Like A Feather

by Naomi Kenyon

Penelope Rosewood has always wanted to be normal. Born with the ability to fly, it’s kind of hard to be anything but different. Penny’s mother has warned her that letting her secret out could be dangerous. But this summer Penny is starting to believe that she's not the only one keeping secrets. Is something darker going on in Mount Robert? Sam Caleb has always wanted to be different. When his family moves from New York City to the countryside, it’s a great opportunity to make a new reputation for himself. Sam is instantly drawn to the girl next door—the one with fear in her dark blue eyes. After discovering Penelope in flight, he can't turn away from the strange reality he's stumbled into. He realizes there’s a lot more hidden behind her pretty face then he thought.While Penelope and Sam’s friendship blossoms, more secrets surface. A man who seems to be stalking Penny, and a mysterious woman in a photo that her parents refuse to talk about --it’s all just the beginning. As they uncover the horrifying truths, they realize how important it is to find peace in the unknown, and the strength it takes to find it.

367 pages, Paperback

Published June 11, 2020

About the author

Naomi Kenyon is a 18-year-old Christian YA author who grew up in NY state and was homeschooled along with her 7 brothers and 3 sisters. Like A Feather is Naomi's debut novel. She currently lives in the Ozarks of Arkansas.

Reviews

[Naomi Kenyon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I mean, I finished writing a novel for goodness sakes. That's pretty good for me (considering I have a terribly short attention span.) 😂

ALRIGHT. Now for the cautions . . .

Language: None

Violence: More like the characters in peril, but there is some violence and blood towards the end. Nothing too graphic though.

Sexual: The main characters notice each other, but nothing further.

Other: Some subjects that may be strong for certain readers, such as: suicide, teen pregnancy, abortion, and substance abuse. They are all mentioned briefly and non graphic, but still. I thought I should put a disclaimer. :)
The "magic" in it is more geared toward sci-fi if I am being honest. But no sorcery or dark magic of any kind!

[Julie Mozart · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. The scenes, the sounds, the scents, and the feelings of Penelope and Sam’s world are so vivid and tangible, it was a downwards spiral from the first page for my poor sleep schedule. I always find myself ‘working’ while I read a book. ‘Like a Feather’ doesn’t make you work – it’s an absolutely smooth modern fairytale. Naomi Kenyon lets you step into a world that’s so rich and simple and light – I don’t know who let her capture one of those pretty little Pinterest cottages and turn it into a book, but it has to be illegal or something. It’s like… a brilliant little melt-in-your mouth chocolate, or a campfire, or a bouquet of probably-stolen flowers showing up on your doorstep. It’s this adventure that you cannot wait to do again – which is why, humbly, I say that the author now has to write a sequel. Unfortunately, there is no negotiating this. It has to happen.

[Becca Wynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! I usually stick to reading fantasy and occasionally historical fiction, but I’m so glad I stepped out of my comfort zone for this. “Like A Feather” is full of relatable characters, Christian faith, and family bonds!

[Charlotte · Rating 2 out of 5]

Okay so first off the cover is gorgeous, and after reading, fits the story really well! What drew me to want this book the most though was definitely when I found out it was about a girl who can fly. That’s beyond awesome! (Flying is a super power I really wish I had)
I’m delighted to say that the book delivered on my expectations and more so. The characters were in my opinion the highlight of the story, being so darn relatable. (Especially Sam) Also characters thinking and talking about God in genuine ways?! Gasp! For someone who rarely sees that in books, it was such a breath of fresh air and I loved it.
The plot has its twists and turns, with one twist taking me entirely by surprise, but also has many calmer serene moments that made me want to be there with the characters too. Reading was a wonderful experience!
So overall, I definitely recommend this book! (and plan on rereading it myself in the future lol)

[Larissa Gault · Rating 5 out of 5]

Naomi's writing absolutely captures the reader into this book. Penelope and Sam's dynamic grows throughout the story, getting better with every sentence. Every character is fully developed and brought to life. The plot, though slow in the beginning, picks up fast. It has twists and turns on every page that makes you want to keep reading. It is beautifully and skillfully written, complete with many gasping moments. Naomi is an up-and-coming author whose books you won't want to miss out on.

SPOILER:
The few ending scenes with Penelope and her biological dad, Casper, keep you at the edge of your seat. It's fast-paced but also snail slow because you're afraid but excited for what will happen next. Casper holds a gun to Penny while delivering an emotional "speech," which wretches you and correctly conveys how the sick man who experimented on his infant daughter thinks.

[Naomi King · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow wow wow wow wow. Wow.

This book was SO good that I read the entire thing in a day. I don't know what it was about it, but I instantly fell in love with the story.

At first I simply thought it was a cheesey summer story with a simple romance, but as I read my way through, I found there to be layers and layers of rich character development, mystery, and conflict.

I loved the setting, it felt so real, so well described, I really felt l Iike I was there.

I was constantly being surprised by all of the reveals. Like the Jr. X-men??? Thats what I call them now ;) I also loved Kelsey, her personality was awesome.

All of the characters felt real, the plot was engaging, and overall, one of the best stories I've read in a long time. I definitely recommend Like A Feather!

[Vonda Cranfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a fun read! Penelope and Sam’s story keeps you guessing from beginning to end. I enjoyed the twists and turns and was amazed at the writing abilities of such a young author! Truly hoping there will be more stories coming from her - maybe even something more about Sam and Penny! Highly recommended!

