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The Fish Tales #2
Give Me Your Answer True
"What I feel has no name..."
Suanne Laqueur's award-winning debut novel The Man I Love thrilled readers with its memorable characters and depth of emotion. Erik Fiskare's journey of love, recovery and forgiveness captivated hearts but also left questions unanswered. Now Daisy Bianco has a chance to tell her story.
It's been three years since a single lapse of judgment cost Daisy the love of her life. Erik was a conduit to her soul but now he's chosen a path of total disconnection, refusing to speak to her or acknowledge her betrayal. Alone and shattered, Daisy attempts to take responsibility for her actions while building her career as a professional dancer in New York City. But Erik's unforgiving estrangement proves too much for her strength. Plagued by flashbacks to the Lancaster shootings, she falls into a dangerous spiral of self-harm, cutting into her own skin as a means to atone. Only the timely appearance of an old friend, John "Opie" Quillis, saves her from self-destruction and gives her a chance to love again.
Laqueur skillfully weaves flashbacks to the college years with Daisy's present life. Supported by John's patient affection, she works to separate her evolution as an adult from the unresolved guilt and grief of her youth. As her professional accomplishments lift her out of depression, Daisy learns to hold onto her accountability without letting it become her identity. Years pass and she builds a beautiful life filled with dance and friends. Lovers come and eventually go, leaving her on her own with the old thought: Come back to me.
In this parallel narrative, Laqueur peels open the beloved characters from The Man I Love to reveal new and complex layers of vulnerability. The scars from the shooting are deep and pervasive within this circle of friends. Like Daisy, they are trying to evolve without being fully resolved. But when questions from the past go unheeded, you alone must find and give your answers true.
"One doesn't read Laqueur's novels, you experience them... These characters are like people I know and I'm not going to forget them any time soon."
--Emma Scott, author of RUSH
"Laqueur crafts these characters and knows their ins and outs and bones and blood so well. As readers, we are sucked into their lives. We feel what they feel. We ache when they ache. We cry when they cry. And we miss them desperately when the story is over. This is the gift Laqueur has given to us with her writing."
--Mary Frame, author of of Imperfect Chemistry and Imperfectly Criminal
"Laqueur has a way of getting to the essence of a scene or character with just a few words carefully placed. They're gorgeous and sad filled with hope and hopelessness and fully intent on drawing you in. Give Me Your Answer True is the kind of book you think about long after it's over..."
--Kayti Nika Raet, author of The Monster Chronicles
"Five stars. Give Me Your Answer True is further affirmation that Suanne Laqueur is a truly gifted writer and knows how to create lasting memory through her superb storytelling ability."
--Diane Lunsford, Feathered Quill Book Reviews
Suanne Laqueur's award-winning debut novel The Man I Love thrilled readers with its memorable characters and depth of emotion. Erik Fiskare's journey of love, recovery and forgiveness captivated hearts but also left questions unanswered. Now Daisy Bianco has a chance to tell her story.
It's been three years since a single lapse of judgment cost Daisy the love of her life. Erik was a conduit to her soul but now he's chosen a path of total disconnection, refusing to speak to her or acknowledge her betrayal. Alone and shattered, Daisy attempts to take responsibility for her actions while building her career as a professional dancer in New York City. But Erik's unforgiving estrangement proves too much for her strength. Plagued by flashbacks to the Lancaster shootings, she falls into a dangerous spiral of self-harm, cutting into her own skin as a means to atone. Only the timely appearance of an old friend, John "Opie" Quillis, saves her from self-destruction and gives her a chance to love again.
Laqueur skillfully weaves flashbacks to the college years with Daisy's present life. Supported by John's patient affection, she works to separate her evolution as an adult from the unresolved guilt and grief of her youth. As her professional accomplishments lift her out of depression, Daisy learns to hold onto her accountability without letting it become her identity. Years pass and she builds a beautiful life filled with dance and friends. Lovers come and eventually go, leaving her on her own with the old thought: Come back to me.
In this parallel narrative, Laqueur peels open the beloved characters from The Man I Love to reveal new and complex layers of vulnerability. The scars from the shooting are deep and pervasive within this circle of friends. Like Daisy, they are trying to evolve without being fully resolved. But when questions from the past go unheeded, you alone must find and give your answers true.
"One doesn't read Laqueur's novels, you experience them... These characters are like people I know and I'm not going to forget them any time soon."
--Emma Scott, author of RUSH
"Laqueur crafts these characters and knows their ins and outs and bones and blood so well. As readers, we are sucked into their lives. We feel what they feel. We ache when they ache. We cry when they cry. And we miss them desperately when the story is over. This is the gift Laqueur has given to us with her writing."
--Mary Frame, author of of Imperfect Chemistry and Imperfectly Criminal
"Laqueur has a way of getting to the essence of a scene or character with just a few words carefully placed. They're gorgeous and sad filled with hope and hopelessness and fully intent on drawing you in. Give Me Your Answer True is the kind of book you think about long after it's over..."
--Kayti Nika Raet, author of The Monster Chronicles
"Five stars. Give Me Your Answer True is further affirmation that Suanne Laqueur is a truly gifted writer and knows how to create lasting memory through her superb storytelling ability."
--Diane Lunsford, Feathered Quill Book Reviews
501 pages, Paperback
First published June 20, 2015
36 people are currently reading
1436 people want to read
About the author
Suanne Laqueur
28 books1,579 followersA former professional dancer and teacher, Suanne Laqueur went from choreographing music to choreographing words, writing stories that appeal to the passions of all readers, crossing gender, age and genre. As a devoted mental health advocate, her novels focus on both romantic and familial relationships, as well as psychology, PTSD and generational trauma.
Laqueur’s novel An Exaltation of Larks was the grand prize winner in the 2017 Writer’s Digest Book Awards and took first place in the 2019 North Street Book Prize. Her debut novel The Man I Love won a gold medal in the 2015 Readers’ Favorite Book Awards and was named Best Debut in the Feathered Quill Book Awards. Her follow-up novel, Give Me Your Answer True, was also a gold medal winner at the 2016 RFBA.
Laqueur graduated from Alfred University with a double major in dance and theater. She taught at the Carol Bierman School of Ballet Arts in Croton-on-Hudson for ten years. An avid reader, cook and gardener, she started her blog EatsReadsThinks in 2010.
Suanne lives in Westchester County, New York with her husband and two children.
Laqueur’s novel An Exaltation of Larks was the grand prize winner in the 2017 Writer’s Digest Book Awards and took first place in the 2019 North Street Book Prize. Her debut novel The Man I Love won a gold medal in the 2015 Readers’ Favorite Book Awards and was named Best Debut in the Feathered Quill Book Awards. Her follow-up novel, Give Me Your Answer True, was also a gold medal winner at the 2016 RFBA.
Laqueur graduated from Alfred University with a double major in dance and theater. She taught at the Carol Bierman School of Ballet Arts in Croton-on-Hudson for ten years. An avid reader, cook and gardener, she started her blog EatsReadsThinks in 2010.
Suanne lives in Westchester County, New York with her husband and two children.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 266 reviews
April 11, 2017
I started reading, or rather, listening to, 'Give Me Your Answer True' immediately after finishing 'The Man I Love'. I fell in love with Erik, Daisy and the full cast of supporting characters in the first book, but I want more. I need to hear each of their unique perspectives. I cannot get enough of this story!
'Give Me Your Answer True' provides Daisy's account of events. Erik's perspective was provided in the first book and my heart broke alongside his. However, I needed to hear Daisy's point of view. I had to know what the hell she was thinking and why she did what she did.
This book gave me the answers I had been craving. While I can't say that I was satisfied with Daisy's reasons, it is what it is. The truth is that she did something thoughtless and hurtful and had to live with the consequences of her actions for many years to come. I am still angry with Daisy. (Yes, I get angry with fictional characters!) However, nobody could be more disappointed in her than she was in herself. I had to remind myself that she was only human and, like everyone, she makes mistakes.
That being said, I was completely on-board with Erik's total abandonment of Daisy. I know that most of my friends were like, "that's harsh", but not me. Nothing bothers me more than having a character that really screws up and then is forgiven with little more than an apology, like what they did wasn't absolutely devastating. Nope! I expect for them to suffer and live with the emotional pain that they caused [me] when they screwed up. I expect some serious groveling before forgiveness is granted. Thankfully, that is exactly what I got with this book. Grovel away, Daisy!
Not surprisingly, Daisy's story was heartbreaking. She definitely had to hit bottom before she could start to piece her life together again. While I felt for her, I never forgot that her pain was self-inflicted. She made her bed and was forced to sleep in it.
The same goes for David and John "Opie" Quillis. They may have wanted Daisy and even cared about her in their own way, but they knew whom her heart belonged to. I understood their motivations, but couldn't really sympathize with them too much.
I guess I can be kind of harsh when it comes to any interference between the "original" love interests. I always want the first couple that I fall in love with to end up together. In this case, that would be Erik and Daisy. Rarely, do I ever come around to accepting a subsequent relationship for the hero or heroine of a story. Accordingly, I never got the least bit attached to Erik's wife or any of Daisy's boyfriends during the years that they were apart. They were just meaningless place-holders to me.
Although I continue to love this series, I can't deny that I didn't like this book quite as much as the first one. That is probably due to the fact that I was not as sympathetic toward Daisy as I was toward Erik. However, that isn't to say that this book wasn't fantastic. It was terrific!
I will definitely be continuing this series. I'm diving right into the third book and cannot wait to see what the future holds for Erik and Daisy. Finally, it seems as if they might get things back on track. I am also hopeful that Erik can repair the damage done to his friendship with Will. If his break-up with Daisy was her fault, only he is to blame for the rift in his friendship with Will.
'Give Me Your Answer True' provides Daisy's account of events. Erik's perspective was provided in the first book and my heart broke alongside his. However, I needed to hear Daisy's point of view. I had to know what the hell she was thinking and why she did what she did.
This book gave me the answers I had been craving. While I can't say that I was satisfied with Daisy's reasons, it is what it is. The truth is that she did something thoughtless and hurtful and had to live with the consequences of her actions for many years to come. I am still angry with Daisy. (Yes, I get angry with fictional characters!) However, nobody could be more disappointed in her than she was in herself. I had to remind myself that she was only human and, like everyone, she makes mistakes.
That being said, I was completely on-board with Erik's total abandonment of Daisy. I know that most of my friends were like, "that's harsh", but not me. Nothing bothers me more than having a character that really screws up and then is forgiven with little more than an apology, like what they did wasn't absolutely devastating. Nope! I expect for them to suffer and live with the emotional pain that they caused [me] when they screwed up. I expect some serious groveling before forgiveness is granted. Thankfully, that is exactly what I got with this book. Grovel away, Daisy!
Not surprisingly, Daisy's story was heartbreaking. She definitely had to hit bottom before she could start to piece her life together again. While I felt for her, I never forgot that her pain was self-inflicted. She made her bed and was forced to sleep in it.
The same goes for David and John "Opie" Quillis. They may have wanted Daisy and even cared about her in their own way, but they knew whom her heart belonged to. I understood their motivations, but couldn't really sympathize with them too much.
I guess I can be kind of harsh when it comes to any interference between the "original" love interests. I always want the first couple that I fall in love with to end up together. In this case, that would be Erik and Daisy. Rarely, do I ever come around to accepting a subsequent relationship for the hero or heroine of a story. Accordingly, I never got the least bit attached to Erik's wife or any of Daisy's boyfriends during the years that they were apart. They were just meaningless place-holders to me.
Although I continue to love this series, I can't deny that I didn't like this book quite as much as the first one. That is probably due to the fact that I was not as sympathetic toward Daisy as I was toward Erik. However, that isn't to say that this book wasn't fantastic. It was terrific!
I will definitely be continuing this series. I'm diving right into the third book and cannot wait to see what the future holds for Erik and Daisy. Finally, it seems as if they might get things back on track. I am also hopeful that Erik can repair the damage done to his friendship with Will. If his break-up with Daisy was her fault, only he is to blame for the rift in his friendship with Will.
November 9, 2017
*****4.75*****
Here we are folks….
I have just finished Give Me Your Answer True by Suanne Laqueur and I FLOVED it!!!
This is the second book of the series and I highly suggest you read book one The Man I Love before this one.
