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Decree of Hope
When insecure eighteen-year-old Kailee Hill gets caught tagging Iraq war refugee, Abrahem Yohanna's garage, she's not expecting him to act as her designated driver, hold her hair back when she pukes, or offer to be a shoulder to cry on. But she's failing chemistry and her life is falling apart, so she uses the number Abe leaves her and finds herself with a new tutor.
The two quickly find themselves falling hard for each other. Kailee attacks a local grunt when he calls Abe a "sand nigger" and fights with her veteran brother to be with him. When she learns Abe hasn't told his family about her, she's heartbroken and the couple risks losing everything they've worked to build. To make matters worse, Kailee's previous acts make her the prime suspect in a serious crime. With Kailee behind bars and doubting his feelings for her, Abe must find a way to rescue the girl he loves and win back her affection . And to do that, he’ll have to catch a crook…
The two quickly find themselves falling hard for each other. Kailee attacks a local grunt when he calls Abe a "sand nigger" and fights with her veteran brother to be with him. When she learns Abe hasn't told his family about her, she's heartbroken and the couple risks losing everything they've worked to build. To make matters worse, Kailee's previous acts make her the prime suspect in a serious crime. With Kailee behind bars and doubting his feelings for her, Abe must find a way to rescue the girl he loves and win back her affection . And to do that, he’ll have to catch a crook…
- GenresRomance
283 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 29, 2014
76 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
February 19, 2016
Kailee and Abrahem aren't your typical pair, but boy do they go together well in this book. In A Missing Peace, I wasn't a Kailee fan, but then again, I didn't have the in-depth look at her that this book gives. Kailee is a complicated girl. She doesn't always make the best decisions, but once I understood why, I really felt for her and rooted for her. Abe is also very complicated. His family wouldn't approve of his relationship with Kailee, but he can't help wanting to protect her. So when Kailee's past actions make her a suspect in a crime, Abe will do anything to clear her name.
This is a fast-paced read that I couldn't put down.
This is a fast-paced read that I couldn't put down.
August 13, 2015
I don’t really know how I feel about the story. It's certainly interesting, but there are many things that frustrated me throughout. I found the characters to be ignorant at times, and then there were moments where I just shook my head at the craziness. There are also realistic issues--PTSD and racial discrimination--that will make you cringe, and I think the author delivered in bringing those gritty scenes to life.
Again, an interesting story with some things I had trouble with here and there, but I liked that it's a quick and easy read, and not bad on the intensity.
Again, an interesting story with some things I had trouble with here and there, but I liked that it's a quick and easy read, and not bad on the intensity.
September 5, 2014
Four and a half stars.
Wow. This little book is jam-packed full of feelings and drama. I'm having to compose my thoughts so that this review isn't just a rambling mess.
When I came across this title up for review, I was intrigued. I haven't read many books that feature Iraqi characters, let alone when you mix in a soldier with PTSD. And romance on top of that? I couldn't say no. And I have to say, I'm very glad I didn't.
First, we have the characters. Kailee is a high school aged girl who is trying to figure out her place. She used to be the queen bee, until her boyfriend broke it off with her and her best friend is taking her place as the school's leader. She's angry and hurt. She, like a lot of girls her age, makes bad decisions based off of her emotions and she struggles with self-esteem issues. Not to mention her brother, the ex-soldier with PTSD, an absent mother, and a father who doesn't care. I think she's a relatable girl all in all. And then there's Abrahem, the older brother of the girl she hates. They meet based off of hatred but they soon grow inseparable. I loved watching their relationship grow and even through the rocky parts (and believe me, there's rocky parts aplenty) I wanted them to be together. Although at some parts I was frustrated beyond measure at Abrahem's actions, I found him sweet and hard not to like. I see why Kailee fell for him.
This book addresses some pretty hard topics including racism, suicide, PTSD, and cyberbullying. I thought that the important issues were written out in a respectable manner, and the fact that the story was written in dual POV made it that much stronger to connect with this book. Not only was I able to see why Kailee did/said the things she did, I was able to see what life was like from the perspective of an Iraqi man who fled terrorism in his home country to come to the States. That is not a lens I have ever read through before, and it gave great insight as far as racial issues and culture. The best example of this was shown in the way that Abrahem's mother behaves, and how greatly her ideals clash with that of "modern" America.
The plot itself was full of so much drama, but I mean that in a great way. Just when I thought I had something figured out, Beth Fred would add another level of twists and information so that I was thrown back at square one. Between the forbidden romance, the criminal charges, a runaway arranged bride and some bar fights to name a few examples, there was never a dull moment in this book, and I devoured it in one sitting.
That is actually the only thing I didn't like so much about this book. It felt almost too fast at times, and I felt like some things needed to be focused on or talked about for a longer period of time. This wasn't enough to put me off from the story too much, but it was definitely something of which I took note.
I'd recommend this to mature YA readers looking for a more diverse read. This is apparently the second book featuring these characters, and I will absolutely be reading that one as well. As mentioned earlier, be warned that this book does contain suicide, war, racial problems, bullying, and harassment.
Thank you to IFB Tours for my copy in exchange for my honest review. This review can also be found on my blog, Bitches n Prose.
Wow. This little book is jam-packed full of feelings and drama. I'm having to compose my thoughts so that this review isn't just a rambling mess.
