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Intermission
Sixteen-year-old Faith Prescott eagerly awaits the day she will exchange her small Iowa hometown for the bright lights of Broadway, but her success-driven parents want her to pursue a more practical career, labeling “artsy” people—including their daughter—as foolish dreamers worthy of little more than disdain.
When Faith meets nineteen-year-old Noah Spencer, she discovers someone who understands her musical theatre dreams . . . because he shares them. But Faith’s mother despises everything about Noah—his age, his upbringing, and even his religious beliefs—and she grasps at every opportunity to belittle his plans to study theatre and pursue a stage career. When those criticisms shift further toward hostility, resulting in unjust suspicions and baseless accusations, an increasingly fearful stage is set for Faith at home, where severe restrictions and harsh penalties are put in place to remove Noah Spencer from her life.
But Faith has never connected with anyone as she has with Noah, and no matter how tight a stranglehold her mother enforces to keep them apart, Faith will not give him up. Behind the curtain, Faith’s love for Noah continues to grow . . . as does her determination to hold on to her dreams--and to Noah--no matter the cost.
Butterflies multiply in my stomach, as they always do this close to taking the stage. Right on cue, my jaw tightens and my mouth dries, but I don't fear this particular incarnation of stage fright. I welcome it. Those butterflies are working on my behalf, condensing the magic, safeguarding it for the moment I step into the lights and they give it back to me. It's an incomparable thrill, this pre-performance high. This. This is what I want. This is how I want to live. This is... me, being fully, unequivocally alive.
Intermission is a contemporary YA romance set against a backdrop of musical theatre and family drama. With coming-of-age themes that honestly explore the gray areas of moral dilemmas the characters face, this novel follows one talented teen girl as she crosses painful thresholds of first love, faith, and betrayal to take the necessary steps toward adulthood, independence, and the dreams that set her heart on fire.
Due to content involving instances of verbal, emotional and physical abuse perpetrated against the main character, this book is recommended for ages 14+
Advance Praise for
"FINALLY someone has written a YA for all of us musical theater nerds! Intermission will pull you in like a big Broadway show with its swoony romance and a heroine you can root for. Serena Chase brings the theater world alive with this tale of first love, family drama, and a character who's searching for her place in this world."
Jenny B. Jones , award-winning author of I'll Be Yours
and the Katie Parker Production series
"This book sings! A masterfully written story that broke my heart one moment and had me cheering for the main character the next. If you're looking for a stunning and emotional read, look no further than Serena Chase's Intermission."
Heather Burch , bestselling author of One Lavender Ribbon
and the Halflings series
“Every moment feels authentic... Chase has skillfully developed a romance rife with obstacles, weaving a story that is both heartbreaking and healing. All the while, the pulse of Intermission thrums with hope, even during the most tumultuous moments. I cried, hugged the book, and happy-sighed my way through reading. This is Chase’s best work to date.”
Jess Evander , author of the TimeShifter series and
multi-published romance author (as Jessica Keller)
"A multifaceted coming-of-age love story that explores the depth of self-doubt, difficult family dynamics, and a faith built in the midst of heartache. Beautifully-crafted prose with a timely message."
Nicole Deese , author of the Love in Lenox series
and The Promise of Rayne
When Faith meets nineteen-year-old Noah Spencer, she discovers someone who understands her musical theatre dreams . . . because he shares them. But Faith’s mother despises everything about Noah—his age, his upbringing, and even his religious beliefs—and she grasps at every opportunity to belittle his plans to study theatre and pursue a stage career. When those criticisms shift further toward hostility, resulting in unjust suspicions and baseless accusations, an increasingly fearful stage is set for Faith at home, where severe restrictions and harsh penalties are put in place to remove Noah Spencer from her life.
But Faith has never connected with anyone as she has with Noah, and no matter how tight a stranglehold her mother enforces to keep them apart, Faith will not give him up. Behind the curtain, Faith’s love for Noah continues to grow . . . as does her determination to hold on to her dreams--and to Noah--no matter the cost.
Butterflies multiply in my stomach, as they always do this close to taking the stage. Right on cue, my jaw tightens and my mouth dries, but I don't fear this particular incarnation of stage fright. I welcome it. Those butterflies are working on my behalf, condensing the magic, safeguarding it for the moment I step into the lights and they give it back to me. It's an incomparable thrill, this pre-performance high. This. This is what I want. This is how I want to live. This is... me, being fully, unequivocally alive.
Intermission is a contemporary YA romance set against a backdrop of musical theatre and family drama. With coming-of-age themes that honestly explore the gray areas of moral dilemmas the characters face, this novel follows one talented teen girl as she crosses painful thresholds of first love, faith, and betrayal to take the necessary steps toward adulthood, independence, and the dreams that set her heart on fire.
Due to content involving instances of verbal, emotional and physical abuse perpetrated against the main character, this book is recommended for ages 14+
Advance Praise for
"FINALLY someone has written a YA for all of us musical theater nerds! Intermission will pull you in like a big Broadway show with its swoony romance and a heroine you can root for. Serena Chase brings the theater world alive with this tale of first love, family drama, and a character who's searching for her place in this world."
Jenny B. Jones , award-winning author of I'll Be Yours
and the Katie Parker Production series
"This book sings! A masterfully written story that broke my heart one moment and had me cheering for the main character the next. If you're looking for a stunning and emotional read, look no further than Serena Chase's Intermission."
Heather Burch , bestselling author of One Lavender Ribbon
and the Halflings series
“Every moment feels authentic... Chase has skillfully developed a romance rife with obstacles, weaving a story that is both heartbreaking and healing. All the while, the pulse of Intermission thrums with hope, even during the most tumultuous moments. I cried, hugged the book, and happy-sighed my way through reading. This is Chase’s best work to date.”
Jess Evander , author of the TimeShifter series and
multi-published romance author (as Jessica Keller)
"A multifaceted coming-of-age love story that explores the depth of self-doubt, difficult family dynamics, and a faith built in the midst of heartache. Beautifully-crafted prose with a timely message."
Nicole Deese , author of the Love in Lenox series
and The Promise of Rayne
338 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 15, 2016
3 people are currently reading
178 people want to read
About the author
Serena Chase
9 books175 followersSERENA CHASE is the author of the critically-acclaimed Eyes of E’veria series. The first two novels of that series, THE RYN and THE REMEDY, released in 2013. Book 3, THE SEAHORSE LEGACY released May 2014 and Book 4, THE SUNKEN REALM released September 2015. Her first contemporary YA romance, INTERMISSION, will release November 15, 2016.
Serena lives in Iowa with her husband Dave, teen daughters Delaney & Ellerie, and a white goldendoodle named Albus.
A frequent contributor to USA TODAY's Happy Ever After blog, Serena is a lifelong performer who often speaks in song lyrics.
Connect with Serena Chase by visiting her website http://serenachase.com and signing up for her newsletter http://serenachase.com/newsletter-sig... and “like” her official Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/SerenaChaseAu... to stay up-to-date on new release news. Enjoy her sometimes poignant, but more often chuckle-inducing random observations of life on Twitter (@Serena_Chase -- also her Instagram handle.)
View inspiration boards for her novels on Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/serenachase/
Don't be shy. Serena loves hearing from readers!
Serena lives in Iowa with her husband Dave, teen daughters Delaney & Ellerie, and a white goldendoodle named Albus.
A frequent contributor to USA TODAY's Happy Ever After blog, Serena is a lifelong performer who often speaks in song lyrics.
Connect with Serena Chase by visiting her website http://serenachase.com and signing up for her newsletter http://serenachase.com/newsletter-sig... and “like” her official Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/SerenaChaseAu... to stay up-to-date on new release news. Enjoy her sometimes poignant, but more often chuckle-inducing random observations of life on Twitter (@Serena_Chase -- also her Instagram handle.)
View inspiration boards for her novels on Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/serenachase/
Don't be shy. Serena loves hearing from readers!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
February 9, 2017
Copy received through NetGalley in exchange for a fair review
I'm back to being concise in my reviews, especially because this book did not make me angry in any way.
This is a fantastic read. I haven't heard of Serena Chase before I stumbled onto this book, but now I am a fan. Her writing is just so good. She has the most amazing style, it's eloquent and it flows in a beautiful fashion, it's captivating.
The story and the characters are great as well, beautifully developed and relatable.
Intermission is one of the best books I've read recently. I recommend it.
I'm back to being concise in my reviews, especially because this book did not make me angry in any way.
This is a fantastic read. I haven't heard of Serena Chase before I stumbled onto this book, but now I am a fan. Her writing is just so good. She has the most amazing style, it's eloquent and it flows in a beautiful fashion, it's captivating.
The story and the characters are great as well, beautifully developed and relatable.
Intermission is one of the best books I've read recently. I recommend it.
December 22, 2016
4.5-4.75 stars
One thing I really liked about this book is that it started off in the present day and then switched back to three years ago in Faith Prescott’s life for the majority of the book. I just really enjoyed that aspect of this story and I think that it made it more fun when you got to piece together the little things that didn’t make much sense in the beginning, but now make you want to both cry and get excited at the same time… like ‘Eight Nine, Eight-Seventeen’ *(You will have to read the book to understand, sorry if it doesn’t make any sense :P )
I am just going to list some of the things that I liked about this book below:
First off, I loved Janey, Faith’s Siberian Husky ^_^ (Anytime there are animals or pets in a story, they make it 100 times better…there is no telling me otherwise :P Especially dogs, they are the best!
