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From the Wreckage #1
From the Wreckage
[Alternate cover edition for ASIN: B00KXIJ4H4]
She's the town sweetheart, and he's a loner. When disaster strikes, their labels become irrelevant.
“In a matter of minutes on a Friday night, I lost my school, my identity, the security of my first love, the personality of my sweet fearless brother, my best friend, my town, everything as I knew it. Everything changed.”
"Minutes—that’s all it takes to change your entire life. How do you deal with that?”
For high school senior Jules Blacklin surviving the storm is only the beginning. Faced with her life's new reality, she must find a way to rise from the wreckage and answer the question—how do you get back to normal when everything normal is gone?
The From The Wreckage series is a Young Adult to New Adult series with one trilogy and multiple character spin-offs. Please see the reading order below:
Jules and West's trilogy
1. From the Wreckage
2. Out of Ruins
3. All that Remains
Spin-offs best read in order but CAN be read alone
4. West: A male POV novel of From The Wreckage
5. Into the Fire: Dani's story
6. After the Fall: Austin's story
7. Until We Crash: Jess and Carter's story
228 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 12, 2014
974 people are currently reading
2950 people want to read
About the author
Michele G. Miller
43 books480 followersMichele loves words. Funny words, inspiring words, dirty words, sad words. All the words.
Use them wisely and kindly. Spin stories with them, mend fences with them, heal with them. Words are powerful. Words are forever.
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Sign up for my newsletter here: http://bit.ly/MGMNews
Also one half of the duo: Mindy Michele
https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/7...
Use them wisely and kindly. Spin stories with them, mend fences with them, heal with them. Words are powerful. Words are forever.
AMAZON: http://bit.ly/MGM-AmzUS
FACEBOOK: http://on.fb.me/XPUMc1
PINTEREST: http://pinterest.com/michelegmillerau...
IG: https://www.instagram.com/authormiche...
FB READER GROUP: https://www.facebook.com/groups/chele...
Sign up for my newsletter here: http://bit.ly/MGMNews
Also one half of the duo: Mindy Michele
https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/7...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 272 reviews
June 3, 2014
“One of these days, Jules Blacklin, I’m going to kiss you again, but it’s going to be when you’re mine.” He moves this thumb from her jaw to swipe across her bottom lip and locks his gaze with hers as he adds, “Because when I start kissing these lips, I don’t want to know he gets to kiss them after me.”
***
One night is all it took to change Jules life forever. After emerging from the debris that was her shelter during the storm, Jules is overcome with emotion and grief. But there is one person that has been a constant sense of safety from the start. With West's help, Jules must work through the wreckage before it all comes crumbling down on her.
It may have been the recent tornado that destroyed my hometown in Arkansas, but from the minute the sirens went off (in the book) I knew this book would mean something to me. I literally had to force myself to lay my nook down last night. It was late, I had to get up early the next morning...so I just had to stop. I didn't want to. Lord, knows I didn't want to. But I had to. I, of course, picked it up the next morning and quickly devoured it. Yes, hands down, this is my most favorite of faves from Miller. This book owns me and I will be impatiently waiting for the next one.
I loved the way the book starts out. Jules is giving a video account of the night she lost the security of having a normal life. Her world as she knew it was flipped upside down. So while she tells the camera and us, all she experienced, we the readers experience it right along with her. I will admit I cried a few half a dozen times. Especially towards the end. My heart was caught in an emotional twister.
What I loved the most was the quickly developing feelings between Jules and West. It wasn’t the too quick kind that made you shudder and roll your eyes. It was the kind that melted your heart seeing what they went through and watching them fall in love. I was knee deep in the swoon!
Miller reminds me once again why I love YA books! One thing I always say when it comes to YA is that it reminds me of sweeter times. It reminds me of first loves and first kisses. And thanks to Miller and this book I was remembering all those things all over again. I was transported back to such wonderful, carefree times.
5 Heartbreaking and Earth Shattering Stars!
***
One night is all it took to change Jules life forever. After emerging from the debris that was her shelter during the storm, Jules is overcome with emotion and grief. But there is one person that has been a constant sense of safety from the start. With West's help, Jules must work through the wreckage before it all comes crumbling down on her.
It may have been the recent tornado that destroyed my hometown in Arkansas, but from the minute the sirens went off (in the book) I knew this book would mean something to me. I literally had to force myself to lay my nook down last night. It was late, I had to get up early the next morning...so I just had to stop. I didn't want to. Lord, knows I didn't want to. But I had to. I, of course, picked it up the next morning and quickly devoured it. Yes, hands down, this is my most favorite of faves from Miller. This book owns me and I will be impatiently waiting for the next one.
I loved the way the book starts out. Jules is giving a video account of the night she lost the security of having a normal life. Her world as she knew it was flipped upside down. So while she tells the camera and us, all she experienced, we the readers experience it right along with her. I will admit I cried a few half a dozen times. Especially towards the end. My heart was caught in an emotional twister.
What I loved the most was the quickly developing feelings between Jules and West. It wasn’t the too quick kind that made you shudder and roll your eyes. It was the kind that melted your heart seeing what they went through and watching them fall in love. I was knee deep in the swoon!
Miller reminds me once again why I love YA books! One thing I always say when it comes to YA is that it reminds me of sweeter times. It reminds me of first loves and first kisses. And thanks to Miller and this book I was remembering all those things all over again. I was transported back to such wonderful, carefree times.
5 Heartbreaking and Earth Shattering Stars!
April 14, 2017
For what it is, I liked this book. I enjoyed the plot, but found some issues with the way it was written/the narration. There are times that it jumps from past to present to Jules telling her story to living the story and back again. There are times when these changes aren't specified and it's confusing, to say the least.
A big thing that bothered me too was that apparently Jules lost her memory of the night of the storm, but it was just mentioned so offhandedly. One second everyone was talking, and the next she randomly says that she doesn't remember anything. It just seemed to come from no where and nothing before that had alluded to this outcome. Small issues like this really just need to be ironed out to smooth out the delivery of the story.
I'm definitely intrigued and want to read the next books in the series, but with that being said, this one was short and almost didn't feel finished to me. It felt like one part of the story, instead of being a complete story and have the subsequent books carry the story forward, it just feels unfinished. I don't know. But upward and onward to book two!
A big thing that bothered me too was that apparently Jules lost her memory of the night of the storm, but it was just mentioned so offhandedly. One second everyone was talking, and the next she randomly says that she doesn't remember anything. It just seemed to come from no where and nothing before that had alluded to this outcome. Small issues like this really just need to be ironed out to smooth out the delivery of the story.
I'm definitely intrigued and want to read the next books in the series, but with that being said, this one was short and almost didn't feel finished to me. It felt like one part of the story, instead of being a complete story and have the subsequent books carry the story forward, it just feels unfinished. I don't know. But upward and onward to book two!
