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Losing Gabriel
“Sorry, John Green fans, but McDaniel’s been making us cry . . . for decades, ” says Bustle.com. Now, in her latest novel, as three high school seniors are in the midst of planning their futures, they must face present-day circumstances that force them to grasp what it means to truly become an adult.
Lani Kennedy has dreamed of becoming a nurse since her cousin Arie died of leukemia. Nothing will stop her from getting into the local nursing program.
Dawson Berke hasn’t dealt with his mom’s death, and he’s angry at his dad for forcing them to move right before his senior year.
Sloan Quentin knows that her band is her ticket to fame and fortune. When she discovers that her boyfriend—the band’s lead guitarist—is cheating on her, she finds comfort—and revenge—in someone else’s arms.
As the lives of Lani, Dawson, and Sloan become entangled in unexpected ways, reality hits harder than anyone could have imagined, and life-altering decisions are faced.
“For fans of romance tinged with tragedy . . . this latest offering will resonate.” — SLJ
From the Hardcover edition.
Lani Kennedy has dreamed of becoming a nurse since her cousin Arie died of leukemia. Nothing will stop her from getting into the local nursing program.
Dawson Berke hasn’t dealt with his mom’s death, and he’s angry at his dad for forcing them to move right before his senior year.
Sloan Quentin knows that her band is her ticket to fame and fortune. When she discovers that her boyfriend—the band’s lead guitarist—is cheating on her, she finds comfort—and revenge—in someone else’s arms.
As the lives of Lani, Dawson, and Sloan become entangled in unexpected ways, reality hits harder than anyone could have imagined, and life-altering decisions are faced.
“For fans of romance tinged with tragedy . . . this latest offering will resonate.” — SLJ
From the Hardcover edition.
336 pages, Library Binding
First published June 14, 2016
30 people are currently reading
1060 people want to read
About the author
Lurlene McDaniel
138 books2,730 followersLurlene McDaniel (born c. 1948) is an author who has written over 50 young adult books. She is well known for writing about characters struggling with chronic and terminal illnesses, such as cancer, diabetes, and organ failure.
Other places to find her are...
https://www.facebook.com/lurlenemcdan...
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http://www.youtube.com/user/LurleneMc
Other places to find her are...
https://www.facebook.com/lurlenemcdan...
http://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/aut...
http://www.youtube.com/user/LurleneMc
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 74 reviews
August 12, 2017
1.5 Stars I guess. Watch out world, I got my truth telling sassy pants on.
This is going to sound awful, especially given the content, but this is one of the most boring things I've ever read. It felt so incredibly monotone and uninspired, plus I didn't actually get any emotion or heart. It was uneventful and completely one dimensional. And this is a romance? Or love story? LOL, really? Where was that part? I missed it.
There's too much back and forth and the narrative changed so quickly, you can't actually get a good grasp of each character. I didn't feel a thing for a single one of them. If I didn't have a serious hang up/a smidgen of OCD, I would've DNF'd this after part one. Through those 300+ pages, I feel like there might've been 100 of actual story.
Character wise: I hated Sloan, Lani was a doormat until she became slightly okay and then turned into an idiot, and Dawson was about as exciting as a limp noodle. Good times all around. *yawn*
This is going to sound awful, especially given the content, but this is one of the most boring things I've ever read. It felt so incredibly monotone and uninspired, plus I didn't actually get any emotion or heart. It was uneventful and completely one dimensional. And this is a romance? Or love story? LOL, really? Where was that part? I missed it.
There's too much back and forth and the narrative changed so quickly, you can't actually get a good grasp of each character. I didn't feel a thing for a single one of them. If I didn't have a serious hang up/a smidgen of OCD, I would've DNF'd this after part one. Through those 300+ pages, I feel like there might've been 100 of actual story.
Character wise: I hated Sloan, Lani was a doormat until she became slightly okay and then turned into an idiot, and Dawson was about as exciting as a limp noodle. Good times all around. *yawn*
Want to read
June 14, 2016Lurlene McDaniel has a new book....OMG!!!!!
I grew up bawling my eyes out to books like How Do I Love Thee, Angel of Mercy, Dawn Rochelle series, and the Angels Trilogy, just to name a few!
I grew up bawling my eyes out to books like How Do I Love Thee, Angel of Mercy, Dawn Rochelle series, and the Angels Trilogy, just to name a few!
July 1, 2016
3.5 stars
Despite its majorly predictable plot twists I found that I really enjoyed this book.
Losing Gabriel is told from three points of view… Lani, who has lived in Windemere her whole life and upon the death of her cousin, knew that her calling was to be a nurse. Dawson, newly arrived to Windemere and unhappy that he has to spend his Senior year of high school in this tiny town and Sloan who’s one love is singing and performing.
The story itself spans about four years or so and the three characters’ lives intertwine in ways that are, as I said, a bit predictable. When Sloan’s boyfriend cheats on her, Dawson, who was drawn to her from the first time he saw her, can’t help but offer comfort and their relationship develops from there.
Lani, who has crushed on Dawson from afar since he arrived, watches as the two become closer and closer and eventually finds out something that will change both Sloan and Dawson’s plans for their futures.
I’m trying to be spoiler free here, but it’s practically impossible. So, that’s all I can say about that.
I mentioned that the story spans several years, and it was interesting to see how McDaniel made that work. While there are some time jumps, it was pretty seamless and worked perfectly for the story.
I think my favorite thing here were the relationships. Specifically, the sister/sister relationship between Lani and her sister and especially the father/son relationship between Dawson and Franklin. Franklin was an amazing father… again, I can’t say much about why, other than I loved how he loved and supported his son, and I loved that he stepped up as a parent in every single way that was necessary for his son.
Overall, if you can get past some of the predictability, I think you will really get invested in these characters and their stories. I can see fans of Sarah Dessen really enjoying this, if you’re looking for an emotional read, filled with moments of heartbreak and hope get your hands on this one when it arrives.
Despite its majorly predictable plot twists I found that I really enjoyed this book.
Losing Gabriel is told from three points of view… Lani, who has lived in Windemere her whole life and upon the death of her cousin, knew that her calling was to be a nurse. Dawson, newly arrived to Windemere and unhappy that he has to spend his Senior year of high school in this tiny town and Sloan who’s one love is singing and performing.
The story itself spans about four years or so and the three characters’ lives intertwine in ways that are, as I said, a bit predictable. When Sloan’s boyfriend cheats on her, Dawson, who was drawn to her from the first time he saw her, can’t help but offer comfort and their relationship develops from there.
Lani, who has crushed on Dawson from afar since he arrived, watches as the two become closer and closer and eventually finds out something that will change both Sloan and Dawson’s plans for their futures.
I’m trying to be spoiler free here, but it’s practically impossible. So, that’s all I can say about that.
I mentioned that the story spans several years, and it was interesting to see how McDaniel made that work. While there are some time jumps, it was pretty seamless and worked perfectly for the story.
I think my favorite thing here were the relationships. Specifically, the sister/sister relationship between Lani and her sister and especially the father/son relationship between Dawson and Franklin. Franklin was an amazing father… again, I can’t say much about why, other than I loved how he loved and supported his son, and I loved that he stepped up as a parent in every single way that was necessary for his son.
Overall, if you can get past some of the predictability, I think you will really get invested in these characters and their stories. I can see fans of Sarah Dessen really enjoying this, if you’re looking for an emotional read, filled with moments of heartbreak and hope get your hands on this one when it arrives.
November 20, 2024
Good young adult book!
November 23, 2018
First of all, no, Gabriel is not the one she loves. Gabriel is a child. no, she's not a pedophile.
Lurlene really does know how to write a story with real-life problems, ill tell you that. I fought hard not to shed tears in this book and proud I didn't.
remember: everyone has their own stories and dreams
Lurlene really does know how to write a story with real-life problems, ill tell you that. I fought hard not to shed tears in this book and proud I didn't.
remember: everyone has their own stories and dreams
March 17, 2016
This is the first book I have read by Lurlene and it will not be the last. This book is amazing in so many ways. You have young teenage love, cheating, parents who don't care, rock band, guilt, hurt, pain,and finally redemption. This is one of those stories that will stay with you long after you have read it.
In this story you have three teens Lani, Dawson, and Sloan. They are in their senior year of high school. Lani is determined to become a nurse so she can help others. She has watched one of her family members die from cancer and is determined to save others. Dawson has lost his mother to cancer and is left with his father who is a doctor that is never home. So when Dawson's father comes home one day and says they are moving he is upset. Sloan is the lead singer for a local band. Her boyfriend is the lead guitarist for band and together they are going to go on the road once they graduate.
But life as you know it is not as simple as it looks. Lani will work hard for what she wants and one thing she wants more than anything else in this world is the boy of her dreams but will she get him and at what cost? Dawson sees what he wants and gets it only to have it ripped away from him along with his heart. But the one bright thing Dawson has is someone close to his heart and he will stop at nothing to protect that person. Sloan will fall in love have heart broke only to fall in love again. But her true love is music and she will not allow anything or anyone to come in her way of being the best and making it big.
What happens when these three teens lives collide? Something amazing happens so be prepared to be blown away by this book!
In this story you have three teens Lani, Dawson, and Sloan. They are in their senior year of high school. Lani is determined to become a nurse so she can help others. She has watched one of her family members die from cancer and is determined to save others. Dawson has lost his mother to cancer and is left with his father who is a doctor that is never home. So when Dawson's father comes home one day and says they are moving he is upset. Sloan is the lead singer for a local band. Her boyfriend is the lead guitarist for band and together they are going to go on the road once they graduate.
But life as you know it is not as simple as it looks. Lani will work hard for what she wants and one thing she wants more than anything else in this world is the boy of her dreams but will she get him and at what cost? Dawson sees what he wants and gets it only to have it ripped away from him along with his heart. But the one bright thing Dawson has is someone close to his heart and he will stop at nothing to protect that person. Sloan will fall in love have heart broke only to fall in love again. But her true love is music and she will not allow anything or anyone to come in her way of being the best and making it big.
What happens when these three teens lives collide? Something amazing happens so be prepared to be blown away by this book!
May 28, 2016
Thank you Penguin Random House for sending me a finished copy--which is gorgeous, btw--to review.
This was nothing like I expected. The summary isn't joking when it says this is an emotionally charged story. I cried more than once, starting with the dedication.
This is told in alternating POVs and follows the lives of Lani, Dawson, and Sloane from their Senior into the first few years of adulthood, so it's not a typical YA. This is not a love triangle. It IS a story of about life, love, loss, heartbreak, and redemption.
While this read more like an adult novel, and felt rushed in places, I enjoyed seeing how Lurlene McDaniel wove the characters and their lives together.
For fans of Deb Caletti, Sarah Dessan, and Gayle Forman.
This was nothing like I expected. The summary isn't joking when it says this is an emotionally charged story. I cried more than once, starting with the dedication.
This is told in alternating POVs and follows the lives of Lani, Dawson, and Sloane from their Senior into the first few years of adulthood, so it's not a typical YA. This is not a love triangle. It IS a story of about life, love, loss, heartbreak, and redemption.
While this read more like an adult novel, and felt rushed in places, I enjoyed seeing how Lurlene McDaniel wove the characters and their lives together.
For fans of Deb Caletti, Sarah Dessan, and Gayle Forman.
January 23, 2017
Beautiful book. I cried way too much.
December 22, 2021
I know what I'm getting into with a Lurlene McDaniel book, someone will die, but this one says "a love story" on the cover so I thought I would go for it. I guess I missed the love story. It is the story of three high school seniors and what happens with each of them after they graduate. It was okay but I would have liked an actual love story. Also, I have a kid with allergies and asthma so I figured out real quick what would take Gabriel down and I was right.
June 13, 2016
LOSING GABRIEL is an incredibly realistic contemporary novel about what it is like to be a young adult facing real-world challenges and having to take responsibility for your actions. It is also about love, loss, mistakes, and miracles.
The novel immediately introduces you to three protagonists: the studious and good-natured Alana Kennedy, Dawson Burke, who has a chip on his shoulder, and Sloan Quentin, a girl who was arguably dealt a bad hand in life. Each character has his or her own unique characteristics and personalities, making for a really interesting dynamic.
LOSING GABRIEL feels like a story that is being told to you by a close friend due to third person POV. You're emotionally involved, but can't help but still feel a little disconnect from the characters. I knew what motivated the characters, but I still wasn't able to fully feel where they were coming from when they made their decisions, which also made me doubt how genuine the romance was.
However, that would probably be my only qualm. It was interesting to see Sloan, Dawson, and Lani gradually evolve and become who they are supposed to be. Dealing with real issues like drug abuse, death, unprotected sex, and other important topics, LOSING GABRIEL is a story that holds a lot of truth in it. While it does focus on the life of the three main characters, I never felt bored because it was so interesting to get a glimpse into their lives. With an open ending full of hope, it's nice to imagine where all the characters will end up.
This was my first book by Lurlene McDaniel but it will probably not be my last. However, next time I read something by her, I'm definitely going to be more prepared for all those feels!
The novel immediately introduces you to three protagonists: the studious and good-natured Alana Kennedy, Dawson Burke, who has a chip on his shoulder, and Sloan Quentin, a girl who was arguably dealt a bad hand in life. Each character has his or her own unique characteristics and personalities, making for a really interesting dynamic.
LOSING GABRIEL feels like a story that is being told to you by a close friend due to third person POV. You're emotionally involved, but can't help but still feel a little disconnect from the characters. I knew what motivated the characters, but I still wasn't able to fully feel where they were coming from when they made their decisions, which also made me doubt how genuine the romance was.
However, that would probably be my only qualm. It was interesting to see Sloan, Dawson, and Lani gradually evolve and become who they are supposed to be. Dealing with real issues like drug abuse, death, unprotected sex, and other important topics, LOSING GABRIEL is a story that holds a lot of truth in it. While it does focus on the life of the three main characters, I never felt bored because it was so interesting to get a glimpse into their lives. With an open ending full of hope, it's nice to imagine where all the characters will end up.
This was my first book by Lurlene McDaniel but it will probably not be my last. However, next time I read something by her, I'm definitely going to be more prepared for all those feels!
July 17, 2018
At the library, stocking up books for my upcoming vacation, I grabbed this one because the author's name sounded familiar. At home I was amused to discover that the familiarity was from the fact that I read this author 30 years ago as an actual teenager. She did sick-lit before sick-lit was a thing. And she's been busy in the intervening years. Her list of books is long.
The book opens with Lani, Dawson, and Slone attending the same small-town Tennessee high school. Dawson is grumpily new in town--his father has accepted a new job at the hospital. Lani is a quiet girl who wants to be a nurse and Sloan is the balls-to-the-wall singer of a locally famous band who wants nothing more than to use music to get her out of of town. Lani has a crush on Dawson, Dawson only has eyes for Sloan and Sloan is in a relationship with the lead guitarist.
The book takes place in two parts; high school and then four years later. It's a solidly-built story and I enjoy a teen novel that wanders into adult life, something I couldn't properly visualize when I was a teenager.
The moniker "inspirational writer" tends to taint my viewpoint of any story, but this was solidly constructed. It also avoided judgement in places where there could have been some. There was a sacrificial lamb element I found off-putting, but it worked well with the story. There's a segment at the Bonnaroo music and arts festival where a mostly unbelievable plot twist happens. But I did enjoy the thought of Lurlene McDaniel doing her Bonnaroo research.
The book opens with Lani, Dawson, and Slone attending the same small-town Tennessee high school. Dawson is grumpily new in town--his father has accepted a new job at the hospital. Lani is a quiet girl who wants to be a nurse and Sloan is the balls-to-the-wall singer of a locally famous band who wants nothing more than to use music to get her out of of town. Lani has a crush on Dawson, Dawson only has eyes for Sloan and Sloan is in a relationship with the lead guitarist.
The book takes place in two parts; high school and then four years later. It's a solidly-built story and I enjoy a teen novel that wanders into adult life, something I couldn't properly visualize when I was a teenager.
The moniker "inspirational writer" tends to taint my viewpoint of any story, but this was solidly constructed. It also avoided judgement in places where there could have been some. There was a sacrificial lamb element I found off-putting, but it worked well with the story. There's a segment at the Bonnaroo music and arts festival where a mostly unbelievable plot twist happens. But I did enjoy the thought of Lurlene McDaniel doing her Bonnaroo research.
June 27, 2016
I wanted to read this one because I love Lurlene McDaniel, and have since I was preteen. She is an automatic buy for me and she delivered in Losing Gabriel.
I def wondered how these three could be so connected, but I got lost in their stories and personalities and the changes of life that brought them all so intertwined.
I read this in one sitting, it had me glued to the pages, and I didn't want to stop.
This was hard core emotionally charged, and there was so much in in that made me want to cry. Lurlene has always know how to draw these amazing characters that have to face hard real life situations. She knows how to write heartbreak and make the reader feel it.
This book has romance, and it has tragedy to it, but its about so much more. Family ties, friendship, relationships, hardships. It melds three very different characters-- Lani who want to be a nurse after being by her cousin's bedside and seeing her die from cancer, Sloane, a singer who wants to make it big but who has a rough upbringing with absent and drunk mother, and at first angry Dawson, who is close with his father, but they are still reeling from the loss of his mother.
Bottom Line: Emotional, all I expect from a book by McDaniel.
I def wondered how these three could be so connected, but I got lost in their stories and personalities and the changes of life that brought them all so intertwined.
I read this in one sitting, it had me glued to the pages, and I didn't want to stop.
This was hard core emotionally charged, and there was so much in in that made me want to cry. Lurlene has always know how to draw these amazing characters that have to face hard real life situations. She knows how to write heartbreak and make the reader feel it.
This book has romance, and it has tragedy to it, but its about so much more. Family ties, friendship, relationships, hardships. It melds three very different characters-- Lani who want to be a nurse after being by her cousin's bedside and seeing her die from cancer, Sloane, a singer who wants to make it big but who has a rough upbringing with absent and drunk mother, and at first angry Dawson, who is close with his father, but they are still reeling from the loss of his mother.
Bottom Line: Emotional, all I expect from a book by McDaniel.
July 13, 2017
McDaniel, Lurlene Losing Gabriel...a love story, 317 pages. Delacorte Press, 2016. $17.99. Language: PG-13 (38 swears, 0 'F'); Mature Content: R (sex, drinking, drugs); Violence: PG.
Sloan and Dawson were just in a typical teenage relationship when Sloan gets pregnant and is not ready to face the challenges of motherhood. After she skips town, Dawson is left to raise his son, Gabriel, with just the help of his father and eventually Lani--a local nursing student who hires on to be the child's caretaker. The three eventually find their lives intertwining in new and unexpected ways--with Gabriel at the heart of it all. When the boy faces a life-threatening medical emergency, lives will be changed once again and never be the same.
In "Gabriel," McDaniel has written yet another teenage romance that involves death. The story follows a fairly cliche romance novel pattern, but the actual elements feel unique enough to make it a good read. There is a bit of on-page sex in the first part of the book, but things get fairly chaste by the midpoint. I found much of the story predictable but liked it enough to keep reading.
HS--OPTIONAL. Reviewer: TC
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2017...
Sloan and Dawson were just in a typical teenage relationship when Sloan gets pregnant and is not ready to face the challenges of motherhood. After she skips town, Dawson is left to raise his son, Gabriel, with just the help of his father and eventually Lani--a local nursing student who hires on to be the child's caretaker. The three eventually find their lives intertwining in new and unexpected ways--with Gabriel at the heart of it all. When the boy faces a life-threatening medical emergency, lives will be changed once again and never be the same.
In "Gabriel," McDaniel has written yet another teenage romance that involves death. The story follows a fairly cliche romance novel pattern, but the actual elements feel unique enough to make it a good read. There is a bit of on-page sex in the first part of the book, but things get fairly chaste by the midpoint. I found much of the story predictable but liked it enough to keep reading.
HS--OPTIONAL. Reviewer: TC
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2017...
July 29, 2017
It was great. Made me cry and understand that life can be so short ! Great author great writer
November 1, 2017
OMG! I loved it!!! Such a great book, but so very sad. I cried. Hard. However, I loved the end.
December 3, 2018
A Real Page Turner
This story had me on edge the entire book. I couldn't stop reading it. Lurlene McDaniel delivered once again! I wish there was a sequel.
This story had me on edge the entire book. I couldn't stop reading it. Lurlene McDaniel delivered once again! I wish there was a sequel.
January 12, 2019
A very good book, hard to put down.
May 22, 2023
Ah, it was so nice to be back in Windemere and into this writing style, despite its tendency to info-dump (especially at the beginning, where each member of the trio's opening chapter read like a character sketch/background summary for actors about to start filming a TV show). I'm not sure how to describe it besides "comfort food." I love this town, I liked all the main characters, I loved the character connection with Lani being Arie's cousin from The Year of Luminous Love and inspired to pursue nursing because of it, I REALLY appreciated any little glimpse we got of the Bellemeade stables...
...I just did not give a hoot about Gabriel.
--------------
Anyway, wavering between 3 and 4 stars because while that ate up a big chunk of the story and makes me think it will probably end up my least favorite of the 5-book Windemere series, the rest was above-average.
I loved Sloan and her music and her career aspirations (so excited that the next book is about her! secretly she may be my favorite in this trio). Obviously Dawson and Lani are more suited to each other, but Sloan's previous boyfriend was such a crapbag that I couldn't hate her & Dawson's passionate high school romance at all; it was wonderful to see her be treated like a queen, and even (eventually) embraced by his father. We love a trailer park success, even if it takes a while. I completely sympathized with her choices at all times and I will not stand for her being slandered by Dawson OR Goodreads reviewers.
Speaking of that guy, Dawson did a really nice job of stepping up to his responsibility-laden plate. He took the longest to grow on me because he seemed like a pretty typical teen boy at the start, and he did kind of ask for the responsibility so I don't think he gets to gripe about it. However, while it always kind of felt like watching a teenager play-act at adulthood even as he was working full time and took over as head of household, it also gave me the sense that around age 25 he will be QUITE the husband-quality catch.
And Lani was just an absolute sweetheart, with her boundless passion for nursing and childcare, surpassed only by her endearing wallflower crush of Yearning on Dawson while trying to be content with their Professional Platonic Boss/Employee Friendship (which, by the way, was still very sweet and made my fingers curl). I especially loved her bond with her sister and the fact that they shared an apartment.
Although I did maybe spend the first half of the book shaking my fist and going "stop telling me how much you love your horse and GO SEE YOUR HORSE!" I knew this book wasn't going to be as horse-centric as the duology, but I truly felt teased until we finally saw the stables again. Thankfully Oro does make a few appearances on page by the end.
...I just did not give a hoot about Gabriel.
--------------
Anyway, wavering between 3 and 4 stars because while that ate up a big chunk of the story and makes me think it will probably end up my least favorite of the 5-book Windemere series, the rest was above-average.
I loved Sloan and her music and her career aspirations (so excited that the next book is about her! secretly she may be my favorite in this trio). Obviously Dawson and Lani are more suited to each other, but Sloan's previous boyfriend was such a crapbag that I couldn't hate her & Dawson's passionate high school romance at all; it was wonderful to see her be treated like a queen, and even (eventually) embraced by his father. We love a trailer park success, even if it takes a while. I completely sympathized with her choices at all times and I will not stand for her being slandered by Dawson OR Goodreads reviewers.
Speaking of that guy, Dawson did a really nice job of stepping up to his responsibility-laden plate. He took the longest to grow on me because he seemed like a pretty typical teen boy at the start, and he did kind of ask for the responsibility so I don't think he gets to gripe about it. However, while it always kind of felt like watching a teenager play-act at adulthood even as he was working full time and took over as head of household, it also gave me the sense that around age 25 he will be QUITE the husband-quality catch.
And Lani was just an absolute sweetheart, with her boundless passion for nursing and childcare, surpassed only by her endearing wallflower crush of Yearning on Dawson while trying to be content with their Professional Platonic Boss/Employee Friendship (which, by the way, was still very sweet and made my fingers curl). I especially loved her bond with her sister and the fact that they shared an apartment.
Although I did maybe spend the first half of the book shaking my fist and going "stop telling me how much you love your horse and GO SEE YOUR HORSE!" I knew this book wasn't going to be as horse-centric as the duology, but I truly felt teased until we finally saw the stables again. Thankfully Oro does make a few appearances on page by the end.
May 5, 2018
It has been a while since I have read anything by Lurlene McDaniel. So I looked her books up an found this one. I will admit it started out a bit slow for me but I kept reading it and loved it. This story takes place over about a 4 year span. Told in 3 POV they are Lani, Dawson and Sloans.
Lani has lived in Windemere her entire life and wants to be a nurse. I loved her relationship between her and her sister. She has a bit of a crush on Dawson.
Dawson is new to Windemere and really isn't happy to be there. He moved there with his dad and their relationship is strong and his dad is pretty awesome. I am not going to saw more than that because I don't want to spoil anything.
Sloans is a singer, she dumps her boyfriend in front of her classmates and Dawson takes his chance to get to know the one thing that has caught his eye from the beginning of his time in town.
Each character brings their own story to the main storyline but it works and they all are connected in one way or another by the end.
This story has a lot that is predicable but it is going to pull at your heartstrings. There is loss, love, self-blaming.
Lani has lived in Windemere her entire life and wants to be a nurse. I loved her relationship between her and her sister. She has a bit of a crush on Dawson.
Dawson is new to Windemere and really isn't happy to be there. He moved there with his dad and their relationship is strong and his dad is pretty awesome. I am not going to saw more than that because I don't want to spoil anything.
Sloans is a singer, she dumps her boyfriend in front of her classmates and Dawson takes his chance to get to know the one thing that has caught his eye from the beginning of his time in town.
Each character brings their own story to the main storyline but it works and they all are connected in one way or another by the end.
This story has a lot that is predicable but it is going to pull at your heartstrings. There is loss, love, self-blaming.
July 8, 2018
After reading quite a few Lurlene McDaniel books in high school, I kind of got the feel for the stories she writes. Losing Gabriel definitely got me by surprise to say the least. Like most of her books, the main characters of the novel are high school students in the town of Windemere. Lani has grown up in Windemere and lost her cousin Ari to cancer; this causes Lani to have an interest in becoming a nurse after high school. Sloan has also lived in Windemere her whole life but has had a rough lifestyle living with her mother. Her main enjoyment comes from performing in a band as lead singer. Dawson has just moved to Windemere from the city after his father takes on a new job. It doesn't take long for Sloan to catch Dawson's attention and the two become an item.
That's about as far as I'm going to go with that without having any spoilers. Dawson, Sloan, and Lani's paths all merge together as the novel progresses. And like Lurlene McDaniel is famous for, you can expect a plot twist at some point. Loosing Gabriel is a story of love, loss, relationships, endings, and beginnings.
That's about as far as I'm going to go with that without having any spoilers. Dawson, Sloan, and Lani's paths all merge together as the novel progresses. And like Lurlene McDaniel is famous for, you can expect a plot twist at some point. Loosing Gabriel is a story of love, loss, relationships, endings, and beginnings.
May 6, 2020
Overall the plot of the story is very captivating and emotional.
The way it was written could have been better. It was very jumpy and hard to follow at the begin.
This story follows the lives of three people; Dawson, Lani, and Slone. McDaniel's writing is choppy when trying to flow the perspectives of each character. But Once reading part one of the book, you get the hang of her writing style.
The book is split up into three parts. The first part incorporates the introduction of each character and explores their relationships with others and one another. The second part is the main story, telling how all three of their lives intertwine with each others. The third part goes through the post-events and emotion of the horrific event that happened.
Parts two and three were very well written and I couldn't put my book down. Part one was hard to get into. I had to force myself to read the first half because it didn't intrigue me.
Hope you found this review helpful!
The way it was written could have been better. It was very jumpy and hard to follow at the begin.
This story follows the lives of three people; Dawson, Lani, and Slone. McDaniel's writing is choppy when trying to flow the perspectives of each character. But Once reading part one of the book, you get the hang of her writing style.
The book is split up into three parts. The first part incorporates the introduction of each character and explores their relationships with others and one another. The second part is the main story, telling how all three of their lives intertwine with each others. The third part goes through the post-events and emotion of the horrific event that happened.
Parts two and three were very well written and I couldn't put my book down. Part one was hard to get into. I had to force myself to read the first half because it didn't intrigue me.
Hope you found this review helpful!
August 31, 2018
This is not normally a book I would have picked up, however, I got a free Kindle copy of Somebody's Baby and needed the back story.
I've seen a lot of Sloan bashing in the reviews. Personally, I couldn't hate her. What I did feel for her was pity. She came from a background of abuse and neglect and was terrified of being like her mother, and she obviously had post-partum depression that was glossed over. Overwhelmed, depressed, and desperate is what she was. I don't condone her decision but I don't just her for it, either. And in my eyes, she redeemed herself in the end.
While we are on the subject of not liking characters, I found Dr. Berke to be manipulative and disloyal. He accepted Sloan's choice without judgment but was quick to judge Lani.
Overall, it was a decent read but I am glad I got it from the library rather than buy it.
I've seen a lot of Sloan bashing in the reviews. Personally, I couldn't hate her. What I did feel for her was pity. She came from a background of abuse and neglect and was terrified of being like her mother, and she obviously had post-partum depression that was glossed over. Overwhelmed, depressed, and desperate is what she was. I don't condone her decision but I don't just her for it, either. And in my eyes, she redeemed herself in the end.
While we are on the subject of not liking characters, I found Dr. Berke to be manipulative and disloyal. He accepted Sloan's choice without judgment but was quick to judge Lani.
Overall, it was a decent read but I am glad I got it from the library rather than buy it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 2, 2018
I think that it takes pure talent for an author even if its unintentional to tell me how a story ends and still make me bawl at the end. That's exactly what happened. I was crying continuously for the last about 50 or 75 pages of the book. It was so realistic and also something I really didn't want to happen. I saw it coming from a mile away but how people responded was what I think hit me the hardest. Because they cared so much that once the event happened they just gave up because that was the only way they could see to deal with it. And that just made it even more real for me. And even more sad for me. I loved (no matter how sad) how realistic this book was and even though it broke my heart, I still loved it. If you want to cry, read this book and if you don't cry, you don't have a heart.
July 1, 2019
It’s been probably 10 years or so since I have read Lurlene McDaniel. She was my favorite author all through middle school and a bit during high school. Reading her books about teens going through life challenges was validating for me since my mom was diagnosed with cancer when I was 12 and passed at 17. No one could understand me like the characters in McDaniels’ book.
Losing Gabriel followed the same McDaniel concept but seemed a bit different, like there was more of a storyline to it. This (surprisingly) was not as big of a tearjerker as some of her others (Don’t Die My Love anyone?) but this book was more age appropriate and potentially relatable to me. Dawson and Sloan have young love only to be surprised by God who is now testing their love. Can their love handle such conflict? How will they deal if it can’t?
Losing Gabriel followed the same McDaniel concept but seemed a bit different, like there was more of a storyline to it. This (surprisingly) was not as big of a tearjerker as some of her others (Don’t Die My Love anyone?) but this book was more age appropriate and potentially relatable to me. Dawson and Sloan have young love only to be surprised by God who is now testing their love. Can their love handle such conflict? How will they deal if it can’t?
July 7, 2018
I gave this book a four out of five stars, because even though I didn't want to put down the book there were some boring/slow moving scenes. But an over all it was really well written. Plain romance books, is something that I don't just look for. I'm more into paranormal, fantasy, type romance.
This book consists of three different points of views that I loved reading more about. I took a liking a towards Lani and Dawson, but I loved the book as a whole. I finished the book today, but when I first found this book I was not expecting what happened at the end. Nice job Lurlene McDaniel for pulling my emotions and feelings towards the three main characters (and sometimes the fourth main character).
This book consists of three different points of views that I loved reading more about. I took a liking a towards Lani and Dawson, but I loved the book as a whole. I finished the book today, but when I first found this book I was not expecting what happened at the end. Nice job Lurlene McDaniel for pulling my emotions and feelings towards the three main characters (and sometimes the fourth main character).
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 20, 2018
Well, if you have read any of the authors other books then you know it’s going to be a tear jerker. But if you haven’t then you in for a roller coaster of emotions. I have read so many of her books and I still cry at every one. She makes you think and always remember that there are some heart breaking things in the world.
October 26, 2019
I was drawn to this book simply bc I read her books as a teenager, many years ago. This is good "brain candy" but it's not really intense. Good, quick read between serious books.. Tho it does touch some serious topics.. It just doesn't go very deep.
October 25, 2021
Lurlene mcdaniel, is another author who makes me cry when reading her books. When life gives salon, dawson a unexpected turn, they both want deferent things with their life, and salon learns the hard way you don't know what you have till it is gone....
July 21, 2024
This story had a lot of potential, but with paper thin character development and stilted dialogue, it lacked the emotional punch it should have, and frankly was difficult to force myself to finish. The ending was disappointing and sappy. I was very disappointed. Only one star.
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