Noah and Faith…mainly Noah though :P Ahhh, he was definitely the kind of person who you would want as a friend. He was kind, considerate, and such a chivalrous guy—always wanting to protect Faith and do what he thought was God’s will for them, not just what he wanted to do.
I loved how their relationship was focused on the friendship side and not just the romantic. You don’t see that in a lot of YA Romances nowadays...at least I haven't :/ I actually enjoyed reading about them more when Noah and Faith were focusing on getting to know each other and becoming greater friends ^_^
Some things I didn’t like are below:
Ok…so I think Faith’s mom was being completely and utterly ridiculous by not even meeting Noah…I understand she was concerned and ultimately wanted what was best for her daughter, buuut I mean, if I was worried about who my daughter was friends with, I think that would make me want meet the people she was hanging around even more…but no—she refused to even talk to him for a second, which made me pretty irritated. I probably shouldn’t have gotten that upset about a fictional character lol, but urrrgh!!! :P I just Could. Not. Stand. Her.
All that being said, I loved how even though Faith’s parents were being pretty irrational about not even being willing to meet Noah, he still was trying to respect their wishes and be obedient, even though they were being cruel and unreasonable.
Another thing I really loved is when Noah and Faith prayed together when they were unsure about what to do in their situation. You could tell Noah ultimately wanted what was best for him and Faith in the long run. I liked how they sought God’s plan for their life, instead of going against it or disregarding Faith’s mom and dad’s wishes.
I was so shocked by how much this book made me feel lol I didn’t read much about it before I started it and I thought it was just going to be a light and fluffy read, and sure, sometimes it was, but it definitely made me sad and even angry in others…It was such a beautiful and heart-wrenching book! I even cried in this book!! I am not sure if that has ever happened to me before while reading…maybe once or twice at the most? But I can’t even say that for sure…so YES, I would for certainly recommend this book to lovers of Contemporary Romance ^_^
*There were some things in this book that I did not completely agree with, but I know that it is a lot better than some of the other YA Contemporary Romance Novels that are out there… (Also, if I remember correctly, there was one kinda curse word, h*** plus an “a” at the end, in case anyone was wondering, but that was it I am pretty sure)
*I received an ebook copy from Netgalley in exchange for a honest review
One thing I really liked about this book is that it started off in the present day and then switched back to three years ago in Faith Prescott’s life for the majority of the book. I just really enjoyed that aspect of this story and I think that it made it more fun when you got to piece together the little things that didn’t make much sense in the beginning, but now make you want to both cry and get excited at the same time… like ‘Eight Nine, Eight-Seventeen’ *(You will have to read the book to understand, sorry if it doesn’t make any sense :P )
I am just going to list some of the things that I liked about this book below:
First off, I loved Janey, Faith’s Siberian Husky ^_^ (Anytime there are animals or pets in a story, they make it 100 times better…there is no telling me otherwise :P Especially dogs, they are the best!
Noah and Faith…mainly Noah though :P Ahhh, he was definitely the kind of person who you would want as a friend. He was kind, considerate, and such a chivalrous guy—always wanting to protect Faith and do what he thought was God’s will for them, not just what he wanted to do.
I loved how their relationship was focused on the friendship side and not just the romantic. You don’t see that in a lot of YA Romances nowadays...at least I haven't :/ I actually enjoyed reading about them more when Noah and Faith were focusing on getting to know each other and becoming greater friends ^_^
Some things I didn’t like are below:
Ok…so I think Faith’s mom was being completely and utterly ridiculous by not even meeting Noah…I understand she was concerned and ultimately wanted what was best for her daughter, buuut I mean, if I was worried about who my daughter was friends with, I think that would make me want meet the people she was hanging around even more…but no—she refused to even talk to him for a second, which made me pretty irritated. I probably shouldn’t have gotten that upset about a fictional character lol, but urrrgh!!! :P I just Could. Not. Stand. Her.
All that being said, I loved how even though Faith’s parents were being pretty irrational about not even being willing to meet Noah, he still was trying to respect their wishes and be obedient, even though they were being cruel and unreasonable.
Another thing I really loved is when Noah and Faith prayed together when they were unsure about what to do in their situation. You could tell Noah ultimately wanted what was best for him and Faith in the long run. I liked how they sought God’s plan for their life, instead of going against it or disregarding Faith’s mom and dad’s wishes.
I was so shocked by how much this book made me feel lol I didn’t read much about it before I started it and I thought it was just going to be a light and fluffy read, and sure, sometimes it was, but it definitely made me sad and even angry in others…It was such a beautiful and heart-wrenching book! I even cried in this book!! I am not sure if that has ever happened to me before while reading…maybe once or twice at the most? But I can’t even say that for sure…so YES, I would for certainly recommend this book to lovers of Contemporary Romance ^_^
*There were some things in this book that I did not completely agree with, but I know that it is a lot better than some of the other YA Contemporary Romance Novels that are out there… (Also, if I remember correctly, there was one kinda curse word, h*** plus an “a” at the end, in case anyone was wondering, but that was it I am pretty sure)
*I received an ebook copy from Netgalley in exchange for a honest review
November 17, 2016
Review: Intermission by Serena Chase
I’d heard good things about Intermission, so when the opportunity came to read a review copy, I was in.
Intermission is written in first person present tense—which is common in Young Adult novels, but something I always find takes me a little while to get in to. It just doesn’t feel as natural to me as past tense. The other slightly weird thing was that it started in the present, then slipped three years into the past, and my brain said that definitely should have been written in past tense. As such, I did find the opening a little odd.
No matter. I always have that reaction to present tense, and I always get over it. In the case of Intermission, I was hooked by the end of the first chapter and could probably have read the whole book in one sitting if I’d been allowed. If you’re like me and bothered by present tense, don’t let it put you off. Keep reading, and I’m sure you’ll be hooked as well.
Our first person narrator is Madeline Faith Prescott, known as Faith because Madeline is her grandmother’s name and her mother and grandmother don’t get on. Even though they live in the same small town Iowa. This should have been a clue …
Faith is sixteen, a sophomore in high school, and wants to major in musical theatre at college. Her father is a doctor and her mother is an accountant, and they’d rather she majored in something more practical. Less artsy. They have their reasons and some of them are even good reasons, but that doesn’t stop Faith auditioning for a major part in The Sound of Music … and falling for Noah, her co-lead.
Noah isn’t perfect, and every time I suspected he was he pointed out to Faith (and me) that he wasn’t. But he’s a gentleman who has a real faith in God, and who is doing his best to live according to that faith. Sure, he makes mistakes … but he’s the kind of boy I’d want my daughter dating (hint, hint).
The shame is that Faith’s mother doesn’t see it that way (despite obviously being the woman who signed Faith up for dance classes, and paying for her vocal lessons. Who knows why. I guess because she knew Faith would have to have strong extra-curricular talents in order to get into the ‘right’ college).
Anyway, Faith’s mother sees Noah as too old for Faith … and while that might (might!) be the case when they are 16 and 19, many couples have far more significant age gaps when they marry, and always have (although I do admit to not liking the sixteen-year age gap in Jane Austen’s Emma. That always struck me as a little creepy).
As the story progressed, I found myself getting more and more angry with Faith’s mother, for her over-the-top reactions and pronouncements. And they were all too believable, as was Faith’s wimpy father. I won’t say more. Just read the book.
Recommended for fans of YA fiction that gives you the feels (like The Fault in Our Stars, or Me Before You, although I think I can give this to my daughter to read without her threatening me over the ending. Unlike Me Before You, which she’s still angry about).
Thanks to the author for providing a free ebook for review.
I’d heard good things about Intermission, so when the opportunity came to read a review copy, I was in.
Intermission is written in first person present tense—which is common in Young Adult novels, but something I always find takes me a little while to get in to. It just doesn’t feel as natural to me as past tense. The other slightly weird thing was that it started in the present, then slipped three years into the past, and my brain said that definitely should have been written in past tense. As such, I did find the opening a little odd.
No matter. I always have that reaction to present tense, and I always get over it. In the case of Intermission, I was hooked by the end of the first chapter and could probably have read the whole book in one sitting if I’d been allowed. If you’re like me and bothered by present tense, don’t let it put you off. Keep reading, and I’m sure you’ll be hooked as well.
Our first person narrator is Madeline Faith Prescott, known as Faith because Madeline is her grandmother’s name and her mother and grandmother don’t get on. Even though they live in the same small town Iowa. This should have been a clue …
Faith is sixteen, a sophomore in high school, and wants to major in musical theatre at college. Her father is a doctor and her mother is an accountant, and they’d rather she majored in something more practical. Less artsy. They have their reasons and some of them are even good reasons, but that doesn’t stop Faith auditioning for a major part in The Sound of Music … and falling for Noah, her co-lead.
Noah isn’t perfect, and every time I suspected he was he pointed out to Faith (and me) that he wasn’t. But he’s a gentleman who has a real faith in God, and who is doing his best to live according to that faith. Sure, he makes mistakes … but he’s the kind of boy I’d want my daughter dating (hint, hint).
The shame is that Faith’s mother doesn’t see it that way (despite obviously being the woman who signed Faith up for dance classes, and paying for her vocal lessons. Who knows why. I guess because she knew Faith would have to have strong extra-curricular talents in order to get into the ‘right’ college).
Anyway, Faith’s mother sees Noah as too old for Faith … and while that might (might!) be the case when they are 16 and 19, many couples have far more significant age gaps when they marry, and always have (although I do admit to not liking the sixteen-year age gap in Jane Austen’s Emma. That always struck me as a little creepy).
