzone: Dangerous Night - Thirty Second To Mars
“ogni tanto devi ascoltare il silenzio per apprezzare il rumore”
Questo libro l’ho letto per la prima volta al liceo. Ultimamente mi è capitato di fissarlo spesso, mentre stava lì immobile archiviato nella mia libreria e non riuscivo a smettere di chiedermi per quale motivo ai tempi mi fosse piaciuto così tanto.
Cosa aveva di così speciale da farmi ricordare ancora oggi, a distanza di così tanti anni, che ne era valsa la pena leggerlo?
L’ho fissato così a lungo che alla fine, vinta dalla curiosità, l’ho ripescato fuori, l’ho sfogliato ma non ho trovato quello che cercavo; non c’era il minimo segno del mio passaggio tra quelle pagine, così l’ho riletto.
E ho capito, o meglio mi sono ricordata, che questo libro ha l’incredibile capacità di farti perdere totalmente la cognizione del tempo.
Esattamente come la prima volta mi sono persa tra le sue pagine, la storia mi ha completamente risucchiata, mi ha rapita e intrappolata dentro il tormento di Sarah.
Non sono mai stata una fan del trope ‘instant love’ e devo ammettere che a sto giro ho storto il naso più e più volte trovando certe ‘confessioni’ del tutto inverosimili, però tutto sommato è una storia che fa bene il suo lavoro: ti tiene compagnia e ti trasporta nel suo mondo.
La scrittura non è male, fluida ed essenziale fa sì che la lettura scorra liscia come l’olio e senza rendertene conto stai già a metà libro.
Nelle prime 152 pagine ho attaccato ben 51 post it, e questo la dice lunga su quanto lo anni apprezzato; mentre nella metà finale del libro zero.
Ecco, la metà: è lì che il meccanismo un po’ si inceppa e tutto comincia a rallentare al punto che torni alla realtà di botto e ti ricordi che stai leggendo una storia inventata.
Alla prima lettura non sono stata in grado di accorgermene ma adesso è piuttosto palese: non c’è molta tridimensionalità nei personaggi, non sono molto studiati e approfonditi, per questo da metà romanzo fino alla fine si riesce ad acquistare consapevolezza e a staccarsi da loro. Rimane comunque una lettura che ho apprezzato molto sia al primo che al secondo giro!
“ogni tanto devi ascoltare il silenzio per apprezzare il rumore”
Questo libro l’ho letto per la prima volta al liceo. Ultimamente mi è capitato di fissarlo spesso, mentre stava lì immobile archiviato nella mia libreria e non riuscivo a smettere di chiedermi per quale motivo ai tempi mi fosse piaciuto così tanto.
Cosa aveva di così speciale da farmi ricordare ancora oggi, a distanza di così tanti anni, che ne era valsa la pena leggerlo?
L’ho fissato così a lungo che alla fine, vinta dalla curiosità, l’ho ripescato fuori, l’ho sfogliato ma non ho trovato quello che cercavo; non c’era il minimo segno del mio passaggio tra quelle pagine, così l’ho riletto.
E ho capito, o meglio mi sono ricordata, che questo libro ha l’incredibile capacità di farti perdere totalmente la cognizione del tempo.
Esattamente come la prima volta mi sono persa tra le sue pagine, la storia mi ha completamente risucchiata, mi ha rapita e intrappolata dentro il tormento di Sarah.
Non sono mai stata una fan del trope ‘instant love’ e devo ammettere che a sto giro ho storto il naso più e più volte trovando certe ‘confessioni’ del tutto inverosimili, però tutto sommato è una storia che fa bene il suo lavoro: ti tiene compagnia e ti trasporta nel suo mondo.
La scrittura non è male, fluida ed essenziale fa sì che la lettura scorra liscia come l’olio e senza rendertene conto stai già a metà libro.
Nelle prime 152 pagine ho attaccato ben 51 post it, e questo la dice lunga su quanto lo anni apprezzato; mentre nella metà finale del libro zero.
Ecco, la metà: è lì che il meccanismo un po’ si inceppa e tutto comincia a rallentare al punto che torni alla realtà di botto e ti ricordi che stai leggendo una storia inventata.
Alla prima lettura non sono stata in grado di accorgermene ma adesso è piuttosto palese: non c’è molta tridimensionalità nei personaggi, non sono molto studiati e approfonditi, per questo da metà romanzo fino alla fine si riesce ad acquistare consapevolezza e a staccarsi da loro. Rimane comunque una lettura che ho apprezzato molto sia al primo che al secondo giro!
June 28, 2017
This was another Dollar Tree find another pleasant surprise. I had this book sitting in my spare bedroom/make-shift library (lol) for months before I finally picked it up.
I put off giving it a chance simply because the cover didn't really entice me and the summary made me question how much I could really get into it.
The book focuses on two high school teenagers, Will and Sarah, who both cheat on there significant others when they realize they have to be together.
While I do not condone cheating in any aspect this book had me seriously routing for these two love birds. There romance and connection happened quite suddenly but I was intrigued none the less.
The character development was fantastic. So much so that I actually felt for Will and Sarah, I WANTED them to work even though they had hurt two other people in the process of coming together.
Will is a known for being "unable to commit" and throughout the story we see how Sarah navigates through being worried that he will cheat while away at college and being so engrossed in her new found love that she could never imagine him being unfaithful.
I felt for EVERY character in this book and sped through the pages in record time.
I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who wants a light, good read.
I put off giving it a chance simply because the cover didn't really entice me and the summary made me question how much I could really get into it.
The book focuses on two high school teenagers, Will and Sarah, who both cheat on there significant others when they realize they have to be together.
While I do not condone cheating in any aspect this book had me seriously routing for these two love birds. There romance and connection happened quite suddenly but I was intrigued none the less.
The character development was fantastic. So much so that I actually felt for Will and Sarah, I WANTED them to work even though they had hurt two other people in the process of coming together.
Will is a known for being "unable to commit" and throughout the story we see how Sarah navigates through being worried that he will cheat while away at college and being so engrossed in her new found love that she could never imagine him being unfaithful.
I felt for EVERY character in this book and sped through the pages in record time.
I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who wants a light, good read.
December 5, 2017
A parte la copertina, che è veramente brutta… la più brutta a memoria d’uomo, direi. A parte lo stile di Jessa, che non è proprio il massimo. Ripetizioni, imprecisioni, ma soprattutto una innata capacità a sovvertire l’ordine delle cose e complicare frasi che potrebbero essere semplici. A parte tutto e anche a parte gli spoiler che farò (siete avvisati)... la trama mi piaceva. Mi piaceva il meccanismo del dolore di chi si innamora di qualcuno, mentre ama ancora la persona precedente. Mi piaceva il senso di colpa e il rimorso/rimpianto per ciò che in un soffio di fiato distrugge un rapporto costruito nello spazio di anni. Mi piaceva la chimica che si innesca fra due bei personaggi (e sono belli persino i comprimari, il che è tutto dire). Poi, dopo che si è sbandierata la verginità della protagonista come se fosse qualcosa di romantico da affrontare, ecco che trascorrono la prima notte insieme e il pathos si dilegua. Nulla. Piattume totale. Va bene, d’accordo, non è detto che si debba essere dettagliati o niente altro, ma santa pazienza fateci vivere il momento magico! Risposta? No. Zero. Niente. Nada. Niet. Nothing. N.U.L.L.A. Così la trama prosegue con lui che parte per l’università, lei che resta dove si trova, l’altro che la contatta per recuperare un’intesa lavorativa preesistente, lei che è gelosa del suo amore lontano. Vedo lacrime. Le annuso come un segugio. E quindi, taglio la corda. Codardamente. Leggetelo pure voi, io passo.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 5, 2020
3 stelle e 1/2
Una storia carina ma ho trovato difficoltà a leggerla in quanto un pò lenta.
All'inizio mi incuriosiva il legame dei due protagonisti Sarah e Will però con il procedere della lettura l'ho trovato un pò fiacco e successivamente anche a tratti un pò irritante.
Nel complesso una lettura non del tutto disastrosa anzi il contrario, anche se non eccezionale, ad eccezione delle parti un pò sentimentali riguardanti i legami familiari e di amicizia che mi sono piaciuti molto.
Una storia carina ma ho trovato difficoltà a leggerla in quanto un pò lenta.
All'inizio mi incuriosiva il legame dei due protagonisti Sarah e Will però con il procedere della lettura l'ho trovato un pò fiacco e successivamente anche a tratti un pò irritante.
Nel complesso una lettura non del tutto disastrosa anzi il contrario, anche se non eccezionale, ad eccezione delle parti un pò sentimentali riguardanti i legami familiari e di amicizia che mi sono piaciuti molto.
May 24, 2017
This will be my next book purchase.
This book was so different from every other romance novel I've ever read.