When I came across this title up for review, I was intrigued. I haven't read many books that feature Iraqi characters, let alone when you mix in a soldier with PTSD. And romance on top of that? I couldn't say no. And I have to say, I'm very glad I didn't.
First, we have the characters. Kailee is a high school aged girl who is trying to figure out her place. She used to be the queen bee, until her boyfriend broke it off with her and her best friend is taking her place as the school's leader. She's angry and hurt. She, like a lot of girls her age, makes bad decisions based off of her emotions and she struggles with self-esteem issues. Not to mention her brother, the ex-soldier with PTSD, an absent mother, and a father who doesn't care. I think she's a relatable girl all in all. And then there's Abrahem, the older brother of the girl she hates. They meet based off of hatred but they soon grow inseparable. I loved watching their relationship grow and even through the rocky parts (and believe me, there's rocky parts aplenty) I wanted them to be together. Although at some parts I was frustrated beyond measure at Abrahem's actions, I found him sweet and hard not to like. I see why Kailee fell for him.
This book addresses some pretty hard topics including racism, suicide, PTSD, and cyberbullying. I thought that the important issues were written out in a respectable manner, and the fact that the story was written in dual POV made it that much stronger to connect with this book. Not only was I able to see why Kailee did/said the things she did, I was able to see what life was like from the perspective of an Iraqi man who fled terrorism in his home country to come to the States. That is not a lens I have ever read through before, and it gave great insight as far as racial issues and culture. The best example of this was shown in the way that Abrahem's mother behaves, and how greatly her ideals clash with that of "modern" America.
The plot itself was full of so much drama, but I mean that in a great way. Just when I thought I had something figured out, Beth Fred would add another level of twists and information so that I was thrown back at square one. Between the forbidden romance, the criminal charges, a runaway arranged bride and some bar fights to name a few examples, there was never a dull moment in this book, and I devoured it in one sitting.
That is actually the only thing I didn't like so much about this book. It felt almost too fast at times, and I felt like some things needed to be focused on or talked about for a longer period of time. This wasn't enough to put me off from the story too much, but it was definitely something of which I took note.
I'd recommend this to mature YA readers looking for a more diverse read. This is apparently the second book featuring these characters, and I will absolutely be reading that one as well. As mentioned earlier, be warned that this book does contain suicide, war, racial problems, bullying, and harassment.
Thank you to IFB Tours for my copy in exchange for my honest review. This review can also be found on my blog, Bitches n Prose.
March 30, 2015
When Kailee tags Abrahem’s garage with a racist slur, an unlikely romance occurs between the two. Kailee is desperate and drunk, seeking vengeance against Abrahem’s sister, who is in a relationship with her ex. Abrahem sees a girl who is troubled, yet deep down has a good heart.
There’s a lot of conflict with Kailee’s racist brother, Abrahem’s rebellious sister, and other forces that keep Kailee and Abrahem apart. A fire at a mosque has the police running around arresting people, but it’s a surprise who the culprit is and what secrets are unearthed finding the person. Their Texas town has many war veterans, and Abrahem and his family are in a dicey situation living there since they are Middle Eastern.
This was a satisfying and suspenseful romance read for YA and NA lovers since both age groups are covered. The author did a good job adding layers to both the characters and the plot. I look forward to reading more from Fred.
There’s a lot of conflict with Kailee’s racist brother, Abrahem’s rebellious sister, and other forces that keep Kailee and Abrahem apart. A fire at a mosque has the police running around arresting people, but it’s a surprise who the culprit is and what secrets are unearthed finding the person. Their Texas town has many war veterans, and Abrahem and his family are in a dicey situation living there since they are Middle Eastern.
This was a satisfying and suspenseful romance read for YA and NA lovers since both age groups are covered. The author did a good job adding layers to both the characters and the plot. I look forward to reading more from Fred.
Want to read
July 7, 2015I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
DNF at p.98
The writing was so bad I can't even.
I'm sorry. I did my best. I'm curious but I really just can't stand the writing anymore. I'm sorry.
DNF at p.98
The writing was so bad I can't even.
I'm sorry. I did my best. I'm curious but I really just can't stand the writing anymore. I'm sorry.
July 15, 2015
Title: Decree of Hope
Author: Beth Fred
Genre: Romance
Release Date: September 1, 2014
Published by: Self-Published (Beth Fred)
Source: Copy Given by Author and Tour Organizer
ARA'S NOTE:
Going into this story, I didn't really know what to expect. If I were to be completely honest, (not that I'm lying most of the time) I got very confused with the blurb, and that caused me to read and review Decree of Hope. Doesn't make any sense? I feel the same way. But that's exactly what happened! I don't even know why I didn't understand the synopsis clearly during the time I read it, but hey! Bottomline is, I read the book, loved it, and now will be sharing the experience with all of you. It's still a win-win, I say.
SYNOPSIS:
When insecure eighteen-year-old Kailee Hill gets caught tagging Iraq war refugee, Abrahem Yohanna's garage, she's not expecting him to act as her designated driver, hold her hair back when she pukes, or offer to be a shoulder to cry on. But she's failing chemistry and her life is falling apart, so she uses the number Abe leaves her and finds herself with a new tutor.
