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Unveiling #1

Unveiling the Sky

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Unveiling the Sky is a STANDALONE romance. You don't have to read any other books in the series to enjoy it :)

Sometimes there’s no tragic event.
Sometimes there’s just sadness. Just numbness.
Sometimes it’s just a depression you can’t understand.


When Alara’s depression reaches its pinnacle she’s left feeling broken, vulnerable, and more than a little uneasy about moving forward. And although she’s made it to the other side she discovers that the hardest battle may simply be moving on and accepting the hardship she’s been given. Because by all accounts she should be happy, but she isn’t and she still can’t understand why. So she’s moving forward, but with the weight of her guilt and the constant fear of another episode, is she really living? Or has the fear of another episode become just as crippling as the episode itself?

Then she meets Gabriel, a grieving soul struggling to get past his mother’s death and figure out his future. As he reconciles his past and begins planning his future, it becomes clear that he wants Alara in it. He wants the sarcastic, fearful girl that always seems just a little bit out of reach. But will the girl who’s never been able to see a future give him a chance? And when he discovers her darkness, will he still love her through it?

Will she let him?

323 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 24, 2016

38 people are currently reading
588 people want to read

About the author

Jeannine Allison

13 books540 followers
Jeannine Allison is an author of contemporary and New Adult romance. After waffling between many degrees in college, she finally graduated with a BA in English Literature from Arizona State University.

She loves writing and reading -- obviously :) -- but when she's not she enjoys playing with her two dogs, obsessing over new makeup, drinking coffee, googling new tattoos, and pretty much anything else that allows her to wear yoga pants and a sweatshirt ;)

She is a big fan of being exactly who you are. Her favorite stories to write are about characters finding and loving who they are.

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5 stars
84 (39%)
4 stars
78 (36%)
3 stars
36 (16%)
2 stars
15 (6%)
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2 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 84 reviews
Profile Image for NMmomof4.
1,778 reviews5,017 followers
July 27, 2017
3.75 Stars

Overall Opinion: This was a touching story about two people that are struggling and find happiness in being together. I connected with these characters enough that I found myself being touched and engaged in the story enough to cry a few times. I was rooting for their relationship and wanted them to get a HEA so bad! I really enjoyed the side characters and their closeness as it really gave a family feeling around these mcs. I am looking forward to Naomi's story, Unveiling Chaos, which I think comes out next. I was bummed with the ending, and I felt like the pacing could've been better. So even though I enjoyed the story, I can't quite give it 4 stars...so I'm going with 3.75.

I also have to give major kudos out to the author for her note at the beginning of the story about her own struggles with depression. I think it take a tremendous amount of courage and insight to put such personal information out there, and she definitely gained my respect for it :)

Brief Summary of the Storyline: This is Alara and Gabe's story. Gabe lost his mom, and decided to make some big life changes by not working with his father and dumping his long-time girlfriend. He also leaves the country for 6 months, and when he gets back gets a job as a bartender. He meets a fellow bartender, Derek, and ends up moving in with him. This is where he meets Alara. She is best-friends and roommates with Derek's sister, Naomi. As a group of friends they all start to get to know one another, but from the start Alara and Gabe are both attracted and feel a stronger connection to each other. They eventually start dating, and fall in love. There are some ups and downs, some sexy times, and some sweet moments...but they get a HFN ending.

POV: This alternated between Alara and Gabe POV.

Overall Pace of Story: Ok. This is probably my biggest complaint of the story. I felt like it was a little too long. I know, I know -- this coming from me! For those that read my reviews know that I like books on the longer side. So, why was it too long? I felt like it took too long for the h and H to get together. I even skimmed a little where I was going in between the dialogue portions when they first started to be around each other. Once I got to the point where their interactions were more frequent, I was engaged and had no problems with skimming. I just felt like it took too long to get there. I honestly think some parts could've been edited out without taking away from the overall storyline.

Instalove: No. They take a while to develop feelings. I would say it's even a slow build type romance.

H rating: 3.5 stars. Gabe. I liked him, but I had a little bit of an issue with him at their big conflict. I wanted him to fight a little more for her, and to effectively verbalized what he really meant (like he did once they finally communicated) sooner.

h rating: 4 stars. Alara. I liked her. She was struggling with finding her true identity and not wanting to be defined by her disorder. I appreciated how she cared so deeply about others, and how she never intended for her disorder to negatively effect them.

Sadness level: Moderate. I cried a few times, but it never turned into ugly crying. I lost my mom to cancer in a really condensed version of the H (my mom died in 4 months not 4 years). She had put me in the same situation as the H, so the H's struggles really touched me on a deeply personal level.

Push/Pull: Yes

Heat level: Moderate/low. They take a while to be intimate, but they have good chemistry when they are.

Descriptive sex: Yes.

Safe sex: Yes. Condoms are mentioned. I don't remember any mention of past practices.

OW/OM drama: Yes, but minimal

Sex scene with OW or OM: No

Cheating: No

Separation: Yes

Possible Triggers: Yes

Closure: I would call this a HFN ending. I wanted more! -- But that's just me ;)

How I got it: ***This was sweetly gifted to me by the author in exchange for an honest review***

Safety: I would say that this is probably Safe for most readers
Profile Image for Dilek VT.
1,548 reviews1,717 followers
October 16, 2016
“There’s a crack in my mind,
That I don’t know how to heal.
There are demons in my head,
People tell me are not real.



The voices are my own,
Speaking words I don’t believe.
Convincing me I’m worthless,
And that everyone will leave.”


