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Existing #1
Desolate
One sentence became my demise.
I should’ve heeded her warning. Only I didn’t.
Andrew DeLuca came into my life when I needed him the most. His faith and love made me realize I could live the life I’d always dreamed.
Only it was all a lie.
Tragedy struck just like I knew it always would.
I had it all.
Until one day I didn’t.
Weston Corbin breezed into my life without any warning.
Refusing to take no for an answer.
Making me feel when all I wanted to do was hide.
How do you find a way to live when death is all you’ve ever known?
My name is Magdalena DeLuca and this is my story.
DESOLATE is the first installment of the three part series, The Existing Series, that's full of angst and is guaranteed to grip your emotions until the very last page. Each installment of the series can be read as a standalone. Tissues will be required.
I should’ve heeded her warning. Only I didn’t.
Andrew DeLuca came into my life when I needed him the most. His faith and love made me realize I could live the life I’d always dreamed.
Only it was all a lie.
Tragedy struck just like I knew it always would.
I had it all.
Until one day I didn’t.
Weston Corbin breezed into my life without any warning.
Refusing to take no for an answer.
Making me feel when all I wanted to do was hide.
How do you find a way to live when death is all you’ve ever known?
My name is Magdalena DeLuca and this is my story.
DESOLATE is the first installment of the three part series, The Existing Series, that's full of angst and is guaranteed to grip your emotions until the very last page. Each installment of the series can be read as a standalone. Tissues will be required.
- GenresRomance
Unknown Binding
First published June 14, 2016
43 people are currently reading
141 people want to read
About the author
A.M. Guilliams
17 books214 followersA.M. Guilliams is a romantic suspense and women’s fiction author who currently resides in Virginia with her husband, three children, and fur babies. Books, flip flops, coffee, chocolate, The Walking Dead, and Chicago Fire are just a few of her obsessions. Her love of books began with novels by Stephen King, Mary Higgins Clark, and the poetry of Edgar Allan Poe. When she’s not writing, you can find her down by the river with her family, curled up on the couch with a good book, or watching her favorite movies and television shows.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
June 13, 2016
4 Stars
I must say that this book completely shocked me. I did not see the twist at the end coming at all. I did enjoy the book a lot. I thought it was going to be your typical grief/love story. The twist gave the book a whole new depth.
Magdalena got a bad fortune when she was younger and has lived the last several years believing it was too and that it affected everyone she loves. She moves back home to regroup and stumbles across Weston. Weston also just moved back home to start over with this daughter. Weston befriends Magdalena and forces her to start living and trusting again. It was a sweet story. I enjoyed it, especially the twist at the end!
I must say that this book completely shocked me. I did not see the twist at the end coming at all. I did enjoy the book a lot. I thought it was going to be your typical grief/love story. The twist gave the book a whole new depth.
Magdalena got a bad fortune when she was younger and has lived the last several years believing it was too and that it affected everyone she loves. She moves back home to regroup and stumbles across Weston. Weston also just moved back home to start over with this daughter. Weston befriends Magdalena and forces her to start living and trusting again. It was a sweet story. I enjoyed it, especially the twist at the end!
June 19, 2016
Desolate
Omg!!!!! I dont even know where to start!
This was my first book by this author and it certainly will not be my last.
The emotional feels started right off the bat and i had to take a break after only chapter two to brace myself for what was to come.
I read page after page of Mags story without realising 6 hours had passed, i just had to finish. I cried, i laughed and through it all i gave my heart over to Mags and the loss she had experienced throughout her life.
When Mags whole world is ripped away from her she withdraws into herself, never letting anyone get close to her again. She feared she was cursed to lose anyone who dared to love her and recieved her love in return. Until Weston came along and day by day brought her out of her bubble and back into the land of the living. Just when i thought i knew everything i needed to know, and where the story was heading along came the biggest twist i have ever experienced, never in a million years did i see it coming.
Im left speachless, in a state of shock and with the biggest book hangover ive ever experienced, if you read nothing else this year you have to read this book. Grab some tissues and prepare for the unexpected!
Easily a 5* read from this reviewer!
June 24, 2016
*** 3 Cranky Stars ***
I struggled with this book. I know some said it was emotional and life changing. It was emotional sure, but it didn't alter me in any way. The beginning was really sugary sweet with some sad parts. Let's not get me started on the end.
This is the story of Magdelana and Weston. Mags was told by a carnival fortune teller she would grow alone because everyone around her dies. She was an impressionable 14 year old. She was married to a wonderful man (we are told this a million times) and has a son.