The two quickly find themselves falling hard for each other. Kailee attacks a local grunt when he calls Abe a "sand nigger" and fights with her veteran brother to be with him. When she learns Abe hasn't told his family about her, she's heartbroken and the couple risks losing everything they've worked to build. To make matters worse, Kailee's previous acts make her the prime suspect in a serious crime. With Kailee behind bars and doubting his feelings for her, Abe must find a way to rescue the girl he loves and win back her affection . And to do that he’ll have to catch a crook...
CHARACTER BACKGROUND:
Kaille Hill is [almost] like your average high school girl. She used to be popular, people adored her, boys wanted her, girls wanted to be her, and she had the "perfect" boyfriend. But things have changed and she's now lost, angry, and lonely. Her home life is not one to be envious of, and she now finds it easier to project her frustrations and anger at the world -- or a certain Iraqi young man, to be exact. That is until she fell in love with him.
Abrahem Yohanna wants to live a normal amd happy life. Life has always been quite tough on him and his family, given the fact that they are "outsiders" in their homeplace. People say and do things to him because of his race more often than he'd like, but that won't deter him from true happiness. Especially if that happiness is in the form of a beautiful and hurtful girl with a good heart.
REVIEW:
Apparently these characters have already been in another book, so I'm technically starting in the middle...which I'm not usually a fan of, but for this I'll make an exception. I have to say, I did not expect the depth and substance of this story. Decree of Hope tackles a lot of important things about our society, but in a way that it's not offensive, just eye-opening. What things am I talking about? Racism, PTSD, "forbidden" love, bullying, and fitting in to name a few. Seriously, have you read something that have all these issues? I've always liked novels that actually has depth and will leave a mark. Beth Fred succeeded in giving readers awareness, or reminding us rather, about the seriousness of racism and bullying. The impact it has on the people involved, and what could potentially happen if not addressed sooner.
The romance between the two main characters was just...complicated. They're two sides of a coin, with families who are more complicated than any mathematical equation. There are too many things keeping them apart that one just can't help but root for them to be together. They have a push-pull relationship, which gets a little annoying at times, but is also somewhat understandable. I wasn't a huge fan of Kaille at the beginning. I found her a little too...highschool-y. Not a word, and is also an expected trait, but didn't annoy me any less. There were a lot of characters who added value -- and pain -- to the story. Lots of layers that made it impossible to put down once started.
The story is fast-paced, which serves as a double-edged sword in this case, because of the moments wherein a scene felt rushed and forced a bit.
SUMMARY:
All-in-all, Decree of Hope is a truly good book which I recommend to mature and open-minded readers. It's deep, engaging, and inspiring, and it deserves 5 stars from me. Come check this out you guys.
Author: Beth Fred
Genre: Romance
Release Date: September 1, 2014
Published by: Self-Published (Beth Fred)
Source: Copy Given by Author and Tour Organizer
ARA'S NOTE:
Going into this story, I didn't really know what to expect. If I were to be completely honest, (not that I'm lying most of the time) I got very confused with the blurb, and that caused me to read and review Decree of Hope. Doesn't make any sense? I feel the same way. But that's exactly what happened! I don't even know why I didn't understand the synopsis clearly during the time I read it, but hey! Bottomline is, I read the book, loved it, and now will be sharing the experience with all of you. It's still a win-win, I say.
SYNOPSIS:
When insecure eighteen-year-old Kailee Hill gets caught tagging Iraq war refugee, Abrahem Yohanna's garage, she's not expecting him to act as her designated driver, hold her hair back when she pukes, or offer to be a shoulder to cry on. But she's failing chemistry and her life is falling apart, so she uses the number Abe leaves her and finds herself with a new tutor.
The two quickly find themselves falling hard for each other. Kailee attacks a local grunt when he calls Abe a "sand nigger" and fights with her veteran brother to be with him. When she learns Abe hasn't told his family about her, she's heartbroken and the couple risks losing everything they've worked to build. To make matters worse, Kailee's previous acts make her the prime suspect in a serious crime. With Kailee behind bars and doubting his feelings for her, Abe must find a way to rescue the girl he loves and win back her affection . And to do that he’ll have to catch a crook...
CHARACTER BACKGROUND:
Kaille Hill is [almost] like your average high school girl. She used to be popular, people adored her, boys wanted her, girls wanted to be her, and she had the "perfect" boyfriend. But things have changed and she's now lost, angry, and lonely. Her home life is not one to be envious of, and she now finds it easier to project her frustrations and anger at the world -- or a certain Iraqi young man, to be exact. That is until she fell in love with him.
Abrahem Yohanna wants to live a normal amd happy life. Life has always been quite tough on him and his family, given the fact that they are "outsiders" in their homeplace. People say and do things to him because of his race more often than he'd like, but that won't deter him from true happiness. Especially if that happiness is in the form of a beautiful and hurtful girl with a good heart.
REVIEW:
Apparently these characters have already been in another book, so I'm technically starting in the middle...which I'm not usually a fan of, but for this I'll make an exception. I have to say, I did not expect the depth and substance of this story. Decree of Hope tackles a lot of important things about our society, but in a way that it's not offensive, just eye-opening. What things am I talking about? Racism, PTSD, "forbidden" love, bullying, and fitting in to name a few. Seriously, have you read something that have all these issues? I've always liked novels that actually has depth and will leave a mark. Beth Fred succeeded in giving readers awareness, or reminding us rather, about the seriousness of racism and bullying. The impact it has on the people involved, and what could potentially happen if not addressed sooner.
