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Hawthorne & Heathcliff
Two names that didn't belong to us. Two shoes that did.
Intense and introspective, seventeen-year-old Hawthorne Macy knows all about being abandoned. She's felt the stark pain of being left behind by the people who are supposed to love her the most; her parents. Raised by her caring uncle on an old plantation, Hawthorne lives her life on the fringes of her small Southern town.
Until she meets his shoe.
Senior year, last period English class, and a pair of silent tennis shoes resting next to hers in the back of the room throws Hawthorne into a world she'd learned to stay outside of.
His name is Max Vincent, but in her mind, he’s Heathcliff. The handsome eighteen-year-old boy behind the shoes will pull Hawthorne into a passionate and unforgettable adventure of self-discovery during a time when love seems impossible.
Shoes can tell a lot about a person. The journey they take you on can tell a lot about how they'll hold up.
Intense and introspective, seventeen-year-old Hawthorne Macy knows all about being abandoned. She's felt the stark pain of being left behind by the people who are supposed to love her the most; her parents. Raised by her caring uncle on an old plantation, Hawthorne lives her life on the fringes of her small Southern town.
Until she meets his shoe.
Senior year, last period English class, and a pair of silent tennis shoes resting next to hers in the back of the room throws Hawthorne into a world she'd learned to stay outside of.
His name is Max Vincent, but in her mind, he’s Heathcliff. The handsome eighteen-year-old boy behind the shoes will pull Hawthorne into a passionate and unforgettable adventure of self-discovery during a time when love seems impossible.
Shoes can tell a lot about a person. The journey they take you on can tell a lot about how they'll hold up.
425 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 31, 2015
150 people are currently reading
3882 people want to read
About the author
R.K. Ryals
41 books781 followersR.K. Ryals is the author of emotional and gripping young adult and new adult paranormal romance, contemporary romance, and fantasy. With a strong passion for charity and literacy, she works as a full time writer encouraging people to "share the love of reading one book at a time." An avid animal lover and self-proclaimed coffee-holic, R.K. Ryals was born in Jackson, Mississippi and makes her home in the Southern U.S. with her husband, her three daughters, a rescue dog named Oscar the Grouch, A Shitzsu named Tinkerbell, an OCD cat, and a coffee pot she honestly couldn't live without. Should she ever become the owner of a fire-breathing dragon (tame of course), her life would be complete.
Contact her on twitter at @RKRyals, on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/RKRyals or online at http://www.authorrkryals.com
Contact her on twitter at @RKRyals, on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/RKRyals or online at http://www.authorrkryals.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 424 reviews
August 14, 2015
::: FULL REVIEW NOW POSTED ::: 4.5 STARS!! :::
Wow, this story was absolutely beautiful!! I read it in one sitting and then sat there hugging my book when I was done with happy tears in my eyes. I highly recommend it for anyone looking for a very unique, beautifully-written story that'll tug all your heart strings and really make you feel. It's deeply introspective and layered with almost poetic symbolism, but at the same time, the characters just felt so down-to-earth and real that you can't help but be swept away in their journey. I loved it!
The story is about an awkward girl with a past full of heart ache who lives in a small-town, and a good-looking boy she meets in high school who sees past her pain and, no matter what happens, he never gives up on her. But he's leaving town after graduation so their time together is limited. This is their journey together over eight years of self discovery, first love, and second chances. It's truly beautiful.
In an unusual twist for a romantic story, his leaving wasn't actually something that held back the development of their relationship. While they didn't specifically plan to remain together when he left, she was willing to accept what they had in the moment. Like her uncle said...
The way he never gave up on her was truly touching. He saw through her brokenness to the strength underneath and he held her together long enough to heal before the tables turned and it was her turn to stand strong for him.
There were so many scenes that stood out to me -- but the prom scene especially was absolutely gorgeous. I cried! Ohhhh my heartstrings! It was so beautiful. And the reason why she kept on cooking -- tears, again!! And then the boots near the end -- full on water works!! So many feels!!!
I have almost 50 quotes highlighted in my book. The writing really resonated strongly with me. I loved the symbolism and the way so many scenes had one meaning on the surface, but another deeper meaning if you read between the lines. I loved that the characters were imperfect and were both figuring their lives out. They made mistakes, sometimes chose wrong, but their hearts always led them back to each other.
The story rides the line between YA and NA, but gets more mature as the character age. The beginning of the book is in the final year of high school and the ending of the book is eight years later. There's sex, but it's not overly graphic -- like the rest of the book, it's just very beautifully portrayed.
If you're curious about whether the writing style will work for you, I'd actually encourage you to read the prologue of the book. If you love the style of the prologue, I'd say it's very likely you'll love the whole book. If the prologue isn't for you, then I wouldn't suggest continuing. So it's a great easy way to tell.
I feel like I could nitpick little things if I wanted (like -- why they couldn't have remained in a long distance relationship? and a few other things) but honestly I feel like the way it was written made me fully accepting that this was the way they'd chosen to live their lives and I just loved them both so much that I was willing to accept their story as it was. The only real reason I'm rating it 4.5 instead of 5 is that I really do feel like I would have loved a second epilogue maybe 10 years in the future. That being said, the epilogue in the book is beautiful and I ended the book feeling so good about everything. Happy tears!
If I had to choose another book to compare this to, or another book to put in the same category, it would be The Sweet Gum Tree. While this story is quite different, there were many times when it brought back similar feelings. If you loved that book, definitely try this one. And if you've never read it, try this anyways!
All in all, I totally fell in love with this book. As many of you know, I'm a huge fan of books with stories that are completely unique and from the moment I read the prologue, I was hooked by the beautiful writing and drawn into the story. This is definitely going on my list of Favorite Books of the Year!
Rating: 4.5 stars. Standalone.
_______________________________________
For more of my reviews, book news and updates:
✦ Main blog: Aestas Book Blog
✦ Facebook Blog Page
✦ Twitter
✦ Subscribe by email
“If it’s the forever after kind of love, it’ll find you again."
Wow, this story was absolutely beautiful!! I read it in one sitting and then sat there hugging my book when I was done with happy tears in my eyes. I highly recommend it for anyone looking for a very unique, beautifully-written story that'll tug all your heart strings and really make you feel. It's deeply introspective and layered with almost poetic symbolism, but at the same time, the characters just felt so down-to-earth and real that you can't help but be swept away in their journey. I loved it!
Two names that didn't belong to us. Two shoes that did.
Intense and introspective, seventeen-year-old Hawthorne Macy knows all about being abandoned. She's felt the stark pain of being left behind by the people who are supposed to love her the most; her parents. Raised by her caring uncle on an old plantation, Hawthorne lives her life on the fringes of her small Southern town.
Until she meets his shoe.
Senior year, last period English class, and a pair of silent tennis shoes resting next to hers in the back of the room throws Hawthorne into a world she'd learned to stay outside of.
His name is Max Vincent, but in her mind, he’s Heathcliff. The handsome eighteen-year-old boy behind the shoes will pull Hawthorne into a passionate and unforgettable adventure of self-discovery during a time when love seems impossible.
Shoes can tell a lot about a person. The journey they take you on can tell a lot about how they'll hold up.
The story is about an awkward girl with a past full of heart ache who lives in a small-town, and a good-looking boy she meets in high school who sees past her pain and, no matter what happens, he never gives up on her. But he's leaving town after graduation so their time together is limited. This is their journey together over eight years of self discovery, first love, and second chances. It's truly beautiful.
“Why do you believe I’m misunderstood?” he asked suddenly.