Book 1 is from Erik's POV and book 2 is from Daisy's POV. This only the second series I've read that has 2 books for the same complete story told in different POV's. I really liked the style and I think it was needed to tell this story as deeply as it needed to be told.
Since I have already reviewed book one, this will be more like a quick chat about the book and not really a review. ---> book 1 review https://prettymessreading.wordpress.c...
So, let's chat....
Here’s a bit of information about Daisy from book 1
* She’s a ballerina in college
* She had an amazing boyfriend, Erik, until he walked in to find her in while she was fucking their friend.
* She was shot by her friend James after he opened fire in the college theater killing her friends and wounding others.
*************************************************
After book 1 I really needed to understand why she cheated on Erik with David. I also needed to know why she didn't go to Erik in person to fix things. I won't give anything away but I will say, I thought her reasons were bullshit and childlike.
I absolutely adored Daisy but I never had any pity for her like others did. Her pain was self-inflicted. I had empathy for the girl but that's it.
At the same time, I was rooting for her the entire book. Her cheating on Erik was not enough for me to think she was a bitch anymore - because if you read my review on book 1 you know I thought she was a horrible bitch. I don't regret feeling that way because that's how she came across. This book allowed me a chance to get to know Daisy in a way I couldn't before and I liked that.
I despise when people waste time! Daisy and Erik wasted 12 years! There was 12 years worth of love gone because they didn't fight hard enough for each other. Now by us, I mean Daisy. Considering the school shooting I would have hoped that they realized how precious time is and would not have wasted 12 years.
There were many revelations in the book which I enjoyed. It was interesting to see how simiular Daisy and Erik's life was when they were apart. Both of them never truly lived or loved completely until they found each other again and that is just sad.
I felt sad for Daisy, she lost her self-worth and that's one of the hardest things for a woman.
How horrible is that to say to yourself everyday? I wouldn't wish that on any woman.
In the end Daisy did do her best to try to forgive herself but it was a difficult journey. When she started cutting herself I was so sad. I personally have never felt the need to do that but I've known those who have and it was heartbreaking.
Give Me Your Answer True takes you on a painful journey of love, loss and more. It was an amazing read and I will never, ever forget it. I would suggest you read this series, it will be worth it...trust me. (start with The Man I Love)
If you really want to know how I feel and get my unfiltered chat...https://prettymessreading.wordpress.c...
Follow all my crazy….
https://prettymessreading.wordpress.com/
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/prettymessr...
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/prettymessre...
Twitter https://twitter.com/prettymessread
Here we are folks….
I have just finished Give Me Your Answer True by Suanne Laqueur and I FLOVED it!!!
This is the second book of the series and I highly suggest you read book one The Man I Love before this one.
Book 1 is from Erik's POV and book 2 is from Daisy's POV. This only the second series I've read that has 2 books for the same complete story told in different POV's. I really liked the style and I think it was needed to tell this story as deeply as it needed to be told.
Since I have already reviewed book one, this will be more like a quick chat about the book and not really a review. ---> book 1 review https://prettymessreading.wordpress.c...
So, let's chat....
Here’s a bit of information about Daisy from book 1
* She’s a ballerina in college
* She had an amazing boyfriend, Erik, until he walked in to find her in while she was fucking their friend.
* She was shot by her friend James after he opened fire in the college theater killing her friends and wounding others.
*************************************************
After book 1 I really needed to understand why she cheated on Erik with David. I also needed to know why she didn't go to Erik in person to fix things. I won't give anything away but I will say, I thought her reasons were bullshit and childlike.
I absolutely adored Daisy but I never had any pity for her like others did. Her pain was self-inflicted. I had empathy for the girl but that's it.
At the same time, I was rooting for her the entire book. Her cheating on Erik was not enough for me to think she was a bitch anymore - because if you read my review on book 1 you know I thought she was a horrible bitch. I don't regret feeling that way because that's how she came across. This book allowed me a chance to get to know Daisy in a way I couldn't before and I liked that.
I despise when people waste time! Daisy and Erik wasted 12 years! There was 12 years worth of love gone because they didn't fight hard enough for each other. Now by us, I mean Daisy. Considering the school shooting I would have hoped that they realized how precious time is and would not have wasted 12 years.
There were many revelations in the book which I enjoyed. It was interesting to see how simiular Daisy and Erik's life was when they were apart. Both of them never truly lived or loved completely until they found each other again and that is just sad.
I felt sad for Daisy, she lost her self-worth and that's one of the hardest things for a woman.
I hate everything. I hate with I did. I hate who I am.
You stupid, stupid bitch.
It's all yours. Deal with it. You made this bed. Lie down and deal. Own it. You did this. You only have yourself to blame. Stop crying and own it. It's yours.
Never again. He'll never touch me again. He'll never speak to me again.
He doesn't care where I am anymore.
You ruined it. You did this.
You stupid bitch."
How horrible is that to say to yourself everyday? I wouldn't wish that on any woman.
In the end Daisy did do her best to try to forgive herself but it was a difficult journey. When she started cutting herself I was so sad. I personally have never felt the need to do that but I've known those who have and it was heartbreaking.
Give Me Your Answer True takes you on a painful journey of love, loss and more. It was an amazing read and I will never, ever forget it. I would suggest you read this series, it will be worth it...trust me. (start with The Man I Love)
If you really want to know how I feel and get my unfiltered chat...https://prettymessreading.wordpress.c...
Follow all my crazy….
https://prettymessreading.wordpress.com/
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/prettymessr...
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/prettymessre...
Twitter https://twitter.com/prettymessread
February 18, 2024
4.5 stars
After reading the first book in the series, I’m not going to lie, I was a bit nervous to read this. I was heartbroken for Daisy, but I was also a bit upset with her and I really needed the why of what she did what she did.
Being in Daisy’s head made me understand her better and I could see the situation through a different set of eyes. I still don’t like what happened, but I get it. I get her and I love her and I can’t wait to read the next book and my goodness these two need the most epic of happily ever afters after all they’ve been through.
Give Me Your Answer True was so much more than a retelling from the first book. Yes, there are some scenes from book one from Daisy’s perspective but they were so needed. More than anything, there is tons of new content from Daisy and Erik’s time apart and it really focuses on her growth and healing.
This series is becoming a new favorite of mine. These books are profound, epic, and reading them is an experience. I adore these characters and I can’t wait to dive into book 3 and get more Erik, Daisy, and of course Lucky and Will!!
“It feels like your darkest time. But I think it’s going to be your finest hour.”
After reading the first book in the series, I’m not going to lie, I was a bit nervous to read this. I was heartbroken for Daisy, but I was also a bit upset with her and I really needed the why of what she did what she did.
Being in Daisy’s head made me understand her better and I could see the situation through a different set of eyes. I still don’t like what happened, but I get it. I get her and I love her and I can’t wait to read the next book and my goodness these two need the most epic of happily ever afters after all they’ve been through.
Give Me Your Answer True was so much more than a retelling from the first book. Yes, there are some scenes from book one from Daisy’s perspective but they were so needed. More than anything, there is tons of new content from Daisy and Erik’s time apart and it really focuses on her growth and healing.
This series is becoming a new favorite of mine. These books are profound, epic, and reading them is an experience. I adore these characters and I can’t wait to dive into book 3 and get more Erik, Daisy, and of course Lucky and Will!!
“I have so much to tell you,” he whispered against her face. “And not enough time.”
“We have nothing but time now,” she said. “Come lie down with me. Tell me everything. We’ll talk forever.”
Read
April 12, 2025**EXCERPT**
“Can I see your ring?” she asked. David pulled the puzzling band off his index finger and handed it over.
“Funny,” he said as he watched her play with it. “That day…”
She smiled. “The day. Capital D.”
“If I could go back and do it over, Marge. I swear I would.”
“I know,” she said. “Me too.”
They went quiet a few minutes, their heads moving in unconscious rhythm to the reggae playing over the speakers.
“I don’t remember much from the fight,” David said. “Two things really. Three. One, being shocked Erik had that kind of fight in him. I’d never seen him touch anyone, male or female, with anything but kindness or love or respect. The strength of his rage… Jesus, I didn’t know who he was.”
“Me neither.”
“And I let him. That’s the second thing. I didn’t fight back. I just tried to shield my most breakable parts and let him have at it. Mostly because I deserved it. Partly because…” His voice broke apart and he looked off to the side, tears tracking down his face.
Daisy put the ring down and reached to squeeze his fingers.
“Because I didn’t want him taking it out on you. When you… You tried to grab him and he pushed you off and you went flying back on the floor. I thought, My God, he’s gonna kill her, too. And I hit him then. To get him to refocus on me.”
She put her other hand on the pile of their fingers.
“What’s the third thing?” she asked softly.
David took a long swallow of coffee. “He was punching the shit out of me and he said something. Like, ‘She’s the last good thing you’re going to feel in your life.’ And for a long time, he was right. It was like he cursed me. Nothing and no one felt good for…” A small chuckle in his chest. “Many moons.”
“Me too,” she said. “I almost envied you getting beat up like that. I had to beat myself up. For too many moons.”
He freed one of his hands and pushed a strand of hair out of her face. “We made it, though.”
“We did.”
“Wherever he is and whatever he’s doing, Dais… I know he still loves you.”
She shrugged and looked out the window.
“Trust me. If I still love you, he still loves you. If I go, we all go. I got my hands on the curtain rope, remember? Nothing happens until I pull.”
She laughed and picked up the puzzle ring again. “You love the last moment. You just want to get there, not be there.”
He smiled. “Over the years, I’ve learned to make friends with the destination.”
“Can I see your ring?” she asked. David pulled the puzzling band off his index finger and handed it over.
“Funny,” he said as he watched her play with it. “That day…”
She smiled. “The day. Capital D.”
“If I could go back and do it over, Marge. I swear I would.”
“I know,” she said. “Me too.”
They went quiet a few minutes, their heads moving in unconscious rhythm to the reggae playing over the speakers.
“I don’t remember much from the fight,” David said. “Two things really. Three. One, being shocked Erik had that kind of fight in him. I’d never seen him touch anyone, male or female, with anything but kindness or love or respect. The strength of his rage… Jesus, I didn’t know who he was.”
“Me neither.”
“And I let him. That’s the second thing. I didn’t fight back. I just tried to shield my most breakable parts and let him have at it. Mostly because I deserved it. Partly because…” His voice broke apart and he looked off to the side, tears tracking down his face.
Daisy put the ring down and reached to squeeze his fingers.
“Because I didn’t want him taking it out on you. When you… You tried to grab him and he pushed you off and you went flying back on the floor. I thought, My God, he’s gonna kill her, too. And I hit him then. To get him to refocus on me.”
She put her other hand on the pile of their fingers.
“What’s the third thing?” she asked softly.
David took a long swallow of coffee. “He was punching the shit out of me and he said something. Like, ‘She’s the last good thing you’re going to feel in your life.’ And for a long time, he was right. It was like he cursed me. Nothing and no one felt good for…” A small chuckle in his chest. “Many moons.”
“Me too,” she said. “I almost envied you getting beat up like that. I had to beat myself up. For too many moons.”
He freed one of his hands and pushed a strand of hair out of her face. “We made it, though.”
“We did.”
“Wherever he is and whatever he’s doing, Dais… I know he still loves you.”
She shrugged and looked out the window.
“Trust me. If I still love you, he still loves you. If I go, we all go. I got my hands on the curtain rope, remember? Nothing happens until I pull.”
She laughed and picked up the puzzle ring again. “You love the last moment. You just want to get there, not be there.”
He smiled. “Over the years, I’ve learned to make friends with the destination.”
October 11, 2017
You can read my "The Man I Love" 1st book review with this link...
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
------------------
“I have so much to tell you,” he whispered against her face. “And not enough time.”
“We have nothing but time now,” she said. “Come lie down with me. Tell me everything. We’ll talk forever.”