The romance between the two main characters was just...complicated. They're two sides of a coin, with families who are more complicated than any mathematical equation. There are too many things keeping them apart that one just can't help but root for them to be together. They have a push-pull relationship, which gets a little annoying at times, but is also somewhat understandable. I wasn't a huge fan of Kaille at the beginning. I found her a little too...highschool-y. Not a word, and is also an expected trait, but didn't annoy me any less. There were a lot of characters who added value -- and pain -- to the story. Lots of layers that made it impossible to put down once started.
The story is fast-paced, which serves as a double-edged sword in this case, because of the moments wherein a scene felt rushed and forced a bit.
SUMMARY:
All-in-all, Decree of Hope is a truly good book which I recommend to mature and open-minded readers. It's deep, engaging, and inspiring, and it deserves 5 stars from me. Come check this out you guys.
September 9, 2014
Review Originally Posted at: Book Freak
PURCHASE IT ►►► AMAZON
I didn’t realize I will fall in love with Kailee Hill – yep the one who spray painted Mirriam’s house and was caught by her brother, Abrahem. The story takes place the same time A Missing Peace did. And if you loved the first book just like I did, you better get ready for this one.
You are in for a fast rollercoaster ride of your life with Abe and Kailee. Before you knew it, you fell in love, got your heart broken, wondering if Abe is doing the right thing, wondering when will Kailee open her eyes, and wondering if they’d have their HEA.
Kailee might have been a b**ch to Mirriam, but after knowing her in depth in this novel, saw her vulnerability, a side which I didn’t expect to see: all the hurts, her pains, her secrets – I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I have grown to like her. It was like this girl was a different persona than the one I have met in A Missing Peace. Nevertheless, you will grow to love her as you get to know her, and felt a little bad for her for what is Abe is about to do.
Abe – he didn’t like the name the first time he heard it from Kailee. He didn’t like that she kissed him just to get Caleb out of her mind. OMG. The kiss. What it means to Abe. Where can I meet this kind of guy? #Swooningmuch. Abe forgave her for the spray paint thing. He wondered why he couldn’t resist helping the girl who tried to destroy their property and accusing his sister of stealing her boyfriend. When she called, he’d come, and before he knew it – he was following her around, spending some time with her, and falling in love with her.
Problem is, they are way different. When you live in a military town all your life, being with a ‘sand nigger’ with your brother being an ex-soldier isn’t a walk in the beach. But it was much more painful when she found out that Abe hasn’t told his family about her. Not to mention Abe was busy marrying off Mirriam just to stop her from getting involve with Caleb. The ‘party’ doesn’t stop there, because apparently, our girl here is a prime suspect in a serious crime. Abe has to do something for the girl who is now behind bars, suffering and doubting his love for her. He must defy the odds, even if it his own mother.
They had their heartbreaking moments in between, Abe needed to do what his family wanted him to do, but in the end, he still went back to her and did everything, not just to win her back but to prove her innocence. I may have some reservations about her importance to this guy, but when he finally put down his foot and told his mother how much she meant to him – he totally got me there. He loved his family, but he too needs to be happy. Kailee may not be one of them, and she’s one of the whites, but they complement each other. And Kailee, you will like how she finally stood up for herself in the end of the novel. That scene was worth waiting for…
Ms. Fred had given me the perfect ending and epilogue for the two books: two unlikely couples who found each other in the most unlikely places and bounded by love. It’s a clean, sweet, fast-paced romantic read.
Finding Hope shows that love defies everything: culture, beliefs, and anything in between.
•Complimentary Copy was given in exchange for an honest review.•
More of my reviews at http://reviewsofabookmaniac.blogspot.com
PURCHASE IT ►►► AMAZON
I didn’t realize I will fall in love with Kailee Hill – yep the one who spray painted Mirriam’s house and was caught by her brother, Abrahem. The story takes place the same time A Missing Peace did. And if you loved the first book just like I did, you better get ready for this one.
You are in for a fast rollercoaster ride of your life with Abe and Kailee. Before you knew it, you fell in love, got your heart broken, wondering if Abe is doing the right thing, wondering when will Kailee open her eyes, and wondering if they’d have their HEA.
Kailee might have been a b**ch to Mirriam, but after knowing her in depth in this novel, saw her vulnerability, a side which I didn’t expect to see: all the hurts, her pains, her secrets – I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I have grown to like her. It was like this girl was a different persona than the one I have met in A Missing Peace. Nevertheless, you will grow to love her as you get to know her, and felt a little bad for her for what is Abe is about to do.
Abe – he didn’t like the name the first time he heard it from Kailee. He didn’t like that she kissed him just to get Caleb out of her mind. OMG. The kiss. What it means to Abe. Where can I meet this kind of guy? #Swooningmuch. Abe forgave her for the spray paint thing. He wondered why he couldn’t resist helping the girl who tried to destroy their property and accusing his sister of stealing her boyfriend. When she called, he’d come, and before he knew it – he was following her around, spending some time with her, and falling in love with her.
Problem is, they are way different. When you live in a military town all your life, being with a ‘sand nigger’ with your brother being an ex-soldier isn’t a walk in the beach. But it was much more painful when she found out that Abe hasn’t told his family about her. Not to mention Abe was busy marrying off Mirriam just to stop her from getting involve with Caleb. The ‘party’ doesn’t stop there, because apparently, our girl here is a prime suspect in a serious crime. Abe has to do something for the girl who is now behind bars, suffering and doubting his love for her. He must defy the odds, even if it his own mother.
