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All It Takes
Nineteen-year-old Star Collins never intended to return to her hometown, Avenue. That part of her life ended when she was nine years old, and child services took her away from her hoarder mother. Her mother chose her stuff over her daughter. That part of her life was supposed to be in the past.
But her mother has just passed away and Star finds herself giving up her summer to quietly clean out her old home. She just wants to sell it and move on with her life. However, things aren't going the way she planned. With her dyed-black hair and tattoos, she's attracting almost as much attention from the small town residents as Ash Winthrope, the guy who was just released from prison.
All Ash wants is a chance to start over. He screwed up and he knows it, he's going to have to live with the guilt for the rest of his life. But he's stuck in Avenue until his parole ends, and no one, not even his own parents, wants anything to do with him. Nearly out of money and completely out of options, Ash takes the only job he can, helping Star haul stuff out of her mother's house.
Neither of them expects anything to happen between them, or for their lives to change. But sometimes meeting the right person is all it takes.
But her mother has just passed away and Star finds herself giving up her summer to quietly clean out her old home. She just wants to sell it and move on with her life. However, things aren't going the way she planned. With her dyed-black hair and tattoos, she's attracting almost as much attention from the small town residents as Ash Winthrope, the guy who was just released from prison.
All Ash wants is a chance to start over. He screwed up and he knows it, he's going to have to live with the guilt for the rest of his life. But he's stuck in Avenue until his parole ends, and no one, not even his own parents, wants anything to do with him. Nearly out of money and completely out of options, Ash takes the only job he can, helping Star haul stuff out of her mother's house.
Neither of them expects anything to happen between them, or for their lives to change. But sometimes meeting the right person is all it takes.
278 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 30, 2015
7 people are currently reading
488 people want to read
About the author
Sadie Munroe
2 books28 followersSadie Munroe has been dreaming up stories for as long as she can remember. She is often found staring off into space, brainstorming her next plot, even when she hasn't quite finished the one she's currently working on.
It's a problem.
She lives in Ontario Canada with her family and her dog Trips, as well as what some people would consider far too many books (they're wrong).
ALL IT TAKES is her first novel.
It's a problem.
She lives in Ontario Canada with her family and her dog Trips, as well as what some people would consider far too many books (they're wrong).
ALL IT TAKES is her first novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
July 2, 2015
This review is all Kelly's fault. She got me all excited about sex on dirty diapers and dead cats. All her fault!
She teased me with New Adult hoarding!
Star has to come home to her hometown after her mom passes away to clean out her mom's house. Her mom was a hoarder.
Not like that. That's like my house!
Like this:
Her mom had lost custody of Star when she was younger because she couldn't give up her hoard. So Star comes back to Asshole town USA to get the mess cleaned up. She then goes into the local diner and gets exposed to the local "thug" Ash. Ash is fresh outta the pen for accidentally killing a man years before. Everyone in town hates Ash.
"I'm Star," she says, and I can't help the startled laugh before it escapes.
"Of course you are," I say, and watch as her brow furrows adorably.
*insert eye roll here*
So Star (since she is our heroine) gives Ash a job of helping her clean up her mom's house. Now Ash doesn't have any where to live either, because when he gets out of prison his parents won't let him crash at their house. So he lives in his car for the meantime.
Now I have a question, Ash and Star are cleaning a pretty big mess, they are doing it during the heat of the summer..it's hot.... They can't really get into the house...she is living in the shed there (once she gets it cleaned out). He is living in his car.
I bet they stank to high heaven.
They would have to. Why do things like this never get addressed in romancy books?
Romancy books all seem to have rules they have to follow and this one does it too. Boy meets girl. Boy starts to like girl. Some mushy, cheesy stuff happens throughout the book. Then some problem arises. They overcome problem!
They try and make reader cry.
Then the end. Why? Break free of the molds romancy writers! Give me some good stuff and I'll give you all the stars! I promise.
She teased me with New Adult hoarding!
Star has to come home to her hometown after her mom passes away to clean out her mom's house. Her mom was a hoarder.
Not like that. That's like my house!
Like this:
Her mom had lost custody of Star when she was younger because she couldn't give up her hoard. So Star comes back to Asshole town USA to get the mess cleaned up. She then goes into the local diner and gets exposed to the local "thug" Ash. Ash is fresh outta the pen for accidentally killing a man years before. Everyone in town hates Ash.
"I'm Star," she says, and I can't help the startled laugh before it escapes.
"Of course you are," I say, and watch as her brow furrows adorably.
*insert eye roll here*
So Star (since she is our heroine) gives Ash a job of helping her clean up her mom's house. Now Ash doesn't have any where to live either, because when he gets out of prison his parents won't let him crash at their house. So he lives in his car for the meantime.
Now I have a question, Ash and Star are cleaning a pretty big mess, they are doing it during the heat of the summer..it's hot.... They can't really get into the house...she is living in the shed there (once she gets it cleaned out). He is living in his car.
I bet they stank to high heaven.
They would have to. Why do things like this never get addressed in romancy books?
Romancy books all seem to have rules they have to follow and this one does it too. Boy meets girl. Boy starts to like girl. Some mushy, cheesy stuff happens throughout the book. Then some problem arises. They overcome problem!
They try and make reader cry.
Then the end. Why? Break free of the molds romancy writers! Give me some good stuff and I'll give you all the stars! I promise.
July 2, 2015
Find all of my reviews at: http://52bookminimum.blogspot.com/
I requested this book for one reason and one reason only . . . .
I have a morbid fascination with all things hoarding related. I know. I’m heartless and also not right in the head. I can’t help it : (
The premise of this book is that Star was removed from her mother’s custody as a wee little child due to the conditions of their house. Now Star’s momma has gone to that big ol’ pile of dead kittehs in the sky and Star needs to get the house cleaned out and sold. Once she returns to her hometown, she finds it filled with some serious buttholes who somehow have it in their head they are better than everyone else, but are really probably just white trash . . .
Star runs across Ash in the local diner where the townies are giving him grief for being a “murderer” who has just been released from the pokey. Since she quickly realized she’s in over her head with the hoard, Star decides to offer Ash a job helping her out for the summer. It also probably doesn’t hurt that he is an ex-con who looks like this . . .
So, there you have it. Now, where do I begin???? Let’s start with some positives. There was zero instalove in this book. Praise Jeebus! Star and Ash work together, develop a friendship, etc. before they ever . . . .
There were also no drunky time whoopsies. If there’s one thing I hate more than almost anything in romance novels is the “maybe that was a mistake phony will they or won’t they pointless 50 page filler.” Once these two got down they got down. And they did it just the way I like it. “Hey Kelly – would you like some flavor with your ice cream today?” No thanks, vanilla is perfect for me . . .
Now with the notsagreatstuff. This was typical NA fare with plenty of angst and an extra helping of . . .
Move over Chester, ‘cause this one might be the cheesiest (there’s even an “OH FFS!” status update below this review if you don’t believe me). In addition to being cheesetastic, there was also a lot of throwing back of the head and laughing. I’m sure I’ve done this a time or twelve myself, but to have it keep getting repeated over and over and over again made me picture . . .
Not sexy. On the plus side, at first I thought Star was going keep “worrying her lower lip” and then I was going to have to seriously cut a bitch. No more lip biting references allowed. Ever. Sorry authors, you can all direct your hate mail to E.L. James.
My main gripe, however, was the driving force behind the plot itself. Why a 19-year old with nearly zero dollars would spend her entire summer cleaning out a trashed house just to put it up for sale is beyond me. Watch any episode of Hoarders. The experts will tell you that even without a collection of dead cats, these houses are always battling roaches and/or mice, they have structural issues due to the weight of the hoard, etc. In real life this girl should have called 1-800-GOT-JUNK or the We Buy Ugly Houses people and just made as much cash as soon as she possibly could. Is it really so much to ask for a story to be a little realistic????
And finally. The ending. Or should I say non-ending. How the f*&^ does a book just END like this? This could have been 3 Stars, but when it was like “okay, I’ve written enough so I’ll just stop here” with no real conclusion? Nuh uh . . . .
ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you, NetGalley!
I requested this book for one reason and one reason only . . . .
I have a morbid fascination with all things hoarding related. I know. I’m heartless and also not right in the head. I can’t help it : (
The premise of this book is that Star was removed from her mother’s custody as a wee little child due to the conditions of their house. Now Star’s momma has gone to that big ol’ pile of dead kittehs in the sky and Star needs to get the house cleaned out and sold. Once she returns to her hometown, she finds it filled with some serious buttholes who somehow have it in their head they are better than everyone else, but are really probably just white trash . . .