- Perfection -
My God. I feel like I'm on the emotional rollercoaster since I start to read this series. This books were on my Kindle very long time and they were been waiting to be read... And my god, Why I waited so long to read them? How I lived my life without knowing this beautiful and broken love story? How? Because since I start to read "The Man I Love" I literally lost myself on those pages... And if someone told me 5 years ago that one book will change you for the rest of your life. I'd never believe it but since I start to read Erik & Daisy's story, all I ever think is to read (devour) this books. Forget about eating & sleeping because Erik & Daisy, literally taken over my life and all I want to see their happy moments. They deserved this or I need to see their finish line with a happy end because I simply want to see a fictional character's happiness! Is this sounds silly? Maybe, but I've had through a lot with them while I was reading their story and after a while I felt like that I'm the main character in this books and God dammit, I deserve a freaking HEA! So yeah, I really, really lost myself on those pages... <3
I loved "The Man I Love" so much and I'm still thinking about it... But I loved this one too. It was so overwhelming to read / feel Daisy's thoughts. What she lived, what she felt during that horrible times.. My God, I ugly cried so many times in the middle of night all alone in my living room with her and she really broke my heart. And this book really ruined me but from first page till the end, I tried to survive with Daisy too. :'(
I'm really lost of words now but all I can say to you, please just give a chance this amazing, phenomenal, beautiful books. Believe me, you'll never, ever regret for reading them and just like me you won't be the same person after you finish this series... <3
“It feels like your darkest time. But I think it’s going to be your finest hour.”
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
------------------
“I have so much to tell you,” he whispered against her face. “And not enough time.”
“We have nothing but time now,” she said. “Come lie down with me. Tell me everything. We’ll talk forever.”
- Perfection -
My God. I feel like I'm on the emotional rollercoaster since I start to read this series. This books were on my Kindle very long time and they were been waiting to be read... And my god, Why I waited so long to read them? How I lived my life without knowing this beautiful and broken love story? How? Because since I start to read "The Man I Love" I literally lost myself on those pages... And if someone told me 5 years ago that one book will change you for the rest of your life. I'd never believe it but since I start to read Erik & Daisy's story, all I ever think is to read (devour) this books. Forget about eating & sleeping because Erik & Daisy, literally taken over my life and all I want to see their happy moments. They deserved this or I need to see their finish line with a happy end because I simply want to see a fictional character's happiness! Is this sounds silly? Maybe, but I've had through a lot with them while I was reading their story and after a while I felt like that I'm the main character in this books and God dammit, I deserve a freaking HEA! So yeah, I really, really lost myself on those pages... <3
I loved "The Man I Love" so much and I'm still thinking about it... But I loved this one too. It was so overwhelming to read / feel Daisy's thoughts. What she lived, what she felt during that horrible times.. My God, I ugly cried so many times in the middle of night all alone in my living room with her and she really broke my heart. And this book really ruined me but from first page till the end, I tried to survive with Daisy too. :'(
I'm really lost of words now but all I can say to you, please just give a chance this amazing, phenomenal, beautiful books. Believe me, you'll never, ever regret for reading them and just like me you won't be the same person after you finish this series... <3
“It feels like your darkest time. But I think it’s going to be your finest hour.”
December 2, 2017
This isn't really a review. This is more a love note directed at the author Suanne Laqueur.
Your writing is flawless. Addictive. Clever. Poetic.
The characters you've created are the most beautifully flawed yet perfect characters.
I love their story. I love their growth. I love where you took Daisy's story. And I'm sorry I ever doubted you. I wasn't sure I would understand her anymore. Or even like her again. But all I know is the emotions I felt reading this and the tears I shed throughout and at the end of this book just prove what an incredibly talented writer you are.
As I said in my review for the first book The Man I Love, this story needs to be experienced by EVERYONE. Never have I come across a story or characters that have felt so honest and so REAL.
If you want something SMART, thought out, romantic, raw, and beautiful - This series is it!
http://amzn.to/2iaL8OE
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June 9, 2019
4.5 stars
Part of you still feels him. Because you never detached. You never fell out of love.
I normally skip the retelling books, but I felt like I needed to get inside Daisy’s head. Needed an answer to my whys. I needed to listen to her part of the story. To understand her.
Honestly, I couldn’t blame Erik for his decision. For me cheating is cheating. Nothing to justify. Whether someone chose to forgive a cheater or not, it’s up to them. It doesn’t make him a bad person if he’s unable to forgive. I was so annoyed with how everyone was against Erik and complaining about how “heartless and unforgiving” he has become. I couldn’t see that. I was totally okay with how he reacted. I didn’t blame him. Yes, maybe he should have at least heard her side, but I don’t think it would have made a difference. I didn’t like how everyone was against what he did wondering “what happened to the sweet boy.” Erik is such a good honorable person. If there’s one thing I could blame Erik for, it’s how he ended things with Will. I feel like Will is the only one who get to be mad at Erik for how he ended things with him.
”Thank you for saving what I threw away,” he said.
“I threw it away,” she said.
“You dug through the garbage to get it,” he said.
Even after reading Daisy’s side, I still sided with Erik. I would have been beyond annoyed if he had forgotten and forgave Daisy so easily. Daisy is not a bad person. She was just in a bad place. And she took bad decisions. And she had to pay for them. I was angry with her for doing such a thing. I felt like she has betrayed ME. Not just Erik or their relationship. I respected her when she admitted making a mistake. She didn’t make excuses for herself or try to justify it or throw the blame on someone or something else. She took the full responsibility for what she did.
It feels like your darkest time. But I think it’s going to be your finest hour.
Even though I loved the first book more, I still loved this one. Maybe it’s because I just felt more for Erik. Still, I felt like I had to give Daisy this chance. To tell her story. And it was heartbreaking. Her pain was self-inflicting and she had to live with that. This series and those characters are so real and human. I loved it.
”With Erik, it wasn’t love. More like a knowing. A feeling.”
Song recommendation:
Daisy bell by Nat King Cole
Tiny dancer by Elton John
Part of you still feels him. Because you never detached. You never fell out of love.
I normally skip the retelling books, but I felt like I needed to get inside Daisy’s head. Needed an answer to my whys. I needed to listen to her part of the story. To understand her.
Honestly, I couldn’t blame Erik for his decision. For me cheating is cheating. Nothing to justify. Whether someone chose to forgive a cheater or not, it’s up to them. It doesn’t make him a bad person if he’s unable to forgive. I was so annoyed with how everyone was against Erik and complaining about how “heartless and unforgiving” he has become. I couldn’t see that. I was totally okay with how he reacted. I didn’t blame him. Yes, maybe he should have at least heard her side, but I don’t think it would have made a difference. I didn’t like how everyone was against what he did wondering “what happened to the sweet boy.” Erik is such a good honorable person. If there’s one thing I could blame Erik for, it’s how he ended things with Will. I feel like Will is the only one who get to be mad at Erik for how he ended things with him.
”Thank you for saving what I threw away,” he said.
“I threw it away,” she said.
“You dug through the garbage to get it,” he said.
Even after reading Daisy’s side, I still sided with Erik. I would have been beyond annoyed if he had forgotten and forgave Daisy so easily. Daisy is not a bad person. She was just in a bad place. And she took bad decisions. And she had to pay for them. I was angry with her for doing such a thing. I felt like she has betrayed ME. Not just Erik or their relationship. I respected her when she admitted making a mistake. She didn’t make excuses for herself or try to justify it or throw the blame on someone or something else. She took the full responsibility for what she did.
It feels like your darkest time. But I think it’s going to be your finest hour.
Even though I loved the first book more, I still loved this one. Maybe it’s because I just felt more for Erik. Still, I felt like I had to give Daisy this chance. To tell her story. And it was heartbreaking. Her pain was self-inflicting and she had to live with that. This series and those characters are so real and human. I loved it.
”With Erik, it wasn’t love. More like a knowing. A feeling.”
Song recommendation:
Daisy bell by Nat King Cole
Tiny dancer by Elton John
April 11, 2017
This book is a MUST READ addition to the series. Do NOT skip this. It provides a panoramic view of the story/series and, IMO, is NOT to be missed. It's not a retelling of book 1 from a different POV. You are privy to moments you never get to see in the first instalment and it adds even more depth/layers to what is already an incredible story of love, heartbreak, friendship, survival, second chances, life, family & everything in between.
From her unique covers to her exquisite way with words, there isn't one thing I don't love about this author. In a sea of 'same old , same old' Suanne Laqueur is a life raft of original goodness. The only downside to having read and enjoyed her stuff: you literally can't move on because nothing else compares ... so what the hell am I supposed to read when I am done with The Fish Tales??
BR with my darling friend and fellow Suanne-appreciator (yes, I made up a title for you, girl!) ♥ Jx PinkLady Reviews ♥ .
From her unique covers to her exquisite way with words, there isn't one thing I don't love about this author. In a sea of 'same old , same old' Suanne Laqueur is a life raft of original goodness. The only downside to having read and enjoyed her stuff: you literally can't move on because nothing else compares ... so what the hell am I supposed to read when I am done with The Fish Tales??
BR with my darling friend and fellow Suanne-appreciator (yes, I made up a title for you, girl!) ♥ Jx PinkLady Reviews ♥ .
November 8, 2016
I'm so in love with this story!
This book both breaks and makes my heart!!! Transcendental and beautiful! Like the perfect song that makes you cry and laugh at the same time.
This book both breaks and makes my heart!!! Transcendental and beautiful! Like the perfect song that makes you cry and laugh at the same time.
June 17, 2019
“I’m sorry, I will always be sorry. I love you, I will always love you. And…” Daisy drew in her breath. “And I’m forgiving myself.”
Man, this was good. Really, really good. Couldn’t stop reading, didn’t want to stop reading. And I still want more, so much more. These characters, I just love them. I feel so strongly about them. I have so many thoughts, so many feelings, so bear with my ramblings. The ending of this book is everything btw. The ending delivered like a champ!
So Daisy, Daisy, Daisy. This is Daisy’s POV of the events of The Man I Love. And you must think? Is this really necessary? Do I need the same book told in a different POV? I know, I’m not a fan of this eaither. But let me tell you, when it comes to this series and these characters, my answer is a resounding YES. YES YES YES, yes you need to hear Daisy out, cause there’s two sides to every story and Daisy’s journey is quite the ride.
I think I needed Daisy’s POV. Not to help me understand why but to help me connect with her. While I was on Erik’s POV, I always wondered how she really felt about him. Was this all one sided? Definitely not. I also hadn’t quite realized that the magnitude of Daisy’s loss was far greater. Her teacher/mentor, her classmates and dance mates, all gone. Her partner gravely wounded. Her tribe was practically gone. I totally felt for Daisy and what she lost and went through.
The other thing we are privy to in this book that we didn’t see before is Lucky and Will’s story. How they struggled, how they fell apart. The amount of time they too spent apart, and how they found their way to each other. As with TMIL, the secondary characters are so awesome, you can’t help but be invested in them as well.
I loved the way the story was told, the non-linear parts, with the flashbacks and the therapy sessions were all fantastic ways of telling Daisy's story and separating it from Erik's.
I have no doubts these two characters are total soulmates. I loved the way both Daisy and Erik were basically feeling the same for each other since the first time they saw each other. And even when apart for so long, they still longed for each other so much. Le sigh. As with TMIL, all the parts about their relationship and them falling in love made me super giddy. At the same time, all the hard parts made me so sad. And that long separation was equal parts heartbreaking and maddening.
The truth is I never believed in love at first sight. Love is built over time, it doesn’t magically appear ready-made. And even connection at first sight? Recognition at first sight? I don’t think I believed in those, either. But I walked into the booth and…”
“There he was. It was him.”
Remember, I love the book. But I still feel so rant-y about the events that transpire in both books. It still hurts that Daisy messed everything up by sleeping with David. I still think her reasons were bullshit. And I’ve struggled with my feelings about this and why does it bother me so much. I think it’s because up to that point, their love story had been so beautiful and spectacular, even after tragedy. And they seemed to be so in love of the forever kind and she basically threw that away in the most spectacular way. With David of all people, ugh. My mind just can’t reconcile that. Although I think I now understand Daisy better, she was at her lowest and self-loathing is a bitch, but her reasoning is still BS, lol. And why on earth she didn’t go to his house!!!! Like ever!!!! Ughhhh. I need to stop thinking this through. It’s done. I did like David a tiny bit more in this book, and I definitely liked him more than Opie (sorry not sorry 😊 ).
Speaking of Opie, John, whatever. I’m definitely not over her dating Opie. Ok, I digress. I don’t like it but I get it. He was there when Erik wasn't and she was curious and starved for that kind of attention. True story, once a long long time ago my boyfriend (now husband) broke up with me and I was heartbroken. But there was this guy. This guy I knew that was completely into me. We ran in the same circles and I think he was just waiting in the wings until I was single and as soon as I was he made his move...and I let him. I was sad and heartbroken and loved the attention. Didn’t last long, even though I tried so hard to feel the same way about him, I just couldn’t. Plus he knew my ex and was always reminding me how much of a better catch he was, so he obviously knew what he was getting into. But honestly? he was really a placeholder for my one. Who eventually came back. So I’m just going to say that I didn’t care one bit about John because in this story he was just a placeholder, ha!