I glanced at out entwined hands. “Because you’ve let yourself become as much a mystery as I have, your silence lighting people’s curiosity. So many girls want you, and so many guys hate you because they want to be wanted the same way you are. They assume things. And then you come here…”
My words trailed off, but he jumped on them. “To the wild girl’s house,” he finished.
“I’m not wild,” I pointed out crossly.
“Your hair is,” he returned.
My lips twitched. “It’s a curse.”
“It’s sexy as hell.”
In an unusual twist for a romantic story, his leaving wasn't actually something that held back the development of their relationship. While they didn't specifically plan to remain together when he left, she was willing to accept what they had in the moment. Like her uncle said...
“If it’s the forever after kind of love, it’ll find you again. If it isn’t, don’t let a broken heart break you. Let it make you love harder. Love is a mistake worth making.”
The way he never gave up on her was truly touching. He saw through her brokenness to the strength underneath and he held her together long enough to heal before the tables turned and it was her turn to stand strong for him.
People came and went, but only one presence truly stayed with me. Heathcliff. Mostly, he stood next to me, sometimes kneeling on the floor when I couldn’t stand… In many ways, I didn’t want anyone. I just wanted to hurt… But at some point, I did reach for him, and he embraced me, his arms tightening.
“You’re not alone,” he said against my hair.
There were so many scenes that stood out to me -- but the prom scene especially was absolutely gorgeous. I cried! Ohhhh my heartstrings! It was so beautiful. And the reason why she kept on cooking -- tears, again!! And then the boots near the end -- full on water works!! So many feels!!!
I have almost 50 quotes highlighted in my book. The writing really resonated strongly with me. I loved the symbolism and the way so many scenes had one meaning on the surface, but another deeper meaning if you read between the lines. I loved that the characters were imperfect and were both figuring their lives out. They made mistakes, sometimes chose wrong, but their hearts always led them back to each other.
It’s odd how life works, how when we tell our story, its told in large dramatic pieces. There are no small moments because there doesn’t seem enough time for the small moments. We don’t use our last breaths telling people about the food we ate or the clothes we wore, we talk about what it was like to love, to lose, to succeed. We talk about the highs and sometimes we talk about the lows. We don’t talk about the between moments.
I feel in love during the between.
The story rides the line between YA and NA, but gets more mature as the character age. The beginning of the book is in the final year of high school and the ending of the book is eight years later. There's sex, but it's not overly graphic -- like the rest of the book, it's just very beautifully portrayed.
If you're curious about whether the writing style will work for you, I'd actually encourage you to read the prologue of the book. If you love the style of the prologue, I'd say it's very likely you'll love the whole book. If the prologue isn't for you, then I wouldn't suggest continuing. So it's a great easy way to tell.
I feel like I could nitpick little things if I wanted (like -- why they couldn't have remained in a long distance relationship? and a few other things) but honestly I feel like the way it was written made me fully accepting that this was the way they'd chosen to live their lives and I just loved them both so much that I was willing to accept their story as it was. The only real reason I'm rating it 4.5 instead of 5 is that I really do feel like I would have loved a second epilogue maybe 10 years in the future. That being said, the epilogue in the book is beautiful and I ended the book feeling so good about everything. Happy tears!
If I had to choose another book to compare this to, or another book to put in the same category, it would be The Sweet Gum Tree. While this story is quite different, there were many times when it brought back similar feelings. If you loved that book, definitely try this one. And if you've never read it, try this anyways!
"He's leaving."
She snorted. "Oh, I know. He needs to, but the world is a crazy place. It jades a person, and when he comes back, he's going to need to remember the boy he was to make him the man he needs to be.”
All in all, I totally fell in love with this book. As many of you know, I'm a huge fan of books with stories that are completely unique and from the moment I read the prologue, I was hooked by the beautiful writing and drawn into the story. This is definitely going on my list of Favorite Books of the Year!
“You’ll always have a place at my table.”
Rating: 4.5 stars. Standalone.
_______________________________________
For more of my reviews, book news and updates:
✦ Main blog: Aestas Book Blog
✦ Facebook Blog Page
✦ Subscribe by email
April 4, 2017
4 stars!!!
Hawthorne & Heathcliff is one of those books that I couldn’t put down. It’s a unique YA story that had a powerful story line, great characters and the writing was fantastic. This book was very ‘quotable’. I highlighted tons while reading, which is always a great sign!
Max sees something special in Clare. They start to spend a lot of time together. I loved their young and growing love and affection. I loved how their families played a part in the story. I really just loved everything about the beginning of this book!
This book… it was on it’s way to a fantastic 5 star read, and while it was still fantastic, a few things towards the end held me back from it being a full 5 . That little thing didn’t hinder my overall enjoyment of the book. I still really loved this one! In fact, as soon as I finished I ordered the paperback because that cover… :D
If you’re a fan of YA, second chance romance, first love, and or emotional reads, Hawthorne & Heathcliff is a book I would definitely recommend to you!
Hawthorne & Heathcliff is one of those books that I couldn’t put down. It’s a unique YA story that had a powerful story line, great characters and the writing was fantastic. This book was very ‘quotable’. I highlighted tons while reading, which is always a great sign!
Some love stories end. Others start your life over. His jumpstarted mine. For that, I will always be grateful.Hawthorne & Heathcliff’s shoes meet their senior year of high school. Hawthorne- aka Clare is a bit of an odd duck. I loved this about her. She wasn’t your typical high school girl. Hawthorne lives with her beloved Uncle after she was abandoned by her parents as a child. She is standoffish and besides her Uncle Gregor, she doesn’t get close to many people. Until she meets Max Vincent- aka Heathcliff to her.
Max sees something special in Clare. They start to spend a lot of time together. I loved their young and growing love and affection. I loved how their families played a part in the story. I really just loved everything about the beginning of this book!
“Do you know what I see when I see you?” My lips parted, but he didn’t give me a chance to reply. “Strength,” he said, “loneliness, and confidence. That sounds contradictory, I know, but you are a contradiction.”
This book… it was on it’s way to a fantastic 5 star read, and while it was still fantastic, a few things towards the end held me back from it being a full 5 . That little thing didn’t hinder my overall enjoyment of the book. I still really loved this one! In fact, as soon as I finished I ordered the paperback because that cover… :D
If you’re a fan of YA, second chance romance, first love, and or emotional reads, Hawthorne & Heathcliff is a book I would definitely recommend to you!
Love could just be a moment, an amazing moment that could teach a person to breathe. It didn’t have to hold a person back.
August 4, 2015
3.5 ~ 3.75 ”For my sake.” STARS
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This is the story of two teens in their last year of high school;whose shoes meet each day on the floor of their English class (and slide closer to one another each day.)
”Two shoes, my size seven and his much larger undisclosed number. Hawthorne and Heathcliff. Two names that didn’t belong to us. Two shoes that did.”
Their connection and growth was well done;however, the writing at times was over the top and too philosophical for me. The symbolism of certain items was a bit overdone as well. There are only two time jumps but by the second time jump I was kind of pissed and looking for a new love for the heroine.
This is a love story/coming of age tale as Hawthorne learns of the impending loss of her uncle as well as the the friendship and first love Max and her share through the last school year.
”What was better?” he asked. “The kiss for the fall?” He pulled to a stop in front of the house, and I smiled, my face averted.
“Aren’t they the same thing?”
Heathcliff plans on leaving town and Hawthorne approaches their time together with love and wonder all the while knowing it will come to an end. (I mean a postcard a phone call would have been nice.) The story takes the characters five years later and then again two years later;all the while Heathcliff finds himself outside of town and Hawthorne grows to be a wonderful chef and woman.
Overall, this story clicked for me in many areas while others felt like the symbolism and writing was trying a bit too hard. Regardless of this I did like the characters and the overall message.
”Love is a mistake worth making.”