They had their heartbreaking moments in between, Abe needed to do what his family wanted him to do, but in the end, he still went back to her and did everything, not just to win her back but to prove her innocence. I may have some reservations about her importance to this guy, but when he finally put down his foot and told his mother how much she meant to him – he totally got me there. He loved his family, but he too needs to be happy. Kailee may not be one of them, and she’s one of the whites, but they complement each other. And Kailee, you will like how she finally stood up for herself in the end of the novel. That scene was worth waiting for…
Ms. Fred had given me the perfect ending and epilogue for the two books: two unlikely couples who found each other in the most unlikely places and bounded by love. It’s a clean, sweet, fast-paced romantic read.
Finding Hope shows that love defies everything: culture, beliefs, and anything in between.
•Complimentary Copy was given in exchange for an honest review.•
More of my reviews at http://reviewsofabookmaniac.blogspot.com
September 8, 2014
Finding Hope by Beth Fred.
I'd never heard of Beth Fred until I saw this book come up for a review. I liked the sound of it, so took a chance on reading it.
After reading and reviewing now for over 2 years I have learnt a lot, and my selection on this book was spot on, so I am a happy girl.
We have Kailee. I found her a very lonely girl, her Mother having left her and her brother at an early age. Her Father a well known Lawyer and never home or there for her.
Celeb her 'then' boyfriend who she has known since young. As I was reading, she then came across as quite a strong girl, my viewpoint changed throughout the book. I realized this girl was GREAT she had grown to be a great person, good outlook, and a good sense of humour too in parts.
We also have Abraham, or as Kailee liked to call him.....Abe.
Everyone mistakes Abe as a Muslim. Abe is the head of his family, he has his Ommy [Mother] his sister Mirriam. He has quite a bit to deal with from his sister, she can be quite rebellious.
My Thought
You know what its like, all white people come from the UK regardless of nationality or race.
All black people come from Africa. Chinese or Singapore?
You get the picture? So that is why Abe was getting to be put into Muslim because of the color of his skin, and Muslim, Jew, Pakistan, they all are the same right? No wrong.
It was great to read this kind of story bringing nationalities/cultures together.
We all know about arranged marriages and this part is covered in this book, I found the author making me laugh with regards the choice of 'husband' that Abe was trying to choosee for his sister to keep her out of trouble. Although this never came to pass, it was fun reading it regarding the conversation that took place between Abe and his friend at the time.
Conclusion
To round up what I thought about the writing of this story. I found it excellent in detail. The beginning of the book drew me in to keep on reading, I did have a bit of a lag in some chapters then all of a sudden BOOM, it took up pace so fast it was amazing, the events that happened, the circumstance and things that were going on [I am trying not to give anything away here so you will know what I mean when you read this for yourselves]
This book so stepped up in the final few chapters.
Layout
We have Abraham's [Abe's] chapters and we have Kailee's chapters.
POV chapters or paragraphs do often confuse me, I'm of the old school of reading so its taken me some time to adapt, and there has been very few that I have thoroughly enjoyed because of it, I have to say THIS BOOK IS ONE OF THE TOP ones I HAVE enjoyed using this style of writing. I wasn't confused, it flowed well, there weren't repeats of different POV running over the same things [which is one of my pet hates]. The author has done this beautifully.
I will definitely be recommending this book to all I know who will enjoy this genre. And I'll certainly be keeping a watch on future books written by BETH FRED
October 6, 2014
I vaguely remember reading the missing piece and while I remembered I liked it I really didnt remember much of the story so I was really happen when I saw this book didnt require the reading of the first to be able to enjoy. Let me just say right away I feel like a shit for not remembering but in my defense I read a lot of books. Like A LOT. You have to give me some kinda points for remembering it was good enough to read the second book because that just doesnt happen often.
Some parts of Finding Hope felt like I had read them already but I loved that. Abrahem is the man of the house ever since his father was killed in Iraq his family has become his responsibility. His sister Mirriam doesn’t make it easy for him. Shes having some troubles at school and its coming home now. As Abrahem comes home to 3 people tagging hateful remarks on their garage, while 2 people RAN 1 was brave enough to face him. Something he hadnt expected, he really didn’t expect the person to be a female. And a drunk one at that. Turns out Mirriam was dating (though as far as Abrahem was concerned his sister didnt date) that girls ex boyfriend and though she knows what she was doing was stupid she was just a damaged kid. Miraculously he takes pity on her and actually drives her home, she is drunk after all. When he gets her home she’s even more of a mess he holds her hair as she throws up everywhere. He hangs out for a bit to make sure everything is okay and she kisses him.
Kallie was just a heartbroken girl. She put all her eggs in one basket and expected to follow Caleb where ever he went. That was until he broke up with her but she was determined to win him back and maybe she couldve have until Mirriam came along. Now she lost her boyfriend and her future. When she meets Abe and he shows her such kindness and respect despite the horrible way they met she cant help but be drawn to him. He’s not like all the other guys who slap her butt and degrade her. In fact he fights for her honor. Kallie has a rough home life as well an absent father, a mother who just left her and her brother Jackson as a child. Jackson was sent to Iraq and came back a different angry guy. He manages to get Kallie involved in some questionable things and now the cops are coming around looking for her. And then shes arrested. Abe sticks with her though determined to prove her innocence.