Star runs across Ash in the local diner where the townies are giving him grief for being a “murderer” who has just been released from the pokey. Since she quickly realized she’s in over her head with the hoard, Star decides to offer Ash a job helping her out for the summer. It also probably doesn’t hurt that he is an ex-con who looks like this . . .
So, there you have it. Now, where do I begin???? Let’s start with some positives. There was zero instalove in this book. Praise Jeebus! Star and Ash work together, develop a friendship, etc. before they ever . . . .
There were also no drunky time whoopsies. If there’s one thing I hate more than almost anything in romance novels is the “maybe that was a mistake phony will they or won’t they pointless 50 page filler.” Once these two got down they got down. And they did it just the way I like it. “Hey Kelly – would you like some flavor with your ice cream today?” No thanks, vanilla is perfect for me . . .
Now with the notsagreatstuff. This was typical NA fare with plenty of angst and an extra helping of . . .
Move over Chester, ‘cause this one might be the cheesiest (there’s even an “OH FFS!” status update below this review if you don’t believe me). In addition to being cheesetastic, there was also a lot of throwing back of the head and laughing. I’m sure I’ve done this a time or twelve myself, but to have it keep getting repeated over and over and over again made me picture . . .
Not sexy. On the plus side, at first I thought Star was going keep “worrying her lower lip” and then I was going to have to seriously cut a bitch. No more lip biting references allowed. Ever. Sorry authors, you can all direct your hate mail to E.L. James.
My main gripe, however, was the driving force behind the plot itself. Why a 19-year old with nearly zero dollars would spend her entire summer cleaning out a trashed house just to put it up for sale is beyond me. Watch any episode of Hoarders. The experts will tell you that even without a collection of dead cats, these houses are always battling roaches and/or mice, they have structural issues due to the weight of the hoard, etc. In real life this girl should have called 1-800-GOT-JUNK or the We Buy Ugly Houses people and just made as much cash as soon as she possibly could. Is it really so much to ask for a story to be a little realistic????
And finally. The ending. Or should I say non-ending. How the f*&^ does a book just END like this? This could have been 3 Stars, but when it was like “okay, I’ve written enough so I’ll just stop here” with no real conclusion? Nuh uh . . . .
ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you, NetGalley!
June 29, 2015
Title: All It Takes
Series: standalone
Author: Sadie Munroe
Release Date: 30 June, 2015
Rating: 3.5 - 4 stars
Cliffhanger:. No
HEA:
The story follows Star, a nineteen year old college student, who inherited her mother’s house after she passed away. After years of living in foster care and not seeing her biological parent, Star goes to the town she was born it to deal with the house. To her surprise the house is in worse shape than she thought was possible. Before seeing it, Star knew about her mother’s hoarding problem but she didn’t realize the size of it… The size suggesting her mother could have her own episode of The Hoarders: Buried Alive. She has only summer to clean it up and sell it, before going back to college, and she desperately needs help.
That’s why Star decides to offer a job to Ash – the guy everyone in town seems to hate, because of the mistake he made five years ago, that send him to prison.
All It Takes is very intriguing story. It is different and unique in its own way, however it also reminds me of something Jessica Sorensen could write. Star and Ash are both complex and realistic characters, which is the main reason why Sadie Munroe’s debut novel is good. You cannot help but fall in love with them and root for them. The story develops slowly, but in engaging way, so it’s hard to be bored. I liked how this book was not only a romance but also dealt with forgiveness, acceptance and other important issues.
My only concern was the ending. It left me unsatisfied. Some of the questions were left unanswered.
Overall, I can without a doubt recommend this New Adult novel. It’s sweet and charming.
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July 7, 2015
This didn't work for me at all.
At first when I read the blurb I got excited! I really enjoy books with outcast main characters and this sounded so promising.
But....
I couldn't connect with the characters at all and the story was so boring at times.
It reminded me a lot of 'Lifers' by Jane Harvey-Berrick, it tried to have the same feel and to extract the same emotion of the reader but it didn't work for me.
At first when I read the blurb I got excited! I really enjoy books with outcast main characters and this sounded so promising.
But....
I couldn't connect with the characters at all and the story was so boring at times.
It reminded me a lot of 'Lifers' by Jane Harvey-Berrick, it tried to have the same feel and to extract the same emotion of the reader but it didn't work for me.
July 2, 2015
Sweet slow-build love story. The H's situation reminded me of
, everyone was against him. But the h was amazing. The part about the h's mom hoarding rang so true - you can never understand why hoarders do the stuff they do, get so attached to things above people, above anything else.
H was an ex-con and guilty of manslaughter but I felt like he had remorse and also was a better person for being in prison. I honestly wasn't sure whether to DNF( H killed a young dad; he was driving when high on drugs/booze) but H had paid his debts to society so I decided to go with it. But still I can understand why the townspeople were judgemental. I can't imagine what the dead guy's wife/ baby must have been going through and it wasn't fair to the poor guy at all.
Also the book needed an epilogue or something - the h goes to college 2 states away, while H is stuck in the town bcos of parole reasons - so how does the HEA work?
There's a villain and he goes away scot free - and that doesn't feel right either.
4 stars.
, everyone was against him. But the h was amazing. The part about the h's mom hoarding rang so true - you can never understand why hoarders do the stuff they do, get so attached to things above people, above anything else.H was an ex-con and guilty of manslaughter but I felt like he had remorse and also was a better person for being in prison. I honestly wasn't sure whether to DNF( H killed a young dad; he was driving when high on drugs/booze) but H had paid his debts to society so I decided to go with it. But still I can understand why the townspeople were judgemental. I can't imagine what the dead guy's wife/ baby must have been going through and it wasn't fair to the poor guy at all.
Also the book needed an epilogue or something - the h goes to college 2 states away, while H is stuck in the town bcos of parole reasons - so how does the HEA work?
There's a villain and he goes away scot free - and that doesn't feel right either.
4 stars.
June 13, 2015
Star was taken away from her mother when she was 9 years old because her mother was a hoarder. She grew up in foster care after that. When she is at college, she gets a call that her mother passed away so she has to return to her childhood home to de-hoard it and sell it over summer break.
Ash made an awful mistake 5 years ago that had tragic consequences. He spend 5 years in jail paying for what he did and when he is released he learns that people in his small town and even his own family aren't very forgiving. Ash needs a job and Star needs help cleaning out her moms house.
I really loved this book. Both Star and Ash were fantastic characters and I loved the chemistry and friendship between them. This was a slow-build romance. There were some really serious parts of this story but there were also some funny moments as well. I like that this was told in dual pov because both Star and Ash were such interesting characters. I really enjoyed this book and can't wait to read more by this author!
**ARC provided in exchange for an honest review**
Ash made an awful mistake 5 years ago that had tragic consequences. He spend 5 years in jail paying for what he did and when he is released he learns that people in his small town and even his own family aren't very forgiving. Ash needs a job and Star needs help cleaning out her moms house.
I really loved this book. Both Star and Ash were fantastic characters and I loved the chemistry and friendship between them. This was a slow-build romance. There were some really serious parts of this story but there were also some funny moments as well. I like that this was told in dual pov because both Star and Ash were such interesting characters. I really enjoyed this book and can't wait to read more by this author!
**ARC provided in exchange for an honest review**
August 3, 2015
Posted to The Bevy Bibliotheque:
Happiness is a fragile state. This is something the main characters of All It Takes know only too well. Ash's life went bad in a flash and a scream in a car crash. Each time Star's life changed for the worse it was something simple: a phone call, for instance.
Sadie Munroe's debut All It Takes is the story of two damaged people finding their way back to that fragile state.
I loved the voices of both Star and Ash as they work through their pasts in All It Takes. The task of clearing out Star's mother's home extraordinarily suited for just that. Sure, they both present tough fronts-- Ash in particular seems to think that a barrage of f-bombs will keep the hurtful world at bay-- but ultimately, they have soft, gooey centers.
While All It Takes is absolutely a fit for the New Adult audience, with all of the-- er, admiration of the human form that that entails, I enjoyed the aspects of Star and Ash's burgeoning relationship that weren't sexual the most (although there's nothing wrong with a little ~sexual healing, baby~heyoooo).
Just a personal preference. They laugh, grow closer together, and start to forgive. In Star's case, she begins to forgive her mother. In Ash's... himself.
For fans of damaged characters in their NA, I'd unreservedly recommend Sadie Munroe's debut, All It Takes.
Happiness is a fragile state. This is something the main characters of All It Takes know only too well. Ash's life went bad in a flash and a scream in a car crash. Each time Star's life changed for the worse it was something simple: a phone call, for instance.
