Exceptional

by Holly J. Wood

With her older sister, Eliza, getting married and her mother’s unexpected pregnancy, Courtney Moore has plenty to deal with her sophomore year of high school. Add to that a jealous drill team captain, regrets over a past relationship, and mixed signals from her current crush, and Courtney’s world seems to be spiraling out of control.

When she begins having a series of dreams about a girl from nineteenth-century England, Courtney is ready to have herself committed, until these dreams lead her on to a discovery that changes everything—especially the way she views herself.

Genres: Lds Fiction

342 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 1, 2015

About the author

Holly J. Wood is an avid reader and hopeless romantic. While busy with laundry or wiping sticky substances from countertops, she loves to dream up sigh-worthy stories. Some of her interests include: travel, motivational speaking, laughing to the point of tears, dessert, and spending time with friends and family. She currently lives in Mountain Green, Utah with her husband and four young children.

To find out more about Holly or to join her newsletter with exclusive offers and new releases, visit www.hollyjwood.com.

Reviews

[Cathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have LOVED Holly J Wood's books, so I was so excited to be able to read and review this new book by her. I loved that Eliza was still a part of this book, but this book is told from the perspective of her younger sister Courtney. Courtney has made a few mistakes, and she knows that she needs to fix things in her life but she isn't quite sure how. She's just trying to keep from going crazy as she goes through her normal routine of homework, and drill team practice, and now her parents want her to get a job on top of everything else! It's enough to drive her crazy, and maybe with all of these dreams she's been having she already is.

I loved Courtney's character, I loved that she was trying to be so self-sufficient as she's dealing with everything crazy in her life. I loved that she isn't perfect, because really none of us are. One thing that was kind of sad in this book was the way that Courtney didn't feel worthy to say her prayers, or even read her scriptures really. During the time that her parents thought she was reading scriptures, she was really checking out social media accounts. This was a great reminder to me to put down my phone and spend time in the scriptures instead of wasting it elsewhere.

I really love the message of this whole series. Our ancestors really do care what happens in our lives, because we are all connected. I loved that in this book, there was something that Courtney could do to help her ancestors, as well as being helped by them. This is a cute book, I really enjoyed it! I'm hoping for more books by Holly Wood soon!

[Candide · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh. My. Goodness.
This book was incredible. It was really relatable, uplifting, and not too cheesy like most books in this genre tend to be. It had a perfect balance between romance, drama, church, etc. I honestly can't think of a single part I didn't like during this read, and it was the perfect way to end the "Invaluable" series.
Can't wait to read what Holly writes next!! :)

[Tara · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has a lot of really great things about it: it touches on topics that a lot of youth are dealing with daily! I loved that it talked about cyper bullying, balancing social media, and the dynamics of trying to date. I think this is a really good book for young women to read! It teaches the importance of prayer and touches on family history work. I did like how it ended, making it different than the first two. So yes, overall I would recommend this book, especially to teenage girls!

However, I guess from an adult perspective I felt like the book was bit cheesy at times, but I know that as a teenager I would have loved it and soaked it all in, so Wood is really doing a good job of catering to her target audience in my opinion. I would love to read a sequel in this book to see what is next in store for Courtney, but this does well as a stand alone novel too.

[Shelby Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! it's such a sweet story, I've read the first two books and loved them so much! this one really touched home to me, it's Eliza little sister cortneys story.
I've had similar stuff happen to me that happened to j e, I could easily feel the emotions of the characters, holly j wood dose a good Job at making sure the reader can get into her books, and can relate to it! I have seen changes in my life from reading these book, it's changed me for good!
I wish I could give it 100 stars, I recommend it to the young woman of the church, it's really great and it has to deal with family history!
this book is on my top ten list!

[Christy Dorrity · Rating 5 out of 5]

This third book in the Invaluable series is a perfect conclusion, and I think it's my favorite one! I love reading about pioneers, and it was so fun to read about Courtney's ancestor through her eyes. I like how Courtney is a normal teenager, facing real issues. The book is up to date, with issues such as having to turn in her cell phone at night, and dealing with cyber bullying. I truly felt connected to my ancestors while reading this, and I think teens and adults will both be inspired to connect with their own pioneer ancestors.

