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The Amelia Chronicles #1
Knowing Amelia
OLIVIA BENSON'S life was on target, great boyfriend, respectable major, loving parents. She didn't have time for the unknown, but when Olivia's estranged grandmother dies, leaving her an unexpected inheritance- the unknown is all she can think about. Olivia will never forget the last time she saw Grandma Amelia-all those years ago, crying next to the open floorboards for someone Olivia had never heard of before. Olivia never did tattle on her-but now it would seem as if Amelia wanted her secrets found, and she knew exactly who could find them. Living in her grandmother's tiny town and old house, Olivia begins her search. Rendezvous' residents can't keep their eyes off her, the new girl. And living next door to Logan-her alluring neighbor, is making her forget everything and everyone she left behind.
- GenresContemporaryRomance
318 pages, Paperback
Published May 10, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
August 17, 2016
You know how some of the BEST days are the days that you get to sit down with old friends and reminisce about the good ol' days?! You laugh at old antics, you remember past hurts, but mostly you just glory in the beauty of truly living. I love those days!....and this book felt like I was experiencing one of those days. There is so much beauty in living and loving and losing and this story expressed it perfectly. I also loved how the main character (Olivia) was able to find strength and confidence and happiness as she uncovered the life of her grandmother. Coming of age stories are my favorite. Sweet romance stories are my favorite. Knowing Amelia has both, so it's my favorite! ;-)
September 1, 2023
A love story that transcends time.
When Olivia's estranged grandmother dies and leaves her the house, she decides to move in because of a secret she witnessed as a child. I loved the way Olivia gets to know her grandmother through her journal, just as much as I loved the way this discovery changed her, allowing her to figure out who she is and what she wants in life.
Next door neighbor Logan is paramount in helping her and his charm, good looks, and sweetness are hard to overlook. I loved the slower-paced, simpler life in this small Wyoming town and it was especially fun to see Gary make an appearance on the cover.
Jen Atkinson writes a lot of heart and soul into this beautiful, heart-wrenching, and tender tale and it was a treat to immerse myself in it. My heart was ripped out in places and gingerly mended together in others. Such a bruising, yet satisfying book.
Content: mild romance
*I received a complimentary copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own and were voluntarily given.*
When Olivia's estranged grandmother dies and leaves her the house, she decides to move in because of a secret she witnessed as a child. I loved the way Olivia gets to know her grandmother through her journal, just as much as I loved the way this discovery changed her, allowing her to figure out who she is and what she wants in life.
Next door neighbor Logan is paramount in helping her and his charm, good looks, and sweetness are hard to overlook. I loved the slower-paced, simpler life in this small Wyoming town and it was especially fun to see Gary make an appearance on the cover.
Jen Atkinson writes a lot of heart and soul into this beautiful, heart-wrenching, and tender tale and it was a treat to immerse myself in it. My heart was ripped out in places and gingerly mended together in others. Such a bruising, yet satisfying book.
Content: mild romance
*I received a complimentary copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own and were voluntarily given.*
June 10, 2022
This book was such a surprise! I thought I was going in to a cute, easy-read contemporary romance and I got SO MUCH MORE!
I love the complexity of this story. The characters were deep and had such huge arcs and I loved watching the journey play out. The romance was super sweet, the townspeople have my heart and I really felt every single emotion play out in this one. There was a plot twist that really rocked my world and left me trying to read faster so that I could figure out how it would end!!
This was a promising first read for me from this author and I'll be looking up more of her books!!
Thanks to the author for the book. All thoughts in this review are my own.
I love the complexity of this story. The characters were deep and had such huge arcs and I loved watching the journey play out. The romance was super sweet, the townspeople have my heart and I really felt every single emotion play out in this one. There was a plot twist that really rocked my world and left me trying to read faster so that I could figure out how it would end!!
This was a promising first read for me from this author and I'll be looking up more of her books!!
Thanks to the author for the book. All thoughts in this review are my own.
June 1, 2016
One of my top ten fav books of all time! I love Amelia, Olivia, Seth, and Logan as if they were family. I have read this book three times already and have not only bawled every time, but for the next few weeks after finishing, I constantly think on the message of this book. It's one of those that you instantly want book two with a blow by blow account of everything! Read it!