Sadie Munroe's debut All It Takes is the story of two damaged people finding their way back to that fragile state.
I loved the voices of both Star and Ash as they work through their pasts in All It Takes. The task of clearing out Star's mother's home extraordinarily suited for just that. Sure, they both present tough fronts-- Ash in particular seems to think that a barrage of f-bombs will keep the hurtful world at bay-- but ultimately, they have soft, gooey centers.
While All It Takes is absolutely a fit for the New Adult audience, with all of the-- er, admiration of the human form that that entails, I enjoyed the aspects of Star and Ash's burgeoning relationship that weren't sexual the most (although there's nothing wrong with a little ~sexual healing, baby~
Just a personal preference. They laugh, grow closer together, and start to forgive. In Star's case, she begins to forgive her mother. In Ash's... himself.
For fans of damaged characters in their NA, I'd unreservedly recommend Sadie Munroe's debut, All It Takes.
July 7, 2015
༺**Complimentary Copy**༺ Provided by the author in exchange for an honest review..Thank you!!
TITLE: All It Takes
AUTHOR: Sadie Munroe
GENRE: Contemporary Romance
RELEASE DATE: June 30, 2015
MY RATING: 5 STARS
I've never read anything by this author, this is her debut novel, but I can say already, the lady has talent.
Star, our heroine is one tough cookie, and I love her! She's definitely not your average wishy washy weak female (my hated 3 W's)
And Ash, our hero, just got out of prison. Love that this is not your typical safe love story.
I love that it's not insta-love. For me, insta-love is soo overdone and not very believable. Here we've got attraction, maybe some lusting going on, but that's it so far.
This scene, I really felt (below)
All kinds of feels..And omigod Ash's reaction to Roth! Hysterical! Creeper!
Woop woop! The sex is hot hot hot!
This book was a solid read for me. The writing was superb, the storyline was great, the characters totally believable and wonderfully flawed. The ending was perfect, no cliffy but does leave us wanting more with a nice window for that more.
All in all, 2 thumbs way up for this debut novel.
July 2, 2015
This review was originally posted on Just a Lil' Lost
Star Collins, a 19-year-old who has been living in the foster care system for the last 10 years, returns to her small hometown after finding out that her mother has passed away. As a hoarder, her mother had chosen her stuff over her daughter, and now Star is tasked with the job to clean out her house so she can sell it. Fresh out of a 5-year prison sentence for a mistake he made, Ash is kicked out of the house and struggles to find work. Star hires him on to help with the overwhelming task of emptying out her mother’s home.
Girl meets boy, boy meets girl. That’s not new. But what makes All It Takes a unique story is the circumstances that these two meet. So often I’ve read books where two characters have a “meet-cute” is in a glorified scenario but nope. This one is about hoarding. These two find a connection while swimming through mountains of junk and garbage.
I didn’t grow up in that small of a town as this one was set in, but it reminded me how you still always bump into people you know everywhere you go. Told in alternating points of view, Munroe does some great scene-setting, giving the readers a real taste of what it’s like to be a pariah in such a small town. I loved the dynamic between Star and Ash, the sarcastic, curse-filled ridiculously flirty banter they have, though I was hoping Ash would eventually be a little less self-pitying and have more to lust after Star about than just her long black hair and how hot she is. That being said, the heat radiating from this pair is on fire! It was also interesting character development to show how different these two are around each other versus what they are perceived to be like to the rest of the world. It’s a little nod to not judging people because of how they look or their circumstances because you may have no idea what they’re going through.
Beyond the flirtations between Ash and Star, there is also the underlying story of friendship. Even if you take away the romance, the friends factor among the supporting characters is just as prominent. Subplots of past and present pals, your choice in friends changing as life moves along. A glimpse of what one’s life would be like if they had stayed in the small town versus getting out.
The ending of this book leaves me torn. I’m torn because I appreciate the need to not have to answer everything and tie it all up in a neat little bow, but I’m left with so many questions still! And I wouldn’t necessarily think it’s enough questions to warrant a sequel. I like that this was a standalone. Overall, I really enjoyed this book. I haven’t read many in the New Adult genre but with All It Takes, and others that I have read, I’m definitely interested to check out more.
Star Collins, a 19-year-old who has been living in the foster care system for the last 10 years, returns to her small hometown after finding out that her mother has passed away. As a hoarder, her mother had chosen her stuff over her daughter, and now Star is tasked with the job to clean out her house so she can sell it. Fresh out of a 5-year prison sentence for a mistake he made, Ash is kicked out of the house and struggles to find work. Star hires him on to help with the overwhelming task of emptying out her mother’s home.
Girl meets boy, boy meets girl. That’s not new. But what makes All It Takes a unique story is the circumstances that these two meet. So often I’ve read books where two characters have a “meet-cute” is in a glorified scenario but nope. This one is about hoarding. These two find a connection while swimming through mountains of junk and garbage.
I didn’t grow up in that small of a town as this one was set in, but it reminded me how you still always bump into people you know everywhere you go. Told in alternating points of view, Munroe does some great scene-setting, giving the readers a real taste of what it’s like to be a pariah in such a small town. I loved the dynamic between Star and Ash, the sarcastic, curse-filled ridiculously flirty banter they have, though I was hoping Ash would eventually be a little less self-pitying and have more to lust after Star about than just her long black hair and how hot she is. That being said, the heat radiating from this pair is on fire! It was also interesting character development to show how different these two are around each other versus what they are perceived to be like to the rest of the world. It’s a little nod to not judging people because of how they look or their circumstances because you may have no idea what they’re going through.
Beyond the flirtations between Ash and Star, there is also the underlying story of friendship. Even if you take away the romance, the friends factor among the supporting characters is just as prominent. Subplots of past and present pals, your choice in friends changing as life moves along. A glimpse of what one’s life would be like if they had stayed in the small town versus getting out.
The ending of this book leaves me torn. I’m torn because I appreciate the need to not have to answer everything and tie it all up in a neat little bow, but I’m left with so many questions still! And I wouldn’t necessarily think it’s enough questions to warrant a sequel. I like that this was a standalone. Overall, I really enjoyed this book. I haven’t read many in the New Adult genre but with All It Takes, and others that I have read, I’m definitely interested to check out more.
July 28, 2015
“All It Takes” is a story about a young woman named Star, who has just lost her mother, and a young man named Ash, who has recently been released from prison for manslaughter. Both outcasts in a small town, they end up working together, and the story builds from there.
The story itself is at turns tragic and cute and romantic. There are some difficult issues raised about drug use, hoarding (I need to clean out all of our closets now), the foster care system, and how people treat one another. The characters themselves are rough around the edges while also endearing, and up until the end the pacing was steady ,and the writing lends itself to a quick read.
Unfortunately, in spite of all of the opportunities to explore such deep issues, there was a real lack of depth. The characters had many qualities, but they were barely touched upon in lieu of each of them thinking how hot the other looked. Constantly. The alternating viewpoints were a bit of a problem for me, as Star was much more realistically written than Ash. I have no issue with strong language, but it was beyond excessive in Ash’s thoughts and dialogue. Finally, the pace was thrown off at the very end and felt rushed.
All of that being said, “All It Takes” is not a bad book, I just wish it had been less superficial. If you’re looking for a good romance to read at the beach, give it a try.
This review is based upon a complimentary copy provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
The story itself is at turns tragic and cute and romantic. There are some difficult issues raised about drug use, hoarding (I need to clean out all of our closets now), the foster care system, and how people treat one another. The characters themselves are rough around the edges while also endearing, and up until the end the pacing was steady ,and the writing lends itself to a quick read.
Unfortunately, in spite of all of the opportunities to explore such deep issues, there was a real lack of depth. The characters had many qualities, but they were barely touched upon in lieu of each of them thinking how hot the other looked. Constantly. The alternating viewpoints were a bit of a problem for me, as Star was much more realistically written than Ash. I have no issue with strong language, but it was beyond excessive in Ash’s thoughts and dialogue. Finally, the pace was thrown off at the very end and felt rushed.
All of that being said, “All It Takes” is not a bad book, I just wish it had been less superficial. If you’re looking for a good romance to read at the beach, give it a try.
This review is based upon a complimentary copy provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
November 16, 2015
Review to come
June 19, 2015
It isn’t often that a book surprises me, and I’m not talking about the twists and turns within the story, but as to how the story is presented but All It Takes surprised me, but it was in a very good way. When I first read the blurb my interest was definitely peaked, but I hemmed and hawed a bit because there was a chance that since this story falls under the New Adult arena that it could’ve veer into the realm of unnecessary drama/uber angsty-ville based on the issues that both Ash and Star were dealing with, but at the end of the debt I had in my head with myself I just had to give it a go and I am very happy that I did because once I started it, I had a very hard time putting it down.