It will really open your eyes and keep them reading all hours of the day.
This book was so different from every other romance novel I've ever read.
It will really open your eyes and keep them reading all hours of the day.
March 27, 2024
Ma il problema non è il libro, sono io che mi ostino a leggere libri di cui sono palesemente fuori target, che mi serva da lezione
October 31, 2024
In sé il libro non è malvagio, il problema è che sono sempre le stesse storie e quindi sono prevedibili
April 14, 2015
RECENSITO PER ROMANTICAMENTE FANTASY SITO.
Mi trovo decisamente in difficoltà nel recensire questo romanzo, con il rischio di cadere io stessa in contraddizioni, perché se da una parte è lodevole come Jessa Holbrook riesca a elevare ogni sensazione, sentimento, situazione alla massima potenza, dall’altra è spiazzante come si perda in un contesto direi quasi banale, un cliché anche spesso poco apprezzato: il famoso triangolo…, scaraventandolo poi, nelle vite di tre giovani ragazzi.
Triangolo però, la cui regia è guidata in maniera perfetta, forte di uno stile narrativo debordante, sinuoso e irriverente, privo di qualsiasi velo o censura, spiazzante e sconvolgente.
Romanzo che sembra procedere al contrario, partendo senza tregua travolge il lettore in un sentimento audace, erotico, passionale, per poi rallentare, come il ritmo stesso della trama, fino quasi a scemare… trasformando il desiderio spasmodico in amore, quello vero, quello tormentato in cui Sarah – mai titubante nella sua scelta, ma estremante precaria nel portarla avanti – si troverà spiazzata da tutte le angosce, le domande, le paure e gelosie che un rapporto così dirompente può causare. Sarah si smarrisce spesso in traballanti incertezze, in bisogni effimeri dettati dalla necessità di continue conferme che la fanno apparire superficiale quando invece, comprenderemo che in lei c’è, un oceano di forza e personalità. Di sicuro non sarà lei la vittima, certamente Will e Dave appariranno alle lettrici come due icone perfette dell’amore, entrambi virili, maschi e decisamente innamorati di Sarah.
Will era umano. Will Spencer, il re dell’ultimo anno, ricco, famoso e perfetto, era umano. Fu come se una fiamma improvvisa avesse divorato tutta l’aria tra noi. Così, quando le sue nocche mi sfiorano la guancia, non ebbi paura. Mi avvicinai desiderando quel bacio e non mi sentii in colpa per quanto stavo per fare.
Dave mi conosceva molto bene: quando si allontanò, l’emozione del bacio continuò a vibrare. Mi accarezzò con delicatezza la pelle dietro l’orecchio e mi stampò un altro bacio sulle labbra prima di scostarsi. Era il nuovo principe delle favole.
Quello che mi sento di dire è che ho amato follemente lo stile dell’autrice, il suo modo del tutto non convenzionale di dirigere la trama, i capitoli, la narrazione, i dialoghi in un ensemble condotto meravigliosamente, una valanga di potenti emozioni capaci di commuovere e togliere il fiato, ma… il problema è che qui stiamo parlando di ragazzi giovanissimi, appena usciti dall’adolescenza che si trovano ad esprimere sentimenti, esigenze sessuali, turbamenti che non possono essere riconducibili al primo amore, ma che assolutamente appaiono come espressione di una matura consapevolezza, di conoscenza di se stessi, dei proprio limiti, delle proprie esigenze.
Quando ci scambiavamo un’occhiata, era come se ci riconoscessimo. Così era sempre andata con Will, io saltavo e lui mi impediva di cadere.
Will non era rassicurante, prevedibile, né affidabile. Per quello mi piaceva. E per quello ne avevo bisogno.
Un gap veramente forte a parer mio, stridente. Il primo amore non è maturità è consapevolezza, ma conoscenza e pudore: una ragazza come Sarah, così innocente, si trasforma in una traditrice senza scrupoli, persa in un amore viscerale, carnale prima di tutto, che la guida come in trance, nella perdizione e iniziazione del sesso, un mondo a cui, fino all’incontro con Will, lei per prima aveva scelto di affacciarsi in punta di piedi. Si può perdere al testa a qualunque età verissimo, specialmente quando da giovani l’incoscienza rende liberi, ma certi meandri dell’eros, tale consapevolezza del proprio corpo, non rispecchiano una così giovane e innocente età, né uno stile di vita illibato come quello condotto da Sarah fino a Will, incentrato tra scuola, famiglia e musica. Il fatto è che alla fine Sarah dimostrerà di avere ragione, e forse, l’amore invece, può tutto a qualunque età.
Mi trovo decisamente in difficoltà nel recensire questo romanzo, con il rischio di cadere io stessa in contraddizioni, perché se da una parte è lodevole come Jessa Holbrook riesca a elevare ogni sensazione, sentimento, situazione alla massima potenza, dall’altra è spiazzante come si perda in un contesto direi quasi banale, un cliché anche spesso poco apprezzato: il famoso triangolo…, scaraventandolo poi, nelle vite di tre giovani ragazzi.
Triangolo però, la cui regia è guidata in maniera perfetta, forte di uno stile narrativo debordante, sinuoso e irriverente, privo di qualsiasi velo o censura, spiazzante e sconvolgente.
Romanzo che sembra procedere al contrario, partendo senza tregua travolge il lettore in un sentimento audace, erotico, passionale, per poi rallentare, come il ritmo stesso della trama, fino quasi a scemare… trasformando il desiderio spasmodico in amore, quello vero, quello tormentato in cui Sarah – mai titubante nella sua scelta, ma estremante precaria nel portarla avanti – si troverà spiazzata da tutte le angosce, le domande, le paure e gelosie che un rapporto così dirompente può causare. Sarah si smarrisce spesso in traballanti incertezze, in bisogni effimeri dettati dalla necessità di continue conferme che la fanno apparire superficiale quando invece, comprenderemo che in lei c’è, un oceano di forza e personalità. Di sicuro non sarà lei la vittima, certamente Will e Dave appariranno alle lettrici come due icone perfette dell’amore, entrambi virili, maschi e decisamente innamorati di Sarah.
Will era umano. Will Spencer, il re dell’ultimo anno, ricco, famoso e perfetto, era umano. Fu come se una fiamma improvvisa avesse divorato tutta l’aria tra noi. Così, quando le sue nocche mi sfiorano la guancia, non ebbi paura. Mi avvicinai desiderando quel bacio e non mi sentii in colpa per quanto stavo per fare.
Dave mi conosceva molto bene: quando si allontanò, l’emozione del bacio continuò a vibrare. Mi accarezzò con delicatezza la pelle dietro l’orecchio e mi stampò un altro bacio sulle labbra prima di scostarsi. Era il nuovo principe delle favole.
Quello che mi sento di dire è che ho amato follemente lo stile dell’autrice, il suo modo del tutto non convenzionale di dirigere la trama, i capitoli, la narrazione, i dialoghi in un ensemble condotto meravigliosamente, una valanga di potenti emozioni capaci di commuovere e togliere il fiato, ma… il problema è che qui stiamo parlando di ragazzi giovanissimi, appena usciti dall’adolescenza che si trovano ad esprimere sentimenti, esigenze sessuali, turbamenti che non possono essere riconducibili al primo amore, ma che assolutamente appaiono come espressione di una matura consapevolezza, di conoscenza di se stessi, dei proprio limiti, delle proprie esigenze.
Quando ci scambiavamo un’occhiata, era come se ci riconoscessimo. Così era sempre andata con Will, io saltavo e lui mi impediva di cadere.
Will non era rassicurante, prevedibile, né affidabile. Per quello mi piaceva. E per quello ne avevo bisogno.
Un gap veramente forte a parer mio, stridente. Il primo amore non è maturità è consapevolezza, ma conoscenza e pudore: una ragazza come Sarah, così innocente, si trasforma in una traditrice senza scrupoli, persa in un amore viscerale, carnale prima di tutto, che la guida come in trance, nella perdizione e iniziazione del sesso, un mondo a cui, fino all’incontro con Will, lei per prima aveva scelto di affacciarsi in punta di piedi. Si può perdere al testa a qualunque età verissimo, specialmente quando da giovani l’incoscienza rende liberi, ma certi meandri dell’eros, tale consapevolezza del proprio corpo, non rispecchiano una così giovane e innocente età, né uno stile di vita illibato come quello condotto da Sarah fino a Will, incentrato tra scuola, famiglia e musica. Il fatto è che alla fine Sarah dimostrerà di avere ragione, e forse, l’amore invece, può tutto a qualunque età.