August 3, 2015
1.5 / 5 stars
I think it's safe to say that books with plots that revolve around huge storms (like tornados) are usually either a hit or a miss for me. Magnolia by Kristi Cook was a great book that helped explain how terrifying storms could be. As a person who has been born and raised in Southern California for almost all of my life, the only terrifying natural disaster we have to worry about are Earthquakes due to the fault lines. And even then, we don't get that many depending on location.
So for me, I need to get an understanding or a gist of a setting that I'm unfamiliar with. Magnolia nailed it. This book... more or less didn't.
Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against books with settings that take place during/after a huge natural disaster that changed and altered all the lives of the characters in a novel. I just have something against a book that doesn't give me a natural, reasonable, and plausible understanding of... anything.
From The Wreckage is a book that focused on Jules, a girl who survived a tornado that came without warning. She and a bunch of her friends made it. Only one didn't.
I thought that this book would be about healing, moving on from survivor's guilt (it's only natural for people to have survivor's guilt when they feel unworthy of living when someone else died), and moving past the traumatic experience.
From The Wreckage was just a mess from the get go. I should have known that I shouldn't expect a brilliant story, since right from the start the novel was in third person point of view, too over-descriptive on details that gave the book a first person narrative, and the switch from past/present tense that occurred randomly throughout the story.
It was original, I'm going to say that. While most Young Adult novels have protagonist write to their deceased friend letters to help them move on, our protagonist recorded herself (like a documentary). But just because it was original didn't mean that it should have been there.
I had trouble understanding when she was recording herself talking to her dead friend, or when the story switched back to her recount of what happened since the storm.
I think what also turned me off was the focus on her love-life. Don't get me wrong, I'm a sucker for romance... but this novel's romance fell flat for me. I didn't hate West, I just thought he was a typical Young Adult love interest: the loner boy who's pretty much misunderstood, but wait! The protagonist and him used to be good friends! Then they just stopped! But it's okay, because they were each other's first crushes/love/kiss/etc
The problem wasn't West. The problem was that Jules was a self-centered brat who went from "not being friends with West" to obsessing and falling in love with him so quickly because he risked his life to protect her during the storm.
I'm going to call Jules self-centered. I'm just going to. She had a boyfriend for two years, and not once did she really regard his feelings while she was pretty much emotionally cheating on him with West and convincing herself that West was the one for her.
She moped over her love life and moped over how her life used to be. She moped a lot. There wasn't even any character growth, any character development, any--ANYTHING GOOD.
I don't ask or demand for the book to give Jules survivor's guilt (because not everyone reacts to certain situations a certain way), but wasn't there a way for Jules to handle her friend's death without turning it around until it focused on her? I get it. She felt guilty that she couldn't have saved her friend, but the way it was handled felt cheap and fake.
Was this the author's attempt to make Jules sound more heroic? To make it sound like Jules was so brave/selfless/kind that she'd stupidly risk her life in a life-and-death situation for someone else? Because it FELT like it. And I don't have anything wrong against selfless characters--but most selfless characters aren't self-obsessed.
And god dammit, she was so self-obsessed and full of herself that I was DONE. WITH. HER.
I just DIDN'T like this book. I thought the Buffy jokes were funny at first, until it became a bit too much? Maybe it's just because Spike and Buffy's relationship on Buffy was... unhealthy, unromantic, and disgusting [HE TRIED TO RAPE HER!!!] and this novel tried to romanticize an abusive and disgusting relationship. Like, I understood the references. I understood why West would be "Spike" in the love triangle. But honestly, there was nothing Spike about him.
For a loner bad boy, he sure was fucking cheesy and knew a lot about pop culture.
I didn't care for Jules. I think Stuart was lucky she broke things off with him, because he deserved better than a girl so self-obsessed and selfish as she is.
I honestly don't understand the need for a love triangle, I don't understand why the death of her best friend affected her like that, and I don't understand why this novel got so much good ratings. It should have been BETA'd more carefully! Somebody should have told the author that unless it's in first person point of view, that many readers would prefer past tense verbs because it's easier to digest.
I ended up skimming the last half of the book because it was boring, nothing happened, and I didn't care for any of the characters.
I will not continue the series and would not recommend this book at all.
Please read Magnolia by Kristi Cook if you want a cute/good romance that's focused around a tornado/natural disaster setting. And if you want a grittier, depressing read, I'd suggest Storm Warning by E. Lee & C. Quinn.
I think it's safe to say that books with plots that revolve around huge storms (like tornados) are usually either a hit or a miss for me. Magnolia by Kristi Cook was a great book that helped explain how terrifying storms could be. As a person who has been born and raised in Southern California for almost all of my life, the only terrifying natural disaster we have to worry about are Earthquakes due to the fault lines. And even then, we don't get that many depending on location.
So for me, I need to get an understanding or a gist of a setting that I'm unfamiliar with. Magnolia nailed it. This book... more or less didn't.
Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against books with settings that take place during/after a huge natural disaster that changed and altered all the lives of the characters in a novel. I just have something against a book that doesn't give me a natural, reasonable, and plausible understanding of... anything.
From The Wreckage is a book that focused on Jules, a girl who survived a tornado that came without warning. She and a bunch of her friends made it. Only one didn't.
I thought that this book would be about healing, moving on from survivor's guilt (it's only natural for people to have survivor's guilt when they feel unworthy of living when someone else died), and moving past the traumatic experience.
From The Wreckage was just a mess from the get go. I should have known that I shouldn't expect a brilliant story, since right from the start the novel was in third person point of view, too over-descriptive on details that gave the book a first person narrative, and the switch from past/present tense that occurred randomly throughout the story.
It was original, I'm going to say that. While most Young Adult novels have protagonist write to their deceased friend letters to help them move on, our protagonist recorded herself (like a documentary). But just because it was original didn't mean that it should have been there.
I had trouble understanding when she was recording herself talking to her dead friend, or when the story switched back to her recount of what happened since the storm.
I think what also turned me off was the focus on her love-life. Don't get me wrong, I'm a sucker for romance... but this novel's romance fell flat for me. I didn't hate West, I just thought he was a typical Young Adult love interest: the loner boy who's pretty much misunderstood, but wait! The protagonist and him used to be good friends! Then they just stopped! But it's okay, because they were each other's first crushes/love/kiss/etc
The problem wasn't West. The problem was that Jules was a self-centered brat who went from "not being friends with West" to obsessing and falling in love with him so quickly because he risked his life to protect her during the storm.
I'm going to call Jules self-centered. I'm just going to. She had a boyfriend for two years, and not once did she really regard his feelings while she was pretty much emotionally cheating on him with West and convincing herself that West was the one for her.
She moped over her love life and moped over how her life used to be. She moped a lot. There wasn't even any character growth, any character development, any--ANYTHING GOOD.
I don't ask or demand for the book to give Jules survivor's guilt (because not everyone reacts to certain situations a certain way), but wasn't there a way for Jules to handle her friend's death without turning it around until it focused on her? I get it. She felt guilty that she couldn't have saved her friend, but the way it was handled felt cheap and fake.
Was this the author's attempt to make Jules sound more heroic? To make it sound like Jules was so brave/selfless/kind that she'd stupidly risk her life in a life-and-death situation for someone else? Because it FELT like it. And I don't have anything wrong against selfless characters--but most selfless characters aren't self-obsessed.
And god dammit, she was so self-obsessed and full of herself that I was DONE. WITH. HER.
I just DIDN'T like this book. I thought the Buffy jokes were funny at first, until it became a bit too much? Maybe it's just because Spike and Buffy's relationship on Buffy was... unhealthy, unromantic, and disgusting [HE TRIED TO RAPE HER!!!] and this novel tried to romanticize an abusive and disgusting relationship. Like, I understood the references. I understood why West would be "Spike" in the love triangle. But honestly, there was nothing Spike about him.
For a loner bad boy, he sure was fucking cheesy and knew a lot about pop culture.
I didn't care for Jules. I think Stuart was lucky she broke things off with him, because he deserved better than a girl so self-obsessed and selfish as she is.
I honestly don't understand the need for a love triangle, I don't understand why the death of her best friend affected her like that, and I don't understand why this novel got so much good ratings. It should have been BETA'd more carefully! Somebody should have told the author that unless it's in first person point of view, that many readers would prefer past tense verbs because it's easier to digest.
I ended up skimming the last half of the book because it was boring, nothing happened, and I didn't care for any of the characters.
I will not continue the series and would not recommend this book at all.
Please read Magnolia by Kristi Cook if you want a cute/good romance that's focused around a tornado/natural disaster setting. And if you want a grittier, depressing read, I'd suggest Storm Warning by E. Lee & C. Quinn.
October 31, 2014
***4.5 stars!***
Amazing!!! Such an intense and heartbreaking, yet hopeful story! I devoured this book with a quickness. And I'm so glad there are two more books. I can't wait to continue Jules and Wests' journey. They were beautiful characters from the start and their connection to each other warmed my heart. What a brilliant story!
BY THE WAY....THE FIRST BOOK IS FREEEEEEEEEEEE! And I'm not sure for how long...It's SO worth much more than that! But snatch it up! Get it here:
http://www.amazon.com/Wreckage-Michel...
Amazing!!! Such an intense and heartbreaking, yet hopeful story! I devoured this book with a quickness. And I'm so glad there are two more books. I can't wait to continue Jules and Wests' journey. They were beautiful characters from the start and their connection to each other warmed my heart. What a brilliant story!
BY THE WAY....THE FIRST BOOK IS FREEEEEEEEEEEE! And I'm not sure for how long...It's SO worth much more than that! But snatch it up! Get it here:
http://www.amazon.com/Wreckage-Michel...
November 12, 2024
Reread in 2024:
Well, I'll be damned😂 I decided to reread to books I used too love when I was much younger, to gauge how much my view has changed. Seems like it's waaaay too much cause I DNFed this book at 13%. I just didn't care about the main characters enough to continue. Also the present was in first-person, past in thrid-person, so the shift in time was getting on my nerve.
Still I'm going with 3stars since my YA self used to love this.
--------------------------------------
First Read in 2015:
When I first read the blurb I didn't realize that when it said " For highschool senior jules blacklin surviving the storm ..." it literally meant a storm . So I didn't really know what I was getting into .
The first 10% we get to know jules and her friends. Tanya who loves attention , Tommy the goof , Ruben the teddy bear , Katie and Jeff who were afraid to confess their love to eachother , Stuart the goldenboy , West the hot broody one . And Jules the cheerleader who is the maincharacter.
knowing them made them real to me , by the time the storm hit , I was as scared as them. I even think at some point I started praying for them .
And then we had the aftermath. Fearing for your life , your family , friends. Not knowing who is Alive.being helpless.The destruction.
The second half is mostly about how Jules faces the changes and her problems.
She stands as she asks the one question she hopes he can give an answer to. "How do we get back to normal when normal is gone, daddy?"
"You find a new normal, Jules."
But out of this nightmare comes something beautiful. West and Jules Love.You could feel their connection.
"West was laying half on top of me. He threw me down on the hard concrete floor and then threw himself on me for protection. It was all a blur, but when we balled up as the house began to come down, I remember our hands were still joined."
West : "Your hand was an anchor. You were an anchor. I had you to keep safe, and it kept me focused."
Normally I don't write a review, I'm not good at it, but this one was too amazing not to write about it. So just read it. You won't be disappointed.
Well, I'll be damned😂 I decided to reread to books I used too love when I was much younger, to gauge how much my view has changed. Seems like it's waaaay too much cause I DNFed this book at 13%. I just didn't care about the main characters enough to continue. Also the present was in first-person, past in thrid-person, so the shift in time was getting on my nerve.
Still I'm going with 3stars since my YA self used to love this.
--------------------------------------
First Read in 2015:
When I first read the blurb I didn't realize that when it said " For highschool senior jules blacklin surviving the storm ..." it literally meant a storm . So I didn't really know what I was getting into .
The first 10% we get to know jules and her friends. Tanya who loves attention , Tommy the goof , Ruben the teddy bear , Katie and Jeff who were afraid to confess their love to eachother , Stuart the goldenboy , West the hot broody one . And Jules the cheerleader who is the maincharacter.
knowing them made them real to me , by the time the storm hit , I was as scared as them. I even think at some point I started praying for them .
And then we had the aftermath. Fearing for your life , your family , friends. Not knowing who is Alive.being helpless.The destruction.
The second half is mostly about how Jules faces the changes and her problems.
She stands as she asks the one question she hopes he can give an answer to. "How do we get back to normal when normal is gone, daddy?"
"You find a new normal, Jules."
But out of this nightmare comes something beautiful. West and Jules Love.You could feel their connection.
"West was laying half on top of me. He threw me down on the hard concrete floor and then threw himself on me for protection. It was all a blur, but when we balled up as the house began to come down, I remember our hands were still joined."
West : "Your hand was an anchor. You were an anchor. I had you to keep safe, and it kept me focused."
Normally I don't write a review, I'm not good at it, but this one was too amazing not to write about it. So just read it. You won't be disappointed.
June 11, 2014
To see my full review:
http://abookvacation.com/2014/06/12/a...
In the wake of the recent tornadoes touching down across the Midwest, perhaps the most prominent being those in Arkansas and Oklahoma, Miller creates a touching, poignant story that truly captures the fear, panic, loss, and ultimate renewal that comes from the destruction of Mother Nature’s ferocity. Told through the memories of survivor Jules Blacklin as she relates her story for a video memorial, readers are brought into her personal world and experience events through her eyes as an unexpected tornado rips through the Friday night hang out attended by many of the counties teens.
Imagine turning around and seeing a tornado coming for you. Miller captures the fear and horror surrounding these events as her main characters experience their lives being ripped apart, both literally and figuratively. Recounting her experiences, and with a new outlook on life, Jules takes readers through her healing process, her revelations of love and loss drawing the reader even deeper into the story. The tenses in the story are a bit jarring every now and then, jumping between past and present, first and third person as the story develops, but I feel like this fits the upheaval of the storyline itself, and as Jules is recounting past events in a present memorial to the dead, it works.
“From the Wreckage” is both a literal and figurative phrase that perfectly fits as the title of this novel. From the wreckage comes loss. From the wreckage comes survivors. From the wreckage comes unity. And from the wreckage comes rebirth, love, fear, and strength, and it’s a beautiful story that I highly recommend.
http://abookvacation.com/2014/06/12/a...
In the wake of the recent tornadoes touching down across the Midwest, perhaps the most prominent being those in Arkansas and Oklahoma, Miller creates a touching, poignant story that truly captures the fear, panic, loss, and ultimate renewal that comes from the destruction of Mother Nature’s ferocity. Told through the memories of survivor Jules Blacklin as she relates her story for a video memorial, readers are brought into her personal world and experience events through her eyes as an unexpected tornado rips through the Friday night hang out attended by many of the counties teens.
Imagine turning around and seeing a tornado coming for you. Miller captures the fear and horror surrounding these events as her main characters experience their lives being ripped apart, both literally and figuratively. Recounting her experiences, and with a new outlook on life, Jules takes readers through her healing process, her revelations of love and loss drawing the reader even deeper into the story. The tenses in the story are a bit jarring every now and then, jumping between past and present, first and third person as the story develops, but I feel like this fits the upheaval of the storyline itself, and as Jules is recounting past events in a present memorial to the dead, it works.
“From the Wreckage” is both a literal and figurative phrase that perfectly fits as the title of this novel. From the wreckage comes loss. From the wreckage comes survivors. From the wreckage comes unity. And from the wreckage comes rebirth, love, fear, and strength, and it’s a beautiful story that I highly recommend.
January 22, 2020
So, so incredibly sweet. An emotional rollercoaster! Heartbreaking at times, and uplifting at others.
Exceptional friendships, and a HS romance to die for((((((((swoon))))))))! Not many romantic heroes can fill West's shoes. And the verbal sparring between him and Jules is sublime! This one will set the bar high for many adult romance reads!
Exceptional friendships, and a HS romance to die for((((((((swoon))))))))! Not many romantic heroes can fill West's shoes. And the verbal sparring between him and Jules is sublime! This one will set the bar high for many adult romance reads!
February 3, 2015
A story about a town hit by a freak tornado and how one particular girl has an epiphany about her life and how she feels about people around her.
Jules is a high school cheerleader dating the school's quarter back Stewart. But when a tornado his after one of their games Jules is trapped in am abandoned house with a handful of others and West......a guy Jules had known for years. Afterwards when the body count is done and the town starts to clean up, Jules is left to question her relationships.
I enjoyed this story and it did leave me a little teary in places. A great read.
Jules is a high school cheerleader dating the school's quarter back Stewart. But when a tornado his after one of their games Jules is trapped in am abandoned house with a handful of others and West......a guy Jules had known for years. Afterwards when the body count is done and the town starts to clean up, Jules is left to question her relationships.
I enjoyed this story and it did leave me a little teary in places. A great read.
July 18, 2014
Wow... just wow.
Michele!
I NEED to read Out Of Ruins like now!
From The Wreckage is an amazing story of friendship, loyalty, love and loss. Dealing with grief, guilt, serious decisions and so much more. You should get your copy now, while it's free. Though I'd pay $20 easy for this epic read!!!
This book sucks you in, no pun intended and hangs onto you. You wanna talk about lost? I was so lost in this book I ignored everyone for hours to read it! Between meals and life it only took me one day to read! I love so much in this story.
The plot is an excellent story and as a Texas girl I was pleased to find it was set in Texas. I like that we get a look into Jules life before it's ripped to shreds.
The characters were full of southern hospitality and I loved every single one of them though Jules, Katie and Tanya take the cake. West, Stuart and Jeff were great too.
Now onto the devastation, I was floored... My heart hurt as I read and I was sooo scared! I knew what the book was about but I was so lost in the story that I was RIGHT THERE. I cannot explain my silly emotions. I have lost it before during a read but this one sent silent tears streaming down my face.
I love the whole video aspect and how we are taken back to the memories. I am not going to get too deep into the storyline because you need to read it for yourself.
Just know that this book is amazing and Michele G Miller is a phenomenal writer. I am confident that you will easily love this book and dedicate several hours to this unbelievably great read!!
I recommend it a thousand times over and can't wait to read Out Of Ruins!!!
Michele!
I NEED to read Out Of Ruins like now!
From The Wreckage is an amazing story of friendship, loyalty, love and loss. Dealing with grief, guilt, serious decisions and so much more. You should get your copy now, while it's free. Though I'd pay $20 easy for this epic read!!!
This book sucks you in, no pun intended and hangs onto you. You wanna talk about lost? I was so lost in this book I ignored everyone for hours to read it! Between meals and life it only took me one day to read! I love so much in this story.
The plot is an excellent story and as a Texas girl I was pleased to find it was set in Texas. I like that we get a look into Jules life before it's ripped to shreds.
The characters were full of southern hospitality and I loved every single one of them though Jules, Katie and Tanya take the cake. West, Stuart and Jeff were great too.
Now onto the devastation, I was floored... My heart hurt as I read and I was sooo scared! I knew what the book was about but I was so lost in the story that I was RIGHT THERE. I cannot explain my silly emotions. I have lost it before during a read but this one sent silent tears streaming down my face.
I love the whole video aspect and how we are taken back to the memories. I am not going to get too deep into the storyline because you need to read it for yourself.
Just know that this book is amazing and Michele G Miller is a phenomenal writer. I am confident that you will easily love this book and dedicate several hours to this unbelievably great read!!
I recommend it a thousand times over and can't wait to read Out Of Ruins!!!
February 28, 2015
“From the Wreckage” follows high school senior Jules Blacklin as and after she survives a major tornado that tears through her tiny town in Texas. The tornado is deadly, killing many people in her town and leaving even more paralyzed with traumatic memories and fear. In a matter of an hour, Jules lost her best friend, her brother’s happy-go-lucky personality, and her school—everything she’s ever known.
I knew this book could fall down a cheesy path, and fall down a cheesy path it did. I found the small-town cheerleader nature to be somewhat cliché, emphasized by the text messages (“OMG” and “LOL”) and obsession with Starbucks despite the absolute terror that tore through the town. Jules, the protagonist, was a fine character, but her love triangle seemed to be pointless, shallow, and somewhat irritating.
Overall, I give this book 2.5 stars. It wasn’t the worst thing I ever read, but I didn’t like it. I feel like I would have liked the story more when I was in middle or high school.
I knew this book could fall down a cheesy path, and fall down a cheesy path it did. I found the small-town cheerleader nature to be somewhat cliché, emphasized by the text messages (“OMG” and “LOL”) and obsession with Starbucks despite the absolute terror that tore through the town. Jules, the protagonist, was a fine character, but her love triangle seemed to be pointless, shallow, and somewhat irritating.
Overall, I give this book 2.5 stars. It wasn’t the worst thing I ever read, but I didn’t like it. I feel like I would have liked the story more when I was in middle or high school.
October 22, 2014
This book will grab at your heart. Set in Texas the land of football and cheerleaders it is also just right for the perfect storm of sorts. Jules and her friends are getting excited to start their senior year of high school when a tornado rips through their town. The cast of characters are composed of unique and developed individuals that are caught in this sudden moment. Stuart is the football star you will love to hate. Tanya and Katie are the best friends you remember having yourself. West is the guy you had the secret crush on. The story is well written and moves very well. Being told by Jules' perspective you feel what she is feeling throughout the book. The dialogue is realistic and honest. This is a story of grief, tragedy, hope and perseverance. I felt connected to the characters from the start and the author drew me into her story immediately. You will finish the book and want to start the next one quickly. I look forward to seeing where the story goes from here.
August 8, 2014
Dnf at 56%. I found the constant 'flashbacks' in present tense too confusing. The 'drama' dragged out a little too long for me and after the main scene at the 14% mark, there was not really much conflict to keep me interested.
June 29, 2017
4.75 stars—1/4 star deducted because I feel like the love triangle was unnecessary, but shhh! Onto the rest of the review!
Wow, okay, so I was not expecting to fall in love with this book, but it did a damn good job of sucking me in. Fuck.
When I first started this book, judging by the summary and the first few chapters, I was expecting it to fall maybe around the 3-star range. I kinda figured that the obstacle Jules (our MC) would have to overcome would be like, a divorce or a parental death (seeing as those are so common in YA for some reason???), but MAN was I fucking wrong.
I'll tell ya, this book was an EMOTIONAL FUCKING TRAINWRECK. Fuck. I didn't cry (because I'm heartless, apparently???), but I came damn close to it a few times. All of the characters, especially Jules and Katie, felt so real and like, I could feel their grief and sadness radiating onto me or something. Heck, it felt like I was there grieving with them and, honestly, I was sad when it ended. When this book ended, it was literally one of those moments where I had to stop everything—turn off my music, close out of iBooks, turn off my iPad—breathe, and take it all in.
I guess if I had one complaint about this book, it would be that maybe it focuses on romance a little too much considering what happened? But, I mean, it was a traumatic event that brought Jules and West together so I suppose it's understandable and it's not like the romance is all this book was about. The grief was still very real, West and Jules have a hurt/comfort relationship, and I could definitely feel that.
Anyway, wow. I know this review is very vague, but that's purposely so because I don't want to spoil anything. I don't even want to put a spoiler censor over anything in case people see this review and peek, so...I guess I'll end this here.
Wow.
This book was beautiful. <3
Wow, okay, so I was not expecting to fall in love with this book, but it did a damn good job of sucking me in. Fuck.
When I first started this book, judging by the summary and the first few chapters, I was expecting it to fall maybe around the 3-star range. I kinda figured that the obstacle Jules (our MC) would have to overcome would be like, a divorce or a parental death (seeing as those are so common in YA for some reason???), but MAN was I fucking wrong.
I'll tell ya, this book was an EMOTIONAL FUCKING TRAINWRECK. Fuck. I didn't cry (because I'm heartless, apparently???), but I came damn close to it a few times. All of the characters, especially Jules and Katie, felt so real and like, I could feel their grief and sadness radiating onto me or something. Heck, it felt like I was there grieving with them and, honestly, I was sad when it ended. When this book ended, it was literally one of those moments where I had to stop everything—turn off my music, close out of iBooks, turn off my iPad—breathe, and take it all in.
I guess if I had one complaint about this book, it would be that maybe it focuses on romance a little too much considering what happened? But, I mean, it was a traumatic event that brought Jules and West together so I suppose it's understandable and it's not like the romance is all this book was about. The grief was still very real, West and Jules have a hurt/comfort relationship, and I could definitely feel that.
Anyway, wow. I know this review is very vague, but that's purposely so because I don't want to spoil anything. I don't even want to put a spoiler censor over anything in case people see this review and peek, so...I guess I'll end this here.
Wow.
This book was beautiful. <3
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March 26, 2020
Really just not for me and rather predictable with forced clichés. Full review to follow.
June 15, 2014
I received this book free from the author in exchange for an honest review.
OMG! I loved this book, it had me laughing, crying and feeling the love. This was a quick read that held my attention, allowing me to fly through it in a few hours. I loved how raw the story was and how i'm sure a lot of people can relate to it.I liked how Jules told her story through video trying to cope with the tragedy. Michele G. Miller is a genius for writing it that way, it just makes everything more real.
I loved the growth from both Jules and West. It's amazing how one moment could change their lives so drastically, for both the better and the worse. I desperately need book two, to see if this love found in tragedy will survive.
From the Wreckage had me feeling so many emotions. When there were cute romantic parts I was as giddy as a school girl, but I also bawled my face off. This book is an amazing read and I would recommend it to all contemporary lovers. I NEED to continue this journey!
OMG! I loved this book, it had me laughing, crying and feeling the love. This was a quick read that held my attention, allowing me to fly through it in a few hours. I loved how raw the story was and how i'm sure a lot of people can relate to it.I liked how Jules told her story through video trying to cope with the tragedy. Michele G. Miller is a genius for writing it that way, it just makes everything more real.
I loved the growth from both Jules and West. It's amazing how one moment could change their lives so drastically, for both the better and the worse. I desperately need book two, to see if this love found in tragedy will survive.
From the Wreckage had me feeling so many emotions. When there were cute romantic parts I was as giddy as a school girl, but I also bawled my face off. This book is an amazing read and I would recommend it to all contemporary lovers. I NEED to continue this journey!
July 24, 2014
I loved this book. The writer did a fantastic job of catching the emotions of fear, grief, and love and how lives are forever changed after a natural disaster. I definitely recommend this book and I am looking forward to book two.
March 9, 2017
2.5/5
It had a slow start but picked up really fast with the tornado. I was a bit bored by the end but would still consider reading the sequel. Overall it was pretty good.
It had a slow start but picked up really fast with the tornado. I was a bit bored by the end but would still consider reading the sequel. Overall it was pretty good.
February 16, 2016
Awesome!
Can't express my feeling....
Can't express my feeling....
February 7, 2019
You had me at the Buffy reference, but there wasn’t anything I didn’t love about this story. There’s heart, humor, and so many swoon worthy moments.
May 15, 2019
I enjoyed this book and love West!
Want to read
March 4, 2020🎁 FREE on Amazon today (3/4/2020)! 🎁
July 22, 2020
Loss is hard
I’m fascinated by twisters. One of my favorite movies growing up was about the night five twisters hit this town. Jules tells this story and it’s really easy to picture the heartbreak she is experiencing. I love that west and her have this connection and he helps her get through the moment’s that are hard to get through. I totally want to read the rest of the series and see about Jules and Katie’s and west’s future.
I’m fascinated by twisters. One of my favorite movies growing up was about the night five twisters hit this town. Jules tells this story and it’s really easy to picture the heartbreak she is experiencing. I love that west and her have this connection and he helps her get through the moment’s that are hard to get through. I totally want to read the rest of the series and see about Jules and Katie’s and west’s future.
June 11, 2014
One night. One moment. One storm. That's what it takes to change Jules Blacklin's life forever. In one single moment everything about her life changes and now she has to fight to rediscover who she is and how to live this new life.
Let me give you one word for From the Wreckage... Beautiful. No, beautiful is not the right word. It needs a better word... elegant, graceful, delicate. Yes. It is all those things and more. From the Wreckage is... beauty, hope, and love.
The story is stunning. Michele G Miller does an incredible job building this story piece by piece, giving us the perfect balance of story and emotion. From the moment From the Wreckage begins you know this story will play with your emotions. She set the tone. And it was flawless.
From the beginning things are somber, we see Jules as she prepares to tell us a story. The hardest story she will ever have to tell. There is real struggle there, you can see how much this hurts her. Her feelings bleed off the page, instantly putting you in her shoes. You can't help but be subdued when you read this book, but you keep reading because there are amazing moments of hope, joy, love, and life throughout this story.
Everything about it tears at you and rips away your emotions until you are raw. You will feel every emotion with this book. From the Wreckage is definitely one hell of an emotional roller coaster. It will give you pause and make you think. Have you ever read a book that made you feel full? That's what this book did. It filled me up. I remember sighing when I finished this book. I just sat there when it was all said and done, like my life had changes as much as Jules.
I absolutely loved everything about this book. The story, which was incredible, the love, and of course the characters.
Jules and West have definitely found their way into my hearts.
Jules, America's sweetheart. A Texas girl who has what every girl wants. Popularity, looks, and the star quarterback. But when everything is taken from her and she stares death in the face she begins to see just how fast things can change. She's a fighter and stronger than she knows. Jules is very real and down to earth
Then there's West. Oh, West. West is... well, I can't really tell you what West is to me because that would give too much away. But I can tell you that he is pretty dang incredible and he makes my heart melt.
From the Wreckage is a beautiful and heartfelt story, so elegantly told that you can't help but find yourself completely immersed in the story. You will live this story. You will hurt for the characters, but From the Wreckage rises hope. There is always hope. And I definitely hope that you read this book. There really are no words to tell you how wonderful this book truly was. So just take my word for it and give it a try!
*Received a free copy in exchange for an honest review
Let me give you one word for From the Wreckage... Beautiful. No, beautiful is not the right word. It needs a better word... elegant, graceful, delicate. Yes. It is all those things and more. From the Wreckage is... beauty, hope, and love.
The story is stunning. Michele G Miller does an incredible job building this story piece by piece, giving us the perfect balance of story and emotion. From the moment From the Wreckage begins you know this story will play with your emotions. She set the tone. And it was flawless.
From the beginning things are somber, we see Jules as she prepares to tell us a story. The hardest story she will ever have to tell. There is real struggle there, you can see how much this hurts her. Her feelings bleed off the page, instantly putting you in her shoes. You can't help but be subdued when you read this book, but you keep reading because there are amazing moments of hope, joy, love, and life throughout this story.
Everything about it tears at you and rips away your emotions until you are raw. You will feel every emotion with this book. From the Wreckage is definitely one hell of an emotional roller coaster. It will give you pause and make you think. Have you ever read a book that made you feel full? That's what this book did. It filled me up. I remember sighing when I finished this book. I just sat there when it was all said and done, like my life had changes as much as Jules.
I absolutely loved everything about this book. The story, which was incredible, the love, and of course the characters.
Jules and West have definitely found their way into my hearts.
Jules, America's sweetheart. A Texas girl who has what every girl wants. Popularity, looks, and the star quarterback. But when everything is taken from her and she stares death in the face she begins to see just how fast things can change. She's a fighter and stronger than she knows. Jules is very real and down to earth
Then there's West. Oh, West. West is... well, I can't really tell you what West is to me because that would give too much away. But I can tell you that he is pretty dang incredible and he makes my heart melt.
From the Wreckage is a beautiful and heartfelt story, so elegantly told that you can't help but find yourself completely immersed in the story. You will live this story. You will hurt for the characters, but From the Wreckage rises hope. There is always hope. And I definitely hope that you read this book. There really are no words to tell you how wonderful this book truly was. So just take my word for it and give it a try!
*Received a free copy in exchange for an honest review
August 26, 2014
From The Wreckage was a heartbreaking story that captured me from the very start. Jules Blacklin the main character tells her memories of living through a tornado in a video memorial. We don't have much time to get to know the main characters before the tornado hits but Miller makes them immediately likeable so I want them to survive and when one of them doesn't I cried a lot. The actual tornado scenes were extremely well written. I have never been involved in anything like it but I really felt the fear and panic of all the characters.
Jules went through a lot after the tornado and I really enjoyed the journey of her grief over loosing a best friend, guilt of surviving and towards the end acceptance that life does go on. I'm glad the characters didn't just move on even though some of it was hard to read. As someone with a lot of little nephews every scene with Jules and her brother had me crying. Not one character escaped the tornado without feeling some sort of after effect whether it was loosing a friend, a business, moving schools or having nightmares.
As much as the book was heartbreaking it also had plenty of lighter moments. Those usually involved the banter between all the friends which is also why I instantly liked them all. They were funny and relatable. West was also at the root for most of those lighter moments with his witty comments. Oh West how he made me swoon. He was perfect for Jules. They really had a connection and maybe it was purely because of what they went through whilst trapped but I'd like to think they were always going to end up together. West certainly always had feelings for Jules. They really gave each other such strength and it was beautiful to read although I'm not sure two people can depend on each other so much without it getting unhealthy. I hate to say but I think these two will need to stop relying on each other and break up to realise their feelings aren't just due to the tornado.
I can't wait to read more of this journey and one character I'd love to see more of is Carter now he is at the same school as Jules.
Jules went through a lot after the tornado and I really enjoyed the journey of her grief over loosing a best friend, guilt of surviving and towards the end acceptance that life does go on. I'm glad the characters didn't just move on even though some of it was hard to read. As someone with a lot of little nephews every scene with Jules and her brother had me crying. Not one character escaped the tornado without feeling some sort of after effect whether it was loosing a friend, a business, moving schools or having nightmares.
As much as the book was heartbreaking it also had plenty of lighter moments. Those usually involved the banter between all the friends which is also why I instantly liked them all. They were funny and relatable. West was also at the root for most of those lighter moments with his witty comments. Oh West how he made me swoon. He was perfect for Jules. They really had a connection and maybe it was purely because of what they went through whilst trapped but I'd like to think they were always going to end up together. West certainly always had feelings for Jules. They really gave each other such strength and it was beautiful to read although I'm not sure two people can depend on each other so much without it getting unhealthy. I hate to say but I think these two will need to stop relying on each other and break up to realise their feelings aren't just due to the tornado.
I can't wait to read more of this journey and one character I'd love to see more of is Carter now he is at the same school as Jules.
December 16, 2014
I liked the book overall but some of the conversation was awkward for me and I honestly thought more would happen with the story. I liked the characters even though they were mostly cliches. I've always enjoyed books with a lot of high school drama because it's fun to read and all.
The story switches back and forth from the present to the main character, Jules, telling the story of what happened and her experience and love life. Yes, this is definitely a love story. There is tragedy and drama but it comes second in my opinion. It's not a bad thing but it just depends on what you like to read.
I didn't realize this was a trilogy until after I finished the book so that surprised me. It definitely seemed like it would have been a standalone novel. The second book doesn't have much of a description either so I'm unsure if I'm going to read it or not. I will probably have to check out the reviews which I rarely do before reading books because I try to avoid having my opinion swayed too much beforehand. I think that lets me enjoy novels more even if I end up reading a bad one once in a while that I could have avoided.
Anyway, back to this book. I thought the whole story was very dramatic and all of the characters were as well. Sometimes I enjoy that but at some points in this book it annoyed me which was one reason I gave it 3 stars. It felt kind of boring as well at some points because it was either too obvious what was going to happen or too cliche. Also, the romance was cute but way too fast for me.
I did like the book though. I read it in one sitting so the writing style was easy to read. I liked how I didn't know who she was making the video for a while and I'm quite curious about what happens in the future. I definitely enjoy disaster type books like this with bittersweet endings too. I'll recommend anyone to read it for a sappy read, especially while it's free because why not?
The story switches back and forth from the present to the main character, Jules, telling the story of what happened and her experience and love life. Yes, this is definitely a love story. There is tragedy and drama but it comes second in my opinion. It's not a bad thing but it just depends on what you like to read.
I didn't realize this was a trilogy until after I finished the book so that surprised me. It definitely seemed like it would have been a standalone novel. The second book doesn't have much of a description either so I'm unsure if I'm going to read it or not. I will probably have to check out the reviews which I rarely do before reading books because I try to avoid having my opinion swayed too much beforehand. I think that lets me enjoy novels more even if I end up reading a bad one once in a while that I could have avoided.
Anyway, back to this book. I thought the whole story was very dramatic and all of the characters were as well. Sometimes I enjoy that but at some points in this book it annoyed me which was one reason I gave it 3 stars. It felt kind of boring as well at some points because it was either too obvious what was going to happen or too cliche. Also, the romance was cute but way too fast for me.
I did like the book though. I read it in one sitting so the writing style was easy to read. I liked how I didn't know who she was making the video for a while and I'm quite curious about what happens in the future. I definitely enjoy disaster type books like this with bittersweet endings too. I'll recommend anyone to read it for a sappy read, especially while it's free because why not?
June 4, 2014
I got this novel from the author, as soon as I read the synopsis, I asked her for it! I had to read it. This one is scheduled to come out later this month.
Being from the Midwest, where there is never a shortage of severe storms and tornadoes, I was easily sucking into this novel. This felt more to me like a journal than a novel. It was very raw and personal.
Your typical Texas town, on a hot, muggy, summer day. Kids hanging out where they always do, seems perfect. Almost too perfect. That perfection is ruined in a few minutes time. The town of Tyler, and its inhabitants are uprooted and thrown into chaos.
This is Jules story, and the night that changed her. She lost her town, her friends, her life. There's one constant to Jules, and that's West, but we'll get to him in a minute. Jules is hanging out with her two best friends, like she does every Friday, at the Shack. Everything has been good for Jules so far. She's starting her senior year, she knows what she wants. Has the best of friends, a great boyfriend. What could go wrong? Right...? WRONG.
Before the sirens even had the chance to go off, the kids are thrown into the havoc of a tornado. Running with some of her friends, they find shelter in a boarded up old farm. This is where Jules story gets sad. Gets realistic if you've ever been through it. The heartbreak and devastation that happens, after just a few minutes of terror, is horrible. The only highlight she had from that was West, sweet West. Her knight in shining armor. He saved her, and some of her friends that night.
I won't say much more, because this hasn't been released yet, but it's definitely a novel I'd pick up. I had a hard time putting it down, and going back to reality.
Being from the Midwest, where there is never a shortage of severe storms and tornadoes, I was easily sucking into this novel. This felt more to me like a journal than a novel. It was very raw and personal.
Your typical Texas town, on a hot, muggy, summer day. Kids hanging out where they always do, seems perfect. Almost too perfect. That perfection is ruined in a few minutes time. The town of Tyler, and its inhabitants are uprooted and thrown into chaos.
This is Jules story, and the night that changed her. She lost her town, her friends, her life. There's one constant to Jules, and that's West, but we'll get to him in a minute. Jules is hanging out with her two best friends, like she does every Friday, at the Shack. Everything has been good for Jules so far. She's starting her senior year, she knows what she wants. Has the best of friends, a great boyfriend. What could go wrong? Right...? WRONG.
Before the sirens even had the chance to go off, the kids are thrown into the havoc of a tornado. Running with some of her friends, they find shelter in a boarded up old farm. This is where Jules story gets sad. Gets realistic if you've ever been through it. The heartbreak and devastation that happens, after just a few minutes of terror, is horrible. The only highlight she had from that was West, sweet West. Her knight in shining armor. He saved her, and some of her friends that night.
I won't say much more, because this hasn't been released yet, but it's definitely a novel I'd pick up. I had a hard time putting it down, and going back to reality.
August 28, 2014
What the fuck was that ending?! Seriously. Grrr.
Full review to come!
_________________
I was really in the mood for a quick, cute contemporary & this book definitely delivered! The writing style was quite simplistic but this made for a pacy, addictive read & it was a nice change to read a plot focused book rather than an intense character driven one - which I tend to prefer. I also really liked the fact that the story had some backbone - it was loosely centred around a real life event & I liked that the author used something that was close to her heart as inspiration for the story.
I was also really impressed with how well constructed the book was considering that it was extremely short (177 pages). It seemed to go on forever and I mean that in a good way! So much happened but it didn't feel rushed or like the author was trying to cram things in.
The romance was everything that I wanted & more. It was just so sweet & lovely & gave me the warm & fuzzies. I will admit, you probably have to be in the mood for it - it could creep into the sickly sweet - but I hadn't read a romance based book in a while & it just made me so happy & swooney! I had the biggest smile on my face during the texting scenes. I'm crushing on West BADLY. No shame here :)
Having said that, I did have an issue with the ending.. Or the lack thereof. It literally just stopped! And when I say that I don't mean that there was a frustrating cliffhanger, I mean that it literally just stopped at a random point as though the author had originally written a longer novel & then split it in two at the last minute to squeeze a bit more money & attention out of it. That irritated me. A lot.
Nevertheless looking forward to picking up the next one :)
Full review to come!
_________________
I was really in the mood for a quick, cute contemporary & this book definitely delivered! The writing style was quite simplistic but this made for a pacy, addictive read & it was a nice change to read a plot focused book rather than an intense character driven one - which I tend to prefer. I also really liked the fact that the story had some backbone - it was loosely centred around a real life event & I liked that the author used something that was close to her heart as inspiration for the story.
I was also really impressed with how well constructed the book was considering that it was extremely short (177 pages). It seemed to go on forever and I mean that in a good way! So much happened but it didn't feel rushed or like the author was trying to cram things in.
The romance was everything that I wanted & more. It was just so sweet & lovely & gave me the warm & fuzzies. I will admit, you probably have to be in the mood for it - it could creep into the sickly sweet - but I hadn't read a romance based book in a while & it just made me so happy & swooney! I had the biggest smile on my face during the texting scenes. I'm crushing on West BADLY. No shame here :)
Having said that, I did have an issue with the ending.. Or the lack thereof. It literally just stopped! And when I say that I don't mean that there was a frustrating cliffhanger, I mean that it literally just stopped at a random point as though the author had originally written a longer novel & then split it in two at the last minute to squeeze a bit more money & attention out of it. That irritated me. A lot.
Nevertheless looking forward to picking up the next one :)
March 19, 2015
I'm so in love with this story!!
I have a habit of browsing Amazon's "free kindle book" list every once in a while to see what is out there. I picked this book up because the story sounded so different from all the other "Rich guy pays poor girl to marry him" books that were available. I love a good story, especially one I can relate to. This was definitely one of those stories!
I fell in love with this book by chapter two. The author creates a story so real I felt like I was there living it with them. I actually searched to see if Tyler was a real town in Texas (it is) and if they were hit by a destructive tornado this year (thankfully, they weren't). By the time I finished book one it was two in the morning, and instead of going to sleep, I pulled up Amazon and bought book number two and started reading. By four in the morning I couldn't keep my eyes open, so I slept for a few hours and then started reading the rest of book two. Once I was done with that, I bought book three. To say I was hooked was an understatement.
Jules' story is fascinating. Sure, at times I got mad at her for her decisions, but she is a teenager! If I looked back at my own life and read it like a book I'd do the same thing. I love the love story. It makes perfect sense to me and I'm not going to lie, everything that happens is completely plausible. With most books, I end up at some point thinking "yeah this would never happen". In this book, I never feel like that.
This book has quickly climbed to one of my favorite books ever, and I have already begun re-reading it. I plan to order the paperback versions. Now if only they'd make this into a movie.
Michele G. Miller... thank you for bringing this story into my life! You rock! :)
I have a habit of browsing Amazon's "free kindle book" list every once in a while to see what is out there. I picked this book up because the story sounded so different from all the other "Rich guy pays poor girl to marry him" books that were available. I love a good story, especially one I can relate to. This was definitely one of those stories!
I fell in love with this book by chapter two. The author creates a story so real I felt like I was there living it with them. I actually searched to see if Tyler was a real town in Texas (it is) and if they were hit by a destructive tornado this year (thankfully, they weren't). By the time I finished book one it was two in the morning, and instead of going to sleep, I pulled up Amazon and bought book number two and started reading. By four in the morning I couldn't keep my eyes open, so I slept for a few hours and then started reading the rest of book two. Once I was done with that, I bought book three. To say I was hooked was an understatement.
Jules' story is fascinating. Sure, at times I got mad at her for her decisions, but she is a teenager! If I looked back at my own life and read it like a book I'd do the same thing. I love the love story. It makes perfect sense to me and I'm not going to lie, everything that happens is completely plausible. With most books, I end up at some point thinking "yeah this would never happen". In this book, I never feel like that.
This book has quickly climbed to one of my favorite books ever, and I have already begun re-reading it. I plan to order the paperback versions. Now if only they'd make this into a movie.
Michele G. Miller... thank you for bringing this story into my life! You rock! :)
August 9, 2014
At first I was caught off guard by it being written in present tense, but taking place in the past. The style of the writing isn't something I'm typically accustomed to, but once I got going I pretty much got used to it. It's just rare to find a book written in this format. It's not at all a bad thing; just different and could be slightly confusing if you aren't accustomed to it.
Sometimes the relationship between West and Jules annoyed me because he kind of drove me crazy at times. It wasn't a bad thing either, just he could be such a pain sometimes! Haha! Parts of their relationship were a little drawn out, which is really the only reason for four stars instead of five. It didn't keep me from absolutely loving this book though and I was definitely Team West.
It was really interesting to see the story unfold as Jules and the rest of the community tried to recover both physically and emotionally from the tornado that changed their life. I definitely recommend this book to anyone who likes YA and disaster books with a bit of romance mixed in.
I also really appreciated that the author kept it clean.
The best part? It's FREE! Support independent authors! It was very well done and I can't wait to get Out of the Ruins soon to see the continuing saga and what happens next.
Read full review here: http://amandadavisbookblog.wordpress....
Sometimes the relationship between West and Jules annoyed me because he kind of drove me crazy at times. It wasn't a bad thing either, just he could be such a pain sometimes! Haha! Parts of their relationship were a little drawn out, which is really the only reason for four stars instead of five. It didn't keep me from absolutely loving this book though and I was definitely Team West.
It was really interesting to see the story unfold as Jules and the rest of the community tried to recover both physically and emotionally from the tornado that changed their life. I definitely recommend this book to anyone who likes YA and disaster books with a bit of romance mixed in.
I also really appreciated that the author kept it clean.
The best part? It's FREE! Support independent authors! It was very well done and I can't wait to get Out of the Ruins soon to see the continuing saga and what happens next.
Read full review here: http://amandadavisbookblog.wordpress....
August 18, 2014
From the very first word, I was hooked. The story starts off with perfection. The perfect small town with the perfect popular kids hanging out at their usual perfect spot. Then, disaster strikes and everything changed.
This book had me clinging to every word. I wanted to know what happened next. Would Jules get her memory of what happened that night back? What would she think if she did? When would she finally end up with West, the major hottie who has had a crush on her since middle school?
I am very pleased I decided to read this book after finding the kindle version on Amazon for FREE and I can hardly wait to read the next two.
There was only one flaw I could find within this book and that was the ending. It just seemed like everything was left unresolved. In the beginning, when the idea of making a film was introduced I immediately wondered how it was going to be concluded. But it never seemed like it was really. I no longer understood what the point of the video was. Honestly, the present tense video scenes seemed like the weakest part of the book, so they probably could have been cut out all together and the reader wouldn't miss them at all.
Other than that small detail, everything else was great: the character development, descriptions, everything!
Thanks for sharing such a great book with us, Michelle!
This book had me clinging to every word. I wanted to know what happened next. Would Jules get her memory of what happened that night back? What would she think if she did? When would she finally end up with West, the major hottie who has had a crush on her since middle school?
I am very pleased I decided to read this book after finding the kindle version on Amazon for FREE and I can hardly wait to read the next two.
There was only one flaw I could find within this book and that was the ending. It just seemed like everything was left unresolved. In the beginning, when the idea of making a film was introduced I immediately wondered how it was going to be concluded. But it never seemed like it was really. I no longer understood what the point of the video was. Honestly, the present tense video scenes seemed like the weakest part of the book, so they probably could have been cut out all together and the reader wouldn't miss them at all.
Other than that small detail, everything else was great: the character development, descriptions, everything!
Thanks for sharing such a great book with us, Michelle!
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