I really liked both Ash and Star. Star, despite being only nineteen is much more secure in herself than most. She hasn’t led an easy life, but instead of dwelling on the bad she celebrates the positive, she also has an impish side. Ash is sweet and hard working and my heart just broke for him at what he had to endure from the majority of the people in the town, including his parents. Together they made a great pair and I enjoyed watching as they went from strangers to friends to lovers. They got to know each other and found that, outside of their mutual physical attraction. they liked who the other was on the inside. And neither added any unnecessary drama to their budding relationship. They each have their own demons to fight but they handle them with a maturity that was quite refreshing considering that in many NA stories it would have been the catalyst for the characters to create more drama than necessary.
Most of the unnecessary drama comes from the narrow minded assholes that inhabit the town of Avenue and while Ash and Star do their best to either avoid or ignore it they don’t just lay down for it either. They do give the proverbial middle finger to the town, but do it in a way that had me wanting to high five them for it. Outside of the jerks in the town, which not all are, there are Autumn and Roth, Star’s college friends, who add a good dose of humor to the story.
The story itself flowed well and at good pace but never felt rushed and though there is no huge cliffhanger as to if Ash and Star get their HEA, I do have unanswered questions about a few things. These questions do not affect how I feel about the ending, I just want to know more. Also, something I feel that I need to address is that this book is done as a first person dual POV (Star and Ash’s) and what I appreciated the most about it was that they both sounded like the people they are described as. What am I talking about? I’ve read numerous first person POV’s and enjoyed most of them, but there are times when the characters use words to describe either their feelings or another person that just don’t fit with the picture I have of the character. Not to say that using big, pretty words and waxing poetic isn’t possible, but it isn’t always realistic. With Star and Ash, their thoughts and observations match them.
The Bottom Line: If you’re looking for a quick, fun and sweet strangers to friends to lovers read with a minimal amount of angsty drama then this one is for you!
~ ARC received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review ~
I really liked both Ash and Star. Star, despite being only nineteen is much more secure in herself than most. She hasn’t led an easy life, but instead of dwelling on the bad she celebrates the positive, she also has an impish side. Ash is sweet and hard working and my heart just broke for him at what he had to endure from the majority of the people in the town, including his parents. Together they made a great pair and I enjoyed watching as they went from strangers to friends to lovers. They got to know each other and found that, outside of their mutual physical attraction. they liked who the other was on the inside. And neither added any unnecessary drama to their budding relationship. They each have their own demons to fight but they handle them with a maturity that was quite refreshing considering that in many NA stories it would have been the catalyst for the characters to create more drama than necessary.
Most of the unnecessary drama comes from the narrow minded assholes that inhabit the town of Avenue and while Ash and Star do their best to either avoid or ignore it they don’t just lay down for it either. They do give the proverbial middle finger to the town, but do it in a way that had me wanting to high five them for it. Outside of the jerks in the town, which not all are, there are Autumn and Roth, Star’s college friends, who add a good dose of humor to the story.
The story itself flowed well and at good pace but never felt rushed and though there is no huge cliffhanger as to if Ash and Star get their HEA, I do have unanswered questions about a few things. These questions do not affect how I feel about the ending, I just want to know more. Also, something I feel that I need to address is that this book is done as a first person dual POV (Star and Ash’s) and what I appreciated the most about it was that they both sounded like the people they are described as. What am I talking about? I’ve read numerous first person POV’s and enjoyed most of them, but there are times when the characters use words to describe either their feelings or another person that just don’t fit with the picture I have of the character. Not to say that using big, pretty words and waxing poetic isn’t possible, but it isn’t always realistic. With Star and Ash, their thoughts and observations match them.
The Bottom Line: If you’re looking for a quick, fun and sweet strangers to friends to lovers read with a minimal amount of angsty drama then this one is for you!
~ ARC received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review ~
August 31, 2015
"Like everything bad that has ever happened in my life, it started with a phone call."
'All It Takes' is Sadie Munroe's debut novel. Although it's categorized as a new adult title, it brings the genre a welcoming breath of fresh air. College campus dramas, angsty young adults, and incomprehensible drama are no where to be found. Instead the reader finds that Sadie Munroe focuses on real life problems that are often ignored in many genres; hoarding, coming to terms with your past in a healthy way, and working towards a hopeful future. The emotion and events in 'All It Takes' are real and free from ridiculous and over the top scenarios. It's certainly unlike any other new adult title I've read in the past.
Ash and Star, two troubled characters with a fierce determination for a fresh start, meet in the most unlikely of situations. Star hires Ash to help her clear the aftermath of her mother's hoarding and the two connect in a way that is both surprising and refreshing; through mutual respect and friendship. Key word: mutual respect, not angsty dramatic nonsense that will leave you questioning every decision you've ever made. Trust me, that's happened to me. Instead, Ash and Star have a connection that isn't initiated by lust and it's one of the most redeeming qualities of this novel. It's something I'd like to see more in my reading material, not only in the new adult genre.
Sadie Munroe shows promise with this debut. Her writing flows wonderful and holds onto your attention, you're wholeheartedly invested in Ash and Star's story. Her characters are real and don't fail to connect with the reader. I'm impressed and I certainly hope to see more from her.
"Stars. Eighteen of them. One for every year I'd been trying, and failing, just to be me."
Readers looking for a new book in the new adult genre or just a refreshing new summer read before the school year begins, are recommended to give 'All It Takes' a try. It's a story that won't leave you rolling your eyes, will keep you hooked, and will make you wish to see and learn more about Ash and Star (sequel, please). I expect to hear more from Sadie in the near future and look forward to reading anything she releases. Sadie, I look forward to your unique perspective and tales.
(Review Disclaimer: The thoughts and words expressed in this review are property of the blogger. No payment was received/accepted for this review. You do not have the right to repost this review without the written permission of the blogger. The book was purchased by the blogger for review.)
July 25, 2015
4-4.5 PINKIE SWEAR stars :D :D :D
Once again, a new book Ive read by a new author!! And I have to say, it was really really sweet yet completely heartbreaking!! We get to meet Star, a girl who lost her dad to an accident and her mom to her obsession in her early childhood.. Now she returns after her mom's death only to come across her obsession of hoarding..
And i WILL BE HONEST. i had no idea what hoarding meant till I researched it!! really interesting to see this newthing...
and then she comes across Ashley aka Ash ;) hehehe..
Star...
Ash....
Ash is recently out of prison and his parents have kicked him out due to embarrassment and he goes around looking for a job.. Star sees him in the diner asking for a job and being rudely rejected without his resume checked!! and she askes him to work for her to help clean out the house..
it was really sweet to see their sweet and cute relationship.. hahah ash constantly fighting for control ;) and then the TOWN. OMG. i was like ughhhhh.. go awayyyy dumbies.. soo annoying..
people need to learn to forgive man.. EVERY HUMAN MAKES MISTAKE. yes his was grave.. but damn the guy regrets it till date.. le sigh..
But in the end, when they kept fighting their attraction and finally gave in.. i was a little kid again.. aiiii..
I really enjoyed this and the ending was soooooo heartbreaking :( yet so sweet. gosshh the accident and their lost yet their gain.. uff.. AWEESSSOME job writing it. loved both povs and generally thats just me.. I love reading into both character's brains and it needs to well written no fast forwarded.. I like details.. i love adjectives and how humor adds itself..
Once again, a new book Ive read by a new author!! And I have to say, it was really really sweet yet completely heartbreaking!! We get to meet Star, a girl who lost her dad to an accident and her mom to her obsession in her early childhood.. Now she returns after her mom's death only to come across her obsession of hoarding..
And i WILL BE HONEST. i had no idea what hoarding meant till I researched it!! really interesting to see this newthing...
and then she comes across Ashley aka Ash ;) hehehe..
Star...
Ash....
Ash is recently out of prison and his parents have kicked him out due to embarrassment and he goes around looking for a job.. Star sees him in the diner asking for a job and being rudely rejected without his resume checked!! and she askes him to work for her to help clean out the house..
it was really sweet to see their sweet and cute relationship.. hahah ash constantly fighting for control ;) and then the TOWN. OMG. i was like ughhhhh.. go awayyyy dumbies.. soo annoying..
people need to learn to forgive man.. EVERY HUMAN MAKES MISTAKE. yes his was grave.. but damn the guy regrets it till date.. le sigh..
But in the end, when they kept fighting their attraction and finally gave in.. i was a little kid again.. aiiii..
