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Love in London #1
The Weight of Life
Mila “Don’t let go.” Those were my first words to him, as I hung over the side of a London bridge. The words I would soon say again, in a moment that didn’t involve bridges, but something much more my heart. He held onto me for three weeks, in a time when I needed to be held. Needed to connect to someone who understood how loss tunneled unrepentantly through the fabric of your soul. Although he said he'd stay, we both knew he wouldn't. I had already survived one loss—I didn't know if I'd survive another. Ames She spun into my life like a tornado of smiles and chatter and everything else I'd long avoided, with a persistence that I admired, albeit begrudgingly. She broke down each neat wall I’d constructed without even trying. Her presence alone caused me to remember what it felt like to smile, to look forward to what the day would bring. But it was only supposed to last three weeks. “Don’t let go,” she’d pleaded. I’d promised her I wouldn’t—but I would. I didn't have a choice. ---- The Weight of Life is the first standalone novel in the Love in London series. The second book, The Sounds of Secrets, features characters from this novel.
276 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 28, 2017
385 people are currently reading
1986 people want to read
About the author
Whitney Barbetti
18 books1,341 followers***Please message me via my website - I am almost never on Goodreads! Thank you!***
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I am the author of new adult and contemporary romance novels. Please visit my website to see all of my current novels.
Join my Facebook fan group (not a street team) for first looks at upcoming books, exclusive cover reveals, and giveaways!
I am the author of new adult and contemporary romance novels. Please visit my website to see all of my current novels.
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June 28, 2017
**5 Free Refilled Love Stars**
If Whitney Barbetti has gotten down anything in her writing it is pulling at heartstrings. And I am not just talking in parts of her stories. No, I mean through the entire thing. She never gives us a break whether it's grief filled or full of happiness. She writes characters who could easily be your best friends or your sister or your brother and because of that you find yourself not only pulling for them you find yourself feeling for them. Falling in love with them.
The Weight of Life could easily be Barbetti's best work to date in my eyes. The grief in this book is real. The feelings are real. The love is real. The heartbreak and hope are real. So real that I bet that every single one of has felt it all at some point in our lives.
We've met Mila in previous books but I don't think we saw enough of her to know just how positive she is about life. But even those rays of sunshine have their cloudy days and we find this is the exact reason she has left the states and gone on a bit of adventure in the name of work. She's struggling finding her way in life after losing the person who brought so much out in her.
Ames, oh sweet Ames. I don't think I have met a more perfect character. He too has his share of grief but seems to the be the cloudy day to Mila's unwavering sunshine. He just can't seem to shake it. But then one fateful night on a bridge and his world is forever changed. But can that ray of sunshine break through even the toughest of clouds?
There was no such thing as too much love, not when there were millions of others in the world with not enough.
Whitney has brought us a love story. Just a simple love story. But there really isn't anything simple about love is there? But she has proven that there is enough love to share again even when you don't think it's possible.
If Whitney Barbetti has gotten down anything in her writing it is pulling at heartstrings. And I am not just talking in parts of her stories. No, I mean through the entire thing. She never gives us a break whether it's grief filled or full of happiness. She writes characters who could easily be your best friends or your sister or your brother and because of that you find yourself not only pulling for them you find yourself feeling for them. Falling in love with them.
The Weight of Life could easily be Barbetti's best work to date in my eyes. The grief in this book is real. The feelings are real. The love is real. The heartbreak and hope are real. So real that I bet that every single one of has felt it all at some point in our lives.
We've met Mila in previous books but I don't think we saw enough of her to know just how positive she is about life. But even those rays of sunshine have their cloudy days and we find this is the exact reason she has left the states and gone on a bit of adventure in the name of work. She's struggling finding her way in life after losing the person who brought so much out in her.
Ames, oh sweet Ames. I don't think I have met a more perfect character. He too has his share of grief but seems to the be the cloudy day to Mila's unwavering sunshine. He just can't seem to shake it. But then one fateful night on a bridge and his world is forever changed. But can that ray of sunshine break through even the toughest of clouds?
There was no such thing as too much love, not when there were millions of others in the world with not enough.
Whitney has brought us a love story. Just a simple love story. But there really isn't anything simple about love is there? But she has proven that there is enough love to share again even when you don't think it's possible.
June 28, 2017
Two broken hearts. Both needed saving.
The Weight of Life might be my favorite book by Whitney Barbetti. It was so much different than her others, but it went just as deep, if not deeper. I don't think this review can do this story justice. I am without words on how beautiful it was. I couldn't put it down, but that's not a first for me with Whitney's books. She writes about the dark sides to life and she does it in such a beautiful way. Seriously, I finished days ago and still cannot put my feelings into the right words.
Although this is a standalone, it does follow a character who appeared in Into the Tomorrows and Back to Yesterday. TWOL follows Mila, the sister of the hero of ITT and BTY, and her journey to mending her broken heart.
She wasn't exactly a perfect person in ITT and BTY, but we all make mistakes. She knew that something had to change after she became single. Traveling to London to help with her brother's business, she worried that the heartache would consume her, but she knew she couldn't make the same mistakes she had made in the past. Enter Ames, the super sexy, somewhat stubborn pub owner who takes her on "non-dates" throughout London. A man she is fascinated with, but she can't do anything about it. One, because her heart is still broken, and two, because his heart isn't openly available. But he stole my heart right along with Mila's.
Mia wasn't my favorite person in ITT and BTY, but I was still excited she'd get her own story. I wanted to see her grow, to see her become a better person. And she definitely redeemed herself in TWOL.
There's this moment when the title of the book clicks...oh my god, I loved that moment. To me, it was very deep and profound. I don't cry with books, but it was definitely a breathtaking scene.
I hate to say that Ames may be my favorite hero of Whitney's. I love Jude hard, but Ames was just so much heart. The sacrifices he made for his family were incredibly selfless and he deserved everything he got in the end. That's the only thing I'll say. Good does come into his life.
TWOL was not as dark as her others, but it left me feeling just as much as they did. It's a beautiful story about how people cope differently with grief, second chances at love, and learning to live instead of just existing.
Like I said, I don't think my words do it justice. You need to read it for yourself to find out just how phenomenal it is.
The Weight of Life might be my favorite book by Whitney Barbetti. It was so much different than her others, but it went just as deep, if not deeper. I don't think this review can do this story justice. I am without words on how beautiful it was. I couldn't put it down, but that's not a first for me with Whitney's books. She writes about the dark sides to life and she does it in such a beautiful way. Seriously, I finished days ago and still cannot put my feelings into the right words.
Although this is a standalone, it does follow a character who appeared in Into the Tomorrows and Back to Yesterday. TWOL follows Mila, the sister of the hero of ITT and BTY, and her journey to mending her broken heart.
She wasn't exactly a perfect person in ITT and BTY, but we all make mistakes. She knew that something had to change after she became single. Traveling to London to help with her brother's business, she worried that the heartache would consume her, but she knew she couldn't make the same mistakes she had made in the past. Enter Ames, the super sexy, somewhat stubborn pub owner who takes her on "non-dates" throughout London. A man she is fascinated with, but she can't do anything about it. One, because her heart is still broken, and two, because his heart isn't openly available. But he stole my heart right along with Mila's.
Mia wasn't my favorite person in ITT and BTY, but I was still excited she'd get her own story. I wanted to see her grow, to see her become a better person. And she definitely redeemed herself in TWOL.
There's this moment when the title of the book clicks...oh my god, I loved that moment. To me, it was very deep and profound. I don't cry with books, but it was definitely a breathtaking scene.
I hate to say that Ames may be my favorite hero of Whitney's. I love Jude hard, but Ames was just so much heart. The sacrifices he made for his family were incredibly selfless and he deserved everything he got in the end. That's the only thing I'll say. Good does come into his life.
TWOL was not as dark as her others, but it left me feeling just as much as they did. It's a beautiful story about how people cope differently with grief, second chances at love, and learning to live instead of just existing.
Like I said, I don't think my words do it justice. You need to read it for yourself to find out just how phenomenal it is.
June 27, 2017
Sometimes my reviews are funny, clever, sassy, or ranty. Sometimes they're aloof, off putting, angry, or just downright foolish. BUT! I'm honest, and always will be. People may not always agree with my reviews or how I write them, but they're my personal thoughts. On that note, opposed to all of those aforementioned options, this review is going to be a personal one. Not something I've sat down and analyzed, I haven't planned it out for what paragraphs I'll write or what I might skip over, I just opened a new page and started typing.
I've never been in love, but just like everyone else in this world, one day I hope to feel truly loved and accepted. And while no, I don't mean the kind of love that my excellent family has stowed upon me, but the consuming and provoking type of love. Where you're cherished and valued, treated as more than an equal and like your ideas, thoughts and expressions are not only important, but nurtured. Now with this being said, I don't just mean that a girl should feel this way from her man, but visa versa as well. Doesn't everyone want that feeling? I've never had it, but I can hope that one day, I happen to find a man who can treat me how Ames treated Mila.
^I think I squeaked a little when I read that.
Romance novels often have a negative connotation to them in the 'real world', to the point were I have at times felt embarrassed to tell people what I prefer to read. Partially because I don't always have a lot of confidence, but also because people just associate it with your mother's smut books from the 1980s (or so I'm assuming. Also not suggesting that there is anything wrong with these books, just not my thing). They don't care to understand what romance in this day and age is about, they just judge, so I've always brushed this question off. But you know what? I read romance because I'm sick and tired of all the bad shit happening in the world. We deal with that enough in our day to day lives, I don't need to read about it in fiction as well. I'm a huge believer that if we spread a little more love, we wouldn't have as much violence. When there's more love in your heart and your mind, there's less room for the bad. Now, all of this was just sort of a roundabout way of getting to my next point, and that's this: The Weight of Life reminds me of why I fell in love with reading romance books. Not only did we get a story about two deserving people falling in love, but we got a complete story about characters and their growth, perseverance, morals, and even their outlooks on life. Barbetti shows the reader exactly what it feels like (I can imagine) to fall in love with someone who so unexpectedly breezed into your life and left an impact. These two were open with each other and extremely vulnerable, even early on. They didn't want to give it a chance and had so many reasons not to, but they showed us that sometimes all you need is one reason why you should try. I think the best things in life happen unplanned, and that's exactly how the relationship between Mila and Ames came about. This story just felt so organic, like I was sitting in the street people watching and spotted them, or like I was a customer in Ames' bar (HA!) watching it unfold. With the industry being so saturated, everyone wants to up their game. Make the hero more alpha, the heroine more broken, the sex hotter, the risks bigger, the drama more outrageous. But what about those stories where two people can just quietly fall in love without putting on a big production? To each their own, but these are the stories that I prefer, and that's exactly what TWOL is.
I guess I should probably talk about the characters and how they had issues, how one was running and the other was hiding, how they grew with each other and the like. But what I'm going to do is leave those discoveries for you to find. What I would prefer to say is how Ames was one of the most romantic heroes that I've ever had the privilege to read. He understood the importance of small gestures and touches, tenderness, of letting the heroine know he was thinking of her or wanted her close by just because. How he liked to make her smile or laugh, he'd take her to places that she would appreciate because they meant a lot to him. Then on the flip side, how Mila could be the sounding board to get Ames out of his head. The sunlight to his darkness, and music in his quiet world. She taught him how to live again and feel.
One of my favourite parts of this book was Mila's outlook on the hand she had been dealt, and how this changed the way Ames looked and reacted to certain things out of his control. This novel is a complete standalone, but set in the same world as Into The Tomorrows and Back to Yesterday, so there are repeating characters. In the first book especially, I really wasn't a fan of Mila, and with good reason. But wow, do I love when an author redeems a character for me! Mila is now one of my favourite heroines.
Without spoiling any of the stories, Mila has an extremely hard time with a promise that she was forced to keep. Not only this, but the fact that she had dealt with and witnessed so much, so recently, and was still able to smile and be happy. This doesn't mean she felt the pain any less, just that she wasn't letting it define her life. This value and this outlook on life was so amazing to me, I felt like it just opened my eyes to different ways of dealing with things. Stuff goes wrong. People make mistakes. Bad things happen. But these can't (and shouldn't) let you stop your life just to dwell in them. Otherwise, you'll never start living again. Mila takes this and applies it to everything and everyone which was so incredible to witness. This book was everything that I didn't know I needed in my life. A definite top favourite of the year.
I really liked the different emotions that are associated with the stories too. With Trista and Jude, the (I don't really want to call it a theme but I'm going to call it a theme) theme was sorrow, whereas with Mila and Ames it's heartbreak. And sort of along the same note, yes, Barbetti writes super angsty goodness that I love so much, but this book isn't overbearing. At times, heavy, sure, but other times there are so many feels and smiles and laughs that you can't help but join in. Then when she hits you with the angst, it is ANGST. This woman knows how to not only execute a novel, but write a story that her readers want to read. It's exceptional. From her sentence structure to the research she does, to crafting her characters to imagery to even the dialect of being in a foreign (to the heroine) country. You can feel the love this author has for her craft, and that's what's going to make her a big success.
After all of that, I feel like I hardly covered any of it but I need to stop somewhere. So really, someone hit me up, we'll go for lunch and I'll tell you absolutely all of my feels over this book. As for how I rate it? Who needs stars? Here Whitney, just take all of them, I don't need them anymore. #kthxbye #21grams
I can't wait to return to this world. Until next time. <3
Soundtrack: I'll Find You by Lecrae featuring Tori Kelly
*An ARC was received in exchange for an honest review. *
JOIN THE SISTERHOOD! FIND US ON: FACEBOOK / INSTAGRAM / TWITTER / BLOG
“Thank you, Ames.” He lifted his head, eyes connecting with mine from across the room. “For not letting go.” I gave him a small smile just before I pushed out the door.
I've never been in love, but just like everyone else in this world, one day I hope to feel truly loved and accepted. And while no, I don't mean the kind of love that my excellent family has stowed upon me, but the consuming and provoking type of love. Where you're cherished and valued, treated as more than an equal and like your ideas, thoughts and expressions are not only important, but nurtured. Now with this being said, I don't just mean that a girl should feel this way from her man, but visa versa as well. Doesn't everyone want that feeling? I've never had it, but I can hope that one day, I happen to find a man who can treat me how Ames treated Mila.
“I only make promises I know I can keep.”
A new light came over her. “On the bridge. You promised you wouldn’t let go of me.”
I nodded and hoped she saw the sincerity in my eyes. “I don’t promise things that I don’t know, with absolute sincerity, I can fulfill.”
“But you weren’t able to pull me over the railing. Eventually, you would’ve had to let me go.” I shook my head, and turned more fully toward her. I tightened my grip on her, not painfully so, but to emphasize how serious my next words were. “I meant it. I would’ve fallen in with you before I would’ve let go of you.”
“Oh.” Her voice had taken on a whisper of air—like she was suddenly weightless. She didn’t stop looking at me. It was if my words had suddenly taken on weight, making me feel completely grounded, stilled to stone.
And then, she blurted, “Why?”
I blinked. “Because I didn’t want you to be alone.”
^I think I squeaked a little when I read that.
Romance novels often have a negative connotation to them in the 'real world', to the point were I have at times felt embarrassed to tell people what I prefer to read. Partially because I don't always have a lot of confidence, but also because people just associate it with your mother's smut books from the 1980s (or so I'm assuming. Also not suggesting that there is anything wrong with these books, just not my thing). They don't care to understand what romance in this day and age is about, they just judge, so I've always brushed this question off. But you know what? I read romance because I'm sick and tired of all the bad shit happening in the world. We deal with that enough in our day to day lives, I don't need to read about it in fiction as well. I'm a huge believer that if we spread a little more love, we wouldn't have as much violence. When there's more love in your heart and your mind, there's less room for the bad. Now, all of this was just sort of a roundabout way of getting to my next point, and that's this: The Weight of Life reminds me of why I fell in love with reading romance books. Not only did we get a story about two deserving people falling in love, but we got a complete story about characters and their growth, perseverance, morals, and even their outlooks on life. Barbetti shows the reader exactly what it feels like (I can imagine) to fall in love with someone who so unexpectedly breezed into your life and left an impact. These two were open with each other and extremely vulnerable, even early on. They didn't want to give it a chance and had so many reasons not to, but they showed us that sometimes all you need is one reason why you should try. I think the best things in life happen unplanned, and that's exactly how the relationship between Mila and Ames came about. This story just felt so organic, like I was sitting in the street people watching and spotted them, or like I was a customer in Ames' bar (HA!) watching it unfold. With the industry being so saturated, everyone wants to up their game. Make the hero more alpha, the heroine more broken, the sex hotter, the risks bigger, the drama more outrageous. But what about those stories where two people can just quietly fall in love without putting on a big production? To each their own, but these are the stories that I prefer, and that's exactly what TWOL is.
"He tasted like heartbreak and hope."
I guess I should probably talk about the characters and how they had issues, how one was running and the other was hiding, how they grew with each other and the like. But what I'm going to do is leave those discoveries for you to find. What I would prefer to say is how Ames was one of the most romantic heroes that I've ever had the privilege to read. He understood the importance of small gestures and touches, tenderness, of letting the heroine know he was thinking of her or wanted her close by just because. How he liked to make her smile or laugh, he'd take her to places that she would appreciate because they meant a lot to him. Then on the flip side, how Mila could be the sounding board to get Ames out of his head. The sunlight to his darkness, and music in his quiet world. She taught him how to live again and feel.
“I don’t know what we’re doing. I don’t have any answers. I’m not looking for a relationship, especially not one with an expiration date.”
Her bottom lip jutted out and I glided my thumbs along her jaw. “But there’s one thing I do know, without a shred of doubt, and that’s when I touch you, I go a little stupid.” I felt her throat jump under my caressing. “You have an effect on me that I don’t want—but now that I know it exists, I don’t want to let go of it.”
“Promise?”
I held her eyes as long as I could. “I promise.”
One of my favourite parts of this book was Mila's outlook on the hand she had been dealt, and how this changed the way Ames looked and reacted to certain things out of his control. This novel is a complete standalone, but set in the same world as Into The Tomorrows and Back to Yesterday, so there are repeating characters. In the first book especially, I really wasn't a fan of Mila, and with good reason. But wow, do I love when an author redeems a character for me! Mila is now one of my favourite heroines.
Without spoiling any of the stories, Mila has an extremely hard time with a promise that she was forced to keep. Not only this, but the fact that she had dealt with and witnessed so much, so recently, and was still able to smile and be happy. This doesn't mean she felt the pain any less, just that she wasn't letting it define her life. This value and this outlook on life was so amazing to me, I felt like it just opened my eyes to different ways of dealing with things. Stuff goes wrong. People make mistakes. Bad things happen. But these can't (and shouldn't) let you stop your life just to dwell in them. Otherwise, you'll never start living again. Mila takes this and applies it to everything and everyone which was so incredible to witness. This book was everything that I didn't know I needed in my life. A definite top favourite of the year.
"I thought to myself, this woman has never touched any sadness in her life."
I let that sink in as my heart tumbled just a bit in my chest. "Well, that's not true. I’ve touched sadness. But I refuse to let it consume who I am.”
“It’s a choice—to wallow in despair or to acknowledge what can still bring happiness to my life. And I’m choosing to live despite the heartache."
I really liked the different emotions that are associated with the stories too. With Trista and Jude, the (I don't really want to call it a theme but I'm going to call it a theme) theme was sorrow, whereas with Mila and Ames it's heartbreak. And sort of along the same note, yes, Barbetti writes super angsty goodness that I love so much, but this book isn't overbearing. At times, heavy, sure, but other times there are so many feels and smiles and laughs that you can't help but join in. Then when she hits you with the angst, it is ANGST. This woman knows how to not only execute a novel, but write a story that her readers want to read. It's exceptional. From her sentence structure to the research she does, to crafting her characters to imagery to even the dialect of being in a foreign (to the heroine) country. You can feel the love this author has for her craft, and that's what's going to make her a big success.
"Don’t,” I pointed a finger at her and stood up from the bed, “tell me how to love, how to heal, how to breathe. Because you don’t even know me.”
After all of that, I feel like I hardly covered any of it but I need to stop somewhere. So really, someone hit me up, we'll go for lunch and I'll tell you absolutely all of my feels over this book. As for how I rate it? Who needs stars? Here Whitney, just take all of them, I don't need them anymore. #kthxbye #21grams
Ames: I was hoping there was a trellis or something of the sort for me to climb. Romeo and Juliet, right?
Me: You were going to climb up to my room?
Ames: Yeah. But not in a creepy way. In a very suave, Romeo way. And hopefully I wouldn’t be arrested or break something on my person.
I can't wait to return to this world. Until next time. <3
Soundtrack: I'll Find You by Lecrae featuring Tori Kelly
*An ARC was received in exchange for an honest review. *
JOIN THE SISTERHOOD! FIND US ON: FACEBOOK / INSTAGRAM / TWITTER / BLOG
June 21, 2017
“It’s a choice— to wallow in despair or to acknowledge what can still bring happiness to my life.
Mila is struggling between grieving and living. Her boyfriend Colin died three months ago and as per his last wish she didn't chain her life to his death. She is struggling everyday to get out of this maze of pain and loss , without anybody to hold her hand and lead her out. Add to that , the survivors guilt of being the healthier of the twins . She is stumbling through life, until one day , she's pushed over.......from the Bridge on River Thames!!!!
And who saves her ? . Ames . Who is the most generous of the heart .
" Don't let go !!
Never, I won't let you go"
And he doesn't..
The story has lots of deeper emotions running right under the surface. There are life lessons right there in the pages, hidden in the sadness of everyone's eyes. Ames and Mila share the sadness of the heart.
Lotte is feeling leashed and tethered to a life she didn't want. Asher surprisingly is the calm eye in the center of their chaotic life
The story will give you lots of feels, will make you cry and laugh too. And teach you how to live. Not by shrugging off the weight of life, but learn to live DESPITE it
4.5 stars
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Mila is struggling between grieving and living. Her boyfriend Colin died three months ago and as per his last wish she didn't chain her life to his death. She is struggling everyday to get out of this maze of pain and loss , without anybody to hold her hand and lead her out. Add to that , the survivors guilt of being the healthier of the twins . She is stumbling through life, until one day , she's pushed over.......from the Bridge on River Thames!!!!
And who saves her ? . Ames . Who is the most generous of the heart .
" Don't let go !!
Never, I won't let you go"
And he doesn't..
The story has lots of deeper emotions running right under the surface. There are life lessons right there in the pages, hidden in the sadness of everyone's eyes. Ames and Mila share the sadness of the heart.
Lotte is feeling leashed and tethered to a life she didn't want. Asher surprisingly is the calm eye in the center of their chaotic life
The story will give you lots of feels, will make you cry and laugh too. And teach you how to live. Not by shrugging off the weight of life, but learn to live DESPITE it
4.5 stars
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February 28, 2021
Something between 3,5 and 4 stars
I just couldn't round it up to 4 stars. I'll tell you why...
*********************************************
That was a book hard to read and even harder to evaluate/review as I have so many contradicting feelings about it.
Well, here they are...
The problems I had with the book:
1. The hero Ames’s wife died 2 years ago, he loved her so much that he didn’t look at another woman in those 2 years. He is still very sad about it. Well, a hero still caught up in the past is not my favorite type of hero. And besides, he likes to talk about his dead wife and the heroine likes to listen... Uhm, again, this is not something I like in my romance novel.
2. The heroine Mila’s boyfriend died 3 months ago. One may think that it is too early for a new romance. I did... I did think it was too early but this woman is a different type of person. She is very sad about her boyfriend’s death as she loved Colin very much but she is still adamant about enjoying life and trying to be happy with what life gives her.
It’s like she has her grief in a special part of her heart and the rest of the heart is still open for a new love and happiness. She lives grief, joy and happiness all at the same time. One has difficulty understanding her behavior, even her mother cannot but she is like that.
Her twin brother Jude has a serious heart condition. Her boyfriend Colin died of the same heart condition at a young age. Therefore, she knows how valuable each day in your life is so she seizes each day. This is not bad, it is just not something I am used to so I just couldn’t relate to her. I didn’t think it was something I could do after losing someone I loved so I couldn’t connect to her. Still, I respected her love of life.
3. Mila has a past story that made me dislike her at the very beginning and it took a long time for me to warm up to her. Her boyfriend had a girlfriend and at first, she didn’t know about it. Later, when she learned, she continued to see him because she loved him. I didn’t like that. I didn’t like that at all. Later, the girlfriend learns and things get ugly.
The dynamics of the people and their relationships in this book is also a bit weird. This betrayed girlfriend later starts to date our heroine’s twin brother and later in the book, they become friends but of course, not very close. There is a part where our heroine Mila apologizes to her for stealing her boyfriend and she answers by saying that he was never hers. If he had been hers, he wouldn’t have fallen in love with someone else.
I didn’t like Mila much just because of this reason but I must admit that there was something good about her; she regretted it deeply and she really felt guilty. And when she thought our hero was married (because he was wearing a wedding ring and living with his in-laws), she stayed away from him so as not to repeat her mistake.
4. The book has a cliché plot twist. I expected more from Ms. Barbetti. It could have been better.
*********************************************
For all the reasons above, I wanted to DNF the book because I thought I would hate it but there came the better parts and I found myself getting caught up in their story.
The writing was so good that it kept me turning the pages over and finally I ended up loving the book.
Weird, huh? Well, I am even surprised at myself. I guess this is what they call “good writing” because even though I didn’t like the heroine much, I found myself crying for her and rooting for her happiness.
How did the writer do that to me???!!! Me shocked!
So, let’s talk about “What’s good in the book?”
1. The writing is really really good. I just wish Ms. Barbetti had written this book with more likable characters, especially with a more likable heroine. Still, I felt everything. All the pain they felt, all their feelings, the joy, the regret, the pain, the happiness, the love, the lust, the resentment... everything. The writer made me feel everything. Therefore, finally, I got connected to all the characters.
2. There are very good messages in the book. The book has a story to tell and it is a good one. It gives hope...
With a talented pen and captivating story-telling, the story of two people who experienced great loss becomes much more effective than I expected. The book is like a growing and rising tide. With every new page and chapter, the waves get higher and higher and they finally surround you and take you in.
3. Although I thought 3 months was too early to start a new romance, I found myself believing in her feelings.
And although I thought 2 years was a long time to continue grieving, which made me see how he was still caught up in his ex, I believed he really loved the heroine.
The thing is she reminded him of his ex as she was also a person who spread happiness to the people around her, just like our heroine. Well, it made me uncomfortable but when Ames said the things he said, I believed in his love for Mila. Of course, he would prefer his wife if she were alive but in her absence, Mila becomes the only woman who got his attention.
Their relationship is passionate and deep feelings are involved.
As you see, this is a very hard book to read because the romance is not pure. It has the shadows of the dead exes. And I know it is not for every reader.
And the mistakes she made in her past are the icing on the cake – so it is a story hard to like. Nonetheless, the writer has written this story so well that she made me like it and it is something!
It is easy to make the readers like perfect heroes and heroines but to succeed in making the readers get connected with characters that are faulty is a more difficult task and I say Ms Barbetti achieves that... at least, this is what happened in my case.
*********************************************
Safety:
After the hero and heroine see each other, there is no one else for them; no cheating, no OW/OM drama other than the ghosts of the dead exes.
*********************************************
Rating:
It took me more than a day to decide how to rate this book. And this is how I graded it finally.
Story-telling: 5 stars
Heroine: 2 stars
Hero: 4 stars
Their relationship: 4 stars
Overall: 3,5 stars
3 or 4, 3 or 4?
3 or 4, 3 or 4?
3 or 4, 3 or 4?
I thought about it for a long long while but my hand cannot go to 4 just because of her past mistakes... I am sorry but for that reason only, I cannot round it up to 4. However, if you can get past it, the book is easily 4 stars.
*********************************************
Here are some good QUOTES from the book:
I didn’t even try to pretend that images of Colin weren’t flooding through my mind. Colin, the former boyfriend of another woman—a man I’d unwittingly fallen in love with. A man who wasn’t always a good man—to his girlfriend or to the girl he was sneaking around with: me. But I loved him, even with his flaws. He wasn’t easy, we weren’t easy, but I wanted him. All the time.
***
It was the strangest thing, to think of him in past tense. He’d been my boyfriend the last two years of his life before he’d passed away three months earlier, and we’d been in a comfortable place—past the mistakes we’d both made, adventuring and looking toward bigger things.
***
Are you happy?"
"I am always happy." I licked my lips as I thought of how to explain it. "And am I grieving the loss of my boyfriend? Of course I am. But, I don't have to be sad all of the time. He left me, not willingly. So, if I was sad about that then I feel like that would be rather selfish. I have made a lot of selfish decisions, and that's not who I want to be."
"When I saw you come into my pub, the sun just exploded around you, and you had this smile on your lips; it seemed as if you were a mirage. And I thought to myself, this woman has never touched any sadness in her life."
I let that sink in as my heart tumbled just a bit in my chest.
"Well, that's not true. I’ve touched sadness. But I refuse to let it consume who I am.”
"And that’s why I was an arse to you. I resented you—before I knew, about your boyfriend. That you could live happily when so many of us couldn’t.”
He paused, which gave me a second to catch my breath from what he was saying. “And that's why I envy you. Because I don’t know how to wake up and feel happy. I don’t know what it’s like to not carry around this,” he pressed his fist to his chest, “weight. This heaviness.”
He stepped closer still, the rain becoming louder, but his voice booming over it. “I can’t let it go. I won’t let go.”
My arms dropped to my sides and I just stared at him. It was probably the most honest anyone had been with me in so long that my brain absorbed it like gospel, and I wanted more. “You don’t have to. You just have to learn to carry it.”
“I’d like to try.”
I nodded, and swallowed. “Okay.”
***
“Why did you run away three days ago?”
“I thought you might kiss me.”
He didn’t laugh, or even look surprised, which made my belly flip upside down.
“And that scared you enough to make you run away?”
“B-because I thought you were off-limits,” I stuttered.
“Am I on-limits now?” The side of his mouth lifted, and I realized how freaking attractive he was like that, with the slow flirting.
“I’m not sure.” My voice went lower without me realizing it, and I swallowed. “Are you?”
***
“For me, grief isn’t a disease that spreads. It lives in the hollow part of my heart, but it’s not my whole heart.”
“You’re stronger than I think even you know.”
“That’s where you’re wrong.” I took the first step down the stairs and waited for him to follow me. “It’s a choice—to wallow in despair or to acknowledge what can still bring happiness to my life. And I’m choosing to live despite the heartache. That doesn’t make me strong.”
He let out a deep sigh and followed me down the stairs. “It makes you a survivor instead of a victim—and Mila - that’s something to be proud of. I’m proud of you.”
***
“It’s been three months. Honestly, Mila.” She made a sound akin to a ‘tsk’ and shook her head.
“Is there an acceptable time in which you’d prefer me to adhere?”
“Colin—your boyfriend—died three months ago, Mila. You think having a romance with a man halfway around the world is a good idea?”
“Thanks for reminding me how long ago Colin died, Mom, because you’d think I’d have forgotten that horrible, horrific day.”
Before I could continue, she jumped in with, “It does seem like you have forgotten.”
“I’m sorry I don’t grieve the way you’d like me to. Just because I’m not sad all the time, just because I’m talking to a man,” I waved at my phone, “doesn’t mean I’m heartless.” Jude put a hand on my arm but I shook it off. “I loved Colin.” I pressed a fist to the mattress. “I loved him. But I’m more than my heartache. I’m more than you think I am.” My voice broke, and I swallowed down the emotion that filled my throat. “Don’t make his death insignificant just to further your agenda.”
“What agenda?”
“You’re using his death as another way to pick at me—to tell me what I’ve done wrong with my life, all the things I’ve done you don’t agree with. Don’t,” I pointed a finger at her and stood up from the bed, “tell me how to love, how to heal, how to breathe. Because you don’t even know me.”
***
“The thing that keeps me going, that makes it okay to wake up each day and keep moving, is knowing that I loved Colin with my entire heart. And he loved me too. I’d like to think we gave each other happiness in our time together, limited as it was. And I’m grateful for that, that he died with love in his heart.
***
I thought of Ames and the way he made me feel. Was I seeking a replacement for Colin? Was I unknowingly using Ames in order to feel a man’s touch again? The thoughts penetrated my subconscious and I couldn’t let them go. They consumed me so much that even as I curled up in a ball on the bed, pillow pulled tight to my chest, I told myself I’d go. I’d let him hold me, and see if it was like when Colin held me.
***
“I don’t know what we’re doing. I don’t have any answers. I’m not looking for a relationship, especially not one with an expiration date... But there’s one thing I do know, without a shred of doubt, and that’s when I touch you, I go a little stupid.” I felt her throat jump under my caressing. “You have an effect on me that I don’t want—but now that I know it exists, I don’t want to let go of it.”
“Promise?”
I held her eyes as long as I could. “I promise.”
“I can’t tell you I won’t be an arse, because chances are I will. I’ll probably hurt you again. I can’t promise you I won’t, because you’re worth more than empty promises.” His eyes were earnest, searching mine. “But I can promise you that if I hurt you, I’ll hurt more because of it. I can promise that I’ll never stop trying when I’ve done something daft.”
“Over a hundred years ago, there was this physician named Duncan MacDougall. He made it his mission to see if he could determine the weight of a soul.”
“How can you weigh a soul?”
“By measuring the mass lost at the moment when a person dies.”
“That doesn’t sound like it’d be easy to do.”
“No, I don’t suppose it was. But he was determined."
*********************************************
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I just couldn't round it up to 4 stars. I'll tell you why...
*********************************************
That was a book hard to read and even harder to evaluate/review as I have so many contradicting feelings about it.
Well, here they are...
The problems I had with the book:
1. The hero Ames’s wife died 2 years ago, he loved her so much that he didn’t look at another woman in those 2 years. He is still very sad about it. Well, a hero still caught up in the past is not my favorite type of hero. And besides, he likes to talk about his dead wife and the heroine likes to listen... Uhm, again, this is not something I like in my romance novel.
2. The heroine Mila’s boyfriend died 3 months ago. One may think that it is too early for a new romance. I did... I did think it was too early but this woman is a different type of person. She is very sad about her boyfriend’s death as she loved Colin very much but she is still adamant about enjoying life and trying to be happy with what life gives her.
It’s like she has her grief in a special part of her heart and the rest of the heart is still open for a new love and happiness. She lives grief, joy and happiness all at the same time. One has difficulty understanding her behavior, even her mother cannot but she is like that.
Her twin brother Jude has a serious heart condition. Her boyfriend Colin died of the same heart condition at a young age. Therefore, she knows how valuable each day in your life is so she seizes each day. This is not bad, it is just not something I am used to so I just couldn’t relate to her. I didn’t think it was something I could do after losing someone I loved so I couldn’t connect to her. Still, I respected her love of life.
3. Mila has a past story that made me dislike her at the very beginning and it took a long time for me to warm up to her. Her boyfriend had a girlfriend and at first, she didn’t know about it. Later, when she learned, she continued to see him because she loved him. I didn’t like that. I didn’t like that at all. Later, the girlfriend learns and things get ugly.
The dynamics of the people and their relationships in this book is also a bit weird. This betrayed girlfriend later starts to date our heroine’s twin brother and later in the book, they become friends but of course, not very close. There is a part where our heroine Mila apologizes to her for stealing her boyfriend and she answers by saying that he was never hers. If he had been hers, he wouldn’t have fallen in love with someone else.
I didn’t like Mila much just because of this reason but I must admit that there was something good about her; she regretted it deeply and she really felt guilty. And when she thought our hero was married (because he was wearing a wedding ring and living with his in-laws), she stayed away from him so as not to repeat her mistake.
4. The book has a cliché plot twist. I expected more from Ms. Barbetti. It could have been better.
*********************************************
For all the reasons above, I wanted to DNF the book because I thought I would hate it but there came the better parts and I found myself getting caught up in their story.
The writing was so good that it kept me turning the pages over and finally I ended up loving the book.
Weird, huh? Well, I am even surprised at myself. I guess this is what they call “good writing” because even though I didn’t like the heroine much, I found myself crying for her and rooting for her happiness.
How did the writer do that to me???!!! Me shocked!
So, let’s talk about “What’s good in the book?”
1. The writing is really really good. I just wish Ms. Barbetti had written this book with more likable characters, especially with a more likable heroine. Still, I felt everything. All the pain they felt, all their feelings, the joy, the regret, the pain, the happiness, the love, the lust, the resentment... everything. The writer made me feel everything. Therefore, finally, I got connected to all the characters.
2. There are very good messages in the book. The book has a story to tell and it is a good one. It gives hope...
With a talented pen and captivating story-telling, the story of two people who experienced great loss becomes much more effective than I expected. The book is like a growing and rising tide. With every new page and chapter, the waves get higher and higher and they finally surround you and take you in.
3. Although I thought 3 months was too early to start a new romance, I found myself believing in her feelings.
And although I thought 2 years was a long time to continue grieving, which made me see how he was still caught up in his ex, I believed he really loved the heroine.
The thing is she reminded him of his ex as she was also a person who spread happiness to the people around her, just like our heroine. Well, it made me uncomfortable but when Ames said the things he said, I believed in his love for Mila. Of course, he would prefer his wife if she were alive but in her absence, Mila becomes the only woman who got his attention.
Their relationship is passionate and deep feelings are involved.
As you see, this is a very hard book to read because the romance is not pure. It has the shadows of the dead exes. And I know it is not for every reader.
And the mistakes she made in her past are the icing on the cake – so it is a story hard to like. Nonetheless, the writer has written this story so well that she made me like it and it is something!
It is easy to make the readers like perfect heroes and heroines but to succeed in making the readers get connected with characters that are faulty is a more difficult task and I say Ms Barbetti achieves that... at least, this is what happened in my case.
*********************************************
Safety:
After the hero and heroine see each other, there is no one else for them; no cheating, no OW/OM drama other than the ghosts of the dead exes.
*********************************************
Rating:
It took me more than a day to decide how to rate this book. And this is how I graded it finally.
Story-telling: 5 stars
Heroine: 2 stars
Hero: 4 stars
Their relationship: 4 stars
Overall: 3,5 stars
3 or 4, 3 or 4?
3 or 4, 3 or 4?
3 or 4, 3 or 4?
I thought about it for a long long while but my hand cannot go to 4 just because of her past mistakes... I am sorry but for that reason only, I cannot round it up to 4. However, if you can get past it, the book is easily 4 stars.
*********************************************
Here are some good QUOTES from the book:
I didn’t even try to pretend that images of Colin weren’t flooding through my mind. Colin, the former boyfriend of another woman—a man I’d unwittingly fallen in love with. A man who wasn’t always a good man—to his girlfriend or to the girl he was sneaking around with: me. But I loved him, even with his flaws. He wasn’t easy, we weren’t easy, but I wanted him. All the time.
***
It was the strangest thing, to think of him in past tense. He’d been my boyfriend the last two years of his life before he’d passed away three months earlier, and we’d been in a comfortable place—past the mistakes we’d both made, adventuring and looking toward bigger things.
***
Are you happy?"
"I am always happy." I licked my lips as I thought of how to explain it. "And am I grieving the loss of my boyfriend? Of course I am. But, I don't have to be sad all of the time. He left me, not willingly. So, if I was sad about that then I feel like that would be rather selfish. I have made a lot of selfish decisions, and that's not who I want to be."
"When I saw you come into my pub, the sun just exploded around you, and you had this smile on your lips; it seemed as if you were a mirage. And I thought to myself, this woman has never touched any sadness in her life."
I let that sink in as my heart tumbled just a bit in my chest.
"Well, that's not true. I’ve touched sadness. But I refuse to let it consume who I am.”
"And that’s why I was an arse to you. I resented you—before I knew, about your boyfriend. That you could live happily when so many of us couldn’t.”
He paused, which gave me a second to catch my breath from what he was saying. “And that's why I envy you. Because I don’t know how to wake up and feel happy. I don’t know what it’s like to not carry around this,” he pressed his fist to his chest, “weight. This heaviness.”
He stepped closer still, the rain becoming louder, but his voice booming over it. “I can’t let it go. I won’t let go.”
My arms dropped to my sides and I just stared at him. It was probably the most honest anyone had been with me in so long that my brain absorbed it like gospel, and I wanted more. “You don’t have to. You just have to learn to carry it.”
“I’d like to try.”
I nodded, and swallowed. “Okay.”
***
“Why did you run away three days ago?”
“I thought you might kiss me.”
He didn’t laugh, or even look surprised, which made my belly flip upside down.
“And that scared you enough to make you run away?”
“B-because I thought you were off-limits,” I stuttered.
“Am I on-limits now?” The side of his mouth lifted, and I realized how freaking attractive he was like that, with the slow flirting.
“I’m not sure.” My voice went lower without me realizing it, and I swallowed. “Are you?”
***
“For me, grief isn’t a disease that spreads. It lives in the hollow part of my heart, but it’s not my whole heart.”
“You’re stronger than I think even you know.”
“That’s where you’re wrong.” I took the first step down the stairs and waited for him to follow me. “It’s a choice—to wallow in despair or to acknowledge what can still bring happiness to my life. And I’m choosing to live despite the heartache. That doesn’t make me strong.”
He let out a deep sigh and followed me down the stairs. “It makes you a survivor instead of a victim—and Mila - that’s something to be proud of. I’m proud of you.”
***
“It’s been three months. Honestly, Mila.” She made a sound akin to a ‘tsk’ and shook her head.
“Is there an acceptable time in which you’d prefer me to adhere?”
“Colin—your boyfriend—died three months ago, Mila. You think having a romance with a man halfway around the world is a good idea?”
“Thanks for reminding me how long ago Colin died, Mom, because you’d think I’d have forgotten that horrible, horrific day.”
Before I could continue, she jumped in with, “It does seem like you have forgotten.”
“I’m sorry I don’t grieve the way you’d like me to. Just because I’m not sad all the time, just because I’m talking to a man,” I waved at my phone, “doesn’t mean I’m heartless.” Jude put a hand on my arm but I shook it off. “I loved Colin.” I pressed a fist to the mattress. “I loved him. But I’m more than my heartache. I’m more than you think I am.” My voice broke, and I swallowed down the emotion that filled my throat. “Don’t make his death insignificant just to further your agenda.”
“What agenda?”
“You’re using his death as another way to pick at me—to tell me what I’ve done wrong with my life, all the things I’ve done you don’t agree with. Don’t,” I pointed a finger at her and stood up from the bed, “tell me how to love, how to heal, how to breathe. Because you don’t even know me.”
***
“The thing that keeps me going, that makes it okay to wake up each day and keep moving, is knowing that I loved Colin with my entire heart. And he loved me too. I’d like to think we gave each other happiness in our time together, limited as it was. And I’m grateful for that, that he died with love in his heart.
***
I thought of Ames and the way he made me feel. Was I seeking a replacement for Colin? Was I unknowingly using Ames in order to feel a man’s touch again? The thoughts penetrated my subconscious and I couldn’t let them go. They consumed me so much that even as I curled up in a ball on the bed, pillow pulled tight to my chest, I told myself I’d go. I’d let him hold me, and see if it was like when Colin held me.
***
“I don’t know what we’re doing. I don’t have any answers. I’m not looking for a relationship, especially not one with an expiration date... But there’s one thing I do know, without a shred of doubt, and that’s when I touch you, I go a little stupid.” I felt her throat jump under my caressing. “You have an effect on me that I don’t want—but now that I know it exists, I don’t want to let go of it.”
“Promise?”
I held her eyes as long as I could. “I promise.”
“I can’t tell you I won’t be an arse, because chances are I will. I’ll probably hurt you again. I can’t promise you I won’t, because you’re worth more than empty promises.” His eyes were earnest, searching mine. “But I can promise you that if I hurt you, I’ll hurt more because of it. I can promise that I’ll never stop trying when I’ve done something daft.”
“Over a hundred years ago, there was this physician named Duncan MacDougall. He made it his mission to see if he could determine the weight of a soul.”
“How can you weigh a soul?”
“By measuring the mass lost at the moment when a person dies.”
“That doesn’t sound like it’d be easy to do.”
“No, I don’t suppose it was. But he was determined."
*********************************************
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September 4, 2017
4 ★'s
"There she is."
I had a totally different expectation of the book from the blurb...not that it isn't correct, although a bit misleading, it just takes a while to get to what it all means.
Mila is in London, sightseeing and also working for her brother's travel blog when she "meets" Ames. Actually, she gets pushed and falls over the side of the bridge and Ames just happens to be there and pulls her to safety with his friend, Sam. After, they decide to go have a drink at the bar (pub) Ames works at called Free Refills.
Mila is smitten right from the start but she's still grieving over the death of her boyfriend three months ago. She's definitely an optimist and trying to make the best of things...day by day.
Ames has also been affected by tragedy but he has not been optimistic. Meeting Mila does something to him...she gives him hope but it's also fleeting since she's not in London for long.
They both try to fight their feelings but they soon give in and it's everything they both wanted. And while they want more, their lives are very busy and they don't get to see each other as much as they would like. Things get hampered even further with the arrival of Mila's parents and brother.
Ames' family takes up a lot of his time as well and at times it's hard to tell if they are accepting of Mila or not. Mila does win over Lotte and they have a lot in common and that leads to the huge drama.
I was really surprised at some of the things Ames said. It was a precocious situation at best. However, several days later, he's become more and more regretful but with Mila moving out of her hotel, he's having a hard time getting a hold of her. (This part perplexed me since he did have her phone number...)
The ending is really sweet but sort of just ends so no epilogue. Once I found out that Lotte is getting her own book, that made more sense and I'm hoping we get more Mila and Ames in there. (No book title at this time but it's supposed to be released October 2017.)
"There she is."
I had a totally different expectation of the book from the blurb...not that it isn't correct, although a bit misleading, it just takes a while to get to what it all means.
Mila is in London, sightseeing and also working for her brother's travel blog when she "meets" Ames. Actually, she gets pushed and falls over the side of the bridge and Ames just happens to be there and pulls her to safety with his friend, Sam. After, they decide to go have a drink at the bar (pub) Ames works at called Free Refills.
Mila is smitten right from the start but she's still grieving over the death of her boyfriend three months ago. She's definitely an optimist and trying to make the best of things...day by day.
Ames has also been affected by tragedy but he has not been optimistic. Meeting Mila does something to him...she gives him hope but it's also fleeting since she's not in London for long.
They both try to fight their feelings but they soon give in and it's everything they both wanted. And while they want more, their lives are very busy and they don't get to see each other as much as they would like. Things get hampered even further with the arrival of Mila's parents and brother.
Ames' family takes up a lot of his time as well and at times it's hard to tell if they are accepting of Mila or not. Mila does win over Lotte and they have a lot in common and that leads to the huge drama.
I was really surprised at some of the things Ames said. It was a precocious situation at best. However, several days later, he's become more and more regretful but with Mila moving out of her hotel, he's having a hard time getting a hold of her. (This part perplexed me since he did have her phone number...)
The ending is really sweet but sort of just ends so no epilogue. Once I found out that Lotte is getting her own book, that made more sense and I'm hoping we get more Mila and Ames in there. (No book title at this time but it's supposed to be released October 2017.)
June 29, 2017
Loved the writing style.
June 19, 2017
What Whitney did with this book was bring two completely different people from two completely different worlds together and make me believe in them and love them and accept them for all that they are.
In The Weight of Life not only do we have two strangers meeting unconventionally but we have an established connection. And a strong one at that! A connection that Whitney so diligently delivers to readers without forcing it or shoving it into their faces. Without saying "here is Ames. Here is Mila. Love them." Slowly, Whitney eases us into their lives and their surroundings and it's an ease and comfortability we never knew we were looking for.
Ames. Ugh, I couldn't have asked for a more developed character. Watching his growth from the beginning of the book and to the end and the way he opens up and transforms one chapter at a time was one of my absolute most favorite things in this book. And Mila, she's so different from Whitney's other characters but one of my favorites nonetheless. Whitney took a ray of sunshine and gave her so many real feelings that I hurt for her. So many flaws and proof that even the happy ones hurt. Even when she didn't want her hurt to show.
“Summer.” When I crinkled my brow, he took a sip of his sangria. I could feel his heart calm, the beats slow to a rhythm not unlike my own. “The sun shines the longest in the summer, making the days last longer than the nights. And when I first saw you on the bridge, you looked like summer to me. It made no sense, not at that time of night, on the cusp of fall, that I could look at you and see so much sun. There’s comfort in night, in the dark—a safety that the sun cannot guarantee.”
Not very often do I find books like this. Just...a good love story. Two good people with two good hearts. Two souls and two weights of life. Two stars plus two stars plus one. FIVE!
In The Weight of Life not only do we have two strangers meeting unconventionally but we have an established connection. And a strong one at that! A connection that Whitney so diligently delivers to readers without forcing it or shoving it into their faces. Without saying "here is Ames. Here is Mila. Love them." Slowly, Whitney eases us into their lives and their surroundings and it's an ease and comfortability we never knew we were looking for.
Ames. Ugh, I couldn't have asked for a more developed character. Watching his growth from the beginning of the book and to the end and the way he opens up and transforms one chapter at a time was one of my absolute most favorite things in this book. And Mila, she's so different from Whitney's other characters but one of my favorites nonetheless. Whitney took a ray of sunshine and gave her so many real feelings that I hurt for her. So many flaws and proof that even the happy ones hurt. Even when she didn't want her hurt to show.
“Summer.” When I crinkled my brow, he took a sip of his sangria. I could feel his heart calm, the beats slow to a rhythm not unlike my own. “The sun shines the longest in the summer, making the days last longer than the nights. And when I first saw you on the bridge, you looked like summer to me. It made no sense, not at that time of night, on the cusp of fall, that I could look at you and see so much sun. There’s comfort in night, in the dark—a safety that the sun cannot guarantee.”
Not very often do I find books like this. Just...a good love story. Two good people with two good hearts. Two souls and two weights of life. Two stars plus two stars plus one. FIVE!
June 27, 2017
WOW. That was just... incredible. Barbetti is a magical word spinner. I feel so... happy. And full. And THIS is why I love reading romance. Full review to come! 😍
June 28, 2017
“It was as if, in that moment, the world didn’t make sense anymore–everything was upside down and inside out.”
“He tasted like heartbreak and hope, and my skin lit up with a thousand heat spots.”
“It’s a choice–to wallow in despair or to acknowledge what can still bring happiness to my life. And I’m choosing to live despite the heartache.”
“I’ve said it once before that looking at him was like waking up, and it had never been truer than in that moment.”
The Weight of Life was one of my most anticipated reads for 2017. So, when I got my greedy little hands on it, it should come to no surprise that I just devoured this book.
The Weight of Life is one of the most incredible and heartwarming story that I’ve read so far this year. The writing is brilliant and flows so easily. The characters are real, flawed and perfectly imperfect. The story-line so moving, leaving you with all the feels. For me, it was complete and utter perfection. The pain, heartache and love so real, it felt as though they were my very own emotions.
The Weight of Life isn’t just a love story. It is a story of second chances and grief. It is a story about guilt and regrets. It is a story of hope and the strength to pick yourself back up again and finally move on. Most importantly, it is a story about life and the decisions we make along the way, and taking a chance when fate provides you with a second chance.
This story was incredibly beautiful to me and moved me to tears many times. The Weight of Life is a truly special read, one that will forever be ingrained into my heart. Whitney Barbetti has once again slayed me with her beautiful words and impeccable storytelling. I am completely, 100% speechless and blown away.
“He tasted like heartbreak and hope, and my skin lit up with a thousand heat spots.”
“It’s a choice–to wallow in despair or to acknowledge what can still bring happiness to my life. And I’m choosing to live despite the heartache.”
“I’ve said it once before that looking at him was like waking up, and it had never been truer than in that moment.”
The Weight of Life was one of my most anticipated reads for 2017. So, when I got my greedy little hands on it, it should come to no surprise that I just devoured this book.
The Weight of Life is one of the most incredible and heartwarming story that I’ve read so far this year. The writing is brilliant and flows so easily. The characters are real, flawed and perfectly imperfect. The story-line so moving, leaving you with all the feels. For me, it was complete and utter perfection. The pain, heartache and love so real, it felt as though they were my very own emotions.
The Weight of Life isn’t just a love story. It is a story of second chances and grief. It is a story about guilt and regrets. It is a story of hope and the strength to pick yourself back up again and finally move on. Most importantly, it is a story about life and the decisions we make along the way, and taking a chance when fate provides you with a second chance.
This story was incredibly beautiful to me and moved me to tears many times. The Weight of Life is a truly special read, one that will forever be ingrained into my heart. Whitney Barbetti has once again slayed me with her beautiful words and impeccable storytelling. I am completely, 100% speechless and blown away.
June 29, 2017
3,8 stars!
Leitura gostosa e rápida, porém pra mim faltou alguma coisa. Talvez seja porque não senti tanta emoção quanto eu esperava...
Mesmo assim não deixa de ser um bom livro.
Leitura gostosa e rápida, porém pra mim faltou alguma coisa. Talvez seja porque não senti tanta emoção quanto eu esperava...
Mesmo assim não deixa de ser um bom livro.
July 13, 2017
Oh my gosh. I just need to start by saying my heart, it can't handle how perfect this book was, I...just oh my god, wow.
Mila has grown up being second best to her brother, her sick brother. In her parents eyes she rebelled, she didn't do anything they wanted and Mila always felt unwanted until she met Colin, she became his number one until tragedy struck leaving her heart broken. Going off to London to work for her brother gave Mila the much needed space she needed but little did she know how much her life would change when she stepped foot on Westminster Bridge.
Ames knows what heartbreak is and hasn't been able to move on since his wife passed away and he's stuck grieving for her. When his ends up rescuing a girl from a bridge he begins to feel, the first real feeling he's had in years and he's taken back and doesn't know what to do.
Drawn together by grief will the pair be able to find comfort in each other or will they both feel too guilty for feeling something for the other?
I don't even know how to begin to describe how much I loved this book. The characters, the storyline, the conversations, everything was just absolutely perfect.
I loved the conversations between Mila and Ames the most, it was so easy and touching. They're connection was something special and was absolutely incredible to witness.
Whitney Barbetti is an incredible writer and always, ALWAYS seems to bring tears to my eyes which is always a good sign, I love a good emotional read. This book was something special and I won't ever be able to forget this beauty. Thank you for blessing us with this masterpiece.
Mila has grown up being second best to her brother, her sick brother. In her parents eyes she rebelled, she didn't do anything they wanted and Mila always felt unwanted until she met Colin, she became his number one until tragedy struck leaving her heart broken. Going off to London to work for her brother gave Mila the much needed space she needed but little did she know how much her life would change when she stepped foot on Westminster Bridge.
Ames knows what heartbreak is and hasn't been able to move on since his wife passed away and he's stuck grieving for her. When his ends up rescuing a girl from a bridge he begins to feel, the first real feeling he's had in years and he's taken back and doesn't know what to do.
Drawn together by grief will the pair be able to find comfort in each other or will they both feel too guilty for feeling something for the other?
I don't even know how to begin to describe how much I loved this book. The characters, the storyline, the conversations, everything was just absolutely perfect.
I loved the conversations between Mila and Ames the most, it was so easy and touching. They're connection was something special and was absolutely incredible to witness.
Whitney Barbetti is an incredible writer and always, ALWAYS seems to bring tears to my eyes which is always a good sign, I love a good emotional read. This book was something special and I won't ever be able to forget this beauty. Thank you for blessing us with this masterpiece.
September 13, 2017
4.25 Beautiful Stars!
Beautifully written novel, almost poetic. I can write up paragraph after paragraph about this book but this review by my favorite blogger is much better, so go check it out instead:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Beautifully written novel, almost poetic. I can write up paragraph after paragraph about this book but this review by my favorite blogger is much better, so go check it out instead:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
June 25, 2017
The moment I saw this cover and read the blurb I just knew I had to get my hands on this book.
I've read a few on WB books before, so I was prepared for a beautiful story, and that is just what I got. Two people who meet, two people who are broken and sad, one who smiles no matter the day or situation, the other who has lost his heart and the only way he bares it is through anger and distance.
Mila and Ames meet in London while she's visiting doing research for her brothers traveling blog, she happens to be in the right place at the wrong time and let's just say, Ames rescues her. The moment they meet a connection is felt but Ames is to unapproachable to ever let Mila in. As the book moves forward, they build a friendship after they both share that they both have more in common then meets the eye.
I really loved the slow burn approach to this book, you feel so many others things, you grasp the loss, the sadness, but also the rebirth of two people who at some point realize, they are both what each other needs.
If you've read WB other series (Into The Tomorrow's) & (Back To Yesterday), you get to catch up on some of those characters.
Mila is a character you either love her or you don't, you either sympathize with actions she has made, or you can't. I loved seeing her grow as a woman, and see her mistakes, acknowledge the role she has made. For that I loved her.
Ames you angry beautiful man who has been through so much. I adored his approach whether it be angry or heartfelt it made the story even the more endearing.
I'm really hoping to see a few other characters get there on story.
Fingers crossed.
I've read a few on WB books before, so I was prepared for a beautiful story, and that is just what I got. Two people who meet, two people who are broken and sad, one who smiles no matter the day or situation, the other who has lost his heart and the only way he bares it is through anger and distance.
Mila and Ames meet in London while she's visiting doing research for her brothers traveling blog, she happens to be in the right place at the wrong time and let's just say, Ames rescues her. The moment they meet a connection is felt but Ames is to unapproachable to ever let Mila in. As the book moves forward, they build a friendship after they both share that they both have more in common then meets the eye.
I really loved the slow burn approach to this book, you feel so many others things, you grasp the loss, the sadness, but also the rebirth of two people who at some point realize, they are both what each other needs.
If you've read WB other series (Into The Tomorrow's) & (Back To Yesterday), you get to catch up on some of those characters.
Mila is a character you either love her or you don't, you either sympathize with actions she has made, or you can't. I loved seeing her grow as a woman, and see her mistakes, acknowledge the role she has made. For that I loved her.
Ames you angry beautiful man who has been through so much. I adored his approach whether it be angry or heartfelt it made the story even the more endearing.
I'm really hoping to see a few other characters get there on story.
Fingers crossed.
July 1, 2017
Wow! Whitney Barbetti has woven a beautiful love story that covers so many levels. Ames and Mila were characters that were so flawed, yet perfectly drawn. I was captivated by each of their stories, along with the one they shared together. The book was enthralling and easy to become lost in.
I am keeping my fingers crossed that maybe we'll get Sam's story -- I want to know more about his past and what his future holds, along with that of Charlotte's as well. Will they find each other along the way? And what is to become of Jude and Trista?
My only complaint with "the Weight of Life" is that it ended too soon. I wished for a little peek into the return to London for Mila and Ames. Thus, another reason for a sequel!
I am keeping my fingers crossed that maybe we'll get Sam's story -- I want to know more about his past and what his future holds, along with that of Charlotte's as well. Will they find each other along the way? And what is to become of Jude and Trista?
My only complaint with "the Weight of Life" is that it ended too soon. I wished for a little peek into the return to London for Mila and Ames. Thus, another reason for a sequel!
June 26, 2017
Title: The Weight of Life
Author: Whitney Barbetti
Category: Romance
Series or Standalone: Standalone
POV: First Person, Dual
Plot: 5
Characters: 5
Scorching Level: 5
HEA: Not telling
OMG. This book...FLOWED. I devoured it in half a day.
This is the first book I've read from this author even though I have her books on my Kindle. Guess what I will be doing soon??? Binge reading her work!!!
I loved Mila and Ames! Amazing characters and a beautiful love story.
Full review to come...
June 29, 2017
How do you give a book 10 stars?!?!
I am in love with this book and want to shout it out from rooftops!!!!
After losing the love of her life, Mila decides to go to London to help her brother with his blog. Of all the things she didn't anticipate being flung from the London Bridge hanging on to her life. She certainly wasn't prepared for the handsome brooding that goes on to save her life. There is something about him that demands her attention and if she isn't careful she might lose her heart to him. Not when she isn't going to be in London forever and certainly not when he is the definition of unavailable.
Ames lives with the responsibilities that have been weighing him down slowly. He doesn't complain, doesn't let it show not when his family entirely depends on him. Every waking day the sadness follows him and he endures it. He really doesn't need the bubbly woman smiling her face off. He needs to stay away from her but everything about her draws him in and makes him weak. Ames needs to find a way to look beyond his grief or else he can't ever be with Mila.
I can't even form sentences when it comes to this book. After reading it, I sat for five solid minutes contemplating life and wondering why hadn't I picked up a Whitney Barbetti book before. This story was so pure and heartwarming. I LOVE LOVE the entire premise. I mean yes my heart broke for the pain they went through but God it was all worth it in the end.
Mila is my hero. She is always so positive and even though she is going through a tragedy she doesn't let it take over her spirit. I was in awe of her ability to take everything head on and then hope for the best. I just really adore her.
MY BOO AMES!!! He is such a great broody intense hero and the fact that he has a mischievous that he saves for Mila made me swoon so hard. I want to hug him and just watch him go about his day in a totally non creepy way.
This is 100% without a doubt one of my favourite books this year and I'm just looking for the time to read it all over again. ~Sonal
I am in love with this book and want to shout it out from rooftops!!!!
After losing the love of her life, Mila decides to go to London to help her brother with his blog. Of all the things she didn't anticipate being flung from the London Bridge hanging on to her life. She certainly wasn't prepared for the handsome brooding that goes on to save her life. There is something about him that demands her attention and if she isn't careful she might lose her heart to him. Not when she isn't going to be in London forever and certainly not when he is the definition of unavailable.
Ames lives with the responsibilities that have been weighing him down slowly. He doesn't complain, doesn't let it show not when his family entirely depends on him. Every waking day the sadness follows him and he endures it. He really doesn't need the bubbly woman smiling her face off. He needs to stay away from her but everything about her draws him in and makes him weak. Ames needs to find a way to look beyond his grief or else he can't ever be with Mila.
I can't even form sentences when it comes to this book. After reading it, I sat for five solid minutes contemplating life and wondering why hadn't I picked up a Whitney Barbetti book before. This story was so pure and heartwarming. I LOVE LOVE the entire premise. I mean yes my heart broke for the pain they went through but God it was all worth it in the end.
Mila is my hero. She is always so positive and even though she is going through a tragedy she doesn't let it take over her spirit. I was in awe of her ability to take everything head on and then hope for the best. I just really adore her.
MY BOO AMES!!! He is such a great broody intense hero and the fact that he has a mischievous that he saves for Mila made me swoon so hard. I want to hug him and just watch him go about his day in a totally non creepy way.
This is 100% without a doubt one of my favourite books this year and I'm just looking for the time to read it all over again. ~Sonal
June 17, 2017
The Weight of Life was sweet. Romantic. Inspiring. Perfect.
This is the story of two people learning to find happiness and love after experiencing unbearable sadness. It has Whitney Barbetti's usual depth and beautiful prose, but the tone feels a bit lighter and more upbeat.
My favorite character in TWOL is Mila. She feels completely comfortable in her own skin. She seems to know exactly who she is, even though she isn't sure which direction she wants her life to take.
Mila's love interest, Ames, is strong and steadfast. (He's also hot and has a cool British accent.)
I loved The Weight of Life. It was at times light-hearted and fun, but it was also touching and emotional. It was a perfect story of two people finding love after loss. I didn't want it to end.
This is the story of two people learning to find happiness and love after experiencing unbearable sadness. It has Whitney Barbetti's usual depth and beautiful prose, but the tone feels a bit lighter and more upbeat.
My favorite character in TWOL is Mila. She feels completely comfortable in her own skin. She seems to know exactly who she is, even though she isn't sure which direction she wants her life to take.
Mila's love interest, Ames, is strong and steadfast. (He's also hot and has a cool British accent.)
I loved The Weight of Life. It was at times light-hearted and fun, but it was also touching and emotional. It was a perfect story of two people finding love after loss. I didn't want it to end.
June 30, 2017
The author's writing is BEAUTIFUL but I found myself bored with the story at times and not emotionally attached to the characters as I would like to be.
July 2, 2017
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Mila and Ames meet under the most unique circumstance. Just that one moment, promises of not letting go, would forever change the trajectory of their lives. They both recognized a darkness, a sorrow that lives within themselves. A guilt they carry because they survived. It’s unfortunate that these two lonely souls know loss in ways that no human should. Their hearts are burdened. Until they are in the presence of each other. Their story is heavy, but full of hope. Heartbreaking, yet you turn the pages to learn more. To understand how grief can bring people together and tear them apart. Walls are broken down. Hearts shattered. But even after darkness, love prevails.
The Weight Of Life has the slow burn that I usually enjoy in this author’s work. She is great at setting the pace. Never rushing the characters, always allowing the characters to tell the story. This time around, I wanted to feel more of pull towards the characters. While Mila and Ames were brave and their souls were bare in this story through the words, I needed more of an emotional connection to them. To truly understand their chemistry, I needed it to go a bit deeper. The words are stunning. Poetic. This author can weave words together like no other, but I wanted more. Nonetheless, if you are a fan of Whitney or you simply love beautiful writing then you should read this book. Her romance never follows a formula. Her talent is felt in the artistry of her words. The Weight Of Words was a testament of finding love through sorrow. That your true love is the one who loves you through your broken pieces.
Mila and Ames meet under the most unique circumstance. Just that one moment, promises of not letting go, would forever change the trajectory of their lives. They both recognized a darkness, a sorrow that lives within themselves. A guilt they carry because they survived. It’s unfortunate that these two lonely souls know loss in ways that no human should. Their hearts are burdened. Until they are in the presence of each other. Their story is heavy, but full of hope. Heartbreaking, yet you turn the pages to learn more. To understand how grief can bring people together and tear them apart. Walls are broken down. Hearts shattered. But even after darkness, love prevails.
The Weight Of Life has the slow burn that I usually enjoy in this author’s work. She is great at setting the pace. Never rushing the characters, always allowing the characters to tell the story. This time around, I wanted to feel more of pull towards the characters. While Mila and Ames were brave and their souls were bare in this story through the words, I needed more of an emotional connection to them. To truly understand their chemistry, I needed it to go a bit deeper. The words are stunning. Poetic. This author can weave words together like no other, but I wanted more. Nonetheless, if you are a fan of Whitney or you simply love beautiful writing then you should read this book. Her romance never follows a formula. Her talent is felt in the artistry of her words. The Weight Of Words was a testament of finding love through sorrow. That your true love is the one who loves you through your broken pieces.
June 23, 2017
This book very much is an emotional ride of moving on from losing someone and in this case both of the leading lady and man. We all grieve differently and what I found with Mila and Ames is that they found solace in each other to move on in life. Their spark together was instant from that first moment of “Don’t let go.” From there it is a whirlwind of passion and grit and angst. You fall in love with the characters as they feel like they could be your everyday person. It is finding what’s deeper inside to get to know someone regardless of how they entered into your life.
There were moments where I really loved how the raw emotions were brought forward when Ames and Mila were together. They played so well off each other. Overall, you were drawn into their ride of moving past the pain and finding love together at the most unexpected time and place. If you want a raw emotional book, then this is the one for you!
There were moments where I really loved how the raw emotions were brought forward when Ames and Mila were together. They played so well off each other. Overall, you were drawn into their ride of moving past the pain and finding love together at the most unexpected time and place. If you want a raw emotional book, then this is the one for you!
October 14, 2020
He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.
Psalm 147:3
Psalm 147:3
dnf
August 18, 2017Heroine's bf died only 3 months prior, too early (IMO) to start a new relationship.
I need at least 1 year.
I need at least 1 year.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 22, 2017
Woweee ~ as an introduction to Whitney Barbetti, The Weight of Life has made me an instant fan. I'm thrilled that she has an extensive library and I've already snagged a few books. The characters are simply stunning, with dialogue that captures the readers attention, and the story line that is hypnotic - I had a very hard time putting it down when real life intruded on my reading time.
Mila (an American from Colorado), and Ames (a Brit in London) meet under some unusual circumstances while Mila is visiting London. Mila is such an endearing character, with a rich backstory and a buoyant attitude, and she immediately captures Ames' attention. But it's not something he's necessarily happy about. As the two become acquainted, Mila shares something very personal, something that immediately resonates with Ames and this changes his impression of Mila and ultimately how he relates to her. The story is told in alternating perspectives and I enjoyed each equally. Being in their heads and hearts as they open up to each other. Mostly I loved seeing the transformation that Ames goes through. He is a man stuck in the past and Mila is the precisely what he needs in his life.
"When I’d walked in on Mila and Lotte talking, I’d felt something deep within me shift— like it was making room, allowing feelings to bloom in the dead space inside of my chest"
These are individuals mired in grief, learning to live and coming to terms of what that looks like after loss. Barbetti's story telling is phenomenal and I felt every emotion in time with them. I understood Mila's exuberance and Ames hesitancy and why the way they impact each other has such consequence. There's an awareness of the possibility of new love and a second chances, but there's also an expiration date on their time together and this drives how they measure their connection.
"She felt good in my arms, I realized. A welcome weight. Her light breaths warmed the center of my chest and it felt as if we’d hugged for an eternity, but then she pulled away and it felt like it had lasted only a second."
Barbetti's prose is absolutely beautiful and the message in The Weight of Life profound. She touches on sacrifice and hope, heartbreak and forgiveness, and ultimately on spirituality. I highly recommend this love story to all romance readers.
*I was gifted a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*
Mila (an American from Colorado), and Ames (a Brit in London) meet under some unusual circumstances while Mila is visiting London. Mila is such an endearing character, with a rich backstory and a buoyant attitude, and she immediately captures Ames' attention. But it's not something he's necessarily happy about. As the two become acquainted, Mila shares something very personal, something that immediately resonates with Ames and this changes his impression of Mila and ultimately how he relates to her. The story is told in alternating perspectives and I enjoyed each equally. Being in their heads and hearts as they open up to each other. Mostly I loved seeing the transformation that Ames goes through. He is a man stuck in the past and Mila is the precisely what he needs in his life.
"When I’d walked in on Mila and Lotte talking, I’d felt something deep within me shift— like it was making room, allowing feelings to bloom in the dead space inside of my chest"
These are individuals mired in grief, learning to live and coming to terms of what that looks like after loss. Barbetti's story telling is phenomenal and I felt every emotion in time with them. I understood Mila's exuberance and Ames hesitancy and why the way they impact each other has such consequence. There's an awareness of the possibility of new love and a second chances, but there's also an expiration date on their time together and this drives how they measure their connection.
"She felt good in my arms, I realized. A welcome weight. Her light breaths warmed the center of my chest and it felt as if we’d hugged for an eternity, but then she pulled away and it felt like it had lasted only a second."
Barbetti's prose is absolutely beautiful and the message in The Weight of Life profound. She touches on sacrifice and hope, heartbreak and forgiveness, and ultimately on spirituality. I highly recommend this love story to all romance readers.
*I was gifted a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*
January 17, 2020
3 ⭐⭐⭐ - OK decent reads.
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It didn’t help that she reminded me so much of her.
And just that brief, flicker of thought had me rubbing the cool metal of my ring with my thumb.
But I was annoyed. Because it wasn’t just the way she said my name that unsettled me. It was that annoying little hum, like an appliance turning on, reminding me how much Mila reminded me of Mahlon. My Mal.
dnf
July 17, 2017DNF at 33%
insta-love
missed opportunities
too much info too soon
no emotional connection to very emotional stuff
I just don't care about them at all and I should because some pretty intense things have been discussed ... So I'm out
insta-love
missed opportunities
too much info too soon
no emotional connection to very emotional stuff
I just don't care about them at all and I should because some pretty intense things have been discussed ... So I'm out
July 9, 2017
What a beautiful story of 2 broken hearts becoming 1. This is a wonderful story of second chances.
August 25, 2019
Nope.
Dnf at chapter 7
Interesting start but that changed quickly
Just felt the book was crawling at a snail's pace with not destination in sight
Dnf at chapter 7
Interesting start but that changed quickly
Just felt the book was crawling at a snail's pace with not destination in sight
Want to read
January 18, 2018💝💝 FREE on Amazon today (1/18/2018)! 💝💝
-Mila-
“Don’t let go.” Those were my first words to him, as I hung over the side of a London bridge. The words I would soon say again, in a moment that didn’t involve bridges, but something much more fragile: my heart.
He held onto me for three weeks, in a time when I needed to be held. Needed to connect to someone who understood how loss tunneled unrepentantly through the fabric of your soul.
Although he said he'd stay, we both knew he wouldn't. I had already survived one loss—I didn't know if I'd survive another.
-Ames-
She spun into my life like a tornado of smiles and chatter and everything else I'd long avoided, with a persistence that I admired, albeit begrudgingly. She broke down each neat wall I’d constructed without even trying. Her presence alone caused me to remember what it felt like to smile, to look forward to what the day would bring.
But it was only supposed to last three weeks.
“Don’t let go,” she’d pleaded.
I’d promised her I wouldn’t—but I would. I didn't have a choice.
-Mila-
“Don’t let go.” Those were my first words to him, as I hung over the side of a London bridge. The words I would soon say again, in a moment that didn’t involve bridges, but something much more fragile: my heart.
He held onto me for three weeks, in a time when I needed to be held. Needed to connect to someone who understood how loss tunneled unrepentantly through the fabric of your soul.
Although he said he'd stay, we both knew he wouldn't. I had already survived one loss—I didn't know if I'd survive another.
-Ames-
She spun into my life like a tornado of smiles and chatter and everything else I'd long avoided, with a persistence that I admired, albeit begrudgingly. She broke down each neat wall I’d constructed without even trying. Her presence alone caused me to remember what it felt like to smile, to look forward to what the day would bring.
But it was only supposed to last three weeks.
“Don’t let go,” she’d pleaded.
I’d promised her I wouldn’t—but I would. I didn't have a choice.
June 28, 2017
It's funny sometimes what can bring you together in life. The reasons why you find someone. I've learned a lot reading all kinds of different books but I've learned the most from Whitney Barbetti's writing. She always has a different and unique way of getting two characters to meet and to really understand each other. This story is no different.
Grief, we all know what it is and have more than likely endured it in this lifetime. We all grieve differently. Mila and Ames are doing exactly that. But it's the way they are doing it and how they are doing it that pulls them together. There understanding of each other and the situation is the single most unique thing in this story, and maybe the single most thing I've read or seen in real life. They don't feel the need to say the norm, they tell each other the real stuff, the truth. And if that doesn't bring two beautiful people together I don't know what will. And it brings one of the single greatest adventures to life too!
We also get a little of Jude and Trista. Jude and Mila's relationship as siblings brigs a smile to my face. They'd both do anything for each other and it shows! Also Mila and Trista get some time to sort out their past too! Which I loved! Add in Lotte, Sam, and Asher. You'll see how much Ames loves his family. He'd do anything and basically lay down his life for them. He takes care of them, loves them, and just generally needs them more than most. That love, that love is special!
Love and grief, two of the greatest human emotions. It brings you one of the sweetest and amazing books I've read this year. My heart adores the fierce and strong qualities in Mila and the need to care and protect the ones that Ames loved. These two have all the qualities I wish I had. And I'm so glad I got to know them through their story. These two are stuck in my heart. They'll forever hold a piece of it, to show me how to love and how to live. Two things I won't soon forget! ❤️
Grief, we all know what it is and have more than likely endured it in this lifetime. We all grieve differently. Mila and Ames are doing exactly that. But it's the way they are doing it and how they are doing it that pulls them together. There understanding of each other and the situation is the single most unique thing in this story, and maybe the single most thing I've read or seen in real life. They don't feel the need to say the norm, they tell each other the real stuff, the truth. And if that doesn't bring two beautiful people together I don't know what will. And it brings one of the single greatest adventures to life too!
We also get a little of Jude and Trista. Jude and Mila's relationship as siblings brigs a smile to my face. They'd both do anything for each other and it shows! Also Mila and Trista get some time to sort out their past too! Which I loved! Add in Lotte, Sam, and Asher. You'll see how much Ames loves his family. He'd do anything and basically lay down his life for them. He takes care of them, loves them, and just generally needs them more than most. That love, that love is special!
Love and grief, two of the greatest human emotions. It brings you one of the sweetest and amazing books I've read this year. My heart adores the fierce and strong qualities in Mila and the need to care and protect the ones that Ames loved. These two have all the qualities I wish I had. And I'm so glad I got to know them through their story. These two are stuck in my heart. They'll forever hold a piece of it, to show me how to love and how to live. Two things I won't soon forget! ❤️
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