September 4, 2015
Romance and Fantasy for Cosmopolitan Girls
Non sempre la scelta “sicura” può coincidere con la scelta giusta per noi. Troppe volte siamo così insicuri del futuro da preferire rifugiarsi nelle nostre certezze che buttarsi in un'avventura. Ed è proprio questo il caso della giovane Sarah, una studentessa, cantante in una band e per giunta fidanzata con il suo chitarrista. Con un carattere piuttosto introverso, la fine di ogni concerto è un tormento, soprattutto per quanto riguarda la parte di vedere il suo Dave stringere amicizie qua e là.
Un invito ad animare una festa sarà l'occasione per Sarah per rischiarare i suoi sentimenti e vedere la sua relazione sotto un altro piano.
Will Spencer è l'esatto opposto di Dave, ha un alone di fascino attorno a se' a cui sembra impossibile resistere e soprattutto guardare con sdegno. La spavalderia tipica di chi sa di spuntarla sempre, di riuscire sempre a ottenere cosa vuole, Will sa perfettamente come comportarsi quando gli gravitano attorno le ragazze, ma nessuno sa che per lui quella è solo una maschera, che lui è molto più di ciò che sembra. E sarà proprio Sarah a scoprire quel suo lato che custodisce così gelosamente agli occhi del mondo. Un bacio rubato e tutto il loro mondo sarà destinato a cambiare per sempre.
Baciare Will Spencer fu facile. Ci muovevamo all'unisono, girandoci nello stesso momento. Era come se fossimo concepiti l’uno per l’altra, la chiave giusta nella serratura giusta. Mi alzai in punta di piedi per arrivare alla sua bocca e gli gettai le braccia al collo. Allungata contro di lui, mi sentii alta e stranamente bella. Il suo tocco non mi aveva trasformata, mi aveva svelata.
Come può un amore come il loro nascere dalle macerie di due cuori infranti? Perché è proprio questo il caso, Sarah e Will sono fidanzati con Dave e Trish, ma per loro quei pochi minuti rubati al mondo sono i più importanti della loro vita, al punto di vivere nell'attesa del successivo incontro.
Con la gola rovente misi piede nel corridoio ma non potei farne a meno: mi girai a guardare.Era sbagliato ma fu un’emozione unica vedere che anche lui era senza fiato.Mi fissò, bramoso, combattuto, lo sguardo che ardeva solo per me.«Cosa vuoi da me, Will?» gli chiesi, mossa da pura e semplice determinazione.
Aspettare non è un problema, soprattutto se si tratta di aspettare per potersi mettere insieme, perché vedersi di nascosto, ormai, non è più plausibile, E così il tempo passa, nell'attesa che i due possano finalmente coronare il loro sogno, ed è proprio quello che poi accade, anche se il cuore di Sarah subirà l'ennesima coltellata quando Will partirà in autunno, dunque non resta loro che vivere ogni attimo che gli resta al massimo, così da imprimersi una parte del cuore dell'altro nel proprio.
«Will» dissi dolcemente e mi allungai per toccarlo.«Non farlo» disse. Quel tono schietto, sincero mi fece sussultare.«Perché ho perso tutto questo tempo. Il nostro tempo. Mi viene l’angoscia al pensiero di quante volte non ti abbia baciato. Di quante notti abbia passato senza sapere che eri tu quella. Ora lo so, e questo mi sta distruggendo.»
Quando la vicinanza fra due cuori rasenta lo zero, è facile vivere respirando l'aria dell'altro, vivere in attesa di quella carezza, quel tocco e quelle farfalle nello stomaco che solo l'altro ti può procurare, ma cosa succede se a quei cuori che hanno appena scoperto di essere la parte mancante dell'altra viene ad aggiungersi una distanza non indifferente, al punto che quei chilometri che li separano sono fonte di dolore e insicurezza, di timori e delusioni?
Non sempre la scelta “sicura” può coincidere con la scelta giusta per noi. Troppe volte siamo così insicuri del futuro da preferire rifugiarsi nelle nostre certezze che buttarsi in un'avventura. Ed è proprio questo il caso della giovane Sarah, una studentessa, cantante in una band e per giunta fidanzata con il suo chitarrista. Con un carattere piuttosto introverso, la fine di ogni concerto è un tormento, soprattutto per quanto riguarda la parte di vedere il suo Dave stringere amicizie qua e là.
Un invito ad animare una festa sarà l'occasione per Sarah per rischiarare i suoi sentimenti e vedere la sua relazione sotto un altro piano.
Will Spencer è l'esatto opposto di Dave, ha un alone di fascino attorno a se' a cui sembra impossibile resistere e soprattutto guardare con sdegno. La spavalderia tipica di chi sa di spuntarla sempre, di riuscire sempre a ottenere cosa vuole, Will sa perfettamente come comportarsi quando gli gravitano attorno le ragazze, ma nessuno sa che per lui quella è solo una maschera, che lui è molto più di ciò che sembra. E sarà proprio Sarah a scoprire quel suo lato che custodisce così gelosamente agli occhi del mondo. Un bacio rubato e tutto il loro mondo sarà destinato a cambiare per sempre.
Baciare Will Spencer fu facile. Ci muovevamo all'unisono, girandoci nello stesso momento. Era come se fossimo concepiti l’uno per l’altra, la chiave giusta nella serratura giusta. Mi alzai in punta di piedi per arrivare alla sua bocca e gli gettai le braccia al collo. Allungata contro di lui, mi sentii alta e stranamente bella. Il suo tocco non mi aveva trasformata, mi aveva svelata.
Come può un amore come il loro nascere dalle macerie di due cuori infranti? Perché è proprio questo il caso, Sarah e Will sono fidanzati con Dave e Trish, ma per loro quei pochi minuti rubati al mondo sono i più importanti della loro vita, al punto di vivere nell'attesa del successivo incontro.
Con la gola rovente misi piede nel corridoio ma non potei farne a meno: mi girai a guardare.Era sbagliato ma fu un’emozione unica vedere che anche lui era senza fiato.Mi fissò, bramoso, combattuto, lo sguardo che ardeva solo per me.«Cosa vuoi da me, Will?» gli chiesi, mossa da pura e semplice determinazione.
Aspettare non è un problema, soprattutto se si tratta di aspettare per potersi mettere insieme, perché vedersi di nascosto, ormai, non è più plausibile, E così il tempo passa, nell'attesa che i due possano finalmente coronare il loro sogno, ed è proprio quello che poi accade, anche se il cuore di Sarah subirà l'ennesima coltellata quando Will partirà in autunno, dunque non resta loro che vivere ogni attimo che gli resta al massimo, così da imprimersi una parte del cuore dell'altro nel proprio.
«Will» dissi dolcemente e mi allungai per toccarlo.«Non farlo» disse. Quel tono schietto, sincero mi fece sussultare.«Perché ho perso tutto questo tempo. Il nostro tempo. Mi viene l’angoscia al pensiero di quante volte non ti abbia baciato. Di quante notti abbia passato senza sapere che eri tu quella. Ora lo so, e questo mi sta distruggendo.»
Quando la vicinanza fra due cuori rasenta lo zero, è facile vivere respirando l'aria dell'altro, vivere in attesa di quella carezza, quel tocco e quelle farfalle nello stomaco che solo l'altro ti può procurare, ma cosa succede se a quei cuori che hanno appena scoperto di essere la parte mancante dell'altra viene ad aggiungersi una distanza non indifferente, al punto che quei chilometri che li separano sono fonte di dolore e insicurezza, di timori e delusioni?
November 23, 2013
Find this review and more at
kimberlyfaye reads
.
This was a great little series-starting novella. Jessa Holbrook did exactly what she should have done with this novella: hooked me. At 48 pages this was a ridiculously quick read. I devoured it. It was well-written with realistic dialogue and great characters that I connected with easily. Funny at times, sweet and sexy at other times, it was a great escape.
I really liked Sarah. The story is told from her POV, so readers learn a lot about her through her internal dialogue. She's in a relationship with Dave, her music partner, but she's insecure. Dave goes a little "rock god" and seems to enjoy their fans' (especially pretty female ones) attention a little more than Sarah is comfortable with. She meets Will, the biggest player in their school, one night after a performance. They had a strong, immediate attraction to each other. Will was swoony. Flawed, but swoony. Sarah sees more under his playboy exterior and I can't wait to learn more myself.
I do feel like the blurb is a little misleading, however. Readers should be aware this isn't a full story as the blurb suggests. The majority of the first book centers on Sarah and Will's first meeting and the powerful connection they feel with each other, despite the fact that they are each in a relationship with someone else. It also deals with the guilt Sarah feels for her actions that night and the start of her "affair" with Will. I have very mixed feelings about cheating in books, but it was hard NOT to connect with Sarah and Will and cheer for them, given the obvious chemistry they have. But if you're sensitive about cheating in books, you might want to steer clear of this one.