As the story progressed, I found myself getting more and more angry with Faith’s mother, for her over-the-top reactions and pronouncements. And they were all too believable, as was Faith’s wimpy father. I won’t say more. Just read the book.
Recommended for fans of YA fiction that gives you the feels (like The Fault in Our Stars, or Me Before You, although I think I can give this to my daughter to read without her threatening me over the ending. Unlike Me Before You, which she’s still angry about).
Thanks to the author for providing a free ebook for review.
November 15, 2016
Intermission is a wonderful read. I felt an instant connection to Faith and I, also, loves Noah. This story is full of inspiration, sweet romance and a great lesson for all to learn.
Highly recommended!
5 plus stars.
Highly recommended!
5 plus stars.
November 15, 2016
Oh wow! I knew Ms. Chase could write fantasy, as I've been a huge fan of her Eyes of E'veria series for a few years now. Which means I have been anxious to jump into her first contemporary story, to see whether my love for her writing would continue. It did! Oh yes, it certainly did. I was swept up into this beautifully heart-wrenching story and turned page after page (or touched my kindle screen more like) eagerly, wondering what would happen next. Once I clicked past the final page, I sat back in my chair, just a bit exhausted. The emotional turmoil drew me in and left my feelings spinning in lots of directions! The biggest thing I was feeling though? Was happiness. I loved every minute of this story!
The characters, first and foremost, had me from chapter one. It didn't take long to be fascinated by Faith. She is an intriguing mix of old soul and naive teenage girl. Her love of musicals and musical theater is apparent from the very beginning. It's a connection she shares with Noah and there is an instantaneous bond between them once they figure that out. (I have to say that I loved that, as I am not a musical theater nerd, I still had no trouble understanding all the references. Although I'm sure there were probably some nods here and there that I missed.) Faith and Noah simply understand one another. I loved how they took care of each other, how they talked through things honestly (even the hard things), and how they encouraged each other to hold on. No matter what! Neither is perfect (although Noah comes pretty close! :), but once they realize their mistakes, they are always willing to do whatever is needed to correct them. They really are better together, which is good because the obstacles they have to overcome are pretty huge!
Which leads me to my favorite bits of the story. (You know, aside from all the swoony romance! Because let me just say that Noah surely knows how to steal a girl's heart. ;) I absolutely loved how careful and tender Noah was with Faith and her relationship with her family. His desire to do the right thing, even when it's really, really hard, is pretty exceptional for a nineteen-year-old. He was never secretive about his faith, yet was thoughtful instead of preachy or in-your-face, he simply lived it out. He's a perfect gentleman (most of the time) who realizes that Faith is still young and needs to honor her parents wishes as much as she's able. Watching the two of them walk through this emotional minefield isn't easy at certain moments, yet I really appreciated how they chose to love each other and Faith's parents regardless of anything. They respond to some situations just like the teenagers they are, yet never lose sight of the realities they have to deal with and how best to handle them with grace.
This is not an easy read, by any means, as Faith and Noah have some tremendously difficult things to work through. With touches of several kinds of abuse, the story is not to be taken lightly, yet don't let that deter you! Ms. Chase comfortably balances between the hard and the happy, and keeps a light enough touch that one can always see the hope shining bright. And once you've met Faith and become immersed in her life, I don't think you'll ever regret journeying with her to find her happy ever after! I know I didn't. :)
**I received a complimentary copy from the author. All opinions expressed are my own.
The characters, first and foremost, had me from chapter one. It didn't take long to be fascinated by Faith. She is an intriguing mix of old soul and naive teenage girl. Her love of musicals and musical theater is apparent from the very beginning. It's a connection she shares with Noah and there is an instantaneous bond between them once they figure that out. (I have to say that I loved that, as I am not a musical theater nerd, I still had no trouble understanding all the references. Although I'm sure there were probably some nods here and there that I missed.) Faith and Noah simply understand one another. I loved how they took care of each other, how they talked through things honestly (even the hard things), and how they encouraged each other to hold on. No matter what! Neither is perfect (although Noah comes pretty close! :), but once they realize their mistakes, they are always willing to do whatever is needed to correct them. They really are better together, which is good because the obstacles they have to overcome are pretty huge!
Which leads me to my favorite bits of the story. (You know, aside from all the swoony romance! Because let me just say that Noah surely knows how to steal a girl's heart. ;) I absolutely loved how careful and tender Noah was with Faith and her relationship with her family. His desire to do the right thing, even when it's really, really hard, is pretty exceptional for a nineteen-year-old. He was never secretive about his faith, yet was thoughtful instead of preachy or in-your-face, he simply lived it out. He's a perfect gentleman (most of the time) who realizes that Faith is still young and needs to honor her parents wishes as much as she's able. Watching the two of them walk through this emotional minefield isn't easy at certain moments, yet I really appreciated how they chose to love each other and Faith's parents regardless of anything. They respond to some situations just like the teenagers they are, yet never lose sight of the realities they have to deal with and how best to handle them with grace.
This is not an easy read, by any means, as Faith and Noah have some tremendously difficult things to work through. With touches of several kinds of abuse, the story is not to be taken lightly, yet don't let that deter you! Ms. Chase comfortably balances between the hard and the happy, and keeps a light enough touch that one can always see the hope shining bright. And once you've met Faith and become immersed in her life, I don't think you'll ever regret journeying with her to find her happy ever after! I know I didn't. :)
**I received a complimentary copy from the author. All opinions expressed are my own.
November 12, 2016
If you haven’t heard of author Serena Chase, her Eyes of E'veria Series is fantastic. It contains adventure, retelling of fairy tales, allegories, and of course, there’s love and happily-ever-afters. And although her newest release isn’t in the fantasy genre, Intermission in no way falls short.
Ms. Chase has many gifts as a story crafter, but one thing I love is her ability to produce a story that matters. The theme, the message, the heart of the book shines through Noah and Faith, but not in an in-your-face kind of way. While reading Intermission I was fully immersed into the characters’ lives. Their struggles. Their guilt. Their desires. Not a moment happened when I thought: ‘this feels too preachy’, and yet, there is a beautiful and important message to be heard. What does obedience look like, whether as a child under a parent, or as a child of God? And what happens when there’re gray areas in life, or when those in authority are wrong? Intermission is so much more than will Romeo get his Juliet in the end. This fictional Iowa world digs through the hard questions of life in a realistic and page turning way.
Now, Noah and Faith are theater enthusiasts. If you love music, theater, art: this book, hands down, is for you. However, if you are more like Faith’s family and feel most comfortable, say: watching sports or something else outside the arts, you’re in luck. This book is also for you. Ms. Chase does an excellent job describing all things theaters in a down-to-earth way that everyone can understand. It even made me wish my high school growing up had a drama department so I might have be able to participated in such events as these characters.
Noah is… well, sigh worthy. I know, I know, as a reviewer I’m supposed to give details about why and how he’s awesome, but sometimes simpler is better. He’ll be what a girl wants her real life hero to be. And yet, he’s not perfect, and I think that’s what also makes him so great. Faith, the poor girl, there’s family issues, rumors, and having to be apart from the one she loves. She’s the type of heroine you want to jump into the book for and be the friend she needs.
Whether you’re a teenager climbing your way toward tomorrow, or an adult who’s ever struggled with their dreams, hold on, because this story will sweep you away. Especially recommended for readers who loved: What You Always Wanted by Kristin Rae and All She Wanted by Nicole Deese.
I received an ARC and nothing else. :)
April 26, 2017
A sweet tale of musical romance and growing up.
When I got my hands on this lovely book I was so excited! I've long since been a fan of Serena Chase and knew it was going to be good--if not different from the other books Serena Chase written . I was totally right!
This engaging story of teenage love and the struggles that come along with that was so sweet. I really liked Faith and Noah and could really believe in their story. I also loved the musical references and the passion that these two had for theater. I too was once a part of theater productions and I love music so these elements were not lost on me.
Another thing I really enjoyed about this story is the "realness factor" (as I shall hereby deem it). For the most part (see my next point), I felt like the struggles put forth in the book were real. I would say Intermission falls squarely in the Christian category, but not in the way overly preachy books sometimes tend to lean (at least in my opinion). Serena has put Faith in a very real high school setting with all that comes along with that and she shows us the way that Faith copes with all forms of pressures as well as the good and bad parts of being a girl in high school. Her personal journey is beautiful to watch.
The only thing that I didn't really connect with was the Faith's mother. I won't give anything away here, but the way in which she acts seems implausible. I understand she's supposed to be a tough character and I totally get that, but it just seemed like a little too much from my perspective. I also didn't like the resolution with regards to this...but, on that point, I can concede that things don't always work out exactly like we want them to. 😉
I definitely recommend this to those of you who like YA Contemporary. It'll make the perfect Spring/Summer read and will leave you with a big smile on your face!
_______________
I received this book for free from the author but was under no obligation to post a review. I do so under my own motivation and the opinions I have expressed in this review are honest and entirely my own.
When I got my hands on this lovely book I was so excited! I've long since been a fan of Serena Chase and knew it was going to be good--if not different from the other books Serena Chase written . I was totally right!
This engaging story of teenage love and the struggles that come along with that was so sweet. I really liked Faith and Noah and could really believe in their story. I also loved the musical references and the passion that these two had for theater. I too was once a part of theater productions and I love music so these elements were not lost on me.
Another thing I really enjoyed about this story is the "realness factor" (as I shall hereby deem it). For the most part (see my next point), I felt like the struggles put forth in the book were real. I would say Intermission falls squarely in the Christian category, but not in the way overly preachy books sometimes tend to lean (at least in my opinion). Serena has put Faith in a very real high school setting with all that comes along with that and she shows us the way that Faith copes with all forms of pressures as well as the good and bad parts of being a girl in high school. Her personal journey is beautiful to watch.
The only thing that I didn't really connect with was the Faith's mother. I won't give anything away here, but the way in which she acts seems implausible. I understand she's supposed to be a tough character and I totally get that, but it just seemed like a little too much from my perspective. I also didn't like the resolution with regards to this...but, on that point, I can concede that things don't always work out exactly like we want them to. 😉
I definitely recommend this to those of you who like YA Contemporary. It'll make the perfect Spring/Summer read and will leave you with a big smile on your face!
_______________
I received this book for free from the author but was under no obligation to post a review. I do so under my own motivation and the opinions I have expressed in this review are honest and entirely my own.
November 28, 2016
I had the chance to read this book before it released, and I jumped at it because I've read Chase's previous series. I was not disappointed! This book is riveting (I couldn't put it down) and it's heartbreaking (the mom! oy) and it's a love story that touches on both God's love for us and the love between the two main characters. I HIGHLY recommend it. It will sweep you in and not let you go until you've devoured the last page.
February 6, 2017
I don't read many YA stories but was drawn to this one by a couple of friends' recommendations. I'm so glad I was! Serena Chase writes a poignant, page-turning and soul-stirring tale of two young musical theatre lovers that had me swooning one page and tearing up the next. A must read.
December 1, 2017
If I wasn’t already a happily married woman, I would be on my knees right now praying for God to bring me my very own Noah Spencer. As it is, I will be getting on my knees and praying for a Noah Spencer (or three) on behalf of my daughters instead. I love it when authors can create a YA character who is a great role model—and a hero to totally fall in love with—but who still has the kinds of flaws and humanness that prevent them from being unrealistic. In fact, I love that in adult characters, too; it just seems harder to find in YA fiction.
Before I spend the whole review waxing poetic over Noah, let me say there are MANY other reasons to love this novel. First person present tense has been growing on me over recent years, but it’s still not my preferred point-of-view. And yet I barely noticed it in this novel. The writing felt so natural and was so engaging that I didn’t give it a second thought. As a musician and performer, I also loved the ‘musicalness’ of this story. But more than all of this, I loved the way this story dealt with the subject of children honouring their parents in a situation where it is genuinely challenging to do so.
Now, I’ve already said that Noah is the kind of guy I would pray God prepares for my daughters. He’s hard-working, honourable, mature, and strong in his walk with the Lord. However Faith’s mother sees him in a very different light. He’s three years older than Faith (which might not sound like a lot, but is probably worth taking into consideration when you’re sixteen and nineteen), and he’s got his sights set on a musical theatre career. Couple that with the example of her own sister’s life, and that's all Faith's mother needs to justify freezing Noah out of Faith’s life.
This whole story totally sucked me in; I didn’t want to put it down. I felt the injustice of Noah and Faith’s situation, how easy it would have been to feel justified in handling things differently than they did. But to a certain extent, I could also understand Faith’s mother’s concerns (even if I didn’t like the way she handled them), which meant that, despite essentially being the ‘villain’ in this piece, she was more than a caricature of the stereotypical ‘evil and overbearing parent’. And because the book opens with Faith on the way to (hopefully) meet with Noah after an intermission of two long years, there is an anticipatory tension all the way through, knowing that something is going to happen, but not sure what the circumstances will be.
And finally, there is the relationship that grows between Noah and Faith. So beautiful—founded on a solid friendship that tested them and brought out the best in them, and yet also brought more than its fair share of heartache. This is definitely a novel not to be missed!
I received a copy of this novel from the publisher. This has not influenced the content of my review, which is my honest and unbiased opinion.
Before I spend the whole review waxing poetic over Noah, let me say there are MANY other reasons to love this novel. First person present tense has been growing on me over recent years, but it’s still not my preferred point-of-view. And yet I barely noticed it in this novel. The writing felt so natural and was so engaging that I didn’t give it a second thought. As a musician and performer, I also loved the ‘musicalness’ of this story. But more than all of this, I loved the way this story dealt with the subject of children honouring their parents in a situation where it is genuinely challenging to do so.
Now, I’ve already said that Noah is the kind of guy I would pray God prepares for my daughters. He’s hard-working, honourable, mature, and strong in his walk with the Lord. However Faith’s mother sees him in a very different light. He’s three years older than Faith (which might not sound like a lot, but is probably worth taking into consideration when you’re sixteen and nineteen), and he’s got his sights set on a musical theatre career. Couple that with the example of her own sister’s life, and that's all Faith's mother needs to justify freezing Noah out of Faith’s life.
This whole story totally sucked me in; I didn’t want to put it down. I felt the injustice of Noah and Faith’s situation, how easy it would have been to feel justified in handling things differently than they did. But to a certain extent, I could also understand Faith’s mother’s concerns (even if I didn’t like the way she handled them), which meant that, despite essentially being the ‘villain’ in this piece, she was more than a caricature of the stereotypical ‘evil and overbearing parent’. And because the book opens with Faith on the way to (hopefully) meet with Noah after an intermission of two long years, there is an anticipatory tension all the way through, knowing that something is going to happen, but not sure what the circumstances will be.
And finally, there is the relationship that grows between Noah and Faith. So beautiful—founded on a solid friendship that tested them and brought out the best in them, and yet also brought more than its fair share of heartache. This is definitely a novel not to be missed!
I received a copy of this novel from the publisher. This has not influenced the content of my review, which is my honest and unbiased opinion.
November 11, 2016
It's like that. "...a favorite old friend I just met." Serena Chase's newest novel, Intermission feels just like that. It's beautiful, it's personal, it's poetic. A tribute and dedication that spoke loud and clear from the get go.
I wished I read this book when I was Faith's age. Wait, I take that back. I take it back not because I don't think it's relevant, but because my understanding of it may very well be different. Intermission is not just a novel about first loves, young love or the happily ever after. It's about reality. It's about what dreams are, and how dreams may never come to fruition, until you find the strength and courage to hold on and wait.
Faith's story is one of revelation, and I cried for her. For her memories with Noah, her time with Noah and her love with Noah. Not only, but also for her life, her dreams, and her disconnection with her parents. Tears continues to well and stream down my face, even after my first attempt at wiping them with my sleeves. I tried to control them, but I couldn't. Intermission connected, touched and squeezed my heart without me knowing how it got there so quickly and unexpectedly. I can't say the reason was that I relate to Faith or Noah, because I don't. Our dreams and situations were very different. Our lives are very different, yet they are so real to me. Their romance, their journey, their struggles and their faith, all just played out right before my eyes as I read on.
Serena penned a marvelous coming of age novel, with messages that will hit you where it matters. The great references and nods to classic show tunes created lighter moments within the tough ones. Plus the cover will have you go nuts over with your camera. Intermission made me smile, sing, cry and felt a moment of sadness when it was over, but that epilogue made up for any heartache I felt. Intermission have not made its "curtain call" in my heart yet, and it may never will because it will have a place on my shelf for years to come.
"Each memory is torture...And bliss."
This review first appeared on Just Commonly blog.
Disclaimer: I received an ARC of this book from the author/publisher. I was not required to write a positive review, and have not been compensated for this. This is my honest opinion.
I wished I read this book when I was Faith's age. Wait, I take that back. I take it back not because I don't think it's relevant, but because my understanding of it may very well be different. Intermission is not just a novel about first loves, young love or the happily ever after. It's about reality. It's about what dreams are, and how dreams may never come to fruition, until you find the strength and courage to hold on and wait.
Faith's story is one of revelation, and I cried for her. For her memories with Noah, her time with Noah and her love with Noah. Not only, but also for her life, her dreams, and her disconnection with her parents. Tears continues to well and stream down my face, even after my first attempt at wiping them with my sleeves. I tried to control them, but I couldn't. Intermission connected, touched and squeezed my heart without me knowing how it got there so quickly and unexpectedly. I can't say the reason was that I relate to Faith or Noah, because I don't. Our dreams and situations were very different. Our lives are very different, yet they are so real to me. Their romance, their journey, their struggles and their faith, all just played out right before my eyes as I read on.
Serena penned a marvelous coming of age novel, with messages that will hit you where it matters. The great references and nods to classic show tunes created lighter moments within the tough ones. Plus the cover will have you go nuts over with your camera. Intermission made me smile, sing, cry and felt a moment of sadness when it was over, but that epilogue made up for any heartache I felt. Intermission have not made its "curtain call" in my heart yet, and it may never will because it will have a place on my shelf for years to come.
"Each memory is torture...And bliss."
This review first appeared on Just Commonly blog.
Disclaimer: I received an ARC of this book from the author/publisher. I was not required to write a positive review, and have not been compensated for this. This is my honest opinion.
November 16, 2016
Faith Prescott is straight-up theater kid with dreams of making it on Broadway. A sort of anomaly in her academic and sport centered family, she had always felt like the fifth wheel. That is, until the day she randomly meets Noah Spencer. With Noah, she can be herself and he shares her dreams and aspirations. Having never connected to someone like this, she finds herself falling for him...hard. The only problem? Her mother hates his guts - everything from his and Faith’s shared “foolish” career goals and budding faith to their three-year age gap grates on Faith’s mother. Things go from bad to worse when she forbids Faith from seeing Noah and starts controlling every little thing in her life. A poisonous environments takes its toll on Faith, but she’s determined to hold on to hope that God will see her through even the roughest patches...and that maybe, one day, her dreams will take flight.
Someone once told me that you remember people and things by the way they make you feel, and if that holds true I will not be forgetting Intermission for a very long time. Intermission made me laugh, it made me cry, and I couldn’t put it down for the life of me. This is my first read from Serena Chase and I was ultra-impressed with the beautiful, emotional writing. Faith and Noah were not only an adorable couple, but their navigation of faith, love, and life in general was so realistically portrayed. The author approaches difficult topics with refreshing honesty, perfectly encapsulating the delicate transition from teen to young adulthood, family dynamics, and building faith.
Not only did we have the nitty-gritty emotional aspect, but there was also a light playfulness with many nods to musicals we all know and love. Expect to have Sound of Music, Hamilton, Wicked, and Les Mis songs playing in your head as background music!
A poignant coming-of-age love story you won’t soon forget, everything about this novel was magical. This is YA done right, you guys. If you’re looking for a delightfully satisfying story with true grit and swoony young love, search no more.
*I received this book free from the author in trade for my honest review.
Read this review & enter the author's giveaway on my blog: http://www.willbakeforbooks.com/2016/...
Someone once told me that you remember people and things by the way they make you feel, and if that holds true I will not be forgetting Intermission for a very long time. Intermission made me laugh, it made me cry, and I couldn’t put it down for the life of me. This is my first read from Serena Chase and I was ultra-impressed with the beautiful, emotional writing. Faith and Noah were not only an adorable couple, but their navigation of faith, love, and life in general was so realistically portrayed. The author approaches difficult topics with refreshing honesty, perfectly encapsulating the delicate transition from teen to young adulthood, family dynamics, and building faith.
Not only did we have the nitty-gritty emotional aspect, but there was also a light playfulness with many nods to musicals we all know and love. Expect to have Sound of Music, Hamilton, Wicked, and Les Mis songs playing in your head as background music!
A poignant coming-of-age love story you won’t soon forget, everything about this novel was magical. This is YA done right, you guys. If you’re looking for a delightfully satisfying story with true grit and swoony young love, search no more.
*I received this book free from the author in trade for my honest review.
Read this review & enter the author's giveaway on my blog: http://www.willbakeforbooks.com/2016/...
January 13, 2017
If you follow my reviews, you'll be surprised to find me reviewing a YA romance at all, much less giving it four stars. Things I go for in fiction: body count and taut pacing, physical exhaustion and spiritual world-weariness. None of that describes this book. Even the covers of my preferred reads tend toward somber, and here's Intermission with its sunburst and optimistic title design and two smiling kids. So it's a good thing I've read this author's excellent four-book epic fantasy (starting with The Ryn), which does in fact contain a body count and which I love, or I would not have known about this book.
Faith Prescott's story is one of young love, artist dreams, coming of age, and tests of faith. It's girl-meets-boy, it's the highs and lows of being sixteen, the rush of doing what you were made to do, the hurt of being rejected by a person who is by rights supposed to be your champion. For Faith, those last two are musical theatre and her mother, but the book is written with a deep emotion that transcends the story's specifics. Faith's first-person voice is full of poetry and passion, a reflection of her love for music and acting and life itself. Chase makes it easy to root for her and for her blossoming relationship with Noah, who shares her dreams of musical theatre and is an all-around honorable guy. Their foundation of friendship is probably my favorite part of the story.
As the author peels back the layers of dysfunction in Faith's family, the sunburst disappears for a while behind storm clouds of Faith's hurt, frustration, and helplessness. Which brings me to my other favorite element (predictably, I guess): what at first seems to be "only" a love story is much more than that. There's a bit of a tonal shift that might catch some readers off-guard as Faith loses the support of almost everyone in her life, but in this choice, the author finds a deeper substance to her story. And the sunshine will return: like real life, all the more beautiful for the shadows.
Looking forward to Chase's future books, no matter what genre she explores next.
Faith Prescott's story is one of young love, artist dreams, coming of age, and tests of faith. It's girl-meets-boy, it's the highs and lows of being sixteen, the rush of doing what you were made to do, the hurt of being rejected by a person who is by rights supposed to be your champion. For Faith, those last two are musical theatre and her mother, but the book is written with a deep emotion that transcends the story's specifics. Faith's first-person voice is full of poetry and passion, a reflection of her love for music and acting and life itself. Chase makes it easy to root for her and for her blossoming relationship with Noah, who shares her dreams of musical theatre and is an all-around honorable guy. Their foundation of friendship is probably my favorite part of the story.
As the author peels back the layers of dysfunction in Faith's family, the sunburst disappears for a while behind storm clouds of Faith's hurt, frustration, and helplessness. Which brings me to my other favorite element (predictably, I guess): what at first seems to be "only" a love story is much more than that. There's a bit of a tonal shift that might catch some readers off-guard as Faith loses the support of almost everyone in her life, but in this choice, the author finds a deeper substance to her story. And the sunshine will return: like real life, all the more beautiful for the shadows.
Looking forward to Chase's future books, no matter what genre she explores next.
November 19, 2016
Intermission is the story of Faith and Noah, two teens who share a love of all things drama – acting, singing, all of it. They meet by chance and become best of friends … and then a little more. However, there are several major things standing in the way of them becoming couple. Namely, Faith’s parents who think drama is a waste of time and that Noah must be trouble.
I have not enjoyed a book this much in such a long time. I sat down with this book thinking it would be a nice, light YA (young adult) read. Several hours later I had laughed, cried, yelled (at least in my head), and my heart was near bursting. So, instead of accomplishing several tasks that evening, I sat and read, and read, and read some more. I truly couldn’t put it down until I knew what happened.
This is one of those books that just draws you in and time flies by while you live right alongside the characters. In fact, one of my kids attempted to interrupt me near the end and it took everything I had to pause for them.
I have not enjoyed a book this much in such a long time. I sat down with this book thinking it would be a nice, light YA (young adult) read. Several hours later I had laughed, cried, yelled (at least in my head), and my heart was near bursting. So, instead of accomplishing several tasks that evening, I sat and read, and read, and read some more. I truly couldn’t put it down until I knew what happened.
This is one of those books that just draws you in and time flies by while you live right alongside the characters. In fact, one of my kids attempted to interrupt me near the end and it took everything I had to pause for them.
March 25, 2022
This book was AMAZING!
November 16, 2016
This review is also posted on Book by Book.
A contemporary YA romance featuring musical references, sweet moments, and frustrating challenges, Intermission by Serena Chase offers readers a beautifully realistic coming-of-age story. Heart-tugging and hope-filled, it’s not one easily forgotten, and fans of YA fiction should not hesitate to read it (right now).
Faith Prescott, with her theater-centered dreams, doesn’t fit into her practical, success-driven family, and she never truly feels understood—until she meets a fellow musical theater lover, Noah Spencer. The fast friendship that develops between Faith and Noah leads them down a road toward first love, faith in God, and dreams worthy of perseverance, amidst conflict, doubt, and injustice.
Throughout Intermission, author Serena Chase addresses a host of serious and relevant issues with authenticity, sensitivity, and grace (and appropriately lightens the mood with moments of humor). Her storytelling surrounding Faith and Noah engages all the emotions, leaves readers with an uplifting message, and, perhaps, encourages an interest in showtunes. It delights, frustrates, and encourages, and I can’t help but recommend Intermission; it’s worth reading.
Many, many thanks to the author for providing me a copy of Intermission. I was not required to write a positive review, and all the opinions I have expressed are my own.
A contemporary YA romance featuring musical references, sweet moments, and frustrating challenges, Intermission by Serena Chase offers readers a beautifully realistic coming-of-age story. Heart-tugging and hope-filled, it’s not one easily forgotten, and fans of YA fiction should not hesitate to read it (right now).
Faith Prescott, with her theater-centered dreams, doesn’t fit into her practical, success-driven family, and she never truly feels understood—until she meets a fellow musical theater lover, Noah Spencer. The fast friendship that develops between Faith and Noah leads them down a road toward first love, faith in God, and dreams worthy of perseverance, amidst conflict, doubt, and injustice.
Throughout Intermission, author Serena Chase addresses a host of serious and relevant issues with authenticity, sensitivity, and grace (and appropriately lightens the mood with moments of humor). Her storytelling surrounding Faith and Noah engages all the emotions, leaves readers with an uplifting message, and, perhaps, encourages an interest in showtunes. It delights, frustrates, and encourages, and I can’t help but recommend Intermission; it’s worth reading.
Many, many thanks to the author for providing me a copy of Intermission. I was not required to write a positive review, and all the opinions I have expressed are my own.
February 6, 2017
**I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.**
Title: Intermission
Author: Serena Chase
My Rating: 5 Huge Musical Stars
Genre: YA Contemporary Romance
I've always felt there are just some books that you're meant to read...
Intermission is one of them.
Intermission tells the story of a teen girl dreaming of the spotlight, hoping to make her mark in the musical theater world but soon finding out sometimes the show doesn't go as planned.
When Faith Prescott runs into 19-year-old Noah Spencer while spending time at her secret hideaway, the stage is set for romance. They immediately connect over their shared love of musical theater. And sparks begin to fly for Faith as their friendship builds and turns into something more. But their love is met with resistance. If only Faith's parents could see the innocence of their relationship. If they could see that Noah is one of the good guys. If only they would let Noah & Faith be together. Then maybe Faith wouldn't have to wait two years to see if Noah will show up to the place where they first met.
Will they be able to pick up where they left off? Will Noah even show?
"We are starlight on snow. The reflection of something already beautiful-absorbed, reflected, and remade into something ... more." -Faith
Intermission is one of those books that immediately pull you in. I loved the authors writing style and Noah & Faith's story was executed perfectly! I fell in love with Noah right from the beginning! (He's basically my dream guy!). It was so refreshing to see a young male Christian character in an YA Romance! As a Christian, I thought Noah was an inspiration. To see his faith in the middle of their adversity was encouraging! Major props to the author for including Bible verses! I loved reading how Faith drew closer to God and sought His guidance. And to see God at work in Faith & Noah's story was incredible.
Noah and Faith's relationship was believable and captured the essence of young love beautifully. My heart broke when Faith was forbidden to see Noah any more because of wrong accusations and prejudices. I could feel her pain over losing her first love. I was almost brought to tears over their situation.
When Faith & Noah agreed to meet 2 years later at the waterfall where they first met, I was on the edge of my seat hoping that Noah would show. Hoping that their show wasn't over.
Overall:
Beautiful story. Beautifully written. I recommend Intermission to anyone wanting to read a sweet YA Romance that's filled with hope! I know I was blessed by reading Faith and Noah's story.
Thank you to the publisher, Candent Gate LLC, for allowing me the chance to read this book!
~KristaMae
December 14, 2016
I am still left without words...
First and foremost, this book was provided through NetGalley. Thank you.
Second, I hop I can do this without crying.
Faith Prescott (or Madeline Faith) is sixteen and ready to storm the Broadway stage. One day during a hike, she meets Noah Spencer at the waterfall in the national park behind her house. Their love of Broadway and show tunes is what brought them close over time. Their love is what propels this story.
Faith's mother is a royal B*+¢#... The fact she hated her own child because she wasn't sporty or into something like accounting... I know this type of mother first hand, and every time I read her, I had to put the book down and walk away because I found myself cursing the screen. Numerous times.
The mother is what made your gut wrench. Noah is what made your heart melt.
He was a good Christian boy. The son of missionaries. He had grand plans for going to London to hone his craft on stage. He just never expected to find Faith. And let me tell you, he will bring about a few tears.
Faith is who this story is about. Through her, you get both parts--the good and the bad. The stressfulness of living with a mother like that. The fact love is really at every turn. Dreams that want to be fulfilled. And maybe a love that will break your heart. She is a good, well rounded character. From sixteen to nineteen, she is solid.
I never expected to experience so many emotions in one story that seemed simply a teen romance. There are so many levels within the story, it feels like every emotion has been touched along the way. It was a great surprise to find such depths here.
And that ending? No spoilers! I will say it wasn't a cliffie, but for a bit there, it was tense! The wads of tissues I had are proof. It concluded satisfactorily. I just can't say if it was good or bad without ruining it for everyone.
I can't leave this review without mentioning the act divisions. They were decorated with musical notes and the masks of drama. Very nice addition! And the fun of the image sometimes contrasted the drama of the story. Felt balanced and less stressful.
I recommend this book. Just for the love story alone. The rest is just a bonus.
Thank you NetGalley for the wonderful book!
A DECEMBER 2016 READ
First and foremost, this book was provided through NetGalley. Thank you.
Second, I hop I can do this without crying.
Faith Prescott (or Madeline Faith) is sixteen and ready to storm the Broadway stage. One day during a hike, she meets Noah Spencer at the waterfall in the national park behind her house. Their love of Broadway and show tunes is what brought them close over time. Their love is what propels this story.
Faith's mother is a royal B*+¢#... The fact she hated her own child because she wasn't sporty or into something like accounting... I know this type of mother first hand, and every time I read her, I had to put the book down and walk away because I found myself cursing the screen. Numerous times.
The mother is what made your gut wrench. Noah is what made your heart melt.
He was a good Christian boy. The son of missionaries. He had grand plans for going to London to hone his craft on stage. He just never expected to find Faith. And let me tell you, he will bring about a few tears.
Faith is who this story is about. Through her, you get both parts--the good and the bad. The stressfulness of living with a mother like that. The fact love is really at every turn. Dreams that want to be fulfilled. And maybe a love that will break your heart. She is a good, well rounded character. From sixteen to nineteen, she is solid.
I never expected to experience so many emotions in one story that seemed simply a teen romance. There are so many levels within the story, it feels like every emotion has been touched along the way. It was a great surprise to find such depths here.
And that ending? No spoilers! I will say it wasn't a cliffie, but for a bit there, it was tense! The wads of tissues I had are proof. It concluded satisfactorily. I just can't say if it was good or bad without ruining it for everyone.
I can't leave this review without mentioning the act divisions. They were decorated with musical notes and the masks of drama. Very nice addition! And the fun of the image sometimes contrasted the drama of the story. Felt balanced and less stressful.
I recommend this book. Just for the love story alone. The rest is just a bonus.
Thank you NetGalley for the wonderful book!
A DECEMBER 2016 READ
November 15, 2016
When I began reading Intermission, I expected a cute romance with a musical theatre backdrop. And that's what it is, in part. However, Intermission is surprisingly deep, dealing with abuse, finding God, and what it means to honor your parents.
I read Intermission on an airplane, and I had to fight back tears a couple of times, lest the people around me think me a basket case. Faith's relationship with her mother was particularly heartbreaking, and I found myself thanking God for the gift He gave me in my own mother, who bears not one iota of resemblance to Faith's. As Faith's relationship with Noah progressed and her relationship with her mother eroded, I just wanted to grab Faith's mother and knock some sense into her. I know that women like her exist, but I don't have firsthand experience with them; I'm so glad I had a godly example of motherhood in my own life.
The romance between Faith and Noah is sweet yet fraught with turmoil as they seek to honor God and Faith's parents. They go through many trials, and I thought Chase handled the whole "Faith's parents are wrong, but they still are her parents" thing well.
Intermission is a sweet, thought-provoking young adult romance. I absolutely loved it, and I can't wait to read more of Chase's work. 5 stars.
Content note: Intermission contains instances of physical, emotional, and verbal abuse. Nothing is ever graphic or sexual in nature, and I think it's perfectly appropriate for teens and older, but it may be a trigger for those who have suffered abuse.
Disclosure of material connection: I received this book free from the author. I was not required to write a positive review, and the opinions expressed are my own.
I read Intermission on an airplane, and I had to fight back tears a couple of times, lest the people around me think me a basket case. Faith's relationship with her mother was particularly heartbreaking, and I found myself thanking God for the gift He gave me in my own mother, who bears not one iota of resemblance to Faith's. As Faith's relationship with Noah progressed and her relationship with her mother eroded, I just wanted to grab Faith's mother and knock some sense into her. I know that women like her exist, but I don't have firsthand experience with them; I'm so glad I had a godly example of motherhood in my own life.
The romance between Faith and Noah is sweet yet fraught with turmoil as they seek to honor God and Faith's parents. They go through many trials, and I thought Chase handled the whole "Faith's parents are wrong, but they still are her parents" thing well.
Intermission is a sweet, thought-provoking young adult romance. I absolutely loved it, and I can't wait to read more of Chase's work. 5 stars.
Content note: Intermission contains instances of physical, emotional, and verbal abuse. Nothing is ever graphic or sexual in nature, and I think it's perfectly appropriate for teens and older, but it may be a trigger for those who have suffered abuse.
Disclosure of material connection: I received this book free from the author. I was not required to write a positive review, and the opinions expressed are my own.
December 9, 2016
Before starting Intermission, I checked it out in goodreads because I had never heard of Serena Chase nor had I read any of her books. So, I thought of giving it a try.
This is the story of Madeline Faith Prescott, who is artsy and a dreamer and completely opposite to her family. She meets Noah Spencer, someone who finally gets her, and they fall in love despite the little age difference. Her parents disapprove of the guy but Intermission is the story of how they conquer their love, in the midst of all the hurdles.
The opening was a bit weird. The first few words were a little too jumbled up, almost as if the author was trying too hard (sorry!!). In fact, the first half of the book felt a little slow with Noah and Faith falling in love, her mother disapproving and everything. It just felt like a sweet and cute romance.
And then the drama unfolds. As the story proceeded, my hatred towards Faith's mother kept on increasing and increasing. I despised her, I hated her. I was so angry. How can a mother be like that? Her loser husband was a sorry excuse of a father. Her best friend was a lousy person.
And I felt so hurt. For a teenager who wants to aspire and follow her dreams, but can't because your parents think they know everything, this book can be more than just a contemporary novel.
A cute and gushy contemporary read dissolves into a completely different plotline where hearts shatter, just not the way you think it will. This book is so deep and holds such a strong meaning and I want every teenager to read this.
Intermission is a beautiful read
You should definitely check this out.
This is the story of Madeline Faith Prescott, who is artsy and a dreamer and completely opposite to her family. She meets Noah Spencer, someone who finally gets her, and they fall in love despite the little age difference. Her parents disapprove of the guy but Intermission is the story of how they conquer their love, in the midst of all the hurdles.
The opening was a bit weird. The first few words were a little too jumbled up, almost as if the author was trying too hard (sorry!!). In fact, the first half of the book felt a little slow with Noah and Faith falling in love, her mother disapproving and everything. It just felt like a sweet and cute romance.
And then the drama unfolds. As the story proceeded, my hatred towards Faith's mother kept on increasing and increasing. I despised her, I hated her. I was so angry. How can a mother be like that? Her loser husband was a sorry excuse of a father. Her best friend was a lousy person.
And I felt so hurt. For a teenager who wants to aspire and follow her dreams, but can't because your parents think they know everything, this book can be more than just a contemporary novel.
A cute and gushy contemporary read dissolves into a completely different plotline where hearts shatter, just not the way you think it will. This book is so deep and holds such a strong meaning and I want every teenager to read this.
Intermission is a beautiful read
You should definitely check this out.
October 14, 2016
Have you ever had a dream and you really feel you can do it, only to have those people who are close to you tell you it’s a stupid, worthless dream?
Well, that’s what the main character in this book feels.
Ever since she was a young girl Faith has wanted to act and sing but her parents think this is a worthless endeavor. Faith always feels pressure to do what her parents want her to do, from changing her name, to choosing the “right” college, to not dating unless they meet and approve of the young man.
Well…..that is until she comes across Noah, who starts to show her she is more than what they think.
Faith also deals with never being good enough for her parents’ love. She’s always being compared to her sister who can do no wrong and yet the parents don’t know the whole story.
This book will bring out lots of emotions in you. You’ll feel despair, sadness, loneliness, anger, forgiveness, tenderness, hope, and a bit of sweet love.
It will show you the ins and outs of acting on a stage and introduce you to the fun of being in a theater. It will also shows you a tender love of two young people who have many challenges against them.
I LOVED THIS BOOK! Ms. Chase has really touched on issues facing young people today.
I received a copy of this wonderful book from the publisher to read in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own. I highly recommend this book to read….but just be warned…. it will touch your heart in many ways and you might not sleep until you’re done with it!
Well, that’s what the main character in this book feels.
Ever since she was a young girl Faith has wanted to act and sing but her parents think this is a worthless endeavor. Faith always feels pressure to do what her parents want her to do, from changing her name, to choosing the “right” college, to not dating unless they meet and approve of the young man.
Well…..that is until she comes across Noah, who starts to show her she is more than what they think.
Faith also deals with never being good enough for her parents’ love. She’s always being compared to her sister who can do no wrong and yet the parents don’t know the whole story.
This book will bring out lots of emotions in you. You’ll feel despair, sadness, loneliness, anger, forgiveness, tenderness, hope, and a bit of sweet love.
It will show you the ins and outs of acting on a stage and introduce you to the fun of being in a theater. It will also shows you a tender love of two young people who have many challenges against them.
I LOVED THIS BOOK! Ms. Chase has really touched on issues facing young people today.
I received a copy of this wonderful book from the publisher to read in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own. I highly recommend this book to read….but just be warned…. it will touch your heart in many ways and you might not sleep until you’re done with it!
November 11, 2016
I had a hard time putting this book down. Serena Chase has written an engaging story with well developed characters. She adds great Musical Theater references that even those who aren't immersed in Musical Theater will enjoy. The story involves a young woman discovering her voice while following her dream. The character faces a very difficult situation with her mother, but her faith helps her to make wise decisions. The story also involves a wonderful love story that any young woman could learn from the example. The book does involve topics such as under-age drinking, pre-marital sex and abuse. These topics are handled carefully and are relevant to young adults today. I was given a copy of this book to review early and I hope she writes more about these characters. I recommend this book to young adults and their parents and to Musical Theater fans, you are going to love this book.
November 19, 2016
Intermission made me rage. It made me angry, and sad, and full of righteous indignation for Faith. The most powerful and compelling aspect of this story is the subtle and systematic way that we dismiss and accept emotional abuse, especially if it is by a parent. Faith’s mother projects her fears and insecurities and worse, her disrespect and hatred for her sister on her daughter just because she isn’t a mirror image of her perfect, blonde, athletic ideal. What she subjects Faith to because she refuses to believe her daughter despite literal proof is disgusting and mortifying. I mean, the emotions are strong in this story. It totally consumed my thoughts. And that no one even tries to step in. It drove me insane.
Read more here: https://youngadultbookmadness.wordpre...
Read more here: https://youngadultbookmadness.wordpre...
April 28, 2017
Intermission left me breathless in the best way. My internal book-rating system includes a heart-clench level, and this book made that level explode off of the charts. I had to fight off tears while reading in the waiting room of my daughter's ballet class.
This beautifully-written, gut-wrenching story is not only a touching, tender, and chaste love story, but an examination of obedience, an exploration of faith, and God's magnificent plans for our lives - which may not follow our plans or our timelines.
The injustice Faith suffers will break your heart. Her growth both in virtue and courage will make you cheer. And God's tender mercy towards her and Noah will leave you with a song in your heart whether you're a musical theater buff or not.
This beautifully-written, gut-wrenching story is not only a touching, tender, and chaste love story, but an examination of obedience, an exploration of faith, and God's magnificent plans for our lives - which may not follow our plans or our timelines.
The injustice Faith suffers will break your heart. Her growth both in virtue and courage will make you cheer. And God's tender mercy towards her and Noah will leave you with a song in your heart whether you're a musical theater buff or not.
February 5, 2017
Rating: 5/5 Stars
Last night I read Intermission by Serena Chase, and it was an unforgettable night. I starting reading it before dinner telling myself “Just one chapter so I can get into it”, I read four. Later that night I was so excited to continue; I got so involved that I didn’t stop until I’d finished it way to far into the early hours of the next morning.
I’d also like to say how gorgeous the cover is. The colours, swirls, music notes, photography and lighting, everything is so pretty and perfect for this book. The title also suits the story incredibly well and is very thought out.
If you want to read the rest of my review, go check it out on my blog ☺
https://photosbooksandfairylights.wor...
Last night I read Intermission by Serena Chase, and it was an unforgettable night. I starting reading it before dinner telling myself “Just one chapter so I can get into it”, I read four. Later that night I was so excited to continue; I got so involved that I didn’t stop until I’d finished it way to far into the early hours of the next morning.
I’d also like to say how gorgeous the cover is. The colours, swirls, music notes, photography and lighting, everything is so pretty and perfect for this book. The title also suits the story incredibly well and is very thought out.
If you want to read the rest of my review, go check it out on my blog ☺
https://photosbooksandfairylights.wor...
August 15, 2017
*I received this book in exchange for an honest review. A huge thanks to NetGalley and the publisher!*
I was instantly drawn to this novel by the synopsis. The musical theater/artsy aspect really intrigued me. Plus, I really like the cover. I’m really glad I gave this book a chance!
Overall, this was a really enjoyable contemporary read. There are a few scenes that felt very frustrating, which is why I didn’t give it 5 complete stars, but I really ended up enjoying this one more than I anticipated. I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a good love story!
Check out my full review here:
https://thecalicobooks.wordpress.com/...
I was instantly drawn to this novel by the synopsis. The musical theater/artsy aspect really intrigued me. Plus, I really like the cover. I’m really glad I gave this book a chance!
Overall, this was a really enjoyable contemporary read. There are a few scenes that felt very frustrating, which is why I didn’t give it 5 complete stars, but I really ended up enjoying this one more than I anticipated. I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a good love story!
Check out my full review here:
https://thecalicobooks.wordpress.com/...
November 15, 2016
"For every aspiring young
performer,
inventor,
writer,
artist,
& creative visionary
brave enough to give voice to a dream but strangled by the phrase,
"but you need something to fall back on"...
Hold on.
& when you're certain that what you're holding on to is something true...
Leap."
The minute I read the dedication for Serena Chase's YA novel, Intermission, I knew I was in for an emotional, fun ride. This story is truly a love letter to those in the arts and also those with big dreams in any field who feel like their hopes are being strangled by the circumstances and people around them.
Sixteen-year-old Faith Prescott is a smart, talented young woman with a big dream of making it on Broadway someday. She's working hard on making that dream come true, but unfortunately, her family--a mix of athletes and doctors--just don't get it. Her mother is especially discouraging since her own sister's love of the arts led to her downfall. So when Faith meets Noah--another musical lover and Broadway hopeful--she finally has someone who understands her at a soul level. But, like any good stage drama, Faith and Noah's relationship is filled with obstacles--from an age difference to religion to her parents' disapproval to opportunities a continent away--that definitely make them star-crossed.
Intermission deals with gray areas in life with grace and heart-wrenching honesty. Noah is adorable, sweet, and wise, but I grew to love Faith as she transformed from girl to young woman through her emotional struggles. While this story is filled with drama, there's also a lot of fun, particularly with all the references to musicals, both classic and modern. I would love to see Noah and Faith's story play out on stage. With plenty of showtunes of course!
I've been a fan of Serena Chase's writing ever since I read her Eyes of E'veria series. This is her first contemporary novel, and I think it's safe to say, she excels in both fantasy and contemporary. True romantics, coming-age enthusiasts, dreamers, and musical theatre peeps and fans, RISE UP, and check out this book, because this story was written for you.
*Clean, but recommended for 16+ for mature topics.
**I was provided a copy of this book by the author. All opinions in this review are my own.
performer,
inventor,
writer,
artist,
& creative visionary
brave enough to give voice to a dream but strangled by the phrase,
"but you need something to fall back on"...
Hold on.
& when you're certain that what you're holding on to is something true...
Leap."