[Diana · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am so in love with this book I can't put it into words. Holly J. Wood is an exceptional storyteller! To be honest, I wasn't sure if I was going to like Courtney as well as Eliza, but I do. I absolutely loved every aspect of her story. She is a very likeable and believable character who is going through some very real challenges we all face in life. I loved the dreams she was having about Hannah and William and found myself wanting to know more about their story. Everything tied in so well. Loved it!!

[Jentry · Rating 5 out of 5]

WONDERFUL! I thought this book was very uplifting and amazing. It brought me closer to my Father in Heaven. AS I read this book I was able to see areas in my life where I could do better. I would highly recommend this book and the whole series! This book has taught be what I want to find in a man someday. ABSOLUTELY WONDERFUL! I laughed, cried, and experienced peace as I read this book. I honestly can not say enough good things about this book! Everyone needs to read it!!

[Eliza Moore · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I wasn't sure I would like this book as much as the others. Part of the reason I loved the other two so much was the connection I felt to Eliza who is similar to me in so many ways. But, when I finished I was completely satisfied. I was impressed by how the 19th century dreams intertwined so well with Courtney's story! It also gave me a determination to be more diligent in my family history work. Great work Holly!

[Janelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was another excellent book in the Invaluable series. I liked the differences between the sisters' characters and enjoyed Coutney's spunk. The best part of the book, for me were the historical spots. I truly loved how the author seamlessly wove two story lines together. Not just a good read - a GREAT read!

[Maddie Portrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I think that teenage girls will be able to relate to it because of the issues that are addressed throughout the book. Overall, this was a great book and I definitely recommend it.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

AMAZING!! I would recommend it so much I absolutely love this book!

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the ending

[Kimberly Huddleston Sloan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book, I loved how we got to catch up a little with the Moore family and got to see courtney spiritualy grow. I love this series and the author's work.

[Megan Olds · Rating 5 out of 5]

See review for Invaluable (the first book in this series!)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Kellie · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading Holly's first two books, I jumped at the chance to read Exceptional in exchange for an honest review. This book did not disappoint, I absolutely loved it. I enjoyed the fact that it followed Eliza's sister Courtney who was mentioned Holly's first two books. Courtney is a typical girl in high school who also loves to dance. This book follows Courtney as she struggles with the standards she grew up with and finding her place in school. Many books do not highlight the struggles teens can be faced with in their lives and I appreciated that the author included the struggles Courtney faced from cyber bullying to the guilt that can come from wrong choices as well as finding the spirit again and going through the repentance process. I liked that the theme of learning through dreams continued in Exceptional. Hannah's (the girl Courtney dreams about) story was just as intriguing as Courtney's. This book left me desperately wanting more! Holly is an amazing writer who I will continue to follow.

[Danylle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really loved this book. I loved the magic that the story held in Invaluable. I felt like it fell a little flat for me in Unconditional, so I was a little skeptical about reading Exceptional. This one felt so much for like Invaluable. I liked it as much if not a little more. i loved Courtney's side of events and reading about her as a teenager. I loved the tie into Hannah and William and their story and the connections it made for family history. This was really well done and the characters felt relatable. I'm hoping there is a book 4 in the making. I'd love to know more about Courtney, Eli, Lexi and the others.

[Cami McHan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I needed this book in my life. So well written, and I love the overwhelming peace I felt at the end.

[Kira · Rating 5 out of 5]

Invaluable and Exceptional are definitely tied for my favorite in this series.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I need 5 more stars up there, for this book and the previous two in the series. This book was incredibly powerful, and spoke to me directly in so many parts.. I too, have felt some of the things Courtney felt and dealt with. I love this series and would recommend it to all of my friends! I hope and pray that Holly J Wood will continue to expand this series as she is prompted to do so, there are so many more lessons these characters could teach us. I would love to hear more about Lexi's story as a convert to the church, and more about Eli as well. This is an amazing series. I can see myself reading the series again and again.