This is the story of Alara and Gabe. Both characters are in pain. Alara suffers from major depression although there is no trauma behind it, which makes it difficult to explain and understand. Gabe loses his mother who has been suffering from cancer and then he starts to question all his life decisions from his career to his fiancé...

The paths of these two people cross one day as if proving us that sometimes all bad experiences and the pain you have to endure are there to lead you to where you should be the happiest.



Of course, these two didn’t find happiness all of a sudden. The process of getting better and feeling happier was slow and everything was realistic.



Alara was a very happy child but when she was a young woman, she started to suffer from major depression. It is not after a traumatic event or a big loss. And I think this may be the hardest to believe and to explain to other people because usually people who have never experienced depression cannot get it and if it is not after a traumatic event, it is even harder for them to understand and accept. Normally, people already tend to mix being “depressed” with “having depression”. However, being depressed is a feeling whereas having depression is an illness.

Personally, I know what it is like to have a major depression. Mine started after a big trauma and I started to take 2 capsules of prozac daily. But even then, people said, “Oh come on, everyone has some problems, why do you exaggerate everything, come on, why do you need medication, you are smart, you yourself can get out of this depression” blah bla... like it is something you can get out of if you want to! Who wants to stay like that? So, I know how hard it is to explain it to people who have never got it.

Alara suffers more in this situation because she doesn’t have a reason to tell people, she just has this illness. It is the pack of shitty cards dealt for her; you just have to accept it and try to live with it. Of course, with the help of medication. But because it doesn't happen to her after a trauma, she just doesn’t have a hope that she will one day get rid of it completely. And because she has episodes from time to time, she thinks that she will not be able to have a steady relationship with anyone, fearing that no one will accept her the way she is.

“Sometimes I feel like someone just dropped me here, like maybe God created me but forgot to create others like me. And sometimes I think I’m sad just because I can’t find them. So I think that if I keep working at, keep trying to get better, one day I’ll fit in somewhere. I’ll be enough for someone.”

I believe that the writer did an amazing job of portraying Alara. This book had a mirror effect on me. Some people may not understand the heroine, but having felt very similarly, I could relate to her very easily. I remembered my pain and my suffering while reading... And the worst part of depression is not being sad or crying endlessly, it is the state of apathy when you lose all your will to live and enjoy your life... You get numb and start not to care about anything...

“Being sad was only half of it,
And it was not the half to kill.
The downfall began when I started to feel nothing,
When I slowly lost my will.”


Let me tell you that this is not a depressive book although our main character has depression. It is sweet, emotional and very hot. It also had fun moments that made me laugh. So, don’t worry, it won’t make you feel depressed. It just sheds some light on how people with major depression feel and how hard they try to live their lives, and it does this through a beautiful love story and its healing effect.

"Maybe I could reverse friend-zone her. I know you just want to be friends, but sorry, I’ve decided you’re my girlfriend."

Of course, love doesn’t make you get over depression but when you find someone who makes you feel good, then you have all the more reason to fight with your illness rather than surrender to it.

And it is what happens here. Alara has incredibly good friends. They are all supportive, like brothers and sisters to her. And when Gabe enters her life, it feels like finding the missing part of the puzzle. He just fits in. And together, they help each other to find the purpose of their lives, to find its meaning... She starts to worry less, and enjoy the life more and more...



“I had never felt this way before. So encompassed in my emotions that nothing else seemed to exist. The world felt like it began and ended in his kiss.”



This book is beautifully written. The characters are well-developed and real. You are easily drawn into their world and start to feel what they feel. There is no stupid plot twist or unnecessary drama. Everything is realistic.



This is a story taking you to a journey of finding love and hope when you are lost in your own suffering.


description

This is dear Jeannine Allison’s first novel and it is very successful as a debut. She did a great job of telling a love story of two non-cliché characters, which was refreshing. I am sick of the rich hot alpha male with a dark secret and the woman who comes and stops his man-whoring in an instant with her beauty and all. This is a realistic story which one may more easily relate to. I will sure read more from her.



The novel is told both from Alara and Gabe’s point of view, which is my favorite because in this way, you can see how each character thinks and feels.

I liked both characters. I liked all the friends and Gabe’s sister, as well. I believed in Alara and Gabe’s love. And I have a feeling that they can get over anything that may happen in the future because they are honest and real, always finding a way to communicate. I liked their struggle to be there for each other.


description

“I want to be your New Year’s kiss and the guy you tell your friends about. I want… I just want everything with you.”

I also liked the way the book ended. I have personally started to feel sick of the epilogues where the characters are married and have one or two children as if this is necessary to make us believe in their HEA. I do not need that in order to believe they will be happy together. If they love each other and if they are happy together for the time being, that is enough for me. Who says marriage and children are enough to guarantee your HEA? So, long story short, this epilogue was for my taste... HFN...

Let me remind you to read the "Author's Note" at the beginning of the book in which she explains that she wanted to relay her own life experiences in this story. So, there is a big connection between the author and the main character, Alara.

Unveiling the Sky is the first novel in the UNVEILING series and I believe the other books will be about Alara’s friends. I really wonder Sherry’s story...
Profile Image for Karla.
1,439 reviews364 followers
September 28, 2016
4 stars!

