Fallen Leaves

Purple Moon #2

by Tessa Emily Hall

Selena Taylor thought her only worry this fall was starting her junior year at a new arts school in North Carolina, miles away from home. But when she finds out her mom could graduate from rehab sooner than expected—even worse, she could work for her former nothing-but-trouble boss—Selena's determined to create a new life for them. Back in her childhood Kentucky hometown.

Step one? Track down her dad and brother that she hasn't seen in eight years. Her anxiety is put to the test, though, when she unveils a truth that could threaten her dreams. Add to that an art competition that pushes her outside of her comfort zone and a girl who seems determined to come between Selena and her hopeful boyfriend.

Soon Selena must decide whether or not to continue her search for her dad and brother. But is there any hope that the ruins of her broken family could be resurrected? And how could God possibly have a purpose in the midst of these changing seasons?

Genres: Contemporary, Fiction, Christian, Christian Fiction, Young Adult, Ebooks, Clean Romance

380 pages, Paperback

Published October 26, 2018

About the author

Tessa Emily Hall is an award-winning author who wrote her debut novel when she was sixteen. She is now a multi-published author of both fiction and non-fiction inspirational yet authentic books for teens, including her upcoming release, LOVE YOUR SELFIE (October 2020, Ellie Claire). Tessa's passion for shedding light on clean entertainment and media for teens led her to a career as a Literary Agent at Cyle Young Literary Elite, YA Acquisitions Editor for Illuminate YA (LPC Imprint), and Founder/Editor of PursueMagazine.net. She's guilty of making way too many lattes and never finishing her to-read list. When her fingers aren’t flying 128 WPM across the keyboard, she can be found speaking to teens, teaching at writing conferences, attempting pilates, editing manuscripts, and acting in faith-based films. Her favorite way to procrastinate is to connect with readers is on her mailing list, social media (@tessaemilyhall), and website: www.tessaemilyhall.com.

Reviews

[Micaiah Keitel · Rating 5 out of 5]

So excited for the official release! RTC on release day! =D

[Josie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fallen Leaves is a special book where the sequel is even better than the first book to me. I read it within 24 hours of receiving the ARC (free in exchange for honest review), if that tells you anything about how much I enjoyed it.

This book is the continuation of Purple Moon. I loved everything about the theme: the verse, how it ties in with the season, and the lessons learned. It inspired a new love of Ecclesiastes 3 in me the way it was put to a story.

And the art! Painting and photography and competitions made the creative side of me happy. Not to mention the cover.

Tessa also has done an amazing job with the book as a series -- picking up where Purple Moon left off with an amazing new plot, and ending this book well. The ending didn't close everything off, so there's room for more to come (yay!) but everything that needed to be resolved was resolved. It was a joy to see more of Selena's family and watching her expand on her artistic ability, plus meet new characters.

A couple negatives (in order to be honest, there must be some): I liked how Selena's slight bullying of Renee was justified by Austin, but the relationship between the two of them seemed off to me and cliche. The ending with her brother seemed a little too coincidental, although happy. However, I've given this a five-star review anyway because it didn't hinder my enjoyment of the book.

I'd recommend to all YA contemporary lovers!

[S.G. Willoughby · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so . . . realistic. From the broken families to the coffee descriptions to the teenage drama. Tessa's writing style and descriptions are beautiful and vivid -- so much so that I found myself wanting to paint something or drink coffee (and that's saying something, as I'm not a coffee drinker).

I have not yet read Purple Moon, but while I think I will someday so that I can learn more about the characters, I was not confused at any point in the reading for not having read book 1.

Did I mention I loved the imagery? And the themes. This book was healing to read, even though my life is totally different from the MC's.

REREAD:
Yep. Brought me to tears again. This book is just SOOOOO beautiful and good. Painful, too, as I struggle with my own healing and brokenness, but I think reading it every fall is going to have to be a new tradition.

[R.J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fallen Leaves is the long awaited continuation of Selena's story from Purple Moon.

Though Fallen Leaves is a sequel book, it could be read as a standalone because many of the events are explained as they're referred back to, however because I loved Purple Moon so much, I definitely recommend reading that book first.

Just like with the first book, Selena is a high school girl dealing with family problems and school problems. She struggles with her faith, identity, and trusting her closest friends when things seem to come apart.

I loved revisiting Selena in her North Carolina town and it was great picking up where Purple Moon left off, and her character is just so REAL that she's easy to relate to. It's also a Christian, clean YA Contemporary book with no cursing or sexual content, though there are some high-school topics that Selena or her friends face.

Though I did enjoy Purple Moon much more than Fallen Leaves, I still give Fallen Leaves 5 out of 5 stars because I love Selena and her story is a touching one.

I received this book from the author for the purpose of this review. All comments and opinions are entirely my own.

This is a LiteratureApproved.com Review.

[Aria · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this one better than the first - oh, and I adore the fact that most of the book takes place in the Asheville area, my hometown. I love all the Asheville references!

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full review coming soon

[Sophie Sage · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this one so much. It was just as good as the first one! 🩷

[Sydney · Rating 5 out of 5]

In book two of her Purple Moon Series, author Tessa Emily Hall brings to life a powerful and inspiring story. Fallen Leaves is about the struggles of a young teen girl. It’s about discovering how to handle the hardships life has thrown at you with hope and learning to lean on and trust in God. Big themes in the story revolve around hope and the unexpected gift of meaningful relationships with family and friends. This vibrant young adult realistic fiction story will command the attention of readers from page one as the beautiful story and easily relatable characters come to life from the pages. Hall has a way with words that will make readers pause and think, as well as be captivated, not wanting to put the book down. Readers of realistic young adult fiction will thoroughly enjoy this delightful novel!

Series: Purple Moon
Genre: young adult, realistic, Christian
Publisher: Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas
Publication date: October 26, 2018
Number of pages: 380

Other books in the series:
1-Purple Moon

A review copy of this book was provided by the author via JustRead Publicity Tours. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are my own.

[Alysha (For The Love of Christian Fiction) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Yes I'm proud of myself for stepping outside of my reading comfort zone, but I think I might take a break from YA contemporary. I'm coming to find it really isn't my thing.

The idea for this book was cute, I love seeing creative main characters!
Other than that and my LOVE for the side character's (Cole is my favorite ever!) I really didn't care for the story.

NOT BECAUSE OF THE AUTHOR!!! I just personally couldn't connect with anything the main character was going through, or what demons she faced.

I have not read the companion novel to this story, so there were points when I was little lost on the back story. If someone wants the FULL experience I definitely would recommend reading the stories together.

I rated it a 3/5 stars. I do know this story would be great for young girls facing some of these things in their life, but it wasn't for my season in life.

*I received this book from the author**All opinions are my own*

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fallen leaves is a heart warming story with an intriguing plot and great characters, and a message that will resonant with you. "And a time for everything…"

[Anna Schaeffer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tessa Emily Hall has a gift for telling compelling, hope-filled stories. With lifelike settings you can step right into, and relatable characters you’ll quickly call friends, Fallen Leaves reminds us of the importance of friendship, family, and ultimately, faith in a plan bigger than what we see in front of us. Whether you’ve known Selena Taylor since Purple Moon, or it’s your first visit to Lake Lure, you’ll savor this story like your favorite Autumn latte…and wish it didn’t have to end.

[Caroline George · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tessa Emily Hall crafts a vibrant, meaningful story focused on the beauty gained through and within change. She once again treats readers to an emotionally transparent novel that explores the reality of loss, self-discovery, and hope for growth after the fall. Fallen Leaves holds readers close, encourages their hearts, and warms them like a good cup of coffee.

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once I began the book, I could not put it down. I did not read Purple Moon but, I did not feel lost or confused as the author does a good job in explaining the characters. A truly heartwarming story about Selena Taylor and her journey in finding herself. I could definitely relate to her character in her relationship with God and others around her! A great work by a great author!

[Rachelle Cobb · Rating 5 out of 5]

YA at its finest!

[Jessica Fay · Rating 3 out of 5]

this month just missed with books I guess. this one was the same as all that I have read this month. lackluster and just blah in the kept me interested department.

[Suzie Waltner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Selena Taylor deals with the typical teenage struggles—a new school, figuring whether the boy she likes feels the same about her, and a new job. But she also has some much larger issues to contend with, including her new relationship with Christ, a mother in rehab, and a search for the father and brother she hasn’t seen in eight years.

While Selena steps out of her comfort zone and embraces courage in her artwork and her job, she is a bit too passive in a couple other areas. Specifically, where her mother and friend Austin are concerned.

Tessa Emily Hall writes and authentic teenage girl over a few months of navigating new areas of her life. Selena is learning to trust that God has the best in mind for her, even when that doesn’t look the way she wishes it did.

The emotions are raw, some relationships are on uneven ground, and the journey is paved with many twists, potholes, and a few U-turns.

This is the second book in the Purple moon series (and I suggest reading the first as I felt a little out of the loop or wanted more details regarding some of the past situations mentioned in Fallen Leaves). At the same time, I’m crossing my fingers for another book featuring Selena and friends. While this one had a satisfying ending, there were several questions left unanswered when the final page was turned.

Disclosure statement:
I receive complimentary books from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including NetGalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

[R.M. Archer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't read a whole lot of contemporary fiction, but almost every time I do I wonder why I don't. One of my favorite things about books is that they transport you to a different place, and with contemporary fiction that place is often somewhere you feel like you could actually have a chance of going, particularly when that place is written well. Lake Lure was definitely written well. Tessa did a wonderful job of capturing the inviting atmosphere of Brewer's coffee shop, the mixture of fun and nervousness in Mr. Lovett's class, the almost-emptiness of the Huitt home. But what really brought these settings to life wasn't the settings themselves or the descriptions Tessa used. What brought these settings to life was the characters that inhabited them.

I tend to have no particular love for main characters--I'm not sure why. I think it's just a quirk of mine--but Selena was engaging to me. I felt like her anxiety could have been explored a bit more deeply, and the feelings that related to her past issues, but overall I was able to enjoy her character and see what made her tick. Plus, there were times I related to her in really specific ways, which happens very rarely.

Austin was wonderful. He was written very well, and I loved how Tessa brought out his personality and his values through the way he treated the other characters. (That birthday scene near the end... I just loved him all the more after that.) He's almost exactly what I look for in a guy in real life.

Madaleigh was also great. I loved her personality, her passion for art and for Christ, her view on brokenness... She was possibly my favorite character. (I'm slightly bummed she wasn't a bigger part of the last few chapters of the book.) Her friendship with Selena was one of my favorite things about the book.

I'll stop there with the characters, since I could comment on almost every one of them, and just say that all of the characters were wonderfully done. They were all incredibly distinct and engaging and sharp, and I even enjoyed reading the less likable characters because they were still so well-written. (Except Richard. No amount of good writing could make me enjoy reading about him.)

The plot and theme were also well-done. (Almost no part of this book wasn't well-done.) The theme was woven throughout the whole story beautifully, and the conclusion was mostly satisfying. I wish the bulk of the book had included more references to Christ and finding peace in Him, I felt like it was a little light-handed for a lot of the book, but the pieces nearer the end struck a good balance for me. (Again, the birthday scene. I loved that scene so much.) I felt like the beginning of the book had a lot of references to how Selena's life had changed the summer before and not so much showing that change. I also feel like Selena had too easy a time finding peace in God near the end (I say this as a Christian who struggles with trusting God and finding peace in Him); I'm not sure I've ever seen a real-life Christian find it so easy to place things in God's hands, so I feel like that transition was a little too smooth. But that could be a character difference between me and Selena.

Overall, I think Fallen Leaves is definitely worthy of five stars. It's a beautiful book, inside and out, and very well-written.

[Sofia Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Selena couldn't be happier about staying longer at Lake Lure and attending the Art Academy. Yet problems keep following her. The competition at her school seems unbearable, especially from Renee, who seems bent on not only winning her competition but doing it with Austin. Selena can't in the least figure out what her relationship with Austin is, anyway. Are they dating? Friends? Casual acquaintances? And then her mom is planning on graduating the rehab program earlier than planned and moving right back to New York, to the exact place and job where a lot of her problems were caused. With all this happening, the almost-peaceful feelings Selena has now seem unstable. Selena can see only one way to fix things: Reunite herself and her mom with her long-lost father and brother.

In "Fallen Leaves," Tessa Emily Hall writes a complex, intriguing story of a girl longing for acceptance. Although at times I felt annoyed by Selena's slow, peaceful, unhurried moments I felt extremely interested every time her long-lost family was brought up. Hall did an excellent job at that narrative, making the story both suspenseful and something everyone can empathize with. Slowly, Selena learns to trust God with whatever plan He has, even if it means having to be patient or even getting a "no."

This is the second book, following Purple Moon.

Disclaimer: I received this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Theron John · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the follow-up book to 'Purple Moon' Tessa Emily Hall, continues the story of Selena as she wonders if there is hope for her family come back together. In this story of redemption and resurrection, teens and young adults will enjoy this second book (although you don't need to read 'Purple Moon' in order to enjoy and be brought into the story). As a youth pastor, this work of fiction helped to remind me the struggles and emotions that come with being a teen. At the same time, realizing the broken homes many teens and other young people face today, Fallen Leaves tugged at my heart as I was hoping to see the story of redemption and resurrection of a family come to fruition. Readers will find the story captivating and will not want to put the book down. While fiction, the book touches on reality and many young people will be able to empathize. Simply put, 'Fallen Leaves' by Tessa Hall is a must-read teen fiction on faith and family.

[SJ Garrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful story of learning to trust in God's timing. I haven't read any earlier stories of Selena, but that didn't matter one bit. I highly recommend this story to anyone that likes good clean inspirational stories.

[Tara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a sweet story of a girl overcoming anxiety and hardship through a growing trust of God's perfect timing. So loved the characterizations and coffee shop setting! It made me want to read it with a pumpkin spice lattee in hand...even though I'm lactose intolerant!

[Hailey Rose]

This isn't the book for me right now--so DNFing for the time being. :)

[Megan · Rating 3 out of 5]

**I received an advanced reader's copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.

I personally think that this was such a great book to read with autumn right around the corner! I sat on my couch one afternoon, the sun shining outside, the leaves already starting to turn a shade of yellow and orange, and started to read this story.
It was a great continuation of Purple Moon, the first book of Selena's story. It picks up right as she is about to start school at a prestigious art school and follow one of her long-held dreams of growing her talents as an artist. So often I read stories that are so completely unlike the first story that I can't stand to read on, but that was not the case at all with this story! Selena was still Selena with struggles and her growing like for the handsome Austin.
I did feel like some of Selena's struggles--such as alcohol and smoking--that were such a big part of the previous book were nearly forgotten in this book. A lot of those struggles are things that are not overcome so quickly, and I felt like that was the case in this instance.
One of my favorite aspects of this story was all the coffee shop references! I'm not a huge coffee drinker myself, however, I do enjoy the fall flavors of coffee. It was so enjoyable to watch Selena grow in her coffee knowledge while at Brewer's and be able to assist with crafting the fall menu!
This book felt split between two battles for Selena. One as she was trying to find her father and brother so she and her mother wouldn't have to move back to New York to live, and the other was her battle with Renee--the pretty, new girl that Austin is often found hanging out with. I thought both of these stories were balance nicely in that time was given for both to develop. However, I felt like the resolution for both issues was underdeveloped.
**SPOILERS AHEAD. PROCEED WITH CAUTION**
Austin really did seem to enjoy Renee's company and often treated her like more than a sister. Yet, when confronted by Selena about their relationship, he was adamant and acted very goody-two-shoes that he had not led Renee on in any way and saw her like a sister rather than potential girlfriend. He seemed a little too perfect at times in this book, and when he did do something wrong, it was always justified in some ways.
When Selena did finally reunite with her brother, they met for seemingly five minutes before her brother interrupted and said he needed to catch a plane and they'd catch up later. After years and years of not seeing each other, it seemed strange that her brother would cut the meeting short for no good reason.
And when Selena met her father, the story ended very quickly afterward. It left me wondering if she and her mom would move back to New York City to live? Was the family conflict resolved? And what was the issue with the creepy neighbor who claimed that she was marrying Selena's father? That seemed an unnecessary twist that was underdeveloped in resolution as well. So, I mainly had a lot of questions at the end of the book that I wish had been solved.

Overall, however, I enjoyed this book. It was a light, enjoyable read, and it definitely gave me extreme fall feelings! I hope that I can find someplace that can make me an All-Around Autumn latte, because YUM!!

[Phyllis · Rating 4 out of 5]

In seasons of change, God is always constant

Selena suffered from anxiety, which was no surprise considering the things she had been through in her sixteen years of life. Wrested away from her dad and brother and made to believe that she was sent away. Living with and caring for an alcoholic mother, left to wonder if she would come home at night and what kind of condition she would be in when she got there.

But things were different now. Living with her aunt and uncle while her mom was in rehab. Finding again the faith of her father and putting her own life of partying behind her, Selena was ready to start her new school year at the prestigious art school and live the fairy tale she had always dreamed of.

While Selena had a crush on the next-door-neighbor, Austin, and their relationship was a large part of the story, it is hard to call this a romance. It was so much more about Selena growing in her relationship with Christ as she had to learn to trust Him even if her life wasn’t turning out as she expected.

The characters in the story were fleshed out in a way that I felt I really knew them. Her frenemy, snobbish cousin, the dreamy and oh-so-sweet Christian boy-next-door, her aunt who had taken her in. Oh, and her art teacher. Yeah, he was great!

One of the things I really appreciated about this is the way her “old life” of partying was mentioned but never glorified. Though she had turned to cigarettes and anxiety pills to help calm her, Selena knew that the lifestyle she had lived was but a false illusion and could bring no real or lasting happiness.

My emotions were all over the place as I read this book. As a baby Christian, Selena had to learn to trust God and to not act rashly. She made a bad choice due to jealousy and anger that had my heart thumping. Okay, it probably won’t have you reacting that way, but I get quite worked up watching characters do dumb things like this! At some moments I was laughing, others I was hoping, and yet others I had tears in my eyes. In other words, I was very emotionally invested in this story.

This is the second book of a series that is not specifically named on Amazon. It is a follow-up to Purple Moon which I have not read. The author did a great job of filling in details so I was not lost, but she still had me wanting to read that one as well. I’ve included a preview of that story at the very end of this post. All indications point to another book coming – not that there wasn’t a satisfying ending here, because there was, but it is clear that there is still more to be told.


This review was originally posted on Among the Reads


I was given a free copy of this item. This gift did not influence my opinion or review.

[Tarissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

What I love? It's a solid story, that upholds excellent Christian values. I have been super excited to catch the sequel to Purple Moon... and now Fallen Leaves is here!

The reader can take in a sweeping story about the healing power of art... overcoming temptations... brokenness transformed... achieving goals... finding truth... trusting in Jesus Christ and His timing... and navigating the messes of life with grace...

“God wouldn't have brought you all this way and then leave you to fend for yourself. Whatever the outcome, He's with you.”

The story touches a lot of topics which makes it feel quite cozy and relatable (like the coffeehouse hangout, certain songs and artists mentioned, TV shows, and other elements too). It feels modern, trendy, and identifiable to today's teen readers.

Plus, the characters... they fly off the page with color. They have realistic lives and problems. Even the backstories on them are so detailed and true to life. I ecstatic to meet up with Selena in this sequel, and some of other amazing people in this book... it's definitely worth it to read these two books! (Plus, did you know there's a little short story featuring Selena too?)

“God will never fail us. And when things don't go according to our plans, it's not because He's forgotten about us it's because He is a far better Author than we could ever be.”

Cons? (No spoiler here...) but... a certain plot twist left me hoping for a better conclusion – the facts just didn't arrange themselves neatly and logically in the plot, like I wanted. (This particular thing wasn't explained well enough, nor the character's motives behind their action, leaving me disgruntled.)

Note to the discerning reader & parents: There are some mature topics mentioned in the story. Such as divorce, family problems, cheating, pregnancy, jealousy, lying, smoking, anxiety... issues that many teens face either in themselves or in their families. It gives the reader a glimpse of the real world, but with tact. Had this story not been a Christian book, I wouldn't have felt safe to dive right into a story with those elements in it. Fallen Leaves though covered those topics gracefully.

Perfect for teens and young adults (but let's not limit the age group – any adults could enjoy it too).

Tessa Emily Hall's books remind me of Nicole O'Dell's series called Diamond Estates; there are some similarities, for sure. (So if you're a fan of one author, you might try the other.)

[V. Palmer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fallen Leaves by Tessa Emily Hall is the perfect sweet, romantic, inspiring YA read for Autumn! I mean, the title is Fallen Leaves! You can't get more perfect than that! ;-)





I loved Selena just for being Selena! She loved God and was trying to navigate school, relationships, and life. Sometimes she made the right decision, and sometimes she didn't. Selena and the other characters were beautifully broken. They all had their secrets and struggles and hurts, making them so relatable to me! The romance was very Christy and Todd/Robin Jones Gunn - which is a huge compliment! And I loved the diversity; Selena is Mexican! I'm half Puerto Rican, and I love reading books with Hispanic characters!





I loved Selena's heart towards her father. Even when their relationship was at its worst, there was so much love between them. Father-daughter themes in a story are very precious to me, and I kept tearing up while reading those scenes. They were so wonderfully reflective of our relationship with our Heavenly Father.


The overall spiritual thread packed a punch to the soul - in a good way! Trusting God no matter what the outcome is a horse-sized pill for anyone to swallow. Selena's story shows readers that God's plan for their life is good and that His light shines through the things we see as broken. This message and sweet deliverance touched my heart!





Four Stars ~ Fallen Leaves takes readers on a sweet, beautiful journey! Fallen Leaves is the second book in the Purple Moon Series by Tessa Emily Hall, but it can be read as a standalone. I look forward to the next book, and I'll be looking to get my hands on the author's other books, too! #bookhoarder




Disclaimer ~ In accordance with FTC regulations, I received a copy of this book from the author/publisher. I was not compensated, nor was a positive review required. All opinions expressed are my own.

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not sure how to rate this book. I realize it's a sequel, but there are some basic things missing in story that shouldn't be. For example, for 89% of the book I had no idea how old the main character was. At first I thought adult until I read it was her first job. But some women don't start working until they're adults. Mostly I wavered between thinking she was a teenager around 18 to being in her 20's. Turned out she was 16. Knowing the age is important in order to enjoy and understand the story. For example, If you know they're teens then you know drinking and smoking are illegal and unacceptable. If they're adults then there's nothing wrong if they have a drink or two; and while smoking may not be good, it's not illegal and shouldn't be judged. Although the main characters were supposed to be Christians, we never hear about them going to Church even once, much less regularly. The nearest thing to church is hearing about the youth group - which I believe is only mentioned twice. You'd expect Church and reading the Bible (which is only mentioned once) to be the most important things in their lives.
On the other hand there's a lot of good stuff in this book. The basic story is great, as are the characters. I don't know much about art, but it sounds like the author does, and she makes the art world come alive for people who know nothing about it. I suspect artists would be drawn to the story. Mainly she shows how God can take the broken pieces of our lives and make them more beautiful than before if we will trust Him.

I also didn't realize it was a book for "young adults. That's my fault. I should have checked. All in all, it's a good book that could be much better with a little polish.

[Naomi · Rating 5 out of 5]

It had been awhile since I had spent time with Selena and her friends, so at first I got just a couple of the characters mixed up (which is my fault, not the authors! I tend to get characters confused easily XD). I remembered Selena and some of the things she went through. It was nice to see how the things in Purple Moon still affected her, whether in a positive or a negative way, and how that was affecting what she was going through currently. Selena was forced to go through things that pushed her, and sometimes took her out of her comfort zone. She learned, as we all have, that just because you're a Christian doesn't mean life is automatically easy.
I really like how Tessa Emily Hall showed Selena's struggle, and oftentimes I really related. There were times I was reading and I thought, "That's what I'm going through/went through." Selena had challenges and her results didn't come easily just because she's a fictional character. Selena struggled, she hurt, she learned... and as reader I appreciated it.
I also appreciated how at the end it wasn't all perfect. While at the end Selena does come to a pretty good place, but she still has a lot of questions and uncertainties about her future... which means there is going to be a third book, I hope. :)
I give Fallen Leaves 5 out of 5 stars, and I'd recommend this book to anyone who enjoys contemporary YA. You don't have to read Purple Moon first, but I think that it is nice to really understand Selena.
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review.

[Katy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review!

Purple Moon is one of my all-time favorite books, and I was so excited when I heard about the sequel coming out. And in a lot of ways, I really did enjoy it. Selena's journey was picked up pretty close to where it was left off, and we continued to watch her character and relationships develop very beautifully. In addition, the author's writing style is beautiful and I am absolutely in love with the way she uses descriptive language that flows so well.
In other ways, though, this book just fell flat for me. After absolutely falling in love with Austin as I read Purple Moon, in this sequel his character didn't seem as likable and fleshed-out. There wasn't enough at stake in order to keep me interested and invested in their budding relationship, something that I'd really felt in the first book and would have liked to experience again. In general, this book just didn't seem as engaging as the first - while still enjoyable, it wasn't very compelling and not as much of a page-turner.
Regardless, I did enjoy this book and would recommend it to those who are looking for a nice Christian fiction novel that's more appropriate and better-written than most others on the shelves today. I look forward to reading what Hall writes in the future, and hope to see another book in this series!

[Brandi Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this book taught me to just relax and trust God's process. Like Selena I've trying to rush certain seasons in my life when I should just enjoy where I am right now in my life. I loved when she would go back to flashbacks with her family and how gentle and sweet her dad was. Oh and I definitely have to say Cole is the funniest character lol. I was laughing out loud at the stupid things he did. And I was so relieved that she continued being friends with Hayden and Patrick. Some people and (it's understandable why)stop talking to the people they were friends with when they weren't in a relationship with God because they're scared their friends won't accept them but Selena didn't care she still spoke to them and took time to be with them. I also appreciated how even though Renee was extremely annoying, Selena still forgave her and acknowledged her past. All that to say I really loved this book and I'm kinda sad to end it but thankful to have gotten a second adventure with Selena and her friends!