[Susanna Blankenship · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was really impressed with this book! The plot is set up really well, with new elements being added at just the right moments to keep the interest of the reader. I liked the characters and deeper themes that were discussed. Overall this book is a really fun read that will go fast because it’s hard to put down! I would read it again, and I’m looking forward to a sequel;)

[Rory Killam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like a Feather was an enjoyable read, kept me enthralled the whole way through. Packed full of friendship, action, suspense, humour, and a pinch of romance. It pretty much has everything you could want, a definite must read!

[Tamica Kenyon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished reading this book and I enjoyed it! There was a good plot and surprising ending! It held my interest. A must read!

[Tami Whalen · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was absolutely wonderful. A very enjoyable read. It is one of those books that you cannot put down once you start reading. Can’t wait for the next one!

[Lauren Fulter · Rating 5 out of 5]

I. LOVED. SAM.
That needs to be put first.
I was decently surprised by this book. The plot was solid, that characters were amazing, and the twists were awesome. As earlier mentioned, Sam was the best. His character was rounded and realistic, and if anyone knows where to find a real Sam call me up because he's the best.
Penelope wasn't my favorite, but I definitely enjoyed her character, and her interactions with Sam.
I want to know more about Rick, because poor guy. In the few chapters he was in, he was brilliant.
I was surprised by the christian themes (I don't know why I was?), and I loved it. Naomi has a way of writing Christianity, and christian's true internal struggles so well and realistically, so it doesn't sound cheesy or cliched. (Also I really liked the pro-life theme as well. Really refreshing.)
I loved it!
This book is a MASTERPIECE.
10/10 recommend.

*whispers* Naomi can we get more books with Sam and Penelope?? Pleeeasssee??

[Nina Martineck · Rating 5 out of 5]

Naomi Kenyon’s Like A Feather is best described as adorable. Everything about this book is so sweet and wholesome, reminding me of cricket sounds and summer sunsets. It is impossible not to smile while reading this book. Yes, it touches upon some heavier topics, but it remains hopeful. It puts its characters through the ringer sometimes, but it gives off the vibe of a happy ending in the making.

I love both the main characters, especially Sam, who has an incredibly strong voice and a very developed character. I absolutely loved when he would get jealous of Penelope—I don’t find a lot of bold character flaws like that in books like this one. It really made him much more lifelike.

The pacing was great. I usually am not a fan of shorter chapters, but this book did it so well, using the chapter length as a way to set the pace. The braided narrative also worked very well—the problem I usually have with braided narratives is knowing what both characters are thinking, which ruins some of the drama, but Kenyon was very careful and didn’t allow this to happen.

My favorite part was the setting. I grew up in Western/Upstate New York like Penelope and have been living in New York City like Sam, so this was the best of both worlds for me. Kenyon’s descriptions were always vivid, especially the scene with the wheat field, which was one of my favorites in the book. (If you must know, coming from another New Yorker, they are all very accurate!)

The supernatural or magical elements of the book were very nicely handled—they didn’t overpower the character dynamics or other plot points. I feel like I learned just enough about them not to be dubious, but not enough that I feel like I’m an expert now, which is perfect in my opinion.

If you’re looking for something calming, nostalgic, and a little magical, this Like A Feather is perfect.

[Shannon Aardsma · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this book for two reasons. First, because the cover is gorgeous. When I saw it, it caught my eye immediately and I knew I had to have it on my shelf. The second reason I bought it was to support a young, self-published author. I am so so glad that I did!

It was a sweet, quick read, and it really surprised me! The characters were easy to love, the story was well-paced, and a book that I had expected to be a contemporary with a tiny bit of sci-fi turned out to be far more exciting than I had imagined going into it. Naomi did a wonderful job including some high-stakes action that keeps you reading. I also really appreciated the shorter chapters as it's easier for me to say "just one more chapter" half a dozen times when the chapters are only a few pages as opposed to ten or fifteen pages. That's just how I roll. ;)

I also think that Naomi has a lot of talent and skill as a writer. Her descriptions were beautiful and there were several instances of more flowery imagery that was just spectacular. That being said, I also look forward to seeing her grow and improve in some areas of her writing with future books. (:

Overall, I do give this book 5 stars because 4 just isn't quite enough, even with my one, tiny negative. I would recommend it to anyone! It's charming while also being quite exciting, and the characters are just the cutest (no matter how much they pretend they aren't). Can't wait for Naomi's next book!

[Charis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like a Feather may start out slow and need some polishing, but the overarching message and unfolding plot make up for it.

What a rarity to see such strong Christian values emphasized in the midst of this story, one of the biggest being trust.

Even the mysteries of the plot, which grew predictable at times, were nicely thought out and gave me a storyline that I wasn’t expecting.

I was almost totally satisfied with the characters and their arcs (save for one missed opportunity I’d say, but that’s strictly opinion). They were fun and relatable, especially the side characters.

I was expecting a hard driven romance, but was delighted to find only a friendship between the mcs but with room for something more for them in the future, which was nice to see.

In all, I was a fan of Like a Feather and would recommend it to those looking for a fresh breath of Christian YA fiction with the plot only being assisted by Christian topics and values, instead of consumed or totally driven by them.

[Emily F. · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a great read! The beginning was a bit slow (or else this would’ve been five stars), but boy was it worth it. I rarely cry while reading, but I teared up once for this one. Like a Feather is the story of a girl named Penelope Rosewood, and a boy named Sam Caleb. Penelope has the secret ability to fly, and Sam is just… normal. But the secrets hidden in their pasts quickly draw them together, and their journey is not only discovering the horrifying truths that no one bothered to tell them, but it is, in fact, spiritual as well.
Trust me, this one is worth your time.

[Adalynne Colello Blowers · Rating 5 out of 5]

just love this book, very interesting.

[Teisha · Rating 2 out of 5]

Overall story is 4 stars. But the lack of proofreading and editing is no stars.