I read this book in just a few short hours I really just couldn’t put it down. I love a good tale of star-crossed lovers. Add a culture clash and im like a kid in a candy store. Fred does a wonderful job of portraying both cultures. I cant help but wonder if there’s another story in this book. Perhaps one involving Jackson. If you’re looking for a good clean contemporary romance I highly recommend checking out these books.
Some parts of Finding Hope felt like I had read them already but I loved that. Abrahem is the man of the house ever since his father was killed in Iraq his family has become his responsibility. His sister Mirriam doesn’t make it easy for him. Shes having some troubles at school and its coming home now. As Abrahem comes home to 3 people tagging hateful remarks on their garage, while 2 people RAN 1 was brave enough to face him. Something he hadnt expected, he really didn’t expect the person to be a female. And a drunk one at that. Turns out Mirriam was dating (though as far as Abrahem was concerned his sister didnt date) that girls ex boyfriend and though she knows what she was doing was stupid she was just a damaged kid. Miraculously he takes pity on her and actually drives her home, she is drunk after all. When he gets her home she’s even more of a mess he holds her hair as she throws up everywhere. He hangs out for a bit to make sure everything is okay and she kisses him.
Kallie was just a heartbroken girl. She put all her eggs in one basket and expected to follow Caleb where ever he went. That was until he broke up with her but she was determined to win him back and maybe she couldve have until Mirriam came along. Now she lost her boyfriend and her future. When she meets Abe and he shows her such kindness and respect despite the horrible way they met she cant help but be drawn to him. He’s not like all the other guys who slap her butt and degrade her. In fact he fights for her honor. Kallie has a rough home life as well an absent father, a mother who just left her and her brother Jackson as a child. Jackson was sent to Iraq and came back a different angry guy. He manages to get Kallie involved in some questionable things and now the cops are coming around looking for her. And then shes arrested. Abe sticks with her though determined to prove her innocence.
I read this book in just a few short hours I really just couldn’t put it down. I love a good tale of star-crossed lovers. Add a culture clash and im like a kid in a candy store. Fred does a wonderful job of portraying both cultures. I cant help but wonder if there’s another story in this book. Perhaps one involving Jackson. If you’re looking for a good clean contemporary romance I highly recommend checking out these books.
September 21, 2015
*ARC provided for an honest review
When I first started reading this book I didn't think I would enjoy a YA but I was mistaken. The further I got into Decree of Hope by Beth Fred the more I realized this book has a strong story. Kailee is a high school girl with everything a teenage girl could possibly want, money, beautiful home, boyfriend, and two best friends....or so she thought. Her family is a mess, her Mom is gone, her Dad is absent and her older brother fights and drinks way too much and suffers from PTSD.
Abrahem is a young Iraqi man who left college mid-semester and moves with his family to a military town in Texas. All he wants is to be happy and find a good life. His Ommy (Mother) has come to the United States with the dream her family will live by the same customs and traditions as they lived by in Iraq. Abrahem's, sister, Mirriam, is a handful and wants to live life by her own rules. Abrahem and Mirriam want to embrace the American customs. The only problem with that is his sister has fallen for Kailee's boyfriend.
Kailee and Abrahem are thrown together when he catches Kailee red handed committing a hate crime against his sister. They both learn how to forgive, and form a friendship that quickly turns to love. Keeping their relationship a secret from the families, proves to be a challenge neither one thought they would ever face, especially when it comes to fighting the battle of racism. Jackson is Kailee's brother who has dark secrets of his own that he wants kept from not only his Dad and sister but kept from the military.
Decree of Hope is a roller coaster ride of emotions and difficult situations for two young people to have to face. There are too many situations with Kailee's family and Abrahem's family to keep adding to this review. You will have to read Decree of Hope to discover all the trials they face.
I found this story to be strong. I was a little disturbed by the racial slurs but I realize they were part of the journey for Kailee and Abrahem. I am giving a 4 star review because the writing style of this author is at times a little hard to read, that being said I think with a little guidance this author will be very good. All in all I think Decree of Hope is a good book for YA readers.
Reviewed by Martha
When I first started reading this book I didn't think I would enjoy a YA but I was mistaken. The further I got into Decree of Hope by Beth Fred the more I realized this book has a strong story. Kailee is a high school girl with everything a teenage girl could possibly want, money, beautiful home, boyfriend, and two best friends....or so she thought. Her family is a mess, her Mom is gone, her Dad is absent and her older brother fights and drinks way too much and suffers from PTSD.
Abrahem is a young Iraqi man who left college mid-semester and moves with his family to a military town in Texas. All he wants is to be happy and find a good life. His Ommy (Mother) has come to the United States with the dream her family will live by the same customs and traditions as they lived by in Iraq. Abrahem's, sister, Mirriam, is a handful and wants to live life by her own rules. Abrahem and Mirriam want to embrace the American customs. The only problem with that is his sister has fallen for Kailee's boyfriend.
Kailee and Abrahem are thrown together when he catches Kailee red handed committing a hate crime against his sister. They both learn how to forgive, and form a friendship that quickly turns to love. Keeping their relationship a secret from the families, proves to be a challenge neither one thought they would ever face, especially when it comes to fighting the battle of racism. Jackson is Kailee's brother who has dark secrets of his own that he wants kept from not only his Dad and sister but kept from the military.