If, however, you believe sometimes people are just meant to be together, despite their current situation, and that nothing can stop destiny, this could be the series for you. (Of course, I say this after reading only the first novella and having no idea where the story ultimately ends up. But I have my hopes.) If you're a fan of the passion and intensity of young love, even when it comes with some angst and turmoil, definitely pick this one up. I have the other five novellas in this series all queued up on my iPad. I can't wait to read more!
I received a copy of this book from the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review. All quotes come from the review copy and may differ from the final version.
"Was it just me?"
"It wasn't just you."
This was a great little series-starting novella. Jessa Holbrook did exactly what she should have done with this novella: hooked me. At 48 pages this was a ridiculously quick read. I devoured it. It was well-written with realistic dialogue and great characters that I connected with easily. Funny at times, sweet and sexy at other times, it was a great escape.
"Though his touch skimmed like a feather, it felt like a kiss. A whispered secret that carried an unexpected shot of heart. Caught short, I held a breath as I burned from the inside out. That urgent, animal reaction held me in place."
I really liked Sarah. The story is told from her POV, so readers learn a lot about her through her internal dialogue. She's in a relationship with Dave, her music partner, but she's insecure. Dave goes a little "rock god" and seems to enjoy their fans' (especially pretty female ones) attention a little more than Sarah is comfortable with. She meets Will, the biggest player in their school, one night after a performance. They had a strong, immediate attraction to each other. Will was swoony. Flawed, but swoony. Sarah sees more under his playboy exterior and I can't wait to learn more myself.
"I didn't care that we were basically strangers. That I'd never been like this with anybody. That this was probably wrong. In fact, that seemed to be a reason to keep going. I'd seen a Will no one else had seen. The secret in his pale eyes, the real him that he shrouded in big smiles and lazy flirtation."
I do feel like the blurb is a little misleading, however. Readers should be aware this isn't a full story as the blurb suggests. The majority of the first book centers on Sarah and Will's first meeting and the powerful connection they feel with each other, despite the fact that they are each in a relationship with someone else. It also deals with the guilt Sarah feels for her actions that night and the start of her "affair" with Will. I have very mixed feelings about cheating in books, but it was hard NOT to connect with Sarah and Will and cheer for them, given the obvious chemistry they have. But if you're sensitive about cheating in books, you might want to steer clear of this one.
"This felt like the beginning of something. A seduction that dared me to imagine what might come next. I felt like I'd be waiting for this. Needing it, without even knowing it."
If, however, you believe sometimes people are just meant to be together, despite their current situation, and that nothing can stop destiny, this could be the series for you. (Of course, I say this after reading only the first novella and having no idea where the story ultimately ends up. But I have my hopes.) If you're a fan of the passion and intensity of young love, even when it comes with some angst and turmoil, definitely pick this one up. I have the other five novellas in this series all queued up on my iPad. I can't wait to read more!
I received a copy of this book from the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review. All quotes come from the review copy and may differ from the final version.
October 23, 2013
WHILE YOU’RE AWAY Part I is a fast-paced and entertaining introduction that sets the stage well for what looks to be a fun and sexy story. It consists of the first six chapters in Jessa Holbrook’s six-part serialized novel and gives readers a tease of the complicated situation that Sarah Westlake and Will Spencer have gotten themselves into.
While only a short peek into the characters’ lives is given, enough is revealed to get a sense of who Sarah is, what her relationship with her boyfriend Dave is, and what her feelings for Will are. Right from the start the author introduces conflict into the story, creates sizzling chemistry between two of her characters, and by developing enough of Sarah’s backstory begins to create angst.
Readers are brought into the story at a pivotal moment in Sarah’s, life, a moment that changes everything - whether for the better is still to be determined. By doing so, it creates a story that is lightning-fast and instantly captivating.
And even with just a fraction of this story told in this first part, Jessa Holbrook’s ability to create romantic tension, characters that readers will want to get to know more of, and scenes that are wickedly sexy, makes WHILE YOU’RE AWAY a must keep reading book.
On a personal note...
WHILE YOU’RE AWAY is the perfect sort of novel to serialize. It’s a total tease. It’s sexy. It has the potential to be all sorts of angst-filled. It’s got a good boy who isn’t quite so perfect and a bad boy who may be something more than bad. And it ends in a way - at least this first installment - that makes you desperate to be able to turn the page and find out what comes next.
I love the fact that I was able to quickly devour just a piece of this story in one sitting and not have to set it aside for later. Though having to wait the couple of days for Part II’s release will be more than a little bit torturous given just how things left off.
I am not usually someone who roots for characters who are cheaters, but things weren’t so perfect between Sarah and Dave that it made me open to the idea of Sarah and Will. As it’s still so early, I refuse to choose sides. But as I really do want to get to know more about Will, I have a feeling....
This author wrote a number of beautiful and swoon-worthy passages. She wrote ones that were sweet and romantic. She wrote ones that were all kinds of hot. And she managed to do this, and develop a story and characters, in just six short chapters.
I knew pretty much instantly that I was going to like this book, and by the end of the first part I already love it and can’t wait to see how things develop. And I am definitely glad that a new installment will be releasing each week.
While only a short peek into the characters’ lives is given, enough is revealed to get a sense of who Sarah is, what her relationship with her boyfriend Dave is, and what her feelings for Will are. Right from the start the author introduces conflict into the story, creates sizzling chemistry between two of her characters, and by developing enough of Sarah’s backstory begins to create angst.
Readers are brought into the story at a pivotal moment in Sarah’s, life, a moment that changes everything - whether for the better is still to be determined. By doing so, it creates a story that is lightning-fast and instantly captivating.
And even with just a fraction of this story told in this first part, Jessa Holbrook’s ability to create romantic tension, characters that readers will want to get to know more of, and scenes that are wickedly sexy, makes WHILE YOU’RE AWAY a must keep reading book.
On a personal note...
WHILE YOU’RE AWAY is the perfect sort of novel to serialize. It’s a total tease. It’s sexy. It has the potential to be all sorts of angst-filled. It’s got a good boy who isn’t quite so perfect and a bad boy who may be something more than bad. And it ends in a way - at least this first installment - that makes you desperate to be able to turn the page and find out what comes next.
I love the fact that I was able to quickly devour just a piece of this story in one sitting and not have to set it aside for later. Though having to wait the couple of days for Part II’s release will be more than a little bit torturous given just how things left off.
I am not usually someone who roots for characters who are cheaters, but things weren’t so perfect between Sarah and Dave that it made me open to the idea of Sarah and Will. As it’s still so early, I refuse to choose sides. But as I really do want to get to know more about Will, I have a feeling....
This author wrote a number of beautiful and swoon-worthy passages. She wrote ones that were sweet and romantic. She wrote ones that were all kinds of hot. And she managed to do this, and develop a story and characters, in just six short chapters.
I knew pretty much instantly that I was going to like this book, and by the end of the first part I already love it and can’t wait to see how things develop. And I am definitely glad that a new installment will be releasing each week.
April 18, 2015
E' il turno di Fidati di me,ennesimo Young adult approdato nelle nostre librerie il mese scorso.
La protagonista del romanzo è Sarah,17 anni e un grande talento per la musica. Talento che mette a frutto suonando con la sua band,i Dasa,il cui front man,Dave,è anche il fidanzato di Sarah.
Sembrerebbe perfetto ma in realtà la relazione tra Sarah e Dave,nonostante l'apparenza di perfezione,non funziona così bene se non sul palco dove la loro intesa è davvero perfetta. Ma una volta posati gli strumenti,Dave diventa una specie di dongiovanni che si dimentica di Sarah e dedica le sue attenzioni ad ogni esemplare di genere femminile che si trova nei paraggi.
Proprio durante una di queste occasioni Sarah si ritrova sola con Will,uno dei ragazzi più belli e popolari della scuola,e lì improvvisamente scatta qualcosa,un bacio che sembra però essere l'inizio di qualcosa di molto più importante...
Ancora una volta ho trovato che non sia nulla di speciale,anzi stavolta mi è sembrato proprio di leggere pezzetti presi un po' a caso da vari romanzi simili pubblicati precedentemente. Quello che mi ha lasciato davvero interdetta sono i protagonisti.
Parliamoci chiaro,un romanzo senza dei protagonisti decenti o almeno ben sviluppati non ha ragione di esistere,a meno che non si tratti di una guida di Londra o di un manuale per imparare l'uncinetto. Questo romanzo ha per protagonisti una ragazza che non ha la più pallida idea di quel che vuole e due playboy che racchiudono in sè tutti i clichè possibili dei protagonisti maschili che siamo soliti trovare in uno Young adult.
Inoltre li ho trovati davvero poco caratterizzati,in realtà del loro carattere capiamo davvero poco durante la lettura; solitamente quando leggiamo un romanzo ci immedesimiamo sempre un po' nei personaggi o addirittura ci affezioniamo,in questo caso è impossibile,perchè fino alla fine non ci viene data l'opportunità di conoscerli davvero.