I really enjoyed this and the ending was soooooo heartbreaking :( yet so sweet. gosshh the accident and their lost yet their gain.. uff.. AWEESSSOME job writing it. loved both povs and generally thats just me.. I love reading into both character's brains and it needs to well written no fast forwarded.. I like details.. i love adjectives and how humor adds itself..
July 24, 2015
4 round heart-warming stars for a second chance!
The resolution, however, did not at all satisfy the bookworm in me. Too easy. What was the thorough building-up of all that suspense regarding the leaving for college of Star for??? And that final climax... Ughh... Was it even considered one??? Despite being beautifully touching and all, it still seemed pretty irrelevant to me...
Had the last two chapters of the book been written otherwise, "All It Takes" might have been a perfect read to end my June. But no, the all-too-simple ending just had to go and leave me feeling freaking unresolved and annoyed. I mean, seriously?
So, evidently, it was not the perfect read desired... Just a great read. Great enough to work me up, get me to care then dump me like I wasn't worth the effort. -_-
And because I truly cared, I'm now being a bit partial toward rating the book...
Damn it, book! I cared for you. I really did. Why???
The resolution, however, did not at all satisfy the bookworm in me. Too easy. What was the thorough building-up of all that suspense regarding the leaving for college of Star for??? And that final climax... Ughh... Was it even considered one??? Despite being beautifully touching and all, it still seemed pretty irrelevant to me...
Had the last two chapters of the book been written otherwise, "All It Takes" might have been a perfect read to end my June. But no, the all-too-simple ending just had to go and leave me feeling freaking unresolved and annoyed. I mean, seriously?
So, evidently, it was not the perfect read desired... Just a great read. Great enough to work me up, get me to care then dump me like I wasn't worth the effort. -_-
And because I truly cared, I'm now being a bit partial toward rating the book...
Damn it, book! I cared for you. I really did. Why???
June 29, 2015
Omg really?! That is how it ends!!! I want more!!! Please tell me there is a sequel! I need to know how they make it work, does she go back to school? What happens with the hoarder friend? Who do they become? Do they get justice against the bullies! Ugh this can't be the end I Loved this book so much, please please please write more to this story. Totally fall in love with Ash and Star, two completely angsty characters with so much more to give to the world. This book reminds me of the coincidence of Callie and Kayden. Such great characters you are so invested in you just absolutely need more! One click you will not be disappointed!
June 18, 2015
All It Takes was a good book. I would have liked to have had more of an ending though. What did they do? I liked how great she treated him and talked to him. They each gave each other crap and laughed a lot. She healed him and made him feel better. They both helped each other, but she really helped him.They are together in the end and get their HEA.The story kept me reading until the end.
I received an ARC of this book from the publisher and Netgalley for an honest review.
I received an ARC of this book from the publisher and Netgalley for an honest review.
June 25, 2015
Check out the full review on Bookaholics Not-So-Anonymous.
Note: This ARC was provided by Patchwork Press Cooperative in exchange for an honest review.
Whenever I go into a book that isn't part of a series or is by an author whose work is completely new to me, i.e. I've never read any of their previous work or they're debuting their work, I have one very simple expectation: I expect to enjoy it. I mean, that's how it should be with any book you read, but then I add on other stuff if I'm a fan of the author's or am familiar with their stuff. With a new author, it's all about giving me enjoying myself. I don't need an overly complex story or to-die-for characters, though connecting with one or both of those elements is always a good thing. I'm even willing to overlook an editing error here and there (though the editor in me is always tempted to whip out my purple pencil to make corrections), as long as it's nothing egregious. As long as I finish the book with a smile on my face, all should be good.
So, when I started reading All It Takes, a new adult (NA) romance by first-time author Sadie Munroe, I went in with an open mind and heart...and was blown away. I had no concept of time while I had my tablet in front of me, falling in love with this story of a girl named Star left with no other choice but to literally pick up the pieces of the life her mother once lived and to confront the very things that her mother chose over her. Then she meets this guy named Ash who has spent the last five years of his life paying for the car accident that took the life of another driver and simply wants to see his beloved dog and start over but is informed by his mother that he isn't welcome in their home and that Bruiser ran off soon after he was sentenced. They're both looked upon as outsiders in the town of Avenue, she with her tattoos and blonde hair dyed black and he with his criminal record. But in each other they find a kindred spirit of sorts, someone who sees beyond the tats and prison time, and they both discover the importance of giving and taking chances.
This was such a story that was often heartwarming but also, at times, heartrending. It deals with not passing judgment on those whose lives we only know of based on gossip, personal prejudice, or a misplaced sense of justice. It tackles family issues and the realization that parents are human to and are susceptible to mistakes and lack of discernment and that, more often than not, family isn't necessarily the one you're born with but the one you create for yourself. It's about two people who work side-by-side, forge a friendship, and fall in love with the person who is more than his or her circumstances. With two wonderfully real and imperfectly perfect lead characters, an adorable four-legged scene-stealer, and supporting characters who bring humor and heart, All It Takes is a book I would more than happily encourage other bookaholics to read. It goes without saying that Sadie Munroe has more than impressed me with this debut of hers. She's an author I'm going to keep my eye on. This latest 2015 favorite gets five-plus stars. ♥♥♥
Note: This ARC was provided by Patchwork Press Cooperative in exchange for an honest review.
Whenever I go into a book that isn't part of a series or is by an author whose work is completely new to me, i.e. I've never read any of their previous work or they're debuting their work, I have one very simple expectation: I expect to enjoy it. I mean, that's how it should be with any book you read, but then I add on other stuff if I'm a fan of the author's or am familiar with their stuff. With a new author, it's all about giving me enjoying myself. I don't need an overly complex story or to-die-for characters, though connecting with one or both of those elements is always a good thing. I'm even willing to overlook an editing error here and there (though the editor in me is always tempted to whip out my purple pencil to make corrections), as long as it's nothing egregious. As long as I finish the book with a smile on my face, all should be good.
So, when I started reading All It Takes, a new adult (NA) romance by first-time author Sadie Munroe, I went in with an open mind and heart...and was blown away. I had no concept of time while I had my tablet in front of me, falling in love with this story of a girl named Star left with no other choice but to literally pick up the pieces of the life her mother once lived and to confront the very things that her mother chose over her. Then she meets this guy named Ash who has spent the last five years of his life paying for the car accident that took the life of another driver and simply wants to see his beloved dog and start over but is informed by his mother that he isn't welcome in their home and that Bruiser ran off soon after he was sentenced. They're both looked upon as outsiders in the town of Avenue, she with her tattoos and blonde hair dyed black and he with his criminal record. But in each other they find a kindred spirit of sorts, someone who sees beyond the tats and prison time, and they both discover the importance of giving and taking chances.
This was such a story that was often heartwarming but also, at times, heartrending. It deals with not passing judgment on those whose lives we only know of based on gossip, personal prejudice, or a misplaced sense of justice. It tackles family issues and the realization that parents are human to and are susceptible to mistakes and lack of discernment and that, more often than not, family isn't necessarily the one you're born with but the one you create for yourself. It's about two people who work side-by-side, forge a friendship, and fall in love with the person who is more than his or her circumstances. With two wonderfully real and imperfectly perfect lead characters, an adorable four-legged scene-stealer, and supporting characters who bring humor and heart, All It Takes is a book I would more than happily encourage other bookaholics to read. It goes without saying that Sadie Munroe has more than impressed me with this debut of hers. She's an author I'm going to keep my eye on. This latest 2015 favorite gets five-plus stars. ♥♥♥
July 22, 2015
Check out more reviews at Little Miss Bookmark!
Usually, I write a little blurb for the book but not this time. I'm just going to get down to business. I was excited about reading All It Takes because I love a broken character. I enjoy seeing how the author will have them overcome whatever it is that is going on in their life. I like seeing that progression and transformation. That is what I was looking for with this one because really, these characters seemed screwed up. Really screwed up. And they were ... somewhat ...
Gosh, I just really don't know where to start ... I have so many things to cover. I'll just start at the beginning of the book and then work through my list from there. Whew. I think that the first thing that really bothered me with this one was how Star and Ash just kept talking about how hot or sexy the other one was. Yeah, this sounds like no biggie, right? I'm all for appreciating someone's appearance. I'm even for saying it repeatedly but this was just completely excessive. It was ALL THE TIME. The "he's so hot" and "she's so hot" shallow nonsense became old very quickly. It made the story seem as shallow as the characters were.
Another thing... I cuss. More than any lady should. Hell, more than any person should. This Houston traffic has brought on a potty mouth for me like I never imagined. But Ash's character cussed all the time. ALL THE TIME. It was every other word at times and mostly at times when it was just unnecessary. Do people really talk like this? Of course, I'm sure there are but they sound like idiots. A few well-placed f-bombs are great. It doesn't need to happen this much though. And if I (someone who curses all the damn time) has a problem with it, I know that people who hardly ever cuss are going to have a serious problem with it. Again, it just took away from the story and made it seem shallow.
The town that the story takes place in is just ... weird. It's like it takes place in The Twilight Zone or Wayward Pines. It was sooo weird. Yeah, this story is in a small town. Is everyone nosy in a small town? Does everyone know what everyone else is doing in a small town? Sure. But there was this one part that was just weird as shit and out of left field. It felt like it didn't even belong in the story. I have an advance copy of the novel and that's why I can't say what the scene was ... it may end up getting taken out of the final copy and I really hope that it does because it detracts from the story.
All in all, this was an okay book ... the characters didn't seem very authentic and almost confused because their personalities didn't match up with how they were described. I didn't feel one iota of connection to anyone within these pages. It's sad. I can't stand not liking a book and I really, really hate having to say less than flattering things about something that someone has worked so hard on but ... it is what it is.
* I received this novel in exchange for an honest review *
June 25, 2015
*This ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
What a debut novel! I really am thankful to NetGalley for introducing me to all these amazing authors! I hope by sharing the love on this blog I can pay it forward. Sadie Munroe is a new author (ta-dah!) and her book will be available on June 30th. Click here to pre-order on Amazon! I see great things in this girl’s future.
****4 Stars****
The introduction to Star reads like a knock-out fight. Left – her father dies when she’s a kid. Right – Star’s taken away from her mother when her hoarding endangers her life. Cross and knock out – her mother dies. All three incidents happen over the course of Star’s young life but they are more than most will ever have to face. Star returns to her home to deal with her mother’s house and she’s not looking forward to it. It’s gotten so bad she’s defeated before she steps in the ring.
Adding to Star’s frustration and defeat is the locals of Avenue. They are a judge-by-the-looks kind of people and frustrate Star to no end. While dealing with a snobby waitress in the local diner she witnesses another person receive the horrible condemnation and judgement. Ash has just been released from prison for manslaughter. He regrets what he did and knows he’ll struggle with the guilt for the rest of his life. But it feels like he’s being kicked while already on the ground. Ash’s parents kick him out, he can’t get a job and his dog ran away while he was in prison. Left-right-cross. The insult to injury is everyone in the town of Avenue refusing to give him a chance
After witnessing Ash get turned away for a job at the diner, Star offers him a job helping clear out her mother’s house. She’s embarrassed by the state of it and knows she’ll need the extra hands if she wants to have it done in time for school. Together they begin going through the horrible mess of her old house – and begin learning about each other.
Maybe together we can get a little bit better. Maybe.
Over the sweltering summer months, spending hours each day together, Star and Ash begin to find redemption and comfort in each other. And maybe even love.
I liked this book. The characters were fun to read and get to know and the situation was a new one for me. Dealing with a hoarder’s house is a great way to have two people learn about each other and also introduces different emotional aspects for the heroine. I felt the ending could have used some more time invested in it. Or more words. It came across a bit rushed and didn’t really satisfy all of my concerns regarding the couple. But I also see series potential in the cast of characters introduced so maybe that’s where they will be addressed!
A good novel to sit down with on a rainy day and enjoy! Or take it with you somewhere sunny, you’ll still like it!
What a debut novel! I really am thankful to NetGalley for introducing me to all these amazing authors! I hope by sharing the love on this blog I can pay it forward. Sadie Munroe is a new author (ta-dah!) and her book will be available on June 30th. Click here to pre-order on Amazon! I see great things in this girl’s future.
****4 Stars****
The introduction to Star reads like a knock-out fight. Left – her father dies when she’s a kid. Right – Star’s taken away from her mother when her hoarding endangers her life. Cross and knock out – her mother dies. All three incidents happen over the course of Star’s young life but they are more than most will ever have to face. Star returns to her home to deal with her mother’s house and she’s not looking forward to it. It’s gotten so bad she’s defeated before she steps in the ring.
Adding to Star’s frustration and defeat is the locals of Avenue. They are a judge-by-the-looks kind of people and frustrate Star to no end. While dealing with a snobby waitress in the local diner she witnesses another person receive the horrible condemnation and judgement. Ash has just been released from prison for manslaughter. He regrets what he did and knows he’ll struggle with the guilt for the rest of his life. But it feels like he’s being kicked while already on the ground. Ash’s parents kick him out, he can’t get a job and his dog ran away while he was in prison. Left-right-cross. The insult to injury is everyone in the town of Avenue refusing to give him a chance
After witnessing Ash get turned away for a job at the diner, Star offers him a job helping clear out her mother’s house. She’s embarrassed by the state of it and knows she’ll need the extra hands if she wants to have it done in time for school. Together they begin going through the horrible mess of her old house – and begin learning about each other.
Maybe together we can get a little bit better. Maybe.
Over the sweltering summer months, spending hours each day together, Star and Ash begin to find redemption and comfort in each other. And maybe even love.
I liked this book. The characters were fun to read and get to know and the situation was a new one for me. Dealing with a hoarder’s house is a great way to have two people learn about each other and also introduces different emotional aspects for the heroine. I felt the ending could have used some more time invested in it. Or more words. It came across a bit rushed and didn’t really satisfy all of my concerns regarding the couple. But I also see series potential in the cast of characters introduced so maybe that’s where they will be addressed!
A good novel to sit down with on a rainy day and enjoy! Or take it with you somewhere sunny, you’ll still like it!
June 30, 2015
I received a copy of this story from Net Galley. Yay books!
Spoilers possible ahead...
This is one of those story's that remind me just how much I hate small towns.
Seriously.
Here is this guy, Ash, who made a mistake and who paid for it by going to prison. But, the town get the title confused, because really who cares how he killed someone, just that he killed someone. And he is forever more known as a murder.
These are the type of people I like to lecture about the differences between manslaughter, first degree murder, second degree murder and so forth. Also, it would have been considered vehicular manslaughter...but we'll let that slide this time.
Anyway. Thank god for Star. I really think that this chick saved Ash in more ways than one. If she hasn't been there that first day and offered him a job...who knows what he would have been capable of doing. He's been to prison. That changes people...and not alway for the better.
With Ash and Star spending so much time tighter, it was only destined that they would fall for each other.
And it was really sweet. No very many people could over look the fact that someone had just been released from prison for causing the death of another person no matter how it happened, unless they A) had loved that person before B) a strong person who can over look something like that or C) someone who has hybristophilia...people who pretty much get off that their partner has committed a crime. Or as it is more commonly know as the Bonnie and Clyde syndrome.
Im not really getting "C" with Star.
This story is even made better with the few following:
~Autumn...I loved that girl!
~Ash finding his lost dog after his parents (mother) conveniently loses him after Ash goes to prison.
~That Star and Ash found uses to some of the stuff that her mother hoarded.
~The ending...minus the car crash ( besides, how crazy is that? I'm sure Ash messed up some kind of statistics with that...) and minus the missing pinking finger (really?!? Why the pinky? That's kind of a laugh in their face...) I'm talking about where some of the towns people come together and helps out with Stars mothers house! That's sweet of them!
~And, even though Star lost both of her parents...in the end she got to keep a little of both.
~And can we talk about how somewhat accurate that cover is? With the word tattoos? I can't tell what they say...but that's how I pictured it. And I didn't even pay attention to the cover at first. If only we could see the stars too...
Spoilers possible ahead...
This is one of those story's that remind me just how much I hate small towns.
Seriously.
Here is this guy, Ash, who made a mistake and who paid for it by going to prison. But, the town get the title confused, because really who cares how he killed someone, just that he killed someone. And he is forever more known as a murder.
These are the type of people I like to lecture about the differences between manslaughter, first degree murder, second degree murder and so forth. Also, it would have been considered vehicular manslaughter...but we'll let that slide this time.
Anyway. Thank god for Star. I really think that this chick saved Ash in more ways than one. If she hasn't been there that first day and offered him a job...who knows what he would have been capable of doing. He's been to prison. That changes people...and not alway for the better.
With Ash and Star spending so much time tighter, it was only destined that they would fall for each other.
And it was really sweet. No very many people could over look the fact that someone had just been released from prison for causing the death of another person no matter how it happened, unless they A) had loved that person before B) a strong person who can over look something like that or C) someone who has hybristophilia...people who pretty much get off that their partner has committed a crime. Or as it is more commonly know as the Bonnie and Clyde syndrome.
Im not really getting "C" with Star.
This story is even made better with the few following:
~Autumn...I loved that girl!
~Ash finding his lost dog after his parents (mother) conveniently loses him after Ash goes to prison.
~That Star and Ash found uses to some of the stuff that her mother hoarded.
~The ending...minus the car crash ( besides, how crazy is that? I'm sure Ash messed up some kind of statistics with that...) and minus the missing pinking finger (really?!? Why the pinky? That's kind of a laugh in their face...) I'm talking about where some of the towns people come together and helps out with Stars mothers house! That's sweet of them!
~And, even though Star lost both of her parents...in the end she got to keep a little of both.
~And can we talk about how somewhat accurate that cover is? With the word tattoos? I can't tell what they say...but that's how I pictured it. And I didn't even pay attention to the cover at first. If only we could see the stars too...
January 17, 2017
This review can also be seen on my blog I Heart Fictional People
Wow. Just wow. I absolutely loved this book. I don’t even know where to start.
Okay, let’s start with my initial impression of the book. I really liked the cover. I just had to know more about this girl, and I felt like I could relate to her just by looking at her. Then, I read the first page, and I was hooked. Sometimes judging a book by its cover really pays off, and it definitely did here.
Star and Ash may be my new favorite book couple. Star didn’t have the best childhood. Her mom was a hoarder and ended up choosing all her junk over her daughter, leaving Star in foster care. Ash hasn’t had it easy either. He has been in prison for the last five years. Having to live with what he did, everyone in town, including his parents, make it even harder for him to move on. Being the outsiders in their own hometown, they are instantly drawn to each other.
What I really loved about their relationship was that they gave each other a chance. While everyone else was completely rude and looked at and treated Ash like he was some horrible, dangerous murderer, Star saw something in him. And when everyone gave Star weird looks because of her tattoos and dyed black hair, Ash didn’t care; he actually thought she was gorgeous. And the way they started out as employee and employer and then turning into friends and then possibly something more was realistic. So many times, I’m disappointed in books because the relationship is rushed or takes way too long, but this was perfectly paced. Kudos to Sadie Munroe!
Speaking of this amazing author, I was so surprised when I found out that this is her debut novel. It was written so well! Not many authors can turn me, a grown adult, into a neurotic fangirl who has just found her perfect book boyfriend to obsess over, but Sadie Munroe clearly accomplished this. In addition to unforgettable characters, who are completely relatable, the plot was so unique. I haven’t read anything similar, so that was refreshing.
Overall, this was an amazing book, and I MUST own a physical copy of the book. I won’t be happy until it is on my bookshelf, ready and waiting for me to reread over and over again. I REALLY hope to see many more books by Munroe. I’ll be impatiently waiting for more…
*I was provided with an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.*
Wow. Just wow. I absolutely loved this book. I don’t even know where to start.
Okay, let’s start with my initial impression of the book. I really liked the cover. I just had to know more about this girl, and I felt like I could relate to her just by looking at her. Then, I read the first page, and I was hooked. Sometimes judging a book by its cover really pays off, and it definitely did here.
Star and Ash may be my new favorite book couple. Star didn’t have the best childhood. Her mom was a hoarder and ended up choosing all her junk over her daughter, leaving Star in foster care. Ash hasn’t had it easy either. He has been in prison for the last five years. Having to live with what he did, everyone in town, including his parents, make it even harder for him to move on. Being the outsiders in their own hometown, they are instantly drawn to each other.
What I really loved about their relationship was that they gave each other a chance. While everyone else was completely rude and looked at and treated Ash like he was some horrible, dangerous murderer, Star saw something in him. And when everyone gave Star weird looks because of her tattoos and dyed black hair, Ash didn’t care; he actually thought she was gorgeous. And the way they started out as employee and employer and then turning into friends and then possibly something more was realistic. So many times, I’m disappointed in books because the relationship is rushed or takes way too long, but this was perfectly paced. Kudos to Sadie Munroe!
Speaking of this amazing author, I was so surprised when I found out that this is her debut novel. It was written so well! Not many authors can turn me, a grown adult, into a neurotic fangirl who has just found her perfect book boyfriend to obsess over, but Sadie Munroe clearly accomplished this. In addition to unforgettable characters, who are completely relatable, the plot was so unique. I haven’t read anything similar, so that was refreshing.
Overall, this was an amazing book, and I MUST own a physical copy of the book. I won’t be happy until it is on my bookshelf, ready and waiting for me to reread over and over again. I REALLY hope to see many more books by Munroe. I’ll be impatiently waiting for more…
*I was provided with an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.*
June 20, 2015
So. Remember when I talked about new adult as a new genre? Yep, here’s another.
What I like about new adult s that it’s more likely to find topics that relate to an older group of readers. That’s not to say that young adult doesn’t deal with some real-life issues (John Greene for example). That’s also not to say this new adult doesn’t produce stories just to tell a good story. But, there’s a part of me that believes the older you get and the more you experience in life, sometimes what you want to read is books with more substance than a wicked fairy godmother romance. Although there’s a time for that, too.
I adored Munroe’s book. I read half in one afternoon and finished the book in three hours the next day. There are parts where this feels very much like a romance. And yes, actually, it is. There is a sex scene, and it’s actually well written without verging on erotica, but it doesn’t make you feel like you’re missing too much of the fun. Know what I mean?
What I loved so, so much is that this is a story about two people with very likely problems people can face. Two young adults, facing the world alone and struggling to stay afloat. And in the course of facing their problems they find each other.
And what I absolutely loved more than this, was that they never tried to fix each other. They were real, they felt their pain and had their insecurities and tried to help each other out. But neither of the protagonists looked at the other and said “I want to try and fix her.” They saw the other and saw what was great about them while they were still broken.
This is real life. Don’t go and try and fix someone. You won’t ever get what you want from that person. But if you are there for someone, and they are there for you in turn, and you make it through whatever crap life decides to send you, you’ll love that person and feel loved. You’ll both be stronger for it.
Sadie Munroe did an amazing job handling Star and Ash’s relationship and character development. Which you all know I LOVE to see my characters tortured and thrive in the end.
Great read. Seriously.
Check out more of my book reviews at tumblr.com.
http://tmblr.co/ZE8x2o1nbjLfn
What I like about new adult s that it’s more likely to find topics that relate to an older group of readers. That’s not to say that young adult doesn’t deal with some real-life issues (John Greene for example). That’s also not to say this new adult doesn’t produce stories just to tell a good story. But, there’s a part of me that believes the older you get and the more you experience in life, sometimes what you want to read is books with more substance than a wicked fairy godmother romance. Although there’s a time for that, too.
I adored Munroe’s book. I read half in one afternoon and finished the book in three hours the next day. There are parts where this feels very much like a romance. And yes, actually, it is. There is a sex scene, and it’s actually well written without verging on erotica, but it doesn’t make you feel like you’re missing too much of the fun. Know what I mean?
What I loved so, so much is that this is a story about two people with very likely problems people can face. Two young adults, facing the world alone and struggling to stay afloat. And in the course of facing their problems they find each other.
And what I absolutely loved more than this, was that they never tried to fix each other. They were real, they felt their pain and had their insecurities and tried to help each other out. But neither of the protagonists looked at the other and said “I want to try and fix her.” They saw the other and saw what was great about them while they were still broken.
This is real life. Don’t go and try and fix someone. You won’t ever get what you want from that person. But if you are there for someone, and they are there for you in turn, and you make it through whatever crap life decides to send you, you’ll love that person and feel loved. You’ll both be stronger for it.
Sadie Munroe did an amazing job handling Star and Ash’s relationship and character development. Which you all know I LOVE to see my characters tortured and thrive in the end.
Great read. Seriously.
Check out more of my book reviews at tumblr.com.
http://tmblr.co/ZE8x2o1nbjLfn
July 14, 2015
Book Review- All It Takes by Sadie Munroe
Star is back in her hometown. She hasn’t been back since Child Protection Services took her away and placed her in foster care. She is now back to clean out her mother’s house after she has died. She has the summer to clean it out in order to sell. It’s a big job since her mother was a hoarder.
Ash just got out of prison. Five years ago he got into a car accident while high and killed a man. His life is forever changed as his parents kick him out and the town shuns him. In fact they treat him like a serial killer. Ash needs a job. He is homeless living out of his car.
Star needs help with her mother’s house and offers him a job. She can’t pay much but she is the only one offering Ash a chance. He jumps at that chance. They work together cleaning the mess left behind. They also have to deal with what shape their lives are in. They grow closer as they both see past the other’s walls. No one truly matters but them.