Decree of Hope is a roller coaster ride of emotions and difficult situations for two young people to have to face. There are too many situations with Kailee's family and Abrahem's family to keep adding to this review. You will have to read Decree of Hope to discover all the trials they face.
I found this story to be strong. I was a little disturbed by the racial slurs but I realize they were part of the journey for Kailee and Abrahem. I am giving a 4 star review because the writing style of this author is at times a little hard to read, that being said I think with a little guidance this author will be very good. All in all I think Decree of Hope is a good book for YA readers.
Reviewed by Martha
August 31, 2015
I found the story line of two opposing cultures colliding within the arena of young love and attraction daring and courageous.
Kailee and Abrahem come from completely opposite sides of the relationship/family spectrum. For the most part, she’s brimming with the average teenage angst, but also some family baggage – a dad who pays her little attention, absent mom, and an older brother with PTSD issues. Ab, on the other hand, is calmer, responsible, and more accepting of others. He’s also very forgiving, as Kailee learns early on after he catches her near his family’s garage that’s been vandalized.
As the story progresses, more of Abrahem’s upbringing emerges through his everyday actions as well as his interactions with Kailee. He’s nervous, never kissed a girl before, which is no surprise because his family still arranges marriages. I really liked him. He isn’t overly prudish nor does he push his family’s beliefs on Kailee or anyone else. There is an accepting air about him, which is refreshing in a setting where most are judgmental.
Of course a story wouldn’t be intriguing at all without conflict and the more conflict the better. This story definitely delivers that. Kailee and Abrahem not only struggle to learn about each other, but also must deal with opposing culture prejudices shared by their families. There are plenty of reasons to distrust the other. Both families have been damaged and forever changed by the war in Iraq. And for Kailee, she’s had to watch her soldier brother unravel since his return home from serving overseas. Despite all that, Abrahem and Kailee remain drawn to each other.
Their lives eventually twine so tightly that it’s hard for them to see where one begins and the other ends. And when Kailee ends up arrested for a heinous act against Abrahem’s people, things really heat up. Especially because hidden evidence might actually point to her brother being the guilty party.
Kailee and Abrahem come from completely opposite sides of the relationship/family spectrum. For the most part, she’s brimming with the average teenage angst, but also some family baggage – a dad who pays her little attention, absent mom, and an older brother with PTSD issues. Ab, on the other hand, is calmer, responsible, and more accepting of others. He’s also very forgiving, as Kailee learns early on after he catches her near his family’s garage that’s been vandalized.
As the story progresses, more of Abrahem’s upbringing emerges through his everyday actions as well as his interactions with Kailee. He’s nervous, never kissed a girl before, which is no surprise because his family still arranges marriages. I really liked him. He isn’t overly prudish nor does he push his family’s beliefs on Kailee or anyone else. There is an accepting air about him, which is refreshing in a setting where most are judgmental.
Of course a story wouldn’t be intriguing at all without conflict and the more conflict the better. This story definitely delivers that. Kailee and Abrahem not only struggle to learn about each other, but also must deal with opposing culture prejudices shared by their families. There are plenty of reasons to distrust the other. Both families have been damaged and forever changed by the war in Iraq. And for Kailee, she’s had to watch her soldier brother unravel since his return home from serving overseas. Despite all that, Abrahem and Kailee remain drawn to each other.
Their lives eventually twine so tightly that it’s hard for them to see where one begins and the other ends. And when Kailee ends up arrested for a heinous act against Abrahem’s people, things really heat up. Especially because hidden evidence might actually point to her brother being the guilty party.
September 12, 2014
This review and more on So Bookalicious
A year ago I read A Missing Piece I liked that book well enough. So when they asked me to review Finding Hope I gladly accepted. Finding Hope tells the story of Abrahem and Kailee. I was a little surprised that it took place in the same time period as A Missing Piece but it was nice, this way we got to see how the two stories intertwined.
Kailee might seem very confident and it looks like she has everything a girl could ever want but that’s not the case. Her mother has left her when she was young, her father is almost never at home and her brother is not the same since he came home from the war in Iraq. I didn’t like her at all in A Missing Piece, she was rude to Mirriam (Abrahem sister) all the time and she made some very racists remarks. But my opinion of her changed while reading this book. She grew a lot during this book, she no longer behaved how others expected her to behave, and she finally showed her true self.
I don’t really know how to feel about Abrahem. I could never agree with some of the decisions he made. He might come from a different culture, but he was very selfish in some perspectives. He was upset with Mirriam because she hung out with Caleb while he was doing the exact same thing with Kailee. In the end he made it all right so for that reason I give him some credit. And he showed multiple times that he had a kind heart and that he looks after the people he loves.
Like in the previous book I had some trouble with the writing style of the
author. At times it confused me a little and sometimes the writing flow wasn’t that great. But there were enough plotlines and surprises to keep me interested in the book.
Overall Finding Hope is a great YA contemporary novel that explores different cultures and races and how those can affect our lives.
A year ago I read A Missing Piece I liked that book well enough. So when they asked me to review Finding Hope I gladly accepted. Finding Hope tells the story of Abrahem and Kailee. I was a little surprised that it took place in the same time period as A Missing Piece but it was nice, this way we got to see how the two stories intertwined.