August 28, 2023
Olivia never really knew her grandmother Amelia. The memories she did have were of a grumpy, aloof woman who didn’t really seem to care about her. When Amelia dies, Olivia inherits her home in rural Wyoming. Despite pressure from her father and her overbearing boyfriend, Olivia decides to stay in Amelia’s home for a little while. She finds Amelia’s hidden journal and discovers that there was so much more to her grandmother than anyone knew. Meanwhile she meets Logan, Amelia’s young neighbor and a friendship ensues. Logan is unlike any man she has ever known. He is humble, he listens to her, and he encourages her to follow her dreams. Their love story isn’t easy, but it’s beautiful. Amelia’s story is very different, and it broke my heart in more ways than one. It broke my heart what happened to her and it broke my heart at some of the ways she responded to what happened. I really had a hard time understanding her choices in how she dealt with her son and grandchildren. Other than that I like this story. It made me smile and cry. I loved seeing Olivia grow and learn to stand up for herself. I will definitely be reading the other books in this series. I hope we learn a little more about Olivia’s father, his motivations, and how he responds to the revelations from his mother’s journal.
This is my honest opinion based on the complimentary review copy sent by the author. I was not required to give a favorable review.
This is my honest opinion based on the complimentary review copy sent by the author. I was not required to give a favorable review.
January 26, 2024
This book has so much heart! It really touched me. I fell in love with the characters, their small town, and couldn’t help rooting for them because they were just plain good. I loved uncovering the mystery of Amelia’s life with Liv and Logan and learning what experiences shaped her life. I was completely engrossed and I know I will be thinking about these characters for a while. The only negative was the many typos, but even that couldn’t change the fact that this is a great story. Seriously, editing mistakes usually drive me nuts and distract me from fully enjoying and appreciating the book… but it couldn’t pull this one down for me… it was just that good.
November 21, 2022
This book broke me in a million pieces.
Romance: 3/5
Chemistry: 4/5
1st kiss: +-44% in
Spice: 0/5 (it's a clean on y'all!)
Drama: 3/5
Humour: 1/5
Cry factor: 4.5/5
Foul language: 0/5
Suspense: 1/5
Positive thoughts:
- What a wonderful journey for Olivia and Logan, I loved seeing her confidence in herself grow and trust in love. Logan was her rock and she really needed the strength he gave her.
- It was also a heart-breaking journey for Amelia and Seth. Oh my heart aches! So sad, so real, so powerful.
- I loved all the twists the book had, it was hard not to try and guess the future (or past), but even when you suspected it, it still comes to you as a shock and will break you all over again.
- I love Logan's character, he was just the right measure of patience and confidence to boost Olivia. He gave her strength to make her own decisions and let go of all the people that were trying to dictate her life.
Negative thoughts:
- It ended and I needed more, so much more. I wanted more of Olivia and Logan. My heart had just been ripped apart and I needed some happy factor from Olivia and Logan (maybe their wedding, or a bit of their life together), just to get the pieces of my heart back together.
Overall:
- It's a clean and proper read with lots of chemistry and kisses.
- It's a very fast paced read, if you can get through it with tears in your eyes just as fast.
- It's very emotional, so have your tissues ready.
Tropes:
- Small town
- Inheritance
- Grandmothers' secret
- Hidden journal
- Guy next door
- Tear-jerker
- Domineering ex-boyfriend
Romance: 3/5
Chemistry: 4/5
1st kiss: +-44% in
Spice: 0/5 (it's a clean on y'all!)
Drama: 3/5
Humour: 1/5
Cry factor: 4.5/5
Foul language: 0/5
Suspense: 1/5
Positive thoughts:
- What a wonderful journey for Olivia and Logan, I loved seeing her confidence in herself grow and trust in love. Logan was her rock and she really needed the strength he gave her.
- It was also a heart-breaking journey for Amelia and Seth. Oh my heart aches! So sad, so real, so powerful.
- I loved all the twists the book had, it was hard not to try and guess the future (or past), but even when you suspected it, it still comes to you as a shock and will break you all over again.
- I love Logan's character, he was just the right measure of patience and confidence to boost Olivia. He gave her strength to make her own decisions and let go of all the people that were trying to dictate her life.
Negative thoughts:
- It ended and I needed more, so much more. I wanted more of Olivia and Logan. My heart had just been ripped apart and I needed some happy factor from Olivia and Logan (maybe their wedding, or a bit of their life together), just to get the pieces of my heart back together.
Overall:
- It's a clean and proper read with lots of chemistry and kisses.
- It's a very fast paced read, if you can get through it with tears in your eyes just as fast.
- It's very emotional, so have your tissues ready.