La storia non brilla per originalità,si tratta di un triangolo. Sarah sta con Dave ma non è felice,quindi incontra Will,lo bacia,se ne infatua immediatamente e inizia a frequentarlo di nascosto. Ah senza dimenticare che anche lui è fidanzato. Da qui inizia un tira e molla senza fine di cui non sto a elencarvi i dettagli.
Non mi è piaciuto,non l'ho trovato affatto romantico o emozionante,i personaggi sono piatti e la storia è risultata essere troppo banale e uguale a tante altre.
Dalla quarta di copertina passava l'immagine di una storia d'amore intensa e da batticuore,quando invece quello che ho letto è un libro su un amore adolescenziale confuso,immaturo ed egoista.
E nulla,credo che per un po' starò alla larga dagli young adult!
La protagonista del romanzo è Sarah,17 anni e un grande talento per la musica. Talento che mette a frutto suonando con la sua band,i Dasa,il cui front man,Dave,è anche il fidanzato di Sarah.
Sembrerebbe perfetto ma in realtà la relazione tra Sarah e Dave,nonostante l'apparenza di perfezione,non funziona così bene se non sul palco dove la loro intesa è davvero perfetta. Ma una volta posati gli strumenti,Dave diventa una specie di dongiovanni che si dimentica di Sarah e dedica le sue attenzioni ad ogni esemplare di genere femminile che si trova nei paraggi.
Proprio durante una di queste occasioni Sarah si ritrova sola con Will,uno dei ragazzi più belli e popolari della scuola,e lì improvvisamente scatta qualcosa,un bacio che sembra però essere l'inizio di qualcosa di molto più importante...
Ancora una volta ho trovato che non sia nulla di speciale,anzi stavolta mi è sembrato proprio di leggere pezzetti presi un po' a caso da vari romanzi simili pubblicati precedentemente. Quello che mi ha lasciato davvero interdetta sono i protagonisti.
Parliamoci chiaro,un romanzo senza dei protagonisti decenti o almeno ben sviluppati non ha ragione di esistere,a meno che non si tratti di una guida di Londra o di un manuale per imparare l'uncinetto. Questo romanzo ha per protagonisti una ragazza che non ha la più pallida idea di quel che vuole e due playboy che racchiudono in sè tutti i clichè possibili dei protagonisti maschili che siamo soliti trovare in uno Young adult.
Inoltre li ho trovati davvero poco caratterizzati,in realtà del loro carattere capiamo davvero poco durante la lettura; solitamente quando leggiamo un romanzo ci immedesimiamo sempre un po' nei personaggi o addirittura ci affezioniamo,in questo caso è impossibile,perchè fino alla fine non ci viene data l'opportunità di conoscerli davvero.
La storia non brilla per originalità,si tratta di un triangolo. Sarah sta con Dave ma non è felice,quindi incontra Will,lo bacia,se ne infatua immediatamente e inizia a frequentarlo di nascosto. Ah senza dimenticare che anche lui è fidanzato. Da qui inizia un tira e molla senza fine di cui non sto a elencarvi i dettagli.
Non mi è piaciuto,non l'ho trovato affatto romantico o emozionante,i personaggi sono piatti e la storia è risultata essere troppo banale e uguale a tante altre.
Dalla quarta di copertina passava l'immagine di una storia d'amore intensa e da batticuore,quando invece quello che ho letto è un libro su un amore adolescenziale confuso,immaturo ed egoista.
E nulla,credo che per un po' starò alla larga dagli young adult!
October 25, 2013
It's good. It didn't capture me enough that I'm dying to read what happens next but I might still read #2. Full review to come.
Full review originally posted on Michelle & Leslie's Book Picks book blog:
I admit to being wary of While You're Away when it showed up in my email because it's a serial novel. I'm a very impatient person and I don't like waiting for books so I can't imagine enjoy a book where I'm given just a piece of it (with probably killer cliffhanger after each one)over a six-week period. But as the old saying goes, "you can't knock it til you try it."
Right in the description of While You're Away are the words "cheater" and "love triangle" and that's a big Uh-oh! already. I'm not a fan of either in my reads, but I gave it a chance since I was more interested in how the whole "serial novel" concept than anything else.
Well... I was able to read While You're Away was pretty good. Sarah was likable. She's an introverted musician who was in band with her boyfriend Dave. With his all-American good looks, Dave was a flirt. After their gigs, he likes to go around to bask in the compliments and admiration of their audience (usually girls) while Sarah disappeared in the background. Besides his penchant of flirting, Dave seemed like a good guy.
One night, while Dave was doing his usual mingling after a performance, Sarah bumped into Will. They'd gone to the same school since kindergarten but haven't spoken to each other. Will was the school's bad boy and has a near-mythical reputation of hooking up a lot of girls, but he currently has a girlfriend. But once Sarah and Will started talking, the spark between them was undeniable. Sarah couldn't stay away and it seemed like Will was equally as affected.
Like I said, While You're Away was good. I liked it--if I was inclined to give stars, I'd give it 3/5. However, I've seen these characters before and there's nothing that really stood out about them to me. The story didn't capture me enough and I'm invested in the characters enough that I'm dying to read more. I think for a serial novel to work for me (who has a towering to-be-read pile already) I really have to be really captured and gripped by the first "episode." I wasn't with this one, but if the second part comes my way and I have a pocket of time to read, I'll probably pick it up since the parts are very short (I read While You're Away in one sitting).
Full review originally posted on Michelle & Leslie's Book Picks book blog:
I admit to being wary of While You're Away when it showed up in my email because it's a serial novel. I'm a very impatient person and I don't like waiting for books so I can't imagine enjoy a book where I'm given just a piece of it (with probably killer cliffhanger after each one)over a six-week period. But as the old saying goes, "you can't knock it til you try it."
Right in the description of While You're Away are the words "cheater" and "love triangle" and that's a big Uh-oh! already. I'm not a fan of either in my reads, but I gave it a chance since I was more interested in how the whole "serial novel" concept than anything else.
Well... I was able to read While You're Away was pretty good. Sarah was likable. She's an introverted musician who was in band with her boyfriend Dave. With his all-American good looks, Dave was a flirt. After their gigs, he likes to go around to bask in the compliments and admiration of their audience (usually girls) while Sarah disappeared in the background. Besides his penchant of flirting, Dave seemed like a good guy.
One night, while Dave was doing his usual mingling after a performance, Sarah bumped into Will. They'd gone to the same school since kindergarten but haven't spoken to each other. Will was the school's bad boy and has a near-mythical reputation of hooking up a lot of girls, but he currently has a girlfriend. But once Sarah and Will started talking, the spark between them was undeniable. Sarah couldn't stay away and it seemed like Will was equally as affected.
Like I said, While You're Away was good. I liked it--if I was inclined to give stars, I'd give it 3/5. However, I've seen these characters before and there's nothing that really stood out about them to me. The story didn't capture me enough and I'm invested in the characters enough that I'm dying to read more. I think for a serial novel to work for me (who has a towering to-be-read pile already) I really have to be really captured and gripped by the first "episode." I wasn't with this one, but if the second part comes my way and I have a pocket of time to read, I'll probably pick it up since the parts are very short (I read While You're Away in one sitting).
February 29, 2016
Read this review on my blog! --> While You're Away by Jessa Holbrook
I was really intrigued by the synopsis of While You’re Away from the moment I read it. To be clear, I’m not one to dislike books or characters automatically for cheating. I think it’s something that happens with teenagers all the time. I want to know what led them to doing it. I’m a lot less forgiving when adults cheat, because adults are grown-ups and should be better than teenagers. With that said, lets talk about the first part of While You’re Away.
I was almost immediately sympathetic to Sarah. Sarah is smart, artistic, and funny. I liked her, even if we meet her when she’s not in the best state of mind. See, Sarah and her boyfriend, Dave, are a musical act called Dasa. They both play guitar and sing and it’s totally cute. Except Dave loves basking in the afterglow of each performance by flirting with girls who are fawning all over him. He doesn’t do anything past that, but he also doesn’t pay any mind to his girlfriend, who as you might have guessed isn’t happy about this. She’s told him how she feels about this, but he just can’t help himself. And Dave sounds like a good guy...but that just ticked me off.
Now Will. Will is the school’s bad boy, biggest player. He does have a girlfriend, and he seems to be settled down with her, but when he and Sarah share that first moment together, you can feel their connection right away. It’s not that these two have a lust at first thing, they’ve known each other for years, but I guess they’ve never really had a conversation before. I think that gave their connection and their actions a little more depth in my opinion. I was glad they didn’t just go for it on attraction alone. I don’t think I would’ve felt the same toward them had this been the case.
I can’t believe I have this many thoughts on so little, but it was a good start to a story. I’m intrigued on how it will all play out. I want to know more!! I’m completely looking forward to the next part of While You’re Away.
I was really intrigued by the synopsis of While You’re Away from the moment I read it. To be clear, I’m not one to dislike books or characters automatically for cheating. I think it’s something that happens with teenagers all the time. I want to know what led them to doing it. I’m a lot less forgiving when adults cheat, because adults are grown-ups and should be better than teenagers. With that said, lets talk about the first part of While You’re Away.
I was almost immediately sympathetic to Sarah. Sarah is smart, artistic, and funny. I liked her, even if we meet her when she’s not in the best state of mind. See, Sarah and her boyfriend, Dave, are a musical act called Dasa. They both play guitar and sing and it’s totally cute. Except Dave loves basking in the afterglow of each performance by flirting with girls who are fawning all over him. He doesn’t do anything past that, but he also doesn’t pay any mind to his girlfriend, who as you might have guessed isn’t happy about this. She’s told him how she feels about this, but he just can’t help himself. And Dave sounds like a good guy...but that just ticked me off.
Now Will. Will is the school’s bad boy, biggest player. He does have a girlfriend, and he seems to be settled down with her, but when he and Sarah share that first moment together, you can feel their connection right away. It’s not that these two have a lust at first thing, they’ve known each other for years, but I guess they’ve never really had a conversation before. I think that gave their connection and their actions a little more depth in my opinion. I was glad they didn’t just go for it on attraction alone. I don’t think I would’ve felt the same toward them had this been the case.
I can’t believe I have this many thoughts on so little, but it was a good start to a story. I’m intrigued on how it will all play out. I want to know more!! I’m completely looking forward to the next part of While You’re Away.
January 8, 2014
This was a pleasant little surprise. For a reason I can't quite figure out this book is being published in 6 parts released once a week. So, this is just a review for Part 1.
Now, let me clarify something: I don't like bad boys. In fact, their presence and pervasiveness in YA and NA frustrates me. Give me a sweet, gentle, caring boy (in the vein of Zeke from Immortal Rules or Liam from The Darkest Minds) any day. So imagine my surprise when I was completely taken in by Bad Boy Will from his very first scene.
Relationships, even the best of them, can be complicated. More often than not in the teen years they are a rocky road indeed. Our protag, Sarah, has been in a relationship (and a band) with her boyfriend Dave for 3 years. They both seem to genuinely care for each other. And yet, Dave is relentlessly flirtatious, not stopping even after Sarah has asked him to. However, their relationship is worn in and provides the sort of comfort that anything worn in and well loved does.
So when Sarah finds herself alone with Will, who has a girlfriend of his own, and there's obvious sparks between them, what do you think happens? Yup.
The nice thing is that although Will is supposed to be "the bad boy that is good for you" in Sarah's words, you definitely get the notion that there is much more going on inside him than his reputation lends you to believe. With Sarah, at least, he's a thoughtful and sweet individual...who also happens to be cheating on his girlfriend. At least he's not your typical YA/NA douchebag cheating on his girlfriend? Again, this is just the beginning of the story and it's kind of early to tell...but dammit. I like him. I like him anyway.
Sarah and Will definitely have chemistry and it completely drew me in. Before I knew it I was turning the pages furiously and hoping it wouldn't end. I completely understand Sarah's dilemma. Do you stay with the disrespectful boyfriend who is known and comfortable or do you jump off the ledge into the unknown, the exciting and thrilling? Right into a relationship borne out of infidelity? I guess we'll find out and I can't wait to see where this goes.
Now, let me clarify something: I don't like bad boys. In fact, their presence and pervasiveness in YA and NA frustrates me. Give me a sweet, gentle, caring boy (in the vein of Zeke from Immortal Rules or Liam from The Darkest Minds) any day. So imagine my surprise when I was completely taken in by Bad Boy Will from his very first scene.
Relationships, even the best of them, can be complicated. More often than not in the teen years they are a rocky road indeed. Our protag, Sarah, has been in a relationship (and a band) with her boyfriend Dave for 3 years. They both seem to genuinely care for each other. And yet, Dave is relentlessly flirtatious, not stopping even after Sarah has asked him to. However, their relationship is worn in and provides the sort of comfort that anything worn in and well loved does.
So when Sarah finds herself alone with Will, who has a girlfriend of his own, and there's obvious sparks between them, what do you think happens? Yup.
The nice thing is that although Will is supposed to be "the bad boy that is good for you" in Sarah's words, you definitely get the notion that there is much more going on inside him than his reputation lends you to believe. With Sarah, at least, he's a thoughtful and sweet individual...who also happens to be cheating on his girlfriend. At least he's not your typical YA/NA douchebag cheating on his girlfriend? Again, this is just the beginning of the story and it's kind of early to tell...but dammit. I like him. I like him anyway.
Sarah and Will definitely have chemistry and it completely drew me in. Before I knew it I was turning the pages furiously and hoping it wouldn't end. I completely understand Sarah's dilemma. Do you stay with the disrespectful boyfriend who is known and comfortable or do you jump off the ledge into the unknown, the exciting and thrilling? Right into a relationship borne out of infidelity? I guess we'll find out and I can't wait to see where this goes.
November 22, 2013
3.5 Stars
While You're Away is part one in a six-part serial novel. It is very short and contains only six chapters, so it is really a quick read. Sarah Westcott has been with her boyfriend Dave since they first met when she was a freshman in high school. They are both musicians and play together, calling themselves Dasa. Dave is a great guy and Sarah loves him, but she also gets really frustrated with him after the play somewhere because he always is surrounded by girls, the center of attention, and likes to flirt, though he would never cheat on her. He's an all around great guy otherwise, but this one thing really grates on Sarah's nerves, though she tries not to let it show. Will Spencer is the schools hot boy who all the girls dream about. A former player, he is now the boyfriend of the girl whose house Sarah and Dave are playing at. They bump into each other there, get to talking, and one thing leads to another and Will and Sarah find themselves in each other's arms. The chemistry is electrifying between them, but the problem of each of them being involved with someone else is an issue. Nevertheless, they can't deny what they feel for one another, which causes quite a dilemma.
I normally don't go for cheating novels, but this is nothing like your typical cheating novel. First of all, they are in high school. Sarah has had one boyfriend who she is comfortable with and loves, but is she really in love? Dave has never made her heart pound or caused her to tingle and go weak in the knees, something just the sight of Will Spencer does. Will has a reputation as a player, but Sarah sees a different side of him, or at least she hopes she does, and she thinks he is really honest about the way he feels about her. The story is told from Sarah's point of view, so we really don't get to see what is going on inside Will's head. While You're Away Part One introduces you to the characters and sets the stage for the rest of the installments. It is really well written and captures your attention, while wetting your appetite as you look forward to the next course being served. So far, I've enjoyed it.
While You're Away is part one in a six-part serial novel. It is very short and contains only six chapters, so it is really a quick read. Sarah Westcott has been with her boyfriend Dave since they first met when she was a freshman in high school. They are both musicians and play together, calling themselves Dasa. Dave is a great guy and Sarah loves him, but she also gets really frustrated with him after the play somewhere because he always is surrounded by girls, the center of attention, and likes to flirt, though he would never cheat on her. He's an all around great guy otherwise, but this one thing really grates on Sarah's nerves, though she tries not to let it show. Will Spencer is the schools hot boy who all the girls dream about. A former player, he is now the boyfriend of the girl whose house Sarah and Dave are playing at. They bump into each other there, get to talking, and one thing leads to another and Will and Sarah find themselves in each other's arms. The chemistry is electrifying between them, but the problem of each of them being involved with someone else is an issue. Nevertheless, they can't deny what they feel for one another, which causes quite a dilemma.
I normally don't go for cheating novels, but this is nothing like your typical cheating novel. First of all, they are in high school. Sarah has had one boyfriend who she is comfortable with and loves, but is she really in love? Dave has never made her heart pound or caused her to tingle and go weak in the knees, something just the sight of Will Spencer does. Will has a reputation as a player, but Sarah sees a different side of him, or at least she hopes she does, and she thinks he is really honest about the way he feels about her. The story is told from Sarah's point of view, so we really don't get to see what is going on inside Will's head. While You're Away Part One introduces you to the characters and sets the stage for the rest of the installments. It is really well written and captures your attention, while wetting your appetite as you look forward to the next course being served. So far, I've enjoyed it.
October 26, 2013
I received part 1 of While You’re Away from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This is the first part of a serialized novel, with part 1 released on October 15, 2013, and another part to be released each week through November 19.
At the time I’m writing the review, the first two parts have been released, but I’m only reviewing the first part, the one I received from Netgalley. I’d rather read the whole book at once, so I’ll probably wait until the rest of the parts are out and read them all then. The synopsis above covers the whole book.
Sarah and her boyfriend Dave are a band, performing locally at high school parties and bar mitzvahs. Dave’s the more outgoing half of their relationship and musical partnership, leaving Sarah feeling left out after performances while he works the crowd — especially the female half. One night, a combination of jealousy and social awkwardness sends Sarah into Will’s arms. She knows it’s wrong, but it feels so right.
I think we can all agree that cheating is bad, right? That’s a given. It’s easy to sympathize with the one who’s cheated on. While You’re Away gives us a look at the other side, the cheater’s side. It’s written in the first person, so we get to know Sarah’s thoughts, from that first kiss to whatever happens next.
I’m still not saying that cheating is right. I don’t even know if I like Sarah with Will yet (This is SO SHORT!) or if I would if cheating wasn’t involved. One thing I really like is that when Sarah confesses to her friend Jane, Jane wants to know the details, but she also says that it’s not cool and that Sarah should do it again. I think Jane is going to be supportive of her best friend, but (hopefully) not support the cheating.
It’s hard for me to rate such a short piece of a book, but I really like what I’ve read of While You’re Away. I’m definitely going to read the entire book. I want to see how Will and Sarah’s relationship progresses, what happens when they get caught cheating (because you KNOW they will get caught), and whether they can make it through their physical separation, the guilt of cheating, and the reactions of their friends, families, and Will’s girlfriend/Sarah’s boyfriend.
At the time I’m writing the review, the first two parts have been released, but I’m only reviewing the first part, the one I received from Netgalley. I’d rather read the whole book at once, so I’ll probably wait until the rest of the parts are out and read them all then. The synopsis above covers the whole book.
Sarah and her boyfriend Dave are a band, performing locally at high school parties and bar mitzvahs. Dave’s the more outgoing half of their relationship and musical partnership, leaving Sarah feeling left out after performances while he works the crowd — especially the female half. One night, a combination of jealousy and social awkwardness sends Sarah into Will’s arms. She knows it’s wrong, but it feels so right.
I think we can all agree that cheating is bad, right? That’s a given. It’s easy to sympathize with the one who’s cheated on. While You’re Away gives us a look at the other side, the cheater’s side. It’s written in the first person, so we get to know Sarah’s thoughts, from that first kiss to whatever happens next.
I’m still not saying that cheating is right. I don’t even know if I like Sarah with Will yet (This is SO SHORT!) or if I would if cheating wasn’t involved. One thing I really like is that when Sarah confesses to her friend Jane, Jane wants to know the details, but she also says that it’s not cool and that Sarah should do it again. I think Jane is going to be supportive of her best friend, but (hopefully) not support the cheating.
It’s hard for me to rate such a short piece of a book, but I really like what I’ve read of While You’re Away. I’m definitely going to read the entire book. I want to see how Will and Sarah’s relationship progresses, what happens when they get caught cheating (because you KNOW they will get caught), and whether they can make it through their physical separation, the guilt of cheating, and the reactions of their friends, families, and Will’s girlfriend/Sarah’s boyfriend.
January 17, 2017
PER LEGGERE LA RECENSIONE COMPLETA: http://newadultedintorni.blogspot.it/...
Sono sempre alla ricerca di Young Adult, li adoro. Tra la miriade di letture da recuperare mi sono accorta di questo libro e ho deciso senza molte aspettative di iniziare la lettura. Bè, devo dire che mi ha piacevolmente sorpreso.
Iniziamo dicendo che questo è uno Young Adult davvero anomalo in quanto parte con un'infedeltà ma attenzione, non del protagonista maschile ma di quella femminile o meglio di entrambi.
La prima parte della storia è incentrata soprattutto sulla relazione tra Sarah e Dave. Dave è il suo fidanzato storico nonché miglior amico di Sarah e partner della band formata da loro due.
A una festa Sarah conosce Will e non può fare a meno di rimanerne colpita, di flirtare e baciare questo supersexy ragazzo sogno erotico di tutta la scuola. Lei è consapevole di tradire la fiducia di Dave, che tutto ciò è sbagliato e che sicuramente il suo Dave è 100.000 volte migliore del playboy della scuola ma allo stesso tempo non riesce a rimanere lontana da lui.
Siamo tutti d'accordo sul fatto che tradire è sbagliato, e che Sarah si sta comportando davvero male, ma allo stesso tempo non puoi non comprendere alcune delle ragioni di Sarah, tanto più che la storia viene narrata dal suo punto di vista e quindi vivi tutte le sue insicurezze e i suoi dubbi.
Il bello della storia è che fino all'ultimo secondo tu non capisci realmente se la scelta giusta sia Dave o Will, e quando credi che la strada sia segnata, che le decisioni siano prese tutto viene rimesso in gioco. L'autrice è bravissima nel farti vivere questo stato di ansia perenne in cui fino alle ultimissime pagine ti domandi se la via giusta per Sarah sia davvero Will o se sarebbe il caso per lei riprendere la storia con Dave.
Sono sempre alla ricerca di Young Adult, li adoro. Tra la miriade di letture da recuperare mi sono accorta di questo libro e ho deciso senza molte aspettative di iniziare la lettura. Bè, devo dire che mi ha piacevolmente sorpreso.
Iniziamo dicendo che questo è uno Young Adult davvero anomalo in quanto parte con un'infedeltà ma attenzione, non del protagonista maschile ma di quella femminile o meglio di entrambi.
La prima parte della storia è incentrata soprattutto sulla relazione tra Sarah e Dave. Dave è il suo fidanzato storico nonché miglior amico di Sarah e partner della band formata da loro due.
A una festa Sarah conosce Will e non può fare a meno di rimanerne colpita, di flirtare e baciare questo supersexy ragazzo sogno erotico di tutta la scuola. Lei è consapevole di tradire la fiducia di Dave, che tutto ciò è sbagliato e che sicuramente il suo Dave è 100.000 volte migliore del playboy della scuola ma allo stesso tempo non riesce a rimanere lontana da lui.
Siamo tutti d'accordo sul fatto che tradire è sbagliato, e che Sarah si sta comportando davvero male, ma allo stesso tempo non puoi non comprendere alcune delle ragioni di Sarah, tanto più che la storia viene narrata dal suo punto di vista e quindi vivi tutte le sue insicurezze e i suoi dubbi.
Il bello della storia è che fino all'ultimo secondo tu non capisci realmente se la scelta giusta sia Dave o Will, e quando credi che la strada sia segnata, che le decisioni siano prese tutto viene rimesso in gioco. L'autrice è bravissima nel farti vivere questo stato di ansia perenne in cui fino alle ultimissime pagine ti domandi se la via giusta per Sarah sia davvero Will o se sarebbe il caso per lei riprendere la storia con Dave.
January 17, 2017
PER LEGGERE LA RECENSIONE COMPLETA: http://newadultedintorni.blogspot.it/...
Sono sempre alla ricerca di Young Adult, li adoro. Tra la miriade di letture da recuperare mi sono accorta di questo libro e ho deciso senza molte aspettative di iniziare la lettura. Bè, devo dire che mi ha piacevolmente sorpreso.
Iniziamo dicendo che questo è uno Young Adult davvero anomalo in quanto parte con un'infedeltà ma attenzione, non del protagonista maschile ma di quella femminile o meglio di entrambi.
La prima parte della storia è incentrata soprattutto sulla relazione tra Sarah e Dave. Dave è il suo fidanzato storico nonché miglior amico di Sarah e partner della band formata da loro due.
A una festa Sarah conosce Will e non può fare a meno di rimanerne colpita, di flirtare e baciare questo supersexy ragazzo sogno erotico di tutta la scuola. Lei è consapevole di tradire la fiducia di Dave, che tutto ciò è sbagliato e che sicuramente il suo Dave è 100.000 volte migliore del playboy della scuola ma allo stesso tempo non riesce a rimanere lontana da lui.
Siamo tutti d'accordo sul fatto che tradire è sbagliato, e che Sarah si sta comportando davvero male, ma allo stesso tempo non puoi non comprendere alcune delle ragioni di Sarah, tanto più che la storia viene narrata dal suo punto di vista e quindi vivi tutte le sue insicurezze e i suoi dubbi.
Il bello della storia è che fino all'ultimo secondo tu non capisci realmente se la scelta giusta sia Dave o Will, e quando credi che la strada sia segnata, che le decisioni siano prese tutto viene rimesso in gioco. L'autrice è bravissima nel farti vivere questo stato di ansia perenne in cui fino alle ultimissime pagine ti domandi se la via giusta per Sarah sia davvero Will o se sarebbe il caso per lei riprendere la storia con Dave.
Sono sempre alla ricerca di Young Adult, li adoro. Tra la miriade di letture da recuperare mi sono accorta di questo libro e ho deciso senza molte aspettative di iniziare la lettura. Bè, devo dire che mi ha piacevolmente sorpreso.
Iniziamo dicendo che questo è uno Young Adult davvero anomalo in quanto parte con un'infedeltà ma attenzione, non del protagonista maschile ma di quella femminile o meglio di entrambi.