Kailee might seem very confident and it looks like she has everything a girl could ever want but that’s not the case. Her mother has left her when she was young, her father is almost never at home and her brother is not the same since he came home from the war in Iraq. I didn’t like her at all in A Missing Piece, she was rude to Mirriam (Abrahem sister) all the time and she made some very racists remarks. But my opinion of her changed while reading this book. She grew a lot during this book, she no longer behaved how others expected her to behave, and she finally showed her true self.
I don’t really know how to feel about Abrahem. I could never agree with some of the decisions he made. He might come from a different culture, but he was very selfish in some perspectives. He was upset with Mirriam because she hung out with Caleb while he was doing the exact same thing with Kailee. In the end he made it all right so for that reason I give him some credit. And he showed multiple times that he had a kind heart and that he looks after the people he loves.
Like in the previous book I had some trouble with the writing style of the
author. At times it confused me a little and sometimes the writing flow wasn’t that great. But there were enough plotlines and surprises to keep me interested in the book.
Overall Finding Hope is a great YA contemporary novel that explores different cultures and races and how those can affect our lives.
September 9, 2014
Finding Hope is almost everything I wanted it to be. I never thought I'd like Kailee, but I did. I thought I'd find Abrahem overbearing and closed-minded, but he wasn't. I was pleasantly surprised by how much I liked the characters. There were some I didn't like, but for the most part, the main characters were an interesting mix.
I wasn't really a big fan of Merriam's story line. I feel like it was necessary to the development of the story but too much of it was left out. Essentially I think she could/should get a book of her own to do her story justice. I also think now is the time to point out, I had a hard time liking Caleb. In fact, I still don't like him much. The same could be said about Jackson, Kailee's brother. I felt like his track did add to the story but was too abbreviated.
When I say this book will surprise you, I'm not kidding. There were a number of plot twists I thought I saw coming, but they'd come and I get a better version of them. I liked being kept on my toes. This is my first book by Beth Fred. I like how she treated the subject matter for the most part. I look forward to seeing what subject matter she chooses to write about in her next book. In the meantime, I think I'll check out her back list. If you like your romance to have substance, then this book is for you.
I wasn't really a big fan of Merriam's story line. I feel like it was necessary to the development of the story but too much of it was left out. Essentially I think she could/should get a book of her own to do her story justice. I also think now is the time to point out, I had a hard time liking Caleb. In fact, I still don't like him much. The same could be said about Jackson, Kailee's brother. I felt like his track did add to the story but was too abbreviated.
When I say this book will surprise you, I'm not kidding. There were a number of plot twists I thought I saw coming, but they'd come and I get a better version of them. I liked being kept on my toes. This is my first book by Beth Fred. I like how she treated the subject matter for the most part. I look forward to seeing what subject matter she chooses to write about in her next book. In the meantime, I think I'll check out her back list. If you like your romance to have substance, then this book is for you.
July 6, 2015
AMY C.'S REVIEW
3.75 STARS
"Abe, you've always taken care of me." Two people from two different worlds brought together to produce the greater good. This book was as sweet as it was challenging for me to read.
Abrahem and Kailee were so different and yet were able to find a connection that would test everyone's faith. They fought family and the power of the "norm" to break the barriers set for them and try to conquer all. They were powerful in their convictions and soft in their relationship they were developing. The secondary characters were helpful and much as they posed the most challenges. I would have liked more story for them to help me feel more for the story.
I thought this book had a good story and great promise. I would have liked more character development and maybe a little longer story. I liked the challenges that Abrahem and Kailee faced and would have loved more from the author. I would like to see more for these characters and possibly a series??? This book was a good shorter story for me.
3.75 STARS
"Abe, you've always taken care of me." Two people from two different worlds brought together to produce the greater good. This book was as sweet as it was challenging for me to read.
Abrahem and Kailee were so different and yet were able to find a connection that would test everyone's faith. They fought family and the power of the "norm" to break the barriers set for them and try to conquer all. They were powerful in their convictions and soft in their relationship they were developing. The secondary characters were helpful and much as they posed the most challenges. I would have liked more story for them to help me feel more for the story.
I thought this book had a good story and great promise. I would have liked more character development and maybe a little longer story. I liked the challenges that Abrahem and Kailee faced and would have loved more from the author. I would like to see more for these characters and possibly a series??? This book was a good shorter story for me.
July 12, 2015
Drama packed page turning hard to put down book! The emotions run high! The adrenaline even higher! If you haven't read this book yet you really are missing out on a great book! This has been one of the hardest books yet to put down once I started! Really looking forward to reading more from this author!!
*Received for an honest review*
*Received for an honest review*
July 26, 2015
I really fell in love with this story and its characters! It is a wonderful love story touched on real struggles of high school girls and their reputations, prejudice and blending of cultures that can be resistant to modern ways. A few of the characters are recovering from the war on terror and also PTSD. Of course, it has a very happy ending!!
I highly recommend this book!!!!
I highly recommend this book!!!!
September 12, 2014
Such a great book! Really enjoyed it, great contemporary that deals with some tough issues, but is still light! Love it!
August 4, 2015
Mhmm...full review to come.
August 21, 2015
Check out my review of this awesome book on my blog! http://thehopelessreader.blogspot.com...
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