To quote Daisy:
“She often got the feeling they were acting in a play. This jacket didn’t quite fit her.”
That is exactly how it felt. Plus, he was an idiot and a child, and I don’t care how much he “loved” her, meh. He knew exactly what he was getting into and still did, so not gonna lie, loved it when it finally ended. I couldn’t care less about him and will pretend that reunion at the 10 year anniversary didn’t happen... Daisy seemed to have had a few other placeholders, Trey which I definitely liked way more than Ray. Another placeholder, just like Erik’s wife was. Had zero attachment to her. Sad but true. I think what bothered me in both books is that I had to read every detail about it when I rather have not.
Also still don’t understand why they waited 12 years. I’m sure I never will and I’m sure I’ll always have those feelings. But you know what? That’s a testament to Suanne’s wonderful writing. It makes me feel that strongly about fictional characters. If I hadn’t cared, I would’ve been indifferent to all of this. Wouldn’t even be writing this dissertation for sure. And that my friends, is what makes a book wonderful in my humble opinion!
Through it all I enjoyed Daisy’s side of the story. I felt a lot. I also felt terrible for her and how she lived with all that self-loathing and her unresolved grief. Those times when she called herself stupid, were simply heartbreaking. And I discovered that Daisy is my favorite kind of heroine after all. She owned her mistakes like a champ. She grieved, she groveled. She made no excuses for herself or her behavior. She fought like hell to heal and pull herself together again and she thrived. Unlike Erik who just went through the motions, Daisy thrived. And she LIVED, she lived and kept trying. And above all, she didn’t just lay down and waited for this man to get his head out of his ass for 12 years, she at least tried to move on and had the most amazing experiences. And I loved her so much for it, so much.
Right now, I’m just grateful, she wrote. Grateful and happy with where I am and who I am. I can believe he will forgive me and even if he doesn’t, I still forgive me. I’m still the girl he knew yet I’m different. He’s different, too, but still familiar to me. Our journeys mirror in so many ways. I believe he truly regrets disappearing and leaving it unfinished for so long. And yet, I can also believe we’re better people for it somehow. And if there is still an “us” to be found in all this, it will be a new us. A different us. Even a better us. And somehow that makes everything that came before necessary to get to this one moment.
Needless to say, I’m hopelessly hooked with this story and I loved this book. And with Book 2 behind me, I’m so ready to dive back into this world. So bring on Book 3, because I’m ready for their HEA!
“You came back. You came back to me.”
Man, this was good. Really, really good. Couldn’t stop reading, didn’t want to stop reading. And I still want more, so much more. These characters, I just love them. I feel so strongly about them. I have so many thoughts, so many feelings, so bear with my ramblings. The ending of this book is everything btw. The ending delivered like a champ!
So Daisy, Daisy, Daisy. This is Daisy’s POV of the events of The Man I Love. And you must think? Is this really necessary? Do I need the same book told in a different POV? I know, I’m not a fan of this eaither. But let me tell you, when it comes to this series and these characters, my answer is a resounding YES. YES YES YES, yes you need to hear Daisy out, cause there’s two sides to every story and Daisy’s journey is quite the ride.
I think I needed Daisy’s POV. Not to help me understand why but to help me connect with her. While I was on Erik’s POV, I always wondered how she really felt about him. Was this all one sided? Definitely not. I also hadn’t quite realized that the magnitude of Daisy’s loss was far greater. Her teacher/mentor, her classmates and dance mates, all gone. Her partner gravely wounded. Her tribe was practically gone. I totally felt for Daisy and what she lost and went through.
The other thing we are privy to in this book that we didn’t see before is Lucky and Will’s story. How they struggled, how they fell apart. The amount of time they too spent apart, and how they found their way to each other. As with TMIL, the secondary characters are so awesome, you can’t help but be invested in them as well.
I loved the way the story was told, the non-linear parts, with the flashbacks and the therapy sessions were all fantastic ways of telling Daisy's story and separating it from Erik's.
I have no doubts these two characters are total soulmates. I loved the way both Daisy and Erik were basically feeling the same for each other since the first time they saw each other. And even when apart for so long, they still longed for each other so much. Le sigh. As with TMIL, all the parts about their relationship and them falling in love made me super giddy. At the same time, all the hard parts made me so sad. And that long separation was equal parts heartbreaking and maddening.
The truth is I never believed in love at first sight. Love is built over time, it doesn’t magically appear ready-made. And even connection at first sight? Recognition at first sight? I don’t think I believed in those, either. But I walked into the booth and…”
“There he was. It was him.”
Remember, I love the book. But I still feel so rant-y about the events that transpire in both books. It still hurts that Daisy messed everything up by sleeping with David. I still think her reasons were bullshit. And I’ve struggled with my feelings about this and why does it bother me so much. I think it’s because up to that point, their love story had been so beautiful and spectacular, even after tragedy. And they seemed to be so in love of the forever kind and she basically threw that away in the most spectacular way. With David of all people, ugh. My mind just can’t reconcile that. Although I think I now understand Daisy better, she was at her lowest and self-loathing is a bitch, but her reasoning is still BS, lol. And why on earth she didn’t go to his house!!!! Like ever!!!! Ughhhh. I need to stop thinking this through. It’s done. I did like David a tiny bit more in this book, and I definitely liked him more than Opie (sorry not sorry 😊 ).
Speaking of Opie, John, whatever. I’m definitely not over her dating Opie. Ok, I digress. I don’t like it but I get it. He was there when Erik wasn't and she was curious and starved for that kind of attention. True story, once a long long time ago my boyfriend (now husband) broke up with me and I was heartbroken. But there was this guy. This guy I knew that was completely into me. We ran in the same circles and I think he was just waiting in the wings until I was single and as soon as I was he made his move...and I let him. I was sad and heartbroken and loved the attention. Didn’t last long, even though I tried so hard to feel the same way about him, I just couldn’t. Plus he knew my ex and was always reminding me how much of a better catch he was, so he obviously knew what he was getting into. But honestly? he was really a placeholder for my one. Who eventually came back. So I’m just going to say that I didn’t care one bit about John because in this story he was just a placeholder, ha!
To quote Daisy:
“She often got the feeling they were acting in a play. This jacket didn’t quite fit her.”
That is exactly how it felt. Plus, he was an idiot and a child, and I don’t care how much he “loved” her, meh. He knew exactly what he was getting into and still did, so not gonna lie, loved it when it finally ended. I couldn’t care less about him and will pretend that reunion at the 10 year anniversary didn’t happen... Daisy seemed to have had a few other placeholders, Trey which I definitely liked way more than Ray. Another placeholder, just like Erik’s wife was. Had zero attachment to her. Sad but true. I think what bothered me in both books is that I had to read every detail about it when I rather have not.
Also still don’t understand why they waited 12 years. I’m sure I never will and I’m sure I’ll always have those feelings. But you know what? That’s a testament to Suanne’s wonderful writing. It makes me feel that strongly about fictional characters. If I hadn’t cared, I would’ve been indifferent to all of this. Wouldn’t even be writing this dissertation for sure. And that my friends, is what makes a book wonderful in my humble opinion!
Through it all I enjoyed Daisy’s side of the story. I felt a lot. I also felt terrible for her and how she lived with all that self-loathing and her unresolved grief. Those times when she called herself stupid, were simply heartbreaking. And I discovered that Daisy is my favorite kind of heroine after all. She owned her mistakes like a champ. She grieved, she groveled. She made no excuses for herself or her behavior. She fought like hell to heal and pull herself together again and she thrived. Unlike Erik who just went through the motions, Daisy thrived. And she LIVED, she lived and kept trying. And above all, she didn’t just lay down and waited for this man to get his head out of his ass for 12 years, she at least tried to move on and had the most amazing experiences. And I loved her so much for it, so much.
Right now, I’m just grateful, she wrote. Grateful and happy with where I am and who I am. I can believe he will forgive me and even if he doesn’t, I still forgive me. I’m still the girl he knew yet I’m different. He’s different, too, but still familiar to me. Our journeys mirror in so many ways. I believe he truly regrets disappearing and leaving it unfinished for so long. And yet, I can also believe we’re better people for it somehow. And if there is still an “us” to be found in all this, it will be a new us. A different us. Even a better us. And somehow that makes everything that came before necessary to get to this one moment.
Needless to say, I’m hopelessly hooked with this story and I loved this book. And with Book 2 behind me, I’m so ready to dive back into this world. So bring on Book 3, because I’m ready for their HEA!
“You came back. You came back to me.”
December 26, 2018
5.5 stars.
Well, that was a long night.
I’ve been reading a lot lately about tropes and how what is book crack for one person is pure poison for the next. The term “second chance romance” comes up a lot, and I’ve never really gotten that one until this series. The argument is that the wasted time spent between the characters that you *know* will eventually come back together is just too hard to bear.
Uh, yeah.
It was hard in The Man I Love. Really hard, but I loved every second of it. I couldn’t stop reading. Probably because I didn’t actually *know* if they were going to work it out. It is a three book series after all. So it was different with Give Me Your Answer True. The book is a retelling of sorts, so you *know* where you’re headed, you just have to get there. And getting there hurts like a bitch.
I LOVED remorseful Daisy. Some things to me in life, and in books, “are” unforgivable. And just as Daisy’s “buts” were changed to “ands,” my “are” has transformed to “aren’t always” because seriously…what Erik did, IMO, was way worse. A month ago, if you told me I’d be saying that, I would have thought you were off your skull.
If you read and loved TMIL (which if you read it, how could you not?) then GMYAT is a must. But, be prepared to be frustrated. Erik’s journey seems quicker because it begins later in the book. Daisy’s begins at the beginning. Furthermore, Daisy finds a sort of peace that Erik doesn’t, and let’s face it, if you’re reading this series, you must be somewhat masochistic, right? Somehow, someway, it’s easier to read about their struggle than their healing. And by the time there was potential healing, I NEEDED Erik. And he was still so far away.
The end? OMG the end. We finally get to the place the first book leaves off and it’s pure perfection. You know how when you read a book and you just want it to go a certain way but it never does? Just wondering…
This one does. It totally, totally does.
Well, that was a long night.
I’ve been reading a lot lately about tropes and how what is book crack for one person is pure poison for the next. The term “second chance romance” comes up a lot, and I’ve never really gotten that one until this series. The argument is that the wasted time spent between the characters that you *know* will eventually come back together is just too hard to bear.
Uh, yeah.
It was hard in The Man I Love. Really hard, but I loved every second of it. I couldn’t stop reading. Probably because I didn’t actually *know* if they were going to work it out. It is a three book series after all. So it was different with Give Me Your Answer True. The book is a retelling of sorts, so you *know* where you’re headed, you just have to get there. And getting there hurts like a bitch.
I LOVED remorseful Daisy. Some things to me in life, and in books, “are” unforgivable. And just as Daisy’s “buts” were changed to “ands,” my “are” has transformed to “aren’t always” because seriously…what Erik did, IMO, was way worse. A month ago, if you told me I’d be saying that, I would have thought you were off your skull.
If you read and loved TMIL (which if you read it, how could you not?) then GMYAT is a must. But, be prepared to be frustrated. Erik’s journey seems quicker because it begins later in the book. Daisy’s begins at the beginning. Furthermore, Daisy finds a sort of peace that Erik doesn’t, and let’s face it, if you’re reading this series, you must be somewhat masochistic, right? Somehow, someway, it’s easier to read about their struggle than their healing. And by the time there was potential healing, I NEEDED Erik. And he was still so far away.
The end? OMG the end. We finally get to the place the first book leaves off and it’s pure perfection. You know how when you read a book and you just want it to go a certain way but it never does? Just wondering…
This one does. It totally, totally does.
July 10, 2017
Normally I would never let so much time go by between reading a book and writing the review, but as the days slipped by, I was reassured by the fact that this book wasn't going to be leaving me any time soon, and confounded by what to say without spoilering the hell out of anyone.
This is re-telling, in part, of The Man I Love through Daisy's POV, but it is by no means a typical sequel. It opens with the dynamic conflict that tore Daisy and Erik apart; her sleeping with David. That's not a spoiler if you've read TMIL, and even if you haven't, this event takes place in the first few pages of Give Me Your Answer True-probably within the sample pages at the front of the book. And that scene drives the conflict between them and sets up the dramatic question: Why?
And that's the spoiler. A person can guess several reasons why Daisy did what she did, and will probably be right about one or all of them. But here's the kicker: WE are not the ones who need to answer the question for ourselves. Daisy needs to answer it for herself. It's her journey to that answer that I can't/won't reveal or talk about because it needs to be experienced by the reader. Just as with The Man I Love, this is no mere fiction. This is a life. A head-hop. Everything I said about interiority and being RIGHT THERE with Erik is just as true of Daisy's story, and to try to describe that journey would detract from it.
And because this is not your typical, "easy" story, my great frustration was that once Daisy had her answer true I immediately became impatient for Erik to come to his damn senses. But that didn't happen neatly or tidily. It took time, and here is another shining point about Laqueur's novel: she manages, SOMEHOW, to keep Daisy pining for Erik without being locked in a stasis. She lived her life and even loved other men, but we never, EVER, lost the sense that she longed for Erik. It was like a background chorus to the aria on stage that never quite faded but didn't interfere either.
Speaking of music, holy god, Mozart's Requiem Mass is my favorite piece of music in the history of humanity. I would pay some serious cold hard cash to see Rakewind. Someone make this happen.
I wouldn't say it's overstating that one doesn't read Laqueur's novels, you experience them, and they stay with you long enough to write a coherent (hopefully) review weeks after the fact. I probably could have waited a year and it'd still be as fresh then as the day I finished. These characters are like people I know and I'm not going to forget them any time soon.
After much contemplation I think this one is my favorite.
ES
This is re-telling, in part, of The Man I Love through Daisy's POV, but it is by no means a typical sequel. It opens with the dynamic conflict that tore Daisy and Erik apart; her sleeping with David. That's not a spoiler if you've read TMIL, and even if you haven't, this event takes place in the first few pages of Give Me Your Answer True-probably within the sample pages at the front of the book. And that scene drives the conflict between them and sets up the dramatic question: Why?
And that's the spoiler. A person can guess several reasons why Daisy did what she did, and will probably be right about one or all of them. But here's the kicker: WE are not the ones who need to answer the question for ourselves. Daisy needs to answer it for herself. It's her journey to that answer that I can't/won't reveal or talk about because it needs to be experienced by the reader. Just as with The Man I Love, this is no mere fiction. This is a life. A head-hop. Everything I said about interiority and being RIGHT THERE with Erik is just as true of Daisy's story, and to try to describe that journey would detract from it.
And because this is not your typical, "easy" story, my great frustration was that once Daisy had her answer true I immediately became impatient for Erik to come to his damn senses. But that didn't happen neatly or tidily. It took time, and here is another shining point about Laqueur's novel: she manages, SOMEHOW, to keep Daisy pining for Erik without being locked in a stasis. She lived her life and even loved other men, but we never, EVER, lost the sense that she longed for Erik. It was like a background chorus to the aria on stage that never quite faded but didn't interfere either.
Speaking of music, holy god, Mozart's Requiem Mass is my favorite piece of music in the history of humanity. I would pay some serious cold hard cash to see Rakewind. Someone make this happen.
I wouldn't say it's overstating that one doesn't read Laqueur's novels, you experience them, and they stay with you long enough to write a coherent (hopefully) review weeks after the fact. I probably could have waited a year and it'd still be as fresh then as the day I finished. These characters are like people I know and I'm not going to forget them any time soon.
After much contemplation I think this one is my favorite.
ES
August 6, 2017
I have to be honest and say that I didn't know what to expect from this book, which was from Daisy's perspective, but it's safely to say that Suanne Laqueur did a number on me. I actually think I love this book more than The Man I Love but it's pretty damn close. Once again I feel Laqueur pulled my heart out at times. It was such a powerful and profound reading experience. I'm at a loss for words thinking about what I just read. One would think it's just the same book as The Man I Love. Let me stop you right there. It's the furthest from it. So many new and important revelations were made and they made me see Daisy, Will, Lucky and the others in a new light. A more admirable light.
Having read The Man I Love was the perfect foundation for Daisy's story. The characters mattered to me now. They'd become my friends and I cared/care about them deeply. I was struggling with tears just from reading the first chapter. I'd been living vicariously through Erik's life and now it was Daisy's turn and it suddenly became emotional difficult at times. I didn't need this book to make me forgive Daisy's actions. I already did that in the first book. This was more about her journey towards acceptance and forgiveness towards herself. It was a thought provoking experience. Daisy's self discovery and road to recovery was awe inspiring. It was emotional exhausting at times, only because Suanne Laqueur captured and explored Daisy's struggle. It was ugly, raw and very beautiful.
Laqueur writing is poetically mesmerizing. Her words visualizes before me and becomes more than just words. I breathe them in and let them manifest inside me. I want them to stay there because every words matters and is written with so much heart and soul. I don't want to lose them. I've read on her author page that she describes her books as emotionally intelligent romances. I agree! Every character has a purpose and were so complex that I couldn't wait to peel the layers away. Give Me Your Answer True was cleverly written and her writing feels effortless. This truly is a work of art.
5+ BadAssDirtySoulsManifestedStars
Having read The Man I Love was the perfect foundation for Daisy's story. The characters mattered to me now. They'd become my friends and I cared/care about them deeply. I was struggling with tears just from reading the first chapter. I'd been living vicariously through Erik's life and now it was Daisy's turn and it suddenly became emotional difficult at times. I didn't need this book to make me forgive Daisy's actions. I already did that in the first book. This was more about her journey towards acceptance and forgiveness towards herself. It was a thought provoking experience. Daisy's self discovery and road to recovery was awe inspiring. It was emotional exhausting at times, only because Suanne Laqueur captured and explored Daisy's struggle. It was ugly, raw and very beautiful.
Laqueur writing is poetically mesmerizing. Her words visualizes before me and becomes more than just words. I breathe them in and let them manifest inside me. I want them to stay there because every words matters and is written with so much heart and soul. I don't want to lose them. I've read on her author page that she describes her books as emotionally intelligent romances. I agree! Every character has a purpose and were so complex that I couldn't wait to peel the layers away. Give Me Your Answer True was cleverly written and her writing feels effortless. This truly is a work of art.
5+ BadAssDirtySoulsManifestedStars
January 1, 2018
**** 4.5 Stars****
God help you.
Here are my thoughts, pics, ramblings, GIFs and nonsense.
Straight for the kill.
In The Man I Love #1 Erik had had years of a miserable life, ok, by choice, but still... he was hurt, so hurt. I was hurt.
It was a soulless life, empty and sad until he found ........ his second best?
Oh, damn! I hate second bests! Don't we all hate second bests? Ugh. I think I just found a romantic bone in my body. Because I want a Happy Ever After between soulmates, not second bests!
And then, in Give Me Your Answer True #2 we get to hear Daisy's side.
Dammit! As much as I felt for all that happened to her, because I am not heartless, I still couldn't forgive her for what she did. I didn't hate her, no. I just felt resentful and hurt for Erik.
Anyway, I wish I was a better person, therefore, don't think I don't feel bad for holding this grudge. And that's why I needed all the therapy sessions Daisy went through as much as her.
Dear Lord, so much baggage! a whole set of suitcases + boxesto unpack to work with.
I devoured all pages in which Daisy tried to cleanse her soul. I sat there, by her side, invisible, silent, listening with my ugly judging face.
while
Being part of all the sessions she spent spilling her guts out in therapy with Rita, was crucial to me because you know...
Did it work? all the painful hours of therapy? Have I forgiven her? Who is Daisy to me now?
And oh boy, did she break my heart? Again. The heart that was already broken by Erik's POV. I shit you not, this time it shattered into thousands of pieces.
I don't really know which POV was more heartbreaking and I am finishing this story feeling overwhelmed.
Dear author, have mercy in the next book.
Now, enough of this nonsense.
Let me have at another kind of nonsense: adverbs. You'll have to forgive me while I go wild on the adverbs:
SL is exceptionally skilled at making us feel. Besides, she also has a special knack to get us intimate with her characters which brings me right back at what I said about making us feel. You feel on behalf that person when you are close to her, you sympathize, you commiserate, you get angry, you feel sorry and you cry for what thatcharacter friend has been through.
As if that wasn't enough, she is also extraordinarily talented portraying real life with her insanely gorgeous and addictive writing.
Suanne Laqueur, with her incredible talent, is now topping my list of favorite authors.
God help you.
Here are my thoughts, pics, ramblings, GIFs and nonsense.
Straight for the kill.
In The Man I Love #1 Erik had had years of a miserable life, ok, by choice, but still... he was hurt, so hurt. I was hurt.
It was a soulless life, empty and sad until he found ........ his second best?
Oh, damn! I hate second bests! Don't we all hate second bests? Ugh. I think I just found a romantic bone in my body. Because I want a Happy Ever After between soulmates, not second bests!
And then, in Give Me Your Answer True #2 we get to hear Daisy's side.
Dammit! As much as I felt for all that happened to her, because I am not heartless, I still couldn't forgive her for what she did. I didn't hate her, no. I just felt resentful and hurt for Erik.
Anyway, I wish I was a better person, therefore, don't think I don't feel bad for holding this grudge. And that's why I needed all the therapy sessions Daisy went through as much as her.
Dear Lord, so much baggage! a whole set of suitcases + boxes
I devoured all pages in which Daisy tried to cleanse her soul. I sat there, by her side, invisible, silent, listening with my ugly judging face.
while
Being part of all the sessions she spent spilling her guts out in therapy with Rita, was crucial to me because you know...
Did it work? all the painful hours of therapy? Have I forgiven her? Who is Daisy to me now?
And oh boy, did she break my heart? Again. The heart that was already broken by Erik's POV. I shit you not, this time it shattered into thousands of pieces.
I don't really know which POV was more heartbreaking and I am finishing this story feeling overwhelmed.
Dear author, have mercy in the next book.
Now, enough of this nonsense.
Let me have at another kind of nonsense: adverbs. You'll have to forgive me while I go wild on the adverbs:
SL is exceptionally skilled at making us feel. Besides, she also has a special knack to get us intimate with her characters which brings me right back at what I said about making us feel. You feel on behalf that person when you are close to her, you sympathize, you commiserate, you get angry, you feel sorry and you cry for what that
As if that wasn't enough, she is also extraordinarily talented portraying real life with her insanely gorgeous and addictive writing.
Suanne Laqueur, with her incredible talent, is now topping my list of favorite authors.
September 15, 2016
Storytelling at its finest.
I finished this at 11:19 at night with my heart racing its way up to my throat. I am sitting here with discontent because the book ended, yet content because the story was beautiful and cathartic and brilliant.
I didn't read the blurb before I started, so I assumed this would be a continuation of the first book. Honestly, I freaked out a little in the beginning. WHAT? WHY? WHAT HAPPENED? But then as I settled in, I realized we were getting a new story. One told in the 3rd POV of DAISY. (The first book, The Man I Love, was told in 3rd POV of ERIK.) I say new, because while Give Me Your Answer True paralleled The Man I Love, we get a new story from DAISY'S POV. We get her happy, her sad, her angry, her frightened, her depression. We read it all, as book #1 unfolds in book #2.
Normally, I detest these kinds of books, I generally feel the two stories should have been combined. However, here, aside from the fact that it would have been a hellaciously long book, it works perfectly. The author does not bore you with a retelling of events. Instead, the stories are "repurposed" from DAISY'S view. Like when DAISY writes her first letter to ERIK (and asks him to come to her), we read her trepidation, her fear of rejection and her giddy, young adult crush.
Now, let's talk about the way, this story is presented. We get new material as we read about her story while she is delving into her life with her therapist. It totally gave me a new view of who DAISY is. I thought she was this strong, formidable woman, and while she is all of those, she is also slightly damaged from memories of her childhood and has an intense need to be perfect and please everyone, often times putting her needs last.
Powerful stuff, right? This book is chock full of powerful stuff. I defy you to end GMYAT not having learned something about yourself, about your life, about your relationships.
I loved watching DAISY progress and heal through therapy. I loved her strength, perseverance, and her fight to survive. Watching her turning point when she allowed herself to be accepting and forgiving, while never forgetting, was captivating and breathtaking.
Also, I am stricken with how knowledgeable the author is about therapy and ballet. I know something about therapy, given my previous profession, Ballet, not so much. This book wasn't just literary adventure, it was also a learning one.
Once again, Suanne Laqueur provides beautiful prose and stellar characters inside a captivating storyline.
I finished this at 11:19 at night with my heart racing its way up to my throat. I am sitting here with discontent because the book ended, yet content because the story was beautiful and cathartic and brilliant.
I didn't read the blurb before I started, so I assumed this would be a continuation of the first book. Honestly, I freaked out a little in the beginning. WHAT? WHY? WHAT HAPPENED? But then as I settled in, I realized we were getting a new story. One told in the 3rd POV of DAISY. (The first book, The Man I Love, was told in 3rd POV of ERIK.) I say new, because while Give Me Your Answer True paralleled The Man I Love, we get a new story from DAISY'S POV. We get her happy, her sad, her angry, her frightened, her depression. We read it all, as book #1 unfolds in book #2.
Normally, I detest these kinds of books, I generally feel the two stories should have been combined. However, here, aside from the fact that it would have been a hellaciously long book, it works perfectly. The author does not bore you with a retelling of events. Instead, the stories are "repurposed" from DAISY'S view. Like when DAISY writes her first letter to ERIK (and asks him to come to her), we read her trepidation, her fear of rejection and her giddy, young adult crush.
❝Please be kind.❞
Now, let's talk about the way, this story is presented. We get new material as we read about her story while she is delving into her life with her therapist. It totally gave me a new view of who DAISY is. I thought she was this strong, formidable woman, and while she is all of those, she is also slightly damaged from memories of her childhood and has an intense need to be perfect and please everyone, often times putting her needs last.
❝...you can let your sorrow accompany you on the road of life without letting it be the road itself.❞
Powerful stuff, right? This book is chock full of powerful stuff. I defy you to end GMYAT not having learned something about yourself, about your life, about your relationships.
I loved watching DAISY progress and heal through therapy. I loved her strength, perseverance, and her fight to survive. Watching her turning point when she allowed herself to be accepting and forgiving, while never forgetting, was captivating and breathtaking.
❝I am sorry, I love you and I forgive myself.❞
Also, I am stricken with how knowledgeable the author is about therapy and ballet. I know something about therapy, given my previous profession, Ballet, not so much. This book wasn't just literary adventure, it was also a learning one.
Once again, Suanne Laqueur provides beautiful prose and stellar characters inside a captivating storyline.
❝And even ugly could be beautiful.❞
July 10, 2016
“What I feel has no name.”
I finished this book in tears. Not because it was sad. SO much comes to light with this book. The devastation in book one changed everything. But in this book, although a parallel narrative, heroes you never expected rise from the ashes. The human spirit is challenged and wins. Love is lost, forgiven, and found. Similar to the first book, this story is nothing short of life changing.
“When someone shares the happy stories of their life, its always beautiful. But when someone shares their pain with you, its almost more profound. More valuable.”
Give Me Your Answer True is Daisy’s story. We are immersed into Daisy’s life. The moment she meets Erik. The moment she falls in love. And most importantly, the moment where Daisy makes a grave mistake that would forever alter the trajectory of her life for years to come. The author fills in spaces in the book you never knew existed, but were so vital to truly understanding the deep layers of this story.
“I dance in the light he makes and the warm heat on my skin- that’s him. The lights are his love.”
If I had any doubt at all about the love between Erik and Daisy, those doubts are long gone. Their love is so overwhelming. Relentless. Unyielding. Their love is ultimate. Their love is felt through every word of this book. Every page. And the author allows you to feel their love. In so many ways. As this is Daisy’s story, we are allowed within the depths of her heart. And soul. We watch her fall deeply in love. And we experience the love, pain, regret, and devastation of not having Erik in her life. We see her hit absolutely rock bottom. And we see her rise and fall and rise again. No matter your feelings about Daisy at this point, you can’t help but feel inspired by the resilience of her spirit.
“Nobody scars you but me.”
This is NOT the same story as the first book. It’s so much more than a retelling. I am saddened that I almost missed out on this simply because I wanted to hurry and read (obsess) over book three. I wanted to find out what happened next. Do not cheat yourself out of this spellbinding experience. This book is JUST as important as the first one. You are simply moved by the compelling complexity of not only the characters but the story as well.
“I love nobody and nothing the way I love you.”
There are some powerful scenes in this story. Many that we already know about, but again, the author makes it different. These scenes feel different. There is a certain love scene that simply left me breathless. Erik and Daisy are so raw, vulnerable, open. It had to be one of the best love scenes I’ve ever read in my entire life. You cannot help but become emotionally invested in this story.
“Look at me.”
“I see me.”
“Look at me.”
“Only at you.”
The author is such a skillful writer with a talent that is simply unparalleled. If you read book one, you know how everything ends, yet the author masterfully weaves a story to allows the reader to experience the story all over again as if for the first time. Her writing is truly poetic in that the depth of the emotions are found within the very words of this book.
“I know. I want to remember the falling.”
Give Me Your Answer True is a must read and further solidified my wonderment of the talent of this author and her words. Her story. And her characters. To say I was moved would be an understatement. I think this story rocked me to my literary core.
I finished this book in tears. Not because it was sad. SO much comes to light with this book. The devastation in book one changed everything. But in this book, although a parallel narrative, heroes you never expected rise from the ashes. The human spirit is challenged and wins. Love is lost, forgiven, and found. Similar to the first book, this story is nothing short of life changing.
“When someone shares the happy stories of their life, its always beautiful. But when someone shares their pain with you, its almost more profound. More valuable.”
Give Me Your Answer True is Daisy’s story. We are immersed into Daisy’s life. The moment she meets Erik. The moment she falls in love. And most importantly, the moment where Daisy makes a grave mistake that would forever alter the trajectory of her life for years to come. The author fills in spaces in the book you never knew existed, but were so vital to truly understanding the deep layers of this story.
“I dance in the light he makes and the warm heat on my skin- that’s him. The lights are his love.”
If I had any doubt at all about the love between Erik and Daisy, those doubts are long gone. Their love is so overwhelming. Relentless. Unyielding. Their love is ultimate. Their love is felt through every word of this book. Every page. And the author allows you to feel their love. In so many ways. As this is Daisy’s story, we are allowed within the depths of her heart. And soul. We watch her fall deeply in love. And we experience the love, pain, regret, and devastation of not having Erik in her life. We see her hit absolutely rock bottom. And we see her rise and fall and rise again. No matter your feelings about Daisy at this point, you can’t help but feel inspired by the resilience of her spirit.
“Nobody scars you but me.”
This is NOT the same story as the first book. It’s so much more than a retelling. I am saddened that I almost missed out on this simply because I wanted to hurry and read (obsess) over book three. I wanted to find out what happened next. Do not cheat yourself out of this spellbinding experience. This book is JUST as important as the first one. You are simply moved by the compelling complexity of not only the characters but the story as well.
“I love nobody and nothing the way I love you.”
There are some powerful scenes in this story. Many that we already know about, but again, the author makes it different. These scenes feel different. There is a certain love scene that simply left me breathless. Erik and Daisy are so raw, vulnerable, open. It had to be one of the best love scenes I’ve ever read in my entire life. You cannot help but become emotionally invested in this story.
“Look at me.”
“I see me.”
“Look at me.”
“Only at you.”
The author is such a skillful writer with a talent that is simply unparalleled. If you read book one, you know how everything ends, yet the author masterfully weaves a story to allows the reader to experience the story all over again as if for the first time. Her writing is truly poetic in that the depth of the emotions are found within the very words of this book.
“I know. I want to remember the falling.”
Give Me Your Answer True is a must read and further solidified my wonderment of the talent of this author and her words. Her story. And her characters. To say I was moved would be an understatement. I think this story rocked me to my literary core.
February 7, 2017
“It feels like your darkest time. But I think it’s going to be your finest hour.”
Once again Suanne Laqueur has blown me away with another great story told from daisy's Perspective. I absolutely Loved this book I learned so much more about daisy and what she was going through. I must say I was a bit more emotional reading this book then book one I really felt daisy's pain I was truly sorry for her.
"What I feel has no name"
Every time I read a Suanne Laqueur book I feel a deeper connection to these characters and I cannot wait to read the last book I know its going to be great because she is such a phenomenal
author.
“you can let your sorrow accompany you on the road of life without letting it be the road itself.”
For more reviews and book pics check out my blog:http://readingwithnaqelle.tumblr.com/
June 13, 2015
Five Extra Cranky Stars
Give Me Your Answer True ("True") is Suanne Laqueur's follow-up to the wonderful The Man I Love "TMIL"). If TMIL is Erik's story, this is Daisy's. True is not so much a re-telling as it is a parallel narrative, filling in further pieces of the puzzle on an epic story.
The work spans ten years before and after a soul shattering event. True moves back and forth unpacking Daisy's story, how an act of violence effected her, sending her into a downward spiral, and ultimately, costing her nearly everything.
We first meet Daisy Bianco, the accomplished dancer, at Lancaster University in the Theatre Department. There she meets Erik (Fish) where the draw is instant, world changing, and a love for the ages.
Surrounded by a group of friends, Daisy is the youngest, but a rising star. Her stardom seems inevitable, her future assured, until a violent act turns her dreams to ashes.
There begins the climb to recovery, but ascent is almost impossible when someone is slowly dying inside.
If you loved TMIL like we did, True is the book for you. Suanne Laqueur has a way of drawing you into an elegant world where an inelegant act rips through the fibre of a place of beauty. The characters in this story are real, they are relatable. You cheer for them, laugh with them, and cry for them.
We highly recommend Give Me Your Answer True and look forward to more from this author.
Give Me Your Answer True ("True") is Suanne Laqueur's follow-up to the wonderful The Man I Love "TMIL"). If TMIL is Erik's story, this is Daisy's. True is not so much a re-telling as it is a parallel narrative, filling in further pieces of the puzzle on an epic story.
The work spans ten years before and after a soul shattering event. True moves back and forth unpacking Daisy's story, how an act of violence effected her, sending her into a downward spiral, and ultimately, costing her nearly everything.
We first meet Daisy Bianco, the accomplished dancer, at Lancaster University in the Theatre Department. There she meets Erik (Fish) where the draw is instant, world changing, and a love for the ages.
Surrounded by a group of friends, Daisy is the youngest, but a rising star. Her stardom seems inevitable, her future assured, until a violent act turns her dreams to ashes.
There begins the climb to recovery, but ascent is almost impossible when someone is slowly dying inside.
If you loved TMIL like we did, True is the book for you. Suanne Laqueur has a way of drawing you into an elegant world where an inelegant act rips through the fibre of a place of beauty. The characters in this story are real, they are relatable. You cheer for them, laugh with them, and cry for them.
We highly recommend Give Me Your Answer True and look forward to more from this author.
August 17, 2016
Oh Daisy, of course you are a wrecked, hot mess! You are trapped in the deep, dark, fishy, fishy brook. The hook sliced your heart wide open and your are bleeding out, a slow and painful death.
If you read my review on the first book, "The Man I Love", you know that I adored and crushed on the love story between Erik and Daisy, which was told from Erik's POV. So I immediately had to delve into Daisy's state of mind and achingly walk along with her down the devastating, debilitating road back to breathing once again.
Daisy's life started the very moment she met Erik her freshman year in college and she is desperate to get her life back with him after things went oh so terribly, terribly wrong! Her account of her relationship with Erik, the love of her life; Will, her dance partner; David, her worst mistake; and James, everyone's worst nightmare is just "poetry in motion." The way Daisy fought to get her life back, her Erik back, is just painfully excruciating, but so, so worth it!
Susanne Laqueur has this incredible way with words and develops her characters with such beautiful precision, that I just get transported away to Gaga Land and drool, wanting more and more of what this extremely talented author is gifting us!
If you read my review on the first book, "The Man I Love", you know that I adored and crushed on the love story between Erik and Daisy, which was told from Erik's POV. So I immediately had to delve into Daisy's state of mind and achingly walk along with her down the devastating, debilitating road back to breathing once again.