La prima parte della storia è incentrata soprattutto sulla relazione tra Sarah e Dave. Dave è il suo fidanzato storico nonché miglior amico di Sarah e partner della band formata da loro due.
A una festa Sarah conosce Will e non può fare a meno di rimanerne colpita, di flirtare e baciare questo supersexy ragazzo sogno erotico di tutta la scuola. Lei è consapevole di tradire la fiducia di Dave, che tutto ciò è sbagliato e che sicuramente il suo Dave è 100.000 volte migliore del playboy della scuola ma allo stesso tempo non riesce a rimanere lontana da lui.
Siamo tutti d'accordo sul fatto che tradire è sbagliato, e che Sarah si sta comportando davvero male, ma allo stesso tempo non puoi non comprendere alcune delle ragioni di Sarah, tanto più che la storia viene narrata dal suo punto di vista e quindi vivi tutte le sue insicurezze e i suoi dubbi.
Il bello della storia è che fino all'ultimo secondo tu non capisci realmente se la scelta giusta sia Dave o Will, e quando credi che la strada sia segnata, che le decisioni siano prese tutto viene rimesso in gioco. L'autrice è bravissima nel farti vivere questo stato di ansia perenne in cui fino alle ultimissime pagine ti domandi se la via giusta per Sarah sia davvero Will o se sarebbe il caso per lei riprendere la storia con Dave.
December 20, 2024
While You're Away is Part 1 of a 6 part serialized novel, with a new part being released each week. I thought this was an interesting and entertaining start. The writing was really good, and the characters are beginning to be developed. It's not long enough to get the chance to know the characters very well, but you do get some basic background information to help understand them. I read this first part in one sitting because I got so caught up in the developing story.
Sarah and Dave have been together for a while, and they have a certain level of comfort with each other. They have formed a singing and guitar playing duo. The bad thing is that Dave has a habit of flirting and all but ignoring Sarah after their shows. Sarah is fed up with Dave's behavior and seeks out Will at a party. They immediately feel the chemistry between them and end up making out. Will has a reputation of getting around with lots of girls at school. But to me it definitely seemed like there was a lot more going on with Will below the surface. Something wasn't ringing true about his behavior, and I couldn't reconcile his reputation with the way he was acting around Sarah. I can't wait to find out if I am right about him.
I'm not a fan of cheaters, and I find it difficult to root for them. I always get the feeling that they could have made different choices, like end the relationship they don't want to be in, rather than lie and sneak around. I know I'm in the minority, but I like a good triangle when it's done right, but so far I am not enjoying this one. As of now I'm not sure if I can get behind Sarah and Will as a couple when I don't know how I feel about Sarah and Dave. Hopefully, as the story progresses I will get a better feel for which couple I prefer.
It's difficult to rate such a small part of a book, but I really did enjoy what I have read so far. I think this series has a ton of potential and I am interested in reading the next 5 parts.
Sarah and Dave have been together for a while, and they have a certain level of comfort with each other. They have formed a singing and guitar playing duo. The bad thing is that Dave has a habit of flirting and all but ignoring Sarah after their shows. Sarah is fed up with Dave's behavior and seeks out Will at a party. They immediately feel the chemistry between them and end up making out. Will has a reputation of getting around with lots of girls at school. But to me it definitely seemed like there was a lot more going on with Will below the surface. Something wasn't ringing true about his behavior, and I couldn't reconcile his reputation with the way he was acting around Sarah. I can't wait to find out if I am right about him.
I'm not a fan of cheaters, and I find it difficult to root for them. I always get the feeling that they could have made different choices, like end the relationship they don't want to be in, rather than lie and sneak around. I know I'm in the minority, but I like a good triangle when it's done right, but so far I am not enjoying this one. As of now I'm not sure if I can get behind Sarah and Will as a couple when I don't know how I feel about Sarah and Dave. Hopefully, as the story progresses I will get a better feel for which couple I prefer.
It's difficult to rate such a small part of a book, but I really did enjoy what I have read so far. I think this series has a ton of potential and I am interested in reading the next 5 parts.
June 9, 2014
This is not a book I would have EVER normally picked up. The whole story line of "can cheaters ever change?" is not enticing. I do not like cheaters; I don't condone their behavior and I believe that karma will come back to bite them. That being said, the writing was solid. I know this is a pseudonym of a well known young adult author, and I can understand why she didn't attach her name to this particular piece of tripe. The characters have depth and teens will definitely enjoy the banter and musings of these high school characters, but... that's were my praises end. "Jessa Holbrook" definitely wasted her talent on this crap story line and will hopefully work on other pieces of meaningful teen lit.
If you're wondering why I despised this story let me break down the plot for you. Sarah and her boyfriend Dave are talented musicians, singers, and songwriters (they have it all!) and have a kick ass band together called Dasa. After a performance Sarah finds herself in a room with the high school man-whore, Will, and they end up making out. Sarah is Torn. She esteems Dave and loves what they have, BUT she thinks that there is something deeper with the wealthy, too good looking to be real man slut that is Will. She eventually decides to dump Dave after seeing Will behind his back (harlot) and Will eventually leaves his girlfriend (shocker). Together they are perfect and soo soo in love (cue little birdies singing). But oh no! Will has to go to college! Can Sarah trust Will around other girls?! Especially since he is a womanizer and known cheater? "Can a love born from betrayal stay true?" Barf. The worst part about this story was the end. It was ridiculous and I feel like I need to apologize to any self-respecting females out there. You are better than Sarah. Please always remember that. I guess that is the real lesson from this, because clearly cheating is alright if you find your "soulmate" (yeah right!).
If you're wondering why I despised this story let me break down the plot for you. Sarah and her boyfriend Dave are talented musicians, singers, and songwriters (they have it all!) and have a kick ass band together called Dasa. After a performance Sarah finds herself in a room with the high school man-whore, Will, and they end up making out. Sarah is Torn. She esteems Dave and loves what they have, BUT she thinks that there is something deeper with the wealthy, too good looking to be real man slut that is Will. She eventually decides to dump Dave after seeing Will behind his back (harlot) and Will eventually leaves his girlfriend (shocker). Together they are perfect and soo soo in love (cue little birdies singing). But oh no! Will has to go to college! Can Sarah trust Will around other girls?! Especially since he is a womanizer and known cheater? "Can a love born from betrayal stay true?" Barf. The worst part about this story was the end. It was ridiculous and I feel like I need to apologize to any self-respecting females out there. You are better than Sarah. Please always remember that. I guess that is the real lesson from this, because clearly cheating is alright if you find your "soulmate" (yeah right!).
October 26, 2013
3.5 Star Review
Ok I should have known better since I went into this book knowing it was a serialized novel, however I still wound up being disappointed as this first part just seemed way too short. Now with that being said this book has all the makings for a good novel. There is the typical bad boy, Will, that is gorgeous, everyone wants, and apparently most girls have had some interaction with. Sarah is the introverted girl in a band that must apparently be hot enough for Will to take notice. And to add the twist, they both are already in relationships with near perfect people.
So why do Sarah and Will end up together, I really don't know. Sarah obviously is a little fed up with her boyfriend Dave's flirtacious behavior after their performances and can't deny her attraction to Will. What I don't get is what Will is doing going after Sarah. We don't get the insight as to why this happens or why he is pursuing Sarah. Perhaps we will get that information in one of the next parts.
I really did enjoy Holbrook's writing. The story flows quickly and she does a great job describing the chemistry between Sarah and Will. My only issue is that I don't think this is a twelve dollar story. That is how much it would cost someone to get all six parts of While You're Away. So even though I enjoyed this first part, I am not sure I will be wanting to pay or wait for the next five.
Thanks to NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Ok I should have known better since I went into this book knowing it was a serialized novel, however I still wound up being disappointed as this first part just seemed way too short. Now with that being said this book has all the makings for a good novel. There is the typical bad boy, Will, that is gorgeous, everyone wants, and apparently most girls have had some interaction with. Sarah is the introverted girl in a band that must apparently be hot enough for Will to take notice. And to add the twist, they both are already in relationships with near perfect people.
So why do Sarah and Will end up together, I really don't know. Sarah obviously is a little fed up with her boyfriend Dave's flirtacious behavior after their performances and can't deny her attraction to Will. What I don't get is what Will is doing going after Sarah. We don't get the insight as to why this happens or why he is pursuing Sarah. Perhaps we will get that information in one of the next parts.
I really did enjoy Holbrook's writing. The story flows quickly and she does a great job describing the chemistry between Sarah and Will. My only issue is that I don't think this is a twelve dollar story. That is how much it would cost someone to get all six parts of While You're Away. So even though I enjoyed this first part, I am not sure I will be wanting to pay or wait for the next five.
Thanks to NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews