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Love and the Sea and Everything in Between
WINNER OF WATTPAD'S 2016 WATTY'S AWARD "We are bright. We are brave." College Freshman Adam West's world has been falling apart for a long time. Broken, betrayed, abandoned, alone... there's nothing left for him but a handful of mental illnesses. He's tired and ready to end it all. Then, Elizabeth Richards comes along. All it took was the kindness of a stranger to make Adam's world a just little bit brighter. For the first time in a long time, as they travel the West Coast together, he's starting to see that there are still some adventures worth living for. But pain isn't easily forgotten. And the past doesn't just disappear. Sometimes the only way to come alive is to fight and wrestle through all the darkest places. For fans of Stephen Chbosky's THE PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWER and John Green's THE FAULT IN OUR STARS, LOVE AND THE SEA AND EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN shines a light on some of the darkest places of human struggle. Heart-rending and raw, it reminds us that love has the power to bring healing to even the most broken places.
257 pages, Paperback
First published October 29, 2018
20 people are currently reading
363 people want to read
About the author
Brian McBride
14 books266 followersBorn and raised in the misty mountains of Oregon before moving to the San Francisco Bay Area, Brian has been writing since he was old enough to hold a pen and has been reading for even longer. A profesionnal multi- tasker, Brian has built a Tiny House on Wheels, started a small business, launched his own publishing house, and serves as pastor at his church. His growing list of interests include but are not limited to: his goofy German Shepherd, Arlo, iced tea, tropical getaways, and angsty teen dramas.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
December 31, 2018
Wow. The fact that I'm still thinking about this book 10 days after finishing should say a lot about the book itself.
I loved both of the main characters and found this to be a very insightful and thoughtful look at the many facets of brokenness. From self-harm, addictions, and suicidal tendencies to depression, abuse, and trauma, this book tackled many difficult topics bravely. Because it wasn't checking them off a list. It was providing a window. And, ultimately, a solution.
I also appreciated that every character was broken in their own way whether they understood others or chose light or not. It helped draw a contrast for those who had hope outside of themselves.
From a reading standpoint, this book is raw and authentic and poetic. And while it's so wholly heartbreaking, it comes around to finally offering the only real solution--the only present hope. Jesus Christ. While man readers I think will appreciate how subtly this was done, I would have liked a more vibrant, concrete portrayal of the hope even the most broken of people have through Christ.
It's an easy read but hard content. But I think it's a very necessary and relevant book. And it excites me because not only do I think this author is capable of even more, I know he's going to continue sharing his heart and Savior with the world.
My only real complaint is, again, that I thought the importance of Jesus as the light to each of our personal darknesses could have been stronger. And I was first really turned off by one plot point that went a little far for me. However, in the end, it wasn't just a plotless look at hard lives. It was a journey in which the characters had to find their own purpose. While they had each other (and this is largely the focus of the book), they knew at the end that they weren't enough. Not for themselves or one another.
And that's the powerful part. *rant over*
Recommended for ages 17+ due to the dark, gritty nature of the book. Be aware that those with a traumatic past might have a harder time with some of the content. But it's oh so worth it.
I loved both of the main characters and found this to be a very insightful and thoughtful look at the many facets of brokenness. From self-harm, addictions, and suicidal tendencies to depression, abuse, and trauma, this book tackled many difficult topics bravely. Because it wasn't checking them off a list. It was providing a window. And, ultimately, a solution.
I also appreciated that every character was broken in their own way whether they understood others or chose light or not. It helped draw a contrast for those who had hope outside of themselves.
From a reading standpoint, this book is raw and authentic and poetic. And while it's so wholly heartbreaking, it comes around to finally offering the only real solution--the only present hope. Jesus Christ. While man readers I think will appreciate how subtly this was done, I would have liked a more vibrant, concrete portrayal of the hope even the most broken of people have through Christ.
It's an easy read but hard content. But I think it's a very necessary and relevant book. And it excites me because not only do I think this author is capable of even more, I know he's going to continue sharing his heart and Savior with the world.
My only real complaint is, again, that I thought the importance of Jesus as the light to each of our personal darknesses could have been stronger. And I was first really turned off by one plot point that went a little far for me. However, in the end, it wasn't just a plotless look at hard lives. It was a journey in which the characters had to find their own purpose. While they had each other (and this is largely the focus of the book), they knew at the end that they weren't enough. Not for themselves or one another.
And that's the powerful part. *rant over*
Recommended for ages 17+ due to the dark, gritty nature of the book. Be aware that those with a traumatic past might have a harder time with some of the content. But it's oh so worth it.
November 10, 2018
Well, I wrote this book. :) It only took me four years, but it’s finally here!
August 22, 2020
So. Given the fact that it's been almost a month and I still can't quite sort out my thoughts on this book into something as thorough as I would like, I'm just going to acknowledge that that's never going to happen, lol. But I can compile at least some of my thoughts.
- The sense of adventure. Spontaneous adventure is such a central part of the relationship between the MCs and I love it. Adventure and travel are fantastic and I loved that aspect of this story.
- The prose. Oh my word, the prose was beautiful. The prose is what immediately sucked me in.
- Related to that, the character voice. It felt very organic to Adam's character, and it was really gripping.
- The rawness of the story. This book is definitely intended for older readers, and it doesn't pull punches. It's honest, but tactful, about most of the issues it focuses on, and it strikes a balance of realistic-but-hopeful.
- Music. Adam listens to music on a regular basis, and it was awesome to get a glimpse at that and at the kind of things he listens to. For some reason it doesn't seem like that's a super common thing in fiction, and it really appealed to me as a music-lover.
- It's definitely thought provoking. I mean... I finished it almost a month ago and I'm still thinking about it and trying to sort it out, lol. Personally, it not only got me thinking about the issues put forth in the book but also the way they were presented and the idea of content in Christian books in general (a topic that was already really important to me).
- Speaking to the content again... A decent chunk of this book contained stuff I wouldn't agree with and might not even ordinarily read about, but it was handled in such a way that it never seemed glorified and it always seemed to fit with the characters (aside from one thing that I'll bring up in a moment). It all seemed... objective? Like it was shining a light on reality without giving too much commentary on it (what commentary did come through--organically--was positive, in my opinion); just... revealing it for what it is? So it never seemed gratuitous and it always seemed to serve a purpose.
- The one exception was smoking. Smoking did seem in character for Adam, and it was handled like everything else. But later Liz tries one of his cigarettes, and the characters say it's bad for them but then... Liz also starts smoking. Which I didn't think felt as organic to her character, and I thought contributed to a more positive view on smoking than I necessarily was comfortable with.
- I might have liked the ending to have more of a God-focus, even subtly. I felt like the Christianity toward the end was sort of tacked on and then glossed over? I definitely understand not wanting it to be preachy, but I thought a little more could have maybe been done.
- There's a discussion toward the beginning of the book about Heaven and Hell that I found really thought-provoking, in particular.
I mean... how much more seriously might we take evangelism, how much more might we feel the gravity and importance of reaching out to people with the gospel, if we really realized how horrible Hell is? This just... framed that idea in a way I hadn't really thought about before.
But it's not all hopeless. Liz's response is equally eye-opening.
And those were just a couple of the sections I highlighted, lol. So, overall, I definitely appreciated this book. I can't put any blanket recommendation on it, because it is raw and it is real and I know some readers won't be comfortable with that. But I definitely think it's worth checking out if you're looking for a thought-provoking read.
- The sense of adventure. Spontaneous adventure is such a central part of the relationship between the MCs and I love it. Adventure and travel are fantastic and I loved that aspect of this story.
- The prose. Oh my word, the prose was beautiful. The prose is what immediately sucked me in.
- Related to that, the character voice. It felt very organic to Adam's character, and it was really gripping.
- The rawness of the story. This book is definitely intended for older readers, and it doesn't pull punches. It's honest, but tactful, about most of the issues it focuses on, and it strikes a balance of realistic-but-hopeful.
- Music. Adam listens to music on a regular basis, and it was awesome to get a glimpse at that and at the kind of things he listens to. For some reason it doesn't seem like that's a super common thing in fiction, and it really appealed to me as a music-lover.
- It's definitely thought provoking. I mean... I finished it almost a month ago and I'm still thinking about it and trying to sort it out, lol. Personally, it not only got me thinking about the issues put forth in the book but also the way they were presented and the idea of content in Christian books in general (a topic that was already really important to me).
- Speaking to the content again... A decent chunk of this book contained stuff I wouldn't agree with and might not even ordinarily read about, but it was handled in such a way that it never seemed glorified and it always seemed to fit with the characters (aside from one thing that I'll bring up in a moment). It all seemed... objective? Like it was shining a light on reality without giving too much commentary on it (what commentary did come through--organically--was positive, in my opinion); just... revealing it for what it is? So it never seemed gratuitous and it always seemed to serve a purpose.
- The one exception was smoking. Smoking did seem in character for Adam, and it was handled like everything else. But later Liz tries one of his cigarettes, and the characters say it's bad for them but then... Liz also starts smoking. Which I didn't think felt as organic to her character, and I thought contributed to a more positive view on smoking than I necessarily was comfortable with.
- I might have liked the ending to have more of a God-focus, even subtly. I felt like the Christianity toward the end was sort of tacked on and then glossed over? I definitely understand not wanting it to be preachy, but I thought a little more could have maybe been done.
- There's a discussion toward the beginning of the book about Heaven and Hell that I found really thought-provoking, in particular.
"I believe that hell is something we see every day." I pause. "Every time we see suffering and pain, we see a fragment of what Hell is like. When you walk past the homeless man, the addict. When you hear stories about murder, rape, assault, or robbery. When you see the orphan, the widow, the lost, the poor. Those are mere fragments of what Hell is like.
"Take those times when you feel most alone, most scared, most lost, most hopeless, most worthless, most abandoned, most hurt, most broken, most separated from God... and multiply it by infinity. That is hell."
I mean... how much more seriously might we take evangelism, how much more might we feel the gravity and importance of reaching out to people with the gospel, if we really realized how horrible Hell is? This just... framed that idea in a way I hadn't really thought about before.
But it's not all hopeless. Liz's response is equally eye-opening.
"Adding onto what Adam said, we can apply the same perspective to Heaven. While, yes, we see fragments of Hell seeping in through the fractures of a broken world, we can also see fragments of Heaven breaking in. When a stranger buys that homeless man a meal. When people from all backgrounds and faiths join together to provide relief to those who suffered from natural disasters. When a mother holds her baby for the first time. When the sun sets at the end of a perfect day. These are the moments when Heaven shines through in the midst of Hell on earth."
She looks right at me and says, "Yeah. Hell is real. But I think heaven is the greater reality. Most people just don't look for it."
And those were just a couple of the sections I highlighted, lol. So, overall, I definitely appreciated this book. I can't put any blanket recommendation on it, because it is raw and it is real and I know some readers won't be comfortable with that. But I definitely think it's worth checking out if you're looking for a thought-provoking read.
October 22, 2023
Oh my gosh how am I ever going to write a review that accurately reflects how this book made me feel?
Though after sitting on fear of writing this review for several days now, I realized that it doesn’t need to be perfect and list everything in a neat bullet point essay of everything I liked and loved because for one I don’t write reviews in a clinical way like that, and two this book isn’t perfect, so why should my review be?
This is a messy, broken story for messy, broken people, and even though it has flaws in typos and a meandering ending (which I personally liked because I got a long HEA!) and probably other things that didn’t bug me but might bug others, it’s also perfect exactly the way it is by being real and raw in its depiction of humanity and mental illness in a way that really touched me and made me think about myself, a girl with depression, in a different light and almost appreciation for how I see others and have a unique way of connecting to those who are broken and lost just like me.
This book is powerful and full of heart and I literally read it in a day because it captured and captivated me so much. I love this book and can’t wait to try more of this author’s works.
‼️Content‼️
TRIGGER WARNING: suicidal thoughts and two attempts (one the character nearly jumps off a bridge but stops; the second one is very much carried out from beginning to end on page—the character slits their wrists and tries to drown in a bathtub—though neither, especially the last one, is very detailed); self-harm (cutting); panic attacks; depression; in the past a character was raped by a relative (they have a memory of one time that isn’t detailed but you get what’s going on)
Language: screw it; God (1)
Violence: suicidal thoughts and two attempts (one the character nearly jumps off a bridge but stops; the second one is very much carried out from beginning to end on page—the character slits their wrists and tries to drown in a bathtub—though neither, especially the last one, is very detailed); in brief flashbacks a drunk father beats his wife and son (not detailed); two guys get into a fist fight (not detailed); a character beats their abusive father until bloody in self defense and to protect their mother (not detailed); injuries and blood (not detailed)
Sexual: in the past a character was raped by a relative (they have a memory of one time that isn’t detailed but you get what’s going on); kissing (not detailed); a fade to black sex scene (nothing is shown or detailed aside from one character’s shirt being pulled off)
Drug/Alcohol: a character smokes cigarettes and once pot; characters drink champagne
Other: self-harm (cutting); panic attacks; depression; death and grief; thoughts about getting an abortion; a father dies in a car crash (not shown)
Though after sitting on fear of writing this review for several days now, I realized that it doesn’t need to be perfect and list everything in a neat bullet point essay of everything I liked and loved because for one I don’t write reviews in a clinical way like that, and two this book isn’t perfect, so why should my review be?
This is a messy, broken story for messy, broken people, and even though it has flaws in typos and a meandering ending (which I personally liked because I got a long HEA!) and probably other things that didn’t bug me but might bug others, it’s also perfect exactly the way it is by being real and raw in its depiction of humanity and mental illness in a way that really touched me and made me think about myself, a girl with depression, in a different light and almost appreciation for how I see others and have a unique way of connecting to those who are broken and lost just like me.
This book is powerful and full of heart and I literally read it in a day because it captured and captivated me so much. I love this book and can’t wait to try more of this author’s works.
‼️Content‼️
TRIGGER WARNING: suicidal thoughts and two attempts (one the character nearly jumps off a bridge but stops; the second one is very much carried out from beginning to end on page—the character slits their wrists and tries to drown in a bathtub—though neither, especially the last one, is very detailed); self-harm (cutting); panic attacks; depression; in the past a character was raped by a relative (they have a memory of one time that isn’t detailed but you get what’s going on)
Language: screw it; God (1)
Violence: suicidal thoughts and two attempts (one the character nearly jumps off a bridge but stops; the second one is very much carried out from beginning to end on page—the character slits their wrists and tries to drown in a bathtub—though neither, especially the last one, is very detailed); in brief flashbacks a drunk father beats his wife and son (not detailed); two guys get into a fist fight (not detailed); a character beats their abusive father until bloody in self defense and to protect their mother (not detailed); injuries and blood (not detailed)
Sexual: in the past a character was raped by a relative (they have a memory of one time that isn’t detailed but you get what’s going on); kissing (not detailed); a fade to black sex scene (nothing is shown or detailed aside from one character’s shirt being pulled off)
Drug/Alcohol: a character smokes cigarettes and once pot; characters drink champagne
Other: self-harm (cutting); panic attacks; depression; death and grief; thoughts about getting an abortion; a father dies in a car crash (not shown)
April 13, 2019
“I know what you mean. Sometimes, you look at extraordinary stuff for so long, it starts to become ordinary. Sometimes you have to take back your wonder from whoever stole it form you.” – Brian McBride
Wow. In regards to Mental Health, I never did expect that I will be able to relate to a fictional character that at some point — I could really empathize with.
Adam is a teenage boy who is finding himself. Someone who has a negative perspective on life. This is where I could relate to Adam. He has a huge understanding of the bigger picture in life. This book shows how a person could be vulnerable. That a simple broken promise can damage a person. But at the same time, it shows that all people could be a catalyst and at the same time guilty if there will be a broken relationship and most of the time, in life, it happens without your control.
And I’m guilty of that as well. More often than not, we only think of ourselves and we don’t even think how our certain action could affect someone. Maybe it could break your family, or maybe, being insensitive can start a misunderstanding. There are various ways in life that we don’t have any control of. The only thing we could control here is how we will perceive the negative action from the outside and how we will turn this negativity into positivity.
Love and the Sea and Everything in Between shows the two sides of the coin. For Adam, what he is fighting for is something big deal for him. But for some, like my earlier mindset, his problems are way too small to deal with. As I read through the book, I realized that every problem has a different impact on a person. It could be nothing to someone but at the same time, it could be everything to someone.
Although I am not much of a fan of a story where the broken guy is being saved by the girl and it turned out, the broken guy is being saved by the broken girl being saved by the broken guy, I still appreciate how some huge events in their lives are being handled maturely.
One of the things that I would like to point out here is about Liz’s perspective. She is a ray of sunshine who keeps on trying to see the positive in the situation. In other words, the silver lining. Speaking for experience, it is difficult to have a positive mindset when you feel like everything is letting you down. When it feels like, you don’t have control over a situation where your perspective is in line with the thought that having a positive mindset is like you are just prolonging the agony and the pain that is yet to come.
That’s what I admire with Liz. She is stellar that even if she has her own demons, she keeps on fighting. She keeps on being the light to every situation. And that is what this book is, Love and the Seas and Everything in Between is a brave book that talks about mental health, and at the same time discuss issues to man up for the consequences of your action (if you look at it on that perspective) or just grow up to be a better person. Which one would you choose? To remain stagnant or to be better?
Wow. In regards to Mental Health, I never did expect that I will be able to relate to a fictional character that at some point — I could really empathize with.
Adam is a teenage boy who is finding himself. Someone who has a negative perspective on life. This is where I could relate to Adam. He has a huge understanding of the bigger picture in life. This book shows how a person could be vulnerable. That a simple broken promise can damage a person. But at the same time, it shows that all people could be a catalyst and at the same time guilty if there will be a broken relationship and most of the time, in life, it happens without your control.
And I’m guilty of that as well. More often than not, we only think of ourselves and we don’t even think how our certain action could affect someone. Maybe it could break your family, or maybe, being insensitive can start a misunderstanding. There are various ways in life that we don’t have any control of. The only thing we could control here is how we will perceive the negative action from the outside and how we will turn this negativity into positivity.
Love and the Sea and Everything in Between shows the two sides of the coin. For Adam, what he is fighting for is something big deal for him. But for some, like my earlier mindset, his problems are way too small to deal with. As I read through the book, I realized that every problem has a different impact on a person. It could be nothing to someone but at the same time, it could be everything to someone.
Although I am not much of a fan of a story where the broken guy is being saved by the girl and it turned out, the broken guy is being saved by the broken girl being saved by the broken guy, I still appreciate how some huge events in their lives are being handled maturely.
One of the things that I would like to point out here is about Liz’s perspective. She is a ray of sunshine who keeps on trying to see the positive in the situation. In other words, the silver lining. Speaking for experience, it is difficult to have a positive mindset when you feel like everything is letting you down. When it feels like, you don’t have control over a situation where your perspective is in line with the thought that having a positive mindset is like you are just prolonging the agony and the pain that is yet to come.
That’s what I admire with Liz. She is stellar that even if she has her own demons, she keeps on fighting. She keeps on being the light to every situation. And that is what this book is, Love and the Seas and Everything in Between is a brave book that talks about mental health, and at the same time discuss issues to man up for the consequences of your action (if you look at it on that perspective) or just grow up to be a better person. Which one would you choose? To remain stagnant or to be better?
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April 13, 2019I may review this ... I'm not sure yet.