Daisy's life started the very moment she met Erik her freshman year in college and she is desperate to get her life back with him after things went oh so terribly, terribly wrong! Her account of her relationship with Erik, the love of her life; Will, her dance partner; David, her worst mistake; and James, everyone's worst nightmare is just "poetry in motion." The way Daisy fought to get her life back, her Erik back, is just painfully excruciating, but so, so worth it!
Susanne Laqueur has this incredible way with words and develops her characters with such beautiful precision, that I just get transported away to Gaga Land and drool, wanting more and more of what this extremely talented author is gifting us!
June 10, 2019
There are no words to do this series or this book justice.
At first, I thought this would be a retelling of the story in the heroine's POV ... it isn't. It is SO MUCH more and I never anticipated it.
Suanne Laqueur is a magical storyteller. Her words unravel you, slowly, so subtly, that by the time you realize it, it's too late. And at the same time, those very words put you back together, infusing your heart, bones and soul with the strength and beauty of the characters and their tale.
I can't recommend this series enough!! Onto the finale!
At first, I thought this would be a retelling of the story in the heroine's POV ... it isn't. It is SO MUCH more and I never anticipated it.
Suanne Laqueur is a magical storyteller. Her words unravel you, slowly, so subtly, that by the time you realize it, it's too late. And at the same time, those very words put you back together, infusing your heart, bones and soul with the strength and beauty of the characters and their tale.
I can't recommend this series enough!! Onto the finale!
August 30, 2018
There's no way to do this right. So I'll go in telling you that as a reviewer I've failed you. I will try though.
I'll start by saying this is my first "6 star review" meaning I find this to be truly above and beyond even my favorites. The irony is I didn't want to read this shit. In TMIL I fell deeply in love with Erik. And I'm protective. I hold a grudge. I respected his love for her, but I never forgave her. Never thought she deserved his love again.
I went into GMYAT with this attitude. I intended to try it and prove myself right. No way was this going to be as good as TMIL - and now I'd have proof. Fuck I was wrong.
The book literally starts at the perfect moment. This place that brings you back to open vulnerability and hurt and anger. And then you're falling in love with Daisy bc she's falling in love with Erik. Her love for Erik soothes your hurts - your grudge fades. She's honest and good and sweet and strong. She deserves him.
And when the bad times came it hurt. I hopped up. I sat down. I tossed my kindle around. I shifted and wiggled and tried to avoid. And I came out the other side more in love with Daisy than I imagined possible. My love for her and this book grew and grew from 50% on. It literally steadily got better. This book did the impossible.
And I cried. Nothing crazy at first. At 76/77% I cried for a while. But that shit felt so good. All of these pieces sliding into place.
I wouldn't ever tell you that something was missing from TMIL. I think it's the perfect book. But this addition to it is out of this world. It brings a kind of satisfaction that soothed my soul. I cannot believe I ever doubted.
I'll start by saying this is my first "6 star review" meaning I find this to be truly above and beyond even my favorites. The irony is I didn't want to read this shit. In TMIL I fell deeply in love with Erik. And I'm protective. I hold a grudge. I respected his love for her, but I never forgave her. Never thought she deserved his love again.
I went into GMYAT with this attitude. I intended to try it and prove myself right. No way was this going to be as good as TMIL - and now I'd have proof. Fuck I was wrong.
The book literally starts at the perfect moment. This place that brings you back to open vulnerability and hurt and anger. And then you're falling in love with Daisy bc she's falling in love with Erik. Her love for Erik soothes your hurts - your grudge fades. She's honest and good and sweet and strong. She deserves him.
And when the bad times came it hurt. I hopped up. I sat down. I tossed my kindle around. I shifted and wiggled and tried to avoid. And I came out the other side more in love with Daisy than I imagined possible. My love for her and this book grew and grew from 50% on. It literally steadily got better. This book did the impossible.
And I cried. Nothing crazy at first. At 76/77% I cried for a while. But that shit felt so good. All of these pieces sliding into place.
I wouldn't ever tell you that something was missing from TMIL. I think it's the perfect book. But this addition to it is out of this world. It brings a kind of satisfaction that soothed my soul. I cannot believe I ever doubted.
June 17, 2015
I finished this book about 4 days ago, I gave myself a quiet day to indulge in what I knew was going to be a book that would hit me hard, I loved the first book The Man I Love but I have to say that in this the second book – the author has managed a very rare feet – a book that is every bit if not slightly better than the first.
This book was downright awesome and I am shaking my head as I write that because one of my favourite characters has just popped into my head, making me smile.
Don’t be fooled into thinking that this sequel it isn’t, it doesn’t follow on – no, I would say it adds to the first book, it compliments and completes the story and it is simply glorious.
This is Daisy’s story told from her point of view and it is as beautiful as it is powerful.
Daisy has been through much more than any person really should have to endure buts she has survived and earned her future but it was one she had to both work and suffer hard for.
Suanne holds your hand as she lets you take your place at Daisy’s side, as she lays her journey out for the world to see.
I adored the way the author gave Daisy her voice and forced me as a reader to truly put myself in her shoes, I couldn’t avoid it – I was inside her head and it was a traumatic place to be much of the time.
The episodes from her therapy were hard for me, they touched a nerve that was painful to process but they were vital in getting to really know Daisy, to understanding exactly what she had been through and how painful and tough her recovery was.
Her story was so complex but it was real, it was honest and harsh but it needed to be, in order that Daisy could complete her journey.
I found that there were a plethora of questions and queries that surfaced in my head as I was reading the book, all the little oddities that hung around from the first book, ones that popped back into my head and started playing over and over.
But I have to say that just as a questions entered my head, a What? Or a Why? The answer to my enquiry was before me, it was as if the author was inside my head pre-empting how Daisy’s story would make me feel and what questions I would ask- Ms Laqueur you are a wizard with words!!
I cannot and I really mean that, I cannot find the words to compliment this book enough, it is written with such attention to detail and such deference that it was almost ethereal.
I sobbed for not only what Daisy had been through and also Erik, his path hadn’t exactly been lined with rose petals. His heartbreak was almost too much for me to bear, I felt as if I was being handed so much suffering that I wasn’t sure that I could take anymore.
But I was absorbed, engulfed and devoured by what I can only say was a story that will long remain resident in my heart.
I know that may sound ridiculous, I know how the book ended, I had already had that outcome in the first book but this was a different trip to the same summit and it was just as enthralling.
People and events look different when viewed through the eyes of everyone involved and when tales are written like this they create a world in which you cannot help but feel emotionally engaged.
This was a beautifully intelligent, perfectly pitched modern romance that encompassed and overcame everything that the world could throw at it. It was intense and dramatic, it was graphic but sensitive, it was painful but soothing and above all else it was complete.
It gave me characters I cared about and scenario’s that I hope I never find myself in but it gave it all to me honestly.
This is a story that you need to read, you deserve to read and in which you will not only find the most amazing characters but an author you should put firmly on your absolute must read list.
This book was downright awesome and I am shaking my head as I write that because one of my favourite characters has just popped into my head, making me smile.
Don’t be fooled into thinking that this sequel it isn’t, it doesn’t follow on – no, I would say it adds to the first book, it compliments and completes the story and it is simply glorious.
This is Daisy’s story told from her point of view and it is as beautiful as it is powerful.
Daisy has been through much more than any person really should have to endure buts she has survived and earned her future but it was one she had to both work and suffer hard for.
Suanne holds your hand as she lets you take your place at Daisy’s side, as she lays her journey out for the world to see.
I adored the way the author gave Daisy her voice and forced me as a reader to truly put myself in her shoes, I couldn’t avoid it – I was inside her head and it was a traumatic place to be much of the time.
The episodes from her therapy were hard for me, they touched a nerve that was painful to process but they were vital in getting to really know Daisy, to understanding exactly what she had been through and how painful and tough her recovery was.
Her story was so complex but it was real, it was honest and harsh but it needed to be, in order that Daisy could complete her journey.
I found that there were a plethora of questions and queries that surfaced in my head as I was reading the book, all the little oddities that hung around from the first book, ones that popped back into my head and started playing over and over.
But I have to say that just as a questions entered my head, a What? Or a Why? The answer to my enquiry was before me, it was as if the author was inside my head pre-empting how Daisy’s story would make me feel and what questions I would ask- Ms Laqueur you are a wizard with words!!
I cannot and I really mean that, I cannot find the words to compliment this book enough, it is written with such attention to detail and such deference that it was almost ethereal.
I sobbed for not only what Daisy had been through and also Erik, his path hadn’t exactly been lined with rose petals. His heartbreak was almost too much for me to bear, I felt as if I was being handed so much suffering that I wasn’t sure that I could take anymore.
But I was absorbed, engulfed and devoured by what I can only say was a story that will long remain resident in my heart.
I know that may sound ridiculous, I know how the book ended, I had already had that outcome in the first book but this was a different trip to the same summit and it was just as enthralling.
People and events look different when viewed through the eyes of everyone involved and when tales are written like this they create a world in which you cannot help but feel emotionally engaged.
This was a beautifully intelligent, perfectly pitched modern romance that encompassed and overcame everything that the world could throw at it. It was intense and dramatic, it was graphic but sensitive, it was painful but soothing and above all else it was complete.
It gave me characters I cared about and scenario’s that I hope I never find myself in but it gave it all to me honestly.
This is a story that you need to read, you deserve to read and in which you will not only find the most amazing characters but an author you should put firmly on your absolute must read list.
January 28, 2016
I am a huge fan of this author after only 2 books! Her writing...and the way she tells a story brings the characters to life. It is full of so much emotion...I literally feel everything that the characters are feeling. I will read anything she writes from here on out. I am going straight into the third book and although I am excited about it...I am also sad that my journey with this series is coming to an end. I am recommending this series to anyone who will listen. 5 huge stars!!
December 5, 2015
Loved this one a little bit more than the first. Such great characters and the story is amazing.
February 4, 2017
Loved FULL REVIEW THOUGHTS TO COME
Sublime writing. A perfect alternative perspective showing me Daisy so beautifully
Having the most awesome BR with Irene xox
#Epicstory
Sublime writing. A perfect alternative perspective showing me Daisy so beautifully
Having the most awesome BR with Irene xox
#Epicstory
October 31, 2018
5 stars!
When you are reading a truly good book, you feel you are a part of the story, a part of the character's lives. So when a character betrays another character that you've grown to love, you feel betrayed as well. And sometimes it seems so black and white and you can't forgive that betrayal. That's how it was for Erik. He couldn't forgive Daisy's betrayal, he only saw it as black and white, so he left her and didn't allow her to explain or apologize. I completely understood Erik's reaction and thought it was justified when I read book one. I probably would have ran and cut her out of my life too. But I completely changed my mind after reading book two. Now I understand and empathize with Daisy's journey. I felt so bad for her. What did that for me was reading her therapy sessions with Rita. Listening to Rita explain what severe trauma can do to one's decision making abilities and how it can truly turn someone into a completely different person. Suanne Laqueur made me understand why Daisy cheated and I forgave her.
I usually don't read books with the same story from another character's POV. I find myself getting bored, so I just try to avoid them all together. I thought about skipping this book and going straight to book 3. My Goodreads friend KAS told me not to. She said I needed to read Daisy's story. I am so thankful I did. This book was so beautiful and such a necessary addition to get the complete story. It made me see how incredibly strong Daisy was. She was such a fighter. Didn't back down from anything. And even though my heart ached for her the entire time, my mind kept going back to Erik and book one and I found my heart aching even more for him, but I also found myself incredibly mad at him for allowing his pride to rule his life for over a decade.
Like book one, Suanne Laqueur does an incredible job illustrating the psychological aftereffects that the shooting had on the characters. Daisy got far more support and definitely had the superior therapist to help her forgive herself and move on from the trauma.
This emotional series is incredibly beautiful and thought-provoking. It's one of the best second-chance romance stories I have ever read and will stay with me for a long time. Highly recommend!
When you are reading a truly good book, you feel you are a part of the story, a part of the character's lives. So when a character betrays another character that you've grown to love, you feel betrayed as well. And sometimes it seems so black and white and you can't forgive that betrayal. That's how it was for Erik. He couldn't forgive Daisy's betrayal, he only saw it as black and white, so he left her and didn't allow her to explain or apologize. I completely understood Erik's reaction and thought it was justified when I read book one. I probably would have ran and cut her out of my life too. But I completely changed my mind after reading book two. Now I understand and empathize with Daisy's journey. I felt so bad for her. What did that for me was reading her therapy sessions with Rita. Listening to Rita explain what severe trauma can do to one's decision making abilities and how it can truly turn someone into a completely different person. Suanne Laqueur made me understand why Daisy cheated and I forgave her.
I usually don't read books with the same story from another character's POV. I find myself getting bored, so I just try to avoid them all together. I thought about skipping this book and going straight to book 3. My Goodreads friend KAS told me not to. She said I needed to read Daisy's story. I am so thankful I did. This book was so beautiful and such a necessary addition to get the complete story. It made me see how incredibly strong Daisy was. She was such a fighter. Didn't back down from anything. And even though my heart ached for her the entire time, my mind kept going back to Erik and book one and I found my heart aching even more for him, but I also found myself incredibly mad at him for allowing his pride to rule his life for over a decade.
Like book one, Suanne Laqueur does an incredible job illustrating the psychological aftereffects that the shooting had on the characters. Daisy got far more support and definitely had the superior therapist to help her forgive herself and move on from the trauma.
This emotional series is incredibly beautiful and thought-provoking. It's one of the best second-chance romance stories I have ever read and will stay with me for a long time. Highly recommend!
December 25, 2017
❤️❤️ These Two!! ❤️❤️
January 18, 2016
5 stars of Awesomeness
Suanne Laquer’s first book “The Man I Love” was such a tremendous novel, I was thrilled to hear she was working on another one. My excitement and impatience made me ask the author if she’d give me an ARC, and incredibly enough, she sent me one! So here's the disclaimer: I received this ARC for an honest review.
I am not a writer, so I’m afraid my attempt at writing a review won’t be able to convey how truly wonderful this novel is.
I know it doesn’t sound very elegant, but I practically inhaled Give Me Your Answer True. I resented the everyday stuff that stopped me from reading it. I remember having a similar experience when I was reading The Man I Love.
But that’s the thing about Suanne Laquer’s writing. She draws you in. You breathe and feel one with the characters. With all of them. Because all the characters in the book have so much depth, it’s uncanny.
Erik Fiskare, whose voice we heard in The Man I Love, is just amazing! He is my new book dream man! Daisy Bianco, his love interest and the narrator in Give Me Your Answer True, is beautiful inside and out. And although she’s a fragile ballerina, she’s incredibly strong.
Give Me Your Answer True is about Daisy’s journey for over 12 years. We fall in love with Erik, like she did. And then we’re travelling alongside Daisy for many years, while she’s working hard at forgiving herself, at moving on, at trying to be without Erik. Her pain and despair are almost palpable. Good writing will make you feel, and Suanne Laquer accomplishes this feat beautifully.
There are no clichés. It’s all very realistic, without being banal. The book has a wonderful flow, and several story telling techniques are in play, including letters.
Even the sex scenes are well written, they’re not too detailed, but not too generic either. They’re not gratuitous and thrown in there for cheap titillations. It’s not about mechanics, it’s about feeling and feelings.
I thought the ballet/stage world added an extra dimension to the story. I also loved that Suanne Laquer (re)introduced me to new or some forgotten beautiful pieces of music. Whenever the name of a song or classical piece was mentioned, I’d go online and listen to it. It made the whole experience (even) more enjoyable.
Given how much I adored The Man I Love, I had some trepidations about reading the same story from a different perspective, especially since I had been disappointed by other authors’ attempts. But Suanne Laquer manages the almost impossible – improving on something wonderful! I didn’t think that was possible, but she did it! And it didn’t matter one bit that I already knew the story.
I truly enjoyed getting to know the secondary characters a bit better. Suanne Laquer is such a splendid writer, she manages to infuse realism and passion into all her characters.
So, if you’re looking for something beautifully written, that’s realistic and passionate, than, welcome, you’ve arrived.
Recommended: Absolutely! To anyone who enjoys beautifully written prose, with wonderful characters and a realistic plot.
Cover: 5 stars
Suanne Laquer’s first book “The Man I Love” was such a tremendous novel, I was thrilled to hear she was working on another one. My excitement and impatience made me ask the author if she’d give me an ARC, and incredibly enough, she sent me one! So here's the disclaimer: I received this ARC for an honest review.
I am not a writer, so I’m afraid my attempt at writing a review won’t be able to convey how truly wonderful this novel is.
I know it doesn’t sound very elegant, but I practically inhaled Give Me Your Answer True. I resented the everyday stuff that stopped me from reading it. I remember having a similar experience when I was reading The Man I Love.
But that’s the thing about Suanne Laquer’s writing. She draws you in. You breathe and feel one with the characters. With all of them. Because all the characters in the book have so much depth, it’s uncanny.
Erik Fiskare, whose voice we heard in The Man I Love, is just amazing! He is my new book dream man! Daisy Bianco, his love interest and the narrator in Give Me Your Answer True, is beautiful inside and out. And although she’s a fragile ballerina, she’s incredibly strong.
Give Me Your Answer True is about Daisy’s journey for over 12 years. We fall in love with Erik, like she did. And then we’re travelling alongside Daisy for many years, while she’s working hard at forgiving herself, at moving on, at trying to be without Erik. Her pain and despair are almost palpable. Good writing will make you feel, and Suanne Laquer accomplishes this feat beautifully.
There are no clichés. It’s all very realistic, without being banal. The book has a wonderful flow, and several story telling techniques are in play, including letters.
Even the sex scenes are well written, they’re not too detailed, but not too generic either. They’re not gratuitous and thrown in there for cheap titillations. It’s not about mechanics, it’s about feeling and feelings.
I thought the ballet/stage world added an extra dimension to the story. I also loved that Suanne Laquer (re)introduced me to new or some forgotten beautiful pieces of music. Whenever the name of a song or classical piece was mentioned, I’d go online and listen to it. It made the whole experience (even) more enjoyable.
Given how much I adored The Man I Love, I had some trepidations about reading the same story from a different perspective, especially since I had been disappointed by other authors’ attempts. But Suanne Laquer manages the almost impossible – improving on something wonderful! I didn’t think that was possible, but she did it! And it didn’t matter one bit that I already knew the story.
I truly enjoyed getting to know the secondary characters a bit better. Suanne Laquer is such a splendid writer, she manages to infuse realism and passion into all her characters.
So, if you’re looking for something beautifully written, that’s realistic and passionate, than, welcome, you’ve arrived.
Recommended: Absolutely! To anyone who enjoys beautifully written prose, with wonderful characters and a realistic plot.
Cover: 5 stars
May 27, 2015
So, I was on Facebook one day, goofing around with various indie writers and I came across some witty comments from one Suanne Laqueur. I thought to myself, she's funny...and proceeded to stalk her across the interwebs. When I came across her novel, The Man I Love, I thought--this sounds good, so I downloaded it.
Spoiler alert: I loved it
After I fell in love with the story, I stalked Suanne Laqueur and hounded her with all my crazy until she caved and sent me an advance copy of the companion novel to The Man I Love--Give Me Your Answer True.
When I read TMIL, I loved Erik. I totally related to him, the way he reacted to trauma, I FELT him when Daisy betrayed him, and I was like UGH screw that chick, ERIK RULES!! Erik's story was all about blood, and I bled with him as I read.
Then I read GMYAT and I loved Daisy. I could totally understand the way she felt after her trauma, and why she reacted the way she did, and I was like UGH SCREW ERIK, DAISY RULES! Daisy's story was all about pain, and I ached with her as I read.
And then I realized that THIS is the gift that Suanne has bestowed upon us. She writes these characters and knows their ins and outs and bones and blood so well that as a reader, you are sucked into their lives and feelings and you ache when they ache, and you cry when they cry.
I love this story, you don't want to miss it when it comes out!
And here's a gif because all great reviews have these, right??!
Spoiler alert: I loved it
After I fell in love with the story, I stalked Suanne Laqueur and hounded her with all my crazy until she caved and sent me an advance copy of the companion novel to The Man I Love--Give Me Your Answer True.
When I read TMIL, I loved Erik. I totally related to him, the way he reacted to trauma, I FELT him when Daisy betrayed him, and I was like UGH screw that chick, ERIK RULES!! Erik's story was all about blood, and I bled with him as I read.
Then I read GMYAT and I loved Daisy. I could totally understand the way she felt after her trauma, and why she reacted the way she did, and I was like UGH SCREW ERIK, DAISY RULES! Daisy's story was all about pain, and I ached with her as I read.
And then I realized that THIS is the gift that Suanne has bestowed upon us. She writes these characters and knows their ins and outs and bones and blood so well that as a reader, you are sucked into their lives and feelings and you ache when they ache, and you cry when they cry.
I love this story, you don't want to miss it when it comes out!
And here's a gif because all great reviews have these, right??!
May 26, 2015
I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Suanne Laqueur’s much-anticipated follow up to The Man I Love may not be what readers were expecting in a sequel, because it’s not a sequel. It’s a parallel narrative going through the same span of years, but now from Daisy Bianco’s point of view. And it doesn’t disappoint.
The first half of the book goes between scenes of Daisy talking to her therapist after a serious breakdown, and flashbacks to the Lancaster years. Going back and forth in time, Laqueur skillfully re-tells what we knew from TMIL but adds experiences we weren’t privy to: how Daisy met Will and David and Lucky before she met Erik. What those relationships meant to her. What he freshman year of college was like before Erik came on the scene. Her whole sexual journey. Her family life. Etc.
The story is made fresh and interesting because all those great secondary characters are opened up even more, and you learn things about Will and David and Lucky you didn’t know before. Erik even opens up and becomes brand-new to the reader in so many ways. Things that were throwaway moments in TMIL become significant and important. A lot of times I was tempted to read the stories side-by-side.
The narrative diverges twice from TMIL. First after Erik and Daisy’s devastating breakup. I call this the first divergence because you start to follow Daisy’s road alone, but in the first book we had a taste of her perserverence in trying to get through to Erik, and his stubborn resolve to keep her at a distance. We had hints, through him, of what she was up to. But when she finally reaches her breaking point and decides to send Erik’s things back, move on and not contact him again, then the roads separate completely. The narrative is completely fresh and new for the reader. And it’s so f’ing good.
The story is the same but the writing is deeper, richer, slicker, tighter. It’s so smart. It’s so complex and layered and deep. The emotions resonate and the sex shimmers and the pain cuts and the triumph is so joyful. It’s a beautiful, gorgeous journey and it doesn’t matter that you know the ending. When it finally comes, it surprises you anyway. I love this world Laqueur has created. I believe in love like this.
All right, so where is book three?????
Suanne Laqueur’s much-anticipated follow up to The Man I Love may not be what readers were expecting in a sequel, because it’s not a sequel. It’s a parallel narrative going through the same span of years, but now from Daisy Bianco’s point of view. And it doesn’t disappoint.
The first half of the book goes between scenes of Daisy talking to her therapist after a serious breakdown, and flashbacks to the Lancaster years. Going back and forth in time, Laqueur skillfully re-tells what we knew from TMIL but adds experiences we weren’t privy to: how Daisy met Will and David and Lucky before she met Erik. What those relationships meant to her. What he freshman year of college was like before Erik came on the scene. Her whole sexual journey. Her family life. Etc.
The story is made fresh and interesting because all those great secondary characters are opened up even more, and you learn things about Will and David and Lucky you didn’t know before. Erik even opens up and becomes brand-new to the reader in so many ways. Things that were throwaway moments in TMIL become significant and important. A lot of times I was tempted to read the stories side-by-side.
The narrative diverges twice from TMIL. First after Erik and Daisy’s devastating breakup. I call this the first divergence because you start to follow Daisy’s road alone, but in the first book we had a taste of her perserverence in trying to get through to Erik, and his stubborn resolve to keep her at a distance. We had hints, through him, of what she was up to. But when she finally reaches her breaking point and decides to send Erik’s things back, move on and not contact him again, then the roads separate completely. The narrative is completely fresh and new for the reader. And it’s so f’ing good.
The story is the same but the writing is deeper, richer, slicker, tighter. It’s so smart. It’s so complex and layered and deep. The emotions resonate and the sex shimmers and the pain cuts and the triumph is so joyful. It’s a beautiful, gorgeous journey and it doesn’t matter that you know the ending. When it finally comes, it surprises you anyway. I love this world Laqueur has created. I believe in love like this.
All right, so where is book three?????
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