This story was sweet. Out of devastation and baggage comes strength and love. Star’s circumstances were out of her control but she overcame them with strength and good friends. She is an awesome main character. I loved her instantly. Ash knew he messed up and spent five years paying for it. He now wants to move on. It’s sad that no one will give him a chance. I felt so awful for him. The author did a great job portraying his guilt and how he curled into himself thinking he deserved what treatment he got.
The author also hit on a lot of truthfulness with the small town mentality when it came to judgment of others. I was sad to see the accurateness of the portrayal. It is sad to know and witness that this type of behavior still exists. I liked the main characters’ us against them theme and their relationship as it grows. I also think the author did a great job creating a story where two lost people find and heal each other. I give it a 4 out of 5.
Star is back in her hometown. She hasn’t been back since Child Protection Services took her away and placed her in foster care. She is now back to clean out her mother’s house after she has died. She has the summer to clean it out in order to sell. It’s a big job since her mother was a hoarder.
Ash just got out of prison. Five years ago he got into a car accident while high and killed a man. His life is forever changed as his parents kick him out and the town shuns him. In fact they treat him like a serial killer. Ash needs a job. He is homeless living out of his car.
Star needs help with her mother’s house and offers him a job. She can’t pay much but she is the only one offering Ash a chance. He jumps at that chance. They work together cleaning the mess left behind. They also have to deal with what shape their lives are in. They grow closer as they both see past the other’s walls. No one truly matters but them.
This story was sweet. Out of devastation and baggage comes strength and love. Star’s circumstances were out of her control but she overcame them with strength and good friends. She is an awesome main character. I loved her instantly. Ash knew he messed up and spent five years paying for it. He now wants to move on. It’s sad that no one will give him a chance. I felt so awful for him. The author did a great job portraying his guilt and how he curled into himself thinking he deserved what treatment he got.
The author also hit on a lot of truthfulness with the small town mentality when it came to judgment of others. I was sad to see the accurateness of the portrayal. It is sad to know and witness that this type of behavior still exists. I liked the main characters’ us against them theme and their relationship as it grows. I also think the author did a great job creating a story where two lost people find and heal each other. I give it a 4 out of 5.
August 27, 2015
I am not going to give a play by play or anything like that. The issue with the book is hoarding. Yes you heard me right hoarders! They are just now becoming known to most people. They function well in society but their home, care, yards, and so on, usually look like a dumping ground. The main character is a 19 year old named Star Collins and she was removed from her home because of her mother's hoarding. I was really thrilled when that came out because it is so new that I just gobbled up the book. Star is very likable for me as a lead because she is just Star and doesnt care what others think of her.
So things get good really fast. I liked the way she never intended to return to her hometown, Avenue, but the minute she gets there is struck by a former friend. The diner houses a few very opinionated idiots who cause drama where Star doesnt need it. The other lead enters
Ash Winthrope, the guy who was just released from prison comes into the diner and blah blah
She encounters him....blah blah
Here is where the serious issues are. So many reveals are added in small does except for the reason behind the hoarding. WOW it was big!! It is a meaningful issue that I know people will enjoy. The plot is well put together. The story is unique as is the relationship between Star and her friends from college, Ash and the people in Avenue.
Overall PLEASE read this one it will not disappoint you.
So things get good really fast. I liked the way she never intended to return to her hometown, Avenue, but the minute she gets there is struck by a former friend. The diner houses a few very opinionated idiots who cause drama where Star doesnt need it. The other lead enters
Ash Winthrope, the guy who was just released from prison comes into the diner and blah blah
She encounters him....blah blah
Here is where the serious issues are. So many reveals are added in small does except for the reason behind the hoarding. WOW it was big!! It is a meaningful issue that I know people will enjoy. The plot is well put together. The story is unique as is the relationship between Star and her friends from college, Ash and the people in Avenue.
Overall PLEASE read this one it will not disappoint you.
June 29, 2015
This was such a good read and different than what I had expected. I really liked Star instantly and Ash too.
Star's mom was a hoarder, I'm talking big time hoarder to the point that she lost custody of Star. After she dies Star has to come back to her hometown, Avenue- for the record this town was horrible!- to clean out her mothers house to sale it. But she gets a little more than she expects when she see just how bad the house is.
I really hated the people of Avenue. They were so damn judgmental. Star has tattoos so she must be this horrible person according to the town of Avenue. Seriously, those people need to get over themselves. Anyways, in the course of all this Star meets Ash who is also from Avenue and is an outcast considering he just served five years in prison.
I was expecting Ash to be totally different than what he was and I am so glad I was wrong and the author took him in another direction. I really liked him. He was a good guy that no one, aside from Star, would give a chance. Like I said this town was really judgy!
I loved the build up and banter between Star and Ash. I like that they both helped each other emotionally without even realizing it. There was a connection between these two before anything even happened and it was good! These two healed each other. It was a really good book!
***ARC provided from the Publisher via Netgalley in exchange for my HONEST review. Thank you!***
Star's mom was a hoarder, I'm talking big time hoarder to the point that she lost custody of Star. After she dies Star has to come back to her hometown, Avenue- for the record this town was horrible!- to clean out her mothers house to sale it. But she gets a little more than she expects when she see just how bad the house is.
I really hated the people of Avenue. They were so damn judgmental. Star has tattoos so she must be this horrible person according to the town of Avenue. Seriously, those people need to get over themselves. Anyways, in the course of all this Star meets Ash who is also from Avenue and is an outcast considering he just served five years in prison.
I was expecting Ash to be totally different than what he was and I am so glad I was wrong and the author took him in another direction. I really liked him. He was a good guy that no one, aside from Star, would give a chance. Like I said this town was really judgy!
I loved the build up and banter between Star and Ash. I like that they both helped each other emotionally without even realizing it. There was a connection between these two before anything even happened and it was good! These two healed each other. It was a really good book!
***ARC provided from the Publisher via Netgalley in exchange for my HONEST review. Thank you!***
July 18, 2015
Cute
This was a great little story. I enjoyed it very much, the writing was good, and there really weren't many (if any) errors like I (unfortunately) typically encounter with Amazon books.
I do agree with the other reviewers, though... this could've been a 5 star for me if the ending was more.... complete. I wanted to see some follow-up with the couple. There's a lot of unanswered questions/issues for them, there's no justice for their "accident (??! Really??), and I he stuff with his parents was a little TOO easy for me. Not once did anyone apologize for anything (his parents were kind of harsh with no good explanation- not even though love and I thought it was weird that they magically forgot any of it happened)
But, despite the unsatisfactory ending, it really was a good story and I enjoyed reading it.
This was a great little story. I enjoyed it very much, the writing was good, and there really weren't many (if any) errors like I (unfortunately) typically encounter with Amazon books.
I do agree with the other reviewers, though... this could've been a 5 star for me if the ending was more.... complete. I wanted to see some follow-up with the couple. There's a lot of unanswered questions/issues for them, there's no justice for their "accident (??! Really??), and I he stuff with his parents was a little TOO easy for me. Not once did anyone apologize for anything (his parents were kind of harsh with no good explanation- not even though love and I thought it was weird that they magically forgot any of it happened)
But, despite the unsatisfactory ending, it really was a good story and I enjoyed reading it.
June 28, 2015
All it takes is an awesome New Adult read.
Star is a very strong main character. I loved the way she just accepted Ash even after the whole town including his family shun him. Star has dealt with a lot in her life from the death of her father to her mother's hoarding, which leaves her being taken into care at an early age.
Ash, he made one silly mistake that ruined his life. After spending five years in prison, he comes home to realize he has nothing left. Until Star enters his life.
I loved the slow pace of their relationship. If you want instalove, this book is not for you. They both deserved some happiness in their lives.
Star is a very strong main character. I loved the way she just accepted Ash even after the whole town including his family shun him. Star has dealt with a lot in her life from the death of her father to her mother's hoarding, which leaves her being taken into care at an early age.
Ash, he made one silly mistake that ruined his life. After spending five years in prison, he comes home to realize he has nothing left. Until Star enters his life.
I loved the slow pace of their relationship. If you want instalove, this book is not for you. They both deserved some happiness in their lives.
June 10, 2015
This was a great book! I loved Star and Ash. I also thought it was interesting to read about hoarding! The story is sweet and engaging. The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars is the ending. It ends and you know what happens to the main characters, but I have SO many questions. Did Preston do it on purpose? Does Star go back to college? There are more but I don't want to give away spoilers.
I thought the plot twist was good and unexpected for sure. This was a quick read as well which is nice. My full review will be posted at http://www.thebookdisciple.com
I thought the plot twist was good and unexpected for sure. This was a quick read as well which is nice. My full review will be posted at http://www.thebookdisciple.com
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