"Unveiling the sky" what a beautiful and emotional read, I found myself stopping and thinking about the things this characters were going through. This was my first book by this author and I liked how she created this story with a raw realness, especially with a subject matter as is depression. But it's so much more than that, this author did a wonderful job on turning such a serious issue and mixing it with love and a great set of supportive friends.

description

Alara has been struggling with depression for a while now, trying to stay afloat with her everyday life. Gabe has recently lost his mom to cancer, the things that he thought were important like following his father's demands are now, meaningless without the person he loved the most. They're both fighting their own battles but in the mist of all their emotions they meet,and start a friendship that slowly becomes more.

description

I really liked the pace of the story it went well especially for Alara, since she was dealing with her depression and she didn't think Gabe would accept her, if he knew. I liked that we got to be in her head and live the emotions she was going through. To me she was strong, she fought like hell to get well and she had amazing friends in Naomi, Sherry, and Derek. Gabe was amazing with her so loving, caring and understanding he never doubted his love for her. When they became a couple it was amazing to see them together, they were so real. They open up to each other and were supported of each other as well. Yes, they went through their ups and downs and made mistakes as any other couple would, but they fought through them. Ooh and those sexy encounters so hot, they had amazing chemistry.

description

Throughout the seriousness of this book, this story was full of humor especially with Alara's friends. I found myself laughing at some of Naomi's and Sherry's banter even Derek. This was more than just about the love between Alara and Gabe but the love and support you share with true friends.
How we don't need to share the same blood to call them family.
Can't wait for Naomi's story and I hope Sherry, Derek, and Sam get theirs too. <3
Profile Image for Hanne.
661 reviews72 followers
January 25, 2018
My first read by Jeannine Allison was actually the third book in the Unveiling series, Unveiling Ghosts. It was Sherry and Hunter’s love story and I knew that book wouldn’t be my last read by the author. Even though I only met Sherry’s friends briefly, I couldn’t wait to read their stories. I loved the friendship between the ladies. I went in blind and I loved everything about this book. I’m officially a fan of Jeannine Allison after this book!

Unveiling the Sky is emotional, real, beautiful and poignant. This book deals with a difficult subject, depression. The author did an amazing job in my opinion. She described Alara’s emotions and feelings so good that you understand her and her decisions. Alara is nice, genuine, loving, strong and a little insecure. I felt for Alara many times. She struggles and she fights. I was happy that she has such great friends.

Gabe is an amazing man and I fell head over heels in love with him! He’s sweet, caring, strong, kindhearted and genuine. He has been going through some difficult time. He is in need of something new and to find a new home. Gabe is close with his sister and I really liked their bond.

I loved how this story progressed. I first really got to know Alara and what she’s feeling, before I met Gabe. The author never rushed anything between Gabe and Alara, and that felt right. Gabe felt that Alara needed time and he patiently waited for her to be ready, but Gabe was still always there for her. I loved their friendship and their relationship. They are so good for each other. They are an incredible couple.

I loved the secondary characters. I just love how they are always there for Alara and how they welcomed Gabe into their group. I’m intrigued by everyone of the group. If I hadn’t read Sherry’s book already, I would have wanted to read her story after meeting her in this book. I can’t wait to read Naomi’s story!
Profile Image for JewelsyGoolsy.
636 reviews99 followers
February 7, 2017
4 stars

This story was a lovely balance of sweet, melancholy and educational, all wrapped in one!

Oh Gabe... le sigh... you sweet, patient, wonderful hero, you! And don't get me started on the author's character inspiration for him. Yes, I stalked Jeannine on Pinterest and let's just say those spectacular visuals of Gabe, made my reading experience so much wetter better.
description

This book was a pretty slow burn by my standards (but I have toddler-like patience when waiting for book nookie). And Gabe's patience was a solid and saint-like rock of impressive, patient swoons, but because I'm a greedy-guts; I wanted to shake both of them up, just enough to get their sh!t together quicker. BUT in saying that; a h with that state of mind, really needed a H as patient, easy going and understanding as Gabe. In fact; time and patience was really all these guys needed to wrap their heads around each other and pull this whole story together.

I learnt a fair deal more than I originally knew about depression reading this book and I tip my hat off to the author for putting a brave and amazing piece of herself out there for public consumption. Not an easy feat, so all my respect goes to her for that.

Told in dual POV and 1st standalone story in a series. There's a sweet epilogue with HFN ending that left me content knowing that I'll be seeing more of this couple as the series continues, and I'll defo be continuing with this series :)
Profile Image for Janie.
873 reviews81 followers
January 22, 2018
Jeannine Allison writes amazing heroes with sweet heroines that deserve them. I’m in awe that this is her debut novel. In the note from the author, she bares herself to the reader and let’s us know how much of herself she put into this book. It’s so brave to make yourself vulnerable in that way and shows so much more strength than most of us possess.

Gabe and Alara are both going through very difficult times in their lives. When they meet, they feel a connection but build a friendship first. This was so realistic and true. They have an amazing group of friends surrounding them which I adored and can’t wait for their stories. Gabe is so patient and kind and gives to Alara what she never really dreamed she would have. It’s not all one sided though because Gabe is just as much in need as Alara. She gives him unconditional love and the freedom to be who he wants to be and doesn’t expect him to be anything different.

This has just the right amount of angst and drama without being overdone in any way.
Profile Image for Melanie A..
1,241 reviews555 followers
January 8, 2019
4 STARS!
Our hearts were made to feel, to break, to love, to grieve. And all mine ever did was beat.
I love it when a book sinks its teeth into something worth talking about, and Unveiling the Sky did just that. I applaud all the heart and soul that Jeannine Allison obviously poured into this sweet story.

Alara is a college senior whose struggles to live with and understand depression have made her gun shy around men. Does she really need the added stress of a man who would most likely grow tired of her problems, leaving her open to almost sure-fire pain?
Some people couldn't understand depression without a source.
After losing his beloved mother to cancer, Gabe realizes how precious life is and that he needs to completely overhaul his own. In pursuit of that new life, he meets Alara.
Sometimes you meet a person and you just know on some level they belong in your life.
So, I really liked these two and how they 'clicked' with each other.
"Sometimes we think we want to be alone, when really all we want is the right person to be alone with."
They had a genuine connection . . . a sweet, mostly innocent connection. That kind of thing usually drives me crazy; I need an edge in my fictional relationships! But Jeannine Allison has a compelling writing style - laced with intelligence, humor, and real life - that kept me turning the pages.

The juxtaposition of Alara and Gabe's backstories was really well done . I thought the push and pull in their relationship was warranted and very realistic.
"What are you more afraid of? That I'll want to be with you . . . or that I won't? Because it seems to me that either option is terrifying for you," Gabe said softly.
While some of the writing was a bit overwrought, there were a lot of fabulous scenes in this one, scenes that were powerful, well thought out, and full of emotion.

Good stuff! I'll definitely be checking out more by this author!
"It's like I'm drowning with no idea how I even got in the water."
PS: this book contains triggers:
Profile Image for catherine ♡.
1,702 reviews172 followers
March 19, 2017
Actual Rating: 5

Oh my god. I'm speechless right now.
This book was beautiful.

I have to start by saying that this book hits very close to home, and therefore, few books I've read address topics like depression and anxiety and make it work. This is one of those books.

Unveiling the Sky follows two characters - Alara, a girl struggling with depression that seemingly came out of nowhere, and Gabe, a boy struggling with grief and trying to write his own future instead of following the one already mapped out for him.

But what they're both looking for is happiness - and it's not an easy journey. Everything gets in the way, and they'll have to decide whether the battle is worth the possible happy ever after.

Now, normally I'm not a fan of dual perspective, but I couldn't imagine this book any other way. It really worked for me in the sense that I could feel different pieces of pain and could understand what each character did and why. Not to mention how realistic the characters were - they were perfect, and yet they were broken and flawed.

The writing style was gorgeous - it was so easy for me to connect to the characters' feelings, and I found that there were so many beautiful quotes that perfectly described emotions I had never been able to put into words.

Looking at the plot as a whole, I felt like there was such a great balance between internal conflicts and external factors.

But what I must commend this book for is the message. What a beautiful, beautiful, message. I don't want to give too much away, but I will say that it was such an amazing story about accepting yourself and loving people who they are (yourself included!) and I don't think I've ever read a book that made me feel the way this book did.

I would love, love, love, to continue this series.
Profile Image for Alex ♈.
1,568 reviews1,403 followers
December 18, 2018
“Sometimes we think we want to be alone, when really all we want is the right person to be alone with.”

This book has depth, so much depth!

It deals with crucial topics of depression, grief and self-retrieval.
I wouldn’t call it very romantic and despite I liked its love story, I didn’t quite love it.

But the book wasn’t a usual romance for me, I saw it more like insight in human mind; and this part was written brilliantly!

Mature characters, mature dialogs, mature issues.
Thousands of wise lines; definitely a reread material.

Awesome for a debut novel!
“I love every part of you, even the part I hate.”
Profile Image for Malene.
1,337 reviews756 followers
June 19, 2017
First I have to commend the author for drawing on her own experience with depression. This only made this story more intimate and realistic. Jeannine Allison did a phenomenal job with Unveiling The Sky and it was her debut book! Her prose was raw, honest and most of all poignant. I knew and expected this story to be heavy with emotions and it was but it had to be given this serious topic. It only made me connect and want to relate with Alara, Gabe and their friends.

First I have to say I loved these characters. They were so real and human. Alara was a fantastic character. I wanted to understand her struggle with depression and how she viewed herself and peoples reaction to her. She wasn't weak. She was strong in her acknowledging how the disease affected her and her friends. Her struggle was described beautifully. It definitely struck a chord with me. Gabe was a flawed guy with so much heart and love to give. His inexperience with depression was captured perfectly and I could easily understand his insecurities that came with being with Alara. His love for her and vice versa was all consuming. Their road to a relationship was well developed and done at a perfect pace. Nothing felt rushed. It only gave me the time to experience them fall in love, navigate through their uncertain future and be right there with them. It was intense, angsty but it certainly also had steam. They were phenomenal together and only confirmed their love for one another.
Now let's talk about the secondary characters cause they were simply fabulous. I loved Alara's BFF Naomi and Sherry. Their support and love for Alara was unconditional. Once again I really appreciated, that their struggle with being friends with a person with depression was a priority too. I understood their insecurities and how it affected them too.
Naomi's brother Derek and Gabe's sister Sam was great too and their interactions and hidden looks definitely made me wonder. I need more with these two and can't wait.

This was a fabulous book. Jeannine Allison did an excellent job at capturing and creating a story about this serious and common disease. I connected with these strong and lovable characters. I learned from this story. It had so much heart and soul. What a gem!

5 BadAssDirtyYou'reBeautifulStars
Profile Image for Carol (StarAngel's Reviews) Allen.
1,692 reviews634 followers
March 9, 2016
Book – Unveiling The Sky
Series – Unveiling #1
Author – Jeannine Allison
Publication Date – May 11, 2016
Genre – New Adult Romance
Rating – 4.25 Stars

Complimentary copy generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.

My Thoughts - Story
This is a very touching and heartfelt book in which the author touches on some very sensitive subjects. Two lost souls that help each other battle their past and inner demons seemed to be written with experience and firsthand knowledge. As a sufferer of depression myself, I found myself nodding repeatedly throughout.

The only thing I would have liked different about this story is Alara not always drawing attention to her depression and letting it get in the way of her life.

Re-Cap
I don’t want to give the story away, but I will mention that Alara and Gabriel go through many obstacles in finding their HEA. As much as they help each other, they also end up hurting.

Reason for Reading – Author Request
Story – 4 Stars
Steam – 4 Stars
Angst – 4.25 Stars
Writing – 4 Stars
Content Flow – 3.75 Stars
HEA (Spoiler) –
Would Read More from Author? Yes
Recommend To – Readers who enjoy a book with problems that are real along with angst.
Profile Image for ❥ KAT ❥ Kitty Kats Crazy About Books.
2,605 reviews10.8k followers
July 23, 2016
༺**Complimentary Copy**༺ Provided by the author
"Jeannine Allison" in exchange for an honest review..Thank you!!

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TITLE: Unveiling The Sky
SERIES: (Unveiling #1)
AUTHOR: Jeannine Allison
GENRE: Contemporary Romance
CHAPTERS: Prologue - 25 - Epilogue
RELEASE DATE: May 24th 2016

MY RATING: 4 STARS

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UNVEILING THE SKY: Told in 'Dual Perspectives' Alara & Gabe

This kicks starts off in the 'Prologue' where we are first introduced to Alara. Helpless, and exhausted under the weight that is dragging her very existence down.

Despair
Destruction
Pain
Exhaustion


To 'Eight months later' Living with her best friend of years and coming to the realisation that living with depression also affects those around her.

Alara struggles with depression and anxiety which seemingly came out of nowhere, on a daily basis living under a heavy cloud of darkness but even though she feels like it's slowly killing little pieces of her with the medication she's taking it's manageable.

Image and video hosting by TinyPic I had flaws in spades
And when I was in the darkest days of my depression
all I saw were the negatives
But I also liked to think I could recognise that some
of those flaws may have saved my life.


Then we're introduced to 'Gabe' arrives home after six months of travelling which coincides with the one year anniversary of his mothers passing.

Image and video hosting by TinyPic As my mother withered away
so did pieces of my life
Things that seemed important
before suddenly didn't matter at all.


Gabe's trying to resurrect his life after losing his mother, and reinventing a new life by getting a job as a bartender, and finds himself making friends with a co worker who is also after a new flatmate, which is through him that these two characters meet. Striving to live his life the way he wants to live it, and not under the thumb of his overbearing, controlling father who has dictated out how he thinks his son should be living his life.

The only reason why I'm rating this 4 stars and not 5 is that I didn't connect fully on an emotional level with these characters, I understood their struggles but I missed that pull on my emotions. But I enjoyed the easy flow of the story line, the authors use of words, I enjoyed the dual perspectives and I've come away with a little bit more understanding about depression..
Profile Image for Grey.
442 reviews47 followers
June 28, 2018
First, have you seen the covers for this series of books? They are, without a doubt, some of the most beautiful artwork I have ever come across posing as book covers! Ms. Allison is a new to me author, so what do I do? I take the liberty of contacting her on Facebook and ask if she has a Spotify playlist of the music that she includes at the back of her book... because you all *know* me. I'm a creature of habit and if you include it, you can bet your bippy I'm going to listen to it. She did not have one, so with a flick of my wrists and a few little clicks, I created one. I will always pick the "all-inclusive package feels" to really get into the right headspace to enjoy a book. If anyone else wants to be like me, (I'm not saying I really recommend that option, it's kind of scary up there inside my head sometimes), feel free to click on my Spotify link. https://open.spotify.com/user/greydit...

Ok, back to my review... I have to stand up and applaud Ms. Allison for drawing on her personal struggles and writing about such a sensitive topic. It takes some serious chutzpah to do that, so brava to you, darling! Unveiling the Sky touched on so many crucial elements of real life pain and heartbreak that it was intriguing to me that this was a debut novel. And what a debut novel it was! I'm struggling a little here with my own review, because I feel like the book itself needed a bit more of an edit for pacing and rhythm issues. However, the message; the characterizations, the dialogue, the relatability aspects, the interpersonal relationships-- and again, I'm going to repeat myself, *the message* was fantastic. Depression is real, folks, and sometimes so misunderstood.

I'm going to muck this review up, I just know it...so instead of that... Let me give you a taste of the author's beautifully crafted and eloquent words. They are way better than my own anyway.

...sometimes you meet a person and you just know on some level they belong in your life. I didn't know in what capacity, but I knew somewhere in my life, there was room for this girl. And while I wasn't planning our marriage or even our first date, I knew she was going to matter.

We talk about second chances like they're so rare, but we get more than second chances, we get thirds and fourths and on and on, because every day is another chance to do all the things we didn't the day before, say all the things we couldn't the day before, and love all the ways we were afraid to the day before.

"Everything is always A plus B equals C to you. And sometimes that's okay, but most of the time that's not how people work. You're always the B in the equation, thinking that you always have to do something. It's an admirable trait, trying to fix everyone. But sometimes there isn't anything you can do other than just be there, to just ride out the storm with them instead of trying to stop it. But you don't see it that way; you see that as failure on your part, and it's not."


See, I told you, brilliant, right? Okay, instead of me rambling, '4 aiming-for-the-middle stars'!
Profile Image for HMS.
1,499 reviews74 followers
July 9, 2019
WOW, just WOW!

This is a poignant and honest tale of a normal young woman suffering from anxiety and depression. Alara is just trying to keep her careful world from toppling, taking classes and having fun with her small group of friends. She didn't expect Gabe to enter the picture. Gabe, struggling with his own personal problems, is only concerned with getting a job and having a place to live. Oh and keeping his ex-fiance and father off his back. There is immediate attraction, but Alara has to decide if she can trust him with her illness and not being judged. Gabe has to decide what is next in his life and how to repair his relationship with his younger sister Sam.

The author discloses that this is a very personal story for her because she too has anxiety and depression in her life. It was a wonderful story, but often difficult for me to read. I felt horrible for Alara and how people judged and viewed her illness.

I also loved that this is a new author to me and there is more to come from this crazy group of characters.
Profile Image for Megan Mary.
1,116 reviews15 followers
March 16, 2018
Where do I start? Unveiling The Sky was such a beautiful mixture of heartbreak, life lessons, grief & love. This book was everything and then some..you will fall in love with Alara and Gabe instantly as they go on their journey to finding their happily ever after. These two😍 The vulnerability & strength that Alara possesses was so refreshing as she navigates through her depression; learning to not let it define her and stop her from living the life she truly deserved . All the while, Gabe is figuring out how to unbury himself from his grief and find what he truly wants out of life. I loved the slow burn 🔥 with these two it wasn't one helping the other with their traumas but rather them helping themselves in order to be ready for each other. Their story was so beautiful all while surrounded with some of my absolute favorite secondary characters; I cannot wait to start the second book in this series and see where Jeannine Allison takes us next.
Profile Image for AmyLouAldaMay.
118 reviews38 followers
September 27, 2016
I don't always read NA or YA, but when I do, it better be damn good.

description

A rose, and a spade, and all that...
I know, technically, this is a romance, and while I liked that, what I most appreciated about this book was the in-depth and realistic portrayal of life with depression. I made so many highlights and notes throughout this book, and there were countless moments where I was like, "Yeah. That is exactly what it's like."

description

As mesmerized as I was, and as perfect as it was depicted, I found I had a hard time reading it because it was so perfectly depicted. Utterly well done.
"It was pretty ridiculous how people collectively decided what pain was."

I also appreciated how the differences between being depressed as grief differs from depression as a condition - and they are very, very different - are paralleled throughout the story.

*swoons*
Ahh, Gabe... what a hero, eh? One thing I loved about him early on, was how perceptive he was of Alara's body language. So, so perfectly in tune with reading her comfort level, and then responding appropriately to that.

Somebody thinks she's a clown.
In spite of the heavy material, there were so many funny, light moments woven throughout the story. Here are some of my favorite LOL's:
"Caleb was an atheist, but whenever Naomi's mouth was on him, he conveniently forgot that fact. Loudly."

"I woke up to a bear dying right next to my ear."

"Dude, Naomi could have a fucking skunk with an AK-47 at her door and she would invite the damn thing in."


In other words
I don't always read NA, but when I did this time, it was damn good.
"...Sometimes you meet a person and you just know on some level they belong in your life. I didn't know in what capacity, but I knew somewhere in my life, there was room for this girl."
Profile Image for Michelle Claypot_Reads.
2,508 reviews61 followers
March 29, 2018
Wow! This book is a lot. A lot of feelings. A lot of fun. A lot of heartbreak. A lot of love. Alara is a beautifully raw, honest character. What she sees as her flaws are what drew me to her. And Gabe, well I adored him. Again, not your average romance hero but that made him, for me, even better.

I absolutely love when an author is brave enough to write about real people, real problems and real romance. Sure I love the perfect HEA stories like anyone, but it's the gut wrenching, emotion packed difficult love stories that I remember. This is a story I will definitely remember.

This book packs a punch and you will need tissues, but for me it's also a story that reminds us to focus on the now, what's important and to accept that while life may not be perfect it's definitely beautiful.

“We’ll just focus on now. Not the beginning or the ending, just the middle.”
Profile Image for Maria.
290 reviews25 followers
May 23, 2018
I have never resonated with a book more in my life.

Depression is such a misunderstood disease and no one really likes to talk about it. Jeannine did an amazing job with this book, it took a lot of guts to put this out there and I am so glad she did.

Even though it is a standalone, I will definitely read the rest in this series to see how the other characters evolve :)
Profile Image for Harris Danielle.
878 reviews
January 6, 2018
This is going to be in my top favorite read.

Words can't express how much I love this book. I'm so glad I gave this a chance. This hit home for me on so many levels, when your demons of depression comes crawling out of nowhere. I love all the characters. I'm looking forward to reading about the other characters.

Yes this book is sad at moments, but it has really funny moments as well. The steam was really hot.

Alara, and Gabe both struggle in there own way, can they overcome the demons? Or will this end them both?
Profile Image for Annette Brignac.
203 reviews54 followers
January 10, 2018
Here's to the middle...

Wow. This was such a stunning book! The storyline is phenomenal and unique. The characters are AMAZING (I seriously want to hang with all of them).

The author has done an amazing job of bringing the characters and the story to life. There were so many moments that will stick with me for a very long time. Excellent character development, beautiful descriptions. She managed to shatter my heart at one point, then put the pieces back together so wonderfully.

It has to be noted... As it says in the blurb, our heroine has depression... Jeannine has written a story that has done something nothing else ever could... It has helped me to better understand the disease.

I absolutely recommend this book and I'm starting book 2 now!!!!
Profile Image for Donna.
1,397 reviews33 followers
July 7, 2019
Heartfelt

This was a story of strength and struggles. 2 lost souls finding joy with each other. This is a story of living with depression and I thought it would be weighed down by this topic, but it wasn’t. The author made a note at the beginning and everyone should read this. There is a strong sense of love and friendship with the other characters. Very well written
Profile Image for Melody Kimmons-Allen.
95 reviews14 followers
October 14, 2016
5 moving stars

Firstly, I have wanted to tackle this book for a while. I put it off because I had bought soooo many books and hadn't read them. So I promised myself I wouldn't make another purchase until I put a dent in those.

The authors note had me in love with this book before I could really cracked it open. The topic in this book is something a lot of people experience but rarely share. Depression is taboo and often ignored because we tend to feel people will judge and think we should be in a padded room with a straight jacket.

This book was special. I adored so many things about it. Its quality writing, for starters. It's not in the least bit cliche...thanx for that Jeannine! Most important, it realistic, very believable. I enjoyed reading Alara and Gabe's story. I thought they had something really special. Although they had an attraction from the beginning, you weren't thrown immediately into it. There was a natural progression to their relationship. You get to see them evolve into someone meaningful to the other. You get a H who's truly a man. Not in an alpha kind of way but the fatherly kind, the marrying kind. Gabe was a man in all the ways that count in the real world.

Alara suffers from depression. Her depression holds her back. I felt for Alara because she lived in fear that her depression would ruin her relationships —not realizing she was the one holding herself back. Gabe recently lost his mother. He ended up getting a job at a bar where he met Derek and also became his roomate. Through Derek, Gabe picks up a group of friends—which includes Alara. Both of them are trying to make since of things in their lives and find some type of normalcy. They hang out with said group of friends and you see a comaraderie that becomes really important to the story. So many times the 'friends' are thrown carelessly into the story but here you have really strong character development and a since of purpose—for all characters.

Alara and Gabe had great chemistry. I truly enjoyed this read. Hats off to Jeannine. Congratulations hun on an outstanding piece of work. For those of you who haven't read Unveiling The Sky or who are on the fence. I highly recommended it. It's an opportunity to read a genuine and unique story about to people who are struggling to find their place in the world and each others life. There is a really in depth look at clinical depression and the misunderstood notions of what it means to be diagnosed without a tragic event being tied to it. I loved it and will be reading book two. Really glad I bought this one;)
Profile Image for Lisa Marie Barrera.
425 reviews27 followers
June 14, 2018
WOW!! JUST WOW!! SPEECHLESS is how Jeannine Allison left me with this Beautifully written story Gabe & Alara! She is a First time AUTHOR for me and left me an Emotional Wreak but I LOVED EVERY MINUTE OF IT!! Being that this was her debut book and had personal issues written into it, makes even more Outstanding Lovely Story!!
This Book deals with Depression and Anxiety where two people TRY to find a common balance to their so called "broken" self. That's the way Alara thinks she is when she meets Gabe and wants to date her. She keeps pushing him away but he keeps moving forward. Even though Gabe is dealing with his own issues, He questions himself if he will ever find happiness again. Dealing with a one parent loss and the other being non-existent. Then throw in some Best Friends, siblings and a New roommate, you have yourself a Passionate Rollercoaster Ride with all the Feels!
Unveiling the Sky is like no another Book I've before and A Must Read Book!! I LOOK FORWARD TO READING MORE OF HER BOOKS!! HANDS DOWN!! 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

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Alara
He must have known what I was thinking, because he gave me a small, knowing smile when I lifted my head.“Besides, the truth is far more complicated.” He paused to take a deep breath before continuing. “The truth is… you’re the girl I can’t stop thinking about. The girl I want to ask on dates and kiss whenever I want. The girl I want to trust with my secrets in exchange for her own. The girl I’d give anything to introduce my mother to.” His voice broke at the mention of his mother, and I felt my doubts shrinking. “I want to know how you lost your first tooth and what your favorite cartoon was. I want to know what your favorite flowers are so I can bring them to you when you’re sad and what your favorite candy is for when I piss you off.” We laughed as he shook his head and pushed a piece of hair behind my ear. “I want to be your New Year’s kiss and the guy you tell your friends about. I want… I just want everything with you.”
Profile Image for Cindy M. Green.
841 reviews30 followers
April 9, 2018
Unveiling the Sky is a beautiful journey of Alara and Gabe, two struggling souls trying to find their way in the world while coming to terms with obstacles holding them back from living life to the fullest. Jeannine touches on their reality in such an honest and true way, her storytelling is poignant and heartfelt. You will be engrossed in their lives from page one, never wanting to let go!

The feelings of Alara and Gabe are raw and real, you feel their pain, sadness and happiness as if it’s your own. This is an honest love story that reflects on real people, real problems and the lengths to which they will go to in order to bring joy back into their lives.

The development of their relationship is a journey worth taking. I loved watching Alara and Gabe get to know one another, becoming friends first as they navigated through their mutual attraction to each other. They complimented one another in a such a beautiful way, they were two pieces in a puzzle that simply fit. Alara was shy and unsure of herself, but deep down she was strong and Gabe brought that out in her. I loved Gabe. He was thoughtful, kind and protective of the ones he loved. Even though Alara kept trying to push him away, he kept coming back and didn’t give up on her.

The secondary characters are clearly an integral part of this story, as well as the development of Alara and Gabe’s relationship. Their friends are not just friends, they treat one another as family and the support system they have is one to envy.

Life can be messy and throw hurdles at you in the most unexpected ways. We all struggle, but I admired how these two eventually bonded and trusted one another. The love and support Alara and Gabe find in one another is pure and doesn’t come with expectations. Their love is built on trust and honesty, something that is not easy to do, but that made their adventure all the more fulfilling.

Take the ride with Alara and Gabe. Rest assured you won’t regret it and the epilogue alone will fill your eyes with happy tears!
Profile Image for Carlene.
1,021 reviews278 followers
June 11, 2016
ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.

Sometimes there are books that connect with you in every single way and Unveiling The Sky was that book for me. I smiled with the characters, cried with the characters, and even got a little angry right alongside the characters. A lot of times I use the word to describe broken to describe a character, but that word just doesn't seem right anymore. Alara and Gabe believe themselves to be broken, but they weren't at all. They were a little lost, wandering through life, but definitely not broken. Jeannine Allison created two protagonists that were the most realistic characters I have ever read. With dual POV's the reader gets to know the charming Alara and the stubborn Gabe as they both deal with major life events that change the shapes of their lives forever. I adored both of them, I felt like I knew both of them, and I was so emotional this entire story as I felt every little thing they went through. I love that they found each other at what they believed to be the most unlikely time, but really they helped each other find out who they really could be.

"Sometims I feel fragmented, like all I have are a bunch of random pieces that don't fit together anymore. I want to give you all of me. But will you want all of me when you realize I'm in pieces?"

Unveiling The Sky could easily be described as a heavy book, possibly an ugly cry novel, or maybe even over the top if you're the kind of person that likes happiness, but what it really was for me was incredibly realistic. The book touches on everything from life, death, friendship, family, cancer, depression, acceptance, forgiveness, and more. Jeannine Allison did an incredible job of tackling the subject of depression, bringing it to life, describing it, but also showing so much hope. I didn't expect to relate to it so much, but from page one I understood both Gabe and Alara, their story had parts of my own story. I think every reader will find something in this book that touches them, that connects and resonates. There is a ton of dialogue in this book, but I think the dialogue is what progresses the story, shows the development, and really explains how complex each character is. On top of dealing with a lot of emotionally heavy subjects, we meet 5 friends and get to know them in different ways as well, we see everything from their eyes, and I can definitely say I am glad this is a series, because I want to get to know all of them.

"...We all need certain people in our life. Some make sense, some don't, and I don't know where she falls, but I can tell you need her." She stopped suddenly like something just occurred to her. "So maybe you don't need to understand her; maybe you just need to want to."

I highly suggest Unveiling The Sky for all readers, fan of any genre type. While it falls in the New Adult category, I think Jeannine Allison successfully wrote a novel that people will find understanding and compassion in, as well as understanding. I might have cried my way through this book (starting at 23%), but I also highlighted countless passages and when I got done I was smiling. This beautiful (not just the cover) novel is absolutely a new favorite and I cannot wait for book two, Naomi's story.

I could still believe that happy days were in my future; they were just waiting for me to find them.


*Definitely check out the playlist for this book*
Profile Image for Life on Readpeat.
1,450 reviews105 followers
September 28, 2019
* Read more of my reviews at Whoo Gives A Hoot *

description

Unveiling the Sky is an emotionally breathtaking tale that took complete control over my body, mind and soul right from the beginning and held on tight until the very end! Alara and Gabe's story wholeheartedly engulfed every inch of my heart, causing me to experience ALL THE FEELS! I once again found myself inhaling every moment of their story and falling even more in love with them the third time around (yes...it really took me three times reading this phenomenal story to FINALLY find the right words to express my thoughts).

Jeannine Allison shows readers the TRUTH behind depression that causes us to take a deeper look into ourselves and those around us. As someone who has an up close and personal experience with depression, I couldn't be more proud of this author for the impact she has made by writing this story. She does not hold back any punches and makes sure that readers experience every emotion possible while following these two on their journey. Alara and Gabe's relationship struggles at times and their up and down moments have you feeling all twisted inside, and that is the beauty of their story. It's not perfect, no relationship ever is. They show us that we have to live in the moment, not looking back to the beginning and most certainly not waiting for an ending. LOVE is about being with the one you couldn't imagine your life without and these two certainly show readers just that!

This story happened to be the author's debut novel back in 2016, but you would not have expected that because of her captivating storytelling ability! If you only read one book a year, you NEED to make sure it's Unveiling the Sky! Trust me...YOU WILL NOT REGRET READING THIS STORY! Alara and Gabe will forever hold a special place in my heart for as long as I shall live!
Profile Image for Stephanie S.
677 reviews2 followers
January 5, 2018
This one took me a while to read than I have other books this year as I wanted to soak as much as I could while reading this. This ventures down a path of depression that I can say that I do not understand but now have at least a possible view of what people go through.

I thought this was beautifully written and I felt for Alara that I wished I was a character in the story to be that friend who is there and will not let someone fall through the cracks. Gabe is someone who is also battling is own demons and has a connection to Alara that he can't explain at first but wants to find out were it goes.

This had my emotions all over the place and this is a new author to me that I will definitely be reading more from . On to book 2 as I am ready for this journey!!!!
Profile Image for Paula D.
1,580 reviews55 followers
January 11, 2018
Alara has a wonderful life no deaths everything practically perfect but she has depression that no one truly understands even herself doesn’t. Then there is Gabe he is determined to live his life the way he wants and not his father will change his mind. But Gabe has his own little faults. When Gabe and Alara meet will being together show them both they deserve happiness and can love each other faults and everything or will it end when it all comes out? A very good romance book about depression and what we don’t understand why people that have everything could ever be that way. Definitely a must read! 5/5 stars ** I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Copy of this book ***
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