Read
August 16, 2021STORY
A moving YA novel about friendship, redemption, and finding your place in a world determined to snuff out every light present. It was well paced and never got dull. It also handled mental illness in a respectful way without beating me over the head with politically correct propaganda.
THEMES
The themes in this book were well woven. We follow Adam as he struggles with his mind, his demons, and his relationships. He must forgive those who hurt him... and seek out a Savior greater than the demons running through his veins. This theme of seeking the light despite the darkness was very prevalent and beautiful.
The themes of friendship, forgiveness, and fighting for love even when it hurts... astounding. Overall, this was chalked full of great themes that were well written, never preachy, and moving. (For real. Page 40 hit me HARD.)
CHARACTERS
Adam is a really easy character to relate to and love. Liz wasn't your stereotypical pixie optimist, either, so that was a relief. Even the characters Adam struggles against (Jeremiah, Oliver, etc) are shown as human, especially in the end. This novel shows the wallflowers, the ordinary, the people that don't go through life as burning bright flames... as lights that are worthy, beautiful... every life matters. Whether we hide our scars or show them, whether we find it easy to keep relationships or get rejected time and time again... everyone matters.
And I'm trying not to get teary eyed, but this message... I really needed it.
CONTENT
Smoking, drinking. Some flashback scenes of a drunk, abusive father. Mentions of rape, nothing too described. A few kisses and such, barely described. A fade to black sex scene. Self harm and depictions of blood.
OVERALL
I was pleasantly surprised to have found a YA romance novel I actually really like and it definitely spoke to my heart.
A moving YA novel about friendship, redemption, and finding your place in a world determined to snuff out every light present. It was well paced and never got dull. It also handled mental illness in a respectful way without beating me over the head with politically correct propaganda.
THEMES
The themes in this book were well woven. We follow Adam as he struggles with his mind, his demons, and his relationships. He must forgive those who hurt him... and seek out a Savior greater than the demons running through his veins. This theme of seeking the light despite the darkness was very prevalent and beautiful.
The themes of friendship, forgiveness, and fighting for love even when it hurts... astounding. Overall, this was chalked full of great themes that were well written, never preachy, and moving. (For real. Page 40 hit me HARD.)
CHARACTERS
Adam is a really easy character to relate to and love. Liz wasn't your stereotypical pixie optimist, either, so that was a relief. Even the characters Adam struggles against (Jeremiah, Oliver, etc) are shown as human, especially in the end. This novel shows the wallflowers, the ordinary, the people that don't go through life as burning bright flames... as lights that are worthy, beautiful... every life matters. Whether we hide our scars or show them, whether we find it easy to keep relationships or get rejected time and time again... everyone matters.
And I'm trying not to get teary eyed, but this message... I really needed it.
CONTENT
Smoking, drinking. Some flashback scenes of a drunk, abusive father. Mentions of rape, nothing too described. A few kisses and such, barely described. A fade to black sex scene. Self harm and depictions of blood.
OVERALL
I was pleasantly surprised to have found a YA romance novel I actually really like and it definitely spoke to my heart.
February 18, 2021
‘We exist in the empty spaces. We exist in the blank pages of journals waiting to be filed. We exist in the spaces no one notices. And we notice them. Because we are the empty spaces. And we are the blank pages, the stories waiting to be told. And here on the shore, we write our story. Just me and her, empty pages with hearts of ink, writing each other.’
I’m not sure what to say about this book, except I loved loved loved the imagery. And I saw so much of myself in Liz. And I was so happy Point Reyes made into the story, that magical, magical place.
I bought the book straight from the author, and he had taken the liberty of highlighting parts inside the book. It made me giddy and gave me license to do the same with my favorite parts. And did I ever. It made it more personal, like this wasn’t just Adam and Liz’s story, but mine as well.
As much of Liz as I saw in myself, I didn’t really connect to the characters. I haven’t suffered trauma, I don’t have any mental disorders, I live near San Francisco but I don’t go there often. It did became much easier for me to understand Adam after the narration switched to Liz, however. Seeing him from an outside perspective, not from his own, made a big difference.
So apparently I do know what to say about it! And I’ll finish off this review with one of my favorite lines, the first one I highlighted and a belief that Adam - ultimately - held on to.
/I can’t explain it, but today could be different and tomorrow might be better and I think I need to know her./
I’m not sure what to say about this book, except I loved loved loved the imagery. And I saw so much of myself in Liz. And I was so happy Point Reyes made into the story, that magical, magical place.
I bought the book straight from the author, and he had taken the liberty of highlighting parts inside the book. It made me giddy and gave me license to do the same with my favorite parts. And did I ever. It made it more personal, like this wasn’t just Adam and Liz’s story, but mine as well.
As much of Liz as I saw in myself, I didn’t really connect to the characters. I haven’t suffered trauma, I don’t have any mental disorders, I live near San Francisco but I don’t go there often. It did became much easier for me to understand Adam after the narration switched to Liz, however. Seeing him from an outside perspective, not from his own, made a big difference.
So apparently I do know what to say about it! And I’ll finish off this review with one of my favorite lines, the first one I highlighted and a belief that Adam - ultimately - held on to.
/I can’t explain it, but today could be different and tomorrow might be better and I think I need to know her./
July 21, 2020
I am sitting here, still somewhat hungover from this book.
I started it in the evening, on Saturday, June 28th. And I finished it five hours later. No, it's not a short book. It's just I couldn't put it down! (I only set it down to eat dinner.)
I connected so deeply to Adam. I, myself, struggle with depression and anxiety. And the thing that really clicked with me was how Adam said his depression felt like a switch. One moment, he could be fine. The next, it seemed like everything was crashing down.
I felt that so deeply.
Some people may find that unrealistic, but that is how depression is for me. Reading it made me feel seen. It made me feel like I wasn't totally out of my mind.
Moving along, Adam does have bipolar disorder and borderline personality disorder. I felt like these two mental illnesses he suffers from weren't so much expanded upon, and I would have loved to see a deeper impact from these. But still, that doesn't take away how deep this book is.
Adam has a hard past. And betrayal from people he trusts continues to add another cut in his armor.
One of his friends honestly did something that was my worst fear of someone doing to me, and that made me relate and connect all the more. I felt like I was Adam at times.
Now we meet Elizabeth (or Liz as she prefers to be called). And she is the ray of sunshine Adam needs.
What I think a lot of people probably won't like is how Adam throws all his hope and faith in Elizabeth making him happy. But I can attest to this being yet another symptom of depression and anxiety. People, things, objects, passions, we throw ourselves at them in hopes it will bring happiness. And it hurts to read as it pans out because you know such a thing is a trainwreck from the outside looking in.
All in all, this book felt so close to my struggles. I knew it was going to be deep and make me feel things because this author has a talent at that. I didn't know I'd be brought near tears, something that never happens with books.
I didn't know I'd read someone who feels so much the way I feel.
Of course, with all this good, I do want to highlight a few things that bothered me.
Liz has some emotional scarring and I feel like Adam kind of pushed past the boundaries she had. That's not to say she shouldn't let someone help her push past those said boundaries, but I felt like he rushed her a bit.
The other thing is Adam smokes. He does it to take his mind off things. And he even gets Liz to smoke. I'm not saying this wasn't realistic, because it was very realistic, but I wish it would have been expanded more on how bad the habit is and showing that Adam made Elizabeth make some questionable choices too.
Now, for all my friends with depression, I need to put a trigger warning.
TRIGGER WARNING
A character who has a major influence on the plot attempts to commit suicide, and it is depicted, the entire act of it, and the aftermath of it. There is no shying away from what he did. If you are suicidal or are prone to thoughts of suicide, I urge you not to read this right now.
Another important character speaks of rape and their past with being repeatedly raped by a family member. Some flashbacks are provided. Not entirely detailed, but enough to know what happened.
Final Thoughts
I gave this book five stars because it is raw. It is so deep and dark and raw that it's realistic. So much is covered in this book. And it's not perfect. There are typos. There are errors. It made me love the book more, though, for being flawed because the story is of brokenness and redemption.
The book has many mentions of faith and God, but they aren't shoved in your face, which I appreciate.
Five stars for a raw telling of the mind behind depression and anxiety, among other mental illnesses, and light for fighting against the dark.
To my friends with depression.
To my friends with anxiety.
To my friends with bipolar disorder.
To my friends with any other mental illness plaguing your life...
you are not alone. I see you. I hear you. There is more to this life, I promise. I've been down dark paths. I've had dangerous thoughts. I've seen the dark roads. And they feel endless. I know how it can be. I'm always ready to talk.
You exist.
You have purpose.
You are loved.
I love you.
If no one else ever tells you, let me be the one to say I love you. Because I do. Truly. I may not know your name yet. I may not know your story. But I love you for fighting this long. For fighting for hope. You still have this. You are alive for a reason. Keep fighting.
<3
I started it in the evening, on Saturday, June 28th. And I finished it five hours later. No, it's not a short book. It's just I couldn't put it down! (I only set it down to eat dinner.)
I connected so deeply to Adam. I, myself, struggle with depression and anxiety. And the thing that really clicked with me was how Adam said his depression felt like a switch. One moment, he could be fine. The next, it seemed like everything was crashing down.
I felt that so deeply.
Some people may find that unrealistic, but that is how depression is for me. Reading it made me feel seen. It made me feel like I wasn't totally out of my mind.
Moving along, Adam does have bipolar disorder and borderline personality disorder. I felt like these two mental illnesses he suffers from weren't so much expanded upon, and I would have loved to see a deeper impact from these. But still, that doesn't take away how deep this book is.
Adam has a hard past. And betrayal from people he trusts continues to add another cut in his armor.
One of his friends honestly did something that was my worst fear of someone doing to me, and that made me relate and connect all the more. I felt like I was Adam at times.
Now we meet Elizabeth (or Liz as she prefers to be called). And she is the ray of sunshine Adam needs.
What I think a lot of people probably won't like is how Adam throws all his hope and faith in Elizabeth making him happy. But I can attest to this being yet another symptom of depression and anxiety. People, things, objects, passions, we throw ourselves at them in hopes it will bring happiness. And it hurts to read as it pans out because you know such a thing is a trainwreck from the outside looking in.
All in all, this book felt so close to my struggles. I knew it was going to be deep and make me feel things because this author has a talent at that. I didn't know I'd be brought near tears, something that never happens with books.
I didn't know I'd read someone who feels so much the way I feel.
Of course, with all this good, I do want to highlight a few things that bothered me.
Liz has some emotional scarring and I feel like Adam kind of pushed past the boundaries she had. That's not to say she shouldn't let someone help her push past those said boundaries, but I felt like he rushed her a bit.
The other thing is Adam smokes. He does it to take his mind off things. And he even gets Liz to smoke. I'm not saying this wasn't realistic, because it was very realistic, but I wish it would have been expanded more on how bad the habit is and showing that Adam made Elizabeth make some questionable choices too.
Now, for all my friends with depression, I need to put a trigger warning.
TRIGGER WARNING
A character who has a major influence on the plot attempts to commit suicide, and it is depicted, the entire act of it, and the aftermath of it. There is no shying away from what he did. If you are suicidal or are prone to thoughts of suicide, I urge you not to read this right now.
Another important character speaks of rape and their past with being repeatedly raped by a family member. Some flashbacks are provided. Not entirely detailed, but enough to know what happened.
Final Thoughts
I gave this book five stars because it is raw. It is so deep and dark and raw that it's realistic. So much is covered in this book. And it's not perfect. There are typos. There are errors. It made me love the book more, though, for being flawed because the story is of brokenness and redemption.
The book has many mentions of faith and God, but they aren't shoved in your face, which I appreciate.
Five stars for a raw telling of the mind behind depression and anxiety, among other mental illnesses, and light for fighting against the dark.
To my friends with depression.
To my friends with anxiety.
To my friends with bipolar disorder.
To my friends with any other mental illness plaguing your life...
you are not alone. I see you. I hear you. There is more to this life, I promise. I've been down dark paths. I've had dangerous thoughts. I've seen the dark roads. And they feel endless. I know how it can be. I'm always ready to talk.
You exist.
You have purpose.
You are loved.
I love you.
If no one else ever tells you, let me be the one to say I love you. Because I do. Truly. I may not know your name yet. I may not know your story. But I love you for fighting this long. For fighting for hope. You still have this. You are alive for a reason. Keep fighting.
<3
August 18, 2022
I bought this book like six months ago; read a single chapter three months ago but my attention was called away before I could get deeper. And yesterday, I finally got around to reading the full thing.
I finished it in seven hours.
I absolutely love the poetic style it’s written in, the symbolism of Adam as the moon and Liz as the sun. Especially because Adam has such a connection with the sea & the moon controls the tides.
The first chapter effortlessly hooked me. Adam and Liz are both likable characters, the chemistry between them is palpable from the beginning, and their dialogue is great.
However, about a fourth of the way through, I started getting nervous that Liz would turn out to be a classic Manic Pixie Dream Girl; fortunately, this wasn’t the case.
She doesn’t “fix” Adam or “cure” his mental illnesses, although he definitely sees her that way and she calls him on it near the end.
But I like the idea that they’re such polar opposites in terms of demeanor and general outlook on life, yet they have both experienced trauma of some kind & have to live with that internal darkness.
I love the themes of adventure, mental illness, hope, living rather than just surviving, and finding God above all.
One thing I was a bit put-off by was how casually Liz starts smoking. It caught me a little off guard every time it was mentioned.
And I do agree with some other reviews that the scenes at Yosemite and the Grand Canyon seemed a bit short and the pacing was a bit off.
Also there were a few minor typos such as incorrect or inconsistent capitalization; I’m a bit of a stickler on that kind of thing though, so it might not actually bother anybody else.
Other than that, though, this book is a fantastic read with beautiful characters and a great message.
I finished it in seven hours.
I absolutely love the poetic style it’s written in, the symbolism of Adam as the moon and Liz as the sun. Especially because Adam has such a connection with the sea & the moon controls the tides.
The first chapter effortlessly hooked me. Adam and Liz are both likable characters, the chemistry between them is palpable from the beginning, and their dialogue is great.
However, about a fourth of the way through, I started getting nervous that Liz would turn out to be a classic Manic Pixie Dream Girl; fortunately, this wasn’t the case.
She doesn’t “fix” Adam or “cure” his mental illnesses, although he definitely sees her that way and she calls him on it near the end.
But I like the idea that they’re such polar opposites in terms of demeanor and general outlook on life, yet they have both experienced trauma of some kind & have to live with that internal darkness.
I love the themes of adventure, mental illness, hope, living rather than just surviving, and finding God above all.
One thing I was a bit put-off by was how casually Liz starts smoking. It caught me a little off guard every time it was mentioned.
And I do agree with some other reviews that the scenes at Yosemite and the Grand Canyon seemed a bit short and the pacing was a bit off.
Also there were a few minor typos such as incorrect or inconsistent capitalization; I’m a bit of a stickler on that kind of thing though, so it might not actually bother anybody else.
Other than that, though, this book is a fantastic read with beautiful characters and a great message.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 5, 2019
Brian is such a talented author. Every sentence was strung beautifully together. In fact, I re-read quite a few lines and plan to go back and underline some. The story was well crafted. However, as someone who has been through similar situations as the characters... this book was very hard-hitting. It opened my eyes, spoke to my soul. I had a tough time finishing because of how relatable a lot of it was. But I'm glad I read it--I felt like I could finally connect with somone. Thank you, Brian, for writing this story, and for letting people know that they are not alone in anything, and that no matter what, the light WILL come in.
I cannot wait for Brian's next work!
I cannot wait for Brian's next work!
March 13, 2019
I wasn't sure what to expect when I started reading this.
It's not a perfect book. The best ones rarely are. It's a story about broken people and about edges and lines and humanity. It's a love story in the rawest sense, and I wish I could explain it better. Love is so much more than romance and this book captures that well.
I'm torn, really, between loving and hating this book. It's good because it's a beautiful snapshot of humanity and it's terrible because there's no filter, no softening of the edges, but that is also good... This is not for the faint of heart.
I cried over this book because there is so much honesty here, but it's given so gentle and so lovingly that I feel as though I've spent a few hours unburdening myself to a good friend, and it's a relief.
It's not a perfect book. The best ones rarely are. It's a story about broken people and about edges and lines and humanity. It's a love story in the rawest sense, and I wish I could explain it better. Love is so much more than romance and this book captures that well.
I'm torn, really, between loving and hating this book. It's good because it's a beautiful snapshot of humanity and it's terrible because there's no filter, no softening of the edges, but that is also good... This is not for the faint of heart.
I cried over this book because there is so much honesty here, but it's given so gentle and so lovingly that I feel as though I've spent a few hours unburdening myself to a good friend, and it's a relief.
May 22, 2019
Look at me reading indie books and reviewing them too! I fell off my reading and reviewing game for a while, but when it comes to supporting people who are doing the same thing as me, I'm all for it!
Disclaimer: I don't tend to enjoy reading YA contemporaries. I don't tend to enjoy debut novels (more on that on down). I don't tend to enjoy books written in first person, present tense. All of these things contribute to my rating and opinion of this book. I want to support the author while also remaining honest. I think that by listing my preferences, it will help readers see that this book simply wasn't for me, but there are many qualities that others might find enjoyable. Any reviews help whether they be positive, negative or between. I tend to read all kinds of reviews when deciding on a book. What I dislike might be what another reader will like. With that said, this review will contain much criticism. I will also say that many of the things I found lacking in this book are also lacking in my own debut novel. I fully intend on supporting McBride in all he writes. I am writing this review not only as a reader but also as an indie author myself. I would never want to write a review that would cause an author to be doubtful (I've been there, reading those reviews). I hope that my criticism leads some to read a book that they love for the reasons that I did not.
Love and the Sea and Everything Between
2.5 stars
Writing:
I want to first say that this book screams "this is the first book this author has written." It reads like a debut. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, but I have found that nearly every debut I've read in the last year hasn't been a favorite. I rated Children of Blood and Bone 3 stars. The Poppy War 2 stars. Shadow and Bone 3 stars. City of Brass 3 stars, etc. All of these are books were received by the intended audience with admiration and high ratings, but that I found lacking. I've determined that YA debuts (especially contemporaries) just aren't my thing.
With that being said, I think I've pinpointed exactly what about the writing style rubbed me the wrong way.
McBride uses strong emphasis and dramatic flair to reveal big emotional moments throughout the book. Although these moments have great intentions behind them, I found that they were not executed to their full potential due to fast and jarring pacing, redundant sentence and scene structure, and flowery prose throughout the entire book. Sudden, jarring moments can bring emphasis and effect that the reader can love. Redundant sentence structure can do the same and bring out patterns important to the overall arc. Flowery prose can make the writing beautiful and impactful. But when all of these elements are in place constantly, it reads kind of numbingly. It puts a drinking coffee scene on the same level as the mc being beaten by his dad scene. Nothing seems to be important because it is all written as if every single scene is as valuable as everything else.
There were, however, some beautiful lines throughout the book when I found them placed appropriately. An inner-monologue about healing in the middle of a dialogue can be jarring and distracting to me as a reader, but closing out a scene and a chapter in a poignant way was something McBride also did. I was breathless with this paragraph at the end of chapter 10.
"I'm falling. But then, I've always been falling, descending into a cavern deeper than my eyes can see. But I've grabbed hold of something, a ledge that wasn't there before, and I'm holding on. I'm holding onto those three little words. And they're not the ones you might expect. They're simple, completely uncomplicated, but they're a promise."
And also at the end of chapter 55: "So if God is who He says He is, then I'm all in too. Because Liz is right. I need impossible. And I'm ready for that adventure."
Setting:
I find that the setting is rarely well informed and written as if it in itself is a character in contemporary stories. I am fine with this but do expect the lack of setting and its effect on the story to be made up for with strong-character driven storylines. I found the characters lacking and will talk more about that below. I think part of this is due to the fact that I read (and write) A LOT of fantasy, so I usually find that the setting is just as much a character as the actual characters. I can read a thousand chosen one stories, but if the setting is vastly different and changes the course of the story, it can be done well. A contemporary cannot achieve this as well since the world-building is based on what we already know. A college dorm, a westward road trip, etc.
I will say that I liked how the setting made sense to Adam and his storyline. I wish that the pacing would have been slower so that we could really enjoy it more. I did like McBride's frequent use of the ocean and the stars to further Adam's character arc. The setting was there for Adam, and I appreciated that.
Plot:
I think I would have really enjoyed this book if it was slowed down and each scene was explored to its full capacity. Everything moved far to fast for me. For instance, there was one chapter with 8 pages in which the two main characters travel to the Grand Canyon together, spend the night near it, explore it the next day, go to the motel that night and have a meaningful conversation. All of that in one chapter with only 8 pages. It was way too rushed. This pacing might be preferable to other readers who like fast-paced, easy reads. I prefer a slow-burn romance myself, so my lack of love for the plot comes more from preference than "bad writing."
I will say though that I do love road trips and am all for it. 100%. pointspointspoints.
Characters:
I don't know if my lack of connection with the characters was due to the writing style and genre (I think most of it is) or if there is a larger part of me that is more concerned with one reason I didn't like these two characters.
I still don't really know Liz. I just know what Adam wants from Liz.
I don't connect with Adam. I found his "style" of getting to know Liz by asking her personal questions right off the bat a little jarring and disconcerting. I love that the author is advocating for deeper more meaningful relationships (we need them, I need them lol), but I felt like Adam's questions the entire time was built on what he wanted from Liz rather than wanting her regardless of the questions or what she would answer, etc. I found the love story a little disconcerting as a result. The dialogue was sometimes entertaining, natural and made the book un-put-a-downable, but I never really had a clear idea of what these characters wanted and were aiming for.
Really the only thing I did like about these two characters and their relationship was the fact that they bonded over poetry and quotes poets all the time. MY HEART.
Themes:
This is the point that I found excelled the most. McBride brought up topics and situations I have thought a lot about myself but have never read in fiction. His views on relationships (taking them seriously as opposed to the hook-up/flings tendencies of our culture), faith, and healing I found poignant, refreshing and well-developed and executed. You can tell Brian wrote this book. It's very him. It was authentic to him and his beliefs (as far as I can tell.) This book felt real, and for that, I am not only grateful but am in admiration. He closes the book out with a Dear Reader where he explains that he would rather write a real book than a perfect book. I agree and I would say that he succeeded in this.
With all of this being said, I will also mention that the writing-style aspects that irked me and the lack of connection I had with the characters are present in my own debut. I have since then developed my style and have moved past these flaws. Writing is a process. I very much believe that McBride has done the same, so I look forward to reading is the upcoming release Every Bright and Broken Thing to see how he has evolved as a writer. He has a lot of potential and views on the world that needs to be shared. This story, while not my favorite, has marks of a true, passionate storyteller that will write books impactful to many hearts. So, if you like contemporaries or have a thing for debuts lol, READ THIS BOOK. I may have not enjoyed it the most, but I know there are others who will. I hope that this "negative" review will help others find their new favorite story!
Disclaimer: I don't tend to enjoy reading YA contemporaries. I don't tend to enjoy debut novels (more on that on down). I don't tend to enjoy books written in first person, present tense. All of these things contribute to my rating and opinion of this book. I want to support the author while also remaining honest. I think that by listing my preferences, it will help readers see that this book simply wasn't for me, but there are many qualities that others might find enjoyable. Any reviews help whether they be positive, negative or between. I tend to read all kinds of reviews when deciding on a book. What I dislike might be what another reader will like. With that said, this review will contain much criticism. I will also say that many of the things I found lacking in this book are also lacking in my own debut novel. I fully intend on supporting McBride in all he writes. I am writing this review not only as a reader but also as an indie author myself. I would never want to write a review that would cause an author to be doubtful (I've been there, reading those reviews). I hope that my criticism leads some to read a book that they love for the reasons that I did not.
Love and the Sea and Everything Between
2.5 stars
Writing:
I want to first say that this book screams "this is the first book this author has written." It reads like a debut. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, but I have found that nearly every debut I've read in the last year hasn't been a favorite. I rated Children of Blood and Bone 3 stars. The Poppy War 2 stars. Shadow and Bone 3 stars. City of Brass 3 stars, etc. All of these are books were received by the intended audience with admiration and high ratings, but that I found lacking. I've determined that YA debuts (especially contemporaries) just aren't my thing.
With that being said, I think I've pinpointed exactly what about the writing style rubbed me the wrong way.
McBride uses strong emphasis and dramatic flair to reveal big emotional moments throughout the book. Although these moments have great intentions behind them, I found that they were not executed to their full potential due to fast and jarring pacing, redundant sentence and scene structure, and flowery prose throughout the entire book. Sudden, jarring moments can bring emphasis and effect that the reader can love. Redundant sentence structure can do the same and bring out patterns important to the overall arc. Flowery prose can make the writing beautiful and impactful. But when all of these elements are in place constantly, it reads kind of numbingly. It puts a drinking coffee scene on the same level as the mc being beaten by his dad scene. Nothing seems to be important because it is all written as if every single scene is as valuable as everything else.
There were, however, some beautiful lines throughout the book when I found them placed appropriately. An inner-monologue about healing in the middle of a dialogue can be jarring and distracting to me as a reader, but closing out a scene and a chapter in a poignant way was something McBride also did. I was breathless with this paragraph at the end of chapter 10.
"I'm falling. But then, I've always been falling, descending into a cavern deeper than my eyes can see. But I've grabbed hold of something, a ledge that wasn't there before, and I'm holding on. I'm holding onto those three little words. And they're not the ones you might expect. They're simple, completely uncomplicated, but they're a promise."
And also at the end of chapter 55: "So if God is who He says He is, then I'm all in too. Because Liz is right. I need impossible. And I'm ready for that adventure."
Setting:
I find that the setting is rarely well informed and written as if it in itself is a character in contemporary stories. I am fine with this but do expect the lack of setting and its effect on the story to be made up for with strong-character driven storylines. I found the characters lacking and will talk more about that below. I think part of this is due to the fact that I read (and write) A LOT of fantasy, so I usually find that the setting is just as much a character as the actual characters. I can read a thousand chosen one stories, but if the setting is vastly different and changes the course of the story, it can be done well. A contemporary cannot achieve this as well since the world-building is based on what we already know. A college dorm, a westward road trip, etc.
I will say that I liked how the setting made sense to Adam and his storyline. I wish that the pacing would have been slower so that we could really enjoy it more. I did like McBride's frequent use of the ocean and the stars to further Adam's character arc. The setting was there for Adam, and I appreciated that.
Plot:
I think I would have really enjoyed this book if it was slowed down and each scene was explored to its full capacity. Everything moved far to fast for me. For instance, there was one chapter with 8 pages in which the two main characters travel to the Grand Canyon together, spend the night near it, explore it the next day, go to the motel that night and have a meaningful conversation. All of that in one chapter with only 8 pages. It was way too rushed. This pacing might be preferable to other readers who like fast-paced, easy reads. I prefer a slow-burn romance myself, so my lack of love for the plot comes more from preference than "bad writing."
I will say though that I do love road trips and am all for it. 100%. pointspointspoints.
Characters:
I don't know if my lack of connection with the characters was due to the writing style and genre (I think most of it is) or if there is a larger part of me that is more concerned with one reason I didn't like these two characters.
I still don't really know Liz. I just know what Adam wants from Liz.
I don't connect with Adam. I found his "style" of getting to know Liz by asking her personal questions right off the bat a little jarring and disconcerting. I love that the author is advocating for deeper more meaningful relationships (we need them, I need them lol), but I felt like Adam's questions the entire time was built on what he wanted from Liz rather than wanting her regardless of the questions or what she would answer, etc. I found the love story a little disconcerting as a result. The dialogue was sometimes entertaining, natural and made the book un-put-a-downable, but I never really had a clear idea of what these characters wanted and were aiming for.
Really the only thing I did like about these two characters and their relationship was the fact that they bonded over poetry and quotes poets all the time. MY HEART.
Themes:
This is the point that I found excelled the most. McBride brought up topics and situations I have thought a lot about myself but have never read in fiction. His views on relationships (taking them seriously as opposed to the hook-up/flings tendencies of our culture), faith, and healing I found poignant, refreshing and well-developed and executed. You can tell Brian wrote this book. It's very him. It was authentic to him and his beliefs (as far as I can tell.) This book felt real, and for that, I am not only grateful but am in admiration. He closes the book out with a Dear Reader where he explains that he would rather write a real book than a perfect book. I agree and I would say that he succeeded in this.
With all of this being said, I will also mention that the writing-style aspects that irked me and the lack of connection I had with the characters are present in my own debut. I have since then developed my style and have moved past these flaws. Writing is a process. I very much believe that McBride has done the same, so I look forward to reading is the upcoming release Every Bright and Broken Thing to see how he has evolved as a writer. He has a lot of potential and views on the world that needs to be shared. This story, while not my favorite, has marks of a true, passionate storyteller that will write books impactful to many hearts. So, if you like contemporaries or have a thing for debuts lol, READ THIS BOOK. I may have not enjoyed it the most, but I know there are others who will. I hope that this "negative" review will help others find their new favorite story!
November 4, 2022
I never quite know what to say after I read one of Brian’s books. They are so deep, so heartfelt, so moving that they stick with me months after I read them.
This book was the book I needed exactly when I needed it. Raw, gritty, broken, and yet so full of hope, heart, and soul.
The story made me feel so vulnerable and so seen… the tears were real, folks. The tears were real. There is great darkness, soul anguish, and crushing questions, but there is still light, still hope, still life.
When it comes to content this story covers it all from teen pregnancy to suicide attempts & cutting (semi-graphic), from parental alcoholism and abuse to sexual assault on a minor. It’s heavy, really heavy. There are also fade two black scenes between two teens. In the end, it isn’t portrayed as right, and they take responsibility for their actions.
It isn’t a read for the faint of heart, but for me, so incredibly worth it! 💛
This book was the book I needed exactly when I needed it. Raw, gritty, broken, and yet so full of hope, heart, and soul.
The story made me feel so vulnerable and so seen… the tears were real, folks. The tears were real. There is great darkness, soul anguish, and crushing questions, but there is still light, still hope, still life.
When it comes to content this story covers it all from teen pregnancy to suicide attempts & cutting (semi-graphic), from parental alcoholism and abuse to sexual assault on a minor. It’s heavy, really heavy. There are also fade two black scenes between two teens. In the end, it isn’t portrayed as right, and they take responsibility for their actions.
It isn’t a read for the faint of heart, but for me, so incredibly worth it! 💛
April 28, 2020
Brian does an excellent job addressing the struggles of mental health while giving hope and life to the situation. This book is like a breath of fresh air to a decaying soul. Its food for the weary, it's a light in an ever present darkness. Brian's description of the world paints a whole new light on the universe we thought we knew. I will be recommending this book to everyone I can
July 6, 2020
Absolutely beautiful prose and a well-woven together story. I loved that the book provided light at the end of the tunnel for the two relatable and distinct main characters and that it wasn't afraid to dive into the hard stuff. I only had a hard time believing Liz would trust Adam so quickly after what she's been through (when she first met him), or maybe that's just me being wary of strangers.
January 16, 2019
aaaahhhh, this was so good. I wasn't sure what to expect in this book, as it is Brian's debut novel. It 100% exceeded my expectations though- it is definitely one of those books that will stay with you for a long time. Being pretty much entirely centered on romance + some other twists, you might expect it to be cheesy or draggy, but it was surprisingly paced very well and extremely engaging (I finished the book within two hours in one sitting).
But. It wasn't all fluff- there were lots of heavy topics, like suicide, depression, self-harm, trauma, addictions, and more. I absolutely loved how Adam dealt and grew through them and towards the light. I also enjoyed the meaningful symbols of Adam's and Elizabeth's tattoos. I felt like their tattoos struck a chord in me and caused me to think differently (not to mention all of the quotes in this book are SO insightful and raw).
Content:
Overall, Love and the Sea and Everything in Between is definitely a must-read. Extremely enlightening, raw, and authentic (also can I just say that I appreciate so, so much that although the main characters had their hurts and trauma they actually tried to do something about it instead of keeping it away from the whole world??). I can't wait for the sequel.
*FTC DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. A positive review was not required. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.*
But. It wasn't all fluff- there were lots of heavy topics, like suicide, depression, self-harm, trauma, addictions, and more. I absolutely loved how Adam dealt and grew through them and towards the light. I also enjoyed the meaningful symbols of Adam's and Elizabeth's tattoos. I felt like their tattoos struck a chord in me and caused me to think differently (not to mention all of the quotes in this book are SO insightful and raw).
Content:
Overall, Love and the Sea and Everything in Between is definitely a must-read. Extremely enlightening, raw, and authentic (also can I just say that I appreciate so, so much that although the main characters had their hurts and trauma they actually tried to do something about it instead of keeping it away from the whole world??). I can't wait for the sequel.
*FTC DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. A positive review was not required. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.*
July 9, 2020
WOW.
Did I just read a digital book in less than a week? Yes, yes I most certainly did.
WOW.
What is this poetical piece of beauty that Brian handed us? The writing just killed me over and the characters. LIKE FREAKING BEAUTY PEOPLE.
I just can't. I really can't.
Raw+real+adventure+mental health+romance+a VW bus (let's be real -- the VW bus sealed the deal in me liking this book).
This is one book that is a must read for people who need to see the light in themselves. This is the book for the broken. For the ones who don't know if they can go on. This is for the ones who need to fight the darkness, who need someone to stand with them and fight. This is one that is an anthem for the lonley and outcast.
THIS is art.
I need this on my shelf ASAP.
Did I just read a digital book in less than a week? Yes, yes I most certainly did.
WOW.
What is this poetical piece of beauty that Brian handed us? The writing just killed me over and the characters. LIKE FREAKING BEAUTY PEOPLE.
I just can't. I really can't.
Raw+real+adventure+mental health+romance+a VW bus (let's be real -- the VW bus sealed the deal in me liking this book).
This is one book that is a must read for people who need to see the light in themselves. This is the book for the broken. For the ones who don't know if they can go on. This is for the ones who need to fight the darkness, who need someone to stand with them and fight. This is one that is an anthem for the lonley and outcast.
THIS is art.
I need this on my shelf ASAP.
January 18, 2019
4.5
With profound clarity, powerful grace, and breathless writing, this book explores the ugly truth of mental illness, the transformative power of love, and the endless, beautiful expanse of life we so often find ourselves lost in.
With profound clarity, powerful grace, and breathless writing, this book explores the ugly truth of mental illness, the transformative power of love, and the endless, beautiful expanse of life we so often find ourselves lost in.
April 11, 2020
This beautiful... beautiful little book, just tore my heart into pieces. Yes, it wasn’t perfect. But the emotional impact was done so eloquently, it was truthful, honest and raw without exploiting or romanticizing any of its truths.
It made me want to believe, it made me want to cry.
I was hesitant going into it, which was why it was on my tbr for over a year, because I knew it dealt with religion.
Religion has always been a difficult subject for me but in this book, it was done just well enough. It wasn’t pushing anything, it was pure. It was a pure, love story.
Yes, I could say “ooh, insta love BAD” but no, this reminded me of how much one person can change your entire life around.
How one choice- to speak up, to seek help, to meet someone, forever impacts your life.
It only took me two hours to read. I was fully engulfed. I was madly in love with it.
It helped me, through my own mental state which as of late has been exceedingly poor. It reminded me that I recovered once, I’ll be fine again. And I’ll be happy not long after that.
Yes, MASSIVE TRIGGER warning for physical and sexual abuse, of emotional abuse, and for raw depictions of suicide, cutting, and the works.
but it was done. PERFECTLY.
It was raw, it was accurate. It was real.
It didn’t romanticize what was. It showed the long term effects.
Adam didn’t force the physical side of their relationship on Liz, he let it come naturally, he respected her. He rooted her but as she rooted for him.
Jeremiahs character really hit home for me. That was... so well done. All of it.
And Oliver? I want to hug him forever.
Not to mention, Adam’s mother. Who... I loved so dearly, I need to go hug my own.
BEST BOOK IVE READ IN 2020 SO FAR. 6/5 stars!!!
It made me want to believe, it made me want to cry.
I was hesitant going into it, which was why it was on my tbr for over a year, because I knew it dealt with religion.
Religion has always been a difficult subject for me but in this book, it was done just well enough. It wasn’t pushing anything, it was pure. It was a pure, love story.
Yes, I could say “ooh, insta love BAD” but no, this reminded me of how much one person can change your entire life around.
How one choice- to speak up, to seek help, to meet someone, forever impacts your life.
It only took me two hours to read. I was fully engulfed. I was madly in love with it.
It helped me, through my own mental state which as of late has been exceedingly poor. It reminded me that I recovered once, I’ll be fine again. And I’ll be happy not long after that.
Yes, MASSIVE TRIGGER warning for physical and sexual abuse, of emotional abuse, and for raw depictions of suicide, cutting, and the works.
but it was done. PERFECTLY.
It was raw, it was accurate. It was real.
It didn’t romanticize what was. It showed the long term effects.
Adam didn’t force the physical side of their relationship on Liz, he let it come naturally, he respected her. He rooted her but as she rooted for him.
Jeremiahs character really hit home for me. That was... so well done. All of it.
And Oliver? I want to hug him forever.
Not to mention, Adam’s mother. Who... I loved so dearly, I need to go hug my own.
BEST BOOK IVE READ IN 2020 SO FAR. 6/5 stars!!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 4, 2019
How is it possible to have your feels warmed, then shattered, scattered, and then glued back together to the hum of "awwwww" and faint weeping?
This book.
Go read it.
You won't regret it.
This book.
Go read it.
You won't regret it.
March 24, 2019
Overwhelmingly depressing? Yes. Inspiring and moving? Also yes.
This is a gritty, no-holds-barred book about triumphing over trauma, finding lessons in love. While I did my best to try to love this book, I did end up feeling disappointed by the end of it. Details and descriptions were certainly skimped on in favor of dialogue (inner or otherwise), and I couldn't really say I connected with the characters because of this. For example, Oliver was introduced by having his name referenced in a paragraph, and that was it. No description. No explanation of who this was. He ended up being just a name to me.
I also felt like I should pity Adam because it sucks that he feels that way and not because I'm emotionally invested in his story and his struggles. I felt distanced from his struggles.
There are a lot of things that aren't sufficiently explained as well, such as why Adam actually feels the way he does. Yes, , and yes, , but why and how does this translate into the depressingly bleak outlook of life he gets? What trauma caused his PTSD? He says that he's never really felt like he belongs and he's destined to be alone (something like that), but because details and descriptions are really skimped upon (except for a few italicized flashbacks to specific events that Adam seems to have), I don't feel like I really understood Adam. I was upset that I couldn't connect with him, though I did empathize with his pain.
And other details just seemed very implausible and unbelievable to me. The dialogue between Adam and Liz reads like poetry and felt very unrealistic. And the fact that
I could go on, but I feel like I'm sounding mean, so I'll stop. I hate writing reviews like these, because even though they're honest, I know they still majorly SUCK. :(
But this book is for those who love poetic prose, a quick and predictable, but digestible, read, and an uplifting message.
2.5 stars
This is a gritty, no-holds-barred book about triumphing over trauma, finding lessons in love. While I did my best to try to love this book, I did end up feeling disappointed by the end of it. Details and descriptions were certainly skimped on in favor of dialogue (inner or otherwise), and I couldn't really say I connected with the characters because of this. For example, Oliver was introduced by having his name referenced in a paragraph, and that was it. No description. No explanation of who this was. He ended up being just a name to me.
I also felt like I should pity Adam because it sucks that he feels that way and not because I'm emotionally invested in his story and his struggles. I felt distanced from his struggles.
There are a lot of things that aren't sufficiently explained as well, such as why Adam actually feels the way he does. Yes, , and yes, , but why and how does this translate into the depressingly bleak outlook of life he gets? What trauma caused his PTSD? He says that he's never really felt like he belongs and he's destined to be alone (something like that), but because details and descriptions are really skimped upon (except for a few italicized flashbacks to specific events that Adam seems to have), I don't feel like I really understood Adam. I was upset that I couldn't connect with him, though I did empathize with his pain.
And other details just seemed very implausible and unbelievable to me. The dialogue between Adam and Liz reads like poetry and felt very unrealistic. And the fact that
I could go on, but I feel like I'm sounding mean, so I'll stop. I hate writing reviews like these, because even though they're honest, I know they still majorly SUCK. :(
But this book is for those who love poetic prose, a quick and predictable, but digestible, read, and an uplifting message.
2.5 stars
Read
June 30, 2019/ dnf.
i couldn't handle this book, as certain parts are so personally painful and hard for me to read. i do want to finish it, but i just can't handle this right now.
i couldn't handle this book, as certain parts are so personally painful and hard for me to read. i do want to finish it, but i just can't handle this right now.
December 20, 2018
I had the pleasure of reading this while it was in development, and as soon as I saw that it had been published I ordered a copy, and I'm so glad I did.
I had it for barely 12 hours before finishing, and that's with a full night of sleep. I devoured this book like I haven't devoured a book in a long time. Right from the beginning, this story lays claim to your heart, and doesn't let go. The author doesn't skimp on hardships, doesn't give his characters a deus ex machina, but has them face their problems like real life.
The adventures and ups and downs of Liz and Adam are real, raw, and relatable. I adore their adventurous spontaneity, and their tenacity in face of problems that would knock many people so hard they wouldn't be able to get up again.
The writing is also incredibly well done, it's a level of descriptive beauty I hope to someday attain in my own writing.
If you're considering reading/buying this, DO. It's a book that not only touched some raw spots in my heart, but I know of several people I am going to lend it to because I think they would be impacted by it. I'm hoping this book can touch the Adams and the Lizzes of the world and show them hope like the light of a thousand stars being born at once. And that starts by putting it into their hands.
I had it for barely 12 hours before finishing, and that's with a full night of sleep. I devoured this book like I haven't devoured a book in a long time. Right from the beginning, this story lays claim to your heart, and doesn't let go. The author doesn't skimp on hardships, doesn't give his characters a deus ex machina, but has them face their problems like real life.
The adventures and ups and downs of Liz and Adam are real, raw, and relatable. I adore their adventurous spontaneity, and their tenacity in face of problems that would knock many people so hard they wouldn't be able to get up again.
The writing is also incredibly well done, it's a level of descriptive beauty I hope to someday attain in my own writing.
If you're considering reading/buying this, DO. It's a book that not only touched some raw spots in my heart, but I know of several people I am going to lend it to because I think they would be impacted by it. I'm hoping this book can touch the Adams and the Lizzes of the world and show them hope like the light of a thousand stars being born at once. And that starts by putting it into their hands.
January 25, 2020
I read this book in one afternoon! The author's writing is both poetic and heartbreaking, and I couldn't stop turning the pages to see what would happen next. Thank you for the great read!
January 27, 2019
I have so many words for this book, but there’s only one that’ll describe it and even then it doesn’t do it justice.
It’s absolutely PHENOMENAL.
All the praise that McBride has been receiving is well deserved because Love and the Sea and Everything in Between is a masterpiece. Trust me if I could give it six stars I would. That's how good it is. I haven’t read a book that’s left me so in awe in a long time and moved me to the point of tears. Even as I’m writing this my heart hurts not only for Adam and Liz because of the stuff they experienced, and in happiness for the joy they managed to feel towards the end, but for the heavy themes presented throughout the novel and how much I related to them on some level.
Now, I’ve never experienced the severity of Adam’s depression in LATSAEIB, but I’ve met a lot of people who have. And the thing is, even when they spoke to me about it, when they confided in me about their problems, I never really understood it. I tried to. I tried to be there for them. I tried everything in my power to be a Jeremiah because I thought I could fix it. I thought they needed fixing, but that wasn’t the right attitude to have. This book made me realize that I can’t do that and I shouldn’t be doing that. As hard as that is for me to come to terms with because of how much I care for the people around me, it’s okay. I shouldn’t be trying to FIX it. I should just be there when they need me and love them through it all because everyone is deserving of love, even in their darkest moments. I think I needed that self-revelation. I think seeing the world through Adam’s eyes made me understand what living with depression is really like and the thoughts that go along with it. I’m not saying I’m ever going to really, TRULY, understand unless I experience it myself, but this was definitely an eye-opening experience and I want to thank McBride for writing this book. He wrote something that I think more people need to read and ever since I’ve finished it I’ve been recommending it to people.
I think more people need to be gritty and raw and real in their writing because I could feel McBride’s soul in every single word and that’s the writing I like to read. That’s the writing that’ll change the world and he’s on the fast track to doing that if he keeps writing stories like this one, stories even better, stories that aren’t afraid to deal with tough things, because the tough things are apart of life. And I love that he doesn’t shy away from that.
This is the only book I can say I actually highlighted passages in (since I was reading the e-book) because of how profound they were or how much they resonated with me. Sometimes I re-read certain parts twice and that’s only because I couldn’t hold the weight of his words the first time.
This is a book I’m going to remember for a long time and I’m so excited to see what else McBride has in store. He has a bright future ahead of him and I can’t wait to see where life takes him.
It’s absolutely PHENOMENAL.
All the praise that McBride has been receiving is well deserved because Love and the Sea and Everything in Between is a masterpiece. Trust me if I could give it six stars I would. That's how good it is. I haven’t read a book that’s left me so in awe in a long time and moved me to the point of tears. Even as I’m writing this my heart hurts not only for Adam and Liz because of the stuff they experienced, and in happiness for the joy they managed to feel towards the end, but for the heavy themes presented throughout the novel and how much I related to them on some level.
Now, I’ve never experienced the severity of Adam’s depression in LATSAEIB, but I’ve met a lot of people who have. And the thing is, even when they spoke to me about it, when they confided in me about their problems, I never really understood it. I tried to. I tried to be there for them. I tried everything in my power to be a Jeremiah because I thought I could fix it. I thought they needed fixing, but that wasn’t the right attitude to have. This book made me realize that I can’t do that and I shouldn’t be doing that. As hard as that is for me to come to terms with because of how much I care for the people around me, it’s okay. I shouldn’t be trying to FIX it. I should just be there when they need me and love them through it all because everyone is deserving of love, even in their darkest moments. I think I needed that self-revelation. I think seeing the world through Adam’s eyes made me understand what living with depression is really like and the thoughts that go along with it. I’m not saying I’m ever going to really, TRULY, understand unless I experience it myself, but this was definitely an eye-opening experience and I want to thank McBride for writing this book. He wrote something that I think more people need to read and ever since I’ve finished it I’ve been recommending it to people.
I think more people need to be gritty and raw and real in their writing because I could feel McBride’s soul in every single word and that’s the writing I like to read. That’s the writing that’ll change the world and he’s on the fast track to doing that if he keeps writing stories like this one, stories even better, stories that aren’t afraid to deal with tough things, because the tough things are apart of life. And I love that he doesn’t shy away from that.
This is the only book I can say I actually highlighted passages in (since I was reading the e-book) because of how profound they were or how much they resonated with me. Sometimes I re-read certain parts twice and that’s only because I couldn’t hold the weight of his words the first time.
This is a book I’m going to remember for a long time and I’m so excited to see what else McBride has in store. He has a bright future ahead of him and I can’t wait to see where life takes him.
July 18, 2020
This. Book. *screams into the void*
I do not cry when I read, but I swear I cried at least three times while reading this. This book HURTS. It will pull you apart, make you feel, and then whack you over the head with its raw, real themes.
Adam is such a beautifully flawed character, and I will fight anyone who says otherwise. His battle with BPD and Bipolar Disorder were so perfectly captured that it hurt to read. You can't help but sympathize with him and his struggles.
Liz is precious. She's full of such light and hope, even after having such a torturous past. We didn't delve as deeply into her personality, but still, excellent!
There were a few minor issues I had with this book, one being the pacing. Everything felt a tad rushed, and it could have stood to be about a hundred pages longer. Second, Besides that, I was confused about what their beliefs were. It felt like they were young, immature Christians trying to find their way, but I wasn't sure. They both also smoke, and my issue wasn't with that, but how they approached it. There didn't seem to be too much of an emphasis on how bad it is for your health--more that it was relaxing.
This book deals with real issues, so there's content, but it's dealt with in a mature manner. Expect talk of rape (plus flashbacks), smoking (cigarettes and weed), teen pregnancy, depression, mental illness, suicide, and graphic self harm. There's also a very brief, quickly fade to black sex scene that is portrayed in a negative light.
This book isn't the feel-good kind. It's not meant to give you the warm fuzzies. It's real, raw, and dark. It explores the gritty parts of life that we don't want to talk about, but leaves room for the light. I highly recommend this to everyone, but be aware: it's not for the sensitive reader.
I do not cry when I read, but I swear I cried at least three times while reading this. This book HURTS. It will pull you apart, make you feel, and then whack you over the head with its raw, real themes.
Adam is such a beautifully flawed character, and I will fight anyone who says otherwise. His battle with BPD and Bipolar Disorder were so perfectly captured that it hurt to read. You can't help but sympathize with him and his struggles.
Liz is precious. She's full of such light and hope, even after having such a torturous past. We didn't delve as deeply into her personality, but still, excellent!
There were a few minor issues I had with this book, one being the pacing. Everything felt a tad rushed, and it could have stood to be about a hundred pages longer. Second, Besides that, I was confused about what their beliefs were. It felt like they were young, immature Christians trying to find their way, but I wasn't sure. They both also smoke, and my issue wasn't with that, but how they approached it. There didn't seem to be too much of an emphasis on how bad it is for your health--more that it was relaxing.
This book deals with real issues, so there's content, but it's dealt with in a mature manner. Expect talk of rape (plus flashbacks), smoking (cigarettes and weed), teen pregnancy, depression, mental illness, suicide, and graphic self harm. There's also a very brief, quickly fade to black sex scene that is portrayed in a negative light.
This book isn't the feel-good kind. It's not meant to give you the warm fuzzies. It's real, raw, and dark. It explores the gritty parts of life that we don't want to talk about, but leaves room for the light. I highly recommend this to everyone, but be aware: it's not for the sensitive reader.
March 9, 2019
Love and the Sea and Everything in Between was a novel about love and mental health. The writing was poetic and deeply emotional. The deep first person POVs were glimpses into the minds of those who struggle with pain and emotional turmoil, and that alone was enough to be intriguing.
I have a couple hangups with this book. Certain parts felt unrealistic (i.e., characters skipping class and not having consequences in grades, having money to travel without having jobs, etc.). Some acts were excused becuase of the characters were struggling, and at times the depression was portrayed in this book so clearly that it could almost draw towards depressing. That said, I wanted to know what happened to the characters, even if I didn’t always agree with what they were doing and saying, or their world views. The romancing was interesting, and I wanted to know what happened to Adam and Liz. It held me to the end.
This book is a window into the mind of someone who is struggling. If you’re interested in seeing a bit of what that’s like, then go ahead and give this book a read. If you love emotional, passionate romance, then give this book a read. While I may not agree with the conclusions the author came to, you will see a viewpoint you might not have before, and that in and of itself is of worth.
I have a couple hangups with this book. Certain parts felt unrealistic (i.e., characters skipping class and not having consequences in grades, having money to travel without having jobs, etc.). Some acts were excused becuase of the characters were struggling, and at times the depression was portrayed in this book so clearly that it could almost draw towards depressing. That said, I wanted to know what happened to the characters, even if I didn’t always agree with what they were doing and saying, or their world views. The romancing was interesting, and I wanted to know what happened to Adam and Liz. It held me to the end.
This book is a window into the mind of someone who is struggling. If you’re interested in seeing a bit of what that’s like, then go ahead and give this book a read. If you love emotional, passionate romance, then give this book a read. While I may not agree with the conclusions the author came to, you will see a viewpoint you might not have before, and that in and of itself is of worth.
May 4, 2020
Read the whole thing in one day.
First of all, I really appreciate what Brian McBride is doing here. I could resonate with Adam and his struggle to an extent. I'm sure there are others who can relate even more.
I was really captivated by the beginning. I couldn't put it down for the first third. But then the brooding got a little old. Having struggled with depression a little, I can relate a lot to the brooding, but... I got tired of it. Maybe it would have been different if I had read it over a longer period of time.
The characters seemed immature to me as well. I thought, at first, it was because I was older than the characters, but my younger sister (who is younger than both of the main characters) confirmed that they were immature. Then again, that could just be us.
Finally, there was a hint of pre-marital sex. And though I can appreciate the fact that it's in here, I still don't like it.
So there you have it. I didn't like it... but I didn't not like it either. It was okay.
First of all, I really appreciate what Brian McBride is doing here. I could resonate with Adam and his struggle to an extent. I'm sure there are others who can relate even more.
I was really captivated by the beginning. I couldn't put it down for the first third. But then the brooding got a little old. Having struggled with depression a little, I can relate a lot to the brooding, but... I got tired of it. Maybe it would have been different if I had read it over a longer period of time.
The characters seemed immature to me as well. I thought, at first, it was because I was older than the characters, but my younger sister (who is younger than both of the main characters) confirmed that they were immature. Then again, that could just be us.
Finally, there was a hint of pre-marital sex. And though I can appreciate the fact that it's in here, I still don't like it.
So there you have it. I didn't like it... but I didn't not like it either. It was okay.
March 3, 2020
This was a very special book. I've read Brian's other works, and enjoyed them, so I knew that I would enjoy this one, to say the least. I *thought* I would know what to expect. And I did. But at the same time, I didn't.
Emotionally, I still need time to recover, because . . . wow. This seemingly innocent book with the beautiful cover that I have downloaded onto my tablet took me by the shoulders, knocked me around, kicked me while I was down, and did it all through wonderful prose and beautiful sentences and an amazing story.
What I didn't expect was for this book -- the authors first -- to become a favourite.
I didn't expect to have my heart ripped out, and trampled over -- at the hands of fictional characters.
I didn't expect to cry as much as I did . . . and I know, I know, I seem to always be crying over books, because I'm just really emotional like that. But this was different. These were tears of anguish, and compassion and empathy, tears from the beauty and the brokenness, perfectly meshing together to form a wonderful harmony of completeness.
This is a darker book -- but it's also a book that reveals the true light. It's a hard book to read because it encompasses so much brokenness, but in the end, the brokenness is made whole, the ugly made beautiful.
The broken and the beautiful are marvelously intertwined, to make one complete, rich, deep chord, that vibrates long into the stillness of a soul, haunting it with echos and memories of the pages of the book.
The story is about a boy whom no one truly takes the time to know and see. He struggles -- this is not a book for younger readers. His struggles include drugs and alcohol and smoking and he does it to numb his pain.
Boy meets girl, who is just as broken, but is looking for the light, longing to see the good in all the bad. And they go on adventures together, and they laugh together, and they talk together, and they learn together.
The closer you get to someone, the greater the potential of hurting them . . . and both of these two characters get hurt, in different ways, and from different things.
The issues that this book takes and tackles head on are ones that not too many young Christian writers tend to use in their stories. I'm used to Brian choosing sensitive issues and redeeming them . . . but in this book, I think, he did the best job of approaching them and writing about them, and showing evilness for what it is -- and still shining the light of Christ into the lives of the characters and their situations.
If you've read my other reviews for his works, one thing that I've mentioned is that he could have pushed farther to redeem the situation, been bolder. In this book, he does. He is. And it's a beautiful thing to behold.
This book will forever hold a special place in my heart, I think. It will forever be one that I treasure and hold close. Because Christ *can* redeem the worst situations, and He can and does bring beauty from the ashes of our lives and dreams.
And I, for one, needed that reminder. I needed to read this.
And the message was all the more poignant and precious because of it.
Emotionally, I still need time to recover, because . . . wow. This seemingly innocent book with the beautiful cover that I have downloaded onto my tablet took me by the shoulders, knocked me around, kicked me while I was down, and did it all through wonderful prose and beautiful sentences and an amazing story.
What I didn't expect was for this book -- the authors first -- to become a favourite.
I didn't expect to have my heart ripped out, and trampled over -- at the hands of fictional characters.
I didn't expect to cry as much as I did . . . and I know, I know, I seem to always be crying over books, because I'm just really emotional like that. But this was different. These were tears of anguish, and compassion and empathy, tears from the beauty and the brokenness, perfectly meshing together to form a wonderful harmony of completeness.
This is a darker book -- but it's also a book that reveals the true light. It's a hard book to read because it encompasses so much brokenness, but in the end, the brokenness is made whole, the ugly made beautiful.
The broken and the beautiful are marvelously intertwined, to make one complete, rich, deep chord, that vibrates long into the stillness of a soul, haunting it with echos and memories of the pages of the book.
The story is about a boy whom no one truly takes the time to know and see. He struggles -- this is not a book for younger readers. His struggles include drugs and alcohol and smoking and he does it to numb his pain.
Boy meets girl, who is just as broken, but is looking for the light, longing to see the good in all the bad. And they go on adventures together, and they laugh together, and they talk together, and they learn together.
The closer you get to someone, the greater the potential of hurting them . . . and both of these two characters get hurt, in different ways, and from different things.
The issues that this book takes and tackles head on are ones that not too many young Christian writers tend to use in their stories. I'm used to Brian choosing sensitive issues and redeeming them . . . but in this book, I think, he did the best job of approaching them and writing about them, and showing evilness for what it is -- and still shining the light of Christ into the lives of the characters and their situations.
If you've read my other reviews for his works, one thing that I've mentioned is that he could have pushed farther to redeem the situation, been bolder. In this book, he does. He is. And it's a beautiful thing to behold.
This book will forever hold a special place in my heart, I think. It will forever be one that I treasure and hold close. Because Christ *can* redeem the worst situations, and He can and does bring beauty from the ashes of our lives and dreams.
And I, for one, needed that reminder. I needed to read this.
And the message was all the more poignant and precious because of it.
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