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Shore House #1
Full Share
Nora Hargrove’s post-grad life includes a horrific entry-level job, a cave of an apartment, and a strict avoidance of all interpersonal relationships. She knows only one thing about herself—she wants to be left alone.
Avoiding her mother’s forced family time, she seeks solitude on her own terms. In a poorly ventilated, overcrowded Dewey Beach rental, she discovers there’s no place to hide. Not from yourself, not from your life, and not from love. This is the story of Nora Hargrove’s full share.
I learned the healing power of a good bloody Mary and a dip in the Atlantic. I kayaked in the dead of night and witnessed the only shooting star I’ve ever seen. I fell in love on a bed made of pallets. I lived.
Life is deep. Dive in.
Avoiding her mother’s forced family time, she seeks solitude on her own terms. In a poorly ventilated, overcrowded Dewey Beach rental, she discovers there’s no place to hide. Not from yourself, not from your life, and not from love. This is the story of Nora Hargrove’s full share.
I learned the healing power of a good bloody Mary and a dip in the Atlantic. I kayaked in the dead of night and witnessed the only shooting star I’ve ever seen. I fell in love on a bed made of pallets. I lived.
Life is deep. Dive in.
310 pages, Paperback
First published June 21, 2016
3 people are currently reading
547 people want to read
About the author
Eliza Freed
17 books230 followersTo keep in touch, sign up at:
http://www.elizafreed.com/love-letter...
Eliza Freed graduated from Rutgers University and returned to her hometown in rural South Jersey. Her mother encouraged her to take some time and find herself. After three months of searching, she began to bounce checks, her neighbors began to talk, and her mother told her to find a job.
She settled into corporate America, learning systems and practices and the bureaucracy that slows them. Eliza quickly discovered her creativity and gift for story telling as a corporate trainer and spent years perfecting her presentation skills and studying diversity. It was during this time she became an avid observer of the characters she met and the heartaches they endured. Her years of study taught her that laughter, even the completely inappropriate kind, was the key to survival.
She currently lives in New Jersey with her family and a misbehaving beagle named Odin. As an avid swimmer, if Eliza is not with her family and friends, she'd rather be underwater. While she enjoys many genres, she is, and always has been, a sucker for a love story…the more screwed up the better.
To keep up with all of Eliza’s new releases and giveaways, sign up for her newsletter at
http://www.elizafreed.com/love-letter....
http://www.elizafreed.com/love-letter...
Eliza Freed graduated from Rutgers University and returned to her hometown in rural South Jersey. Her mother encouraged her to take some time and find herself. After three months of searching, she began to bounce checks, her neighbors began to talk, and her mother told her to find a job.
She settled into corporate America, learning systems and practices and the bureaucracy that slows them. Eliza quickly discovered her creativity and gift for story telling as a corporate trainer and spent years perfecting her presentation skills and studying diversity. It was during this time she became an avid observer of the characters she met and the heartaches they endured. Her years of study taught her that laughter, even the completely inappropriate kind, was the key to survival.
She currently lives in New Jersey with her family and a misbehaving beagle named Odin. As an avid swimmer, if Eliza is not with her family and friends, she'd rather be underwater. While she enjoys many genres, she is, and always has been, a sucker for a love story…the more screwed up the better.
To keep up with all of Eliza’s new releases and giveaways, sign up for her newsletter at
http://www.elizafreed.com/love-letter....
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
June 2, 2016
4 ~ 4.5 STARS
Nora Hargrove is a young woman who buys a full share in a beach house in Dewey, Delaware for the summer. The story takes place from Memorial Day weekend till the end of the summer and I found it to be enjoyable, deep and a very poignant read.
There are sixteen people that are a part of this beach house. It equates to eight full shares and eight half shares leaving this small beach house cramped but for Nora it’s the perfect excuse not to spend it with her parents during her summer weekends.
Nora only knows three of the other shares, one being her former college roommate Heather whom she has a pretty nonexistent relationship with and the other with her long time crush Rob and his devoted girlfriend Blaire. Nora has perfected living under the radar until she arrives weekly at this beach house and is seen by two guys one is Jack who shares her porch room and other they call Tank.
”You’re okay. You’re like a string of Christmas Lights.” I stayed still. “If just one bulb was replaced, you’d shine bright.” I blushed at his words. “We just have to figure out which bulb it is.”
Nora has held onto such hate for her mother and disillusion in the world ever since her high school years. She finds herself attracted to one of the guys from the house and starts to developing a strong friendship with another but she still holds herself back.
”He could have anyone. He came and went as he pleased, leaving me trapped her alone. I blamed him for something he’d never done, and I’d punish him with the things I’d never do.”
During this summer Nora grows emotionally and forms true friendships while the group along with parting weekend after weekend must face great heartbreak together. The story isn’t a fast paced read but unfolds at slightly moderate pace. As the author takes you through Nora’s week at work (Ricky her friend from work is amazing) and her love for a shelter dog in need of being adopted (whom you can see her and the dog slowly letting their guards down) she does in fact fall in love and most importantly lets herself be loved.
Overall I found this to be a very well written story with all characters having such rich depth. The heroine truly finds herself and over the course of this bumpy summer. The story truly hit the spot since I actually read this one over my Memorial Day weekend and I’m assuming that the next is about a different couple who are staying at this beach house for the summer and I can’t wait to go back!
**ARC provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review**
Nora Hargrove is a young woman who buys a full share in a beach house in Dewey, Delaware for the summer. The story takes place from Memorial Day weekend till the end of the summer and I found it to be enjoyable, deep and a very poignant read.
There are sixteen people that are a part of this beach house. It equates to eight full shares and eight half shares leaving this small beach house cramped but for Nora it’s the perfect excuse not to spend it with her parents during her summer weekends.
Nora only knows three of the other shares, one being her former college roommate Heather whom she has a pretty nonexistent relationship with and the other with her long time crush Rob and his devoted girlfriend Blaire. Nora has perfected living under the radar until she arrives weekly at this beach house and is seen by two guys one is Jack who shares her porch room and other they call Tank.
”You’re okay. You’re like a string of Christmas Lights.” I stayed still. “If just one bulb was replaced, you’d shine bright.” I blushed at his words. “We just have to figure out which bulb it is.”
Nora has held onto such hate for her mother and disillusion in the world ever since her high school years. She finds herself attracted to one of the guys from the house and starts to developing a strong friendship with another but she still holds herself back.
”He could have anyone. He came and went as he pleased, leaving me trapped her alone. I blamed him for something he’d never done, and I’d punish him with the things I’d never do.”
During this summer Nora grows emotionally and forms true friendships while the group along with parting weekend after weekend must face great heartbreak together. The story isn’t a fast paced read but unfolds at slightly moderate pace. As the author takes you through Nora’s week at work (Ricky her friend from work is amazing) and her love for a shelter dog in need of being adopted (whom you can see her and the dog slowly letting their guards down) she does in fact fall in love and most importantly lets herself be loved.
Overall I found this to be a very well written story with all characters having such rich depth. The heroine truly finds herself and over the course of this bumpy summer. The story truly hit the spot since I actually read this one over my Memorial Day weekend and I’m assuming that the next is about a different couple who are staying at this beach house for the summer and I can’t wait to go back!
**ARC provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review**
August 23, 2017
'Life is deep - dive in.'
Nora Hargrove was named after a romance novelist. She lives in a horrible apartment, hates her job handling calls about insurance claims, helps abused dogs adjust to human kindness and doesn't do close relationships, or even real friendships. She has been estranged from her mother since a traumatic incident that occurred when she was a teenager, but has never shared the reason why with her father.
Eager to avoid summer weekends with her family, she accepts an invitation from her old college roommate to buy a full share in a summer rental at Dewey Beach. Thinking that she can have solitude there, she accepts. But it turns out that the reality of the summer is far different to what she envisaged.
I have to admit that this is yet another book I was attracted to by the cover. And I am so glad! Full Share is one of those insidious books that slowly seduces and enmeshes the reader in the lives of the characters. There are characters who will tug at your heartstrings, characters you will love to hate, and the full spectrum in between. There is so much more to this book than I expected.
NOTE: Full Share contains several references to drug use. Full Share contains one reasonably explicit sex scene, but it is not crude.
Thank you to Brunswick House via Netgalley for providing a digital copy of Full Share by Eliza Freed for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
Nora Hargrove was named after a romance novelist. She lives in a horrible apartment, hates her job handling calls about insurance claims, helps abused dogs adjust to human kindness and doesn't do close relationships, or even real friendships. She has been estranged from her mother since a traumatic incident that occurred when she was a teenager, but has never shared the reason why with her father.
Eager to avoid summer weekends with her family, she accepts an invitation from her old college roommate to buy a full share in a summer rental at Dewey Beach. Thinking that she can have solitude there, she accepts. But it turns out that the reality of the summer is far different to what she envisaged.
I have to admit that this is yet another book I was attracted to by the cover. And I am so glad! Full Share is one of those insidious books that slowly seduces and enmeshes the reader in the lives of the characters. There are characters who will tug at your heartstrings, characters you will love to hate, and the full spectrum in between. There is so much more to this book than I expected.
NOTE: Full Share contains several references to drug use. Full Share contains one reasonably explicit sex scene, but it is not crude.
Thank you to Brunswick House via Netgalley for providing a digital copy of Full Share by Eliza Freed for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
Read
June 15, 2016This book is such a beautiful story about more than just finding yourself and falling in love. It celebrates the idea that no one we meet in this world is random. Every interaction touches us somehow. FULL SHARE also reminds us that no matter what our story is, we're all just fighting for "normal."
This was an ambitious undertaking. I've never had this many characters to work with. I hope you love them as much as I do.