Copy WON from BookEnd 2 BookEnd in exchange for an honest review
[image error]
This is the story of two teens in their last year of high school;whose shoes meet each day on the floor of their English class (and slide closer to one another each day.)
”Two shoes, my size seven and his much larger undisclosed number. Hawthorne and Heathcliff. Two names that didn’t belong to us. Two shoes that did.”
Their connection and growth was well done;however, the writing at times was over the top and too philosophical for me. The symbolism of certain items was a bit overdone as well. There are only two time jumps but by the second time jump I was kind of pissed and looking for a new love for the heroine.
This is a love story/coming of age tale as Hawthorne learns of the impending loss of her uncle as well as the the friendship and first love Max and her share through the last school year.
”What was better?” he asked. “The kiss for the fall?” He pulled to a stop in front of the house, and I smiled, my face averted.
“Aren’t they the same thing?”
Heathcliff plans on leaving town and Hawthorne approaches their time together with love and wonder all the while knowing it will come to an end. (I mean a postcard a phone call would have been nice.) The story takes the characters five years later and then again two years later;all the while Heathcliff finds himself outside of town and Hawthorne grows to be a wonderful chef and woman.
Overall, this story clicked for me in many areas while others felt like the symbolism and writing was trying a bit too hard. Regardless of this I did like the characters and the overall message.
”Love is a mistake worth making.”
Copy WON from BookEnd 2 BookEnd in exchange for an honest review
August 18, 2015
It was out off the charts good the first 75%, worth 100 stars but... I felt let down the last 25%.
I'm so sad because I really, really, really loved Hawthorne and Heathcliff story till Heathcliff left for the army.
It was poetic, deep, thoughtful and I could not stop writing quotes from that book. This author touched me deeply and the love stories (there was several love stories as there are many kind of love) were sheer beauty. I cried, cried and cried some more. I felt deep tenderness for Hawthorne, the girl "left behind" by her parents but loved fiercely by her uncle.
She made no noise at school, was not part of the popular crowd. But she met a pair of shoes at the back of her classroom and soon, everything changed. She thought shoes tell much about the person wearing them and Max Vincent “Heathcliff” wore beat-up but well kept tennis shoes. It told her the silent boy liked to fix things.
Patient, determined to know her, Heathcliff cracked her shell open. He made her live, take risks. He mended her relationship with the town people and she realized she was loved and protected by many.
Hawthorne was frightened to love him, she had many questions in the beginning as she feared being hurt once Heathcliff would leave: ”And if I’m making a mistake? If I’m making the wrong choice?” “Choices aren’t always mistakes but they are always defining.”
”Sometimes love isn’t forever. Sometimes it’s just moments in your life that teach you. If it’s the forever after kind of love, it’ll find you again. If it isn’t, don’t let a broken heart break you. Let it make you love harder. Love is a mistake worth making.”
Heathcliff also feared hurting Hawthorne as he knew he wanted to leave and explore the world. He wanted to find the person he really was. But Hawthorne knew he would leave and she also knew you can’t hold people down. Those you love, you give them wings and pray they find happiness : ”I’ve been left. I don’t fear people leaving. I fear the way they’ll go.”
They shared truly beautiful and unique moments and I loved reading about their sour sweet love story.
Heathcliff, I wanted to hug him as he was always there for Hawthorne, for any bump in the road. When she fell to the ground, he helped her to go on and not drown into despair. But I also wanted to knock him down the last 25% of the book. I won’t say much, just that he changed so much I did not like this new Heathcliff.
The book is also full of incredible side characters.
I loved Uncle Gregor. He was a wonderful personality. Distracted “scientific”, he was always rumpled, never neat, his head in some experiment. Shy, modest, he did not make much noise nor was he a flamboyant man but he mattered. He had enormous courage.
And when the dreaded moment presented itself, I cried. What Hawthorne said to her uncle, I said to my grandmother on her deathbed. I was devastated. ”Do something for me. Quit fighting. It’s okay to let go now. It’s okay to rest. For my sake.” It was the hardest thing I’d ever had to say. “
I also loved Heathcliff grandmother. She is made from the stuff you make heroes. Strong like an ox, stubborn, she ruled but she also cared.
Rebecca was the unexpected friend. I thought she would be an airhead but she really was a good friend, with her own words of wisdom: ”I record soaps. Lots of them. If you ever feel really bad about your life, all you have to do is watch a soap opera and, boom. All better.”
I sadly did not enjoy the last part of the book. I understand why Heathcliff had demons, what he went through but it was 180° turn from his personality. I thought the end was a little bit rushed, with no real explanations or development. And as I loved the book so much, I felt bereft.
Anyway, this author can write wonderfully and I’ll read her other books with great pleasure in the hope I won’t be disappointed in the end.
I'm so sad because I really, really, really loved Hawthorne and Heathcliff story till Heathcliff left for the army.
It was poetic, deep, thoughtful and I could not stop writing quotes from that book. This author touched me deeply and the love stories (there was several love stories as there are many kind of love) were sheer beauty. I cried, cried and cried some more. I felt deep tenderness for Hawthorne, the girl "left behind" by her parents but loved fiercely by her uncle.
She made no noise at school, was not part of the popular crowd. But she met a pair of shoes at the back of her classroom and soon, everything changed. She thought shoes tell much about the person wearing them and Max Vincent “Heathcliff” wore beat-up but well kept tennis shoes. It told her the silent boy liked to fix things.
Patient, determined to know her, Heathcliff cracked her shell open. He made her live, take risks. He mended her relationship with the town people and she realized she was loved and protected by many.
Hawthorne was frightened to love him, she had many questions in the beginning as she feared being hurt once Heathcliff would leave: ”And if I’m making a mistake? If I’m making the wrong choice?” “Choices aren’t always mistakes but they are always defining.”
”Sometimes love isn’t forever. Sometimes it’s just moments in your life that teach you. If it’s the forever after kind of love, it’ll find you again. If it isn’t, don’t let a broken heart break you. Let it make you love harder. Love is a mistake worth making.”
Heathcliff also feared hurting Hawthorne as he knew he wanted to leave and explore the world. He wanted to find the person he really was. But Hawthorne knew he would leave and she also knew you can’t hold people down. Those you love, you give them wings and pray they find happiness : ”I’ve been left. I don’t fear people leaving. I fear the way they’ll go.”
They shared truly beautiful and unique moments and I loved reading about their sour sweet love story.
Heathcliff, I wanted to hug him as he was always there for Hawthorne, for any bump in the road. When she fell to the ground, he helped her to go on and not drown into despair. But I also wanted to knock him down the last 25% of the book. I won’t say much, just that he changed so much I did not like this new Heathcliff.
The book is also full of incredible side characters.
I loved Uncle Gregor. He was a wonderful personality. Distracted “scientific”, he was always rumpled, never neat, his head in some experiment. Shy, modest, he did not make much noise nor was he a flamboyant man but he mattered. He had enormous courage.
And when the dreaded moment presented itself, I cried. What Hawthorne said to her uncle, I said to my grandmother on her deathbed. I was devastated. ”Do something for me. Quit fighting. It’s okay to let go now. It’s okay to rest. For my sake.” It was the hardest thing I’d ever had to say. “
I also loved Heathcliff grandmother. She is made from the stuff you make heroes. Strong like an ox, stubborn, she ruled but she also cared.
Rebecca was the unexpected friend. I thought she would be an airhead but she really was a good friend, with her own words of wisdom: ”I record soaps. Lots of them. If you ever feel really bad about your life, all you have to do is watch a soap opera and, boom. All better.”