The minute I read the dedication for Serena Chase's YA novel, Intermission, I knew I was in for an emotional, fun ride. This story is truly a love letter to those in the arts and also those with big dreams in any field who feel like their hopes are being strangled by the circumstances and people around them.
Sixteen-year-old Faith Prescott is a smart, talented young woman with a big dream of making it on Broadway someday. She's working hard on making that dream come true, but unfortunately, her family--a mix of athletes and doctors--just don't get it. Her mother is especially discouraging since her own sister's love of the arts led to her downfall. So when Faith meets Noah--another musical lover and Broadway hopeful--she finally has someone who understands her at a soul level. But, like any good stage drama, Faith and Noah's relationship is filled with obstacles--from an age difference to religion to her parents' disapproval to opportunities a continent away--that definitely make them star-crossed.
Intermission deals with gray areas in life with grace and heart-wrenching honesty. Noah is adorable, sweet, and wise, but I grew to love Faith as she transformed from girl to young woman through her emotional struggles. While this story is filled with drama, there's also a lot of fun, particularly with all the references to musicals, both classic and modern. I would love to see Noah and Faith's story play out on stage. With plenty of showtunes of course!
I've been a fan of Serena Chase's writing ever since I read her Eyes of E'veria series. This is her first contemporary novel, and I think it's safe to say, she excels in both fantasy and contemporary. True romantics, coming-age enthusiasts, dreamers, and musical theatre peeps and fans, RISE UP, and check out this book, because this story was written for you.
*Clean, but recommended for 16+ for mature topics.
**I was provided a copy of this book by the author. All opinions in this review are my own.
November 14, 2020
Ah, mixed feelings! I would love to love this story and I love some parts, still. I so wish I could be the editor of this novel, so I could cut out certain parts and modify some other parts! Because while Ms Chase is a very skilled author who can set her stage right (pun intended) and build up the emotions well, some motives got over- or underplayed.
I would concentrate on the topic of the domestic abuse much more, in my opinion this issue needs to be addressed much more than the importance of following one's dream in the arts (or any dream, really, because the abuse can break the soul deeply). Really, some sins are strongly overplayed and some are seriously underplayed. The ending chapters are saving grace about these issues, or I would have written some serious homily of a review about sin and God's love as a motive to not sin.
Also, the romance does not work for me - mostly because I do not feel Noah. I went from "how good boy" to "not good!" quite fast. I have two reasons for that - Noah is seriously scrupulous and might come off as manipulative in how he wants to set the "moral tone" within the relationship - and also, Faith is somehow let alone to solve all her troubles, Noah never really asks about the family issues and never really helps. Faith, an incredibly strong female character, is let alone to fight some brutal fights, while the seemingly loving boyfriend is off reach.
So, what works? The setting is very strong. And even of I criticise the usage of some motives, I find it wonderful that they are used! The zany and cheek-in tongue humour is winderful! As is the openness in discussing sexuality-related issues (with the purest intentions). The readability factor is high and I rarely enjoy the pages the way I did here.
I feel that Ms Chase has a big future ahead herself as a writer. The things I critically review here as simply the acts of polishing and honing the craft ideas. But the remarkable talent, humour and way to connect with the reader's heart are gifts one can not learn.
I would concentrate on the topic of the domestic abuse much more, in my opinion this issue needs to be addressed much more than the importance of following one's dream in the arts (or any dream, really, because the abuse can break the soul deeply). Really, some sins are strongly overplayed and some are seriously underplayed. The ending chapters are saving grace about these issues, or I would have written some serious homily of a review about sin and God's love as a motive to not sin.
Also, the romance does not work for me - mostly because I do not feel Noah. I went from "how good boy" to "not good!" quite fast. I have two reasons for that - Noah is seriously scrupulous and might come off as manipulative in how he wants to set the "moral tone" within the relationship - and also, Faith is somehow let alone to solve all her troubles, Noah never really asks about the family issues and never really helps. Faith, an incredibly strong female character, is let alone to fight some brutal fights, while the seemingly loving boyfriend is off reach.
So, what works? The setting is very strong. And even of I criticise the usage of some motives, I find it wonderful that they are used! The zany and cheek-in tongue humour is winderful! As is the openness in discussing sexuality-related issues (with the purest intentions). The readability factor is high and I rarely enjoy the pages the way I did here.
I feel that Ms Chase has a big future ahead herself as a writer. The things I critically review here as simply the acts of polishing and honing the craft ideas. But the remarkable talent, humour and way to connect with the reader's heart are gifts one can not learn.
February 6, 2017
I absolutely adored Intermission by Serena Chase. This may be a YA novel that I was previewing for my daughters, but even though I'm 39, I absolutely loved it. It certainly brought me back to my theater days with all of it's show tune references. It does deal with some very tough issues of emotional and physical abuse, but the author does it in an amazingly real, yet tender way. The characters are so real and relatable, and the writing is superb. I highly recommend this!
Faith is a talented sophomore who dreams of making it big on broadway, but she's up against some tough stereotypes and ideals from her parents who treat her as less than worthy because of her creative passions. She encounters Noah, a missionary kid who's trying to make it on his own and make it to broadway as well. But he's so much older...and her mother is bent on keeping them apart even though she refuses to even meet him.
Serena Chase writes this story so beautifully. The characters act and say so many things I thought as a teen and did as a teen. Even the silly, goofy stuff. The stuff that would never mean anything to anyone else, but means the world between the two who shared the moment. Even the awkward in-between situations we sometimes find ourselves in when we know it's not likely to work out, but hoping for the best and most of it anyway. Faith and Noah are respectable role models in making the best out of some bad situations and having the maturity to know when it's time to say goodbye. Faith bends a few of the house rules around a "technicality" but overall makes good decisions as she explores her feelings toward Noah.
From the publisher:
Due to content involving instances of verbal, emotional and physical abuse directly and indirectly perpetrated against the main character, this book is recommended for ages 14+
I received an ARC from the publisher. No review was required–all opinions are my own.
Faith is a talented sophomore who dreams of making it big on broadway, but she's up against some tough stereotypes and ideals from her parents who treat her as less than worthy because of her creative passions. She encounters Noah, a missionary kid who's trying to make it on his own and make it to broadway as well. But he's so much older...and her mother is bent on keeping them apart even though she refuses to even meet him.
Serena Chase writes this story so beautifully. The characters act and say so many things I thought as a teen and did as a teen. Even the silly, goofy stuff. The stuff that would never mean anything to anyone else, but means the world between the two who shared the moment. Even the awkward in-between situations we sometimes find ourselves in when we know it's not likely to work out, but hoping for the best and most of it anyway. Faith and Noah are respectable role models in making the best out of some bad situations and having the maturity to know when it's time to say goodbye. Faith bends a few of the house rules around a "technicality" but overall makes good decisions as she explores her feelings toward Noah.
From the publisher:
Due to content involving instances of verbal, emotional and physical abuse directly and indirectly perpetrated against the main character, this book is recommended for ages 14+
I received an ARC from the publisher. No review was required–all opinions are my own.
May 8, 2017
Contemporary set books have never been my "number one,go-to" books, but I've developed a better love for them in the past couple of years. So when I saw this book for review, I decided to give it a chance. I'd never read another book by the author before, but I'd seen her fantasy series around. How did I like this book?
I think I'm going to say that I simply liked it. Honestly, there wasn't anything that struck me as fantastic, but it was still a nice little read. The writing was lovely. I enjoyed the author's voice, and the fact that the story was clean. (It's getting SO hard to find clean fiction YA, ya'll. Wayyy too hard. #endofgripe). Also, it was neat to see the spiritual growth of Faith, and how she and Noah (ze hero of book) were shown with a desire to do right, but realistically. You know, so that their struggle did not show just two perfect, flat characters who do right all the time and are 100% having no issues with mistakes. Like, thank you, Mrs. Chase. Also, I like how the book starts in the present, then goes back to the past, then back to the present so that you learn to care what's happening in the present.
Now for the cons... Well, for one, the story just moved at a slower pace than I'd have liked, making it seem like it took quite a while to read. This is probably due to the fact that this book is mostly a romance, and there did not seem to be much else happening until the latter part of the book.... And, yeah, that's the con.
So, if you like Christian contemporary, clean romance, and something that does (eventually) deal with some tough life issues, then give "Intermission" by Serena Chase a try. I'm giving it a rating of four.
*Thanks to the publisher through Netgalley for a free e-copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review.
I think I'm going to say that I simply liked it. Honestly, there wasn't anything that struck me as fantastic, but it was still a nice little read. The writing was lovely. I enjoyed the author's voice, and the fact that the story was clean. (It's getting SO hard to find clean fiction YA, ya'll. Wayyy too hard. #endofgripe). Also, it was neat to see the spiritual growth of Faith, and how she and Noah (ze hero of book) were shown with a desire to do right, but realistically. You know, so that their struggle did not show just two perfect, flat characters who do right all the time and are 100% having no issues with mistakes. Like, thank you, Mrs. Chase. Also, I like how the book starts in the present, then goes back to the past, then back to the present so that you learn to care what's happening in the present.
Now for the cons... Well, for one, the story just moved at a slower pace than I'd have liked, making it seem like it took quite a while to read. This is probably due to the fact that this book is mostly a romance, and there did not seem to be much else happening until the latter part of the book.... And, yeah, that's the con.
So, if you like Christian contemporary, clean romance, and something that does (eventually) deal with some tough life issues, then give "Intermission" by Serena Chase a try. I'm giving it a rating of four.
*Thanks to the publisher through Netgalley for a free e-copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review.
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