This was an ambitious undertaking. I've never had this many characters to work with. I hope you love them as much as I do.
June 9, 2016
|2.5 stars|
I can’t say I didn’t see any of this coming.
It got cute but I still wasn’t a big fan of it.
I can’t say I didn’t see any of this coming.
It got cute but I still wasn’t a big fan of it.
{Review to come}
October 12, 2018
Rated 3.5 Stars
I liked the story for the most part. A buncha college kids relaxing (some of them were anyway) over the summer in a beach house that came relatively cheap because they all bought shares to make it affordable. The thing is not everyone knew one another so it seemed like a nice way to meet other people, or instead, a nerve racking way to go crazy from everybody's differences. It was a crowded and rather loud house for sure. Still, for the most part everyone tolerated each other and managed to have a good time.
The reason I gave it a 3.5 rating is due to a tragic event that takes place that I was in no way prepared for. It's a very sensitive issue for a lot of people and to just throw it in the story like that, really upset me. I believe a Warning should've been posted with the Blurb of the book. If I knew how to hide a spoiler, I would definitely put it in this review for those who'd like to know what happens so they could decide for themselves if they want to read about it. If you really wanna know, just message me here on GR or better yet, contact the author about it.
I liked the story for the most part. A buncha college kids relaxing (some of them were anyway) over the summer in a beach house that came relatively cheap because they all bought shares to make it affordable. The thing is not everyone knew one another so it seemed like a nice way to meet other people, or instead, a nerve racking way to go crazy from everybody's differences. It was a crowded and rather loud house for sure. Still, for the most part everyone tolerated each other and managed to have a good time.
The reason I gave it a 3.5 rating is due to a tragic event that takes place that I was in no way prepared for. It's a very sensitive issue for a lot of people and to just throw it in the story like that, really upset me. I believe a Warning should've been posted with the Blurb of the book. If I knew how to hide a spoiler, I would definitely put it in this review for those who'd like to know what happens so they could decide for themselves if they want to read about it. If you really wanna know, just message me here on GR or better yet, contact the author about it.
May 27, 2016
I received a copy via netgalley for an honest review.
This is a story about coming out of yourself and growing out of ones shell. We often have secrets in our lives that cause us to hunker down and forget living, forget feelings, or cause us to want to give up hope. I will forever feel connected to Nora because I felt she and I went through the same things but handled them differently.
The characters were vivid and real, I was mildly concerned with the feeling that I was going to be slammed with too many love interests but over time you just knew who was real who was just a filler. Tank was by far a favorite he was insightful and so incredibly filling to read what he said. They were like poetry things that you want to mull over and see what he meant by it. Jack was this strong person you knew you could rely on. And I'm thrilled to say things might go haywire but life goes on and it leads you to great unexpected things.
This is a story about coming out of yourself and growing out of ones shell. We often have secrets in our lives that cause us to hunker down and forget living, forget feelings, or cause us to want to give up hope. I will forever feel connected to Nora because I felt she and I went through the same things but handled them differently.
The characters were vivid and real, I was mildly concerned with the feeling that I was going to be slammed with too many love interests but over time you just knew who was real who was just a filler. Tank was by far a favorite he was insightful and so incredibly filling to read what he said. They were like poetry things that you want to mull over and see what he meant by it. Jack was this strong person you knew you could rely on. And I'm thrilled to say things might go haywire but life goes on and it leads you to great unexpected things.
June 24, 2016
4.5 Worth the upheaval Stars!
Source: eARC for Honest Review Courtesy of Author and Xpresso Book Tours
It has been quite awhile since a book gave me a visceral reaction but Full Share did just that. It left me sad, devastated, yet hopeful and happy.
"You're different, Nora."
"Does that mean fucked up?"
"We're all fucked up. That wouldn't make you different."
Nora Hargrove is lost. After walking upon a moment that changes her life. She chooses to just survive and not truly live. Each moment she goes through the motion of living but doesn't truly live. To some the moment that shapes her should be irrelevant but to her it shakes her full foundation because she was too young to truly process the complexity of the situation.
"Life is deep, Nora. Dive in."
After university she got partly adopted by an eclectic group of friends whom they all end up sharing a beach house for the summer. Some friends are old and others are new to Nora. There are full shares and half shares. A full share is when you have one roommate for the full summer and where the half shares have multiple people in their room at different times.
"They're the wealthy and the poor, the lost and the enlightened, and I love every one of them."
As Nora starts her adventure in Dewey she ends up rooming with Jack Randall whom immediately sparks something in Nora. At first Nora keeps to herself but little bit by little bit the group starts to bring Nora back to life. From Tank and his exuberance for life to Heather and her hatred for the world and everyone in between.
"Don't pretend to know me when you barely know yourself."
While Nora is coming back to life she helps to coax a dog Rufus back to the living as well. I loved the parallel of Rufus and Nora and their journey back to the living.
"That beach house is making you crazy. It's changing you."
Every character you either loved or hated but each gave you an emotional reaction of some sort. At times I was on the verge of possibly not liking Nora but then something would happen that again you could relate to her when you were younger or at least understand her choices.
"How did you know I was alone?"
"Because you're always alone. Except when you were with him."
So many highs and lows for this group of friends, but each trial and tribulation helps define each character in some way.
"There's really only one way to look at things. If you look at them the other way, you'll make yourself miserable."
Besides Nora, I fell for both Tank and Jack in each of their own special ways. Those two just stood out for me within this group and I was rooting for Tank to find his peace and for Jack to finally get the girl.
"You can't control everything that happens to you, but you can control how you move forward."
But the more I fell for these two the more trouble was arising and the more my heart was on the verge of heartbreak. And once that break was complete I was gutted, but as Eliza Freed does sometimes, she guts you but for the greater good in the big picture.
"Don't break me."
"I won't, Nora Hargrove."
Even though this heartbreak was the breaking point for Nora to move forward or stay in the past, it still killed me and I wish it didn't have to happen but I completely understood it with a heavy heart.
. . . they wouldn't let me hide here no matter how defiantly I tried.
They were living, and they were determined to take me with them. . . .
With evolution, it helps to heal the past or at least try and understand it. With Nora she had to start to be awakened before she could face that challenge, but as she learned it wasn't as big as she made it out to be.
"Nora, you've got to be willing to write your own story,"
But when you are a teenager we don't see things logically and Nora protected herself the only way she knew how.
"And you've got to be brave enough to let someone else hear it."
Now as she grew with the summer we got to see her truly live and blossom they way she was meant to be.
"This summer I learned to fly . . . and to live . . . and to exist among the stars. . . ."
Each new challenge altered all of them in some way but especially Nora.
. . . For fifteen weeks, I'd been trapped in a too-small cottage with housemates who were larger than life. It saved me.
Even though Nora is cold and guarded she's also relatable because she represents a piece of a lot of us that doesn't truly live to our potential and get by by just surviving. In Full Share, Nora learns to live and with that living comes so much more.
"So please join me and raise your glasses to the summer, to my summer as a full share."
I first found Eliza Freed with the Lost Series and this is where she captured my heart for her writing and her stories. When I got the opportunity to read this story I jumped at the opportunity hoping that it would create some of the similar feelings I experienced with the Lost Souls series and that it did and more. I loved the story and the emotional upheaval that came with it. I can't wait to read more from this author and this series.
July 2, 2016
Full Share by Eliza Freed
4 stars!!
I have to say, I loved the title of this book. Not being privy to way things work in America I was surprised at how the title and the story fitted together. Nora Hargrove is a woman that works a job as a means to an end on the telephones for an insurance company. Usually spending the summers with her parents she decides that for a change she wants something more independent and so she buys a full share in a beach house for the summer. So now, with her weekends sorted she makes the commute every weekend to her beach house where she makes friends with a host of characters.
There are sixteen people living in this beach house, eight full shares and eight half shares. Nora already knows three of them, one being her college roomie, Heather and the other being her high school crush, Rob and his irritating girlfriend, Blaire. With sixteen people the house is jam packed and Nora soon finds herself sharing a room with Jack. At first Nora is a bit shy and guarded but Jack has the knack of getting her to talk and the only other person in the house that she finds herself talking to, is Tank.
The summer is a real period of growth for Nora, she truly finds herself and what she wants from life. Forced to make friends Nora really opens herself up to Jack and Tank and while it doesn’t seem a lot it is huge for Nora. Nora has never been a sharer preferring to keep herself to herself so to even make friends is a huge step and you cannot help but empathise and you soon find yourself rooting for our little quiet one. Nora has never really felt loved by her mum and has an intense dislike for her, but she does seem to have a fairly decent relationship with her dad. It is this that is the real foundation behind her inclination to disassociate herself from others. The author does treat us to her life outside of the beach house and her relationship with a colleague, Rick is hilarious and adds some much needed light-heartedness to what is quite an intense emotional read and her trips to the dog shelter show another side too.
I loved Nora’s interactions with Jack and Tank and it is these three that really made the story for me. Jack has his own issues but on the outside his charm is infectious and he pulls out all his arsenal to try and make headway with Nora. Tank is deep and dark and extremely introspective, he is very similar to Nora in that regard and like Nora he is not a sharer, so the scenes with these two are normally intense. But it is with these scenes that we find out so much about these two characters and Tank was a character that I adored.
Eliza Freed really delivers a novel with intense character connection and emotional depth. A story that you cannot help but get emotionally involved with. The flow of the story fits the characters and while it is by no means fast, it is reflective and introspective. I found myself constantly lost in Nora and Jack and was totally swept away by their story. I have read a few Eliza Freed books now and I have fallen in love with her writing style. Eliza Freed delivers some curveballs that knocked me sideways, I had tears of laughter and tears of pain, but most of all, I lived and breathed this story and that is what I love the most in a book. Another great read from Eliza Freed.
www.theromancecover.com
4 stars!!
“Life is deep, Nora. Dive in.”
I have to say, I loved the title of this book. Not being privy to way things work in America I was surprised at how the title and the story fitted together. Nora Hargrove is a woman that works a job as a means to an end on the telephones for an insurance company. Usually spending the summers with her parents she decides that for a change she wants something more independent and so she buys a full share in a beach house for the summer. So now, with her weekends sorted she makes the commute every weekend to her beach house where she makes friends with a host of characters.
“They’re the wealthy and the poor, the lost and the enlightened, and I love every one of them.”
There are sixteen people living in this beach house, eight full shares and eight half shares. Nora already knows three of them, one being her college roomie, Heather and the other being her high school crush, Rob and his irritating girlfriend, Blaire. With sixteen people the house is jam packed and Nora soon finds herself sharing a room with Jack. At first Nora is a bit shy and guarded but Jack has the knack of getting her to talk and the only other person in the house that she finds herself talking to, is Tank.
“You’re okay. You’re like a string of Christmas lights…if just one bulb was replaced, you’d shine bright…we just need to figure out which bulb it is.”
The summer is a real period of growth for Nora, she truly finds herself and what she wants from life. Forced to make friends Nora really opens herself up to Jack and Tank and while it doesn’t seem a lot it is huge for Nora. Nora has never been a sharer preferring to keep herself to herself so to even make friends is a huge step and you cannot help but empathise and you soon find yourself rooting for our little quiet one. Nora has never really felt loved by her mum and has an intense dislike for her, but she does seem to have a fairly decent relationship with her dad. It is this that is the real foundation behind her inclination to disassociate herself from others. The author does treat us to her life outside of the beach house and her relationship with a colleague, Rick is hilarious and adds some much needed light-heartedness to what is quite an intense emotional read and her trips to the dog shelter show another side too.
“Don’t pretend to know me when you barely know yourself.”
I loved Nora’s interactions with Jack and Tank and it is these three that really made the story for me. Jack has his own issues but on the outside his charm is infectious and he pulls out all his arsenal to try and make headway with Nora. Tank is deep and dark and extremely introspective, he is very similar to Nora in that regard and like Nora he is not a sharer, so the scenes with these two are normally intense. But it is with these scenes that we find out so much about these two characters and Tank was a character that I adored.
“I know you didn’t want to be my first because of exactly this, the dramatic clingy horror show of virgins, but even if I never see you again after today, I’m the luckiest person alive because it was you.”
Eliza Freed really delivers a novel with intense character connection and emotional depth. A story that you cannot help but get emotionally involved with. The flow of the story fits the characters and while it is by no means fast, it is reflective and introspective. I found myself constantly lost in Nora and Jack and was totally swept away by their story. I have read a few Eliza Freed books now and I have fallen in love with her writing style. Eliza Freed delivers some curveballs that knocked me sideways, I had tears of laughter and tears of pain, but most of all, I lived and breathed this story and that is what I love the most in a book. Another great read from Eliza Freed.
www.theromancecover.com
June 22, 2016
**You can see this full review and more at Book Briefs: https://bookbriefs.net**
Full Share is the first in the new adult romances series called Shore House by Eliza Freed. I love the idea of Shore House. It reminds me of Real World and Jersey Shore. Maybe not as crazy, but it certainly has its' own share of drama and slice of reality feeling. The house is packed with Full Shares and Half Shares. The full shares are the people that paid to be there the entire summer, the half shares can only come up every other weekend. Just as a side note.
I loved how many people they packed this beach house with. I think they said there were 13 people or something crazy like that. 2 bathrooms. But it did lead to some interesting situations. Some you could totally see coming from a mile away, and some not as obvious ones. I liked this mix of predictable and not so much. It kept me as a reader on my toes. The other thing it did, was of course, it was very tricky for me to keep track of all of these characters. I almost felt like I was walking into something mid series, and that I missed a bunch of the background, but that isn't the case. You just get dropped into the story right as all these new characters were showing up for the season.
I really liked a lot of the characters for different reasons. If I had to pick a favorite, I think initially it would have been Tank. (And maybe still is.) I also really love Nora. She is sarcastic and cynical and you learn that pretty immediately about her. I loved her voice. I thought Eliza Freed did a really magnificent job with writing her thoughts and dialogue. She is so snappy and quick.
Bottom line: Full Share is a new adult novel that I really loved, it had all the elements that I look for in my new adult romances, but at the same time, it didn't feel like just another book of more of the same. It felt fresh. And it was as addictive as reality TV for me. If that is a guilty pleasure of yours as well, you will love this book.
This review was originally posted on Book Briefs
Full Share is the first in the new adult romances series called Shore House by Eliza Freed. I love the idea of Shore House. It reminds me of Real World and Jersey Shore. Maybe not as crazy, but it certainly has its' own share of drama and slice of reality feeling. The house is packed with Full Shares and Half Shares. The full shares are the people that paid to be there the entire summer, the half shares can only come up every other weekend. Just as a side note.
I loved how many people they packed this beach house with. I think they said there were 13 people or something crazy like that. 2 bathrooms. But it did lead to some interesting situations. Some you could totally see coming from a mile away, and some not as obvious ones. I liked this mix of predictable and not so much. It kept me as a reader on my toes. The other thing it did, was of course, it was very tricky for me to keep track of all of these characters. I almost felt like I was walking into something mid series, and that I missed a bunch of the background, but that isn't the case. You just get dropped into the story right as all these new characters were showing up for the season.
I really liked a lot of the characters for different reasons. If I had to pick a favorite, I think initially it would have been Tank. (And maybe still is.) I also really love Nora. She is sarcastic and cynical and you learn that pretty immediately about her. I loved her voice. I thought Eliza Freed did a really magnificent job with writing her thoughts and dialogue. She is so snappy and quick.
Bottom line: Full Share is a new adult novel that I really loved, it had all the elements that I look for in my new adult romances, but at the same time, it didn't feel like just another book of more of the same. It felt fresh. And it was as addictive as reality TV for me. If that is a guilty pleasure of yours as well, you will love this book.
This review was originally posted on Book Briefs
July 10, 2016
I wasn't expecting Full Share to leave a deep impact on me. I mean, initially I found the story to be humorous and interesting, but never anticipated it taking the tone it did, and in a way that made me like it more.
Nora wasn't the most lovable character, in my opinion. She was closed-off and for the majority of the story never said what was on her mind. Many might have a problem with her but I thought her personality made her more interesting. She wasn't perfect or came from a perfect family, and I liked how realistic that was. Nora had witnessed a terrible thing involving her mother and that played a part in the shield she went on to build around herself. She fought hard against letting anyone in, but that started to waver when she started spending her weekends at the beach rental and Tank, along with Jack, came into her life.
The immediate attraction between Jack and Nora didn't bother me one bit. I found their interactions cute and silly, and the way Nora turned him down over and over was one to stir up laughter. Because it was obvious she wanted to be with him but kept on telling herself that she liked being alone. Not to mention she had an idiotic crush on a friend in the beginning. But I was happy that she got over that nonsense and accepted the truth, even if it took the loss of a friend to encourage her to reach a resolution.
There was a lot going on with Nora and the housemates, but I think the most thought-provoking parts were scenes with Tank. He had a lot of insightful things to say and I truly loved his character. There were times he'd act strange or do things a lot of people wouldn't do, and I wondered about his mental state. My questions about him were answered in the end, and no matter how sad it turned out, I still smiled whenever I thought about Tank and the way he reached Nora.
In conclusion, Full Share was quite the mix. You'll find humor, serious issues, and of course some romance along the way. I liked the writing and how much the author got me thinking about life and how I feel about my current state. There's so much to take from the story, you'll just have to go in with an open mind and open heart. I noticed that this is a series and I look forward to seeing where the author goes next with these crazy characters.
June 22, 2016
I first became a fan of Freed after reading The Devil’s Playground. She has an amazing way with words, drawing you in and holding you captive till the very end.
This book was everything I have come to expect from her, and so much more. With intriguing, complex characters, plenty of emotion and a beautiful story that left me in awe, at the same time making me feel complete in a way I haven’t before.
Nora was a sweet girl, but it was obvious that her introvert ways were courtesy of mother dearest. She had the choice between living with a few strangers for a few days over the summer, or having to face her mother and the memories that fuel her dislike for the woman who gave birth to her – of course she’d rather go with the strangers. I doubt she realized just how much of an impact those people would have on her. They were a mixed bag of fun, feisty, caring, weird and just plain crazy, and this made them all the more endearing.
Being a part of the Full Share team, Nora learned to be brave, to enjoy life – to actually live, instead of only existing. Tank played a large part in her change, as did Jack, but I think each and every one of the characters in this story had a lesson to teach, while at the same time discovering something knew about themselves. They were equal parts of a puzzle and the second one piece disappeared, they were incomplete, searching for a way to breathe.
It was beautiful to behold, but heartrending as well.
This story was an emotional reminder of just how short life can be, how precious it is, and how much we shouldn’t take people for granted. We need to enjoy our time together, and we need to truly live and enjoy each day as it comes.
This book was everything I have come to expect from her, and so much more. With intriguing, complex characters, plenty of emotion and a beautiful story that left me in awe, at the same time making me feel complete in a way I haven’t before.
Nora was a sweet girl, but it was obvious that her introvert ways were courtesy of mother dearest. She had the choice between living with a few strangers for a few days over the summer, or having to face her mother and the memories that fuel her dislike for the woman who gave birth to her – of course she’d rather go with the strangers. I doubt she realized just how much of an impact those people would have on her. They were a mixed bag of fun, feisty, caring, weird and just plain crazy, and this made them all the more endearing.
Being a part of the Full Share team, Nora learned to be brave, to enjoy life – to actually live, instead of only existing. Tank played a large part in her change, as did Jack, but I think each and every one of the characters in this story had a lesson to teach, while at the same time discovering something knew about themselves. They were equal parts of a puzzle and the second one piece disappeared, they were incomplete, searching for a way to breathe.
It was beautiful to behold, but heartrending as well.
This story was an emotional reminder of just how short life can be, how precious it is, and how much we shouldn’t take people for granted. We need to enjoy our time together, and we need to truly live and enjoy each day as it comes.
June 21, 2016
“Life is deep, Nora. Dive in.”
“You fit perfectly with me. You’re so tiny.” “Don’t break me.” “I won’t, Nora Hargrove.”
Full Share is my first book by Eliza Freed and definitely won’t be my last. This story is well written and captivating. It sucks you in from the very first page and has you dying to know what will happen next. Full Share follows Nora on her quest of life. Traumatized by her mother at a young age, Nora has avoided men and all types of relationships. She has a terrible job that’s going nowhere fast and is content to live and just be alone. In an attempt to seek even more solitude, Nora finds herself spending her free time in a severely overcrowded beach rental. That’s leaving her with nowhere to run and nowhere to hide. But, this experience might just be with Nora needs to finally start living her life.
Full Share will take you on one crazy emotional journey. The characters are a lot of fun and so easy to connect with and relate to. They have a very real feel to them, making you want to know more about them and their stories. Full Share will make you laugh at times, and leave you shaking your head at others. This story does deal with some complex issues, but they are handled really well.
Full Share is not just a love story. It is a story of finding yourself again. It’s a story of learning to move on and not let your past define you. It’s a story about taking risks and falling in love.
*I was provided an ARC copy of this book, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review*
“You fit perfectly with me. You’re so tiny.” “Don’t break me.” “I won’t, Nora Hargrove.”
Full Share is my first book by Eliza Freed and definitely won’t be my last. This story is well written and captivating. It sucks you in from the very first page and has you dying to know what will happen next. Full Share follows Nora on her quest of life. Traumatized by her mother at a young age, Nora has avoided men and all types of relationships. She has a terrible job that’s going nowhere fast and is content to live and just be alone. In an attempt to seek even more solitude, Nora finds herself spending her free time in a severely overcrowded beach rental. That’s leaving her with nowhere to run and nowhere to hide. But, this experience might just be with Nora needs to finally start living her life.
Full Share will take you on one crazy emotional journey. The characters are a lot of fun and so easy to connect with and relate to. They have a very real feel to them, making you want to know more about them and their stories. Full Share will make you laugh at times, and leave you shaking your head at others. This story does deal with some complex issues, but they are handled really well.
Full Share is not just a love story. It is a story of finding yourself again. It’s a story of learning to move on and not let your past define you. It’s a story about taking risks and falling in love.
*I was provided an ARC copy of this book, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review*
June 9, 2016
So much going on in this book. It definitely held my attention. I loved Tank! What a killer. So much crying.
With so many characters there's possibilities for many more books. Can't wait for Rob's next year. I'm hoping for Stone next. Really I'll just he happy with any story involving the shore house gang!
With so many characters there's possibilities for many more books. Can't wait for Rob's next year. I'm hoping for Stone next. Really I'll just he happy with any story involving the shore house gang!
May 14, 2019
There was more to this book than I was expecting. Be prepared to laugh, cry and remember the hot summer Dewey days!
June 6, 2016
In an attempt to avoid her family and to get a much needed respite from an entry-level job she hates, Nora buys a “full share” at the beach house of her college roommate, Heather. A full share is a bed to sleep on in a house crowded full of twenty-somethings on the weekends over the summer. The alcohol flows freely and drugs are easily accessible, and her housemate’s backgrounds run the gamut of socio-economic circumstances, but for the most part, they’ve all known each other since elementary school, with the exception of Nora.
Nora’s relationship with Heather is tenuous at best, but she manages to fall into easy relationships with the rest of the house’s residents. She finally has the chance to spend time with her college crush Rob, though it is difficult to ever find him away from his clingy girlfriend. Nora quickly makes friends with the enigmatic Tank, a brute of a football player with a brain as big as his persona. But it’s her “roommate” Jack that she gets the closest to. But Nora’s not looking for a relationship, especially one for just the summer. Jack however has no plans of letting her go, not even when everyone goes back to their respective lives.
Over the course of the summer tensions run high, but lasting friendships are made. When a tragedy occurs, the group is really put to the test. Will their friendships be enough to withstand this epic loss, or will the group slowly dissolve, leaving all of the friends to head their separate ways?
It’s no secret I’m a fan of Freed’s and once again she’s proven why. Her stories are very character-driven, and she manages to capture Nora’s apathy beautifully. From the way she goes about her everyday life in a job she hates to her superficial at best friendships, Freed manages to give depth to a character that should be easy to hate. Sometimes when there is such a large number of supporting characters it is easy for them to get lost in the shuffle of the storyline, but that is not the case with this ensemble cast. They each have a background that has in some way affected the friendships they have with the others in the house, yet they still grow and change in ways you might not expect.
There are so many stories to tell, and while Freed does not leave anything unanswered, she has certainly left the door open for further exploration. I’m happy to see that this is the first in a new series and I can’t wait for the next to come out. This is a story that I was easily immersed in and it was one of those books that I would have willingly sat down and read cover to cover in one sitting. Freed is a one-click author for me, and it is because of stories like these.
Complimentary copy provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
Nora’s relationship with Heather is tenuous at best, but she manages to fall into easy relationships with the rest of the house’s residents. She finally has the chance to spend time with her college crush Rob, though it is difficult to ever find him away from his clingy girlfriend. Nora quickly makes friends with the enigmatic Tank, a brute of a football player with a brain as big as his persona. But it’s her “roommate” Jack that she gets the closest to. But Nora’s not looking for a relationship, especially one for just the summer. Jack however has no plans of letting her go, not even when everyone goes back to their respective lives.
Over the course of the summer tensions run high, but lasting friendships are made. When a tragedy occurs, the group is really put to the test. Will their friendships be enough to withstand this epic loss, or will the group slowly dissolve, leaving all of the friends to head their separate ways?
It’s no secret I’m a fan of Freed’s and once again she’s proven why. Her stories are very character-driven, and she manages to capture Nora’s apathy beautifully. From the way she goes about her everyday life in a job she hates to her superficial at best friendships, Freed manages to give depth to a character that should be easy to hate. Sometimes when there is such a large number of supporting characters it is easy for them to get lost in the shuffle of the storyline, but that is not the case with this ensemble cast. They each have a background that has in some way affected the friendships they have with the others in the house, yet they still grow and change in ways you might not expect.
There are so many stories to tell, and while Freed does not leave anything unanswered, she has certainly left the door open for further exploration. I’m happy to see that this is the first in a new series and I can’t wait for the next to come out. This is a story that I was easily immersed in and it was one of those books that I would have willingly sat down and read cover to cover in one sitting. Freed is a one-click author for me, and it is because of stories like these.
Complimentary copy provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
June 19, 2016
***Arc provided by the author for an honest review***
‘Full Share’ is the first book in the Shore House Series by Eliza Freed and it’s the start of a great series. Eliza has out done herself. In Full Share she was able to give you a great in-depth of characters. And an amazing story line. It’s not as face pace as other books. It has a built up aspect towards it. But once you start reading you will not be able to put it down.
Full Share, isn’t just about Nora, though we have a great look into her life. It will give you other’s to think about. The people she meets at the beach house she shares. I loved her connection to Jack and with Tank. I loved everything about Full Share.
When you read the title it has more depth to it through the book, it’s about a girl having to understand her life around her, as well as herself. She has a lot of growth to endure. And you get to see this first hand as everything unfolds. It shows in the unlikely places how we can come out of ourselves and enjoy everything. How we take thinks to seriously, how we hold things to closely. How we should be living and not just existing. Everything Eliza wrote in Full Share, was so vivid, and I really connected with her words. It was as if reality came off the pages.
I hope you will give Full Share a chance. You will surely love it, just as I did. I give Full Share 4 stars.
Reviewed by Lindsey W.
‘Full Share’ is the first book in the Shore House Series by Eliza Freed and it’s the start of a great series. Eliza has out done herself. In Full Share she was able to give you a great in-depth of characters. And an amazing story line. It’s not as face pace as other books. It has a built up aspect towards it. But once you start reading you will not be able to put it down.
Full Share, isn’t just about Nora, though we have a great look into her life. It will give you other’s to think about. The people she meets at the beach house she shares. I loved her connection to Jack and with Tank. I loved everything about Full Share.
When you read the title it has more depth to it through the book, it’s about a girl having to understand her life around her, as well as herself. She has a lot of growth to endure. And you get to see this first hand as everything unfolds. It shows in the unlikely places how we can come out of ourselves and enjoy everything. How we take thinks to seriously, how we hold things to closely. How we should be living and not just existing. Everything Eliza wrote in Full Share, was so vivid, and I really connected with her words. It was as if reality came off the pages.
I hope you will give Full Share a chance. You will surely love it, just as I did. I give Full Share 4 stars.
Reviewed by Lindsey W.
June 21, 2016
Jodie's Review 4.5 STARS
“Just Friends Forever.”
This was a surprising read for me. One of those books you go in expecting one thing and by the end you are completely captivated with characters and left with your own memories remembering summers when you were just finding yourself. The moments when you were learning what you truly wanted and how life moments truly change who you are. Learning to share yourself …
“So please join me and raise your glass to the summer, to my summer as a full share.”
I really loved these characters especially Nora and Tank. I loved what they shared and how the dynamic of the friendship worked, how it was effected. This book forced you to look into the friendships and made you put it into your own interpretation. This book shows all sides into a circle of friendship, all the different personalities that make up a full group. The laughter, the tears, the secrets and of course, the connections. Eliza Freed did all of this in such an amazing way and proved what an amazing, talented writer she truly is.
“I felt everything deeper.”
I loved that this book because it pushed me as a reader and I highly recommend this if you are looking for something different in your summer reading, something that makes you think and makes you look deeper.
May 21, 2016
5 + stars because tears!
I have to admit I wondered if I'd like this book a whole lot. whew. Once I started I really struggled to stop.
It's a lot different from her others as in there isn't a lot of craziness, but it's still so good.
This book isn't really about one person. It does revolve around Nora's life, but it's more about her life finally starting after giving up years before. She was kind of just existing until she got to that shared beach house. These people all change her in some way.
These characters all kind of broke my heart. One character is clearly different, but it's refreshing. He kind of does what he pleases and lives life to the fullest, which Nora does not. He brings her to life, he makes her realize you just had to dive into life. I love the way he referred to life. "We're all f*cked up. That wouldn't make you different."
Tragedy strikes the group and the center holding them together is broken.
I really loved this story. If you're looking for smut or mindless drama this is not the book for you. However, if you find yourself looking for a page turning, deep read, with a shelter dog who love Scooby-Doo stories this is the book for you.
*probably more rambling to come.. I just finished.
I have to admit I wondered if I'd like this book a whole lot. whew. Once I started I really struggled to stop.
It's a lot different from her others as in there isn't a lot of craziness, but it's still so good.
This book isn't really about one person. It does revolve around Nora's life, but it's more about her life finally starting after giving up years before. She was kind of just existing until she got to that shared beach house. These people all change her in some way.
These characters all kind of broke my heart. One character is clearly different, but it's refreshing. He kind of does what he pleases and lives life to the fullest, which Nora does not. He brings her to life, he makes her realize you just had to dive into life. I love the way he referred to life. "We're all f*cked up. That wouldn't make you different."
Tragedy strikes the group and the center holding them together is broken.
I really loved this story. If you're looking for smut or mindless drama this is not the book for you. However, if you find yourself looking for a page turning, deep read, with a shelter dog who love Scooby-Doo stories this is the book for you.
*probably more rambling to come.. I just finished.
June 21, 2016
Nora, a twenty-something insurance processor Monday thru Friday and a full share on the weekends. But she’s not your typical party girl. Sure she goes through the binge drinking motions, but she has a layer of disquiet just beneath the surface that would bubble over if she didn’t have a quip at the ready to deflect anyone that gets too close. But it’s summer, at the shore and there’s plenty to distract her with a gaggle of full and half shares clamoring for attention and space. In the mix is her old college crush and plenty of eye candy. When I say plenty I mean there was enough for a different guy for every day of the week. My head was on a swivel wondering who was the guy. The male leads that stood out for me were Tank and Jack Randall. They are both equally charming and engaging but two completely different types. But a love triangle this is not. Without a hint of sappy sentiment, this unique study in interpersonal relations is chock full of banter, intrigue and profound thought that makes my post-grad years seem shoddy in comparison. Full review on The Suburban Eclectic Review
ARC provided.
July 14, 2016
Oh the indignity of having to write a review over again because a slip of the keyboard erases what you wrote and there was no recall function.
Once more.... this was an interesting book to me. I didn't quite read the synopsis correctly so I thought Nora longed to escape to an isolated place for healing solitude.
I was half right. Her choice proved to be very interesting... she participates in a beach house rental share. She knows of it through an acquaintance. This is where the title comes in. Full shares are use of the house every week. Half shares are every other week.
The house is jam packed with as many "bed" spaces as they can fit in. Including splitting the covered back porch into two such spaces.
As you can imagine, it becomes very chaotic as most of the time, there are more bodies than beds as people party and crash at each other's places.
So why did a woman who was in desperate need of personal space away from the people in her life, pick such a place to escape to?
That's the marvel of this story and made it a good read for me.
Thank you to the publisher for a free copy of this book in exchange for this honest review.
Once more.... this was an interesting book to me. I didn't quite read the synopsis correctly so I thought Nora longed to escape to an isolated place for healing solitude.
I was half right. Her choice proved to be very interesting... she participates in a beach house rental share. She knows of it through an acquaintance. This is where the title comes in. Full shares are use of the house every week. Half shares are every other week.
The house is jam packed with as many "bed" spaces as they can fit in. Including splitting the covered back porch into two such spaces.
As you can imagine, it becomes very chaotic as most of the time, there are more bodies than beds as people party and crash at each other's places.
So why did a woman who was in desperate need of personal space away from the people in her life, pick such a place to escape to?
That's the marvel of this story and made it a good read for me.
Thank you to the publisher for a free copy of this book in exchange for this honest review.
June 16, 2017
[I was generously provided a digital ARC from the publisher via NetGalley]
This one was such a light/intense read, depending on how it affects you and how you look at it.
I personally related a lot to Nora. I feel like we, fangirls and readers, tend to replace actual people and relationships with fictional ones. Nora's story was about her journey to self-discovery. Her character's transformation throughout the book was tremendous. Everything she felt and thought about was so genuine and real.
I admired a lot of characters; Jack, obviously, Ricky (loved the sarcasm there), Mila...
I loathed some just as much; Rob, Blaire, Heather, Stone.
Tank, though. Was a character I craved to know more about. He's such a hard character to analyze. And it feels like we didn't get enough. I really wanted to know why he was mad at Nora at the end. I loved the way he took his time to figure Nora out. And how he helped shape her into the person she ended up becoming.
Heather was also a character that I found very hard to read and understand.
Overall, I found this book really relate-able and sincere. I saw a lot of myself in Nora.
This one was such a light/intense read, depending on how it affects you and how you look at it.
I personally related a lot to Nora. I feel like we, fangirls and readers, tend to replace actual people and relationships with fictional ones. Nora's story was about her journey to self-discovery. Her character's transformation throughout the book was tremendous. Everything she felt and thought about was so genuine and real.
I admired a lot of characters; Jack, obviously, Ricky (loved the sarcasm there), Mila...
I loathed some just as much; Rob, Blaire, Heather, Stone.
Tank, though. Was a character I craved to know more about. He's such a hard character to analyze. And it feels like we didn't get enough. I really wanted to know why he was mad at Nora at the end. I loved the way he took his time to figure Nora out. And how he helped shape her into the person she ended up becoming.
Heather was also a character that I found very hard to read and understand.
Overall, I found this book really relate-able and sincere. I saw a lot of myself in Nora.
May 28, 2016
Full Share was love, finding oneself and tragic rolled up in one good book.
The cover drew me in to read this book, but I didn't expect the drama within the beach house.
The story is surrounded around Nora Hargrove, who is in a mundane insurance job and decides to do a full share of a beach house for the summer. Nora has cut herself off of love and relationships, after she witnessed her mother cheating on her father.
Nora, has always had a crush on one of the guys (Rob) staying at the beach house, but he is with another women. While Jack is her share in room that they share and she feels a connection with him, but hesitates on acting on anything.
Jack's good friend is Tank, who is very different, but very loveable. I wished I could have more insight to Tank as he pulled me in and I wanted to know him better.
The beach house is full of partying, drinking and drugs while Nora tries to find herself. It is only after a tragedy that Nora and Jack see eye to eye and their relationship starts to get serious.
This is a good summer read and I would recommend it to anyone who loves at HEA.
The cover drew me in to read this book, but I didn't expect the drama within the beach house.
The story is surrounded around Nora Hargrove, who is in a mundane insurance job and decides to do a full share of a beach house for the summer. Nora has cut herself off of love and relationships, after she witnessed her mother cheating on her father.
Nora, has always had a crush on one of the guys (Rob) staying at the beach house, but he is with another women. While Jack is her share in room that they share and she feels a connection with him, but hesitates on acting on anything.
Jack's good friend is Tank, who is very different, but very loveable. I wished I could have more insight to Tank as he pulled me in and I wanted to know him better.
The beach house is full of partying, drinking and drugs while Nora tries to find herself. It is only after a tragedy that Nora and Jack see eye to eye and their relationship starts to get serious.
This is a good summer read and I would recommend it to anyone who loves at HEA.
October 15, 2017
I'm going be upfront and tell you that at best, I can only give this book 2/5 stars and it's saved only by Jack. I really, really did not like Nora. I thought she was an idiot who needs extensive counseling. The book begins with readers finding out that Nora's mom is a bit of a hussy and is having sex on Nora's bed with Nora's French teacher.
Awful? Yes. Traumatizing to the extent this book brings it? No.
That act alone paralyzes Nora so not only is she apparently incapable of forming meaningful romantic relationships, she becomes socially awkward, seemingly stops maturing after the age of 16, gives up on life, and has no idea how to function as an adult. I know I'm kind of a "buck up and deal with it" person but this was almost fully ridiculous.
Nora decides to avoid her parents for the summer and instead become a full share in a beach house her roommate from college is organizing. She only knows this roommate, none of the others, so when she arrives and finds out she doesn't have a room to herself and instead sharing a porch with someone else, she isn't thrilled. But the money is spent and she needs a break from her job so she sticks it out. Originally she's meant to share the porch with twin girls but they somehow switch for Jack, a handsome, outgoing, really nice guy who immediately decides Nora is going to be his and he's going to try to convince her of that. Frankly, I don't know why Nora would be so rude to someone who expresses interest in her but, nothing about this book is making sense to me.
It goes on to be a really full summer- a friend overdoses and goes to rehab, she makes some new friends, one of her favorite friends dies, and a relationship blossoms. The book left me with some unanswered questions but honestly instead of reading the rest of the series, I'm going to let this be a one time thing.
I'm kind of bummed I didn't love this book but I'm clearly in the minority because so many people have given this book 4 and 5 stars... I'm just not there. If we didn't have Jack's character I would have certainly rated this book lower but I really liked him and I felt like he was too good for Nora. Far too good.
Awful? Yes. Traumatizing to the extent this book brings it? No.
That act alone paralyzes Nora so not only is she apparently incapable of forming meaningful romantic relationships, she becomes socially awkward, seemingly stops maturing after the age of 16, gives up on life, and has no idea how to function as an adult. I know I'm kind of a "buck up and deal with it" person but this was almost fully ridiculous.
Nora decides to avoid her parents for the summer and instead become a full share in a beach house her roommate from college is organizing. She only knows this roommate, none of the others, so when she arrives and finds out she doesn't have a room to herself and instead sharing a porch with someone else, she isn't thrilled. But the money is spent and she needs a break from her job so she sticks it out. Originally she's meant to share the porch with twin girls but they somehow switch for Jack, a handsome, outgoing, really nice guy who immediately decides Nora is going to be his and he's going to try to convince her of that. Frankly, I don't know why Nora would be so rude to someone who expresses interest in her but, nothing about this book is making sense to me.
It goes on to be a really full summer- a friend overdoses and goes to rehab, she makes some new friends, one of her favorite friends dies, and a relationship blossoms. The book left me with some unanswered questions but honestly instead of reading the rest of the series, I'm going to let this be a one time thing.
I'm kind of bummed I didn't love this book but I'm clearly in the minority because so many people have given this book 4 and 5 stars... I'm just not there. If we didn't have Jack's character I would have certainly rated this book lower but I really liked him and I felt like he was too good for Nora. Far too good.
July 7, 2016
Full Share by Eliza Freed is a contemporary new adult novel; the overall tone of the book is alluded to in the author’s dedication “to those who know more darkness than light”. From the start of the book, there is a feeling of melancholy, regret and loneliness.
The startling prologue sets up the main character ‘s reason to be somewhat of a loner, however, it didn’t feel realistic that a high school girl would turn away from friends and boyfriend after catching her mother in a compromising position with a lover. Most teens would have turned to her peers for solace or at least to gripe.
Nora escape route from dealing with her mother’s infidelity is college. Upon graduation, she finds that adult life isn’t quite as wonderful as she would have hoped; her life consists of a dank apartment, a dead-end, dull job, and volunteering at an animal shelter. She looks for love and companionship at that animal shelter. Saturday mornings at the shelter are the only time Nora doesn’t feel lonely. I wanted to give Nora a good shake and tell her to grow up along with handing her a self-help book.
“I was almost invisible. The world was an amusement park, ad I was trapped, watching the merry-go-round.” --Nora
Nora buys a “full share” in a summer beach rental with a group of acquaintances in order to avoid returning home on summer holiday. Nora, along with her co-inhabitants suffer from what they consider disappointing starts to their adult life. Their drug and alcohol infused summer is an escape from a reality that they are ill equipped to face. Tank, the 20-something philosopher, seems to be the only one of the group who has retained his sense of wonder and hope. Nora doesn’t truly appreciate Tank’s sage-beyond-his-years wisdom until an apparent suicide shakes the foundation of the group’s beliefs.
“Listen {he} thought every person comes into our lives for a reason. That no interaction is insignificant. He was right. You’re supposed to be here.” –Mila
Full Share was not the upbeat summer romance that I wanted. It is filled with melancholy new adults who don’t know how to deal with a life that doesn’t meet their expectations and hopes. The twenty-something renters are myopic, self-absorbed, and hedonistic. I didn’t connect with or feel empathy for any of them. Although I found their over consumption of drugs and alcohol--in order to avoid life—maddening and frustrating, it is probably the most realistic description of coping behaviors for many in this age group.
It is sad, and altogether true, that it usually takes a tragedy for most people to appreciate the people and things in their life. Ms. Freed’s portrayal of how a tragedy affects the group is well done. About 80 percent into the story, she effectively inserts some great messages and life turnarounds that saved the book for me. Nora got those messages too, and she is catapulted from underneath her dark cloud. She finally realizes that life is too short to sit on the sidelines because you’re afraid of being hurt or you’re waiting for life to serve you happiness on a silver platter.
“Life is deep. Dive in.” –Nora’s mother
Nora’s decision to embrace life, leads to a heart-felt and hopeful toast that is an ode to her fellow “full shares”.
“…I learned the healing power of a good Bloody Mary and a dip in the Atlantic. I kayaked in the dead of night and witnessed the only shooting star I’ve ever seen. I fell in love on a bed made of pallets.
This summer I learned to fly…and to live…and to exist among the stars. Every day I spent in Dewey was the universe forcing me not to just witness life, but to revel in it.” --part of Nora’s toast
A 2.5-3 star read for me.
Visit Book Junkie Reviews for more reading recommendations: https://abookjunkiereviews.wordpress.com
The startling prologue sets up the main character ‘s reason to be somewhat of a loner, however, it didn’t feel realistic that a high school girl would turn away from friends and boyfriend after catching her mother in a compromising position with a lover. Most teens would have turned to her peers for solace or at least to gripe.
Nora escape route from dealing with her mother’s infidelity is college. Upon graduation, she finds that adult life isn’t quite as wonderful as she would have hoped; her life consists of a dank apartment, a dead-end, dull job, and volunteering at an animal shelter. She looks for love and companionship at that animal shelter. Saturday mornings at the shelter are the only time Nora doesn’t feel lonely. I wanted to give Nora a good shake and tell her to grow up along with handing her a self-help book.
“I was almost invisible. The world was an amusement park, ad I was trapped, watching the merry-go-round.” --Nora
Nora buys a “full share” in a summer beach rental with a group of acquaintances in order to avoid returning home on summer holiday. Nora, along with her co-inhabitants suffer from what they consider disappointing starts to their adult life. Their drug and alcohol infused summer is an escape from a reality that they are ill equipped to face. Tank, the 20-something philosopher, seems to be the only one of the group who has retained his sense of wonder and hope. Nora doesn’t truly appreciate Tank’s sage-beyond-his-years wisdom until an apparent suicide shakes the foundation of the group’s beliefs.
“Listen {he} thought every person comes into our lives for a reason. That no interaction is insignificant. He was right. You’re supposed to be here.” –Mila
Full Share was not the upbeat summer romance that I wanted. It is filled with melancholy new adults who don’t know how to deal with a life that doesn’t meet their expectations and hopes. The twenty-something renters are myopic, self-absorbed, and hedonistic. I didn’t connect with or feel empathy for any of them. Although I found their over consumption of drugs and alcohol--in order to avoid life—maddening and frustrating, it is probably the most realistic description of coping behaviors for many in this age group.
It is sad, and altogether true, that it usually takes a tragedy for most people to appreciate the people and things in their life. Ms. Freed’s portrayal of how a tragedy affects the group is well done. About 80 percent into the story, she effectively inserts some great messages and life turnarounds that saved the book for me. Nora got those messages too, and she is catapulted from underneath her dark cloud. She finally realizes that life is too short to sit on the sidelines because you’re afraid of being hurt or you’re waiting for life to serve you happiness on a silver platter.
“Life is deep. Dive in.” –Nora’s mother
Nora’s decision to embrace life, leads to a heart-felt and hopeful toast that is an ode to her fellow “full shares”.
“…I learned the healing power of a good Bloody Mary and a dip in the Atlantic. I kayaked in the dead of night and witnessed the only shooting star I’ve ever seen. I fell in love on a bed made of pallets.
This summer I learned to fly…and to live…and to exist among the stars. Every day I spent in Dewey was the universe forcing me not to just witness life, but to revel in it.” --part of Nora’s toast
A 2.5-3 star read for me.
Visit Book Junkie Reviews for more reading recommendations: https://abookjunkiereviews.wordpress.com
May 22, 2016
Full review here at Sunshine Reviews
Beautiful. This story was absolutely, utterly and heart-breakingly beautiful.
I haven't heard of Eliza Freed before I saw this book floating around on Goodreads, but when I read that blurb, I was immediately intrigued. So when I saw it on Netgalley, I immediately requested it for a chance to read and review it. And I did not regret picking it up at all.
I finished this book in 3 hours. Can you believe that? I picked it up at 3PM and finished it at 6PM. I ate the story up with all my strength and ended up loving it so much. The story was beautiful, absolutely stunning, and it was so realistic I felt I was living inside the book. Eliza Freed's writing has this immense power to just hook you and pull you in until the last page, and she did just that with me. The language, the total simplicity of it all connected me and made me fall in love. And not only was the story beautiful, her characters were too.
Our main character is Nora Hargrove, a girl stuck in a woman's body. She's fragile, almost breakable, but she's also so strong at the same time. Her character development was brilliant, and through all of her experiences, I went through the greatest emotional roller coaster. I didn't fall in love with Nora at first sight. I knew her and then I liked her, and then I fell in love with her. She's a building character, and she builds and knocks herself down so many times that she becomes this monumental figure in everyone's lives without her even realising. She was so so special.
"There's something terrifying about a girl with no friends. People don't want to take a chance on the person who's alone, because deep down they know there's a reason."
Jack Randall is a man who you cannot help but feel safe, anxious, nervous and love when he's around. He's a wonderful soul and he's a bandage for your cuts. He's everything when you have him and everything when you lose him. At least, that's what he was like for me and Nora. I loved Jack and Nora's relationship, mainly because it was a slow-burn, a realistic wonder of a roller coaster of love and learning how to stay instead of running. It was stunning, and I loved every single second of it.
"Come." Just one word from Jack sent a tingle down my spine.
"Who else is going?"
"Me."
He was all that mattered.
And Tack. What can I say about Tack? Tack is a wonder no one really understands, but will always love. He's beauty and anger and confusion and love piled all into one body. He's a boy of sunshine and happiness and he broke my heart.
"I think when we die, it blasts a hole in the people who love us. Our souls return for the time it takes to fill in the holes our departure left, to help them survive until we see each other again." ~ Tack
Full Share was one of those absolutely exquisite book that you would treasure for a long time, and it's a promise that I would do just that. It made me laugh, made me wonder, made me cry. But most of all, it taught me about life, about friendships, relationships, and love. It's inspiring and awe and love all in 310 pages. Ms. Eliza Freed, thank you for writing such a beautiful story, and thank you for introducing me to such amazing characters.
Full Share has my love, and diving in was one of the best choice I've ever made.
Beautiful. This story was absolutely, utterly and heart-breakingly beautiful.
I haven't heard of Eliza Freed before I saw this book floating around on Goodreads, but when I read that blurb, I was immediately intrigued. So when I saw it on Netgalley, I immediately requested it for a chance to read and review it. And I did not regret picking it up at all.
I finished this book in 3 hours. Can you believe that? I picked it up at 3PM and finished it at 6PM. I ate the story up with all my strength and ended up loving it so much. The story was beautiful, absolutely stunning, and it was so realistic I felt I was living inside the book. Eliza Freed's writing has this immense power to just hook you and pull you in until the last page, and she did just that with me. The language, the total simplicity of it all connected me and made me fall in love. And not only was the story beautiful, her characters were too.
Our main character is Nora Hargrove, a girl stuck in a woman's body. She's fragile, almost breakable, but she's also so strong at the same time. Her character development was brilliant, and through all of her experiences, I went through the greatest emotional roller coaster. I didn't fall in love with Nora at first sight. I knew her and then I liked her, and then I fell in love with her. She's a building character, and she builds and knocks herself down so many times that she becomes this monumental figure in everyone's lives without her even realising. She was so so special.
"There's something terrifying about a girl with no friends. People don't want to take a chance on the person who's alone, because deep down they know there's a reason."
Jack Randall is a man who you cannot help but feel safe, anxious, nervous and love when he's around. He's a wonderful soul and he's a bandage for your cuts. He's everything when you have him and everything when you lose him. At least, that's what he was like for me and Nora. I loved Jack and Nora's relationship, mainly because it was a slow-burn, a realistic wonder of a roller coaster of love and learning how to stay instead of running. It was stunning, and I loved every single second of it.
"Come." Just one word from Jack sent a tingle down my spine.
"Who else is going?"
"Me."
He was all that mattered.
And Tack. What can I say about Tack? Tack is a wonder no one really understands, but will always love. He's beauty and anger and confusion and love piled all into one body. He's a boy of sunshine and happiness and he broke my heart.
"I think when we die, it blasts a hole in the people who love us. Our souls return for the time it takes to fill in the holes our departure left, to help them survive until we see each other again." ~ Tack
Full Share was one of those absolutely exquisite book that you would treasure for a long time, and it's a promise that I would do just that. It made me laugh, made me wonder, made me cry. But most of all, it taught me about life, about friendships, relationships, and love. It's inspiring and awe and love all in 310 pages. Ms. Eliza Freed, thank you for writing such a beautiful story, and thank you for introducing me to such amazing characters.
Full Share has my love, and diving in was one of the best choice I've ever made.
June 27, 2016
I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Full Share focuses on life, love and how easily it is to lose track of the people surrounds you, whether you mean to or not. I feel like this book will mean something different to every person that reads it and I know for sure that it’ll definitely stay with me for a long time.
Nora Hargrove has avoided people, personal relationships and life in general since she was still in school. I would say she has some deep rooted issues and sure there is an origin of where it started but instead of actually facing it head on, she decides to avoid the cause and pretend like it’s not a big deal. It’s not a problem if you don’t acknowledge it right?
Nora rents a beach house for the summer, being one of eight full shares and here is where her road to enlightenment starts. People will question her about her lack of forthcomings (in relation to her family, friends, life and the like) and she’ll pretend like she has no idea what they’re talking about.
Characters: Nora takes first place when it comes to running away and I thought that it’d become annoying as the book drew on but it really helped show what the book was about. She was a very relatable character and the situations she was put in were believable.
Rob was really self-centered. He was a great guy but to him, the most important person was himself. It kind of ruins the appeal.
Jack was that guy that runs with the torch in the Olympics. Everybody is rooting for him and praying that he doesn’t trip and makes it all the way. I was surprised that he didn’t give up on Nora. As I said, she ran away a lot…a person has to get tired of that sooner or later. Jack was very patient as well as understanding which made him one of my favourite characters.
Tank was a darling! I loved everything about him. He’s no.1 in my books. As Nora explained it, you wouldn’t always understand what Tank was talking about but just being around him was enough.
Blaire & Heather: Blaire got so annoying especially near the middle/end that I just wanted her to disappear. I was so happy that she wasn’t the main character. I would’ve have survived this book if that were the case. I had to sigh every time Heather came onto the scene. Can you really help a person that doesn’t want to be helped?
Likes: I loved the pace and the way the story played out. The characters were extremely well written and the writing style was just fantastic.
Overall Thoughts: This book made me cry. It was beautiful and so amazing I just want to experience it all over again. I can’t wait to read more of this author’s work.
Full Share focuses on life, love and how easily it is to lose track of the people surrounds you, whether you mean to or not. I feel like this book will mean something different to every person that reads it and I know for sure that it’ll definitely stay with me for a long time.
Nora Hargrove has avoided people, personal relationships and life in general since she was still in school. I would say she has some deep rooted issues and sure there is an origin of where it started but instead of actually facing it head on, she decides to avoid the cause and pretend like it’s not a big deal. It’s not a problem if you don’t acknowledge it right?
Nora rents a beach house for the summer, being one of eight full shares and here is where her road to enlightenment starts. People will question her about her lack of forthcomings (in relation to her family, friends, life and the like) and she’ll pretend like she has no idea what they’re talking about.
Characters: Nora takes first place when it comes to running away and I thought that it’d become annoying as the book drew on but it really helped show what the book was about. She was a very relatable character and the situations she was put in were believable.
Rob was really self-centered. He was a great guy but to him, the most important person was himself. It kind of ruins the appeal.
Jack was that guy that runs with the torch in the Olympics. Everybody is rooting for him and praying that he doesn’t trip and makes it all the way. I was surprised that he didn’t give up on Nora. As I said, she ran away a lot…a person has to get tired of that sooner or later. Jack was very patient as well as understanding which made him one of my favourite characters.
Tank was a darling! I loved everything about him. He’s no.1 in my books. As Nora explained it, you wouldn’t always understand what Tank was talking about but just being around him was enough.
Blaire & Heather: Blaire got so annoying especially near the middle/end that I just wanted her to disappear. I was so happy that she wasn’t the main character. I would’ve have survived this book if that were the case. I had to sigh every time Heather came onto the scene. Can you really help a person that doesn’t want to be helped?
Likes: I loved the pace and the way the story played out. The characters were extremely well written and the writing style was just fantastic.
Overall Thoughts: This book made me cry. It was beautiful and so amazing I just want to experience it all over again. I can’t wait to read more of this author’s work.
June 5, 2016
"Since you've already decided not to fully participate in life, you should at least enjoy the parts that you do."
Thanks to Xpresso Book Tours for a free copy of this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Umm... I'm just going to start with what Eliza Freed wrote as the dedication to this book;
To those who know more darkness than light. May you find peace on earth.
I knew I had just stumbled upon a great read as soon as I read that. And I'm left wanting to crawl into a ball and contemplate the universe and my existence in it. Oh gosh.
It's Summer, and Nora doesn't want to spend her weekends with her mother. She'd rather spend her time with a bunch of (mostly) strangers. So, she purchases a full share in a Beach House in Dewey, Delaware, and finds herself, not alone, but surrounded by people.
I really love this book. I wanted to read it slowly so that it would last, but I couldn't put it down, nor could I pace myself. It reminded me of Tully by Paullina Simons, one of my favourite books.
I loved Nora as soon as I met her, and could relate to her on so many levels. The characters were a very real, mixed bunch. The old crush and his girlfriend, the angry guy, the token philosophical guy, the crazy bitch, and the girl that brings out the best in everyone. Nora has spent so much of her life trying to exclude herself, that she doesn't know how to open up. And when the times comes for her to open up, we see how difficult it is for her. I really felt for her. The pushing people away, ultimately punishing both herself and the other person in the process.
I'm just not sure I can find fault. I don't want to, either. The story was well paced, the dialogue was REAL, the characters were REAL, the issues, the experiences, the highs and lows were all SO. VERY. REAL. I went on a journey. I was so enthralled with this book that I completely checked out of reality. I jumped right into the story, I was on the beach with them. And I'm left with a sense of emptiness after reading this. A book coma.
I NEED MORE OF THIS AUTHOR!
Thanks to Xpresso Book Tours for a free copy of this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Umm... I'm just going to start with what Eliza Freed wrote as the dedication to this book;
To those who know more darkness than light. May you find peace on earth.
I knew I had just stumbled upon a great read as soon as I read that. And I'm left wanting to crawl into a ball and contemplate the universe and my existence in it. Oh gosh.
It's Summer, and Nora doesn't want to spend her weekends with her mother. She'd rather spend her time with a bunch of (mostly) strangers. So, she purchases a full share in a Beach House in Dewey, Delaware, and finds herself, not alone, but surrounded by people.
I really love this book. I wanted to read it slowly so that it would last, but I couldn't put it down, nor could I pace myself. It reminded me of Tully by Paullina Simons, one of my favourite books.