Tropes:
- Small town
- Inheritance
- Grandmothers' secret
- Hidden journal
- Guy next door
- Tear-jerker
- Domineering ex-boyfriend
September 15, 2023
I enjoyed this story. It is bittersweet blend of hopeful and tragic, but with a HEA for the contemporary main characters, of course. Olivia unexpectedly inherits her estranged grandmother’s house in small-town Wyoming. This leads her to change the course of her summer plans and to begin to question her life-plans, which have been heavily influenced by other people. As she comes to “know Amelia” (her grandmother), through reading Amelia’s journal, Olivia also learns to know herself. Throughout it all, she also develops feelings for her next door neighbour, Logan, who was close to Amelia and is a sweet and wonderful male main character. The story is told in Olivia’s first person POV with frequent portions of Amelia’s journal. Amelia’s story holds a lot of sadness, but also some happiness. It was very moving to follow how it guided Olivia’s journey of self-discovery. “‘Knowing Amelia has given me more gifts than I thought possible.’” The narrative is well-crafted and very engaging. I’m glad I read it. This is a closed door story with no harsh language.
June 25, 2016
I am not a fan of romantic fiction, but Jen's dual story line kept me intrigued with the turn of every page. Inheriting her grandmother’s house, leaves Olivia Benson aching to get answers to a secret she’s kept for eleven years. Little does she know how Amelia’s other life will effect hers.
By reading her estranged grandmother Amelia's heartrending journal entries, Olivia Benson finds her own voice and the strength to emerge out of her father and overbearing boyfriend’s shadows. By coming to know Amelia, Olivia moves from the dutiful daughter to a woman guiding her own destiny. The bittersweet ending came too soon, but with a satisfying conclusion all the same. Jen characters are real in a way only a good writer can accomplish. A definite five star read.
By reading her estranged grandmother Amelia's heartrending journal entries, Olivia Benson finds her own voice and the strength to emerge out of her father and overbearing boyfriend’s shadows. By coming to know Amelia, Olivia moves from the dutiful daughter to a woman guiding her own destiny. The bittersweet ending came too soon, but with a satisfying conclusion all the same. Jen characters are real in a way only a good writer can accomplish. A definite five star read.
January 5, 2023
"Author Jen Atkinson does it again!" Is how I wanted to start out, but Knowing Amelia is a whole new original and creative world apart from Like Home! Same heart, same love, same magic, both wonderful! Atkinson creates new worlds you feel right at home in! Knowing Amelia breaks your heart in all the right ways. Getting to know Atkinson's characters is like making new friends you want to call up on the phone and chat with every day! You won't regret Knowing Amelia!!
September 1, 2016
I loved this book! Twenty pages into the book I was hooked. I tried to pace myself because I wanted the story to last. But today I couldn't put the book down. I fell in love with Amelia and Olivia. Love the little twist at the end. I hope there is more to come in the story of Olivia and Logan.
September 3, 2016
I loved this bbok
This was such a super book a great love story with little mystery included....a most amazing ending. Make me want to keep a journal better.....very very nicely done. Can wait for book club!!!!!
This was such a super book a great love story with little mystery included....a most amazing ending. Make me want to keep a journal better.....very very nicely done. Can wait for book club!!!!!
August 4, 2016
Very cleaver book! I enjoyed it a lot!
September 14, 2023
There was something about this story that kept me hooked from the very beginning. The plot was so good. And I loved how everything wasn't revealed until the very end.
I loved Olivia. I wished that she would stand up to her dad and annoying boyfriend from the very start of the book. But I loved the growth that her character went through as she found her grandmother's journal and started to read it. She learned not only about her grandmother, but about herself.
I really liked Logan, too. The reader doesn't see the story through his point of view, it's really about Olivia's journey, but he was so supportive and just an all around great guy. I loved how he was always there when Olivia needed him.
This is such a touching book. I laughed, I cried, and I cheered for Olivia!
I loved Olivia. I wished that she would stand up to her dad and annoying boyfriend from the very start of the book. But I loved the growth that her character went through as she found her grandmother's journal and started to read it. She learned not only about her grandmother, but about herself.
I really liked Logan, too. The reader doesn't see the story through his point of view, it's really about Olivia's journey, but he was so supportive and just an all around great guy. I loved how he was always there when Olivia needed him.
This is such a touching book. I laughed, I cried, and I cheered for Olivia!
September 27, 2020
I have kept a journal since I was 12. They are not to be read until I have passed.