Weston gets a Dear John letter from the mother of his daughter. As a result, he and his daughter move to his hometown. Now here's where things get tricky. Without giving the premise of the book away or the ending, needless to say, Mags and Weston meet.
I struggled with this review because while the book wasn't bad as a whole just so many parts didn't work for me. The husband was sugary sweet and as a couple it was a bit much. Yet, I know why it was done that way. Weston was so perfect, I wanted him to have a flaw. Dirty him up or give him a criminal record or a tattoo.
When I reached the final peak of the story I was mad, but it was more mad because it was unconvincing and didn't resonate with me. I wish it had gone another way, but it was not to be.
All in all, it was a good book with potential.
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May 11, 2016
This book may go down in history as being one of the most unexpected endings I've ever had the pleasure of reading! It was a total mindf%ck. Completely blew me away! So much so that I'm not sure which emotion I'm feeling the most. I'm happy, yet sad. I'm confused and angry all while having an understanding of all that transpired in this story.
Fair warning .. tissues were required.
This was my first book to read by A.M. Guilliams and it certainly will not be the last!
Fair warning .. tissues were required.
This was my first book to read by A.M. Guilliams and it certainly will not be the last!
June 13, 2016
This book was given to me for an honest review
5 stars
It actually took me a day to get some thoughts together for this book. It is not what I expected at all. There is such a twist at the end that you cant see coming. This book brings so many feelings out that you won't know what you are feeling from minute to minute. The characters were flawless. The fit this book so well. Mags, the main female was extraordinary to begin with. Being a teenager and being told you will be lonely and still living life for every moment was priceless to watch. She was so strong, even though she didn't think so. She loved so hard, but she doesn't think it is enough. After hit after hit she struggles with life. Her story is so epic that you keep reading to find out if she is able to continue on the path she is going or go towards another. She meets Weston and he begins to teach her how to move on. How to find a way to live life again. I truly loved Weston he a strong person, he has had a tough road to live also. With a little girl and a Mother that gave her up, he is trying to make a life for him and his little girl. He shows so much growth through out this book that once again it is so hard to put down. Andrew and Liam, Mags husband and son, are part of the story but their story has be told in the book. The are the puzzle piece of this whole story, the trigger for Mags. They are what makes Mags who she is.
14 years old. That is when Mags life changed. One fortune teller telling her she will live a lonely life. Everyone around her will die, and what happens, they all start dying. Her best friend, her grandparents, her parents. She has felt loss like no one else. So as the years past she finds happiness with her husband and son. Then one day there is a knock on the door. So how do you go on living?
There is so much that I can't say in this review, because telling you about it would ruin the story. This story is going to make you cry, so get the tissues close. It will make you smile, and finally you will be shocked by the end of the story. What I want to tell you is that this is a story you don't want to miss. You want to sit in your bed and take a lazy day and read this book. You want to have everything next to you, tissues, your blanket, a snack and drink. You just need to put that time aside for this book, because I promise you, you will not put it down till the end. I love this author. This book was written from the heart, every word will gut you at some point and you will need time to put yourself back together like I did after this book, because there is just so many feelings that you deal with throughout the book. I hope to read more books soon, because this author is worth the read.
5 stars
It actually took me a day to get some thoughts together for this book. It is not what I expected at all. There is such a twist at the end that you cant see coming. This book brings so many feelings out that you won't know what you are feeling from minute to minute. The characters were flawless. The fit this book so well. Mags, the main female was extraordinary to begin with. Being a teenager and being told you will be lonely and still living life for every moment was priceless to watch. She was so strong, even though she didn't think so. She loved so hard, but she doesn't think it is enough. After hit after hit she struggles with life. Her story is so epic that you keep reading to find out if she is able to continue on the path she is going or go towards another. She meets Weston and he begins to teach her how to move on. How to find a way to live life again. I truly loved Weston he a strong person, he has had a tough road to live also. With a little girl and a Mother that gave her up, he is trying to make a life for him and his little girl. He shows so much growth through out this book that once again it is so hard to put down. Andrew and Liam, Mags husband and son, are part of the story but their story has be told in the book. The are the puzzle piece of this whole story, the trigger for Mags. They are what makes Mags who she is.
14 years old. That is when Mags life changed. One fortune teller telling her she will live a lonely life. Everyone around her will die, and what happens, they all start dying. Her best friend, her grandparents, her parents. She has felt loss like no one else. So as the years past she finds happiness with her husband and son. Then one day there is a knock on the door. So how do you go on living?
There is so much that I can't say in this review, because telling you about it would ruin the story. This story is going to make you cry, so get the tissues close. It will make you smile, and finally you will be shocked by the end of the story. What I want to tell you is that this is a story you don't want to miss. You want to sit in your bed and take a lazy day and read this book. You want to have everything next to you, tissues, your blanket, a snack and drink. You just need to put that time aside for this book, because I promise you, you will not put it down till the end. I love this author. This book was written from the heart, every word will gut you at some point and you will need time to put yourself back together like I did after this book, because there is just so many feelings that you deal with throughout the book. I hope to read more books soon, because this author is worth the read.
June 21, 2016
Sometimes, I think I'm a glutton for punishment when I choose things to read. I am a hardcore fan of Nicholas Sparks and John Green. And the sadder they are, the better. Because there's catharsis somewhere in there with stories like that. Please know that about me before you take this review into consideration. Honestly, this was an incredibly well-written book. I would put it on par with those authors I previously mentioned, and I would do so because the characters and the world are so well-developed that I connected with them from the very start. I was drawn in immediately. And because of that connection, I felt every hurt. I cried when they cried. I rejoiced as they rebuilt. As far as that sort of story goes, this one ranks high on my list. Next time I need a good, cathartic crying session, I'll probably pull it out again.
Human relationships are difficult to understand, and I think the author has done a really excellent job navigating the situations in this novel. Unless you have been in the same situations as these characters, it's hard to fully grasp where they're coming from, but Guilliams gives us a great starting point for that understanding. As a parent, I found the first several chapters utterly heartbreaking, and I honestly almost stopped reading. I wasn't sure I could make it through the rest of the book. But I am so glad I did. See, if you stop reading when the tragedies occur (you can consider that a very small spoiler and I'm sorry for it, but I'm sure you all expected some form of tragedy), you'll never get to the really good part. You'll never get to the healing, the rebuilding, and the formation of something stronger on the other side.
The book raises excellent questions about what really defines strength in a person. It also does a wonderful job of working through the healing process. A lot of times, authors want to rush this or leave things out, as if hurt just dissipates one day and we never feel it again after a loss. That was not the case at all with this novel, and I love that Guilliams respects the reality of the situations these characters found themselves in.
I won't lie. You're probably going to cry if you read this one. But don't let that scare you off. It really is an excellent book and I highly recommend it.
Human relationships are difficult to understand, and I think the author has done a really excellent job navigating the situations in this novel. Unless you have been in the same situations as these characters, it's hard to fully grasp where they're coming from, but Guilliams gives us a great starting point for that understanding. As a parent, I found the first several chapters utterly heartbreaking, and I honestly almost stopped reading. I wasn't sure I could make it through the rest of the book. But I am so glad I did. See, if you stop reading when the tragedies occur (you can consider that a very small spoiler and I'm sorry for it, but I'm sure you all expected some form of tragedy), you'll never get to the really good part. You'll never get to the healing, the rebuilding, and the formation of something stronger on the other side.
The book raises excellent questions about what really defines strength in a person. It also does a wonderful job of working through the healing process. A lot of times, authors want to rush this or leave things out, as if hurt just dissipates one day and we never feel it again after a loss. That was not the case at all with this novel, and I love that Guilliams respects the reality of the situations these characters found themselves in.
I won't lie. You're probably going to cry if you read this one. But don't let that scare you off. It really is an excellent book and I highly recommend it.
July 6, 2016
Desolate by A.M. Giulliams is an emotional roller coaster. Do not read this book without Kleenex or in public. What should have been a harmless fortune reading for Magdalena turns into a self-fulfilling prophecy. Magdalena is told she will lose everyone she ever love; while her friend, Jessica is told she will have a short life. Unfortunately Jessica dies two months later; this cements the fortune teller’s words in her mind forever. In a short span of time, Mags loses her grandparents and her parents. Alone in the world, she fears she is doomed for the rest of her life. Move forward in time and Magdalena is married to the man of her dreams, Andrew, and has a wonderful son, Liam. Just when Magdalena is the happiest; she loses it all. Well she imagines or dreams that her two loves are killed. A.M. Guilliams tells a heart wrenching story of a devastated woman trying to exist in a world all alone. The pain and anguish this woman faces was vivid. I cried with her; I hoped she would find a way to live again. I wanted to reach out and help her. In a cruel or strange twist by the author, the entire experience turns out to be a dream. I’m not going to lie. At first I felt let down with the ending; however, after all the tears I can only be happy for the young family. As a reader, I expected the story to go in a different direction all together. I’m still not sure how I feel about the doctor’s explanation about her shared dream helping her get over her worst fear. It seemed like it was rushed. I loved how the author made me feel something for the characters. I give the book four stars.
April 19, 2016
Desolate by A.M. Guilliams is a book that will be sticking with me. I had the honor of reading this book as a Beta reader and read it in January. Let me tell you, I am still thinking of these characters now today.
Magdalena DeLuca had something happen to her when she was 14 years old. Unforeseeable circumstances happened that put her world upside down. Her life was thrown through a loop and things changed around her.
Weston Corbin was once happy, until the one person he trusted up and walks out of his life. He finds himself living a life he never saw coming.
When your life and the people you love change and your world is not what it seems, do you go on? What happens when you lose the most important aspect of your life?
I highly recommend Desolate by A.M. Guilliams. I can't even put into words my feelings for this book. It was one of the most emotional books I have read in a while. The feelings and the way A.M. Guilliams went into such detail, I felt as though I was in the book. One scene in particular gives me the CHILLS and tears at the exact same time. I could actually picture this scene in my head. I will be recommending this book to every one! The ending....WOWZERS!! Hands down a FIVE star read. If I could rate it more stars, I would. Bravo A.M. Guilliams!!!
Magdalena DeLuca had something happen to her when she was 14 years old. Unforeseeable circumstances happened that put her world upside down. Her life was thrown through a loop and things changed around her.
Weston Corbin was once happy, until the one person he trusted up and walks out of his life. He finds himself living a life he never saw coming.
When your life and the people you love change and your world is not what it seems, do you go on? What happens when you lose the most important aspect of your life?
I highly recommend Desolate by A.M. Guilliams. I can't even put into words my feelings for this book. It was one of the most emotional books I have read in a while. The feelings and the way A.M. Guilliams went into such detail, I felt as though I was in the book. One scene in particular gives me the CHILLS and tears at the exact same time. I could actually picture this scene in my head. I will be recommending this book to every one! The ending....WOWZERS!! Hands down a FIVE star read. If I could rate it more stars, I would. Bravo A.M. Guilliams!!!
July 5, 2016
Magdalena has spent most of her life in fear of losing everyone she loves and she pretty much has. A fortune teller when she was a teenager told her she would lose everyone she cared about she ignored it. When her best friend died and then her parents and grandparents she was terrified she would lose her husband and son. One night they go for ice cream and don't come back and she is beside herself so when the police knock on the door she knows why they are there. Her husband and son have been shot in a store robbery and her worst fears have come true. She spends months in depression and decides to go to her grandparents farm they left her and try and get it straightened out. Clyde has been there forever and when he brings in help in the name of Weston she is very standoffish but Weston is drawn to her and wants to help her. Weston has his own problems because the mother of his child decided she can't do it and left him with the daughter. Weston keeps trying to get Magdalena to get over her grief and little by little she is coming around. Her grief over her loss was heartbreaking and I just loved how hard Weston tried to make her see that life is worth living.
Reviewed on behalf of Once upon an Alpha
Reviewed on behalf of Once upon an Alpha
June 18, 2016
Blimey, first few chapters of this book destroyed me! Do not start without lots of tissues!!
I did not see the way the book ended coming , I honestly thought it would be your typical Grief/fall in love again story. This book to it all to a new level. I was completely hooked from the beginning and was taken on a complete emotional rollercoaster. The author wrote about the loss and grief with such emotion you couldn't help but grieve with Magdalena and feel all her emotions with her.
I'm not completely sure how I feel about the ending as I have a contrast of emotions happiness, sadness, confusion and anger but it was simply because the book was so well written.
The characters were so raw and real with great chemistry between them. You felt their emotions and personalities shine from the pages.
This was my first book by A.M Gulliams and I will be reading more
ARC received for an honest review
https://m.facebook.com/Bookloversreview/
I did not see the way the book ended coming , I honestly thought it would be your typical Grief/fall in love again story. This book to it all to a new level. I was completely hooked from the beginning and was taken on a complete emotional rollercoaster. The author wrote about the loss and grief with such emotion you couldn't help but grieve with Magdalena and feel all her emotions with her.
I'm not completely sure how I feel about the ending as I have a contrast of emotions happiness, sadness, confusion and anger but it was simply because the book was so well written.
The characters were so raw and real with great chemistry between them. You felt their emotions and personalities shine from the pages.
This was my first book by A.M Gulliams and I will be reading more
ARC received for an honest review
https://m.facebook.com/Bookloversreview/
June 26, 2016
Thank you to author for sending me this novel to read and review.
What a great story! I loved the characters, I loved the premise of the entire novel. The writing
was good. Imagine as a young girl visiting a fortune teller and she tells your best friend that she will not love long, and tells you that everyone you love will be gone, that you will live your life alone.
Magdalena has lived her life in fear that is true, she's lost many loved ones. But relaxes a little and
then something horrible happens. I felt so sad for her, I could not imagine going through what
she did. How would you survive?
She decides to move back to her grandparents home and fix it up, she slowly begins to live again,
she makes a few new friends, get herself a horse and begins to heal.
This novel was a great surprise, I never expected the ending at all, it was fantastic! If you love family drama, pain, friendship, new beginnings, and a shocking end, you will love this novel.
What a great story! I loved the characters, I loved the premise of the entire novel. The writing
was good. Imagine as a young girl visiting a fortune teller and she tells your best friend that she will not love long, and tells you that everyone you love will be gone, that you will live your life alone.
Magdalena has lived her life in fear that is true, she's lost many loved ones. But relaxes a little and
then something horrible happens. I felt so sad for her, I could not imagine going through what
she did. How would you survive?
She decides to move back to her grandparents home and fix it up, she slowly begins to live again,
she makes a few new friends, get herself a horse and begins to heal.
This novel was a great surprise, I never expected the ending at all, it was fantastic! If you love family drama, pain, friendship, new beginnings, and a shocking end, you will love this novel.
May 26, 2020
this is the first book by this author that I've read and wow, what a read. I was totally hooked from the first page and couldn't put it down till id finished it. the story completely blow me away and sent me on an emotional roller coaster ride. I was happy, sad, confused and angry. you will definitely need the tissues at the ready so be warned. I was in shock at the ending, I really didn't expect the twists. the author has a fab way of writing so it feels from the heart and you definitely feel every emotion. I cant wait to read more from this author.
highly recommended
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highly recommended
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June 26, 2016
4.5* from me.
I really enjoyed reading this VERY emotionally charged story. I think the author has done a wonderful job putting tragedy in her characters lives and making the situation still believable. So often I read something and then tragic strikes, and it seems like the characters skipped something. I did NOT get that with this book.
Magdalena meets more than her fair share of tragedy in this story. I have to wonder how close the author has been to at least some tragedy, or if her characters just have very strong voices. Then in walks Weston and his daughter, Grace. Again perfect timing and well blended story.
I really enjoyed reading this VERY emotionally charged story. I think the author has done a wonderful job putting tragedy in her characters lives and making the situation still believable. So often I read something and then tragic strikes, and it seems like the characters skipped something. I did NOT get that with this book.
Magdalena meets more than her fair share of tragedy in this story. I have to wonder how close the author has been to at least some tragedy, or if her characters just have very strong voices. Then in walks Weston and his daughter, Grace. Again perfect timing and well blended story.
June 14, 2016
WOW!!! Desolate made my head spin, in a good way. I had to collect myself after the tears stopped which were so worth it. I wasn't expecting the ending to end the way it did. Definitely worth reading and rereading.
Magdalena never expected a fortune tellers word would come true. Now, she lives one day at time never knowing what the next day may bring. Seeing as how the fortune teller has been right about some things, Magdalena doesn't want to risk anything.
Thank you A.M. Guilliams for such a heartful book!
Magdalena never expected a fortune tellers word would come true. Now, she lives one day at time never knowing what the next day may bring. Seeing as how the fortune teller has been right about some things, Magdalena doesn't want to risk anything.
Thank you A.M. Guilliams for such a heartful book!
May 12, 2016
Desolate by A.m. Guilliams has to be on of the best reads this year. The way the author spins the story line, twist, and love was magical. The ending left me with a hangover of emotions, actually the whole book had me on an emotional rollercoaster, but that ENDING was something else. This is a must read for anyone who desires something different, and wants the not your usual romance story. Hoping we will be getting more from Weston soon.
June 17, 2016
Desolate took me a little while to get into but a few pages in I was hooked. It's a little depressing and my emotions were all over the place. I felt drawn to the characters and was a little disappointed with how it ended. The twist was a complete surprise to me and I was a little shocked after all the emotions that I went through. Overall, it's an emotional read with a very big twist at the end.
Review by Raychel
Review by Raychel
June 14, 2016
This book really has the feels. I couldn't help but wonder how one person could go through so much and make it to the other side.
Magdalena really goes through a lot, but manages to live again, even if it hurts. I did like this book - however be prepared for the feels - the emotions are very strong in this book.
Magdalena really goes through a lot, but manages to live again, even if it hurts. I did like this book - however be prepared for the feels - the emotions are very strong in this book.
December 28, 2016
So, what did I think keeps staring at me as I write this review. Never in all my years of reading and reviewing have I ever been so confused when reading a romance story on how I felt. I can say that in the first five pages I was horrified by the gypsy and thought her friend was playing a joke. Then, five pages later I cried so hard that my son had to come in and check on me to make sure I wasn't having a breakdown, and he is only 11! Then, the book sort became comfortably void for me, which is what I expect Guilliams was going for so that the sucker punch towards the end would send me reeling. I still have no idea what is real and what is not. I can say one thing, though, it will be a looooong time before I forget this book or even get it out of my mind. I'm almost afraid to read books two and three, but I made a promise to the author that I would so I must. If you are wondering why the 4, it is simply that I am more of a simple HEA girl and I am not sure if I got that. I sure know I hate getting mind f*****d, which is exactly what happened here, but hey most people love that so this book should be a best-seller if given a chance.
I received this book by the author for an honest review.
For more reviews, go to bbsbookreviews.com
I received this book by the author for an honest review.
For more reviews, go to bbsbookreviews.com
February 19, 2017
This was painful to read. The dialogue and writing were horrible. Just horrible. I felt no connection at all with the characters. The writing was probably the cause of the that. Felt very cold and technical, like there was no actual emotion in it.
The plot twist at the end was ridiculous.
I wanted to stop after chapter 1 but I made myself push through. Most of the reviews were great so I was just waiting (and hoping) it would get better. Unfortunately it didn't and I wasted valuable time searching for a good story that wasn't there.
The plot twist at the end was ridiculous.
I wanted to stop after chapter 1 but I made myself push through. Most of the reviews were great so I was just waiting (and hoping) it would get better. Unfortunately it didn't and I wasted valuable time searching for a good story that wasn't there.
September 28, 2017
Emotional Omg
I was torn between giving it 4 or 5 star.
What a roller- coaster emotional book.
It had me crying a lot with all that happened to Magdalena. She goes into depression, Weston tries to pull her out.
She feels she was cursed to lose everyone she loved.
Then there is this twist and turn in book that you would never have imagined.
I think I am more confused than Mags.
Great read.
#29 BNB Challenge
I was torn between giving it 4 or 5 star.
What a roller- coaster emotional book.
It had me crying a lot with all that happened to Magdalena. She goes into depression, Weston tries to pull her out.
She feels she was cursed to lose everyone she loved.
Then there is this twist and turn in book that you would never have imagined.
I think I am more confused than Mags.
Great read.
#29 BNB Challenge
April 15, 2022
Wow, what a read! This grabs you from the get go. The twist in the end was such a surprise. It's hard to imagine anyone going through the losses that Magdalena went through. Will she make it to the other side whole and happy? Read the book it is well worth the read.
July 23, 2017
This was the first novel I have read by is author. I will admit at first I thought it was a bit cheesy, but the ending was good.
August 13, 2018
Unbelievable
Did not care for ending at all. Too unbelievable. Would have been much better if story had played out with Megs and Weston coming together.
Did not care for ending at all. Too unbelievable. Would have been much better if story had played out with Megs and Weston coming together.
October 13, 2016
Well, that was unexpected!!
This is book one of the Existing series
This book took me a little bit to get into, but after a bit, I was in it! Then the emotions... This is unlike any romance read in the past, and likely, the future... Ms. Guilliams does have a gift for pulling on your heartstrings, so prepare for that. Conversely, there is no preparation possible for what she throws at us in the ending. On to Conflicted (the second book in this series), because I 'need' it and it is waiting for me!
This is book one of the Existing series
This book took me a little bit to get into, but after a bit, I was in it! Then the emotions... This is unlike any romance read in the past, and likely, the future... Ms. Guilliams does have a gift for pulling on your heartstrings, so prepare for that. Conversely, there is no preparation possible for what she throws at us in the ending. On to Conflicted (the second book in this series), because I 'need' it and it is waiting for me!
January 10, 2017
What great read, with twist and emotions and a ending that will leave you speechless. We have a great story flow with great characters. Hope to see more from these characters.
September 18, 2016
I have to admit, this one teetered on 4-5 stars. I wasn't convinced I could give it 5 but 4 doesn't seem enough. Ultimately, I've gone with 4 because something just didn't sit right with me. You may indeed feel differently.
There isn't too much I can say without releasing spoilers and it really would spoil it so apologies for the shortness of this review - I hope you'll forgive me.
I enjoyed reading this book from the start. The author introduces all the characters well and brings them to life very easily. I had an almost immediate idea of what they all looked like, how they interacted and their mannerisms.
Our main lead - Magdalena is a young teenager, doing what all teenagers do but a visit to a local fair changes her life forever. Skip ahead a decade or so and she's faced some of the worst things you can imagine in life but she has built herself a happy life despite the losses she has faced. That is until she faces yet another...Her latest loss leaves her understandably shaken and she moves to a new town to start afresh which is where the story takes on a life of its own - a new beginning.
There are a couple of little clues; I missed them, but there is a twist just before the end - that's where my quandry over 4 or 5 stars came in. I found it hard to accept but I know so many people will find it spectacular and it means the story really doesn't end how you'd expect it to which I did like.
Overall, I found this story had me experiencing a full range of emotions. I cried tears of sadness and of joy whilst reading this and I very much look forward to the next book.
There isn't too much I can say without releasing spoilers and it really would spoil it so apologies for the shortness of this review - I hope you'll forgive me.
I enjoyed reading this book from the start. The author introduces all the characters well and brings them to life very easily. I had an almost immediate idea of what they all looked like, how they interacted and their mannerisms.
Our main lead - Magdalena is a young teenager, doing what all teenagers do but a visit to a local fair changes her life forever. Skip ahead a decade or so and she's faced some of the worst things you can imagine in life but she has built herself a happy life despite the losses she has faced. That is until she faces yet another...Her latest loss leaves her understandably shaken and she moves to a new town to start afresh which is where the story takes on a life of its own - a new beginning.
There are a couple of little clues; I missed them, but there is a twist just before the end - that's where my quandry over 4 or 5 stars came in. I found it hard to accept but I know so many people will find it spectacular and it means the story really doesn't end how you'd expect it to which I did like.
Overall, I found this story had me experiencing a full range of emotions. I cried tears of sadness and of joy whilst reading this and I very much look forward to the next book.
September 28, 2016
I'm trying to figure out how to write this review, because I'm terrified that if I get going, I will explode with spoilers. So I'll just give the shortened version. Magdelena went in to see a fortune teller when she was younger, as a joke. It turned out that she got a bad fortune that seemed to come true as the years past. Now she believes she's cursed by this, so it's affected everyone and everything that she holds dear. It comes to a point where she goes home to hole up in the mountains, when she meets Weston, who befriends her and forces her to start living again. Well, that's all I got for a description, so I'll move on to the dramatic girly girl emotions!
So this story really affected me deeply. It's hard to put into words what this author put me through, and honestly, I was mad as hell. She's definitely earned her one way ticket to the list of authors trying to KILL ME DEAD, and will be hash tagged with #EVILWHORE forevermore! Remember, I did warn you about the dramatic emotions above. The character development was good, with a colorful cast of secondaries. A. M. Guilliams' diabolically talented writing style really put me through an emotional ringer, that kept me up late last night yelling colorful metaphors. Her absolutely HUGE TWIST made for some serious shrapnel left after all the f-bombs that rained down. The one big reason I didn't give this story a perfect score, and I hate even writing this, but the ending was too rushed for me. Does this mean that I won't continue to hurt myself so good with this new queen of angst's future works? ABSOLUTELY NOT! So I'm going to end with HIGHLY RECOMMENDING this story, but have kleenex at the ready!
So this story really affected me deeply. It's hard to put into words what this author put me through, and honestly, I was mad as hell. She's definitely earned her one way ticket to the list of authors trying to KILL ME DEAD, and will be hash tagged with #EVILWHORE forevermore! Remember, I did warn you about the dramatic emotions above. The character development was good, with a colorful cast of secondaries. A. M. Guilliams' diabolically talented writing style really put me through an emotional ringer, that kept me up late last night yelling colorful metaphors. Her absolutely HUGE TWIST made for some serious shrapnel left after all the f-bombs that rained down. The one big reason I didn't give this story a perfect score, and I hate even writing this, but the ending was too rushed for me. Does this mean that I won't continue to hurt myself so good with this new queen of angst's future works? ABSOLUTELY NOT! So I'm going to end with HIGHLY RECOMMENDING this story, but have kleenex at the ready!
September 28, 2016
I'm trying to figure out how to write this review, because I'm terrified that if I get going, I will explode with spoilers. So I'll just give the shortened version. Magdelena went in to see a fortune teller when she was younger, as a joke. It turned out that she got a bad fortune that seemed to come true as the years past. Now she believes she's cursed by this, so it's affected everyone and everything that she holds dear. It comes to a point where she goes home to hole up in the mountains, when she meets Weston, who befriends her and forces her to start living again. Well, that's all I got for a description, so I'll move on to the dramatic girly girl emotions!
So this story really affected me deeply. It's hard to put into words what this author put me through, and honestly, I was mad as hell. She's definitely earned her one way ticket to the list of authors trying to KILL ME DEAD, and will be hash tagged with #EVILWHORE forevermore! Remember, I did warn you about the dramatic emotions above. The character development was good, with a colorful cast of secondaries. A. M. Guilliams' diabolically talented writing style really put me through an emotional ringer, that kept me up late last night yelling colorful metaphors. Her absolutely HUGE TWIST made for some serious shrapnel left after all the f-bombs that rained down. The one big reason I didn't give this story a perfect score, and I hate even writing this, but the ending was too rushed for me. Does this mean that I won't continue to hurt myself so good with this new queen of angst's future works? ABSOLUTELY NOT! So I'm going to end with HIGHLY RECOMMENDING this story, but have kleenex at the ready!
So this story really affected me deeply. It's hard to put into words what this author put me through, and honestly, I was mad as hell. She's definitely earned her one way ticket to the list of authors trying to KILL ME DEAD, and will be hash tagged with #EVILWHORE forevermore! Remember, I did warn you about the dramatic emotions above. The character development was good, with a colorful cast of secondaries. A. M. Guilliams' diabolically talented writing style really put me through an emotional ringer, that kept me up late last night yelling colorful metaphors. Her absolutely HUGE TWIST made for some serious shrapnel left after all the f-bombs that rained down. The one big reason I didn't give this story a perfect score, and I hate even writing this, but the ending was too rushed for me. Does this mean that I won't continue to hurt myself so good with this new queen of angst's future works? ABSOLUTELY NOT! So I'm going to end with HIGHLY RECOMMENDING this story, but have kleenex at the ready!
June 21, 2016
"You're my strength and my weakness all wrapped into one."
You'll definitely need tissues for this one and not for ending. A.M. Guilliams throws that sad part right in the beginning. Just when you're getting into the plot, tragedy. That is your first indication that 'Desolate' is going to throw you for a loop.
Magdalena is no stranger to loss and pain. Anyone she cares about, she losses. She finally reaches her breaking point, when Weston strolls into her life. He won't let her hide anymore and he tries to show her that she's worth it.... she's worth living and letting love in. Nothing is ever what it seems, though.
You may read the synopsis and think it gave away too much of the story line, but it really doesn't. Magdalena losses all who are close to her, but that is only the tip of the iceberg. She must learn to carry on when all she wants to do is hide away. And the ending. I don't even know what to say. It just... completely shocked me. A lot of times you see an ending coming, or you'll start to pick up clues. That does not happen here. You'll be completely surprised.
This was definitely a sweet story of second chances and worth picking up.
You'll definitely need tissues for this one and not for ending. A.M. Guilliams throws that sad part right in the beginning. Just when you're getting into the plot, tragedy. That is your first indication that 'Desolate' is going to throw you for a loop.
Magdalena is no stranger to loss and pain. Anyone she cares about, she losses. She finally reaches her breaking point, when Weston strolls into her life. He won't let her hide anymore and he tries to show her that she's worth it.... she's worth living and letting love in. Nothing is ever what it seems, though.
You may read the synopsis and think it gave away too much of the story line, but it really doesn't. Magdalena losses all who are close to her, but that is only the tip of the iceberg. She must learn to carry on when all she wants to do is hide away. And the ending. I don't even know what to say. It just... completely shocked me. A lot of times you see an ending coming, or you'll start to pick up clues. That does not happen here. You'll be completely surprised.
This was definitely a sweet story of second chances and worth picking up.
June 1, 2016
I started reading Desolate, having no idea what the story was about. The cover immediately caught my attention and I couldn't help but think how fitting once I was done reading. This story, oh my gosh, is so tender and heart-wrenching. The author had such a way with developing the character of Magdalena--I truly felt all the heartache and pain that she endured. As the story developed and I thought I had it figured out, I was totally blown away by the ending. This author did a phenomenal job with Weston and his daughter Grace, placing them perfectly within the story. I will say I did get choked up a time or two so be prepared, but this is one of my favorites this year.
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