I loved Nora as soon as I met her, and could relate to her on so many levels. The characters were a very real, mixed bunch. The old crush and his girlfriend, the angry guy, the token philosophical guy, the crazy bitch, and the girl that brings out the best in everyone. Nora has spent so much of her life trying to exclude herself, that she doesn't know how to open up. And when the times comes for her to open up, we see how difficult it is for her. I really felt for her. The pushing people away, ultimately punishing both herself and the other person in the process.
I'm just not sure I can find fault. I don't want to, either. The story was well paced, the dialogue was REAL, the characters were REAL, the issues, the experiences, the highs and lows were all SO. VERY. REAL. I went on a journey. I was so enthralled with this book that I completely checked out of reality. I jumped right into the story, I was on the beach with them. And I'm left with a sense of emptiness after reading this. A book coma.
I NEED MORE OF THIS AUTHOR!
June 23, 2016
Perfect
** I received a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review**
After finishing reading Full Share, I was tempted to do something I had never done before: write a one-word review. I thought better of it but decided to use the word as the review title because that’s what the book is. Just perfect.
This wasn’t my first time under Eliza Freed’s spell so I knew I was in for a treat. She smashed all my expectations in the best way possible. I’ll use her own words to summarize the story, “I looked around my porch. Three months ago it had been this tiny, dark space that was stifling hot and void of any privacy. Now I realized it was a doorway to my soul that opened the minute I walked through it”. Nora says these words towards the end of the book and they give you a pretty good idea of what you’ll find in the book. Although it’s labeled as New Adult, it doesn’t follow the rules of the genre to the dot. Thankfully, I might add. It refreshingly dives into complex issues and makes you think just as a ‘doorway to one’s soul’ should do. I mean you don’t just decide to reevaluate your stagnated ways without a little pushing and shoving in that direction. Sometimes you need a little help from your friends and a great deal of personal loss to do it. But that’s life. And life is what Full Share is about. That’s why it’s filled with tons of people, good times, laughter, pain, and heartache.
Eliza also did a great job writing so many multifaceted characters. At first, I thought it wouldn’t work but she made it work. They made me smile, roll my eyes, and cry just like I do when I’m hanging out with my real friends. That’s because they are so realistic. You feel like you know them; that you could go out and have a beer with them. They made me feel at home in their beach house.
I could go on and on about how awesome Full Share is but I won’t waste any more of your time making you read an endless summary of it when you could be spending it starting to read the real deal. Word of advice though. Don’t start it if it’s late at night and you need to get up early the next day. You will be late for your appointment because I’m sure you won’t put the book down.
** I received a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review**
After finishing reading Full Share, I was tempted to do something I had never done before: write a one-word review. I thought better of it but decided to use the word as the review title because that’s what the book is. Just perfect.
This wasn’t my first time under Eliza Freed’s spell so I knew I was in for a treat. She smashed all my expectations in the best way possible. I’ll use her own words to summarize the story, “I looked around my porch. Three months ago it had been this tiny, dark space that was stifling hot and void of any privacy. Now I realized it was a doorway to my soul that opened the minute I walked through it”. Nora says these words towards the end of the book and they give you a pretty good idea of what you’ll find in the book. Although it’s labeled as New Adult, it doesn’t follow the rules of the genre to the dot. Thankfully, I might add. It refreshingly dives into complex issues and makes you think just as a ‘doorway to one’s soul’ should do. I mean you don’t just decide to reevaluate your stagnated ways without a little pushing and shoving in that direction. Sometimes you need a little help from your friends and a great deal of personal loss to do it. But that’s life. And life is what Full Share is about. That’s why it’s filled with tons of people, good times, laughter, pain, and heartache.
Eliza also did a great job writing so many multifaceted characters. At first, I thought it wouldn’t work but she made it work. They made me smile, roll my eyes, and cry just like I do when I’m hanging out with my real friends. That’s because they are so realistic. You feel like you know them; that you could go out and have a beer with them. They made me feel at home in their beach house.
I could go on and on about how awesome Full Share is but I won’t waste any more of your time making you read an endless summary of it when you could be spending it starting to read the real deal. Word of advice though. Don’t start it if it’s late at night and you need to get up early the next day. You will be late for your appointment because I’m sure you won’t put the book down.
June 20, 2016
Full Share by Eliza Freed
Panty Scorching – 3.0
Storyline – 5.0
Angst – 3.0
Tissues – 1.0
Value – 5.0
Overall – 4.5
Kindle eArc provided by Author
Reviewed by Robin
Nora has decided to share a beach house for the summer with a ton of recent college grads. Drifting through the past 5 years of her life, she hasn’t really allowed herself to get close to anyone or feel anything. A job she detests…check. A college roommate she tolerates…check. No steady boyfriend…check. A room in a beach house that’s actually a screened in porch…check. But with a weekend house full of twenty-somethings trying to muddle through, Nora might just find something worth living for.
He stopped abruptly.
“You’re okay. You’re like a string of Christmas lights.” I stayed still. “If just one bulb was replaced, you’d shine bright.” I blushed at his words. “We just have to figure out which bulb it is.”
“So I’m salvageable?”
What a great beach read. This story reminded me of those ensemble shows you watch with a bunch of young friends all coming of age and trying to find their way into the world. Nora was lost. I was kind of reminded of some prickly friends I had in college that you can’t quite reach but yet you drag them around everywhere and keep trying. Slowly through her weekends at the beach, you start to see Nora opening up. We see the slow evolution of Nora as an island to maybe allowing a few people on her island. I absolutely adored Tank. He was a deep soul that held them together and saw far more than others.
This was a nice contemporary new adult novel and a change of pace from what I’ve been reading. I enjoyed it quite a bit and would recommend it to anyone that likes a good coming of age story. I hope we get to read about more of the young adults and where they end up in their lives.
Panty Scorching – 3.0
Storyline – 5.0
Angst – 3.0
Tissues – 1.0
Value – 5.0
Overall – 4.5
Kindle eArc provided by Author
Reviewed by Robin
Nora has decided to share a beach house for the summer with a ton of recent college grads. Drifting through the past 5 years of her life, she hasn’t really allowed herself to get close to anyone or feel anything. A job she detests…check. A college roommate she tolerates…check. No steady boyfriend…check. A room in a beach house that’s actually a screened in porch…check. But with a weekend house full of twenty-somethings trying to muddle through, Nora might just find something worth living for.
He stopped abruptly.
“You’re okay. You’re like a string of Christmas lights.” I stayed still. “If just one bulb was replaced, you’d shine bright.” I blushed at his words. “We just have to figure out which bulb it is.”
“So I’m salvageable?”
What a great beach read. This story reminded me of those ensemble shows you watch with a bunch of young friends all coming of age and trying to find their way into the world. Nora was lost. I was kind of reminded of some prickly friends I had in college that you can’t quite reach but yet you drag them around everywhere and keep trying. Slowly through her weekends at the beach, you start to see Nora opening up. We see the slow evolution of Nora as an island to maybe allowing a few people on her island. I absolutely adored Tank. He was a deep soul that held them together and saw far more than others.
This was a nice contemporary new adult novel and a change of pace from what I’ve been reading. I enjoyed it quite a bit and would recommend it to anyone that likes a good coming of age story. I hope we get to read about more of the young adults and where they end up in their lives.
July 25, 2016
*copy received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
I read a lot of New Adult books and based on just reading the blurb about this story, I thought it would be a lot like the other ones I've read. Girl goes away for the summer just looking to relax, party, and disconnect from her day to day life. She's not looking for love, is actually trying to avoid it, but ends up finding it anyway. All of those things do happen in this story, but it is so, so much more. It teaches us that every single person is put into our life for a reason.
This book is so amazingly beautiful. The writing blew me away. There are so many amazing lines that I know I'm going to have to read it a second time to highlight them so I can remember them. I was so pleasantly surprised with this story and it's one that is going to stay with me for a long time.
Nora is a hard one to like at first. She tries so hard to be miserable and alone, but people are always drawn to her, willing her to break out of her shell. The problem is, no one has really tried hard enough to do so. Then she meets Jack. He's sweet, caring, and most importantly, patient. He knows Nora is worth it and so he slowly breaks away at her. Along the way she meets Tank, a person who is so intriguing. He marches to his own drummer, is fiercely protective of the ones he loves, and says the most profound things. He forever changes Nora in the best way. I just wish we knew a bit more about what happens to him at the end.
There is so much depth to this story that there is no way I can begin to explain it in a review. You just have to trust me and go read it. It will take you on an emotional roller coaster, but it will be so worth it.
I read a lot of New Adult books and based on just reading the blurb about this story, I thought it would be a lot like the other ones I've read. Girl goes away for the summer just looking to relax, party, and disconnect from her day to day life. She's not looking for love, is actually trying to avoid it, but ends up finding it anyway. All of those things do happen in this story, but it is so, so much more. It teaches us that every single person is put into our life for a reason.
This book is so amazingly beautiful. The writing blew me away. There are so many amazing lines that I know I'm going to have to read it a second time to highlight them so I can remember them. I was so pleasantly surprised with this story and it's one that is going to stay with me for a long time.
Nora is a hard one to like at first. She tries so hard to be miserable and alone, but people are always drawn to her, willing her to break out of her shell. The problem is, no one has really tried hard enough to do so. Then she meets Jack. He's sweet, caring, and most importantly, patient. He knows Nora is worth it and so he slowly breaks away at her. Along the way she meets Tank, a person who is so intriguing. He marches to his own drummer, is fiercely protective of the ones he loves, and says the most profound things. He forever changes Nora in the best way. I just wish we knew a bit more about what happens to him at the end.
There is so much depth to this story that there is no way I can begin to explain it in a review. You just have to trust me and go read it. It will take you on an emotional roller coaster, but it will be so worth it.
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