I sadly did not enjoy the last part of the book. I understand why Heathcliff had demons, what he went through but it was 180° turn from his personality. I thought the end was a little bit rushed, with no real explanations or development. And as I loved the book so much, I felt bereft.
Anyway, this author can write wonderfully and I’ll read her other books with great pleasure in the hope I won’t be disappointed in the end.
April 11, 2017
Checkers and cherry pie. <3
I don't think I have the right words to describe what this book means to me. I don't think I'll ever have the right works to describe what this book means to me. For a while I even debated on whether I would tell my blogging girls how much I loved this. When something is so special to you, you want to cherish it. Part of me wants to hug this book to my chest and keep it private, keep it undiscovered and treasured. But the other part of me feels the urge to throw it at people and force them to read it, to experience it's magic and powerful prose.
Ultimately, the choice is up to you. <3
I don't think I have the right words to describe what this book means to me. I don't think I'll ever have the right works to describe what this book means to me. For a while I even debated on whether I would tell my blogging girls how much I loved this. When something is so special to you, you want to cherish it. Part of me wants to hug this book to my chest and keep it private, keep it undiscovered and treasured. But the other part of me feels the urge to throw it at people and force them to read it, to experience it's magic and powerful prose.
Ultimately, the choice is up to you. <3
November 10, 2015
Every now and then I get asked by people why I read. I read fantasy for the escape it gives me. An author has free reign to take me anywhere and believe anything. And I read contemporary for the reality. An author can weave words and create situations that allow me to walk in the characters shoes. To feel what they're feeling on some deep level because I may have experienced what they're going through. But when it comes down to it, the reason I read is for books like this. Hawthorne & Heathcliff by @rkryals is an absolute gem that reached into my heart and blew me away with its beauty.
It's a good thing my heart is so big, because it just added another book boyfriend to it's ranks. Max Vincent (Heathcliff) is all kinds of perfect! I always say that my greatest connection with a book comes from my feelings for the characters, and this book has some of the best characters ever. Not just Hawthorne and Heathcliff but the side characters as well. I felt like everything was contained within a big hug. Hawthorne and Heathcliff come from such different backgrounds and families, but I just felt so much love surrounded the two of them. It wasn't just a feeling but something I felt like I could reach out and touch. It was such a beautiful thing.
I have to admit that I read most of this book through a sheen of tears. I couldn't tell you how many times I had to wipe my eyes. Yes there's sadness. A whole lot of sadness. But there's beauty and love and happiness. If I could show you my Kindle you'd see that I've highlighted something on almost every page. There was just so much that made me stop and reflect and re-read. So many times I was touched by the words on the page.
If you haven't guessed already, my heart is overflowing with love for this book. So much love! My simple words can't do this book justice. Just grab a copy and read it guys. I need someone to gush with.
Five big huge shining stars!
It's a good thing my heart is so big, because it just added another book boyfriend to it's ranks. Max Vincent (Heathcliff) is all kinds of perfect! I always say that my greatest connection with a book comes from my feelings for the characters, and this book has some of the best characters ever. Not just Hawthorne and Heathcliff but the side characters as well. I felt like everything was contained within a big hug. Hawthorne and Heathcliff come from such different backgrounds and families, but I just felt so much love surrounded the two of them. It wasn't just a feeling but something I felt like I could reach out and touch. It was such a beautiful thing.
I have to admit that I read most of this book through a sheen of tears. I couldn't tell you how many times I had to wipe my eyes. Yes there's sadness. A whole lot of sadness. But there's beauty and love and happiness. If I could show you my Kindle you'd see that I've highlighted something on almost every page. There was just so much that made me stop and reflect and re-read. So many times I was touched by the words on the page.
If you haven't guessed already, my heart is overflowing with love for this book. So much love! My simple words can't do this book justice. Just grab a copy and read it guys. I need someone to gush with.
Five big huge shining stars!
February 15, 2019
I was excited to read this one, but it lacked a lot for me. My opinion and how I felt. You may feel 100% differently. I know I am in the minority with this one. I did LOVE the relationship between Hawthorne and her uncle and Mam.
I really liked the entire premise of Hawthorne and Heathcliff, but in the end I did not believe this romance. The verbiage at times felt awkward. I did not believe after 75% that Heathcliff cared for Hawthorne.
I thought Hawthorne was going to be this great heroine, but she was just "there" in the end.
The first 75% Heathcliff (Max) is amazing, but then he takes a turn. However, the only person I see him take a turn towards is Hawthorne.
I really liked the entire premise of Hawthorne and Heathcliff, but in the end I did not believe this romance. The verbiage at times felt awkward. I did not believe after 75% that Heathcliff cared for Hawthorne.
I thought Hawthorne was going to be this great heroine, but she was just "there" in the end.
The first 75% Heathcliff (Max) is amazing, but then he takes a turn. However, the only person I see him take a turn towards is Hawthorne.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 26, 2017
This was such an emotional and beautiful and so different a read.
A lovely, interesting and romantic story that had me hooked from the first page.
There’s this thing love stories always forget to mention. That love isn’t a constant thing. Sometimes it changes, other times it fades completely.
Love is a mistake worth making.
A lovely, interesting and romantic story that had me hooked from the first page.
There’s this thing love stories always forget to mention. That love isn’t a constant thing. Sometimes it changes, other times it fades completely.
Love is a mistake worth making.
November 27, 2015
First read for me by this author and I'm not sure I like her writing style. I would call this kind of writing 'trying too hard'. I didn't feel any connection to Hawthorne or Heathcliff and then as their 'love story' progressed, it just seemed unrealistic. They supposedly bond and go through a lot together and he's her first everything but then it just tells rather than shows how their relationship went downhill and Hawthorne just seems fine with it all which seemed odd to me. When Heathcliff leaves like he always said he wanted to, it seemed unrealistic to me that they wouldn't stay in touch and so she had to find out about him from his family.
The book then jumps to 5 years later and they reconnect, have sex again and then he buggers off again without even saying goodbye and she's fine with it? Then it's 2 years later and Heathcliff has decided what he wants and that's supposed to be their HEA? How did he know when he came back two years later that Hawthorne wasn't in a relationship? Why would she be happy to just take him back when she hadn't heard anything from him in the last two years?
It all just seemed a bit forced to me. There is a sad part concerning her Uncle and his Grandma but I felt nothing reading it. As I say, it was the writing style. I can see the author was trying for something different with the poems and the writing assignment but to be honest, I cringed at the bit about the shoes! It's obviously meant to be poetic and meaningful but it didn't do it for me.
The book then jumps to 5 years later and they reconnect, have sex again and then he buggers off again without even saying goodbye and she's fine with it? Then it's 2 years later and Heathcliff has decided what he wants and that's supposed to be their HEA? How did he know when he came back two years later that Hawthorne wasn't in a relationship? Why would she be happy to just take him back when she hadn't heard anything from him in the last two years?
It all just seemed a bit forced to me. There is a sad part concerning her Uncle and his Grandma but I felt nothing reading it. As I say, it was the writing style. I can see the author was trying for something different with the poems and the writing assignment but to be honest, I cringed at the bit about the shoes! It's obviously meant to be poetic and meaningful but it didn't do it for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 24, 2015
A beautiful and moving story.
Many times I had to take a deep breathe to carry on reading trying to hold the tears.
One criticism only: That epilogue was unnecessary in my opinion.
I didn't like Max living TWICE and I think he should have stayed when he first returned from 5 years away.
August 20, 2019
First of all, let me warn you, dear reader, so you can already get your tissues ready because this book you’ll bring you to your knees, like it happened to me.
This was unbelievable. It’s been a really long time since I shed any tears reading a book and this one made me cry like no other. I had a huge lump in my throat while reading the ending. Really, this one is so moving. It’ll touch deep inside your soul. The quotes, the situations and how they dealt with it, the teachings that it brought them and how it made them grow and learn more about life.
I’m still shocked with the awesomeness of this book. I wish I read this sooner. I really did. This moved me in a way no book did before. I’m completely in love with the story, all the heartbreak and how they healed and learned how to either live with eat, move on or do the best out of it.
I don’t know what else to say except this one was so so wonderful. I wanted to cry for Hawthorne, squeeze some sense into Heathcliff, hug Uncle Gregor and absorb all the knowledge from Mams.
I know this is one of those stories that I’ll remember for the rest of my life. Amazing. Unbelievable. Wonderful.
This was unbelievable. It’s been a really long time since I shed any tears reading a book and this one made me cry like no other. I had a huge lump in my throat while reading the ending. Really, this one is so moving. It’ll touch deep inside your soul. The quotes, the situations and how they dealt with it, the teachings that it brought them and how it made them grow and learn more about life.
I’m still shocked with the awesomeness of this book. I wish I read this sooner. I really did. This moved me in a way no book did before. I’m completely in love with the story, all the heartbreak and how they healed and learned how to either live with eat, move on or do the best out of it.
I don’t know what else to say except this one was so so wonderful. I wanted to cry for Hawthorne, squeeze some sense into Heathcliff, hug Uncle Gregor and absorb all the knowledge from Mams.
I know this is one of those stories that I’ll remember for the rest of my life. Amazing. Unbelievable. Wonderful.
October 1, 2015
OMG. This book was fantastic!
If you haven't done so already add it to your tbr pile.
It is emotional, romantic, heartwarming, and tear jerking.
One of the best books I've read this year!
If you haven't done so already add it to your tbr pile.
It is emotional, romantic, heartwarming, and tear jerking.
One of the best books I've read this year!
May 25, 2021
You know you've read a good book when you end up musing about your life and how you're living it. Thank you, R.K. Ryals for crafting, writing and sharing this story to us. Hawthorne and Heathcliff is beautifully written in a poetic and philosophical manner. I was a few chapters in, when the first batch of tears and sniffing came in. There were moments where it got my head and heart spinning from all the metaphors, reading between the lines and the emotions flowing out of the characters.
“The unknown is exciting. Not knowing what you really want to do is an adventure. It's a chance to go out there and find out what you want, to learn about yourself. Not everyone has it figured out, you know.”
To be honest, it scared the crap out of me to continue reading the book. Why? It's because behind the story of the main character, there's just so much truth in it. Truths that all of us can relate to. Truths that seem to scare us but needed to be told or be realized by me, by all of us. Hawthorne and Heathcliff captivates you, douses you with certain truths about life and got your mind and heart working. If you can just look at my Kindle copy, I highlighted so many quotes that resonated to me and touched my heart so deeply.
"Life is downright scary, and if you survive it, no matter how easy you have it, then you're brave. You don't live life, you tackle it, jump on top it, and pound the shit out of the earth all while it rains around you."
It gave me goosebumps how Hawthorne's mind works and how she looks at things. I might have to say that her character truly helped to look at the littlest of things and gestures in a new light. She touched my heart. Heathcliff touched my heart. Uncle Gregor did. Mams did. Actually, every character in this book left imprints of themselves in my heart. That's what great about this book, there were so many layers into it and you cannot just wait to unwrap it page by page. It wasn't just about a story of a girl who was abandoned by her parents and her issues over it but there were other factors in this book that affected the main character and in turn, surprised me. Like her wonderful relationship with her Uncle Gregor, her childhood memories of him, her thoughts about being abandoned, how "Heathcliff" came into her life, brought in changes and how she welcomed & accepted those changes, Heathcliff's family, the towns people and other relationships Hawthorne gained along the way. See?
“Sometimes love isn’t forever. Sometimes it’s just moments in your life that teach you. If it’s the forever after kind of love, it’ll find you again. If it isn’t, don’t let a broken heart break you. Let it make you love harder. Love is a mistake worth making.”
Hawthorne and Heathcliff is an emotional journey about rediscovery, life, loss, healing, valuing your family and the people who surrounds you and so much more. I'm giving this book a 4.75 stars only because I would've wanted an epilogue 2.0 that took place years after the epilogue happened. I would just want to know whatever happened to the characters that I came to love.
For my sake, please do read this book.
PS: Looking at mirrors and shoes won't ever be same again.
“The unknown is exciting. Not knowing what you really want to do is an adventure. It's a chance to go out there and find out what you want, to learn about yourself. Not everyone has it figured out, you know.”
To be honest, it scared the crap out of me to continue reading the book. Why? It's because behind the story of the main character, there's just so much truth in it. Truths that all of us can relate to. Truths that seem to scare us but needed to be told or be realized by me, by all of us. Hawthorne and Heathcliff captivates you, douses you with certain truths about life and got your mind and heart working. If you can just look at my Kindle copy, I highlighted so many quotes that resonated to me and touched my heart so deeply.
"Life is downright scary, and if you survive it, no matter how easy you have it, then you're brave. You don't live life, you tackle it, jump on top it, and pound the shit out of the earth all while it rains around you."
It gave me goosebumps how Hawthorne's mind works and how she looks at things. I might have to say that her character truly helped to look at the littlest of things and gestures in a new light. She touched my heart. Heathcliff touched my heart. Uncle Gregor did. Mams did. Actually, every character in this book left imprints of themselves in my heart. That's what great about this book, there were so many layers into it and you cannot just wait to unwrap it page by page. It wasn't just about a story of a girl who was abandoned by her parents and her issues over it but there were other factors in this book that affected the main character and in turn, surprised me. Like her wonderful relationship with her Uncle Gregor, her childhood memories of him, her thoughts about being abandoned, how "Heathcliff" came into her life, brought in changes and how she welcomed & accepted those changes, Heathcliff's family, the towns people and other relationships Hawthorne gained along the way. See?
“Sometimes love isn’t forever. Sometimes it’s just moments in your life that teach you. If it’s the forever after kind of love, it’ll find you again. If it isn’t, don’t let a broken heart break you. Let it make you love harder. Love is a mistake worth making.”
Hawthorne and Heathcliff is an emotional journey about rediscovery, life, loss, healing, valuing your family and the people who surrounds you and so much more. I'm giving this book a 4.75 stars only because I would've wanted an epilogue 2.0 that took place years after the epilogue happened. I would just want to know whatever happened to the characters that I came to love.
For my sake, please do read this book.
PS: Looking at mirrors and shoes won't ever be same again.
August 18, 2016
Beautiful!
Loved it :)
Loved it :)
September 8, 2015
AMAZING!!!!
December 16, 2016
Such a beautiful story. Heartfelt and felt sort of old school.
Loved it.
Loved it.
July 2, 2017
”Hawthorne and Heathcliff. Two names that didn’t belong to us. Two shoes that did.”
This book has me in a bit of a conundrum. On the one hand, it was a perfectly fine read. The romance was there but not entirely overwhelming, the setting was fine, and everything else about was nothing to really complain about. But something just felt a little off about it for some reason. It’s like if you eat a certain type of food and it tastes like it’s missing an ingredient, but you’re not sure what that ingredient is.
Hawthorne Macy has lived a quiet life on an old plantation house with her uncle ever since both her parents abandoned her as a child. With her uncle providing the stability she needs, Hawthorne can concentrate on being a normal kid, as well as honing her talent for baking. Keeping to herself, her world is turned upside down when she makes the acquaintance of Max Vincent (or more appropriately, his shoe).
Like I said, there was something missing in this book that I can’t accurately describe. I don’t know if it was the character development of the main protagonists that was lacking (as they never really seemed to grow that much as people), or the occasionally clunky dialogue. I think it was more the dialogue than anything else. It was a cross between John Green and Nicholas Sparks. John Green because at times, the dialogue seemed pretty odd for teenagers to be speaking in such a philosophical manner.
But as a whole, the entire novel (as well as the dialogue), sounded like something straight out of a Nicholas Sparks novel. So much so that I was beginning to wonder if Nicholas Sparks went underground, taken a pseudonym, and was writing New Adult novels. Observe…
That’s it; my conspiracy theory is that he is branching out and writing YA/NA books for reals because he’s bored, haha! Seriously, though; while this dialogue might work in some instances, it just made the character interactions kind of clunky here.
There were also a lot of character inconsistencies. Hawthorne is purported to be the outcast and bullied in school, but there was really only one instance of this happening, and that was the beginning of the novel. After that, everyone was real buddy-buddy with her. Max’s backstory was also inconsistent throughout, which got to be really annoying after a while.
Again, there was nothing horribly offensive about this book. It was nice little transport to the Deep South, and is sure to appeal to fans of Nicholas Sparks. But the clunky dialogue, weak character development, and novel inconsistencies made this feel a tad off to me.
This book has me in a bit of a conundrum. On the one hand, it was a perfectly fine read. The romance was there but not entirely overwhelming, the setting was fine, and everything else about was nothing to really complain about. But something just felt a little off about it for some reason. It’s like if you eat a certain type of food and it tastes like it’s missing an ingredient, but you’re not sure what that ingredient is.
Hawthorne Macy has lived a quiet life on an old plantation house with her uncle ever since both her parents abandoned her as a child. With her uncle providing the stability she needs, Hawthorne can concentrate on being a normal kid, as well as honing her talent for baking. Keeping to herself, her world is turned upside down when she makes the acquaintance of Max Vincent (or more appropriately, his shoe).
”He was the kind of guy that girls looked twice at but didn’t approach, because no matter how attractive he was, there wasn’t much you could do with a guy who didn’t talk.”But she calls him Heathcliff since he so resembles the tortured literary anti-hero from one of her favorite books. And as she comes to realize, there’s more to a person than meets the eye, or shoes.
Like I said, there was something missing in this book that I can’t accurately describe. I don’t know if it was the character development of the main protagonists that was lacking (as they never really seemed to grow that much as people), or the occasionally clunky dialogue. I think it was more the dialogue than anything else. It was a cross between John Green and Nicholas Sparks. John Green because at times, the dialogue seemed pretty odd for teenagers to be speaking in such a philosophical manner.
”Sometimes love isn’t forever. Sometimes it’s just moments in your life that teach you. If it’s the forever after kind of love, it’ll find you again. If it isn’t, don’t let a broken heart break you. Let it make you love harder. Love is a mistake worth making.”That isn’t to say that there are some teens who don’t speak like this, but I have yet to encounter one who does.
But as a whole, the entire novel (as well as the dialogue), sounded like something straight out of a Nicholas Sparks novel. So much so that I was beginning to wonder if Nicholas Sparks went underground, taken a pseudonym, and was writing New Adult novels. Observe…
”Life is downright scary, and if you survive it, no matter how easy you have it, then you’re brave. You don’t live life, you tackle it, jump on top of it, and pound the shit out of the earth all while it rains around you. Life happens when you exhale. Life just… happens.”Does that not sound like him? Can you not envision some old man sitting on his rocker on a balmy Southern evening waxing this poetic? You could plunk this dialogue into any Nicholas Sparks book or movie and it would be right at home.
That’s it; my conspiracy theory is that he is branching out and writing YA/NA books for reals because he’s bored, haha! Seriously, though; while this dialogue might work in some instances, it just made the character interactions kind of clunky here.
There were also a lot of character inconsistencies. Hawthorne is purported to be the outcast and bullied in school, but there was really only one instance of this happening, and that was the beginning of the novel. After that, everyone was real buddy-buddy with her. Max’s backstory was also inconsistent throughout, which got to be really annoying after a while.
Again, there was nothing horribly offensive about this book. It was nice little transport to the Deep South, and is sure to appeal to fans of Nicholas Sparks. But the clunky dialogue, weak character development, and novel inconsistencies made this feel a tad off to me.
February 6, 2016
"Hawthorne and Heathcliff" by R.K. Ryals has tugged at my heartstrings until they broke, leaving nothing but an emotional, ugly-crying mess behind.
The amazing thing is that the author did that without pulling out the emotional sledgehammer like so many others do these days.
There was no over-the-top drama.
Instead R.K. Ryals was chipping away at my heart with a pickax - page after page until I was drowning in my own tears.
Not because the book is just sad and filled with heart-break. It has that too, but it's also sweet and heart-warming and deeply touching. Once the tears snuck up on me they didn't leave anymore. And there were all kinds of tears - happy, sad, melancholic, angry, heart-broken.
The subtlety with which the story evoked all those emotion in me really impressed me. I felt everything the characters were feeling, plus my own emotions on behalf of Hawthorne and Heathcliff.
It was impossible not to get swept up in their story and not to get attached to them. By no means were they perfect, but their flaws made them real and relatable. I couldn't help but love both characters.
Both a little broken, they were wise beyond their years, exhibiting an understanding for life and each other that left me in awe.
Hawthorne was a young woman whose life fell to pieces when she was a little girl. The only person she could ever count on was her uncle Gregor. Having only him, she didn't trust others and didn't let them in, effectively closing herself off. This has made her an outcast, a girl considered a freak by many. Her solitude didn't mean she was unhappy or unable to show emotions though. She just focused it all on her uncle. She was smart and insightful, bordering on philosophical. Her musings were not only entertaining but have given me food for thought.
But despite all the love from her uncle and her rich inner world, her life was limited by the fears that festered inside of her.
Fears that Heathcliff was hell-bent on conquering. Though he was a popular guy, he wasn't a jock or meathead. Instead, he was thoughtful and sensitive, with an adventurous and fun-loving streak. He was exactly the person Hawthorne needed. He was the one to wake her up and make her live her life to the fullest - with all its ups and downs. With all the heartbreak and happiness.
And he did it in a time when she needed it the most.
But it wasn't just him changing her life. She did the same for him, encouraging him to be who he wanted to be and to follow his heart. Even if it meant his heart would lead him away from her.
Their dynamics were realistic and riveting. There were no grand gestures - no trips to the Eiffel tower, no proposal jumping from a plane. It was the little things that made what they had so special. Little things that made their feelings for each other tangible. The things that get easily overlooked in the search for romance.
But Hawthorne and Heathcliff both noticed them and felt them. It was the small things that made the biggest impact on their lives.
Their relationship was cute and at the same time passionate. It was tender and loving. But also clumsy, yet romantic. And it was deep and profound. It was real love.
But until the end it was unclear - for them and for me - if the connection they shared would prevail through the challenges and years ahead of them. It nearly wrecked me. But it was more than worth it.
Beautiful, philosophical and touching.
6 in-love-with-Hawthorne-and-Heathcliff stars.
The amazing thing is that the author did that without pulling out the emotional sledgehammer like so many others do these days.
There was no over-the-top drama.
Instead R.K. Ryals was chipping away at my heart with a pickax - page after page until I was drowning in my own tears.
Not because the book is just sad and filled with heart-break. It has that too, but it's also sweet and heart-warming and deeply touching. Once the tears snuck up on me they didn't leave anymore. And there were all kinds of tears - happy, sad, melancholic, angry, heart-broken.
The subtlety with which the story evoked all those emotion in me really impressed me. I felt everything the characters were feeling, plus my own emotions on behalf of Hawthorne and Heathcliff.
It was impossible not to get swept up in their story and not to get attached to them. By no means were they perfect, but their flaws made them real and relatable. I couldn't help but love both characters.
Both a little broken, they were wise beyond their years, exhibiting an understanding for life and each other that left me in awe.
Hawthorne was a young woman whose life fell to pieces when she was a little girl. The only person she could ever count on was her uncle Gregor. Having only him, she didn't trust others and didn't let them in, effectively closing herself off. This has made her an outcast, a girl considered a freak by many. Her solitude didn't mean she was unhappy or unable to show emotions though. She just focused it all on her uncle. She was smart and insightful, bordering on philosophical. Her musings were not only entertaining but have given me food for thought.
But despite all the love from her uncle and her rich inner world, her life was limited by the fears that festered inside of her.
Fears that Heathcliff was hell-bent on conquering. Though he was a popular guy, he wasn't a jock or meathead. Instead, he was thoughtful and sensitive, with an adventurous and fun-loving streak. He was exactly the person Hawthorne needed. He was the one to wake her up and make her live her life to the fullest - with all its ups and downs. With all the heartbreak and happiness.
And he did it in a time when she needed it the most.
But it wasn't just him changing her life. She did the same for him, encouraging him to be who he wanted to be and to follow his heart. Even if it meant his heart would lead him away from her.
Their dynamics were realistic and riveting. There were no grand gestures - no trips to the Eiffel tower, no proposal jumping from a plane. It was the little things that made what they had so special. Little things that made their feelings for each other tangible. The things that get easily overlooked in the search for romance.
But Hawthorne and Heathcliff both noticed them and felt them. It was the small things that made the biggest impact on their lives.
Their relationship was cute and at the same time passionate. It was tender and loving. But also clumsy, yet romantic. And it was deep and profound. It was real love.
But until the end it was unclear - for them and for me - if the connection they shared would prevail through the challenges and years ahead of them. It nearly wrecked me. But it was more than worth it.
Beautiful, philosophical and touching.
6 in-love-with-Hawthorne-and-Heathcliff stars.
July 24, 2015
I can already say without doubt that this book is my favorite read of 2015. No others need apply. R.K. Ryals speaks to my soul. I cannot put into words how much I loved reading this book. Despite the ugly crying, the snotty nose and the late night ice cream; it was worth every minute of it. The author pulls you and immediately connects you to the characters. You are invested by the page one. The prologue sets the tone and offers a window into the heart of the story. This prologue is gritty. It possesses the feels in a just a few short paragraphs. I knew from the start the story of Hawthorne & Heathcliff would rip me apart. In the end, it did not disappoint.
Seventeen year old Hawthorne is no stranger to pain and abandonment after being left by her parents to be raised on a southern plantation by her Uncle Gregor. It isn’t until her Senior year that she meets a pair of tennis shoes that change her world for the better. Here begins her journey into self discovery, love and a heartache she didn’t know possible. The symbolism in this book is amazing. It’s like Hawthorne’s emotions are tied to nature. She can associate all the tragic events in her life to thunderstorms. It makes her pain more tangible to the reader. Shoes play a big part as well. You wouldn’t think shoes could tell you so much about a person but to Hawthorne they do. One of my favorite quotes is from a conversation she has with Heathcliff about why she stares at his shoes and not at his face.
“Faces leave,” I mumbled. “Shoes walk away. You learn a lot about a person by what they wear on their feet. I’d rather see what’s going to leave, than what I’d missed if it left.”
What a hauntingly profound statement and yet so tragic to hear from a young woman. To have gone through life not looking at what’s around you just so you cannot miss it when it’s gone.
Don’t walk away from this review thinking this is just a heartbreaking tale about the struggles of a young girl who always seems to get the short end of the stick. This is the story of Clare “Hawthorne” Macy raised by an uncle who became a father. Lifted and carried by a town when she didn’t even know it. And savoir of one Max “Heathcliff” Vincent. The journey may have been a rough one but she didn’t do it alone. I cannot say enough great comments about R.K. Ryals and her book, Hawthorne & Heathcliff. It’s a must read for all ages. If you have never gotten a book based on my recommendation before, I implore you get this one.
Seventeen year old Hawthorne is no stranger to pain and abandonment after being left by her parents to be raised on a southern plantation by her Uncle Gregor. It isn’t until her Senior year that she meets a pair of tennis shoes that change her world for the better. Here begins her journey into self discovery, love and a heartache she didn’t know possible. The symbolism in this book is amazing. It’s like Hawthorne’s emotions are tied to nature. She can associate all the tragic events in her life to thunderstorms. It makes her pain more tangible to the reader. Shoes play a big part as well. You wouldn’t think shoes could tell you so much about a person but to Hawthorne they do. One of my favorite quotes is from a conversation she has with Heathcliff about why she stares at his shoes and not at his face.
“Faces leave,” I mumbled. “Shoes walk away. You learn a lot about a person by what they wear on their feet. I’d rather see what’s going to leave, than what I’d missed if it left.”
What a hauntingly profound statement and yet so tragic to hear from a young woman. To have gone through life not looking at what’s around you just so you cannot miss it when it’s gone.
Don’t walk away from this review thinking this is just a heartbreaking tale about the struggles of a young girl who always seems to get the short end of the stick. This is the story of Clare “Hawthorne” Macy raised by an uncle who became a father. Lifted and carried by a town when she didn’t even know it. And savoir of one Max “Heathcliff” Vincent. The journey may have been a rough one but she didn’t do it alone. I cannot say enough great comments about R.K. Ryals and her book, Hawthorne & Heathcliff. It’s a must read for all ages. If you have never gotten a book based on my recommendation before, I implore you get this one.
August 23, 2015
I hate when everyone loves a book and I don't! For some reason I could never connect to this book. I was forcing myself to read it and it was not holding my attention. In the beginning of the book I loved Heathcliff and Hawthorne drove me crazy and by the end I loved Hawthorne and Heathcliff drove me crazy. There were also a lot of grammatical errors (which for me) really take away from the story. The best parts of the book for me were Hawthrones relationship with her uncle and Gams. That storyline made me smile. I wish I could have connected to the romantic aspect, but sadly I never really rooted for these two characters. 2-2.5 stars for me.
August 20, 2015
This might be my favorite read of 2015. I fell in love with it from page one. I did not skim a single word. It was sad and eloquent but such a beautiful story!!! I connected not only with Hawthorne and Heathcliff but also with Mam and Uncle Gregor. They were all special and this author did such an amazing job with this book!
September 21, 2015
This book deserves all the stars in the sky!!
It's been a couple days since I've finished this book and I still haven't been able to read anything else. This book was everything for me. And exactly what I needed at the time!!!
I still need to gather my thought to fully write a review. Till then. Give this book a chance <3
#Shoes
It's been a couple days since I've finished this book and I still haven't been able to read anything else. This book was everything for me. And exactly what I needed at the time!!!
I still need to gather my thought to fully write a review. Till then. Give this book a chance <3
#Shoes
January 23, 2018
Una historia romántica sin llegar a ser empalagosa, bastante original y entretenida.
April 3, 2017
4-4.5 stars. This book was like discovering a little gem. The writing style is poetic regarding Hawthorne's (and Heathcliff's) journey. While the story isn't overly dramatic because it is Hawthorne's life and she isn't that kind of person, it's very poignant in terms of what kind of person she grows up into and the reader experiences all of her emotional highs and lows with her. The prologue sets the tone regarding Hawthorne being turned over under her Uncle Gregor's care at age 6. I absolutely loved Gregor. He may not been ready to become a guardian or ever expected it in his lifetime, but he embraced it and poured his whole heart into it, giving Hawthorne a safe place to live and grow up with unconditional love, even if they weren't typical by any standards. He also offered a lot of insightful and thought provoking perspectives. While Hawthorne isn't her real name, the explanation where that nickname comes from is really endearing. Hawthorne keeps her head down and minds her own business, mostly noticing people's shoes more than their faces. That's where her friendship with Heathcliff begins (Heathcliff isn't his real name either). I adored Heathcliff for helping Hawthorne come out of her shell little by little even though their relationship had an expiration date on it because he has goals he wants to pursue after graduation. What was remarkable about this story was how afraid Hawthorne was to be on her own and through Heathcliff as well as her Uncle Gregor, she discovered that she didn't have to be afraid of letting people into her heart or giving them parts of hers in return. And somewhere along the way, Hawthorne becomes the person who is the solid rock providing a safe place and unconditional love. I admired her attitude towards life and how she never compromised her integrity in the process, always holding on to her steadfast beliefs and moving forward without fear. I wouldn't have minded a little bit more of the epilogue or into the future, though.
July 30, 2015
4.5 "for my sake" STARS
"Faces leave," I mumbled. "Shoes walk away. You learn a lot about a person by what they wear on their feet. I'd rather see what's going to leave, than what I'd miss if it left."
I absolutely adored this book! I loved everything about it. This was a great coming of age story. A story about loss, hope, friendship, learning to love and live, and letting go. This book made my heart hurt. I found myself tearing up quite a bit while smiling. By the end I was completely bawling. I hate giving anything away about a story so I won't do that. I will say that is told in a very unique way.
"We're not kids," I called down. "We're not adults yet either, Hawthorne. Embrace that. Jump. Don't be afraid to fall."
You are going to fall in love with Hawthorne and Heathcliff! Hawthorne has been through so much and you'll just want to reach through your kindle and hug her. Heathcliff had some major swoonage going on. I loved him! He helps Hawthorne see that you can let others in. These two were great together. I loved all of the characters and the storyline. The writing was beautiful. I've read other books by this author and really enjoyed them but this is definitely her best yet! I definitely recommend that you pick this up. It's been a month since I've read it and I'm still thinking about these characters. (This is a standalone with a beautiful epilogue.)
"Mirrors are often terrible things. They don't just make you look at yourself, they make you look at your life."
ARC given by author for an HONEST review
September 4, 2015
I don't know how to review this book. The writing was superb. I genuinely liked both Hawthorne (Clare) and Heathcliff (Max). At times the story was beautiful, but I felt sad the entire time reading it. Clare was an old soul, so mature beyond her years, that at times it frustrated me. Things that I would think that would make her mad, didn't. This frustrated me. Especially the last quarter of the book. I mean I get that this story was a journey, for both Max and Clare, but it lacked connection. When they were in high school I was pulled into the story and how sweet and understanding Max was. He was exactly what Clare needed. Then he leaves, and it is years before they are together. Max comes home, Clare meets girlfriend, and is just so understanding. It was just unreal. She even says that she will forgive him for being in love with other women while he was away. We get a little explanation as to why Max had to leave, but I was just not buying it. Maybe if this book had a dual POV I could have understood Max better and empathized with him more, but as it was I was just mad and confused. A few scenes (after years of not seeing each other) Max doesn't even acknowledge Clare when they are in the same room. At the end, when Max comes home, it wasn't enough for me. It was total acceptance from Clare, I'm sure that was Clare's journey, but I would have been like "where the hell have you been, you just show up and expect me to be single and fall all over you!!) I NEEDED MORE!!! My rant is over, and I don't want to bash this book, just expressing what didn't work for me!! Go buy the book and decide for yourself!!
March 12, 2018
"Faces leave; shoes walk away. You learn a lot about people by what they wear on their feet. I'd rather see what's going to leave than what I'd miss if it left."
by Hawthorne "Hawthorne and Heathcliff"
"...sometimes love isn't forever. Sometimes it's just moments in your life that teach you. If it's the forever after kind of love, it'll find you again. If it isn't, don't let a broken heart break you. Let it make you love harder. Love is a mistake worth making."
by Uncle Gregor "Hawthorne and Heathcliff"
4 to 4.5 Profound stars... This coming of age story is riddled with memorable moments and quotes that provide those life lessons that remain well after the book is closed. The power of reading someone else's words can be that they strengthen your own convictions, beliefs, and moral standings; and that they also can create new threads of insight that play into your own life journey. This was one such book for me. Throughout my experience, I found myself reflecting through these characters' journey only to find the words applicable to myself. A story of young love, trust, acceptance, internal strength and endurance, letting go, forgiveness, and taking chances all culminate into this beautiful tale... a story all can relate and take a piece of insight from:)
by Hawthorne "Hawthorne and Heathcliff"
"...sometimes love isn't forever. Sometimes it's just moments in your life that teach you. If it's the forever after kind of love, it'll find you again. If it isn't, don't let a broken heart break you. Let it make you love harder. Love is a mistake worth making."
by Uncle Gregor "Hawthorne and Heathcliff"
4 to 4.5 Profound stars... This coming of age story is riddled with memorable moments and quotes that provide those life lessons that remain well after the book is closed. The power of reading someone else's words can be that they strengthen your own convictions, beliefs, and moral standings; and that they also can create new threads of insight that play into your own life journey. This was one such book for me. Throughout my experience, I found myself reflecting through these characters' journey only to find the words applicable to myself. A story of young love, trust, acceptance, internal strength and endurance, letting go, forgiveness, and taking chances all culminate into this beautiful tale... a story all can relate and take a piece of insight from:)
November 9, 2015
One of my bookstagrammer friends reccommend this to me. I cannot thank her enough!
I love everything about Hawthorne and Heathcliff. The writing is beautiful, honest, poetic, and philosophical. Since I love pretty and emotional words, I devour each and every letter, doesn't matter if the characters come out sounding too mature for their age. In this case, it works. They are old souls trapped in 17-yo bodies.
This book made me cry from page one til finish. A worldwide record! Even TFIOS and Me Before You didn't make me shed tears like this. Crying while reading is normal. What's not is I cannot stop bawling long after I finished the book.
Dinner : cry
Pie : cry
Driving : cry
Putting on shoes : cry
Going to bed : cry
WHAT IS THIS BOOK?
Super great job, R. K. Ryals. Please write more stories like this one FOR MY SAKE.
I love everything about Hawthorne and Heathcliff. The writing is beautiful, honest, poetic, and philosophical. Since I love pretty and emotional words, I devour each and every letter, doesn't matter if the characters come out sounding too mature for their age. In this case, it works. They are old souls trapped in 17-yo bodies.
This book made me cry from page one til finish. A worldwide record! Even TFIOS and Me Before You didn't make me shed tears like this. Crying while reading is normal. What's not is I cannot stop bawling long after I finished the book.
Dinner : cry
Pie : cry
Driving : cry
Putting on shoes : cry
Going to bed : cry
WHAT IS THIS BOOK?
Super great job, R. K. Ryals. Please write more stories like this one FOR MY SAKE.
July 16, 2016
6 stars
Maybe some of you will say that this story is strange, maybe same of you will say that it is simple, I say it was really unique and beautiful. I marked tons of quotes, I cried tons of tears and it made my heart full. Maybe it was a good timing for me, I don't know, but this story left a permanent mark on my heart. <3
Maybe some of you will say that this story is strange, maybe same of you will say that it is simple, I say it was really unique and beautiful. I marked tons of quotes, I cried tons of tears and it made my heart full. Maybe it was a good timing for me, I don't know, but this story left a permanent mark on my heart. <3
October 9, 2016
This story broke my heart over and over again. And yet it was so beautiful.
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