Jen’s book was amazing! I loved learning about Amelia. I wondered why she was the way she was. Now I know. Sometimes we have to do things we don’t want to do to keep people happy. It’s hard.
Page turner! Olivia will keep you wanting her to read the journal entries. You will yell at her because of her decisions but I promise you’ll be happy in the end.
Keep reading! There’s a few twists in the story.
Jen’s book was amazing! I loved learning about Amelia. I wondered why she was the way she was. Now I know. Sometimes we have to do things we don’t want to do to keep people happy. It’s hard.
Page turner! Olivia will keep you wanting her to read the journal entries. You will yell at her because of her decisions but I promise you’ll be happy in the end.
Keep reading! There’s a few twists in the story.
January 24, 2024
Parallel Stories with Surprise Ending
Olivia learns her grandparent's story while living her own complicated story. I love stories where a current character's story parallels the story of an ancestor. Don't miss the mystery and love in this story as Amelia learns to love and understand her grumpy grandmother, Amelia. I read it in a day. I could not put it down.
Olivia learns her grandparent's story while living her own complicated story. I love stories where a current character's story parallels the story of an ancestor. Don't miss the mystery and love in this story as Amelia learns to love and understand her grumpy grandmother, Amelia. I read it in a day. I could not put it down.
April 19, 2018
Enjoyable Read
Well-done story and enjoyable to read; Clean romance and fun to discuss at book club; the writing style and story reminded me of Sarah’s Quilt and These is my Words by Nancy Farmer, so if you liked those, you’ll probably like this book.
Well-done story and enjoyable to read; Clean romance and fun to discuss at book club; the writing style and story reminded me of Sarah’s Quilt and These is my Words by Nancy Farmer, so if you liked those, you’ll probably like this book.
February 18, 2023
For years, Olivia has known her grandmother has kept a secret, but it isn't until her grandmother passes away that she sets her course to learn what it is. As she learns about her grandmother's past, she lives a parallel life and discovers life's possibilities when she opens her heart to love.
August 26, 2023
Sweet story
This is a sweet story, full of love, heartache, secrets, family- found and biological, small towns and personal growth. If you like stories that take you on a journey, maybe make you cry a little and smile at the end, I recommend this one.
This is a sweet story, full of love, heartache, secrets, family- found and biological, small towns and personal growth. If you like stories that take you on a journey, maybe make you cry a little and smile at the end, I recommend this one.
February 10, 2024
Fantastic!!
I loved this story! What a great author Jen Atkinson is. It was as if l was watching a movie. Also loved the parallel between Amelia and Olivia. Although very subtle. I'm looking forward to reading the next story in this series. Thanks Jen ☺️
I loved this story! What a great author Jen Atkinson is. It was as if l was watching a movie. Also loved the parallel between Amelia and Olivia. Although very subtle. I'm looking forward to reading the next story in this series. Thanks Jen ☺️
January 22, 2019
Great story! Very clean too, ni sex, drugs, drinking, etc. at all. This author proves you don't need graphic details to write a great story!
September 19, 2021
This is an awesome book if you don't like it your crazy my top 5. Favorite books from her 1 knowing amelia 2 like home 3 paper hearts 4 Johnny rats 5 surviving emma
February 16, 2022
My absolute favorite book by Jen Atkinson
February 17, 2023
This is my FAVORITE Jen Atkinson book ever!! I just love the characters soooo much!! The relationships, the mystery, the love, all of it!! It's all so good!!
May 2, 2023
Never boring
Such great flow. The story is rich with beautiful characters. My only complaint would be that Logan has zero flaws.
Such great flow. The story is rich with beautiful characters. My only complaint would be that Logan has zero flaws.
January 26, 2024
So many emotions!
This is a wonderfully well written story. It has so much feeling, heartbreak, romance, new beginnings. I so enjoyed this book, and highly recommend it.
This is a wonderfully well written story. It has so much feeling, heartbreak, romance, new beginnings. I so enjoyed this book, and highly recommend it.
February 17, 2025
I liked the story with her grandma and Olivia’s growth, but I had issues with the writing and some cringey characters.
February 28, 2017
I was hooked after 2-3 chapters! Such a great mystery and romance. I wanted to know more about Burt and why her father chose him to marry Amelia. Her parents seemed very extreme in the lengths they went to keep her apart from Seth. I couldn't put this book down so I stayed up late reading it. Very intriguing!!
February 17, 2023
Love this story and love the new cover!! Still my favorite by Jen Atkinson!
February 17, 2023
LOVE!!!!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews